I use acrylic paints to enhance my Story Pieces in a variety of ways. In the Ada Twist, Scientist footstool, I used paint to extend the pictures to flow over the edge. Eloise has its signature pink and red throughout the book, and I have done my best to match those colors. For Guess How Much I Love You, I used a shade of green that makes the lovely illustrations pop. There’s a lot of fun trial and error in the process.
I went to my first craft fair on December 13, 2025. It was sponsored by Arlington Brewing Company. The registration proceeds went to Arlington Eats. It was a big success, with most popular item being the coaster sets. I also sold some trivets, boxes (Eloise and Frog & Toad), tissue box covers and more.
I’m very excited to have the Story Pieces shop open. I hope you will find something nostalgic to use in your home or find a truly unique gift to give. As I mainly use reclaimed furniture, most of the pieces for sale are one-of-a-kind. Some exceptions (purchased new then painted and decoupaged) are smaller pieces: boxes, frames, tissue box covers. Not seeing the perfect piece? Please reach out so we can discuss a custom creation just for you. Maybe you have a favorite book in mind, and I have the right reclaimed piece waiting to be decoupaged. Or I can source something similar to what you’re looking for. Local friends, do you have an old (smallish) furniture piece that needs new life? I really love to work on wooden footstools as shown below. But I’m always on the hunt for the next cool way to show off a beautifully illustrated book.
I absolutely adore my Grand Central footstool story piece, which my son uses to give him a boost climbing up to his bed. It’s like having all the bright colors and goofy joy of a great children’s book accessible ALL the time, not just when we pull a book from the shelf. I’d never seen anything like this before, and I love knowing it’s one of a kind. A year later, there is no damage and no wear, so it’s very sturdy and feels like it’s going to last like this forever. Saving up for my next piece!
Debbie created a delightful custom block set using a vintage pull toy wagon and Sesame Street book. Not only is it great for toddlers to pull, build, and stack, it is a nostalgic ride down memory lane for adults who loved Sesame Street growing up! The brightly colored and decoupaged blocks are so fun to sort into colors and characters…just so many ways to play with this toy! We also appreciate the fact that this is a upcycled item saved from the landfill and brought to life again in such a creative way. Thanks, Debbie!
Do you remember the old Playskool wooden pull wagons for blocks? I inherited the one that we played with growing up, but with the blocks missing. I decided to paint new blocks and added vintage Sesame Street character cutouts. I’ve since purchased a few other wagons on Ebay (some with blocks and some without). The biggest challenge working with these is finding small pictures to fit the small blocks. This is what I have created so far.
Robert McCloskey (1914-2003) wrote and illustrated eight books and won two Caldecott Medals for the year’s best-illustrated picture book. Four of his books were set in Maine, including Blueberries for Sal, written in 1953. His best-known work is Make Way for Ducklings, set in Boston, written in 1941. The U.S. Library of Congress named McCloskey a “Living Legend” in 2000. His expressive illustrations have inspired two Story Pieces (so far). Both have found good homes with people who loved these books as much as I do.
Spotlight on: Maira Kalman. I came across Next Stop Grand Central at a library book sale and instantly fell in love with Kalman’s illustrations. My first sale was a small bench/footstool with illustrations from that book. I also made a bigger footstool and a mirror with other copies of the book. I have since discovered other Kalman books, both children’s and adult. The whimsy in her illustrations and in her text continue to entertain.
I’m excited that you’re here to see what I’ve been up to since September, 2024. I’ve been very fortunate to follow my creative pursuits. Thanks for your support and for being part of the journey.