Did you know that the British Library has released a million images into the public domain? No, nor did I until I was checking their feed on my Facebook timeline just now. I was already following their stream on Flickr but had not realised that I could use the images.  It feels like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one delicious package!

I downloaded this vintage valentine.

I restored and enhanced the original image before framing it with a sumptuous texture from 2 ‘Lil Owls, part of a set sold by Design Cuts that was on special deal last week. I adjusted the texture to a deeper red, more reminiscent of theatre curtains or tabs to tone it in with the swag in the original illustration.

For more information, this is the blurb on the British Library website:

We have released over a million images onto Flickr Commons for anyone to use, remix and repurpose. These images were taken from the pages of 17th, 18th and 19th century books digitised by Microsoft who then generously gifted the scanned images to us, allowing us to release them back into the Public Domain.

The images themselves cover a startling mix of subjects: There are maps, geological diagrams, beautiful illustrations, comical satire, illuminated and decorative letters, colourful illustrations, landscapes, wall-paintings and so much more that even we are not aware of. Read more…

Take care and keep laughing!

Sarah