Sunday, August 11, 2019

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.


Pinterest

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

Pinterest

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.

Pinterest


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









14 comments:

  1. Cheri, I absolutely adored this post, and Herman the worm is so cute in the video, thank you for sharing.
    Loved all the ideas you shared, the one of placing them in a glass vase is an excellent idea to see your mom and grandmother's handiwork.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, thanks so much for dropping by. Isn't the Herman song, just the cutest. I have literally sang it over and over in my head till I feel Herman is my best friend!!!

      Delete
  2. Oh my goodness, so many adorable ideas to make with those yoyos! You will have so many great gifts and could sell them on Etsy!! So beautiful! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore looking at hand-made items on Etsy, but I could never been prolific enough with anything to make a go of it!!! But thanks for the idea...just in case funds get really low sometimes:) And thanks so much for coming by to chat.

      Delete
  3. Oh, I have seen those yo yo quilts and I've always been enamored. The one you showed is gorgeous. The colors!! I would love to try to make one, but yeah, procrastination is an art with me, too. It's nice to have a head start with your mom's collection though. SO many possibilities!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I probably wouldn't mind making all the yoyos needed for a quilt (sort of one of those mindless tasks you can do while sitting in front of the TV) but I don't think I'd like having to sew them all together for the quilt. That's where my patience would go lacking:)

      Delete
  4. What fun! And, displaying them in the glass container is awesome! I've seen the yo-yo quilts and they are so lovely and look very labor intensive. An enjoyable post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Lea. When I saw the vase filled with yoyos, the light bulb clicked on. I even have a vase in the attic I think...but again procrastination has set in and I haven't crawled up there yet to find it!!!

      Delete
  5. Well I am "old as dirt", I remember those tricks with the yoyo and YES, I can yoyo:) I enjoyed this post and the memories it triggered! Those little circles of fabric made so many pretty things. Perhaps I can do that. I collect buttons:) When my Granddaughters were little, they would bring me buttons that they picked up in parking lots or found in their house:) Sweetest little gifts from the sweetest little ones. Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a sweet memory of your granddaughters! I have always loved buttons. When I was little I just loved to go through the button box looking for treasures:)

      Delete
  6. I'm not a crafter or sewing gal but those are super cute. I could do the jar thing with no problem! Atleast they will be displayed. One day you'll look for someone to take them over! Hopefully you'll have a Grand that will want to carry on the tradition!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yaya, I have the sweetest granddaughter who is sooo creative so I am hoping she will want at least "some" of my sweet treasures:)

      Delete
  7. Great post. I actually thought you meant the wooden yoyos and thought this woman has lost her mind!!! lol...I have never made those, I have seen them and today I learned what they are called. Thanks. Also, thank you for your sweet comments on my blog about enjoying reading and seeing what I have been up to. That is so nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, you are very welcome...and thank you for the same:) So glad I got to teach you something new!!!

      Delete

Please stop and "chat" with me...I love hearing what you have to say!