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Friday, October 18, 2013

Drilling holes in books?

"Are you sure no one wants these?"  I asked our church secretary.  She was sure.  A stack of old books that were completely falling apart, missing pages, and otherwise damaged --  and no longer needed at our church....really?  I could just have them?  YES!  I can always use old pretty books in a project somewhere.  This project had been bouncing around in my brain for a few months.  So this morning I got to work on the picture in my head.

A few minutes after my (fabulous) husband left for work, he came back home because he had forgotten something.  "What are you doing??" he asked with a puzzled look on his face.  "I'm drilling holes in books!"  I answered cheerfully!   "Okaaaaay....um...just remember to put the safety goggles on if you're using the drill..." was his answer.  He's getting used to my "unique" ideas, I think.

Quote from the movie "Toy Story"....."Oh, great!  Now I have GUILT!"
This was stamped inside one of the old books..."Cultured people will not write in song book," ....but, you know, technically I'm not actually writing in the books....only cutting them up....drilling holes in them...enhancing them...really!
So I got over my guilt, measured where I'd like to drill the holes.

 

Auditioned a few laces, some beaded trim, some cedar branches, peacock feathers (just the wispy parts of the feathers, not the "eyes"), and some vintage rhinestone jewelry.
 
This is the first time I've used glass glitter.  I love it!
 I sewed the lace pieces together, and then sewed them on to the book covers- yes- I tried the sewing machine to see if it would work to sew the lace pieces on to the book covers.  And it did!  I hot glued the cedar and feather wisps to the top of the laces, then hot glued the letters on to the book covers.  Then, see that wicked looking needle in the photo above?  I used that to thread the ribbons through the holes in the book covers.  Much easier than pushing the ribbons through.  I think it's called a "canvas needle."  Anyway, the eye of the needle was big enough the put the ribbon through, thus making the job much easier!

 

I thought the O would look pretty right in the middle of the decorative oval on this book cover.
 
Must add bling!


And, voila!  The finished project! 
Should I keep it?  Should I sell it at an arts/crafts show that I have coming up in 2 weeks?  Any suggestions on what price I should charge for it?
Hope this inspires you to repurpose something to create beauty.
Hugs, Catherine
Linking up with these fun parties:
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou
Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 
Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/
Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/
The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 
Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts
Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life
The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday
Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind
Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home
You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable
Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters
Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot
Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound
Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo
Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles
What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

13 comments:

  1. I love this! I would keep it or try to sell it, hope it doesn't sell and then keep it! :)

    ~Trisha

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  2. This so creative and the old book are a perfect color for this! Such a great idea!

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  3. This is beautiful. Well done!
    *Smiles*

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  4. This is a wonderful idea and it turned out gorgeous! I would have a hard time parting with this if I were you so I would probably price it high and hope it didn't sell! Now I want some old books to do this with. You are brilliant! Blessings to you, Patti

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  5. You are super creative, love this!

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  6. by the way, I'm posting about your beautiful white pumpkins I got on my blog tomorrow, please check it out when you have the time! Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you so much, Vel! I'm just tickled pink that you'll include my creations in your post. I will visit first thing tomorrow! : ) Hugs, Catherine

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  7. Oh my gosh this is gorgeous! My answer to the stamp inside the book would be, "I'm not very cultured". lol! I have and love glass glitter! I hope you don't mind if I copy this beautiful idea! So excited that you will be sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  8. Thank you, Jann. Of course I don't mind if you copy the idea -- they'll all be one of a kind anyway. Happy to inspire you! I am working on some bigger ones this week in a single wall hanging instead of a banner -- with very long ruffles hanging down and a bit more embellished. Even doing a voo-dooish Halloween one!

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  9. I adore the NOEL garland - brilliant idea! Mind if I borrow it?! -- Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, of course you can borrow it! Happy to inspire you! Hugs, Catherine

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  10. Love, love, love, this project! Such a creative idea, that looks absolutely gorgeous!
    Did I mention that I love it?!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  11. Awesome use of books that would have been thrown out otherwise. I have yet to try the glass glitter...but I want to! Thanks for leaving a sweet comment on my Christmas wall basket. Your comments are set to no reply, but I wanted to say thanks! Have a very merry Christmas :)

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