I’ve always loved illustrations (Illustration was actually my major in college for awhile) and then if you add in the extra goodness of being vintage—it’s like two of my favorite worlds collide. Which brings me to this project: Framed Vintage Illustrations.
It’s the easiest project ever.
All you need is a an old book with awesome illustrations and some frames. (My book came from a thrift store for 75 cents and the frames came from the Dollar Store—making this project cost just under $3.00.)
Now just find the illustrations you like, cut them out, stick them in your frames and your done.
Oh and, just for the record: I don’t like the idea of cutting up books. Something about it just seems wrong to me. I really really really love books but I also really love the illustrations so in this one case I’m allowing myself to use the scissors and I justify it by knowing that the illustrations will be seen and admired more hanging on the wall than tucked away on my bookshelf.
And speaking of illustrations and being tucked away, my kids are waiting for me to watch Peter Pan with them before bedtime so I better go. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
I can’t bring myself to cut up books, either, so a few years ago when I wanted to make bunting for a friend’s baby shower using vintage children’s book illustrations I did the rounds of local op-shops (thrift stores) and second hand book shops and asked them if they had any damaged children’s books that had been donated or bought as part of a job lot. Generally if the book has a chewed cover or some scribbling on some of the pages or whatever they’ll end up in the bin rather than being put out for sale, so I felt like I was rescuing them rather than defacing them. Some shops I went to told me they toss them as soon as they find them, and others eyed me suspiciously, but mostly once I explained what I wanted them for people were very nice and helpful, and overall I got even more vintage books than I set out for… and from them many lovely (guilt free!) illustrations for the bunting.
Amy,
What a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing…I am going to ask everytime I go in.
Amy,
What a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing…I am going to ask everytime I go in.
I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, but I have a hard time cutting up the books too. But I like the thought that they’ll be more admired on the wall than they would on the shelf—that’s true!
OH I LOVE giving Vintage Children’s Illustrations as Gifts… I actually will print them out on a Heavy off white/Ivory Cardstock…. I am an AVID reader and have such a VERY VERY hard time cutting into books… I can’t even bring myself to get a NOOK because I feel like I am betraying the EVER beloved and Cherished REAL book world… Silly isn’t it… But I get so much joy watching are children play Library and you just can’t do that with Gadgets… 🙂
great idea! i love it!
I love vintage illustrations, too! But I also struggle with the cutting the pages out. My mom got me the CUTEST book for me to cut out the pictures and frame them for my kids rooms and I just can’t bring myself to do it, but I think you’ve motivated me.
I love them, that was an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!