dust jacket blocks

i almost never keep the dust jackets from books.  they're too much trouble to keep track of and as long as the book cover includes the same (or other also good) graphics, i just don't see the point.  most of the time i recycle them, but every so often there's one so lovely that i can't part with it.

one of our most frequently read kiddo books is all kinds of families!  the story itself has a touching message and the artwork by french illustrator marc boutavant, one of my favourites, keeps this at the top of our story rotation.

i kept the dust jacket from this book for a while before finding out the perfect use - decoupaged blocks!

with $2 worth of mini wooden blocks (2.5 x 2.5 x 1 cm) from daiso, some scrap japanese stationery papers and a jar of mod podge, this was a quick project (drying time not included!) and basically free.  they've been played with a lot since i made them six months ago, so they're looking a little scrappy at the corners but they are a favourite around here.  this was the first time i'd found all 16 at the same time so i could finally take the photo!

random how awesome: moneybag wallet

how awesome is this wallet made by etsy's chakra pennywhistle from an actual retired money bag?

stumbled across her fantastic shop when i was catching up on the latest etsy front-page news - she's the current featured seller. read the interview here or check out her blog. love, love, love!

and oh - i want a money bag pillow so much. this one from the bank of nevada, please. ;-)