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:

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Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

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Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

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Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

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The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

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All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

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

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What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

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