Before I even begin this post, I want to thank all of you who came over from Junk Chic Cottage to visit! You guys are awesome!! Thank you Kris for featuring me Saturday. I was so honored to have been your Saturday Spotlight. All of you - my readers and followers, lots of new friends - you guys are amazing and you made my weekend. I even sold a lot of items in my shop, so I thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
Old, timeworn, French books. I love them but I don't have any. I did however, find on Pinterest, a cool idea that I'm sure you all have either seen or maybe even tried yourselves - painting books!
Okay, so I started adding of few Easter touches around the house. It's been so cold, I think I'm trying to coax spring to arrive a little sooner than later!
I have this pretty silver dish that I found at a flea market so I filled it with some moss and added Easter eggs and a faux chocolate bunny. I put it on the coffee table but it needed some height. Here is where the books come in. I like to stack books to create height in some of my vignettes. It's pretty and it's functional but this dish required larger books.
On Pinterest, I saw people painting old encyclopedia sets. About a year ago, I found a set of books called "The Young Students Learning Library." They're basically a childrens encyclopedia set. I bought them and have been holding on to them to paint "one day"
I painted each of the books with Amy Howard at Home One Step Paint in Robins Egg Blue.
Then I hand stamped the painted books on the covers and spines. I used StazOn ink by Tsukineko
so that it wouldn't smear when I antiqued them.
{I'm not paid to endorse either of these companies...I just happen to like these products}
After everything was dry, I just rubbed some walnut ink around the edges and in some of the stamped places to age them a bit.
It was a fairly quick project and I'm happy with the way they turned out.
I think they add just the right height to my flea market dish!
I hope you get a chance to try this! It was a fun project and you can use these pretty much anywhere in your decor. They look great on book shelves too!
{plus, the information inside the books is interesting and fun to read for the little ones}
xo and God Bless,
Kathleen
Linking up to:
In my wanderings through blog land I missed this one about painting books...what a cool way to recycle an old volume or two. Great post - going to try this!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! And yours look fabulous! I collect old books, too, for décor and other projects. There was a thrift store near my house that had THE BEST old books for .49 cents each, until they went out of business! I have used chalkboard paint on books before with great results, but not white paint. That will be next! xoKathleen
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I love the vignette you made.
ReplyDeleteWow ~ this is so beautiful, Kathleen! Love all your French-style stamps. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy one,
Lin
Tres Chic!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen,
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful work. You've created a treasure! So lovely and congratulations .. you seems to get realy successfull!
Have a wonderful time and all the best from Austria
Elisabeth
Your painted books look amazing. I needed some height for a new vignette of mine and I used several copies of my books about decorating with white. I am still working on it, a little at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the inspiration.
*Smiles*
Dear Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteme again with a big hug and a even bigger thank you!!!!
It's so wonderful to have you around!
Sunny days
Elisabeth
What a brilliant idea! How many poor, ugly books in the world are just begging for a new cover? I love these frenchy looking tomes and thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Nancherrow
Hi Kathleen..
ReplyDeleteI found your sweet comments. Thank you! and for following.. That's so encouraging. Your books look amazing. I like ALL of your projects. I'm looking forward to more visits with you! I really like the quote about peace. I was going to e-mail but there was a problem opening the link.
Have a blessed weekend.
Tamara
What a wonderful idea! Your books are beautiful!!
ReplyDeletexo
I love using books in my vignettes also. These turned out fabulous! I love the vintage feel you gave them! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I am in love with this idea.
ReplyDeleteI think a trip to the attic today is in order (even though it is 93 degrees outside so the attic will be unbearable) to find some books to paint.