Have you ever heard of a smash book? They are kind of a new thing and definitely growing in popularity.
What is a Smash Book?
Smash Books are basically books that are turned scrapbooks. You can buy official Smash Books that are filled with different Scrapbook Papers. Or create an Upcycled Smash Book out of an actual book. You use the original book pages but can add pictures, scrapbook paper, stickers and embellishments by gluing, taping or stapling. The best thing about these books is you don't have to worry about the perfect layout. This is how they got their name is because you "smash" everything in.
I have never made a Smash Book before but I love looking at other Smash Books on Pinterest so I wanted to give it a go.
Awhile ago I was at DI (a local thrift store) and came across this old book whose title was the same as my name. I just couldn't resist and thought it was a sign that it was time to start my Smash Book.
What I love about this book is that it is old. It's copyright date is 1954. I love that it has old uneven pages.
Here are some sample layouts of some other Smash Books that I love.
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Do you have a Smash Book? What is your favorite layout?
Very neat idea! I had not heard of smash books before.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, I'd never heard of them beore.
ReplyDeleteHello!! I am your newest follower here. I absolutely love your blog, especially this post!! So very creative. I'm excited to see more :) Hope you can follow back!
ReplyDeleteXo-
Rachel
www.racheldomesticated.com
I love smash books and I am in the process of making some for Christmas gifts! Thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of them. I think I'm old. I just always called it a scrap book.:)
ReplyDeleteI've seen them but I think I am too much of a perfectionist to use one. ;) I haven't scrapbooked in years, but the idea of just smashing things in makes me cringe. ;) I do think they look cool though!
ReplyDeleteI think it will be fun to do a smash book for my school aged kids. Start it this year in kindergarden and go through until grade 12.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to do a smash book. I love the examples here! It kind of takes off the pressure to make the perfect layout, so it's not as intimidating as scrapbooking for me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have a smash book but haven't updated it in ages! Must dig it out :D Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteWhile I have lots of scrapbooks, I had not heard of a smash book. They look neat.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first I've heard of those. Do you have to worry about the book being acid-free? I love the look. Thanks so much for linking up at One Creative Weekend! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteIf you keep them acid free they will definitely keep longer without browning but it is totally up to you.
DeleteWhat a neat idea! I hadn't heard of smash books either. What a great outlet! Thanks for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a Smash book but this is such a cute idea. I bet my daughter (18) would love to make one of these. She just started college and will have many memories to come. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share next week. Have a great weekend.
Michelle
I like this post. I have a smashbook but your idea is great. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/reeses-smore-brownies-and-wednesdays.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
Hi Katie, this is my first visit to your blog, I found you from onecreativemommy.com. I had never heard of Smash books either but may have to give them a try some time. I've been collecting old Reader's Digests (the pretty hardbound ones) and had been wondering what to do with them. I may have to start with that!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is great. I've never heard of a smash book...but I have now, thanks to you! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove that you found a book with your name!! How cool is that?
ReplyDeleteI have a Smash book but I'm so intimdated by it. I think I need to find someone to do it with.
ReplyDeleteNew follower from the blog hop
http://lifeexperienceneeded.blogspot.ca
I love the smash book idea ... what a great book to start with!
ReplyDeleteI love the smash book idea. It's great for when you want to be createive but don't have time to commit to a full blown scrapbook. What I normally use is a notebook from the dollar store and then just use my scrapbook supplies. Works great!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea!! I am so going to have to do this!!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Crazy Mama's Hop!
http://healthyfitnfree.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/CoachCarrieSymes
I WANNA MAKE A SMASH BOOK NOW!! Thanks so much for sharing! This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI had never even heard of smash books before...it's such a cool idea, I won't be surprised if they really take off!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute. I bought a smash book with fun stuff to put in it for one of my friends daughters. I think they're such a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the smash books. My sister who is up on everything told me about them. I take it that they are simply sloppy journals. In other words smash things in there quickly so that you don't end up not doing it. Quick is good. I love fast wonderful crafts. I have old books and can do this also. Thanks, Linda
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Smash Book, but would like to. I haven't decided on which layout/style I like most yet (part of why I don't have one yet). Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteSmash books & journaling are fun. I love creating in mine. Be sure & share it when you get creating in yours! & feel free to link it up @ DearCreatives.com
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a smash book before - but I'm going to start looking - so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
This is an awesome idea! I want to do one!
ReplyDeleteDo you just work right on the pages as they are? Or do you cover them with paper first? Haven't seen one done though I have heard of them.
ReplyDeleteYou can really do it however you want. You can cover the pages with Gesso (which is a painting canvas prepper), glue on patterned paper, or just write right over the top of the typed pages. That is what makes this book so fun! Great question by the way!
DeleteLove this! I have wanting a smash book.. but just couldn't bring myself to pay for one I could make.. thanks for the inspiration.. can't wait to drag out one of my old books I have been saving (or hoarding) for craft projects!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
I just barely heard about these and knew I wanted to do this and my kids too...I'm just looking for the "right" book with some kind of meaning. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
ReplyDeleteBobi
http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com
I don't have a smash book. Now that you showed me one I want one. lol :)
ReplyDeleteI have only seen the ones sold in the scrapbook section. I never thought about using a real book! I love books, though, so I don't know if i could bring myself to glue/paint/write over it :) If I can get over it, I think I'd like to make some for my sisters for Christmas! I have 2 in college, 1 in high school & 1 who is 10. This seems like something girls of all ages would love. Thank you for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Holistic Homemaking!
SmashBooks have been around for at least a dozen years in the artist community...but they were simply known as what they are..."altered books" :)
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I just arrived at your blog from Pinterest. I just ordered my daughter and I Smash books. Can't wait to get started. I started an adventure group 3 years ago and have all of these trickets and pictures from that I will add. Thanks for the post. Kat
ReplyDeletewww.10adventuregirls.wordpress.com