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?