New Creations...

Creating several collections for the upcoming Vintage Market Days of Dallas-McKinney.  This beautiful market will be held on Mothers Day Weekend at Meyers Park & Event Center in McKinney, Texas.  There will be live music, great food and fabulous shopping for vintage and handmade items!

My wine accessories collection will include bottle stoppers made with vintage glass door knobs and wine glass charms made with vintage jewelry.

My Patriotic collection will include lots of 4th of July decorations made with vintage jewelry and repurposed vintage books and book spines....

 Yes, the ribbons below are printed with all of the constitutional amendments!!

 Book spine flags!!

More repurposed book spines....

 

 My Fanciful Photo Holders Collection....

 made with repurposed glass door knobs, clock parts, and other ornate found items!!

Imaginative one-of-a-kind decor for your home...

 My Pretty storage collection.....

Silk and lace covered containers and decorated bottles....

 

My Fancy Shmancy Hats Collection

....baseball caps embellished with silk beaded fabric and gorgeous vintage jewelry....

And, of course, my Jewelry Collection

..... one of a kind statement necklaces made with vintage repurposed jewelry...

Look for my booth - it's in the main building all the way to the far right/north side of the building.  Look for the white booth with the crown on top!!

Hope to see you there - come join the fun!!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

Table it at Rustic and Refined

Let's Talk Vintage Party at Bella Rosa Antiques

Inspire me Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life

To Granmda's House We go (tues) at Abbots At Home

Talk of the Town at Knick of Time

The Scoop at  Confessions of a Plate Addict

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Creative Inspirations (Wednesdays) at Embracing Change

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson

The Creative Circle (Thursday) at Seeking Lavender Lane

Home & Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Cooking & Crafting with J & J at Julie's Lifestyle

Pin Junkie Pin Party (Thursdays) at The Pin Junkie

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

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Create, Bake, and Grow Together at  http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

The Friday Flea

A Morning Cup of Joe Linky Party (Friday) at The Cottage Market

Celebrate your story at Celebrate & Decorate

Share your style party at The Essence of Home

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 Saturday Sparks Linky Party at Pieced Pastimes 

Happiness is Homemade at The Painted Hinge

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Snickerdoodle Sunday at Across the Boulevard

Book Spine Flag USA

So, I was inspired by the book spine Christmas trees that I've seen on Pinterest and in bloggie land.  My imagination meandered about with book spines as a creative muse.....how about a flag?

The background is foam board decoupaged with antique book pages from a bible dated in the 1840's!

This bible was filled with family records of baptisms, births, weddings....it was so sad to see it at a flea market with no one to honor its history.  I bought it, and have created a few projects from it including this cross.

The edges of the cross are decoupaged with pages from the 1840's bible.

But back to the book spine flag.....

I had no idea that white/beige book spines were so difficult to find!  I ended up using tan/kaki book spines for some of the white stripes....check out some of the titles on the blue part...."Fathers of the Constitution," ...."American Government,".....quite appropriate!   The "stars" are rhinestone buttons -- so fun!!

Then, of course, I had to bling it up a bit!  The silver beading between the stripes and around the flag are from a vintage beaded gown....Then I added rhinestones on the sides!  Aaahhh!  I LOVE IT!!!  The rhinestones are from vintage necklaces.....so pretty!

Well.....then what?  Crystals and chains and keys, OH MY!!  I added three swags of chandelier crystals, chains, and a vintage key at the bottom.  How cool is that?  Not your every day kind of flag, but it's so very interesting to look at.....(oh, my, I just ended a sentence in a preposition...)

Next post I'll share some patriotic banners I've made with vintage patriotic book covers!

Thanks for visiting this little corner of bloggieland!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

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

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

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

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

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

 



Teacher Appreciation

Don't we all appreciate the fantastic teachers who teach our kids?  My own mother was a French teacher and then a school librarian at a French Immersion school.  So when the PTA asked for someone to help with the teacher appreciation luncheon - I was all in!  I chose a book theme for this luncheon.

I had found an old home teaching book from the 1920's at an antique store on one of my usual jaunts.  So I used some of the pages to make a background for the buffet table.  Then I used more of the pages for the half-wreaths that say "thank you."

The vintage pages were used on the centerpiece vases as well.  I used a black velvet ribbon with vintage rhinestone jewels around the vases.  Most of the flowers were from my yard.

I used apples, vines from my yard, and confetti made with the vintage paper and a cute little paper punch!  All of the books were just from my bookshelves at home.

I made a few paper flowers from the vintage paper.

Easy paper garland with glitter letters.

I used 3-tiered stands to add more books, greenery and apples.

I even stacked more books way up high on the shelves!

I just couldn't resist making a paper chandelier with the book pages and a lamp shade!!

I love to use the ceiling as a place to decorate.  This time I hung black books from black ribbons.

Here is the vintage home-schooling book that I found in the antique store.

Show your teachers some love this year!!  Hope this inspires you!

Cheers,

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 

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

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

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

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

 

 

 

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 

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

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

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

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