Reinventing an Antique Photo Album

 

 

Today I wanted to share a bit of reinventing that resulted in the salvage of an antique celluloid covered photo album.  The album came to me with the cover in tact, but the binding of the album and the pages were pretty tattered.  I actually used the pages as picture matting, and tucked the album cover away.

 

This is what it looked like.

Fortunately I noticed that the album cover was just the right size to cover a smaller size collapsible file I also had on hand.  By covering a piece of cardboard for a new spine, and then bending (Scoring first with a straight edge and a razor blade) the card board sections that remained from the back of the original binding, and then gluing the new decorative spine in place.

Last of all, I glued the album covers to the outside covers of the collapsible file.

I now plan to used the fancified file to store family mementos.  Thanks for stopping by.

Antique Valentines and Paper Weights

How fun it is to look through a stack of vintage Valentines, and wonder about the original givers and receivers.  I always think of the decorated shoe boxes we made to receive our stashes of valentines from school friends.  The Valentines made in the 30's are always my favorites, I think they are so cheerful ... and they are often heart shaped which makes them perfect for placing in heart shaped glass paper weights.  Though since I have no desire to  cut up Valentines from my collection, I have found that its easy to find the type of old Valentines that I like on Graphics Fairy, which also makes it easy to print them off in the sizes I need.

Above are three paper weights with reprints of vintage Valentines.  I just use clear Tacky Glue, as glue goes on the face of each valentine to adhere it to the glass paper weights.

 

 The honey comb Valentines are earlier, dating to the turn of the last century... 

 

... and all this vintage Valentine goodness tucked away in a corner of my parlor just makes me smile!! Happy Valentines friends!

Steampunk Decor Ideas

Wow, its Wednesday again?  Time to record more of my recent wanderings.  If you read my blog about the Acorn Antique Show last Saturday, then you have probably been looking forward to seeing Marci's Amazing Steampunk booth for yourself!!

As you see, I have not been stingy with pictures.  Everything was so amazing I just kept taking more and more pictures.

As you can see she has really outdone herself with old clocks, gears, machinery bits, and antique reinventions.

The eye examine chart to the left is typical of the celebration of a period of time when inventions and innovations grew exponentially.

The charming antique books stripped of their covers and tied up with hand printed and hand died ribbons, each with a gear or other element added, were just charming.

Other inventions from the time of invention, like the phonograph and typewriter are of necessity included in any Steampunk display.

This little typewriter may be later than the Victorian period Steampunkists extol but it is charming none the less.

In addition to Marci's talents, others from Vine Street Antiques in Salt Lake City, were also represented.  The lamp to the left was made by another talented dealer.

There were also amazingly handcrafted jewelry and photo frames compliments of our favorite Steam Punk Diva.

And what SP display would be complete without a huge antique toolbox full of old gears and wheels.

I told Marci that I am thinking about Steampunking my library.  I can't think of another room in any Victorian house that more closely abides by the loosely woven tenants that are Steampunk. She even said she would come down and help!

I hope you enjoyed steaming along on our Steampunk adventure.  I am not sure it will ever be mainstream, but Marci has a way of making it just delightful!!  Thanks Marci for sharing your talents with all of us!!  You are definitely the Jules Vern of Decorating!!

Our First Freebie Friday for Followers!

Freebie Friday for Followers!

Yes'm, it is Pollyanna's first Freebie Friday and you are invited to participate.  The contest will be open until next Thursday and I will announce the winner on Friday in my Freebie post.

The prize of this giveaway is the cute set of diminuative Easter plates shown above.  These plates are 6 inches across and are detailed with the graphics of Victorian Easter Postcards. 

All you need to do is 1. Be a follower of this blog 2. make a comment on this post.  It can't be simpler than that, can it?

Thanks so much for participating ... remember only residents of the continental USA are eligible.  (Residents of Hawaii and Alaska have their own rewards, right?! and if you live in far flung places I adore you but alas the postage considerations ... )

Winners can email me with their information at this address.