vintage childrens' illustration art blocks

Are you all having a nice weekend? The sun is peering out through the rainclouds and streaming in through my living room blinds, so I am enjoying it while it lasts! Yesterday I made this for my little niece who turns one in August.
I purchased the art block below by Cheek Pinchy* about a year ago at Craftwerk Auckland and was instantly inspired to make my own. I am totally in love with illustrations by Richard Scarry so I started tearing up a 1970's copy of his Best Story Book Ever that I picked up for $3. I normally would treasure a find like this but it was already falling apart and had come loose at the spine!

artwork by Cheek Pinchy

It is really fun and such a cute, fast way to make art. All you need are some old childrens books, an X-acto knife (best ever for fine cutting!), cutting mat, stretched canvas blocks (I used a small 4"x4" black canvas by Das from Geoffs Emporium. They aren't the best quality so I'll probably look elsewhere next time) and glue (I used Mod Podge Gloss Lustre to stick the cut-outs down and as a seal all over the canvas).

putting it all together...

the finished product

Might get started on another one for a certain other little cutie named Jorja ...

*Couldn't find a website or blog for Cheek Pinchy but you can find Kirsten's work on toggle

* Updated Note: I know artists & craftsters are sensitive about their creations and I do not want people to think I am stealing an idea. Just wanted to make it clear that I was merely inspired by my lovely purchase and that by no means do I intend to produce and sell these! Thanks *

vintage valentines

It's Valentines Day this Saturday. The day when your significant other is supposed to charm you with handwritten poetry, delight you with chocolates and shower you with love. Sigh. Well we would only hope, right? This Valentines Day I am having a dinner at my place with some girlfriends. Come to think of it, hope they don't suddenly have plans!

Regardless if you celebrate Valentines or not I thought I'd share a few of these adorable little Valentines cards from a Vintage Valentines book I have, by Golden Books. They have charming little illustrations on cards that you punch out and assemble. There are also sheets to cut and assemble envelopes. And most of the cards are flocked! Too cute.

Hope the pics are okay to view, as I took these this evening without much natural light.

If you would like to get your hands on a copy you can find it here, $13.05 NZ, incl. postage.

around the world with mouk

I love, love, love illustrated children's books! I picked up this one, Around the World with Mouk by Marc Boutavant, in a nice little Napier bookshop called Beattie & Forbes (est. 1969!)

Mouk, a little bear travels the world meeting new friends and discovering new cultures. I fell in love with the charming illustrations which I could study for hours.

Here are just a few of the places Mouk visits....

Greece

China

Japan

New York

Also found two sheets of vinyl stickers at the back of the book!
Bonus!