Sunday, October 9, 2011

Sally, Dick and Jane Pumpkin!



So... I've seen a lot of really cool pumpkins out there made with pages of books, cookbooks, sheet music, etc.  I wanted to make one myself, but my husband said we have enough pumpkins in the house already - bless his heart, he doesn't know I am expecting a few new Plush Pumpkins any day now.  


Anyway, I thought that I would make a pumpkin for my office.  You may remember that I am a curriculum director.  I was an elementary teacher and an elementary principal prior to my current position.  Because of my background I LOVE children's books - in fact, I had a tremendous collection of wonderful children's books before Katrina.  Many of these books were signed by the author.  Oh, I was devastated when I lost these precious treasures! But... I digress! 


The other day it  hit me that I could use the ideas I had seen on so many blogs and tweak it to make it perfect for me.  My first thought was to buy Little Golden Books to use in my creation, but as I was working the other day I looked across my office and saw a vintage Sally, Dick and Jane book that I have had since I first started teaching!  I knew it would be the perfect thing to use to make my pumpkin! There will be people out there who don't quite "get" the Sally, Dick and Jane pumpkin - my sweet husband being one of them.  But, Jon is younger than me and evidently wasn't taught to read using this series.  I do think though that many of you out there sat in a little reading circle and learned to read with our friends Sally, Dick and Jane!  And let's not forget Puff, and Tim and Spot!!   Now, don't panic... I did NOT ruin my vintage primer!  I made copies using a color printer, purchased my first bottle of Mod Podge and I was ready!!  


I had never used Mod Podge before.  It is quite messy, isn't it??

I remember sitting in my first grade classroom reading these very words!!  It was just a few years ago :-)




What do you think?  I can't wait to take it to my office tomorrow!!!  I will take a picture there and update this post tomorrow :-).


This week I am linking to the following parties:  


Just Something I Whipped  Up @ http://www.thegirlcreative.com/


Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/



Vintage Inspiration Friday @ http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/


Ultimate Halloween Party @ http://www.theletter4.blogspot.com/


23 comments:

  1. I love it, it is so very cute. HA HA I laughed out loud, yes bless your husbands heart is right, doesn't he get it by now? Geez Men, I have the same problem LOL! thanks for sharing.

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  2. Oh how cute! I love how the pages reflect the colors of fall so beautifully.. adorable!So sorry to know you lost your treasured collection to Katrina. Thanks for sharing this cutie with us.Visiting from Debbie's party. Have a great week!Hugs~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  3. I, too, teach and love the old books. I sat in reading circle, waiting my turn to read from Dick and Jane. How cute!

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  4. What a very creative and cute idea! I love it!
    Cindy

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  5. The old graphics on this pumpkin are so heartwarming! andrea@townandprairie

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  6. I absolutely love your "podgy pumpkin" Lisa...it turned out beautifully and I am sure everyone around your office area will be wanting to put in orders. Hope your new batch of pumpkins arrived as well. I have joined your blog list and invite you to join me on my new blog as well. I hope you will also pick up my blog button. Enjoy your Halloween. Hugs, Gayle.
    http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com

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  7. Love your Sally, Dick and Jane pumpkin. How cute!
    Barb

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  8. My apologies - I almost didn't read your post after seeing the Dick and Jane pumpkin. I was horrified that someone had ripped up one of those books. Phew. What a relief to read that those were copies. Yes, I learned to read with Dick and Jane and I treasure the few copies I've found at antique stores. Your pumpkin turned out great. I think I would keep it out all year.

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  9. really good job, such a cool idea Newbie!

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  10. I really love all of the creative pumpkins out there. Such a refreshing change from the standard orange. Stopped by via Debbie Doo's Newbie Monday party! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. I LOVE it! It looks awesome. Great idea. I've been seeing mod podged pumpkins all over but this one is so cute!

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  12. This looks great! There's so many good ideas for decorating pumpkin floating around these days that it's hard to choose just one. I definitely like the illustrations in children's books, so this is one of my favorites.

    I found this post through Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.

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  13. Love this pumpkin. I also like the other ideas you gave, cooking, etc.
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Michele

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  14. Such fond memories of school. I started with those books, too. Cute pumpkin.

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  15. Oh my goodness, I love this!! I came from a family of readers and enjoy reading to my kids so much. My mom gave my daughter a Dick and Jane hardback for Christmas this year. My mom would love this - may have to borrow your idea and surprise her with one! Fabulous job!! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. I love that you took an idea you saw and made it uniquely your own! Great job, Lisa! Yeah, um, it was just a few years ago we were reading those books ;)

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  17. I love your gorgeous pumpkin. It was brilliant how you tied literacy to your home decor. You are the ultimate curriculum queen. You make us curriculum folks proud. I must do this project. OMG, I will make it for my mom (another curriculum queen and lover of Dick and Jane). Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!

    Paula, your newest follower.
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  18. Oh, yes, I sat in the reading circle reading about Dick and Jane! I was becoming alarmed when I first thought you'd destroyed your book to make the pumpkin. I was so relieved to know you'd photocopied the images. I bet your pumpkin was a big hit in your office.

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  19. So sorry to be so late in getting to visit but I'm glad you chose to be a part of Seasonal Sundays this past week and hope you'll join me again this week.

    - The Tablescaper

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  20. That is so cute! I've been on a book page kick for a while. Everything I make is with something from an old book!

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  21. It looks wonderful! You are very clever.

    Just wondering, did your husband like the plush pumpkins!?!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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Thanks for visiting Buttercup Bliss! Your messages mean so much to me! Lisa