Get started on a homemade holiday by hopping over to Gudrun's blog today. She has a free "Quilt As You Go" pattern that is sure to become a favorite. It's simple enough that you'll have plenty of time to whip one up in fall colors and another one for Christmas!
During our Cross Country Christmas blog hop, enjoy a free pattern from each of the 12 designers and remember to comment on all 12 blogs to be eligible for a big grand prize! Tell your friends and enjoy the hop together - I look forward to meeting you and sharing some Christmas stories!
And now for some old favorites . . . When I was growing up, my favorite Christmas presents were usually creative toys. I loved making my own flowers - each one different. Fun fun fun!
I spent hours and hours at the kitchen table baking plastic
critters with a Mattel "Thingmaker" - my favorites were the ones you
could put on the end of your pencil. I can still smell that hot plastic and hear the sizzle when it went into the water to cool.
My sister and I got each other surprise presents every year. One year,
instead of splitting up in the toy store and being sneaky, we decided
to get each other the exact same paint set. At first we let my mom
think we both chose the same thing by accident - but we eventually
"fessed up" and told her that we had planned it together. I still love
paints and markers - in fact I often start my quilt designs on graph
paper with crayons and markers.
Oh my word - I can remember the Thingmaker too...LOL I had one!! I remember trying to scare parents and grandparents with the "thingies" I'd create. Now that's a fun memory - thanks for helping me remember...LOL
Posted by: Cindy | November 09, 2009 at 06:34 AM
One of my favorite gifts was a potholder loom. I loved making those things!
Posted by: Jill | November 09, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Enjoying all the memories you girls are sharing! Those toys are a blast from the past! I am sure some of those were under our tree, too!
Posted by: Jayne Honnold | November 09, 2009 at 07:23 AM
What a hoot! I too had the Vacu-maker and the Thing-maker. Loved them both. Yes I agree, many hours were spent with those great toys. I even remember some burned little fingers. So much fun.
Thanks for that great walk down memory lane.
Posted by: Wendy | November 09, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Love the memories
Posted by: Lin | November 09, 2009 at 07:38 AM
Jill mentioned the pot holder loom! I had one and in a fit of nostalgia I bought one for my girls and they loved it too!
Posted by: Diane | November 09, 2009 at 07:47 AM
I remember that flower making kit. However, my flowers never looked like the samples on the box!
Posted by: Darlene B | November 09, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Sounds like you and your sister kept Christmas very interesting!!
Posted by: Pat Sajovie | November 09, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Oooh, oooh, oooh! I had a Thingmaker, too! And a Lite Brite. And an Easy Bake Oven! Good trip todnw memory lane! Thanks!
Posted by: Jenny | November 09, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Such sweet memories to have with your sister. I have 2 sisters that I rarely see...your blog today makes me want to call them and I will today. Thanks
Posted by: Linda H | November 09, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Oh I had some od those creative toys too... usually used once or twice then left to dry up.... I was a doll girl at heart... This is so much fun hopping around to everyone's blogs :)
Posted by: Jewel | November 09, 2009 at 08:28 AM
My daughter also loved paints and stuff...one year we got a huge box and filled it with all stuff creative... it was her favorite present...
Posted by: Nancy | November 09, 2009 at 08:32 AM
My sisters and I did that to my mom once too! She was soooo mad!!! I still remember it lol!
Posted by: Mandy | November 09, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I'd forgotten about the fun flowers, I loved playing with them...making the house smell. My kids had the bug maker...
Posted by: Carolyn | November 09, 2009 at 08:49 AM
I too loved the creative gifts. Wish more parents would do that these days. I think creativity in most kids is almost nil. Let's give them a couple of pieces of chalk and tell them to go draw on the sidewalk.
Posted by: Linda G | November 09, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Thanks for sharing your Christmas memory. One of my favorites was the "Pom-Pom Pet Kit", complete with little googley eyes to finish your creation. We had critters everywhere!
Posted by: Chris | November 09, 2009 at 09:02 AM
I always looked forward to creative gifts. Playing with dolls just wasn't for me.
Posted by: Dolores | November 09, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Creative gifts are always fun. I loved my pottery wheel. My pots were always small, short and think but I had fun!
just noticed that on some blogs my posts just have my fist name. hope you gals will notice and still count me in on all the blogs. Thanks Cyndi
Posted by: cyndi valentine | November 09, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Wow, I just started looking at your blog for the first time because of this Hop. I'm excited because I love your designs! and it's nice to put a face to the name. I remember making creepy crawlies and thinking the easy bake oven was the best, how about those looms/loops making potholders! Can't wait to have time to check out your tutorials.
Posted by: SewLindaAnn | November 09, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Reading these stories brings back my own memories I had forgotten.
Posted by: sndy1 | November 09, 2009 at 09:30 AM
I remember having a Thingmaker, too! I forgot about it!!!
Posted by: Busy Little Quilter | November 09, 2009 at 09:32 AM
I had the insect maker!
Posted by: linda lewis | November 09, 2009 at 09:57 AM
I use graph paper and colored pencils too. In fact, I'm working on one right now!
Posted by: Judy | November 09, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Wow, I had one of those flower mold kits, that is going way back!
Posted by: Ruby | November 09, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Terry,
Thanks for sharing some of your Christmas memories. I wish I had one of those thing makers. It looks cool.
Posted by: KatieQ | November 09, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Oh my, I had that flower maker, I loved it and my brothers even got flowers.(thats so funny)boy does it bring back memories.
Posted by: therese bell | November 09, 2009 at 10:20 AM
My grandmother would knit things for me doll cloths or blankets.
Fun things
thanks
Regena
Posted by: Regena | November 09, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I remember my little sewing machine, pot holder maker and lots of crayons and paint. I even got a typewriter. Talk about stereotypes.!
Posted by: Rhonda | November 09, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Nope, I don't recognize either of those crafty idea boxes. I do remember making potholders, though!
Posted by: Julie in WA | November 09, 2009 at 11:03 AM
This is all so exciting, and lot of fun. looking forward to see the next project
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1029856627 | November 09, 2009 at 11:34 AM
OMG! We had those Fun Flowers, too! I had forgotten about them somehow until I saw your post. Thanks - I can still remember how they smelled!
Posted by: eamylove | November 09, 2009 at 11:44 AM
We made those pot holders that you put on this little loom and wove them in and out of one another. I always loved doing crafts as a kid.
Nothing has really changed even now.
Posted by: Penne | November 09, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Too funny about the paint sets! I love the sweet memories. I never saw a VAC U MAKER but it looks alot like the Creepy Crawler Machine (or maker or something like that). LOVED those flowers too! Sigh......
Posted by: CJ | November 09, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Don't even recognize those toys!! I liked a Spirograph that a friend received for Christmas, though!
Brenda K.
Posted by: Brenda Karl | November 09, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I used to always get a crafty toy each year too. Loved to see what it would be each year. I remember making lots of those potholders too :)
Posted by: robin(rsislandcrafts) | November 09, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Clever idea getting each other the same thing. Love your designs.
Posted by: Darlis | November 09, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Great memories (and photos) Terry Ann!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | November 09, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Sounds like you were born to create...cute story about your sister and you and the paint sets. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sandy | November 09, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Hey those type of kits are still popular. I never had one of those .... I wonder if I can find one on eBay. thanks.
Posted by: sandy | November 09, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I had the same thing.. I loved playing with it! There are quite a few of us with the thingmaker.. Love your blog.. thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Joyce | November 09, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I realize how lucky I am now that my parents got us creative gifts as well. Forstering that creativity has really made me happy! cool gifts!
Posted by: Tara | November 09, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Great memories...and great toys...why don't they do anything like that anymore!
Posted by: Jane Weston | November 09, 2009 at 01:24 PM
How frustrating is this? I guessed everyone's baby pics, but it seems none of my comments went through because of the cryptic letter feature popping up after I press 'submit comment'. Well, that was a big waste of time!
Posted by: Christine | November 09, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Thank you for sharing your childhood memories :)
Posted by: Tora | November 09, 2009 at 01:43 PM
There have been some good, creative kits over the years. Then there seemed to be very few...and now it seems they are making a comeback.....which I think is a good thing.
Posted by: Pat | November 09, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Now I really know I'm old, I think I bought those for my kids! Time flys when your havin fun!
Posted by: Carol Holmstrom | November 09, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Festive FUN! That's always the BEST. ; )
Posted by: Piecefully, Pam | November 09, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I remember getting a cake mix set with tiny little pans, similar to the ones with the easy bake oven. But at that time I had to put them in a real oven. I loved it, but I think it may have been a bother to my mom.
Posted by: Ann D. | November 09, 2009 at 03:31 PM
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Tammy L | November 09, 2009 at 03:50 PM
I didn't have one of those toys, but I also liked getting crafty things. One year I got a daisy winder tool, but I could never make it work.
Posted by: Leslie Schmidt | November 09, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Very fun, creativity-inducing gifts!
Posted by: Kersten | November 09, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I always dreamed for the craft type kits out of the Sears catalogue; guess I should have known that and Grammy would have lead me to quilting.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1592097682 | November 09, 2009 at 05:12 PM
My foray into crafting in childhood was strictly a potholder loom. I used to make them very colorful and then go door-to-door selling my product, or trying to!
Posted by: Marianne | November 09, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I, too, have always made things. From my childhood I remember making Indian designs with seed beads on a loom.
Posted by: JoAnne | November 09, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I loved my thing maker! I made flowers with my sisters and my brother always wanted to make the bugs!
Posted by: Debbie Richards | November 09, 2009 at 06:27 PM
I'm looking forward to this Christmas Hop. I love looking at Christmas designs
Posted by: Amanda | November 09, 2009 at 06:30 PM
I had that Thing Maker as a kid too!!
Too funny
Sheila
shecarita(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Sheila Carita | November 09, 2009 at 06:41 PM
What is it about smells??? Just thinking about the smell the plastic Thingmaker takes me back to my childhood!
Posted by: di | November 09, 2009 at 06:56 PM
As I child I too had that same Thingmaker only I made flowers and I want to say brothers at creepy crawlers. It did have a weird smell so we would make them out in the garage...it would be so cold out there but it didn't matter it was fun! I'd forgotten all about it until now.
Posted by: Mary Flynn | November 09, 2009 at 07:13 PM
I loved that you both wanted the same paint set - says a lot about sisters, doesnt it!! I was wondering if the paint cups were from your childhood or something available now - seems like a great idea in case of spills. If you know, would you post? Thanks!!
Posted by: lovetostitch | November 09, 2009 at 07:17 PM
this is a fin way to share stories and tidbits
Posted by: Kathy Muller | November 09, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I still love the smell of a new box of crayons! And I've been known to color pages in my grandies coloring books right by my lonesome, too!
Posted by: Melisa | November 09, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Every year we made stained "glass" Christmas ornaments -- you know, the kind that came with the metal outline and then you filled in with the plastic beads and put the ornaments in the oven and the beads melted and smoothed out. Very cool; however, the plastic did stink when it was melting! You can't buy these little beauties anymore! Fortunately, I still have some of the ornaments from years past and they still hang on my tree every year!
Posted by: Lauren | November 09, 2009 at 08:26 PM
I also had a Thingmaker! Loving this Blog Hop once again,great idea.So nice to read all the stories.
Posted by: Bonnie Nyquist | November 09, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Holy Cow, haven't seen one of those since my momma sold ours at a garage sale....I remember that smell, and singeing my fingers trying to get the flowers (and other molded stuff) out of the metal molds. Thanks for the trip down memory lane !!
Posted by: Liz Tamiso | November 09, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Oh I just loved the smell of the vacuform thingie. I also had that thing that baked rubber bugs. Can you imagine them selling anything now that you could possible get hurt by....love these postings. Thank you,
Posted by: Cheryl | November 09, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Craftmaking gifts were always my favoirtes too. I got an adjustable pot holder loom. The year after I got one everyone on my list got some nice hand made pot holders. ;)
Posted by: tami | November 09, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Thank you for sharing your Christmas memories. My Mom wasn't a big craft person, but she always brought out the craft supplies around this time of year and made holiday ornaments and other decorations. Fun times.
Posted by: Rene' | November 09, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Boy, does that bring back memories, lol.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St.Germain | November 09, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Creative gifts and games were my favorites. I had forgotten all about those Thingmakers.
Posted by: Iva | November 09, 2009 at 09:54 PM
I'm trying to remember getting crafty gifts but I think that stuff was always available like felt and sequins and beads, so it probably wasn't considered a gift. The flower maker looks like fun.
Linda P in IL
Posted by: Linda P | November 09, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Oh what memories. My favorite were always the potholder looms and loops and also I used to receive a treasure chest full of craft type items. I remember being so upset the first Christmas I didn't receive one.
Posted by: Sue Goodin | November 09, 2009 at 10:20 PM
The no spill paint jars are still available - just google "no spill kid's paint and you'll get lots of sources!
Posted by: Terry | November 09, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Isn't it fun going down memory lane??
Posted by: Kim D. | November 09, 2009 at 11:01 PM
I got a mosaic set once...like paint-by-number only with colored rocks and beads. And here I am, 45 years later, I still have the leftovers. I still dig them out occasionally to do crafts with my grandkids.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | November 09, 2009 at 11:14 PM
I remember that!! My mom wouldn't buy me the fun stuff like that, but my best friend had them all! Of course, the boys in the neighborhood would terrorize us girls with the creepy crawlies. Haha...
My favourite gift was this felt stationary set. It had all these tiny felt flowers...and other shapes to adorn homemade cards and such.
:o)
Posted by: Piroska | November 10, 2009 at 12:02 PM
crayons, coloring books & graph paper oh my lifes essentials
Posted by: Leslie | November 11, 2009 at 12:02 AM
All these stories just bring a smile to my face. I'm having so much fun!
Posted by: Monica | November 11, 2009 at 06:16 AM
I think I got that same paint set. Can't wait to start on the mugs.
Posted by: Darla Gaskins | November 11, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Such sweet memories :-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | November 11, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Love the memories!
Posted by: arlette | November 21, 2009 at 10:32 PM