My friend Marilyn (or Maz to us Aussies) is a fabulous paper artist.
In the past, we’ve had great fun playing with all the free paper toys on her website. It’s a great holiday resource for parents with small children, although I personally find it very soothing and meditative cutting and folding all her clever creations. We made her Easter eggs and baskets earlier in the year, and they were very popular (particularly filled with chocolates).
I recently purchased Marilyn’s new book from Amazon, and thought you might enjoy a sneak preview inside its covers. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that all the pieces are perforated, so they can just be popped out without the need for scissors.
Here are the paper toys on offer:
…and the couple of pieces we’ve made so far. They’ll grace our dining table this Christmas!
The books are available at Amazon.com for just $7.95 each, and they’re currently on a “buy 4 for the price of 3” offer.
My friend Maz is a lovely, clever, generous soul, and her work brings a burst of joy and whimsy into our lives. She doesn’t know I’m writing this post (surprise, Maz!). I’d like to encourage you to visit and enjoy all the great stuff on her website, and to think about purchasing a book or two – there aren’t enough creative, giving people in this world, and we need to support them wherever we can!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I could do with this right now. HoneyB is in Christmas mode and sitting down with this book would be a good relaxer!
Gill, the big advantage of this book is that all the bits pop out, although you’d probably need to help HoneyB get them out. Much easier than scissors though! In the meantime, there are some great Christmas projects on Maz’s website – this one is our fave – the Christmas goose Jo mentions below, we must have made a whole flock of these last year! :)
Click to access ChristmasGoose.pdf
How cute! I notice it is on bookdepositry.co.uk for $10.05 with free delivery – that might be better value since Amazon charge for postage??
Oooh, thanks for the heads up, that is cheaper if you’re only ordering one! :)
I love Marilyn- AND her art- and books!
In fact- I followed her over here to your blog, Celia!
Mutual admiration soon becomes friendship amongst congenial souls. :)
Marilyn is a star: she’s given me lots of ideas and encouragement over the past few years for my day job.
I was very pleased to find that you’ve posted about her work here.
Heidi, Peter, both of you are friends I met through Marilyn’s site! That’s pretty wonderful.. :)
It looks like a beautiful book Celia, your friend is very talented!
What a cool & pretty book! I could use that!
Cool!
I made some of Maz’s geese last year and I’ve just nipped on to Amazon uk and ordered a copy. I love paper toys and a little folding from time to time. Happy to support your dear friend’s work!
C and Sophie, thank you, she is very clever!
Jo, thanks for supporting her. I thought you might like this! :)
Wow Celia, what a great treasure that book is. Thanks for supporting her – it is great to have good friends!
What a great book. I want one!
How sweet! Will order some too.
How gorgeous! A great way to keep the kiddies occupied but I can’t say I don’t enjoy a little Christmas craft myself.
Ah, thank you all! I’m beaming! And I do hope that you like “The Toymaker’s Christmas”.
I love the people at Sterling they are so fun to work with. They really did an extra fine job of making the book, the paper is so thick and heavy.
Make toys! Play more!
Marilyn (also known as Maz)
“My friend are my estate.” ~ Jane Austin.
Very cute. I just got a big amazon delivery last week…if only I had known I could have added a few of those books in too! But thanks to the tip above, I will order some from the book depository. My kids will absolutely adore making these. Thanks!
Have just ordered a copy – my little one will love doing this with me to decorate the house for Xmas! Thanks for sharing this.
These are so cute! I love that goose too! So good for kids too-it’s like having super mad origami skills but not :P
Hi Celia, I too have this book. I had pre-ordered it from Amazon and had to wait too long for the release date! I am saving mine until my kids are older (currently 3 and 8 months). I agree with you in supporting our talented people! Cheers Rebecca
I love these, but only wish that my kids were younger to take full advantage of them.. I don’t suppose they will appeal to the jaded teens, though. :-(
I’m so glad you all liked this – the book is great fun, and put together with care – you can see in the second pic that there is a little strip of plastic that holds all the cardboard pop-outs together so they don’t get damaged in shipping!
Rebecca, I agree that it’s probably not right for real littlies, but Amanda, my teenaged Small Man adores it. It’s like pop out Lego to him. :)
Thanks for all supporting the gorgeous Maz – there’s so much wonderful content on her website and it’s all free, so it’s nice to be able to contribute a bit to its upkeep!
Sarah and Rebecca, there is a very cute new toy on Maz’s website called the Dog Show, which is all straight cutting – little stand up dogs in different breed and you get to have a show and award them trophies. I thought when I saw it that it might be nice for small people..
http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/57Dogshow/57Dogshow.html
A couple more – the three year old down the road adored the balancing butterflies:
http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/25butterfly/25Butterfly.html
And if you’re up to the cutting out, these are some of the cutest paper dolls I’ve seen in forever! :)
http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/53Paperdolls/53Paperdolls.html
Thanks for the suggestions Celia. Going to print this out this afternoon as I need a quite afternoon without too much noise after being at Bon Jovi concert last night. This will keep little man entertained! Thanks again Rebecca
Oh, so lovely! What a clever toymaker!
PS Celia, I just got a rock lobster at Coles for $14.99!!! It is a bit small. but just imagine!!
What a cool book! I wanna try making those paper toys with my son :)
Tes, Chef, thank you! Chef, I can’t believe you found a lobster at that price!!! That’s fantastic – someone needs to let Anna know… ;-)
I love playing with these books.., I must head on over and check it out, so much fun. Thanks for sharing Celia.
Celia they look beautiful. I think Monkey Boy would love playing with them…and if he doesn’t I will :-)
Anna, it’s great fun and very meditative! :)
Brydie, absolutely, the little monkeys would love this! :)
these are beautiful!!! i think i will quickly get one for Christmas here – our small people love crafty stuff!
I hope they enjoy it as much as we have, Anne! And don’t forget to check out all the free stuff on Maz’s website as well!