How To: Make a Mobile from Vintage Illustrations

We love this idea from Kirsten at Kirsten*Can. Using vintage illustrations, baker's twine, and an embroidery hoop, she came up with this free-form mobile that looks just as fantastic in a playroom as it would in a nursery.

Says Kirsten:

I painted an embroidery hoop red, and cut out lots and lots of circles (3 different sizes) from vintage children's books. Everything is hung with red/white baker's twine. It moves and sways a little with the slightest breeze, and I like how each circle is really different and fun. Fun to make, more fun to look at!

For more fun crafty ideas, be sure to check out Kirsten's blog, Kirsten*Can.

Comments (8)

As cute as this is, I always hate to see books destroyed, even for art's sake. It would be equally charming to trace the picture and have your child color it, or even make a color copy of the illustration.

posted by cakowalik on October 22nd 2009 at 9:27am
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I think it's a lovely idea, and quite resourceful for those on a budget!

posted by racheloncegentry on October 22nd 2009 at 9:50am
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I love seeing books repurposed, especially nappy old children's books.

posted by honeyhaze on October 22nd 2009 at 10:24am
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I've been looking for a really simple, yet very colorful and interesting to look at mobile to make for my son, this just might be it. I think I'll mix in pictures of his family, too.

posted by LinnyBee on October 22nd 2009 at 11:13am
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Cakowalik, I would agree, except that the illustrations are just too cute and amazing in many books. I actually scour thrift stores for duplicates of ones we already own, then I use the duplicates for the art projects.

This is the BEST idea. I've been wanting to make a mobile, but I don't want to buy one...and I don't have hundreds of hours or dollars, either. This is sooo perfect. I have an extra Curious George anthology sitting around just waiting for this.

posted by fresh.air on October 22nd 2009 at 1:47pm
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I love this!

I buy old kid's science books for the illustrations/covers, and recently went nuts with a 2" circle punch and made a ton of circles thinking I would make them into a garland, but maybe a mobile would be even more fun!

I don't feel bad about destroying 50-year-old science books, since the information is so outdated.

posted by LaughingSara on October 22nd 2009 at 4:15pm
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Hey, cakowalik, me too on the destroying of books! Lately I found three 1940s books at garage sales with half the pages missing, and I think this project might be just the thing for those. I also have a zillion paper dust jackets from hard-bound children's books, they get torn so fast I take them off right away but never have the heart to toss them. So thanks for the idea!! I like Laughing Sara's garland idea, too...

posted by p_capucine on October 22nd 2009 at 4:55pm
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Saw the too cute picture and whipped one up this afternoon while DD took a nap. I used a duplicate Peter Spear book, his illustrations are just wonderful. Hung it in the playroom window and I know she'll have fun with it. She just loves mobiles!

posted by GabrielSyme on October 22nd 2009 at 5:01pm
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