I love Summer! If you could tell by several of my posts where I whine about the rain and cold and no sun. I’m so happy that we had such nice weather this weekend. It changes my whole outlook. I decided to decorate my mantle to reflect the season. I’ve had this idea floating around in my head of taking an old book cover and use it t build a vintagey looking frame and use it for sepia photos or something. Here is kind of what I was thinking…
But when I found my book, I fell in love with all the illustrations…
…so decided to make it more of a sea theme collage with a photo and illustrations from the book.
I cut the cover off the book and then cut some pieces of book board (really thick card board available at art stores) to fit the inside of the book as well as the binding –
I then flipped the piece above over and decoupaged photos and illustrations that I cut out of pages from the book. It all looked a bit stark so I painted it a little. OK, a lot. I think I over did it a bit. Ah well. Then I glued the book board piece to the book cover and put it on my mantle.
The photo is of the girls taking in the sunset in Northern Ireland. It was such a beautiful evening and wonderful memory so I love this photo for all the feeling it evokes. I also through some shells up on the mantle from Dublin which made me happy to use those in a fun way.
I saw a photo in Martha a few months back where she had illustrations of birds in the inside of jars so I thought I could do the same with more of the illustrations from this book to add to my Summer themed mantle.
So that’s it! What do you think?
Love it!! I have a collection (surprised?!) of antique books that I’ve saved for covers or illustrations too—Many of them are just waiting for me to use them in a special way. You’re giving me ideas…
WOW! I love love love that book thingy. I want one! You put us all to shame with your creativity! xxoo
that’s great – so clever and so easy. Love the idea and thanks for the step-by-step. AND — your mantel looks amazing. Looks like you have rotating mantel themes just to shake things up – great idea.
oh my…GOOOOgeous. When I last sat in that room it was a Christmas-y mantle which was beautiful but I think this beats it…hands down. my mantle asks you to come visit. :o)