Sunday, November 27, 2011

Tuppertoys and Owl toes


Remember last post I mentioned something about vintage Tupperware toys? Aren't they just the cutest. We are so pleased that these Zoo- It-Yourself animals have come home to live with us. They have completely interchangeable heads, legs, bodies and tails which if nothing else is sure to create some bio- diversity.


From my little bit of research I have discovered that they were released in 1966 and despite being 45 years old seem to be almost indestructible. They come as a combination set of dog, elephant and giraffe heads with interchangeable legs and bodies. Of course Roboboy wanted to genetically modify his own creature from all the spare legs.

And then he whipped up this little friend,


before announcing, "Look mama, a Pushmi-pullyu". You know, out of this super wonderful book that we found a little while back.


I think he's spot on. Well except for needing slightly longer horns.


In other news I was most surprised to see that I had been nominated for a Versatile blogger award by Annie from Artistica Domestica. Until I sat down and thought about (and googled) what versatile really meant. And then I figured if it means dabbling with ones fingers in a whole lotta different pies then that would actually be me. And definitely Annie as she finds humour and art in the wrangling of 5 small people.

 I had intended shortly doing a post  apologizing for the fact that while this blog was originally intended to involve a whole lot of house renovations, it has kind of meandered into being  about sporadic bursts of painting of Betsy interspersed with lots of op shopping, quirky kid things, crochet, sewing, gardening and too long sentences like this one.

Now that I have been told that this haphazard style of blogging is an acceptable thing, I am quite relieved as some of my favourite blogs are a mixed bag as well. I have lots of favourites, most are on my blog roll so that I can share what I like with everyone who visits. I love how there are so many blog styles. Thinkers, dreamers, writers, crafters, photographers,gardeners, embracers of small children and chooks.

 Mostly I love people who are doers- who have their own ideas and then follow them, and those who embrace and have gratitude for the small things in life, including their small people. If they also take gorgeous photos, well then that's the trifecta.  My two all time favourite blogs, who have perfected the trifecta, are Foxs Lane and Ivy Nest. I'm not sure how they feel about being nominated for awards, but pop over and enjoy your visit, perhaps make yourself a cuppa first.



Now I think I'm also supposed to write about why I started to blog but in the interests of keeping this post shorter than War and Peace, I will give that story the post it deserves another day. And now I know you are wondering about the owl's toe. Well, just another definition of versatile- capable of moving in all different directions.
I was kind of thinking that my blogging style was more of a dog's breakfast so I am  heartened to know it's actually more of an owl's toe.

Linking in with Sophie and all the other flea market finds.

23 comments:

  1. Wowser! Wouldn't you just love to know the story of those tupper toys?! Did somebody hold onto them all these years for grandchildren and maybe grandchildren or have they travelled through many families and tiny hands? Sounds like a good children's book/ ABC2 show- "Adventures of the Tuppertoys".

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  2. I saw the thumbnail of your Tupper toys and had to pop in for a visit.
    Back in the early 80s I know they were also sold by Tupperware ladies. I am sure we have bits and pieces tucked away somewhere.
    Love that your young one thought about the book and created his own version.
    Congratulations on your award.
    I enjoy reading different types of posts. Helps me get to know the person behind the blog better.

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  3. My youngest brother had a set of these Tuppertoys in about 1970. My mom bought the set at a Tupperware party, along with a pop-it toy that was a cone shape with a ball in the cone. It had a suction ball on the bottom you pushed that would send the ball flying for your playmate to catch. Haven't thought of those toys in years, and now I want to find a set of those animals for my (future) grandchild! Thanks for the flashback.

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  4. I've always pined for those Tupperware toys ... they sell fast and furiously on ebay.

    I once saw a set in a toy box at a hairdresser's in Kenmore. I offered to buy them from them, but the mother hairdresser refused. I then thought of stealing them, but that's a bad career move.

    I can remember your blog from the early days. I've said it before, I love how it's grown. Congrats to you Mel!xo

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  5. Wow! What a nostalgia rush! we had these as children and played with them all the time - lovely to see them again!

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  6. What a find! I used to have some of these floating around somewhere, I never knew they were Tupperware toys, The kids loved making them. I wish I would have kept them now! :) ENJOY!
    Loving your Fabric too....My passion for Vintage fabric grows everyday, if only I could get my hands on some other than ebay! Do you know of any Oppies on the South side of Brissy that promise a good find? In other words, Where do they keep the GOLD!

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  7. This post is a dog's breakfast. A very lucky dog who likes the finer things in life. x

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  8. Oh, my goodness! I remember those toys! What a great find. :) We found a ton of Little People toys a few months ago, and I have yet to put them in the shop. I'm hoarding them.
    My blog is a mixed bag too...and I love it that way. Keep doing what you are doing!

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  9. I'm pretty sure we had those tuppertoys as kids. They were instantly recognisable. I'll have to show my Mum your post and fact check my poor memory!

    Well done on your award!! I love your two nominated blogs very much as well. x

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  10. I'm sure I had a set of these when I was a kiddo. Or my sisters and brother did. It just goes to show that well made interesting toys will last the distance and remain appealing to kids many years after they were originally made (little and big ones) I love Roboboys multi-legged creation, it's pretty darn cool.

    Congrats on your award. You definetely deserve it x

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  11. Wow, I am following you immediately, I learned so much. I never knew about these toys, and I never knew that Tupperware also used to make toys...we are very behind here in Italy:) Delightful post!

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  12. Oh my goodness, how cute are those toys! LOVE!!! I had no idea they existed but I will certainly be keeping my eyes out in future.
    And I totally love a mixed bag of blog too. A little bit of this and a little bit of that is just perfect in my books.
    Love your blog. Love your style. Love your way of looking at the world. Love that you chose mine and Tania's to pass it on to. Thanks. xx

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  13. I use to have these as a kid...loved them!
    You know for sure they are over 40 years old...yikes

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  14. Snap! I had Tuppertoys and that book as a kid! Not sure what became of them but I did pick up a tuppertoy giraffe from the Salvation Army store a few years back for about $3. He's sitting on the shelves in the nursery at the moment, until my little one is ready to pull him apart from head to tail!

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  15. I love your boys pushmi pullyu...clever boy. I adore your dogs breakfast blogging style. Don't change a thing:)

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  16. This is my favourite post on your blog so far! May have been the pushmi-pullyu... that exact copy of dr Doolittle is one of our favourites too. Lovely award, well done. And all the photos of your genetically modified animals have left me chuckling! gxo

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  17. I had those toys when I was growing up, what a great find. Congratulations on your blog award, I love coming by your blog and seeing what you're up too. A little bit of everything makes for a perfect blogging space to come by and visit. xo

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  18. Fabulous oppy finds there Mel! Congratulations on your award, so deserving! I love your blogging style so dont change a thing!

    x

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  19. Congrats for your award,love reading your bloggy news and those tuppertoys are very cute.

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  20. The switching over from the bewitched words of "WE" and "OUR" to "I" and "ME" accomplished the separation.

    Rental Property Management

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  21. Thank you, I 'm so flattered! Sorry I took so long to pop over.. I can only blame my absent-mindedness on this time of year. I do love a mixed bag blog like yours - all the more interesting and individual I think. And I had no idea tupperware made toys. I've never come across them in op shops. Thanks again and hope you have a lovely week xo

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  22. Dog's breakfast works for me. Your blog is always a joy to read Mel. Well done. Oh and those Tupperware toys bring back so many memories, I wish mum kept them, I have never come across them in the oppies. I will certainly be keeping our tupperware shapes ball for years to come.

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  23. Oh we had these....think there are some random body parts still in the piles of old toys at mums. Very cool!

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