5 Unexpected Uses for a Vintage Illustrated Dictionary

Of course vintage illustrated dictionaries are perfect for displaying (and using) in a home library, but there are also lots of creative (and fun) ways you could use the pages of a dictionary – everything from altered art to gift wrap. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Unique Gift Wrap

Photocopy or scan your favorite pages from the book, then print enlarged copies of the page to make unique gift wrap. To make the gift wrap even more special, find a page that corresponds to the gift you are giving. For example, if you are giving a bar of handmade soap, use the dictionary page with the soap definition. Fun and unexpected!

Home Decor Prints

Photocopy or scan the illustrated pages in the dictionary, then print them and frame them for your home decor. Would make a nice addition to a craft room or office! We especially like the illustrated sports pages, such as fencing, and the illustrated insects and bird pages.

Altered Pages

While you could, of course, alter the pages of this book by drawing or painting directly on the original pages, you could also photocopy or scan a page, print it, and then use the copy as the basis for your altered art project. One idea for altering a page is to illustrate one of the words on the page, directly onto that page. For example, draw or paint a daisy on the page with the daisy definition. With so many words in the dictionary, the possibilities are endless!

Envelopes

Using copies of the pages, turn them into custom made envelopes and mail your friends a letter!

Alphabet Garland

Each letter of the alphabet in this dictionary starts with a very illustrated letter. Print copies of these pages and turn the copies into a handmade garland. Just trim the page to the shape you want, punch holes at the top, and string the pages onto a length of bakers twine. Use the garland as wall or window decor in a child’s bedroom or playroom. The alphabet garland would also look great in a shop, studio, or home office.

The ideas listed here also work well for any vintage illustrated book!