Gingerbread house finds Handmade gifts vintage

Gingerbread house finds…

I was so excited to find a vintage card game recently as I’ve been on the look out for some vintage letter cards. This version of Kan-U-Go is stamped 41 Nov 1958 (that’s not a typo – it does say the 41st!). I think the game was a kind of precursor to scrabble, with cards instead of tiles.

I had to struggle with my inner curator as this is the first time I’ve ever bought something with the idea of re-using a part of it for something else. I haven’t tried playing the game but the letters are perfect for playing around with. How about a new blog header?

Or even better – upcycled and framed as the perfect thrifted present! I love making these little framed gifts for people and they are super easy to do. Just choose your vintage letter cards, glue on to a piece of card and frame.

28 Comments

  • Reply
    sue
    August 21, 2011 at 11:16 am

    I love things with text – there are so many neat things you can do with it! I like the blog header – lotsa fun!

  • Reply
    Lea
    August 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    perfect! what a great find, so many options…

  • Reply
    Wendy
    August 21, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Ooh, what an amazing find! Love it, so much you can do with it – have fun! x

  • Reply
    Minnie
    August 21, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    This whole blog is so adorable. It’s got a kitsch and cosy feel. I love it 🙂 x

  • Reply
    RosMadeMe
    August 21, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    I remember playing that as a child… what a great way of upcycling the cards.

  • Reply
    Maria
    August 21, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    I too remember playing that game as a child. I love the way you have used the letters.

  • Reply
    Winnie - jewellery bebe
    August 21, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    What a fab idea, can’t wait to see more idea on how you would use the cards.

  • Reply
    Tammy Loves Dishes
    August 22, 2011 at 2:03 am

    Oh, the possibilities. What a cool find!

  • Reply
    Caroline
    August 22, 2011 at 6:48 am

    What a find and wonderful idea for the name frame.

  • Reply
    Molly
    August 22, 2011 at 10:35 am

    Oh wow, they are gorgeous, what a fab find. There is a company framing vintage playing cards just like that (I blogged about them here: ) . I love your idea of using them for a new blog header – looks fab!
    Thanks for linking up with Magpie Monday 🙂

  • Reply
    Anne - Imagination Beads
    August 22, 2011 at 10:43 am

    Love the framed name.

  • Reply
    Lynda/SimJaTa
    August 22, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    What a super find, must say I think that looks great as a blog header, looks good framed too.

    Lynda

  • Reply
    Sam
    August 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Wow these look so cool!

  • Reply
    Faith Hope and Charity Shopping
    August 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Loads of potential there, I really like the framed name, I’m doing something similar for my new niece from scrabble tiles.

  • Reply
    With U in Mind
    August 22, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    What a great idea. Using those cards in craft would create instant hits! Fantastic little find there.

  • Reply
    Jan @ Handcrafted by Picto
    August 22, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    A great find, lucky you, there is so much you can do with these.

    Jan x

  • Reply
    BeckyKay
    August 22, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Great reuse!! Love the name picture!!

  • Reply
    Susie
    August 22, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    I’m in love. Wow, there are so many creative people around! This is outstanding. Scrabble is my favorite game, I had no idea there was a precursor. What a cool idea. I also have a game called Rummikub that has tiles. We have worn out several sets but I still have the tiles. It has numbers instead of letters, but still, maybe I can do something with them (I have not been able to part with them. 🙂 Thanks for inspiration!

  • Reply
    Nancy
    August 22, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    Very clever idea…I love it!

    Nancy

  • Reply
    Martha
    August 22, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    love the idea of using the cards with letters to create a personalised pic. very clever. well done!

  • Reply
    Planet Penny
    August 23, 2011 at 8:52 am

    That’s a fab idea! I know what you mean about breaking up something old to craft with, but it works really well.

  • Reply
    Morgan
    August 24, 2011 at 5:34 am

    This is too cute! Thanks for linking up!

  • Reply
    ChrisTea And Cakes
    August 25, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    What a lucky find, my husband received a birthday card with his initial on in one of those cards, I’m going to frame it for him, great minds and all that! x

  • Reply
    Ana
    August 26, 2011 at 12:09 am

    Such a cute idea. Thanks for linking up to thriftaholics weekly.

  • Reply
    Nicole S.
    August 26, 2011 at 10:23 am

    These are so adorable, lovely finds!

  • Reply
    Nadia Murphy
    December 3, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Ooh, what an amazing find! I also have a game called Rummikub that has tiles. Loads of potential there, I really like the framed name, I’m doing something similar for my new niece from scrabble tiles. Love the name picture!!

  • Reply
    Elise Farrell
    December 8, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    What a fab idea, can’t wait to see more idea on how you would use the cards. very clever. That’s a fab idea!

  • Reply
    Betty Watkins
    February 18, 2012 at 6:53 am

    well done! Oh, the possibilities. Loads of potential there, I really like the framed name, I’m doing something similar for my new niece from scrabble tiles. Thanks for linking up!

  • Leave a Reply