In the digital age, I continue to be a collector of vintage books. I think the tactile sensation of having an old, beautifully decorated cover in my hands is one reason alone. Some I read and some I use for projects but those very special ones I like to have out on display, whether lining a bookcase or just around the room. I look for good spines, interesting color or script and topics of interest to name a few. When I find that all in one book, I feel I hit the book lottery. Yesterday I picked up A Natural History of Trees  from 1950 and it had beautiful drawings that would look great enlarged for big scale art.

So while I was collecting the books at the thrift store I also picked up a couple of leather belts to create another type of book display, a throwback to when school kids used book straps; DIY leather belt book wraps.  It's so simple and just looks great. I took a minute to switch the books around to figure out thickness and which colors complemented each other and just simply wrapped the belt around them. You could even wrap books in a collection by subject. A larger belt, of course, would work better if you wanted more than a double wrap. I also positioned the buckle on the spines when the books are upright and on top when they are displayed horizontally. I liked the look so much I'm going back for more today. The belts were .50 cents and the books $1.00. My advice is to find a pliable belt and with a nice buckle.

Three things I loved about this:

Every item is re-purposed

It took about 2 minutes

So inexpensive

Just stack and wrap.

Enjoy it!

~L

Linking to
The Shabby Nest

The New Mrs. Adventures

Dear Creatives

Nan Cherrow

The Girl Creative

Little Miss Celebration

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

The Charm of Home

Home Stories A to Z

Elizabeth and Co.

Natasha in Oz

Fine Craft Guild

DIY Showoff

Three kids and a Fish

Karen's Up on the Hill

Kammy's Korner

The Dedicated House

Flamingo Toes

The Robin's Nest

View from the Fridge

Posed Perfection

Sugarbee Crafts

My Girlish Whims

Bessie's book

What is it about the world of old books that are so interesting?
Is it the multi-sensory experience of holding it in your hands, flipping through their pages or that worn smell of the print? Or maybe in this digital age, an old book makes you feel a little more grounded because of all that's going on around you?

I have yet to read an e-book. I'm sure I will at some point. I have yet to squeeze in much reading time at all over the past couple of years but I can't help picking up an old book or two when they present themselves. I use them to create height on tables, stack them as a way to display or just read them. We are on the hunt for bookshelves to line a wall in one of our rooms because this ever-growing collection needs to be enjoyed.

Last fall I was at the Public Library and came across their basement book sale. All books were 10 cents a pound. I picked up a couple of children's books and then went to the vintage ones. Some of the criteria I look for are intact spines, colorful covers, dates prior to WWII, nice or interesting typography and topics of interest.

While there, I found this book, The Cocker Spaniel, by Ella B. Moffit. The green color caught my eye so I thumbed through it.

On the front page was written:
 

 

Bessie D. Apgar
Westminster Dog Show

Madison Square Garden

Feb. 10,11,12. 1937

After I lugged home 20 pounds of books (I was on foot) I forgot about them so they stayed in a bag for a week. When I was finally able to look at them, I opened up the dog book first and out fell two calling cards of Bessie's. Besides the fading color, they were in perfect condition. I studied them and turned them over to see if there was any writing on back.

 
 I wondered if she had gone to the dog show with this book and put her cards in there to give away or if she bought the book there since she was obviously interested in Cocker Spaniels. I wondered if one of her dogs was in the show and the book was a gift from the handler. Suddenly I had all these questions about Bessie so I did a little research.

I found that she was Dr. Apgar, the Assistant Professor of Biology at Elizabethtown College in the 1950's. Her husband, the other Dr. Apgar, was the Professor of Biology. A 1950 yearbook was dedicated to them and the college now bestows a distinguished alumni award in their honor every year.

I know I'll eventually enter the world of e-books but this book adventure tells me I can happily live in both.


Have a good day!
xo
Laura

 

source

"To Dr. Charles Apgar and to Dr. Bessie Apgar, who have led us through the mysteries of the cell to an appreciation of God's pattern for all living things, we gratefully offer in dedication this 1950 Etonian."

Weekend recap - A class reunion themed party

Last Friday I was helping put together a church party. It may sound like it wouldn't be that exciting but this wasn't going to be just any church get-together, this was going to be loud and fun...this was for adults and the theme was "Class Reunion." When we sent out reminders for it, I made these little hand-outs and upon seeing them, someone said, "You should put these on your blog." It hadn't crossed my mind but since it's late Monday night, a weekend recap is in order.

What's the big deal, right? Just a quickly typed up reminder.

But turn it to the side and you have yourself a graduation cap complete with tassel. I just used a brad, embroidery floss and black cardstock.
A tip: When making invitations and if possible, send out something dimensional rather than flat. It will be better remembered - I guarantee it or my name isn't Laura Montgomery (said pointing to myself.)

I was still deciding on table centerpieces at the 11Th hour. Some of my best inspiration comes at that time for some reason. I had originally planned on making floral arrangements but time was quickly eluding me and when I realized I was short on vases and would have to get more, I nixed that idea. I was thinking of a more casual setting anyway. And easy. And cheap. What to do...

Since the theme was about school, I pulled off the vintage globes and books from my shelves, grabbed a box of new pencils and a stash of 45 records I purchased (with this party in mind) and put them in a box to take with me. On each table we set out a white tablecloth, stacked the books in the center, topped them with pencils, tied balloons that Jaime brought to the 45's and set out tea lights that Debra donated to the cause.

A few weeks prior we had put out a request for submissions of school photos so I was busy getting the last of those. I took every single frame I owned (which surprised me and was slightly embarrassed that there were around 40 - you know I like salon style gallery walls, right??) and framed every one's pictures. My friend and fellow party planner, Panda, suggested placing them across the stage so every one could walk up and see them. Genius.

So with the globes in the middle, we staged all of the pictures and loved looking back at every one's school days. You know...80's and 90's hair, cheesy poses, the 70's look, West coast grunge and mid century cool. This picture was one of the night's favorite photos. We called it "American Graffiti."

During a round of the game "Two truths and a lie" which was a bunch o' fun, we learned that someone got their skis run over by the rapper Coolio, one was in a hilariously named music band, one was the State trombone Band champion in Texas, there was a debate team member, another an ASB President, one a State FHA president, and someone who we know as being outgoing and friendly was terribly shy in high school. Those are just a few examples of the true funny facts about people. We also had a celebrity match game where you had to identify the celebrity in their high school photo which was fabulously put together by another friend. Note: Brad Pitt looks exactly the same.

And after all that we got to eating and dancing to Nate's great playlist for the next few hours. My feet hurt afterward which was just how it should be - evidence of a good time. Either that or maybe wrong shoes... Whatever the case, it was fun and the turn-out was great!

And who says church people don't know how to party???

Garage Thrifting

Today I was able to go through a few bins of items that have been handed down to me. Some of the items I will eventually sell and the rest I'll pass along to my kids.
I pulled out a few items to share with you...

I love the postage stamp on this envelope

and the mailing label.

Notice there is no zip code and the

address is Corner of Franklin and Jonathan streets?

I actually lived in Hagerstown at one time.

Clues like dates and places of origin always peak my interest. I love the return address as well.

Schenley bought the rights to many name brands of alcohol that went out of business during and after prohibition. My guess is that this was a promotional give-a-way because inside

the envelope are six (69 years-old) 9x12 floral prints all in perfect condition.

They came with a paper from the company that tells what each flower means.

I am thinking of having them copied rather than selling the originals.

They would add some pops of color to a space. I might use the Chrysanthemum somewhere myself!

I love the use of books in decorating. I am always drawn to ones that have decorative and colorful covers.

No matter what your personal style, they always look good stacked up anywhere.

This art deco piece is one of my faves although I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Maybe I need to go buy some chunky necklaces to dangle from it?

It is a vintage handkerchief display with its original handkerchiefs. It came out of the store, Farrell & Eddy, in my little hometown, that opened in the early 1900's and closed in the early 1990's. My mom bought it at their auction when the building was sold about 6 or 7 years ago.

This was in the back store room on the shelf but it had been on the front counter all those years.

Cool.

A few silver items.

The pedestal dish in the background will go on my dresser to hold spare change or jewelry.

I may use the others for the little flowers that the kids pull for me when Spring and Summer show its faces. I don't have a lot of this out since I lean more contemporary but it's good to mix it up a bit. And who doesn't love reflective surfaces?

So that rounds out today's picks.

I'll be digging around some more later but until then,

Have you found anything you are incorporating/re-purposing into your home?

Have a great rest of the weekend!