I am a sucker for old books: cookbooks, children’s books, classics, dictionaries, manuals. I buy them all with abandon. I love the look of decorating with old books, I love framing old pictures from books to hang on my walls, but even then, I have more than I’ll ever need. And I keep buying more. So in the interest of avoiding becoming a starring-member of Hoarders Anon, I came up with some Valentine’s day decorations using vintage children’s books. You know, so I can buy more next time I’m thrifting.
These strands, or some variation, are everywhere right now. I got the inspiration for these streamers from this blog. Instead of magazines, I used vintage children’s books. I found the red and white string at Target’s Dollar Spot and was able to do both crafts with one spool. The inspiration post punched holes and tied knots to string the hearts, but my smaller hole punch broke so I took the lazy way out and taped them on. I also purposefully made the hearts different sizes and slightly different shaped. I really like the haphazard look it created. Some colorful washi tape
I don’t even know where to give credit for this banner. Banners, like streamers, are all the rage. And I’ve see a variety of tutorials about printing on pages from books. So nothing I’m doing is new or revolutionary, but it’s the first time I’ve done it so back off. I used an old textbook (the teacher’s edition, ironically) to make this LOVE banner. First, I printed the L on regular printer paper and then matched up my textbook page over it, taped it down, and took turns printing all the letters taped down like that to make sure I got them somewhat centered. Then I found some random clip art hearts to blow up and print on the outside pages. I had the girls color one and I colored the other when they grew bored with Mommy making craft requests. I used the same Target Dollar Spot string as above and, while that washi tape would have come in handy again, I just used regular scotch tape because it’s what I had. Next time I’m at the craft store, I might pick up some in red because I think it needs that pop of color with all the black and white.
And that, friends, is vintage book-inspired Valentine’s decorations. Cheap and easy, just like me the way I like it.
Did you win the devotional book giveaway? Congrats to Lynne, Ashley, and Barb for each winning one of the books! I sent your emails this weekend–can’t wait for you guys to get your copies, you’ll love them!
Need more DIY-inspiration? Check out Kendra at Kreative Creationz for more great ideas!
This looks so awesome! Thanks for passing along the inspiration and ideas!