Thank you for all your great comments about my recent sheet music find! I really appreciate your visits and input! That's why I have a question for you...
Isn't this a beautiful old Victorian era photo album? I found it at a thrift store recently! It's big ~ 16" x 7-1/2" x 3" ~ and is covered in a beautiful dark aqua blue cut velvet with applied white flowers.
It is dated 1867...but I'm not sure if that is when it's actually from...
The interior, however, is NOT in such good shape...
there are still a few old photos...
The photo holders are ornate, but not in great condition~
many are torn...
I love the gilt edge pages...
And the spine is in nice condition.
My dilemma...what to do with it? Do I leave it intact, part it out, or maybe give it new life and alter the piece? What would you do? Any ideas? I must admit, I am leaning towards decoratively altering the piece into a covered box...and using some of the pretty sheet music from my last post!
,
And speaking of the sheet music, since so many of you enjoy it, too, I've decided to share some in a quick little giveaway! I'll be giving this lot of music...
and throw in some black and white Bingo cards,
one of my altered cards (thanks to The Graphics Fairy for the dress form graphic) and some crinkled seam binding...
To enter~
I'd love it if you would be a follower, and leave a comment...that's it! I'll end the giveaway Sunday, March 4th, 10 PM CST.
I am joining Debra at Common Ground's
Vintage Inspiration Friday
and
Honey at 2805's Potpourri Friday
Until next time...I look forward to hearing your thoughts...
I always feel nervous about altering something from it's original form, but in this case since the piece isn't in the best condition I would probably give it a little makeover. I think with your talents you would be making it prettier. I love all that old sheet music :)
ReplyDeleteDid you get lots of snow? I want it to melt...got my fingers crossed for warm weather next week :)
What a rare thrift store find! I love it. I would be inclined to alter the pages while still somehow keeping the cut outs intact. I know they are in poor shape but you're creative enough to figure out a way to do it! How cool is it that it still has some photos!!
ReplyDeleteIt's very generous of you, Linda, to be willing to part with some of that awesome sheet music and other goodies. Please count me in...I'm crossing my fingers and toes!!
What a great find, Linda! I am wondering if you could cut out the inner pages, still leaving the outer portion of the pages intact (hope that makes sense!). That way, you still would have that wonderful gold leaf showing from the outside. And then you could maybe line the interior with some of your wonderful sheet music!
ReplyDeleteThat photo album is beautiful. It's hard to mess with something that gorgeous, but maybe you can do some lightweight alterations.
ReplyDeleteI love that sheet music, so I am a follower and please count me in.
Linda
ReplyDeleteI have several albums and I think the date on yours is likely right :) Hard to decide isn't it? The insides are paper and won't last forever and depending on the composition of the outside...well it will also deteriorate - so if you can renew bits and pieces then you are in essence preserving something for awhile longer. It's a beauty!!
That's a tough one, I love old pieces and usually leave them as is, but I am not as creative and talented as you are. I say follow your heart and do what you think will make you love the piece the most. And I won't enter your wonderful giveaway since you've sent me so many wonderful things over the years! Someone will be very lucky to win though!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Kat :)
I'm torn also as what to do with the really beautiful photo album. Leaving it as is would be wonderful but altering it to give it a new life would be awesome also. I know I wasn't much help :( Please include me in your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard call...I know that whatever you choose to do with it, it will be wonderful! I can't wait to see what you decide to do!
ReplyDelete~Trisha
It is a beautiful piece, but I would alter it. I think the sheet music would look beautiful in this piece. And with your creativity, it will look like new again after your done with it. I would Love to be entered in your giveaway. I am a follower. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteSandi
Sandraallen260@centurytel.net
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteHow totally fantastic, my friend!!! Sending ((((hugs))) your way,
Cindy
I'd say, shake it up
ReplyDeleteand give it new life : )
Such a treasure ~ like
you. Loved our time
together, my little night
owl friend! Sweet
giveaway, too!
xx Suzanne
Honestly Linda, I think that is a real gem you have there. I would not alter it in any way at all. The beauty of it to me is the tattered aged look, and it is a real tattered look, not trying to be.
ReplyDeleteI'm already a follower and would love a chance to win. I love old sheet music and bingo cards.
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous photo album! I probably wouldn't alter the cover, but that's just me. I can imagine redoing the pages inside to hold treasures... more old photos, vintages cards, etc. I think it would be gorgeous on display.
That's a beautiful old photo album. I'm not sure I would alter it but then I'm not good at things like that.
ReplyDeleteDid you get much snow? We had mostly rain that turned to ice and then a couple of inches of snow.
Since the photos aren't your relatives, I would go ahead and alter the album so you can use it.
ReplyDeleteThe sheet music is beautiful, and if I win, I'd display it on my piano that is seldom played.
What a lovely album. I bought a fairly worn one last year and used it to make an altered art project about my great grandmother: http://pollyanna-reinvents.blogspot.com/2011/08/arltered-art-and-getting-to-know-my.html
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine altered another one in bad shape and sold the altered album, ready for someone's personal details, at a boutique. They really are treasures.
That's a pretty album, Linda. I'm a box fan, so I like your idea of turning it into a nice box. Lovely giveaway. I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteYour photograph album is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWould love to be included in your giveaway!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
I always feel so bad for those people in the photos that were left behind. It's such a beautiful piece but of no use as is. That is one of those things I would buy because I loved it but wouldn't know what to do with it. YOU could make the covers into a pretty box and use the pages for frames of some kind. Can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be 87 here(Orlando) today!! Send us some cool weather please...SueBee
Linda what a wonderful find!
ReplyDeleteIf I had found this gem, I would remove the photos. Keep as much of the book together, but alter each page with vintage photos, vintage lace...you are so creative this would be a great piece for show. Maybe even use your family photos in the book. i look forward to seeing your finished product.
Please enter my name in your wonderful give away!
Have a great weekend!
I'd love to be part of your giveaway Linda. The graphics on the sheet music are incredible. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning towards altering it because it's really in poor condition. You'd be bringing bits and pieces of it back to life and that would be a perfect way to honor its past. Maybe you could fill it with new pages and turn it into a journal.
ReplyDeleteIt is really cool but I think I would alter it....you are so talented you can do something amazing with it. I am a follower and would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks, Linda
ReplyDeleteI would lean towards altering it..Turning it into a new vintage heirloom. Then maybe it will have another 100+years of life. Wow..Isn't it amazing how old it is! The pictures always make me sad..I feel like I am adding them to my own family when I find orphans like that...lol
ReplyDeleteDid you know I am hosting a giveaway also? Come by and leave a comment I bet you would love the ephemera pack. Have a great weekend. Can not wait to see what you do with the album!!
What a lovely find! I would leave the outside the way it is and makeover the interior. Take out those pages and photos and do something else - not sure what.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thrift store find! I think it would be awesome to turn this old treasure into a new treasure by making it a purse. Just google 'book purse tutorial' and you'll see what I'm talking about. FUN!
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do with this piece of history Linda, please share how you do it! I have 2 of these lovely books but have no idea what to do with them! They are just too pretty to stash away in a box.
ReplyDeleteI think you can probably do a nice makeover that still gives a nod to its original beauty...keeping/saving what you can and "cleaning it up" a bit. GREAT find! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThe color is fantastic! Too bad the inside is in such bad shape, the graphics look pretty. I was thinking box as well. Music sheets and some of the paper from the photo pages will look awesome. I have an old album I was thinking of making into a file folder, but I'm liking the box idea better. Hummmm.....
ReplyDeleteSusanne.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYes, you must alter the album! I have one here but, not as ornate as yours. It has good bones! Love the gold pages.
Have a great weekend,
xxx Liz
PS. Let me know when your goodies arrive:)
xxx Liz
Oh I don't know what to do with it, it is beautiful as it is but I'm sure the contents could be used for something great.
ReplyDeleteTHanks for hosting a giveaway - I'm a follower.
It's a lovely thing just the way it is. So I wouldn't alter it myself. And they do tend to be in that kind of shape most of the time. What a great find! That said, I'm sure that YOU could turn it into something else that was wonderful too. *winks* Vanna
ReplyDeleteAlready a follower and...love old sheet music and bingo cards.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity! : )
M.L.
Hi Linda
ReplyDeleteIt always make me sad when such treasures as this leave their family.
I'm glad it got into your safe hands.
I'd give it a new life.... with a new purpose. I know you could do it beautifully :)
I am already a happy follower.... I'd love to be entered in your great giveaway.
Have a happy weekend
Love Karenx
Hi Linda! That album is gorgeous! I think the date is right. I have such a hard time altering these special antiques because I am so fascinated by their age and unique beauty. I look forward to seeing what you do with this, I know it will be wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity to win some of your great sheet music! Have a wonderful weekend! Twyla
ReplyDeleteLinda, I would alter the album and use every piece of it I could in different ways. It is a great find!
ReplyDeleteI love to alter stuff,I would love to enter this wonderful give away!
I would alter it, I think. I only say that because it isn't in tip-top condition, so I think you can get away with it.
ReplyDeleteI always get sad when I see abandoned photo albums with photos of loved ones long since departed.
xo
Claudia
As you were showing the gilt edges, I was thinking that it would make a pretty box. So I say go ahead and turn it into something pretty and useful.
ReplyDeleteOOH! I love that! I would use the tattered old pages in projects. I just couldn't resist. The more damaged the better sometimes. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway! Keeping warm and safe up there?
ReplyDeleteLoooooove the photo album you found!! Isn't it intriguing to look into the lives of others through photos and imagine the stories of the people depicted??? I'm so excited to have the chance to win your giveaway - love the music and Bingo cards!!!
ReplyDeletesally.puckett@yahoo.com
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI would probably leave the album as is, I am always afraid to alter anything. But however you envision it, then go for it! I know it will be lovely.
Please enter me in your giveaway, I am a follower through LInky.
Hugs, Cindy
Ooooh, save what you can! I know you're itching to alter but.... My gf and I scored a teenagers scrapbook from the 30s-40s. She bound it herself with twine so we didn't have the choice of covers. We've been framing some of the pages and selling them at our shows and store. I'd frame the whole big O page if possible.
ReplyDeleteYard sales are coming soon. Surely someone will have giant frames to sell.
Oh and I'd love to win your ephemera!
The photo album like this is a rare find and it's a tough call as to what do. You are so creative I'm sure whatever you decide will be interesting. Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday at 2805!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, this is such a wonderful piece, but I wouldn't let that keep me from altering it into something even MORE lovely. can't wait to see what you do with it! thanks so much for joining in for VIF!
ReplyDelete