After my last post where I was reflecting on the origin of the circular motifs in my work, I started to experience nostalgia for my childhood toy. The one that had started it all.
As a result, I went and asked my sisters if they remember the toy I’d described to you in my last post. Both of them don’t. But, I wasn’t surprised. Like I said in my previous post, I was super attached to this toy and I spent hours with it. It might have been mine specifically or for all three of us to play with. Whatever the case was, it doesn’t matter. What I certainly remember is no one played with that toy as much as I did. So, it’s no wonder I remember it so well. And no surprise that neither of my sisters does.
The Search for a Childhood Toy
But because no one except me remembers this toy, I needed to prove to myself that this thing wasn’t just a figment of my imagination. Anytime I’ve described the toy to other people, they either say it sounds like a Spirograph or an Etch-a-Sketch I’m talking about. And each time, I’ll have to say, No. It’s both. Ultimately, I had to summon Google’s help. In fact, because I remember it so well, it wasn’t hard for me to describe it to Google and let it help me find my toy. After just a couple of minutes, going down a few rabbit holes, there it was on my phone screen, just the way I remembered it.
Overcome with Nostalgia
I can’t tell you how excited I was to see it. The nostalgia for my childhood toy had brought me full circle to this moment. I was immediately thrown back in time. Suddenly, I was that 7 year old girl who was so fascinated by the infinite possibilities of intersecting circular shapes. That idea that I could draw anything I wanted with a simple toy. It was all coming back. It was pure joy. The hours and hours of creating something out of nothing. I hadn’t dreamed it up. No. It wasn’t just a figment of my imagination. It’s a real thing. It exists. And it’s exactly the way I remembered it. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve found it and I’m speechless.
My eyes welled up with tears. I’ve found my toy.
Till next time,
Warmly,
So what toy was it???? I have to know! I am fascinated by circles in quilts, especially secondary patterns of circles though I don’t know why… Please share the toy???
Thank you!
Oh… you’re gonna have to wait to find out. 🙂 I love that you’re following my toy story closely.
Was it Skedoodle?
Jenni-Hope, that was some great sleuthing on your part. You’ve got to read the next chapter in that story from my latest post.
Did I miss something? What was the name of the toy???? “Inquiring minds want to know,” . ha.ha. You tell me the name of yours and I will tell you mine!
You know, Clara, When I was about three years old, back in cave man times, my mother bought me a toy Necchi sewing machine. The balance wheel had a handle I cranked to make it sew. I loved that toy. It really sewed. I also had a toy iron and ironing board so I was all set to work along side my mother when she sewed and did the ironing. About a year ago, I was thinking about that Necchi machine and wondered if I could locate one online. Well, there are several old models of Necchi toy sewing machines but it took some digging to find the same model I had. And when I did the price for it was almost like buying a new sewing machine, so I passed on it. The other models were no where nearly as costly but I did not want any of those. I wanted one like I had. But I am more than content with my memories. Not only did that toy help develop my love of sewing, but its being so costly an antique toy, not buying it saved me money that I used for buying more fabric!!! As if I needed an excuse!!!
Vicky, thanks for sharing your story. I’ve known how play and experimentation positively impact creativity. But seeing how my own childhood play and yours too and probably that of many others transformed into adult passions and careers is really fascinating. I’m glad you found your childhood toy too. Mine wasn’t that expensive so I ordered it. You should check out my next post. I tell that story over there.
OOps! I see a typo in my post above in the second sentence. I wrote “make is sew” instead of “make it sew”.
No worries. I fixed it for you.