Old Books RePurposed

I found this look on Etsy a while ago and loved the look. 

So when I was thinking about graduation decorations this came to the front of my mind and I wanted to create this look.

A good friend helped me shop for the books from thrift stores (because I have been somewhat homebound the last few weeks due to my husbands poor health), purchasing old hard bound books with ruffle-y edged papers.

I ripped off the covers and wrapped them with twine similar to what we see in the Etsy picture, but with my own touch of creativity, using what I had in my craft supplies.  I didn't worry about the bottom side of the books because they wouldn't be seen, but tried to make the sides and tops look the best.

You can see that a few of the books had some colored inside pages and we left those if they matched the colors we were using, but we only have a few because I really like the natural colors. 

I wrapped single books and stacks of two or three books together. 

I piled them as I thought looked best, sat a tea cup and saucer on the top of the stack and they became centerpieces for our tables.

We added some flowers and colored vases, bottles, and little heart ring dishes to complete the look on each table.

These items set atop a table cover made from vintage sheets (HERE).  I was really pleased with the look we created.

We used some on our food/buffet table too.

Now the books are boxed away in storage, but if I want I can pull them out and use them in my home décor somewhere.

The outside covers are stored away as well ..., just in case I need them for something later.   Oh Bother!  I have a hard time getting rid of things. 

Have you heard about the Daffodil Garden?

It's inspiring!

The Story of the Daffodil Garden as found on Blue Eyes and Biscotti

"The daffodil garden illustrates the God given potential that each one of us holds when we plant seeds one by one. Seeds of discipline, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control—seeds that will blossom in our garden one day, a breath-taking garden that draws others to Christ."



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Share Our Garden shares this about The Daffodil Concept.

"The principle her daffodil garden teaches is one of the greatest principles of Life. Learning to let go, let God and how much just 'little you' can accomplish, one step at a time. Learning to love the journey, not the destination. Seeing the sights along the way. We can change our world."

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More ... FYI -

The garden has been closed for several years, but it certainly brought joy to many people and has taught many more a great lesson ... and it will live on.

You can find out a bit more about Gene Bauer here.

Mrs Bauer prepared a FUN FACT SHEET about her daffodil garden.

Click on the link to read about it.

That site has links to other great pages like The Legend of the Daffodil Garden,

About the Daffodil Garden, and (Alma) Gene & Dale BauerGarden Artists & Plant Managers Extraordinaire 

Another site here.

There is an illustrated book titled Daffodil Principle: One Woman, Two Hands, One Bulb at a Time encouraging us to

Start today, one step at a time, to change your world.

image from here

  

story by Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards, illustrated by Anne Marie Oborn -

and part of Jaroldeen's story is found at

 Living Beyond Better

where this encouragement is given

"Start tomorrow"

Grateful Garland ..., Bottled Blessings ..., Grateful Hearts

I think it would be fun to do something unique with our Thanks Giving moments on Thanksgiving Day.  Some families take turns telling each other one thing they are thankful for as they sit around the table.  I have posted (here) about a vase we filled throughout the month with pieces of paper rolled up in a clear vase, each had something that we were thankful for written on it. 

It's always good to be thankful.

Here are some ideas that I thought were fun and exciting and different than I have done before. They are not in any special order, and I haven't yet decided which is my favorite. When selecting these ideas I had in mind that dinner guests would each participate in the giving of thanks, but this could be done as a daily or weekly thing through the month of November, or just once at the beginning of the month and then used as décor for the rest of the month.  Here are some great ideas.

Grateful Garlands 

Let each guest write something they are grateful for on a piece of cloth or ribbon or tag or other item and tie it to a string or rope or ?, creating a garland.

I found this look on Pinterest.

and this next look is found here

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Thankful Tree

This idea comes from Simply Vintage Girl.

The Cooke Family showed her version of a Thanksgiving Tree, and had this cute bowl of paper tags too.

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Hanging Mobiles

Write on each of the leaves and hang on a mobile like this one from Enjoying The Small Things

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Paper Spinner

Create a spinner - make the opening whatever size you need for the number of guests you have, and let each guest turn the spinner to find a place to write one thing they are grateful for. The host could then read each at the table if you so choose.  This look is from Tip Junkie

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Grateful Board or Wall Display

Each guest could write on a chalk board with chalk, or on a poster board or sheet of paper with a marker. From This and That Creative

Or write on pumpkins and place them in a frame to display like this from My Blessed Life.  Instead of PUMPKINS written at the bottom it could say THANKS or GRATEFUL.

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Place mats

Simple paper place mats make a great place for each guest to write on. Seen on pinterest

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Bottled Blessings

Much like I did with our vase of blessings, fill a jar like this from Martys Musings.

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The good old paper chain garland can be a fun idea too. This can be seen on Pinterest. It could be strung in the middle of the table to add to the décor.

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Give Thanks!

The Tablescaper has a nice look using a name card look.

Maybe you would like to give each a little match book notebook that they can take home, and make sure you tell them you are thankful for them on the first page, and maybe add one of their awesome character traits or talents that you like about them. Their names could be written on the front of the matchbook or on a tag attached to it so each gets his/her own book.  These are seen on Lasso the Moon

buy them - like these from Easy

or make them like these made from paint chips as seen Hardly Housewives

FYI - years ago I bought some from OTC, but I looked today and only found these on a quick look, but they could be covered with pretty paper.

Maybe you'd like a different book, like these cute homemade books seen The Long Thread.  If you choose, each guest could decorate their own as part of the activities of the day.

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GIVE A HEART

Okay, this might be my favorite, mostly because I like the idea with these hearts.  It is very thoughtful and creates thoughtfulness within your family.

I posted it here, not to be used the way they use it at Lasso the Moon, though I love that way, but to give each of your guests a heart. Maybe you could pin a tag to it with something written on it that would tell them how thankful you are for them. But, don't overlook the way they use these hearts, because it's pretty awesome! It's a great way to help create A Grateful Heart.

Happy Thanks Giving!

Thank you for clicking in to My Stuff Room.

I hope it has been a pleasant visit for you.

Click in again if you wish!

Booking It!

I like the idea of homemade books and I have seen a few (online) that are awesome.

Here is a cook book / scrapbook from Furloughed Time

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And another style from Wedding Chicks - sew this one up.
I really like this look.

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And if you don't want to make your own, but love the homemade look, how about this one from Etsy - you'll find so many great looks there.

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Lastly, the book itself isn't home made, but the message on each page is definitely original.  I love this idea from The Twinery 



Favorite ... Matters

The first of each month I post about one of my favorite things.  Usually these things seem small and simple, but they are each something that

 makes a task more simple and do-able, or something that makes life more beautiful and enjoyable, or otherwise makes me or those around me happy. 

(see Favorite Things in the Labels list in the right column.)

 

Every Sunday I post about things that matter most in life.  These things are spiritual things, because it is spiritual things that matter most.

(see What Matters Most Galore-y in the Labels list in the right column.)

 

Today those two - Favorite Things and What Matters Most - fall upon the same day this month - so ...

 

Today I choose the scriptures as one of my favorite things - for certainly they are ...,

and they are one of those things that matter most.

 

 

 

The first thing I do in the morning (after waking up anytime from 5:00 to 6:00am) is come to my stuff room, with a glass of cold water, and turn on my computer. The computer is turned on at that point only to see what time it is. I then read the scriptures - at least one chapter each morning. I don't do anything on the computer, or anywhere else, until after I have read at least one chapter.

 

I love doing this, because it puts my mind on things of most importance - the teachings of Jesus Christ.  

 

To some it seems strange that reading the scriptures would make a difference in a day, but those who have put it to test know that it makes a big difference in a day.  When I make reading the scriptures a daily habit it makes my daily life feel more worthwhile.  I find a peace, comfort, and happiness that I can get in no other way.  Coupled with prayer makes it twice as beautiful.  Peace comes from our loving Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and when we follow Them and come unto Them we will find beautiful peace. They will send it!

 

From The Bible intro pages:

"But among all our joys there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God's sacred Word among us: which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth: because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in heaven."

 

 

FYI - my scriptures include:

- King James version of The Bible

- The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ

- Pearl of Great Price

- Doctrine and Covenants

 

The chapter of scripture I read each morning is from The Book of Mormon, but I cross reference and study the other scriptures when I come upon a scripture or topic I want to study in more depth.

 

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ "puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."

 

 " all who will come unto him and obey the laws and ordinances of his gospel may be saved."

 

"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true.  Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost."

(intro pages)

 

The scriptures (especially The Book of Mormon) make me happy!

 

 

More Pantry Love and a Book Nook

I really like this look ... REALLY LIKE IT! - saw it on pinterest.
The chalkboard cupboard fronts could be used to write down what is being stored behind the doors. 

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Décor Chic shows us The Great Pantry Makeover -
The Pantry was this ...

and became ...

These turntables look pretty strong and seem to be a great addition to this pantry.

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Not a pantry, but kitchen cupboards above the sink, raised to a different level than those on either side of the window.  Nice look and great place to store some stuff, from BHG.

Homemade Father's Day Gifts

 

 Here are some fun ideas for a gift for daddy -
 

from Family Fun magazine June/July 2009
 

 My Dad Rocks!   Cute Rocks!

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Cute note pad for the dad that enjoys nature. 

 

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I clipped this out of a catalog many years ago. 

All of the info I have about it is at the bottom of the image.

I think I planned on making one someday, but someday never came.

 

It's still kinda fun!

 

The L.E.A.D 2.5 Word Processor

 Pencils in a frame never looked so fun!

 

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It's Overflowing has several ideas for daddy gifts too.

 

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Vintage Weddings



Vintage Beauties

Vintage is possibly my favorite look.  It can combine with most any other look to create a beautiful and complete look. I think Boho fits nicely with Vintage - they can be quite similar when using neutral and washed out colors.

Click on Weddings Galore-y at the right to see all the weddings I've posted - the majority are vintage.

On this post I hope to not show any that I have previously shown, so be sure to take at look at that Galore-y because there are some beautiful vintage weddings there.

A great vintage wedding can be found at Elizabeth Anne Designs.
I don't know what is hanging on those strings from the tree - any ideas???

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 From Riverside Cottage 
"Natural settings are hugely popular for the beauty and ambiance that they provide & the minimal decor that is required."
It is a lovely look - indoors or out, but outdoors does seem to be a bit more appealing to me.  Such a cute hanging ornament / votive holder, especially against the textures of the tree bark and sheer swag. Beautiful.



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Trees can be a great focus point - just look at the way they use this tree, here.



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Green Wedding Shoes shows this Age Inspired Love Story.
I like this cake.  It's simple and charming.

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Vintage French Wedding Inspiration from Green Wedding Shoes.
Vintage is a mix and match much like boho - but I think I might have already said that...

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More candles in glass jars, hanging from trees.  From OneWed.
so lovely!



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Great Cake from here.
Ah! Buttons! 

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Elizabeth Anne Designs shares this look.
Barns are vintage, old things are vintage..., and this wedding speaks vintage. Can you hear see it?

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10 Tips for a Vintage Wedding here.

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From Weddings by Lilly.
This setup is lovely - the different areas, the rock walk and wall, the blues, the pinks, the whites..., it's such a great look.

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How about some vintage books on some rustic(ish) brick?  From Simple is Beautiful.  This is simple and beautiful.



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More great looks here
Lace ..., lovely lace! 

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and have you ever dressed up an orange like this, or seen one dressed like this?  Kinda cute huh!

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Vintage Doors from The Plunge Project.
Old doors are always cool.  How about that door hanging with rope, creating a great table!!!  It might move a bit as you are eating at it, but it would only make things more interesting.

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Suitcases as weddings are great!
Isn't the color of this suitcase lovely!  From Casamenteiras.

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This is a bit familiar, but I don't recall if I have shown it before, so I'm taking a chance and posting it here, because I just don't want to forget it.
From Vintage Blossom.
Love the tablecloth and the chair.
I'm pretty sure I haven't shown the bottles and twigs - they are awesome too.




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That ruffled table cloth setup comes from this wedding at Green Wedding Shoes and includes these too. 
Of course I love the assorted glassware, and I also love the doily cloth, the cherries in the candy bowl, the flowers/greenery on the plate.

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Here is some vintage fabric from Paper Blog - (you'll have to translate it if you wanna read it.)
I do love ripped fabric garland.



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Great backdrop area from Wedding Bee. 



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What a wonderful flower cart from Elizabeth Anne Designs



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Okay, I guess I've got to stop somewhere!
Vintage!  It's just so lovely!

One last thing -
Rustic Wedding Chic has a post about the Top 10 Vintage Weddings.
This is one of them - and yes, I almost forgot - boots and baby's breath are definitely included in some vintage weddings.

 

You might want to take a peek at each of those 10 weddings so you don't miss out on things like this

and this

 and this

 

and this

and this

and ..., I should stop ..., really stop!

Um! one final note: those last few were a great fall and winter look weren't they!

okay, I'm done!
for now!
But I'm sure that vintage will keep showing up in future posts.

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