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!

lovely mondays: wooden toys

we've tried very hard to stick to wooden toys around here but more plastic sneaks in that i'd like to admit. i'm ok with duplo, but the rest of it can go. just leave us with our books, handmade stuffed animals, delightful wood toys and our art supplies and i'm happy. there are such fun, unique and handmade finds on etsy that it's easy to see the light!

and i must, must, must have that checker set. pirates vs ninjas? all kinds of awesome. all these delights, clockwise from top left:

pirates vs. ninja checker set from goose grease

vintage graphic choo-choo block puzzle from tiny giraffe

robot parade figure set from moo shoo pork

rainbow of mushrooms collection from wee wood