I have to admit, I find collage inspiration in just about anything vintage. The crinkles and wrinkles of early 20th century postcards, the slightly musty smell of Victorian scrapbooks, the weathered look of an old door all get my creativity flowing. But there are five things that positively make my fingers itch for paper, glue and scissors:

1. Victorian trade cards

I have a thing for birds, so my absolute favourite are Arm & Hammer’s cards, but, with the exception of grotesque caricatures, virtually all Victorian trade cards are perfect collage fodder. The very best ones are slightly worn or, as I call them, naturally distressed. I like them to show their age.

2. Old books

It works both ways. Book pages inspire me to make collages and I physically can’t make a collage without incorporating at least a fragment of an old book. It’s not just because of their smell, or the porous, yellowed pages. It’s also the old type and the serendipity of chancing upon a word or a phrase that will trigger a new project.

3. Children’s cabinet cards

Those white dresses, those chubby faces, the photograph’s simple but formal composition call, no, scream for collageing.

4. Letters and old family documents

OK, this may be because I am a family history junkie, but whenever I pick up an old letter, I feel a compulsion to tell its story, and the story of its writer in a collage. The beautiful handwriting with its elegant, slanting strokes is, of course, a plus.

5. Vintage maps

How could I survive without vintage maps? The place names alone are often evocative, but I also love the patterns and shapes of maps against yellowing paper. And if I am stumped, a map is guaranteed to reawaken my creative juices.