Child care at its best

Weird Japanese demonstration

Fabulous Find #4 ~ Vintage Box of Labels

Found this little set of vintage labels at the spring flea market in Sparks/White Cloud this year. There is no marking on the box as far as the date goes, but they were made by Dennison. Such a clever way to package labels for all of your canning needs! Dennison made a desk accessory set too ~ it contained things like paper clips and reinforcements. Even though I have never in my life canned a thing, nor do I intend to, I had to have these!

Obsession #4 ~ Craft Books

{Japanese craft book on buttons}
ISBN 4579110633

Another thing I just can't resist are craft books! Lately I have gotten some beautiful Japanese books on different crafts ~ the one above, obviously on buttons. I wish I was able to read Japanese so I could learn everything the book has to offer, but even so, the diagrams and pictorial directions are clear enough that most things aren't too difficult to figure out.

I got this book at a wonderful bookstore in NYC called Kinokuniya ~ it looks like you can order books online ~ type in the ISBN number in the search area and the book should come up. I have bought a few of these on ebay and etsy, but the other large chain bookstores don't carry any at all. Crafting Japanese is a great resource for looking at Japanese craft books as well.

Get toad

Les Fleurs Animees ~ 1847

{ rose }

{ lilac }

{water arrow }

Animated flowers ~ giving a human form and personality to a flower! I found this beautiful old book here ~ it can be yours for a small fortune! Probably worth it though ~ it is a two volume set and has 50 color plates. I love the colors and the whimsical illustrations.

Even the beetles and other insects are beautifully drawn and play a part in admiring the beauty of the flower girls.

Multiple Choice ~ From Sample to Product

{English, 18th century, printed cotton swatches}

{French, 18th century, buttons}

{French or Swiss, late 19th century, machine lace}

{English, 19th century printed cotton}

{Wiener Werkstatte, 20th century, printed cotton pattern}

Wow, this looks like a great show ~ I am sorry I didn't catch it when I was in NYC a couple weeks ago! Over the years I have seen sample books now and then ~ at libraries or at antique shows ~ I don't come upon them very often ~ if I do they are usually out of my price range. There is just so much I find fascinating about these books ~ the layout of the pages ~ the actual samples ~ the labels and ways of numbering ~ oftentimes, the handwritten notes ~ the glimpse into history and what a designer would have had to pick from. I love the fact that all of this is wrapped up in one book! I have managed to snatch up a couple ~ just not as impressive as the ones in this exhibit ~ I'll have to dig them up and post them in a "Fabulous Finds" when I have a chance.

I've shown a few of my favorites above ~ make sure to visit their site where you can see much more. Multiple Choice ~ From Sample to Product is on exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum until September 1, 2008, so there is still a little time left.