brown paper packages...and books!

Let's get this party started!
Here are the invites for Rose's upcoming birthday party  -I knew that the drawings I did for Illustration Friday would come in handy some time soon ( been too busy lately ruining felt to do any illustrations...must get back to a bit of drawing soon)
I have taken Jo's advice and I am going to keep the party  simple and sweet. I had been eying her button bracelets as they progressed , thinking "what a lovely idea, maybe I'll use them as inspiration and make some too."
Uh, uh....now I have decided that instead of me doing all of that fiddly button sewing, I will let the girlies stick them all onto a little paper box (two dollar shop bargains) and make a little button treasure box to take home. A bit messy ( I've warned them to wear play clothes) but simple and quick...and what little ( or big for that matter) girl doesn't love a treasure box? I'll throw on some glitter to soak up the excess glue and add a bit of sparkle.

Finished Steph's crochet scarf - love the mossy greeness of this one...didn't end up using this button as I decided that the same button I used on mine, worked really well on this colour way as well. I'm sure this won't be the last I make of these.
I've had a few enquiries as to whether I would make them( and some other things) to sell. I have been considering selling some crafty bits and pieces online but I have a lot of trouble with the whole pricing thing. Once you factor in the cost of the materials and then the time it takes to craft the item, the price starts to look quite scary. The other option is to not "pay" yourself too much for the time it takes to craft , but personally I have always been against devaluing your labour and effort. After making my $74 bear , I realised that despite the simple pattern, once you added up material and labour costs and then double it to get the retail price , $74 was actually quite a fair price for the shop to have been charging. I figured that if the maker had used $7 worth of wool , then she/he earned about $10.00 /hr tops for their work. I mean really, I used to get more than that working in retail.
Anyway, time to think about earning some money later.....I 've got books to share.....

Surprise! Not a Japanese book ! A great reference book for anyone interested in design..lots of clear big images perfect for inspiration! ISBN 0-8118-4373-4. Some images from the book below...

I think that the bottom RH corner birdies would look great embroidered...

Now did you think I wouldn't include a Japanese craft book? here it is...a lovely colourful applique and  patchworky number...ISBN4-05-604283-7

cute kid......cute bag

simple yet covetable pincushion ( and what a great way to use up those fabric scraps...)

and of course, a cute patched and stitched bag!
More books tomorrow ...I'm slowly working my way through my library....incidentally I am going to sort  as well, and in the near future put up some books to buy or swap, that I don't use. Quite a few knitting books as well as some other goodies....no point them taking up room on my shelf when there are other books just waiting to find a home in my library..stay tuned!

Comments

[Julie]

Marianne - i LOVE the invitations you made - i recognise the paper - gorgeous!!!!! And the craft book images are fantastic!! Wish I could make them!
And OF COURSE you should be selling your work!!!!

[Tiel S-K]

hi, totally understand the whole pricing issue dilema. i sell the personalised artwork for children and it has taken me quite some time to figure out a price. I have even had some negative feedback from close friends.Just to boost my confidence!
I think we have too much commercialism in the world. Bring back the days of William Morris!

Love that first book you posted. Where did you buy it from?

[Jo]

You are every mother's nightmare! Did I hear you say GLITTER! Aaagghhhhh. It's right up there with play dough in the carpet. Your invitations are superb. If my girls received an invitation like that, I would frame it. Am having similar dilemnas regarding selling, pricing etc. Let me know if you have any light bulb moments. And good luck with the party plans. BTW, did any of your swap-bots come good?

[gkgirl]

loving your birthday party ideas!
too cute!

and the books!
so cool...
i'll definately be watching
for more of your books
:)

[ingrid]

Ahhh, so many beautiful things!!
I love the invites! I am planning a party for Lottie's third birthday, and I must say I have more fun in the planning and preparation, than I do on the day.
I also adore that gift wrap book, I just might have to hunt myself down a copy of that one.

[christina]

the invitations are lovely. i can not wait to see the end result you are going to have so much fun.

i have so many ideas for things to make/sell but like you said the pricing thing is a whole issue with and in itself. i am dying to get back to making things. this move is hard in that way.

your books are amazing. i do think that the birds would looks great stitched up...

[Hanna]

lots of inspiration in this post. thanks!

[Monica]

the invitations look gorgeous!

I'm sure the party will be a big success...

And as for the books... wonderful. I'm very jealous.

[Anastasia]

I love the invitations - they are perfect!!
those are cool books...I must get my hands on some Japanese craft books - do u get yours from Amazon.jp or did u find them in Sydney?

[bekka]

your invites are gorgeous and awesome. what a great mother you are. i'd love to be invited to a party with an invitation like that! hope Rose's day is happy and filled with laughter.

[simple me]

Those invitations and packages are fantastic. What a great party it will be :)
Amazing books...I just wish I could get them over here.
paula :)