Tuesday, June 8, 2010

treasured book



For our fifteenth wedding anniversary, my husband bought me the book, Treasured Notions. Well, it was sort of obvious that I wanted it but I'm happy he "surprised" me anyway.



In Treasured Notions, Kaari Meng of French General has assembled page after page of do-able but unique crafts, mixing things as rare as dried beetles with things as easy to find as wooden craft store boxes.



Admittedly, it's the pulse of the sometime-desktop publisher in me that quickens at the brilliant layout, font and color combos, and sharp photography of each page. Look at this clever dedication page
. . .



and how page footers are made to appear stained and aged. It's all so organic to the premise of this book: Kaari creating with decades-old finds from the mysterious basement of Tinsel Trading upon the long-awaited invitation-to-dig from owner, Marcia Ceppos.



To me this is almost a coffee-table book, although one that makes me want to put the coffee down, dig through my craft supplies, and get busy!



I'm currently borrowing Kaari's The French-Inspired Home and Marcia's Beautiful Bedrooms with Ribbons & Trims from my library. Together, both books make interesting companion pieces especially since Marcia provides the foreword to Treasured Notions.

{Now WHY didn't I buy Treasured Notions at the Tinsel Trading booth when I met Marcia last month? I could have asked her to sign a copy for me. Wah! Oh well.}

I highly recommend this book. And if you're lucky enough to meet Kaari or Marcia, remember to ask for their autograph on your copy.

xo
elyse

31 comments:

Melinda said...

Looks like fun reading.
Are we going to see any creations from these?
Happy Wednesday to you.

Melinda

Free Pretty Things For You said...

i am going to put it on my amazon wish list right now!!!
So sweet of him :)
love ya my dear!
Keren

Jeanne said...

Oh my yes! This book is stunning! It's one of my favorites too.
xo
jeanne

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Looks like a fabulous book. And I love your hankie idea in the previous post. What a simple way to change things up for the day or the season. Best wishes to you and yours, Tammy

Home and Heart said...

Congrats! it's wonderful he gets you something YOU would like!!! I too hope to see a creation!!

Theresa said...

What a thoughtful gift! I would LOVE to have that book and will be looking for it:) Have a blessed day Dear Elyse! HUGS!

Lori said...

i have her other two books...and i want to buy this one...but, i am not buying any more books...i have too many already that i don't use...it does look beautiful though...it is tempting me like crazy...

Anonymous said...

Oh my! What an incredibly gorgeous book! And, a Happy Anniversay to you two!!!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Claudia said...

I just poured through this book at the bookstore. It is indeed beautiful. Certainly on my wish list, that's for sure.

xo
Claudia

luckygirlgifts said...

Hi Elyse,
If you ever come to California let me know and we can go to Kaari's new shop. She's usually there, and super sweet just like her shop.
I think we would have a blast digging through her treasures together.
Have a wonderful week,
I'm off to buy a book now.
Cari

Elsie said...

I will have to look for it at the
book store. It looks very interesting.":O)

Katy Noelle said...

Those books bring so much heart joy for me. I love the look, the feel, the sense of them!

Hugs! Katy

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, wait! Happy Anniversary!

LiLi M. said...

Thanks for the recommendation. I loved the first books of Kari Meng, but I thought the last one 'home sewn' wasn't that good. Next month I will be in the States and I will keep an eye on Romantic country, congrats on featuring in that magazine, you must have been thrilled! I was a little behind reading and leaving comments, I hope I can keep up from now on!

Unknown said...

I have this book also, and have adored every page, it is on my coffee table and I pick it up to browse all the time. I love Kaari Meng, and The French General, wish I could fly off and visit France with her tour. When I was at Brimfields, I met Rosemary Warren who is the Art Director for Tinsel Trading, she told me that she helped with that book. Last month Kaari Meng had a book signing at Tinsel Trading, I wanted so much to go. She also had a workshop there to create that gorgeous Vintage necklace in the book. So much beauty, and I love that she treasures old things too.

Happy Anniversary, your husband is very thoughtful.

Karen

debi said...

Looks like a fun book. I found myself wandering around the Tinsel Trading sight after seeing this. Oh my gosh, that's going to cost me some money! lol

vosgesparis said...

I'm having a great give away and would like you to invite to join in ;)

stefanie said...

well Happy Anniversary!!

Victoria Hayden said...

What a beautiful book and a great anniversary present! Happy anniversary!! I will have to find this book for myself. Thank you for sharing and stopping by to visit me. :) I hope you have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
Victoria

Victoria Hayden said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa said...

Oh my I love them! I will look for them!!
Hugs, Lisa

Kateyed said...

Elyse,
I want it, too! I have oogled it in B and N and think I need to own it. The pictures are beautiful, aren't they?
Suz

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Looks like a really nice book! I always like to read reviews and recommendations on books.
A lovely gift from your husband.

Warm wishes
Isabelle x

Scrap for Joy said...

I love the kind of books you go back to again and again for inspiration...perfect to read while sitting outside on the deck or porch with a big glass of lemonade! I've not seen this one but will definately check it out.
(I just visited your store...love your new updated items, some of which will be coming to my house)
xoxo
Joyce

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Elyse,

Just popping in to say thank you for visiting my kitchen redo post. And so happy you spent the day with Fifi,she is as sweet as she looks, isn't she?

xoxo Lidy

Lisa said...

I just ordered this book the other evening and can hardly wait for it to arrive.

Your husband is a sweetie, don't you just love it when someone "gets" you? My guy is the same way.

Loved the post!

Jen Kershner said...

Great recommendations! I love all of Kaari's other books and can't wait to preview the new one. And how could you go wrong with the Tinsel Trading book.

koralee said...

Soooo lovely...I must look for those books...I adore French General EVERYTHING!!!! Hugs for a great weekend.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Happy Anniversary to you and Jeff! LOve his gift to you! I ahve some of your books mentioned and love them!

Have a wonderful weekend sweetie pie Elyse!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Those are fabulous books, Elyse. There is a special treat hidden inside each one!

So nice to have you visit today! It always puts a smile on my face to see that you have stopped by! :)

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Elyse...this book is an absoLute DREAM! I just bought it myself and simply get lost in it ~ I hope you had a wonderful birthday sweetie....and I'm in love with the bootie filled with treasures!!!! hugs and love, Dawn