We spent all of our barefoot summers hiding and seeking and running. We played house and school and business. We would all ride our bikes just as fast as we could with a card fastened to the spokes with a clothespin to make it sound like a motorcycle. We would change into our rollerskating outfits, sweep the driveway free of gravel, and practice skating the figure-8. My sister Jessica had a grace on wheels that was unbelievable to us and I was sure she was destined to make it big time in the roller skating world. (She unfortunately stopped skating at age 12, never to roll again.)
When I was about 6 or 7, Jenn gave this book to me.
It became my childhood handbook. It shaped who I am today as much as any book since. Whenever I had the urge to make something, anything, I'd flip through the pages and land on something fun to make. I'm certain I've made just about everything in here at least once.It's still a fount of inspiration. I thought I'd share some pages with you as a regular feature so you can see what I mean.
Today, let's flip to page 46 for one of my very favorites...
Click on the image to see it larger. And if you end up making some of these Flower Basket Party Favors, won't you share how they turn out?
14 comments:
My childhood books are some of my most cherished possessions. Isn't it amazing how they bring back so many memories?
No kidding! I found this book at a book sale and (don't hate me) I use the pictures when I'm papercrafting. They're so beautiful, I can't help it!
Amy,
This brings back so many memories for me, too. I remember having a "book," also...and I treasured that book more than anything! I remember cutting tissue paper leaves of turquoise and green and pinning them to a styrofoam cone. Then I sprayed it all with some toxic substance to get a certain "translucent" effect. It worked and I was hooked! All this on the mahogany dining room table with no protection! I was lucky to have a mom that cared more about my creativity than the messes (though I could have used a few pointers!) Thanks for the lovely memories...I love your twin friends with one name!
How lovely, thank you for sharing! I might try to pick up an old copy of this and share it with Bridget - she would love it. We'll work on making flower baskets when we return from the beach!
This is so very sweet! I love the old books! I can remember having one similar, if not the same....
Hugs,
Christina :)
Oh, Yay! I was just thinking while I was reading your blog, "Gee, I wish I could see inside that book..." Please do continue posting pages from it. What FUN! - Kathy in Chicago
What fun! I, too, had a book like this growing up and it was my favorite. It got me hooked on crafts at a very young age.
Bernadette
oh.my.goodness! i had a similar book as well! thank you for the sweet memories...
OMG! I know that book! I used to check out all the craft books from the library . . . loved them! I remember once making a piggy bank from one of those plastic squeeze lemons by covering it with papier mache. So much fun! Best . . . . Doreen
I had the same book and it was special to me, too! What a flashback. I never thought about how it may have played a part in my 'craftiness', but now that you mention it, I'm sure it did.
this is adorably sweet. it's so fun to be able to trace the special items that shaped early creativity. i always remember a "pack o fun" magazine at the library that showed how to make barbie furnishings from sponges!
i would like to invite you to my 1st blogthday giveaway. come on over to enter. there's cake ...
tee hee
xo
This is such a fun book! I sometimes wish I had the the creative freedom I felt when I was young. It didn't matter if anyone else "got" it-I did. I need to work on that freedom! Thanks for your sharing and inspiration!
oooo! I bought this book on ebay about a year ago. I was so thrilled to find it! :) Now I'm going to get it off my shelf and look through it again...Kristin
I found you blog while 'blog surfing'.
I also have this book, although it is still at my mom's house. I haven't seen or thought of it in YEARS (at least 15)!
Thanks for reminding me of a piece of home today! I will search for that book next time I am home. :)
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