giddygiddy

pencils & pencil case

A collection of worn pencils.   ohhh...if only wealth could be measured by the variety of pencils one owns.....

Me and my girls love THIS special pencil case that is more like a device from a James Bond Movie.

All Gadgets are "activated" via a color coded button. This case not only functions as a benign little pencil case, but it is also a thermometer with pencil sharpener, magnifying glass, secret compartment and other special devices that if I told you, I'd have to kill you.
But I can tell you that we found this at a thrift store.

poor man's letterpress

We made some simple little stationary that mimics letterpress, although admittedly the effect is quite simple and also a little crude. Still, I think it's quite a charming look!

All that requires is an inexpensive punch letter set from a hardware store, hammer, quality art paper and a scrap plywood surface to hammer on. The paper should have some thickness to it; ideally art paper or watercolor paper. The softness of the plywood surface allows the impression to be easily hammered onto the paper.

This DIY project is so easy and incredibly fun! It's pretty easy for kids too. My daughter spent an afternoon hammering out an entire letter.

 A letter punch kit can be found HERE and HERE.

Enjoy!

teeny tiny chairs

I would boast an extensive collection of tiny little chairs just like these...if only I had the space for them. 

 

(pictures collected from old issues of Japanese magazines and catalogs)

 
    
 
 

pages from a sketchbook

paper shoes

These girls woke up this morning and decided that they were going to make shoes out of paper. 

They proceeded swiftly.  The task at hand was so urgent, there would be no time to change out of pajamas and night gowns. Paper shoes MUST BE MADE NOW!

 

Simple red strappies for one, and ornate closed toe slippers for the other.  Funny enough, each one had a vastly different construction process compared to the other and their style reflected their own distinct personality. My youngest constructed her shoes in an organic and intuitive process; basically shaping her sandals directly on her feet. The older sister sketched out her design first, then made careful measurements for her slippers. The completion required several more steps: multiple layers of paper, then paint, lace trim, and tissue paper flowers. This is so typical of the cerebral first child.

Isn't there a saying about shoes? Was it, don't judge paper shoes by its cover? Or don't judge a girl unless you've walked in their paper shoes for a mile?