(In my defence, I will say its been quite a while since I've found any. Ahem)
It wasn't until I got home that I realised those Ladybirds are phonies. Well, not phonies per se, they are real, but they're definetely not vintage.
Not only do they have glossy pages (which dates them post 1983), they also have a great big fat barcode on the back. In one of the illustrations, Jane and Peter are drinking from cans of Coca-Cola! I know, just draw a big S for sucker on my forehead!
Anyway (and I know this is drawing a really, really long bow) what do you do when life gives you lemons/dud Ladybirds? You make lemonade, right...
Here's what I did...
(and I know I'm not re-inventing the wheel here)
I stitched some
(more) cards.
I kept the cover
lined it with a French map (from a Michelin motoring atlas - another op-shop find) to hide my mess,
popped the cards inside, tied it with some vintage trim and le voila, a homemade stationary set!
Total cost for ten cards = two dollars and twenty cents.
This doesn't include the trim which cost twenty cents for the whole card (my maths isn't good enough to work that one out!) or the map - I paid two dollars for one hundred and ninety maps - you do the maths if you're interested...
Lemonade? I reckon I've turned those Ladies into Champagne! And if I can do it, you can too (I'm talking to all you wonky stitchers like me here) I'm definitely making more, so watch out...Christmas is just around the corner!
Total cost for ten cards = two dollars and twenty cents.
This doesn't include the trim which cost twenty cents for the whole card (my maths isn't good enough to work that one out!) or the map - I paid two dollars for one hundred and ninety maps - you do the maths if you're interested...
Lemonade? I reckon I've turned those Ladies into Champagne! And if I can do it, you can too (I'm talking to all you wonky stitchers like me here) I'm definitely making more, so watch out...Christmas is just around the corner!
I should've known better!
x
Evil counterfeit vintage kids books! I have the same problem when I'm buying old Narnia books, I always think they're older than they really are.
ReplyDeleteGood on you. The cards are lovely. Now you'll be on the lookout for more 'modern' ladybirds just for the purpose of crafting.
ReplyDeletex
Oh I know what you mean, I get carried away sometimes too and come home with dresses with broken zips or books with scribbles in or pages ripped or china with chips... I think my eyes just glaze over sometimes in the haze of excitement! I like going charity shopping with my good buddy for this very reason, she is very good at quality control and has spotted many a stain, button missing or non-functioning zip which I would have missed!
ReplyDeleteStill you did a great rescue job with the fake Ladybirds, well done! xxxx
Jane and Peter drinking cola!!!! Whatever next! Well done, Kylie you did a great job with them - fabulous idea.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
That is a corker of an idea! Nothing wrong with a useful fake.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to the oppy tomorrow for Christmas fodder!
You are clever! I didn't know there were Ladybird 'fakes' - although I suppose they are legit by the same publisher - just for a new generation to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a really clever idea!
ReplyDeleteFantabulous idea.....great re-purposing...money not wasted but spent well. xxx
ReplyDeleteUsing the book covers to create stationery sets is a great idea. I may have to make some myself! They would be perfect for girlfriends' birthdays.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all guilty of it at times. But you've come up with an idea to make the most of them with some craft so that's a bonus.
ReplyDeleteAah those look so cool. Clever idea, the stationery set. You gonna sell them online? *cough* ;)
ReplyDeleteThose books will be vintage too, in the not too distant future..you could start a collection in the hopes.....? Naaah..cut 'em up, I say!
Goodness Kylie, these are fantastic. The cards are soooo great! You should really open an etsy shop, they would sell really well.
ReplyDeleteYou are very inventive Kylie, great work :)
ReplyDeleteI think you nicely solved your problem. My issue is I occasionally get carried away on eBay. Gulp. Not as easy to dispose of. And a little more painful. Really cute set.
ReplyDeleteWe've all done that, sigh. But your cards are wonderful and so much better than store bought.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE them! I am definitely stealing this idea!!
ReplyDeletedefo champagne, i bought a repro ladybird card recently and it cost me $6! coka-flippen-cola! in a ladybird book?! that's frikken sacrilege that is! and fret not about the dearth of ye-olde ladybirds as a kiwi father christmas might just have a tidy pile to stick in a sack down your chimney ;0)
ReplyDeleteGold! See you can sew, you and janome are one, now open the apron book! :)
ReplyDeletehee hee. excitement does crazy things with us.
ReplyDeleteincidentally i found a real ladybird THE POLICEMAN just the other week. i thought of you, naturellement. i haven't read it yet, and i haven't dusted it yet either.
those raskall window work men are heeeeeeeeeeeeere, keeping me in the lurch....
n♥