Friday 10 August 2012

Crafting Inspiration from a Commonplace Book


"Commonplacing is the practice of entering literary excepts and personal comments into a private journal, that is, into a commonplace book, or to use a 17th century synonym, a silva rerum ("a forest of things"). Typically the exceprts were regarded as exceptionally insightful or beautiful or as applicable to a variety of situations, and so as such they are often quoatable. The practice of commonplacing can be traced back in the European to the 5th century."

I have kept a commonplace book for many years now, jotting down proverbs and quotations that resonate with me, short poems and insights. I had never heard of commonplacing until I read an article in a magazine once about Jilly Cooper's fondness for filling hers with inspiring words, and I wanted to find out more about this historic practice.

Here is my commonplace book...



I return to mine time and time again when I need inspiration, or a lift on a bad day. It's like an advice manual tailored exactly to me. 




The really fun side of commonplacing is the number of craft projects it inspires! Sometimes I love a particular quotation so much, I feel the need to bring it out of my book and use it to make something uplifting, thought-provoking and beautiful to live on a wall in my home, or to make a gift.


I love the concept of ideas growing from books, like this book sculpture by Su Blackwell.


The digital way to commonplace, of course, is Pinterest, where I see wonderful quotations every day, and many of them are added to my book. Here are a few I would love to turn into a sampler soon...


                                                         
Source: imgfave.com via Jessica on Pinterest




                                         





















                                                 























                                                     






I'm getting excited just thinking about making all of these words into beautiful crafty makes!

 Do you have a commonplace book, or like to note down inspiring words? And do you ever make them into samplers or other objects?




10 comments:

  1. Dear Anna
    I do indeed have a book with phrases, comments, quotations in it, but until now, I hadn't realised it was called a 'commonplace book'. I haven't yet used any of them for makes, but may have to think about that now! One of my favourites is 'With a cup of tea in your hand, anything is possible' (although I don't know the author).
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Oh I like that quotation, and it's definitely true!

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  2. I never knew it was called a 'commonplace book' either, most of my inspiring phrases and quotes are all stored in a word document on my laptop, which is a little sad as they should all be kept in a beautiful book like yours! Thank you for your lovely comment on my recent post, I am in exactly the same position as you with that Beatrix Potter framed picture, I want to turn it into something but I can't quite decide what!! Would love to know if you come up with an idea xx

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    1. I like the practice of collecting words have its own name, because it's something I've done for a long time, and it's nice to know that the same sort of thing has been going on for centuries and I didn't realise!

      I may be coming up with another Beatrix Potter post soon, so perhaps it will lead to some creative brainstorming :) x

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  3. I have to admit I've never done it, but it's really cool that you've found out what they're officially called. I had no idea! I have considered needlepointing quotes into cushions, but I've never gotten around to it.

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    1. I often imagine that a commonplace book shouldn't be as neat as mine, but instead full of bits of paper, with well thumbed edges. Hope you get around to those cushions one day!

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  4. I have a list of inspiring and funny quotes I am hoping to turn them all into embroidery one day and just cover all my walls in them :)

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    1. Great idea - I imagine that's what will happen in my downstairs loo one day to give visitors something inspiring and whimsical to read!

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  5. I didn't know this was called commonplacing, how interesting! Specially if it also inspires you to create ;) (Maybe I'll start one myself!)

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    1. Ooh yes, let's keep the spirit of commonplacing alive for another few hundred years!

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