Thursday, August 18, 2011

What to do with an antique book of French fables

I was making some art today and while going through some of my antique books to find some words to cut out, I came across this French book of fables. I love the illustrations on these pages and the elegant written language found within them. I have used these book pages in many art pieces over the years. I especially love using them as backgrounds. While perusing through my collection a light bulb came on. Why not use the pages to write letters on?
Remember the days when penmanship and spelling counted. Now we have email and spell check. I use these methods myself, don't get me wrong but I do still enjoy sitting down and taking out my smooth writing pen and letting the flourishes of cursive dance across the page.

So from the pages of a French book of Fables comes an English hand written letter to a friend.

I love a fresh piece of lined paper. It beckons one to write. The smell of a freshly sharpened pencil is invigorating. The sharp tip is ready to do some composing. Did you know that most pencils are made from cedar. No wonder the shavings smell so good. Here's a YouTube video of how a pencil is made. Here I know I'm a nerd.What can I say? I love learning how things are made. I know some of you are mortified that I would tear out antique book pages but it is in the name of art and repurposing. Otherwise they would simply sit on my shelf and collect dust. Okay a compromise would be to make a colored copy of your book pages and then use those.
What other fun things can you think to do with antique book pages?


5 comments:

  1. As a fellow nerd, I totally agree with you about the wonderful smell of pencils! Love freshly sharpened pencils!
    Have a great weekend!
    Lotus

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  2. A lot of very cheap pencils are sold over here. I'm thinking they are made from anything other than cedar. :/

    Your pictures taken in the Bahamas are fabulous. I love all the color found there.

    Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  3. Ahhh ,have you seen my handwriting? LOL.I'm better off with the computer, At least you can read it!
    Your looks beautiful, Love it written on the vinatge text!
    hugs Lynn

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  4. Those are very lovely pages - both the illustrations and the French words look gorgeous!

    If you have lots maybe you could make tons of paper flowers from them and make a wreath for Christmas (never too early ha ha!) x

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  5. Never occured to me to use vintage pages this way ~ very clever, Tammy!

    ~Cindy

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