Monday, February 4, 2013

Album Cover Love...

I recently inherited my grandpa's old record album collection.  I am still going through it, and having a BLAST doing it!!  I wouldn't dare turn most of them into books, because the vinyl is in impeccable shape and that goes against some of my strongest beliefs!



I mean.... seriously!! I LOVE vinyl records!  Just because I make other things out of the covers does NOT mean I destroy good vinyl!!  My new disclaimer:


**NO VINYL WAS KILLED IN THE MAKING OF THESE BOOKS!**

It could be because I live in Portlandia and I'm constantly surrounded by these types of disclaimer labels, but I just couldn't help myself with a new business slogan! hahaha

Anyhow.... Back to my Grandpa's records... these things are so amazing and fun!!  I am still sifting through them but here are the top 3 so far that win the MOST WACKY award from me:


Punch and Judy
Featuring TV's "Magic Clown"
Doug Anderson

is this part of Robin Hood on TV way back when.... or??? I do not know, but the cover alone in all of it's paper mache puppet magic is AWESOME! hahahaha


Salty Sea Chanties
Sung by The Revelers

When I first say this I said out loud: "Grandpa!!?!!"  haha!  And then sadly wished he was still alive to tell me the story of how he acquired it in the amazing way that only Grandpa could.


Banjo Picker's Ball
The Sunnysiders

What amazing use of fruit to compile a hilarious cover!  It made my overactive imagination turn it into a claymation film and the bananas started dancing in my head.... ok.... I probably shouldn't trail off too much there... no need to know exactly how goofy I am, haha.


I am not going to make these into books, as much as I kind of want to color copy them so that I can because they are just. that. amazing.  I can't even find them online or any reference to them.  I will have to listen to them, admire them, break them out when I need a good laugh, listen to them some more, and wait to find the person that's been looking for them for so long.  They deserve to be preserved in all their magical beauty!

I will try to post some more of my treasure finds soon.  It's not just about making books to me.  Its love for the vinyl and appreciation for everything it encompassed!  I am constantly learning more about the music and various eras, just by sifting through the discarded and unsellable records.  I am glad to not be the only one that loves the covers, sayings, song titles, art, and all the rest of it just as much as the vinyl.  This is just way too much fun!


NEW! VHS Cover Books

I've been meaning to make some of these for over a year now, and finally have got around to doing it for some upcoming shows.  Check out our new VHS Cover Books!



Many people are often asking me for smaller sized books, and this is a great size!  Plus, who doesn't love movies?  While VHS players might be harder to come by these days, why not enjoy a reminder of their awesome invention and life!


Call me crazy, but I just love taking discarded or forgotten things into something new!  I love the memories they hold for us all, the inventions they represent, and the history they make alive.  I personally still own a VHS player, and always hope to.  But the days of dashing to the store to buy the latest movie on VHS cassettes are gone.  Sadly they often sit crowding wall upon wall in variety shops and other places piling up at a surprising rate since the movie rental industry has completely changed.  I thought it'd be fun to make some books out of them and recall to remembrance another great love we all have--Movies!!


So if you prefer to stream your movies on the internet now, or buy them & download them onto your computers don't forget the distance we've come!  I was reminded of this even more going through my grandpa's record album collection when I came across an old original reel to reel movie of Disney's Fantasia from 1957! WOW!! Time always changes things.  And to think that VHS was such a huge thing is often now hilarious to people or they don't even know what it was.  Sad!! So I thought it was about time I got around to making some cool books out of some covers.


These are perfect for a notepad by the phone---oh wait---hold up--- does anyone actually do THAT anymore either? Thats kind of sad too!  haha.  How about a grocery list booklet? "Things to Google" book? That'd be hilarious to look back on, wouldn't it?  Of course they would also make great journals or sketchbooks also, I just like to dream up new ideas.  Well... regardless of what use you find for them, I hope they inspire fond memories and a love for the things of the past. 

We must not ever forget where we have come from!  Be it vinyl, or movies, or technology, or just the experiences we have personally lived through... it is always good to remember and reflect upon those things!

What are some of your favorite movies?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

More of my Album Books

 Crazy birds, moonwalkers, and vintage Elton John? Why wouldn't you want one of these on your coffee table?

 The art on this Symphony album strikes me as really awesome & amusing! From the bright colors to the ballet dancer's song turning into a bird then a person to the city in the background with the gargoyles that are flying around a giant egg falling from the sky.... it's just a fabulous example of good 'ol creative artwork!  I personally sometimes secretly hope no one else realizes how awesome this one is so that I don't have to part with it.


 Oldies but goodies, right folks?

 This one is trimmed smaller than normal 12x12 album size due to damage on the cover.  It doesn't really matter though, because it doesn't take away from the polka-tastic fun it could add to your next polka party!  I've never had a polka party, but these albums make me think it's a great idea... even if I have 2 left feet and jellyfish arms.




 More classically fun reminders of the days gone by.... or not? I think I'd record the local alien sitings in the Boston album, my dark deep poems that shout at the devil in the Motley Crue album, all of my inspiring ideas and goals in the Yes Songs album, and it's a toss up on what I'd do with the Lynyrd Skynyrd album.  With it's bright colors and "Second Helping" name it really could go a few ways, like a place to record all the recipes I want a second helping of, or a book to store ideas for paintings and records of color combos I've used.  Being the paint nerd that I am, I'd probably go for the latter of those two.  With it's cathedral window look it'd make a good songwriting book too. Oh how the list goes on with all of these albums!

 This one would make a great comic book!  Something to pull out on your lunch break and finish the hilarious details of why your job should qualify for the next sitcom.  If you mailed this in to one of the major networks filled with that type of comic, how could it not make the list of next season's show line up?....... What? Doesn't everyone have those thoughts?

 This one is so unique!! It's slightly smaller than a normal record size, and it was a little tricky cutting the pages to match the odd shape of the cover, but I just HAD to do it!! My favorite thing about this one?  The candle wax that's splattered on the front cover!  When I first noticed something was on it, I thought I might need to clean it off.  Upon realizing it was candle wax splatters in original patterns, I couldn't help but leave it!  I think it would now almost disappoint me to ever see a Cheech & Chong album without candle wax splattered on it!

 Um.... need I even comment on this one? It kind of reminds me of what it would look like if we were wrong about zombies, and the world was overtaken by armadillos instead.  Imagine how shocking that would be, and how utterly unprepared we would be!  All I can hope is that Commander Cody, whoever that might be, would be able to rise from the heart of Texas and help educate us.  Otherwise we might all be in trouble!  So on that note, I might use this book to record all my plans in the event of a zombie apocalypse since that info is so readily available.  And if we experienced an armadillo siege instead?  I would hope at least some of the info would still be useful!

 This one is dreamy and whimsical.  It makes me wish that I could step into this land, climb those stairs, and sit on an insanely high rock looking out over all the world around me.  I think it'd make a great place to record dreams.  Dreams of the night, as well as dreams that I need goals to break down.  A place of pondering and dreaming just seems to sum up the inspiration this one beckons to me.  What about you?


 Oh WOW! These Symphony & Orchestra ones just get me! They are so amazing!! I think this one truly is an all time favorite!  I'd have to go dig through them all and make sure, but it's at least in the top 5 if not the top 3! Flying pianos in flames, with batgirl dancing over the keys.... um.... YES!!  I think I would have a hard time putting anything in this for awhile.  I'd just stare at it's cover for hours in amazement.  That's pretty much what I do now whenever I see it.  Ok, not for hours, but a long time!  I can't find words to describe how cool I think it is! Speechless! That's where I'm left....

 This one has kind of ratty & worn edges along the cover.  Someone must've really loved taking this vinyl out frequently!  If the music was anything like the cover, I can't blame them!  This collage is great and I think just looking at it will make you want to grab your scissors and start cutting everything you can find to paste and glue into it's pages.  You'll probably just want to continue clipping, laughing and gluing and never stop!  I really think it could be that inspiring!  You can't see all the goofy details, but I definitely think this book would make a great collage album as a goofy gift to a friend!  You'd probably end up being so attached to it though that you end up keeping it.  I'm just warning you....

 This album is smaller too because I had to trim away some damage.  It's a great size though and would be good for lots of things!  It's a great travel size and would fit into smaller bags easier than the full sized ones.  I'm going to refrain from giving my strange thoughts on all of them... we might both be here all night if I didn't!

 A place to record and write all your unique songs for the pipe organ at church?  I know there are lots of you out there that play those amazing honkin beasts! I personally think there should be more pipe organ playing in the world!! And that is not something I'm being goofy on!  But seriously, this book would make a cool place to record the things you want to meditate on, or your personal inspirational poems & quotes.  Whether you put them to music or singing or not is entirely up to you!  I'd totally draw & sketch in it too, its Celtic & Gothic type look would be good for many uses!










 More amazing oldies but goodies!! I might just end up not wanting to sell anything after all.... only I might have a storage problem arise because I REALLY really REALLY like making these books! haha!

Another one of my favorites!!! The picture really does it no justice at all.  Do you see the figure with a peacock feather for a head? That's only the beginning!  This one is full of all kinds of amazing images, colors, and hidden things! 

I truly think there are so many things to appreciate and love about these old covers!  Making them into books is my small way of pointing some of that out.  It's a small thing that I can do to make sure that not all things are lost from these days gone by.  There's still so much there within them to learn from and be inspired by!  Think of it like stopping to smell a rose as you walk by.  These "old things" have been used & abused, broken & forgotten, and finally discarded because many people don't have a use for them anymore.  I think they are still worthy of so much more!  A month ago I saw something driving home that I'll think about for years to come.  There was a guy jogging along the sidewalk in front of me who stopped for a long moment to smell a rose he was passing.  Like most joggers I've seen halted by stoplights, he continued to run in place while he stood there breathing in it's scent.  It made my whole day! The image of that will stay with me for a long time to come.  We get so busy in life, and the world is constantly advancing.  We simply have to stop and notice the little things around us!  We have to slow down and never lose the interest in how a rose smells, or how things used to be, or how we got to where we are now.  It's a sad day for all of us if we don't allow time and space for that in our lives!  Recycling old record albums is not only fun, but allows me to truly experience this in a unique way.  I hope that by using my creativity and goofiness to turn them back into something useful I can help other people slow down and appreciate things that should never be lost or discarded.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Album Covers Come Alive Video

My friend posted this video on my FB wall... It's too awesome not to share here!  I can't say that I haven't imagined similar things in my head looking through all these albums.... HAHAHA! This video is a small example of why they are so cool even without the music within their covers!  Check it out!

Album Covers Come Alive ~You Tube

I just have to share this....

I know this blog is supposed to be about my books, but I can do whatever I want, right?  It is my blog after all. This isn't a book idea, but it's an amazing example of recycling & reusing old records so it's gotta have a place here!  I came across this today and I can't tell you how much it made me smile, so I had to share it.

This Nashville musician shingled his roof with old damaged records! Genius! I love it!





Check it out! ~
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/nashville-musician-shingles-roof-with-records.php

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Left over Art Showcards, Postcards, & other random extras

I love recycling, and I love turning old things into new things!  Working in an art store, and promoting art shows is fun, but when the show is over and I have all these cards left on the counter, it hurts me to throw them away!  So I got to thinking.... these would make GREAT little notebooks!! I decided to use my brother's show cards for a trial run and they turned out awesome! They're just the right size to put in your purse or pocket, and they come in handy!  I think they'd make great gifts for family & friends who don't really care if the show is over. I also think they'd be awesome for little give-aways at your next show, or for promoting your business handing them out to people. You'd be giving away something that's useful, but also getting your name out there and into the pocket or hands of people who will constantly have it in their face if they use it.  I can't think of a better way to promote, because we all need little notepads!  And besides, you spent all that money on printing them, it's not like you want to throw them into the recycle tub and be done with them.  It's your art! You only can cram a few into scrapbooks, if you even keep one of those, and most artists I know are left with handfuls of them.

What about postcards you printed for your wedding? Music show cards? Your family Christmas cards where you all are wearing ugly sweaters? What about children's birthday party postcards? All of these things would also make wonderful little notebooks!  I have a stack of cute lil photo cards I made for my daughters big 13th birthday that I've dwindled down some by sending out as thank you's to people, or notes to grandparents but I ran out of uses for them and still have more left than I thought I would.  I think I'm going to make some into books now! 

I love unique notepads for grocery lists, phone messages, and random other needs that a notebook is perfect for. Instead of recycling them or just letting them gather dust in that corner you keep meaning to clean... allow me to help! Let me turn them into little books for you!  I love doing custom orders, and I enjoy giving new life to discarded things.  I do understand that on this type of a project, you have something you've already sunk your hard earned money into and are now stuck with an excess of.  So I will be a little more creative with my pricing on these type of special orders.  We can work out a special deal that's personalized for your needs and budget. Your overstock could become something useful in no time! They'd make great stocking stuffers or gag gifts too and with the holidays right around the corner, money is tight for all of us!  This might just be your ticket to not only recycle, but come up with a supply of gifts that are unique and personal!  Not to mention a great form of advertising if you're an artist getting your name and work out there!  Contact me if you're interested or would like more details!

This is a picture of the books I made out of my brother's show cards. The front & back covers sport the front & back of his art show card for a local show he did here in Portland last April.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Some of my Album Books

Dr. Fountains Magical Licorice Stick Remedy For The Blues~Invigorating, Nourishing, and Pure!

Look at this amazing old Album! Perfect example of why I love making books out of these old albums!  I can't tell you what kind of music this is, but the cover makes me want to listen to it! I'm not sure that many others find the humor or amazement that I do on these things, but I hope they do! Because... these are amazing!! I think this book in particular would be great for filling with encouraging quotes or stories for a friend.  Who doesn't need something that's invigorating, nourishing, and pure when you're feeling blue?  Makes me want to grab a stick of licorice, and start writing some things for a friend to cure their blues!





Spyro~Gyra

Do you remember Cracker Jack boxes with surprises inside? This has got to be one of my favorite surprises inside when it comes to the sleeve covers around the vinyl, or bonus sheets included.  I have to admit, the covers are a lot of fun going through, but the surprises you find inside can sometimes be just as amazing!  I always try to incorporate them into my books if at all possible. This magical one? With a dreamy fairyland painted on the cover.... yup, you see it there.... Steve Martin in a pink suit in front of a bright yellow background inside!  It was like a bonus pull out poster that made me crack up pretty good!  I obviously don't get the original intent... but I can appreciate the beauty of such amazing finds any day!  Maybe I'm too young to know all there is to know about all these records, but I'm old enough to know I love & appreciate them all!! Regardless of whether I've listened to the music or not! 




To The Tables Down At Mory's... Songs For Getting Together... Drinking Beer... And Raising Hell!!!

Another crazy cover that you can most likely find more humor in, than nostalgic listening memories.  How about one of these for your next cocktail party or meeting at Mory's! (Or whatever local establishment you & your friends gather at to raise hell!)  Why not fill it's blank pages with your stories & adventures together so you can really give your kids something to talk about?



Hot, Happy, & Honky

I think the title says, or implies, it all! For all you old west lovers who frequent those wild saloons, or the rest of you who wish you did!




Herb Alberts Tijuana Brass~ Whipped Cream & Other Delights

This has got to be one of the most recognized & talked about funky albums I have.  I think there must've been a million made, because I've come across quite a few almost everywhere I go.  It's also one of my most popular.  The nostalgic comes up in so many people, from a wide age range, on this one!  I've seen so many smiles, and heard so many stories about this album! I won't repeat all the stories I've heard, but it's the most commented on album I've had, by far!  If you're like me, and don't have walks down memory lane looking at this, take a moment & look at the line up of song titles: "A Taste of Honey, Tangerine, Love Potion #9, Lemon Tree, Lollipops & Roses, & Peanuts."  Amazing! I'm sure I'll have several of you out there want to school me on the music too, but even if I did know the music more I still can objectively look at the cover and see art completely separate from whatever sounds may play from the vinyl tucked inside! The song titles alone make me want to listen to it!





Everybody's Talkin' The Exotic Guitars

This one is one I would've like to put music sheets inside, it'd be perfect for that! I plan on making some soon with music sheets so you can turn them into song writing books.  This cover lends to all kinds of great new uses though! How about just song lyrics in here, with scribbled notes across the margins of course!  Or just toss one on your coffee table for when you have company, or band practice!  How about a wedding gift?  Graduation Gift? I think that's where this one went.





Mickey Mouse Disco

I think I had a Mickey Mouse Disco coloring book when I was little, it was for some odd reason my favorite coloring book for about 2 weeks at least!  Mickey gettin' down!! This cover definitely brought back nostalgic memories for me, of crayons and time spent coloring something that I was a little too grown up, for but loved still nonetheless.  Let's not trail off there, who doesn't love Mickey Mouse? All kids do! This would be a great way to give a kid something to draw or doodle in that could be saved & treasured for years to come.  Like their own first book published!  That way there's volumes of bound books instead of loose papers strung from one end of the house to the other.  Or another great idea~ how about the family pictionary game? yeah? all in one nice volume for years of enjoyment to come!



Well..... Those are a few albums, I'll add more soon.