Friday, September 21, 2012

IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE

You know that old saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover"?  Well this was the case with a book I spotted at an estate sale.  I saw a few people pick up this book and, either put it down, or just push it to the side.  They never bothered to look inside.



Yes, it was tattered, torn, and a bit water damaged.  However, I still found it charming.



It's when I looked inside that I saw just how charming it was.  Yes, this is how I find a lot of the images I use in my redesigns.  This book is dated 1896.
















There was page after page of beautiful images, and poetry.








I picked up some other books, and prints as well.








Some of these images will find their way into a few projects.

Next time you see a book that's a bit forlorn, look inside.




Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday

38 comments:

  1. oh, I was in love just with the cover!!!! inside is gorgeous too!

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  2. What a find, that book has beautiful artwork and typography!

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  3. What a lovely find!!! Good for you to look inside :) This book is long out of copyright. You can use and sell these images all you want...I believe.

    I would love the birds page decoupaged on a memory box.

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful finds!!

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  4. Rosemary,
    Good for you that they put that book down! What a treasure for you! Lots of wonderful inspiration from that book.I can see your creative juices are flowing!!!
    xx
    Anne

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  5. Good eye! What were people thinking? I do love it when they do that, though. That book would have been in my grubby little hands without ever opening it. The other one, too. Those are gorgeous graphics.

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  6. Oh my goodness -- that is just beautiful! I do the same thing -- always look INSIDE the book. I've also found so many great treasures and mementos that were tucked away in the pages by someone and forgotten like little notes, pressed flowers, newspaper clippings, etc.

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  7. True, and wonderful! What a great find waiting just for you.:)
    -Revi

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  8. Oh my gosh - what a beautiful book, Rosemary. While you were holding it, was your mind imagining the woman that owned and cherished it? :) I can only imagine the beauty you're going to create with these gorgeous pictures.

    xoxo laurie

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  9. Rosemary, that book is absolutely gorgeous!! I love the rose images!

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  10. Such a gorgeous pages in the book....You can spot a true treasure!!!

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  11. how absolutely dreamy! wow...don't judge a book by its' cover indeed (although i adore its' shabby
    beauty and would have grabbed it immediately!!) beauty really is "in the eyes of the beholder."

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  12. What beautiful images! You always spot the best treasures...that's a gift!

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  13. What a simply gorgeous book, Rosemary. You lucky girl. And yes, why do people still judge books by the cover?


    Good luck with the show this weekend! Let us know how it goes!

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  14. What a beautiful treasure to find! Can't wait to see how portions are used....they'll be awesome as always! Blessings!

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  15. What a treasure! Beautiful images amd words that must have been so special to someone.

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  16. What a beautiful find!!Good shopping. Such lovely pictures. They just don't make them like that anymore.

    Judy

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  17. Just gorgeous! What a wonderful find!
    I LOVE antique books, greeting cards, stationary, post cards, floral prints, etc. I have been collecting them for years. I especially love the "gift books" with their lovely poems and floral illustrations. I also collect antique wedding books and framed wedding certificates. They are so beautiful with extraordinary artwork.
    Thanks for sharing such a wonderful find.
    Will visit again soon.
    Elizabeth

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  18. Oh, what a gem! How special it is that a cast-off well-loved book has come full circle and found a new home with someone else who will love it, too!

    xoxo

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  19. How beautiful Rosemary! Such a special treasure!! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday too!

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  20. Such great advice and I know you'll use those wonderful images in even more wonderful ways! ~ Maureen

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  21. What pretty images! I bet you will do wonderful things with these!

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  22. wow! Those are beautiful images...you really can't judge a book by its cover.

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  23. OMG, you did good. It has some gorgeous pictures, love it!!!
    Hugs~~~ Daphne

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  24. you are so smart!~what a beautiful book full of inspiration and dreamy images.

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  25. What a treasures, so charming, lucky you:-) Hugs, Biljana

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  26. I agree and what a great book. You were so smart to take the time to look inside. Love the images.

    Cynthia

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  27. Hello Rosemary I found your blog Via Amy and what a wonderful blog you have. I will look forward to reading your new posts. You have found some cherished finds and I am sure you will hold onto these forever. Tracy

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  28. What a fabulous find, Rosemary. I love the old chromolithographies. The colors were incredibly soft. I can't wait to see the projects you come up with for these images.

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  29. You found a Victorian Scrapbook. Consider doing a quick search on ebay before gluing or altering any of the trade cards included in the scrapbook. It's a rare find - a large majority of trade cards have a significant resale value.

    The 3 Victorian scrapbooks I have are the only 3 I've come across in 12 years of estate sales and auctions. Congrats on your find!

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  30. Ohhhhhh Rosemary! Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin!

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  31. wow you hit the jackpot with that beautiful book! What a treasure, XO Christie

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  32. Rosemary, you found a true treasure. I love the image of the doves. How romantic.

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  33. Hello Rosemary
    I just say WOOW......what a find :)
    it is beautiful.....
    and do not miss the......

    B
    L
    O
    G
    P
    A
    R
    T
    Y

    already 94 nice blogs...
    WELCOME :)
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  34. These are such gorgeous images. So many of these little "gift books" from the late 1800's had THE most beautiful images!

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  35. *GASP* It's beautiful!! I would've ripped it right outta your hot little hands Rosemary! *winks* ...Well OK not really, but I would've told you to "put that ugly ole thing down" So I could snatch it up LOL! Vanna

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