Things to Make

When I showed this little Ladybird book last week, Sandie asked if I could post some of the things to make in the book.

There are some lovely little projects shown, pretty much all of which rely on bits and bobs that would have been found in the average home of the time.  I think my favourite is this little 'Children in the Shoe', although I know full well that me as a six or seven year old would never have been able to paint a shoe so nicely.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do it even now!  The instructions say 'you will need an old shoe (ask Mummy which shoe you may have)'  Can you imagine the trouble that would have ensued if a child just started painting her mother's best shoes with paint!!

I think I would have had more success with this 'Indian Head-dress' made from corrugated cardboard and feathers, and even as a girl would have quite enjoyed wearing it.

Then there is 'Pattern Printing with  a Potato' - nice idea but have tried this as an adult and got into a frightful mess - it's the reversing of the image that gets me every time!

There are a couple of Christmas projects, including  'A Dainty Fairy Tree' - which does have a certain minimalist charm even today.  According to the instructions 'Everyone will say how nice this looks.'

Then there are the ever-so-slightly dangerous projects, like this pair of stilts made from two syrup tins, that involve a small child punching holes with a nail.  I bet the 'Elf and Safety' brigade would have a fit of the vapours!

The cover of the book is in a very poor condition so I'm hoping to use some of the illustrations and instructions to make a few cards from - the illustration on the front with the instructions on the back.  I've just got to get hold of some card blanks that are the right size.

Comments

[Ffion]

I'm sure I must have had a friend with this book as a child. We definitely made the Indian Head-dresses, had a go at the potato prints and had the tin stilts. The stilts were not that great to play with. And no we didn't make them ourselves!
All the best,

[Sandie]

Thank you so much for posting the "Things to Make" ... some of the pictures seemed familiar somehow but, being a child of the 50s, I guess they might well do! I recall the Indian head-dress one.

I love seeing the vintage Ladybird books.

Thank you again. xxx

[Rachel]

Oh my goodness, I had this book as a child, I remember those illustrations exactly!

I always wanted to make the shoe, but alas, I was never allowed an old shoe. I did make potato stamps though, and fell off stilts made from tin cans...

[sharie]

Thanks for posting some of the projects in the book. I can remember making stamps with an old potato but wasn't very good at it. Never tried the painted shoe - imagine my mother woud have had a heart attack if I'd attempted that. Mind you apart from a tiny watercolour set there were no paints in the house. Guess she knew how dangerous the combintion of a your child and paint is.

[Caroline]

Oh, I remember this book, I had it when I was a child. Very clearly remember doing the potato print things with my mum!

[Gillian]

Ooh I think I had the book, the pictures are so familiar...mind you I don't think we had spare shoes in the house for painting, there was one pair for school, one pair for best and a pair of plimsolls!