Printable Book "Botanique de la Jeunesse 1812"

Another printable book for your collection. You may wish to create a cover for this one. Thank you to Caterina for finding these beautiful graphics!

For the best print quality, download the pdf.

Blog break
I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone's blogs when I return from vacation!

Free Photos for Your Blog and Copyright Info

There are many reasons to use pictures on your blogs. First, it draws attention to your post. Second, it may add to your blog's search engine visibility. But what if you don't have a picture? Do you do a quick Google image search and hope that the author of that pic doesn't mind that you're using their image? If you blog is for personal use only (in other words, you are not helping to promote your business with it), the authors of the photographs or illustrations may not mind. But why take the chance that you are violating the copyright by using protected images?

Copyright and fair use
This has always been an important subject for me because I deal with it in my career as a graphic designer. Generally, I assume that everything on the web is copyright protected, unless it states otherwise. If no copyright or trademark information is given, it is still protected. You may wish to check out this easy explanation of copyright and fair use.

Where can you find copyright-free pictures?
Some websites offer inexpensive royalty free stock photography and illustrations. These can be purchased for a couple of dollars. But if you're cheap like me, you may prefer these free alternatives:

• morgueFile
• Stock.XCHNG
• Google Images Didn't I just mention not to go there? However, Google Images provides an option to filter for image type. If you click on the "Advanced Image Search" link, you can do a search for different image rights. Try searching for images "labeled for reuse" or "labeled for commercial reuse with modification".

Who is using your images?
If you're wondering if anyone on the web is using your personal images, there are a couple of tools that can help you find them:

• TinEye
• GazoPa

Credit: FreelanceSwitch.com

A Fire for the Fireplace

I have been a terrible blogger lately. With so many things going on, it's been difficult to keep up with posting and reading blogs. However, I have made a bit of progress on my 1:24 scale Art Deco library. I've finally completed the fire!

Printable Book "Livre de Fleurs" from 1620

Here's a book ready for you to print out and put together. The gorgeous graphics are from Vintage Printable and are copyright free. Download the pdf.

If you'd like the book to look more authentic for the time period, you may wish to create your own cover from leather, polymer clay, etc. The cover in the pdf can then be moved to page 1 to become the title page.

I recently came across a tutorial on creating miniature books that you may find interesting.

Thanks to Caterina for finding these beautiful graphics!

For the best print quality, download the pdf.

Vintage Printables

Free, beautiful, vintage images from Vintage Printable that are in the public domain (no copyright issues). Click on "disable slideshow" if you want to download an image. The samples below were taken from the Printed Material, Ephemera and Typography section.

Gift from Eve (After Dark)

Charlotte cakes! I confess my ignorance - until reading everyone's posts on them, I had never heard of a charlotte cake before. But now I have two from Eve at After Dark. And such lovelies! The fruit makes my mouth water. Eve, thank you very much!

Eve has some gorgeous charlotte cakes and other items available in her Etsy shop.

Gifts from Caterina and a Light Tent

Caterina was so kind to make these items for my Victorian house. A pair of men's slippers, books with pages, an envelope of tiny postcards and crocheted potholders which will be the perfect colors for the kitchen. I am in awe of her tiny crochet! Thank you, Caterina!

With the darker months of the year quickly approaching, I decided that I should no longer rely on my bay window as my photo studio. For the cost of some foam core and full spectrum light bulbs, here is my economical solution - a homemade light tent. I can't wait to hear Hubby's reaction when he goes downstairs to the bar in the "man cave" and sees my new studio sitting on top!

2011 Chicago International Workshops

I thought that you might enjoy viewing a sample of the upcoming workshops to be offered at the 2011 Chicago International Show. The prototypes for the workshops were unveiled this weekend at the Chicago Fall Show (where I also found several things which I will post about at a later time).

Sorry for the bad pictures, they were taken with my camera phone.

No. 11 Bond Street, Whitledge-Burgess

Little Girl's Bed, Judee Williamson

Fun with Faux Finishes, Carol Sherry

Vintage Feather Tree, Laura Montgomery

Versailles, Jo Bevilacqua

Vintage Wine Rack, Andy Bevilacqua