Sunday, June 24, 2012

The Beautiful Book......

I'm not sure if you know this but I love cutting up old books.  Scarred, yellowed, damaged, water marked, if a book is ready for the trash bin, I take it apart and use the pages in my projects.  Something about them just makes me want to grab my Elmer's glue and create.  
For years people have been using them for their projects and here are a few people I truly admire.  I hope they inspire you as they have inspired many.
Leave a comment on this blog post and I'll send someone a copy of Pulp Fiction Perfect Paper Projects 2nd Edition!
 By Swedish artist Cecilia Levy.  No other way to describe this but SWEET.
These bracelets by German designer Dorisse have inspired many people.  She's been selling them on Etsy for years and they are just wonderful. 
Patty Grazini is one of my heroes.  I get truly lost in her work. You must Google her!
Su Blackwell is another artist you must learn about.  If I ever met her or Patty Grazini in person I would freak out like a Beatles fan!  
Su Blackwell again......
Alice In Wonderland also by Su Blackwell......Geez!  Amazing
 Better Homes and Gardens featured this design
Cheeky Magpie made this, you could do pears or pumpkins, too! 
My old friend Chase made this for While You Were Out years ago, but recently it was features on hgtv.com
Finally, my book page covered table from 

32 comments:

  1. I love to create with book pages! I buy the used books at the library for 10 cents! And the used ones are great...all faded and yellowed around the edges!
    Thanks for the inspiration as always! I'd love a copy of the book but will continue to follow on Twitter and YouTube. You are the best!
    Christy Xandrick

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  2. I agree with you that book art is delicious and inspiring. I would love to see what projects you have in your new book! Thanks for the blog post!

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  3. Wow, now I want to go find a old book and cut it up! These are amazing!

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  4. beautiful projects!!! Love that table!!

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  5. I've always considered damaging books to be almost sacrilegious, but I confess that old books are fair game. Yard sales are my favorite source. I have a dresser that has a bit of water damage on the top (the victim of a leaking flower pot), and I think I'll be decoupaging old book pages onto it. It should fit in perfectly with the room it'll be in, which I've dubbed "the book room" (because "library" sounded too formal).

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  6. I love these! Breathtaking! I love working with old books as well...the possibilities are endless!

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  7. I am at this very moment making things from an old book!! Including the cover and spine of the book!! How I would love a copy of your book to give me more ideas and inspiration!!

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  8. WOW! These are fabulous. I've been wondering what to with some of the old books I've collected over the years. What comes out of peoples' imaginations -- amazing.

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  9. Fab projects! TFS Your book looks wonderful!

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  10. These are amazing! I'm now looking at which books I can take apart.

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  11. Love this idea! Ready to cut up some old books I have lying around.

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  12. while no as good as these projects, I also love using old book pages

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  13. These ideas are magnificent! Can't wait to gather up old books and stert crafting! Thanks for the inspiration Mr. Montano.

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  14. Oh,my these people are so talented. Thank you for sharing. I love your books. I purchase the same one I won! So I gave the one I got on Amazon to a friend. Made her day!
    Thanks Mark.
    SallyKingemail@gmail.com

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  15. Amazing projects! Paper is my favorite medium, and I love using old books too. I have found that children's books are great because they are generally safe- you don't have to worry about what is printed on the page. ;)
    http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com

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  16. I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE paper. ANY PAPER. I found a piece of paper on the road once that had probably been run over a kazillion times. The texture was amazing. I took it home and spray painted it silver and made it look like rusted metal. I used parts of it in a shadow box display for my husband's Fallout stuff. The only thing I've done with old books so far is to cut out the inside of one about UFOs to use as a secret hiding place. One of these days, I plan to wrap the entire story of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" around a tall lamp. I'll have pics for sure. ;)

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  17. I can't resist the sale tables at the local library - best find to date - a book on marbling paper, with full page plates - examples of marbled patterns! Almost too nice to cut up (but I did!).

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  18. I alter books and want to try cutting the images in a book. I am going to wrap book pages around our recycle boxes on the porch. These 2 are old and need a new look and I don't like the plastic ones at the store. Paper, new or old, I love it!!

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  19. For years I couldn't bring myself to cut up or alter a book but once I finally did a whole new world opened up. I would love to win a copy of your book. Thanks for the chance to do so (and for the inspiration)!

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  20. Mark,
    You found some amazing art. I have been looking for a table runner, and would love to do this too, but I have two cats that just love to ruin paper projects.
    I found my first paper quilling project shredded, and they found my paper quills for a project, and I found them spread around my living room.
    Would just love to have your book.
    teddie_grams@hotmail.com

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  21. These are so beautiful and I am so inspired!!

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  22. I am totally blown away by the talent of Su Blackwell and Patty Grazini their paper art is amazing, I agree with you it would be like meeting The Beatles to meet either of them!!!!

    I love all you have shown us in your posts from your Pulp Fiction Perfect Paper Projects (both editions). Thanks so much for sharing with us. Oh I would love to win your book! I buy tons of old books to use in art... need more project ideas!

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  23. Awesome ideas..and beautiful keepsakes..lovely, lovely..lovely thanks for the inspiration

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  24. All of these are incredible, love the great things you share with us.

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  25. These projects are stunning! Let's face it, we better get started before everything is an e-book!!!! ;)

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  26. I am a growing fan of using books for projects. Kids books make great upcycled and themed projects....even after they were attacked by pencils, pens, crayons and markers!The words and illustrations leave creativity wide open! This book would be a great win! Thx for the opportunity!

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  27. Wow I have never seen anything like that. Makes me want to go look for old books.

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  28. Gorgeous projects! As much as I love books and love to read -- If I could turn an old book into these projects I wouldn't mind cutting it up!

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  29. So awesome, all of these! I've seen some of them before (Su Blackwell's stuff is amazing!) but some are new to me. The USPS used to auction off boxes full of old books years ago; not sure how they ended up with them, but we got lots of neat stuff at a couple of their auctions. Thanks for sharing these! New to your blog, but love it!

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