I don't. 
But my step-dad {Rod} does. Well, he did until he gave me two whole boxes the last time I was "home" to visit.
These books belonged to Rod and his sisters when they were children. And some of them belonged to Rod's parents and aunts and uncles! One book in particular holds an inscription on the inside cover dated December 25, 1940.
Rod wanted me to have these books and when I protested he said those six magical words: "You can use them for scrapbooking."
So...we loaded two boxes into my car and they came home with me.
~sigh~ Is this what it's come to?
Am I really that easy?
* * * * * * * *
So, what would you do if you had these treasures? Is it a travesty to cut them apart in the name of art? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
32 comments:
wow, what a treasure you have. hmmmm. that is a hard one. some of them would be so cool used as the covers of altered books. but i am not sure i could really cut them up. maybe go through and pick you favorites and keep them as is. then create with the others.
Oh, you lucky, lucky girl! I'm afraid I don't think I would be able to cut them up. I might try scanning some of the images I wanted to use instead. They are just too lovely. I'll be very interested to see what everyone else's opinion is though..
I agree with Sian, I couldn't cut them up but I would scan bits to use in papercrafts of various sorts
If they are already falling apart, I might use them in scrapping. If not, I'd be saving them to read to the grandchildren I'm going to have someday! I've saved all of the Dr. Seuss books we bought our children (since I have nothing from my own childhood).
How lucky! If you're looking for a home for Three Billy Goats Gruff, then I know a certain 4-year-old boy who would love it ...
Fabulous treasure. I think I would pick maybe a half dozen to keep. Photograph the remaining book. Not every page. Once documented, use them in projects. If you can't bring yourself to use the originals then you could scan the images. I would probably scan them either way. Can't wait to see what you decide.
pick your absolute favorites and don't cut them up. then have at the others. I don't think I could, but I know you could do amazing stuff with them! And for any you can't use, donate to the children's ward at a local hospital.
Hmmm. I'm with Sian. I would do a little research and see if you have any first additions in particular that might have some value. If not, What about Wall art of nicely framed pages or even whole books.
They would be good for altered books as well as scrapbooking
I can envision some very, very cool projects done with the original pages since they would have a texture and look I don't believe scanning could replicate. I know I will love what you create if you use the originals. That being said I couldn't do it!!! I would probably scan some but I would have to leave the books intact to read to my grandchildren and to just treasure.
Ooh, I'd really struggle to cut into books like that. I'd have to scan any I wanted to use and keep the originals safe. That said I guess there'd be some in there that I'd 'let go' but then I might not want to use those anyway lol Good luck with whatever you do.
I'd color copy some of them and then have at cutting them up! I love the Dr. Seuss ones! I don't have any from my child hood, but I've saved some of the kids' special books for their kids.
Rinda
I would scan some of them but definately not cut them up. I would save them to read to my grandchildren, when they arrive.
I'd keep any that were in mint condition...or I really, really liked.
The rest I'd happily use in projects....in fact,Deb, some of them will be perfect for your She Art class....you've got them just in time!!
Rod gave those to you because he knew how you would treasure and appreciate them--no matter how they ended up! So scan, clip, cut, paste to your artistic heart's content! Love!! xo
Oh, they look lovely! What a treasure! I do have some form my childhood and was wondering what to do with them. They are in language my children don't know. I loved the idea of using some for wall art! Can't wait to see what you will do with them!
Wow, wow, WOW! What treasure! :-)
I'd sort through and keep any particularly special ones intact; the rest would be fair game (sorry to anyone who is horrified by this!!) I'd repurpose the covers as minibook covers and use the pages as embellishments or minibook pages or.... Oh, I wouldn't struggle to use them!! But I'd definitely find it easier to cut up those where the binding was already a bit of a mess, and titles that didn't have direct sentimental value for me :-)
Can't wait to see what you do with them! xx
I think I'm with Mel...keep any you have a particular soft spot for and use the rest as you see fit-what a great pressie to have been given though!
Alison xx
I want some!! And I'm cutting them up! :)
Oo you are lucky what a treasure. I think I wouold go with the majority though and keep the ones that meant something to me and what was left I would use to my hearts content.
I have quite a few from my childhood, and I would never be able to cut them up. If they were someone else's, however, and given with the intent to use them, I think I'd feel differently about it. I think I'd sort them into two piles: those you think would be interesting to the next generation, and those that probably wouldn't---and use the books in the second pile.
I just read on Ruth's blog that you sent some of the books to her son - how sweet.
I still have books from my childhood and I am planning to hang on to some of my children's books too.
At first I thought... NOOOO!!! How could you possibly cut up something so precious but...
I agree with MOM - 'you would treasure and appreciate them--no matter how they ended up! So scan, clip, cut, paste to your artistic heart's content!'
Better they are used and seen, than never to be looked at! Lucky you :)
No, I couldn't break them up, but I'd use ones that were already falling apart. It's worth doing some research though, old books have value if they are early editions of popular books/writers or if they are signed. The scanned image seems to be like the perfect compromise
Oooo old books I love them, such good fun to thumb through and find treasures of yesteryear.
Yes I do have books from my childhood, unfortunately not from my parents' though.
I agree with some earlier posts that you should go through the books and keep those that appeal to you and then go through the rest to see if they have any market value. If so it might nice to donate the proceeds to a favorite charity. For those that are in good shape, you might consider framing them in a shadow box for either a baby shower or early childhood birthday gift & maybe include a modern version of the same book for actual reading. For the rest, scrap away!
It was great meeting you this weekend! I found a really funny Donny and Marie book from the 1970's and I am having a super hard time getting rid of it. What did you decide to do?
Whitney
How wonderful! I think I might cut some of them up - perhaps the more tatty ones, but if they are in good condition I would find it really hard!
I wished my mom would have saved my old books. It's a nice reminder that makes me nostalgic for my childhood. I would not cut them up. Maybe preserve them for your grandkids.
Can't wait to see some of your treasures! Just came across this and thought of you. :) http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/04/06/new-diy-craft-project-how-to-make-a-book-picture-frame/
You have a treasure in your hands, I would scan the images you like and share them with your blog readers ;) j/k
I don't think I would be able to cut them, maybe re-enforce the ones falling apart and keep passing them to next generations.
=Di-TST
I'm so intrigued now! I would have kept a couple and used the rest : )
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