Yo! Do You Know How TO YO-YO???

Guess what!  I have about 100 or more YOYOs!!!!  Surprised?  Well, don’t be…I really don’t collect the fun toys that go up & down on a string, although I did have one of those off and on as a child.  I even learned how to “walk the dog” and to spin it “around the world.”  If you remember that, you may be old as dirt like me!!!  I wonder if kids today even play with yoyos anymore.

I do have 100 or so yoyos though…but they are made of fabric & not wood or plastic.  

made by my mother

Maybe you’ve heard of yoyos before…maybe you’ve even made some.  All of these were made by my mother.  She has had them for years but recently she has been trying to declutter (she’s 91) and so gifted her box of yoyos to me.  I can remember her and my grandmother making them when I was a child. Mama had always said she was going to sew them altogether and make a yoyo QUILT, but she never seemed to get around to it. 

I couldn’t find any definite history of how yoyos came to be, but many people think they could have originated during the Depression when people learned to make do with very little and used everything they owned in creative ways.  Since yoyos can be made any different size, even small scraps of fabric could be put to good use.  Although they probably began with the purpose of putting them together to make quilts, they really weren’t practical for keeping a body warm but were probably more for decorative purposes.

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My mother was a seamstress who sewed not only for herself and me, but also at times for the public.  She was really well-known for her skills around our small town.  She made hordes of dance costumes for my friends and me for years, sewing on sequins and seed pearls by hand.  If I had a dollar for every one of those she sewed on I’d be richer than Midas!!! 

Me ©1956 

As a child I always loved Mama’s buttons & yoyos and so I guess that’s why she gave me not only her yoyos but this can of buttons as well.  (I wrote a post a few years ago about my love of buttons…you can read it HERE.)

My box of yoyos has been stored under the bed in an extra bedroom (yes, I have stuff under my beds…along with a few dust bunnies but don't tell anybody about those!)  I recently began to think about what I might do with the yoyos and so went in search of ideas (on PINTEREST, of course!)  It’s amazing how many creative people there are in the world and many of them have come up with some awesome ways to use these little fabric lovelies.

I think these paper clips are adorable.  Did you even know there were people who decorated their paper clips???  There is actually a Facebook group that you can join that is about nothing but fancying up those boring paper holders😊  I'm a member & it's called Paper Clip Art (I'm just a stalker there!)

Molly & Mama

newcrafteachday.blogspot.com

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Or if you are into making your own greeting cards, wouldn’t this cute one cheer up a sick friend?

Etsy (no longer available)

Isn’t this headband adorable?  If only my granddaughter still liked bows and cute things to wear in her hair!

Etsy (no longer available)

And if you are into DIY for some small Christmas gifts for neighbors or co-workers, these bookmarks could be easily and quickly made.

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Speaking of Christmas (it’s only 136 days away…yikes!)…these decorations for your tree are so cute and unique.

blogconnectingthreads.com

If you are interested in learning how to make yoyos, they really are very simple and there are many tutorials online and even videos on you-tube.  HERE is a good one, although these gals do it a little differently from my Mama.  Or you can also use a special template as seen in THIS VIDEO.  Templates can be ordered on Amazon.  Another step-by-step guide has great photos.  There are many more tutorials…just ask Mr. Google.

from Positively Splendid by Amy Bell

All of these projects are “do-able”, but I’m not sure I will ever get around to completing any of them (I can procrastinate with the best of the best procrastinators), but I came across this idea that I can definitely accomplish…and I think I like it too😊  In fact, it will fit right in with the décor in a spare bedroom.  And…it will be a lovely reminder of sitting at the feet of my mother and grandmother watching them wield their needles in & out, in & out of all that brightly colored fabric…making yoyos and making memories. 

cupcakesndaisies.com

(I just thought of something!  Maybe they are called yoyos because the needle goes up & down, up & down like a yoyo!  That’s probably been thought of before, but I can be a little slow at times!!!)

And if you are in the mood for a catchy tune that you won't be able to get out of your head about the other kind of yoyo, go HERE and listen to the cutest song that you might want to teach your grandkids😊  Disclaimer:  you may not get it out of your head for days!!!

I was sittin' on a fencepost

Slappin' on my left knee

Chewin' on my bubble gum...chomp! chomp!

Playin' with my yoyo...do-wop! do-wop!

Watchin' the birds fly by...

Herman:) 

Molly & Mama