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 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!
Part of the fun in creating these Story Pieces is finding reclaimed pieces and imagining what it can become. I visit my local thrift shop weekly and check my town’s Everything is Free site multiple times a day. I’ve also gotten some pieces from Facebook Marketplace and Ebay. Here are some of my favorite transformations.
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.
