Bookish Ornaments for the Tree

The hubs LOVES Christmas. The madness begins the day after Thanksgiving when he tunes all of the radio dials to the local station that begins playing 24/7 Christmas music.

He's meticulous with the tree lights and has passed the obsession on to the children. The Baby Girl can find the one burned-out bulb in a string of bazillion lights like nobody's business. The picture doesn't do his hard work justice.

While sitting here with the tree lit and looking at my mix and match ornaments, I smile. Hubby and I were married in January, and for my bridal shower the guests were asked to bring a Christmas ornament. Some are fragile glass and intricate, and some are whimsical and fun. I really love them all and think it was a terrific idea.

St. Nick has gotten the kids a new ornament every year since the year they were born. The styles varied depending on how broke "he" was. That is, every year until this year. St. Nick FORGOT THE STINKIN' ORNAMENTS!!! 22 years of remembering...

Anyway, here are some really cute bookish ornaments I found on etsy.

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Set of 5 Handmade Book Page Snowflake Ornaments from Bookalicious.

Each ornament is made from a shatter-resistant ball, and features hand-cut snowflakes made of pages from a vintage copy of "Le Morte D'Arthur". As a result of cutting each snowflake by hand, the snowflakes are all unique, just as in nature. Each ornament is topped with a gold bow.

These jewel toned ornaments are a beautiful addition to any tree. They also make a wonderful gift for book lovers of all ages.

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 I love this little bitty vintage Night Before Christmas book available from AppelJar.

Hallmark Cards put this little mini book together in 1971. THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Hardbound with a dust jacket - it has a nice red silky cloth ribbon tied through the center with a ribbon loop at the top, allowing you to hang this in the Christmas tree. Or not. The ribbon is tied on, but not attached. Many illustration, most in color.

So, hang it on the tree or let your big DOLL hold it - perfect size for dolls :)

The book says:
Hallmark Editions
The Night Before Christmas
by Clement C. Moore
This edition features reproductions of illustrations by Thomas Nast
Furnished by Brown University Library to whom grateful acknowledgement is given
1971 Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
Printed in the U.S.A.

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 Pride and Prejudice ornament from inspirationsbyfaith.

Beautiful clear glass ornament filled with dainty hand-cut and curled strips of the classic novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. Ivory satin ribbon hanger is included to complete this lovely shabby chic ornament. Lighting causes the ornament to throw a lacy shadow, which is quite pretty. (Stand not included. Other sizes and sets available.)

Size: 2.75 x 2 inch bulb

Special book requests and custom orders are welcomed. Simply message me for details.

We are excited to share that this ornament was featured on the front page of the National Post's "Homes" section both in print and online. http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/11/25/novel-ideas/

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 FifthRealmPress has a neat selection of these little book ornaments.

Just in time for the holiday season! Our new mini book ornament, A Visit From St. Nicholas or as it is more popularly know 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore. This mini book is bound using the case binding method. Covered in red and gold cloth this book lends a festive old time Christmas feel. Securely fastened to the spine of the book is a lovely gold ribbon so you can hang this book on your Christmas tree. The book included artwork from the 1862 reprint of the poem. Measuring just 2 inches wide and 3 inches long this mini book can fit almost anywhere. Perfect for gifts and for stocking stuffers!

History:

A Visit From St. Nicholas (the original name) was first printed in the Sentinel magazine on December 23, 1823 anonymously. It was reprinted many times with no author name and then in 1844 Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership and included the poem an anthology of his works. Later the poem was renamed the more familiar 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

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 I love this upcycled Children Reading ornament from GabbleHatch. Absolutely adorable!

This one-of-a-kind handcrafted decorative ornament is upcycled from a vintage 1940's children's reader. It is made with the actual illustration from the original book (not a scan or a copy!) of a group of children discussing a book - an early book group, perhaps...?

This would make a great gift for a teacher or librarian, or for anyone who loves vintage illustrations!

The ornament is approx. 3" x 3" (7.5cm x 7.5cm), and includes a heavy, black steel wire for hanging. If you would like to set the ornament on a mantel, windowsill, table or other surface, you can simply bend the wire down behind the ornament (as shown in the second photo).

The illustration is carefully and securely mounted on a miniature canvas and finished with multiple coats of an acid-free sealant.

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How about this for the comic book lover from GothicGlassStudios?

The Superman, Johnny Canuck, Nelvana, Captain Canuck stamps were issued by the Canadian Post Corporation in 1996 to celebrate the history of the greatest comic book heroes and the Golden-Age of Comics, starting with the 1938 debut of Superman.

One side of the glass pendant features Superman and the other side features Johnny Canuck.

These genuine canceled stamps have been delicately placed between two quality pieces of glass without using any adhesive so as not to ruin the value of the stamp for a future collector.

This 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch square, lightweight glass pendant is neatly hand-crafted using foil and solder.

This unique pendant can be easily attached to a cord and worn as a necklace or it can hang from your window, a car rear view mirror or as a tree ornament.

As with any fine jewelry, these pendants are best not exposed to or submerged in water or overly moist conditions. Clean only with a dry cloth.

Each jewelry piece comes decoratively packaged and ready for gift giving.

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 Keeping with the comic book superhero theme...Gosh these are cute! You can get these from the CreativeButterflyXOX shop.

The ornament is a hand painted wood peg doll, it has a little hook in it's heads with a string attached, all ready and set to hang on your Christmas tree, or wherever else you would like to hang them.

The prefect gift this year for any comic book fan!!!

HOW TO ORDER:

in the note to seller at checkout please provide me with the following information:

(1) Which one superhero would you like?

Please note if no preference is left for a superhero choice in the "note to seller" at checkout, then you will receive the same superheros as shown in listing photo number 1.


***Made to order - Please allow 5 to 10 business days to create + shipping time to your location****

****Please read my holiday deadlines for shipping before placing a holiday order needed in time for christmas, this can be found in my shop polices and my shop announcement.*****

>>Comes gift wrapped and shipped in bubble wrapped protected packaging with love and care.<<

Ornament set has been hand painted and sealed using non-toxic materials. The sealer is non-yellowing and is water resistant, with a light glass like shimmer (very pretty.)

Now leaving etsy to do some more window shopping...

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Isn't this an adorable ornament of children reading? It's from Zazzle.

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Again from Zazzle. Love it.


 Man, I could do this all day. But I have to go for now. Thanks for window-shopping with me. Have you seen any terrifically bookish Christmas ornaments? Please share below with a link.


Talk to you soon,
Angela

7 Terrific Handmade Bookmarks to Craft with Love

Here are some some great ideas for homemade bookmarks. Just in time for holiday gift-giving, or to keep for yourself.

source: lollyjane

I LOVE these chic magnetic bookmarks created by lollyjane! Here are the step-by-step instructions to make your own.

source: creativefamilymoments

I think these fantastic photo bookmarks would make an awesome gift for grandparents or teachers. You can find the simple directions here.

source: specialsmallstuff

These darlings are made from fabric scraps! Bec at Special Small Stuff says the button helps to keep the bookmark from slipping down.

source: krcreations

This adorable bookmark, created by Kelly Rasmussen, would be a perfect accompaniment to any book. Directions here.

source: greenpaper

I'm really drawn to these bookmarks made from old book spines. I love them. They look so vintage. The directions are here (you have to scroll down a bit).

source: Sandy's space

This bookmark is my favorite so far. It's so elegant. Sandy Ang created this book mark with an origami (Kusudama) flower dangle. Check out her blog for the step-by-step instructions.




And finally, here's a video tutorial on how to do a simple, lovely beaded bookmark.

Here's a post I did for some free printable bookmarks, and a post featuring some other great DIY book re-purposing projects.

Happy crafting,
Angela.

Book Inspired Home Decor

Check out these amazing pieces of pieces of furniture inspired by, yep you guessed it, BOOKS!

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How cool is this? A bit pricey at $899.00 (on sale from $995.00), but a girl can dream, can't she?

Nettlestone Library Ensemble

In the true tradition of fine European trompe l’oeil wooden furniture

What initially appears to be a bookshelf slides apart to reveal a library table with two tone-on-tone cushioned barrel chairs on casters and hidden compartments for your coveted first editions! The extraordinary, hand-painted, lacquer-finished top is faux burled wood with an ebony trim. Whether you choose it for its sleek, space-saving design or its elegant and novel style, this wooden heirloom will garner compliments in home or office.

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I have the perfect spot for this lovely...

 The Lord Byron Wooden Side Table

This distinctive piece will speak volumes of your style and of your love of literature!

Our Toscano-exclusive trompe l’oeil side table “fools the eye” with its intricately hand-painted volumes that create a wooden work of furniture art. Faux books with authentic metal pulls slide out to reveal a single drawer, while others open as double doors for convenient storage near a favorite chair or in an entryway. This clever addition to any room is truly part fun and part function that’s perfect for the most avid bibliophile! Simple assembly required. Shown with our William Shakespeare Sculptural Bust.

22"Wx14"Dx28"H. 48 lbs.

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This table reminds me of the DIY Floor Lamp that I wrote about a while back.

Power of Books Sculptural Glass-Topped Side Table

What’s more appropriate in an English-style library than a tower of artistically stacked books? If you have a penchant for the literary, add our Toscano-exclusive table next to your favorite reading chair! Cast in quality designer resin and hand-painted in a delightful, antique patina, our unique table is sculpted 360-degrees and topped with a 3/8”-thick pencil-edged glass top to be admired from all angles.

16"dia.x21"H. 22 lbs.

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 Don't you just love this?

Chaucer Wooden Book Side Table

Be "book smart" with this artistically crafted side table that speaks volumes! A single door and richly flocked drawer appear almost invisibly as this trompe l'oeil side table "fools the eye" with its intricately hand-painted volumes in a wooden work of furniture art. An accent table for library, den or entry, this imaginative piece is as much fun as it is functional. If you have a penchant for the literary, this Basil exclusive is the perfect place to rest a reading lamp, a lush pot of greenery or your favorite work of art.

14"dia.x29"H. 20 lbs.

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I would just have to smile when grabbing a tissue from this dispenser.

Book Tissue Dispenser with Drawer

The "classics" cleverly camouflage a hidden drawer in the bottom book to keep your jewelry, or "fun money" safe. A boutique-sized box of tissues is concealed in the top. Handcrafted of hardwoods and handpainted. Hinged lid and plush lining. 7"L x 6 1/2"W x 8"H.

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And for your bigger boxes of tissue...

Bibliophile's Tissue Dispenser

Handcrafted of wood and masterly finished to resemble timeworn leather books, our dispenser accommodates the contents of a standard box of tissues. Hinged lid. 10"L x 5 1/2"W x 4"H.

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These are so pretty.

Pair of Bookends

Passing easily as stacks of heirloom tomes, these bookends each conceal a pair of drawers for housing paperclips, stamps or personal items. Crafted of wood composite and bound with faux leather. Each 6 3/4"W x 6 1/4"H x 4"D.

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Olde World Desk Organizer

Put your finger on important paperwork instantly with this multitasker at your disposal. Organize correspondence, bills or CDs in 31 compartments with removable dividers. Large drawer holds your stamps, stick-on notes and desk essentials. Handcrafted to resemble antique leather-bound books; wood, vinyl and metal. 15 1/2"L x 7"H x 6 1/2"D.

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Not sure how I feel that The Bible is incorporated into a wastebasket design. But still pretty cool.

Book Wastebasket

A literary wastebasket that looks and feels like a collection of eight leather-bound books on a shelf. Crafted of wood and painted with beautiful olde-world detailing with the look and feel of leather. 10" x 12".

That's all I have for now.
Talk to you soon,
Angela
 
 
 
 

Easy Peasy DIY Book Re-purposing Projects

Feeling crafty? Following are some pretty nifty ideas for recycling some old books I found while wandering around the internet. Yes, I know that the desecration of a book, any book, is taboo to many. Just think of it as living on...a reincarnation, if you will.

Make a Purse

Check out this cute handbag brought to us by Chrisjob at Curbly.com. The step-by-step video is awesome for the craft-challenged such as myself. I also love that the materials list is pretty basic.  Here's the link to get all the juicy details on how to fashion one of these beauties yourself.

Make a Book Headboard

I am surprised at how much I LOVE this! The creator, jessyratfink, wrote "My apartment doesn't have much on the walls. I've always wanted a headboard. I love books. Answer? Book headboard." The materials list is not outrageous, and the directions look very easy to follow. Some people's creativity is truly astonishing! Here's the link with the directions to make your own.

A Literary Clock

I love, love, love this idea. The project require very few materials and how sweet would this be in a kid's room? The author, mdhaworth, also suggests using a cookbook for a kitchen clock. Here's the link for the step-by-step how-to.

Secret Storage

Need a place to hide your chocolate stash from the kids? Here are the directions for hollowing out an old hardcover book.

An Invisible Book Shelf

I can see myself doing this one with my to-be-read pile next to my side of the bed. We don't have room for nightstands. And, as a bonus, it would be limited to one stack. One VERY BIG stack...Hubby will love it. Here's the tutorial on this one.

Some Literary Illumination...Make Lamps

Table Lamp

Another great idea! This would be perfect on a nightstand (if you have one) or a cozy reading corner.  Here are the handy directions for this one.

Floor Lamp

Another crafty idea. This time for a floor lamp...The directions are similar to the table lamp. Here they are.

Let your creative juices flow. Let me know if you try any of these projects and how they turn out. I'd love to hear from you. Have a fantastic weekend.


Angela