I have a very old rubber stamp catalog with the most delicious vintage graphics to share with you.
Time to start honing your design skills! I design primarily with vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator CS3. What’s vector? Here is a good source for understanding the difference between vector and rastor graphics, which many of you use in Photoshop.
In order to make vector graphics from images I find in such books, I scan as JPG files and place the image into an Adobe Illustrator CS3 file, where I can do a live trace function. Once traced, I can manipulate the artwork for most graphic design projects, especially for printing.
I am including the graphics with their original typography for inspiration and extra files modified and left blank for easy use. By clicking the graphics below, you will be directed to my Scribd page for downloading the PDF files. Enjoy the freebies, let me know what you make!
That last set would make a lovely embroidery project
These are cool!
Not sure what I would do with them, but saving them for a future project.
You're the best!
Love those birds! Thank you!
These are fantastic. I want to go to Rochester to buy some Artists Supplies form J.C. Barnard! Thanks for sharing, you are so generous.
Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for adding the links explaining how you do this. I'm totally fascinated now in your process!
oh, these are fantastic! love 'em. thanks!
Thanks! I like when you do the work for me:-)
HOLY COW! I just watched that video and had NO idea about the live trace function. LOL! I have been drawing over my scanned illustrations the old fashion way with the pen tool. Oh my goodness! You just saved me a TON of time. I think I need to go over all the new features of my programs. I just never take the time to do that. MANY THANKS!
Thanks for the inspiration. I just ordered Illustrator because of your blog! I have been wanting to get a vector graphic program to use with my embroidery software. Hopefully I'll be able to learn how to use it. I love all of your graphics.
Golly I love you!!
You make it look SO easy! I don't understand most of your abilities
but I am always impressed with what you do. The freebies are so thoughtful of you. It is really a blessing that you are multiplying your talent by investing in others, not burying it. Thank you so much!
Thanks very much. I'd love to see what Kemp's Drug and Book Store looked like!
oohh.. just love these images… was shown your blog by a friend and i have to say i just love love love it..
thanks for so many shared images! ill have to post a link to my creation once im done..
Your talent and generosity never cease to blow me away! Thanks, from a local fan, for another great post!
Fabulous and lovely. You should check out vectormagic.com if you haven't already. It turns graphics into vectors and no need to trace.
Thanks so much! Absolutely love this.
Thanks for sharing! I am trying to think of a use for that cool Victorian boot… I needed to know about vector graphics too – I really appreciate the link!
thanks! I love stuff like this!
I'm always amazed at your ideas…and your willingness to share all your secrets.
thank you so much for sharing these! And I was thinking the exact same thing as Heidi up there…those birds would make beautiful embroideries!
Thank you! Your blog post will be advertised on the CraftCrave Blog Printable Freebie search engine today (look for timestamp: [29 Jan 02:00pm GMT]).
Ooooooh, thank you SO much for those beautiful frames.
I can't say I understand the technical stuff – I'm going to print the frames and cut them out with good old fashioned scissors and glue them onto my scrap/journal pages.
For a scrapbooker in France whose stash (and Cricut) are still in England awaiting removal, you are nothing short of a miracle!!
BIG smiley face from France!
I love those birds.
I bought old stock of rubons ages ago by K and co and they had that very bird design in the pack. The one on the bottom of the bird sheet.
Thank you so much for posting these up as I really wanted more…. they are not made any more….finally I have them permanently i can keep re using as I want.
thank you thank you
Thank you so much for sharing!Have a blessed weekend:)Kristianne25
Cathe, I love your freebie designs, they are so "in" right now. Everyone seems to have discovered the wonderful flourishes and fancy signatures. Thanks once again for inspiration and great free graphics!
thanks SO MUCH for all of the freebies and awesome projects! i love you blog and read it all of the time! I am using these labels to put on the receipt organizer that you posted a little while ago- i am loving it! thanks!
always so gorgeous & generous! Many thanks
Thanks so much for sharing this!
What a great book! You have the best stuff! Thanks for sharing!!
Very cool stuff…which, once again, is why you are a Rock Star!
You have a blog award waitning for you on my blog
http://christiecottage.blogspot.com
Love all of these graphics – thank you SO much!
You have a very interesting blog with so many talents to share. Thank you for the free images, and all of the inspiration you provide. I 'm a follower for sure! Take care, ~Diane
Gorgeous! Thank you!
these are great! thanks for sharing, check out the twitter background i did with one of the birds…
http://twitter.com/avantgarland
will credit you!
I've already got ideas rolling around in my head.
Thank you
How does one get their hands on a catalog like that?
I love them – thank you!
I just want to say thank you for your wonderful blog. I love decorating my home with primitive collections. And antiques are some of my favorites. Your blog is inspiring… and I just can't wait to play with some of your offerings. I am grateful that you are so kind to share.
My husband was born in 1943 and his mother saved every birthday, valentine, Christmas card that he received until he was 5. The graphics are so wonderful. She unfortunately GLUED them into the scrapbook though. I am still trying to figure out how to play with them without ruining the originals.
I also have some of my grandpa's calling cards that he received from friends. He was born in the late 1800s so, these cards are real old.
I collect spools, I love them and think of stories of the women who may have had them in their sewing boxes at one time.
If you would be interested in the calling cards and some other things, I am going to share them on my blog later, so pop on over…
Thanks again. I will definitely be coming around again. I saved you as a favorite.
I just downloaded the second page (the blank vintage frames). These will work great as journaling boxes in my scrapbook. Thank you for the freebie. I love your blog. I've listed it as a favorite blog on the sidebar of my own.
Wow Cathe, that is really great, thank you very much for your generosity!
I didn't realize these might be actual stamps of real people and places until I saw G. Gruppe. I'm going to look around to see if he's who I think he is–the father of Emile Gruppe, one of my favorite oil painting authors. The location is right, time frame about right. How fun…thanks!
Susan
Thank you so much! These are wonderful!
thx a lot this is incredible