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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Painted Books to add French Style


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

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13 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. I 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

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  3. Very pretty! I love the vignette you made.

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  4. Wow ~ this is so beautiful, Kathleen! Love all your French-style stamps. So pretty!
    Have a happy one,
    Lin

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  5. Hi Kathleen,
    what 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

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  6. 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.
    Thanks again for the inspiration.
    *Smiles*

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  7. Dear Kathleen,
    me again with a big hug and a even bigger thank you!!!!
    It's so wonderful to have you around!
    Sunny days
    Elisabeth

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  8. 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!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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  9. Hi Kathleen..
    I 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

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  10. What a wonderful idea! Your books are beautiful!!
    xo

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  11. 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.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. I am in love with this idea.

    I 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.

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Thank you so much for stopping by. I really appreciate your comments...I read every one and hope that you'll visit again!