Monday, November 29, 2010

What did you do before you started quilting?

I just had a blast from the past.  My grandson has to donate a few items  for the Children's Christmas Fair at school where each of the kids get to go shopping for their own family members.  It is preferable to have homemade items for the kids to buy.  So.....I went digging in the recesses of my basement for the boxes that contained the "hobby" I had before quilting.  It was tole painting.  I pulled a few ornaments that I had painted (just a few items amongst the enormous amount of stuff) for an open house that I had back in .....oh gosh...hate to admit this...'93 or '94.  These are the items I picked out for grandson #1. 


I have probably about 8 or 9 of the blue "quilted" santa, three of the checkerboard Santa and 5 or 6 of the angels. 

Over the years, I have dabbled in several "hobbies".....knitting, crocheting, macrame, counted cross stitch, embroidery,  ceramics, but tole painting was a big one.  I had all the bells and whistles for it and to this day I am having a hard time getting rid of some of those things.  Obviously, I can't seem to get rid of the pieces that I painted either AND and have a whole load of raw wood that still needs painting, but probaby won't ever get painted. 

Same goes with my quilting.  Another BIG hobby, but I can see quilting lasting a whole lot longer. 

Looking at my Santas made me think just how much quilting was in my blood for a very long time....even before I thought of quilting.....especially when you look at the quilted Santa.

It was fun looking through those boxes.  If I don't touch them for another year or two, I can see going through them again when Grandson #2 comes along and has to bring items to school.  I will most likely gladly do it for the kids.  

Anyways, I was just wondering.....what did you do before you started quilting? 

8 comments:

  1. Wow, that is great, and I noticed Santa's quilted beard right away! Mine was counted cross stitch and crochet. PLUS homeschooling my boys for 20 years!!

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  2. Crewel, embroidery, cross stitch, made stuffed teddy bears and dolls. I also enjoyed painting on wood. Very cute photo

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  3. I have done several hobbies over the years. I used to sew Barbie doll clothes, crochet and knit afghans, plastic canvas items, some painting on glass jars, ceramics just to name some. Once I started quilting, I dropped everything else and have been doing it for about 20 years.

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  4. Before I started quilting I had a lot more time and didn't use it wisely. I was a career girl and that was my life. After marriage and children, THEN I discovered sewing and quilting. Now, that I have much less time and so many commitments. Darn it. But, it is OK and I like it enough that eventually, when the kids are gone, I will have much more time to indulge.

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  5. I began quilting at the age of 17. But I too enjoyed many years of Tole & Decorative Painting. It was a hobby that I poured myself into during most of my 30's and early 40's. Quilting has always remained a constant in my life, but decorative painting, needle work and doll making have been crafts I've enjoyed learning as well.

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  6. I love your little ornaments! I did try tole painting but wasn't any good at it )-:
    I love this topic and might have to "borrow" it. (-:

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  7. Interesting topic! I took weaving and pottery in college because I was allowed a few classes with only a pass-fail grade and my confidence level was low for anything arty. After college my mom bought me a loom which led to a spinning wheel which led to vegetable dyeing and then there was a little basket making thrown in. I am finding quilting leads in just as many varied directions.

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  8. Quiltalina! I would say you sound like you have no problem in the arty category. I appreciate your commenting on this subject and wish you had a blog that I could enjoy looking at all your crafty projects. Thanks.

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