Out with the new and in with the old is my motto. I am an avid ephemera fan! For those of you who don't know, ephemera is defined as everyday documents from long ago that were intended to be used for one time or short-term use. Items like postcards, bottle caps, magazines, pamphlets, posters, fruit wrappers, tickets, receipts, valentines, calendars...get the picture?

The scrapbooking manufactures have even designed products from original ephemera from way back. Digital designs are available, showing off those way cool designs of long ago, which we love!

Check out these few fabulous examples of this in these layouts. Irit's use of the dress pattern paper, milk and soda caps makes it fun to re-visit these times. Katey's vintage photo of her granddad with other digital vintage elements brings a smile to my face along with Debby's fashion signs of the times. I just love seeing all of that cool stuff!

Me @ One by Irit Shalom

Supplies: Paper, Die-Cuts, Tags: Pretty Little Studio, Cardstock: Core’dinations, Alphabet: American Crafts, Flowers: Sassafras Lass, Epiphany Crafts, Brads: Making Memories, Metal: Bottle Cap, Inc., Epoxy: Metal Cap, Inc., Buttons: Epiphany Crafts, Ink: Ranger. Tools: Punches: Epiphany Crafts, Tonic Studio.

Design Notes: When scrapping old vintage photos, try to fit the vintage images, papers and to give it an overall vintage feel. Bottle caps- reused or premade- are great for round tags. Make a grid on emboss able cardstock with score blade. And the last tip here: ink, ink and ink! Distressed inks are just a must for any vintage style project.

My Grandad by Katey Green

Digital Supplies: Papers: Background paper from As Time Goes By by Sausan Designs, Stacked Papers from Little Jake Accessories by Kathryn Balint. Elements: Pen, Oval Hanging Frame, Perfume Bottle from Attic Antiquities by Irene Alexeeva, Hand Stamp from Little Jake Stamps by Kathryn Balint, Milk Coaster from FarmKid by Kathryn Balint, Little Angel, Bead Tube, Butterfly from Twist by Sherrie Piegdon, Stamp Strip and Frame from Parisien Holiday by Oscraps Designers. Software: Adobe Photoshop, Fonts: French Script.

Design Notes: Don't be afraid to experiment with mixing elements from several kits; make use of those old tucked away digital kits. Experiment with your shadowing, they don't all have to be uniform.

Grace by Debby Lewis

Supplies: Paper, Tags: Vintage Street Market, Alphabet: American Crafts, Flowers: Epiphany Crafts, Paint: Ranger, Ink: Ranger, Specialty Ink: Tsukineko, Thread: Coats and Clark, Other: cardstock, felt. Tools: Stapler: Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz), Stamps: Stamper’s Anonymous, Tim Holtz, Button Maker: Button Studio (Epiphany Crafts), Trimmer, Stamp Press: Fiskars, Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: Sewing a basting stitch up the center of the tissue and gently pull gathers into the tissue. The rickrack hides the stitching and makes for a great textured border. If you print your own photos and cut them out add Black Stazon ink around the outside edges to give the photo a finished look. Add a little paint to the solid black letters for that vintage look.

Journaling: Aunt Pat and Uncle Joe Bill the early years. To me they were the "cool" aunt and uncle as i was growing up. They were always nice, but a lot of fun too. I miss Uncle Joe Bill. Aunt Pat is just as beautiful as the day this photo was taken.