Wednesday, June 1, 2011

"Old Glory" Book


I was inspired by Christy over at “From Glitter to Gumdrops” by her adorable American flag book that she made!  I picked up a large book at my local thrift store for $1.00 and decided to give it a try and put my spin on it.



I knew I wanted to prime the entire book before beginning to paint it but I wanted to retain the yellowed pages so I covered them with paper and painters tape before spraying the book white.


 
Once this was dry I used acrylic paints to add the stars and stripes.  I used painter's tape to mark everything off but didn't press it down to firmly because I didn't want clean lines.  



I wanted to give this a little more dimension so I went back with some of my rubber stamps and inks that were slightly different in color from the stripes and added some filigree designs.  


I made sure to hold paper over the edges so I didn’t stamp on the other stripes.  I used a star rubber stamp and white acrylic paint to stamp stars on the blue background.



 
Once all of this was dry, I decided to add the words to God Bless America using a black permanent marker. 






Using a rag and some of my ink pads I rubbed beige and yellow inks over the entire piece to give it an aged look.  I finished it off by making a little tag using some free clip art (just googled 'Vintage patriotic postcards') and miscellaneous ephemera.  The handle was some twill tape I had that I stamped on using the same filigree stamps I used on the flag and of course since I have a billion old keys, I had to add one of those!


I wanted to get this finished for Memorial Day but now I'll have it ready for the Fourth of July!  I like this idea so much, I'm thinking of other things to paint on old books and make wall art -- got any suggestions??  Total cost for this project was $1.00 -- I had everything except the book!

 

41 comments:

  1. Hi Lauren, you did a fantastic job on the book. I would love to make one, how did you fasten the ribbon on?
    have a blessed evening,
    Regina

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  2. Love the flag. Great details...visit me sometimes. Tiffany

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  3. Lauren....yours is absolutely beautiful!! I am definitely featuring it next week!! I LOVE it!!

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  4. Oh, how I love this, Lauren!! I need to make one of these for our patriotic gameroom!! Thanks for showing me how!!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  5. I love that flag! What a fantastic project! The way you have the text and the gorgeous vintage postcard on the tag works so well! God bless! X

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  6. Your flag book turned out beautiful!

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  7. I LOVE this! I am definitely going to have to make one! I'm sending it to my Pinterest board! Love. Love. Love!

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  8. WOW! I love this! It is beautiful! Thank you for your comment on my blog! I love visitors! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  9. Love it! I'm on my way over now to vote for you. Thank you for linking up!

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  10. How nice! You did a wonderful job on that! Very cute for summer. Thanks for linking it up to HSH!
    Sherry

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  11. Very sweet! You did a good job!

    Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"!! :)

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  12. Wow Lauren! You did a fantastic job! I love it. :)

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  13. Your book is brilliant! Coming over from The Shabby Nest and your newest follower!

    Jeanine

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  14. Your flag book came out fabulous, what a great job! I can't get anything patriotic around here, from the USA, but I've gotten so many ideas for the 4th. of July, now from you too!... as I'm going to have to get myself to work! Thank you for the tutorial of the book and for dropping by and leaving me such lovely comments, wish you could come over! Lots of hugs. FABBY

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  15. This is beautiful! Love the idea of having the text on the stripes. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

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  16. This is such a great idea that I had to become your newest follower and pin this to pinterest!! Would you please come link it up at my Delicately Constructed Fridays? I would really appreciate it!!
    Have a great weekend!!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

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  17. You flag book came out great. You did an amazing job and I love your blog. I'm now following you!
    Marianne :)

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  18. What an absolutely lovely project! You did a fabulous job and we are so glad you shared it with us at Inspiration Friday! :-)
    Vanessa

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  19. Wow how beautiful this is!!! You did a great job painting! I love it.

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  20. This is such a great recycling job. Love the gently distressed look

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  22. Oops! Very creative and so patriotic!

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  23. I love your flag book! Loving everything about it. Thank you for your beautiful creation and thank you for being so kind to share! It's so very special.

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  24. I like what you did with this project, I have been on the look out for patriotic items for my office this would do nicely. lisa

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  25. Your flag book looks fantastic. I love all the details you added.

    Dee

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  26. This is wonderful!!! Love the patriotic theme. thanks for linking up with VIF! xo Debra

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  27. Lauren what a marvelous job you did! What a creative and patriotic endeavor and a very successful one as well!

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  28. Just fabulous!! Totally fab! I will visiting the USA and doing a road trip this summer, even spending the 4th there, so this idea would make a fabulous scrap book cover. Thanks for the link to your inspiration too.

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  29. i've seen something like this out in blogland, but i just adore your version! it's the extras you put into it, like the tag, etc. fantastic job!

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  30. Love your old glory book!!

    Would love if you would link up with us at Creative Creation Tuesday. We would love others to see your project too. Can be found here at Nothing But Country.

    Happy Creating! Thanks for sharing your great project.

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  31. When I go to cratf shows I am more of a browser than a buyer but this is something that I would pick up for sure.
    Of course my first attempt at this would be for Halloween, so it would not matter how poorly it came out, but someone with talent like yours could do a great job for any occasion. You could make great scrapbook covers, framed artwork, lids to treasure boxes...

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  32. Wow! What a great idea! So glad I followed you here from the Crafty Soiree #40! I'm also linking up if you'd like to drop by!
    Hugs, antonella :-)
    http://quilling.blogspot.com/2011/06/filigree-friday-free-graduation.html

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  33. Love it! Will be sharing on this weeks Amaze Me Monday blog party :D

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  34. Thanks for linking up at Bacon Time. Wow for a first party I can't believe we had over 300 links. Can't wait to see what you share next week. I have a special give away planned just for the linkers at the party. I would love it if you would add my party button to your great collection!

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  35. Lauren - Fabulous work - the book cover looks fantastic. This is such a neat idea. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party. I am a little behind commenting - but I have featured this Sunday. Hope you are having a wonderful week ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  36. Love your book! I am a book maker and am always looking for different ideas. I will be doing this one for sure when school is out and I have time to create.

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  37. I'm so glad Angie did this blast from the past feature for her party so I got to see this! So cute. I think I will make one for my door for this Memorial Day.

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  38. FYI I just pinned this and it has already been repinned like 30 times...yeah for you!

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