One of my favorite things in life - books, beautiful books.
Life would be nothing without them and is so enhanced by them.
I have always lived by my pledge to 'read the written word', and to
do it with a real book in my hand.
With Michael's Scribble Picnic up and running again, our challenge this week is 'books'.
My little piece is, as always, a photo edited back to a sketch then color added with watercolor pencils.
I love to use vintage and unusual books as part of my cottage decor, such as here
on the hearth for summertime.
This is a stack of several vintage French paperback books I purchased some
years back in the very pretty Provençal river town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, home
of awesome brocantes and the place for French antiques hunters from around
the world.
Yes, I do remember where my little treasures were found - not in the high priced
riverside antiques dealers shops, but in the back alleys piled on tables and going
for just 1 Euro a piece!
This stack is topped by my early foray into 'folded books', see an old tutorial HERE
if interested, in need of relaxing creativity, and have some time on your hands.
I have picked up old books in used book shops, thrift shops etc. and enjoyed giving
them a new life around my home. . . . . . . and folding books is a change from
knitting scarves when relaxing in from of the TV on winter evenings!
My thoughts have been with Michael and Alexandra as they traveled back to
England for Michael's mother's funeral. Glad you are safely back here now
dear friends.
Hope to see our 'sketching friends' at the Scribble Picnic today. I missed
everyone whilst away in Italy (Sicily) and Malta - am trying hard to catch up
and post on all the wonderful places visited on the awesome Mediterranean
cruise.
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Mary your piece is so beautiful, you have captured your love of books here perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI love finding a good yard sale or thrift store. The junkier and cheaper, the more fun it is!
ReplyDeleteMary, you are a wonder - can do anything.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI like your eye for a good composition. Well done.
Blessings
Janis
So soft and lovely. I just want to sit down, untie the string, and start reading. You do such masterful work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely arrangement, all the nicer because of the memories it brings to you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, and glad you had a good trip.
I like that you didn't use too many colors here. good take on the theme.
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day.
That sounds like quite an adventure finding those books in the alley. I bet you loved every minute of it. And what a pretty addition to your decor.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing these type of books before here and your coloured picture works great. Yes, very vintage indeed. Great pick and fun to consider such forays in search of wonderful finds.
ReplyDeleteAs I noted on my blog reply, Sicily is definitely one of those places I would truly love to see so will enjoy reading your posts as they become available, Mary. Thank you.
Love your folded books and scribbles. Time to get back into the swing of things. Arrived home last evening. What a lovely welcome in the mail. I haven't read the article yet, but I will. Thanks!! Look forward to catching up.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful take on the Picnic theme, Mary. I don't think I have seen folded books like this before. It's so effective! It reminds me of a very popular book craft about 15 years or more back where they would open a book to the centre-spread. It would then be glued into the open page shape with the corners curled. After it was dry, it would then be decorated with paint, lace, flowers, etc. They would also add gold to the page edges and often give the book an aged effect. I can't remember what it was called but it was very pretty. Does it ring a bell with you?
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a bookworm myself and, even though I've gained a new appreciation for eBooks, I still love the feel of a real book in my hands. Don't you just love the smell of old books? They get my imagination going.
I look forward to hearing all about your trip away.
Have a lovely week,
Serena :)
So glad to have you back, Mary. Hope you had a wonderful trip! And thank you, we made it back safely and are trying to settle back into things. Wonderful piece and I love your taste/style of vintage books. :)
ReplyDeleteKeep on working, great job!
ReplyDelete