Ideas for Old Books

Upcycling, recycling, altering, repurposing ... whatever you choose to call it old books can be re-used in many different ways. Following are some examples that I've found where books can be creatively re-used to make great gifts or to keep for your own home decor.

Cool altered book picture frame from Craftbits.

Nifty Book Purse from Country Living Magazine.

Elegant Book Lamp from JunkMarket Style.

Trendy Paper Vases made out of a books from Country Living Magazine.

The possibilities are endless ... they can also be used in wall art, scrapbooking, and decoupage projects. If you need some old books for a project your pursuing be sure to check out Endless Collectabilities.

White Heart Project .... Done!

So over the weekend, I finished up the two smaller hearts (see previous blog entry) which left me with the three bigger hearts to do.

I knew that I wanted to add pictures in these bigger hearts. I used the kids senior pictures but finding a picture of me and my husband was challenging ... every picture of us tended to include a kid in the middle :) After adding the pictures I created the yo yos with cross-stitched button centers spelling out L-O-V-E and using the same material as the background for the smaller hearts. Still needed a little something ... so I added a music note charm to my daughter's picture since she is studying to be a music teacher, a hockey skate charm to my son's picture since that is and has been one of his passions, and a cross from an old ring that I used to wear to me and my husband's picture since our family loves the Lord and give thanks and praise to him everyday.

So here's the finished project ...

The picture doesn't do it justice ... I just love the way it turned out! I've just started reading the book Vintage Vavoom: Romantic Decorating with One-of-a-Kind Finds. I'm really enjoying the book and I think this project personalizes my living space with a soft romantic look as well as brings in some momentos of my past ... Vintage Vavoom!

Small White Hearts Done

This weekend I really enjoyed working on this project. I finished the small white hearts.

For the background of both of the small white hearts, I used leftover fabric from my one and only quilt project (about 20 years ago). I also glued a little piece of blue-ish, gray sparkly ric rac and a dainty little fabric rose to each.



For the heart on the left, I pinned a locket brooch that I used to wear years ago which has a picture of each of my kids in it from when they were 1-2 years old. I glued a couple vintage buttons to finish the look.





For the heart on the right, I made a heart out of vintage buttons and then finished the look with a cute clip on earring that I just adore.




I've almost got the last 3 white hearts done ... just looking for one last picture.

Gathering Supplies to Decorate White Heart Frames

Last night I began to collect supplies for the project. I found a couple pretty remnants from a quilt that I made in the 80's. I also found some old brooches, buttons, beads, ric rac, lace, doilies, and clip on earrings. I'm excited about the finds ... hope to get started tonight.

What To Do With These Pretty White Hearts

I just love these white heart picture frames ... they hang in my bedroom. I've had every intention of putting pictures in them but have not found the right pictures. I've figured out the reason ... I'm trying to find the right size picture to fit in the hearts and use a mat of course.

This weekend I decided that I'm going to finish this project and I'm going to think outside the box ... I'm not going to look for the perfect picture and mat ... I'm going to try something different.

Watch this week (could take two) as this project unfolds and feel free to offer suggestions.