Instant Ancestors: Ideas for What To Do With Them

Since there was some interest in Instant Ancestors the other day, I thought I would show you some ideas for using these cast-off treasures. In case you've missed earlier posts, an Instant Ancestor is a found photo (from thrift store, flea market, antique store, or even garage sale!) who no one seems to know about and who you decide to "adopt" and take home for your own!

A lot of us have seen photos like this and wonder who would get rid of family pics? Well, the reason is that the pics were never documented with names and dates. Without these things, a person becomes just another face--there's no connection. I HIGHLY recommend that if you scrapbook you ALWAYS write names and dates of each person on each page. What if pages become separated? Or if you always scrapbook journal "Us on vacation...", or "the kids and me..." there is a great chance that future generations aren't going to know who "us", "kids" or "me" are, and your family pictoral history will also end up in the trash pile!!

If you're reading this, you likely have a soft spot for family treasures. Another documenting tip is to take photos of family heirlooms (ie: Grandma's quilt, Aunt Betty's teacup, Great-Grandpa's war items, Mom's cake plate, etc.) and make a little scrapbook with each page having a photo of item, photo of person it came from, known info about item, memories, and journal specific things so that future generations will know where these things came from...stories get lost or forgotten as people age, and this sort of scrapbook could be very sentimental and useful!

Now....back to the Instant Ancestor Ideas....:)

Above is how I currently display my little collection of Instant Ancestors. They are in a multi-clip photo holder. It's an older pic--now I have a cute little birdie up there too :). But the fern is looking a little sad now after my trip, so this pic will have to do! The fern flower pot used to be a chamber pot by the way! hehe!!

Above is my fav Instant Ancestor, Charlie? Remember him?!
I chose to collect "Funny Portrait" I.A.'s. My friend Kailey collects just wedding portraits. You could focus on more formal portraits, candids, just babies or children, gentlemen, family group shots, or larger school or sports group pics. Choose what speaks to you. I like the "Funny Portrait" ones best...I wanted ones that would make me smile or imagine stories about them!

Above is an old tin ceiling tile, and I've used magnets made from vintage Scrabble letters to hold a photo on. A "frame" of sorts!

(Now, for other display/use ideas I'm using some I.A.'s and some copies of ACTUAL family ancestors. Now, I know that none of you would copy any of these pics for your own use without permission (if you would like permission, please let me know!), because I wouldn't want to see crafts floating around out there that used Grandma as a fairy ;0)!! Seriously, if you see something interesting, give me a shout out, and I'll let you know what's ok to use. :) Thanks!!!)

You can pile a bunch of I.A.'s in a pretty bowl, or antique sewing drawer as I've done here. Placed on a coffee table, they could be an interesting conversation piece!

You could get some old crocheted lace or vintage ribbon and clip photos on to form a picture garland. This is on my mantle for the pic, but I may hang it in a hallway with other family pics. Or in the guest bedroom. Hmm...

Below is a closeup of the photo garland. I used some lace found in Great Grandma Tillie's Singer sewing cabinet drawers :) and some curlie-cue clips made for scrapbooking! They are made by "making memories", and could be found in scrapbooking stores.

Put a cute pic in a flower frog! Always good for holding pics.

Place in floral frog and then on a vintage plate. Put a glass cloche on top and voila!

Place I.A. pics under glass, such as on this side table. You know the cheap round ones?! They are protected this way, but displayed in a fun & unique way!

Here's Grandma with her purse and gloves. You can create little "memory" or "imagined memory" vignettes!

Here's a few more ideas for using those Instant Ancestors!:

Piled in a crystal bowl

In a hurricane vase with vintage jewelry, rice, or coffee beans

Photocopy for gift tags or stationary or artsy projects

W/Magnets on a vintage window screen, or "silver" dish, or ceiling tin

Tucked in a birdcage

Behind glass of old window

Propped on a ledge or chair/picture rail

**On a Christmas Tree! This idea was given by Tracy from A Simple Country Life! She shares her darling idea in a post on her blog. Click the link to see. Tracy wrapped thin ribbon like a package around her Instant Ancestor pics and hung in her tree. How cute is that?! Thanks for sharing your idea, Tracy!**

Actually, if anyone else has a neat idea or photo of how you display or use Instant Ancestors, let me know in the comments section and I'll mention in another post and/or put a link over to your blog! :)

Have a fun day, my dear bloggy friends, and next time you see an old photo you can rescue it and have your own "Instant Ancestor"!

Blessings,

Stacey