"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.
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| 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...
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?
Dear Anna
ReplyDeleteI 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
Oh I like that quotation, and it's definitely true!
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI 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!
DeleteI may be coming up with another Beatrix Potter post soon, so perhaps it will lead to some creative brainstorming :) x
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
DeleteI 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 :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - I imagine that's what will happen in my downstairs loo one day to give visitors something inspiring and whimsical to read!
DeleteI didn't know this was called commonplacing, how interesting! Specially if it also inspires you to create ;) (Maybe I'll start one myself!)
ReplyDeleteOoh yes, let's keep the spirit of commonplacing alive for another few hundred years!
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