Yo - Yo Garland

I found a home for all those yo-yo's, or most of them, at least. The basketful has been sitting while I pondered exactly how I'd 'string' the garland. And then this weekend, while in (the very long) line at JoAnn's, I was peeking at Adorn and saw my solution. Ric Rac! Hot Glue! Perfect!

Putting it all together took no time at all, especially with all my helpers. Ezra shouted out the pattern, "Red Yo-Yo! Green, Next!" while Calvin choose a button for each, and Adelaide ate the ric rac (she was helping). I'm so pleased with the garland. But now that there are yo-yo's in the kitchen, and yo-yo's (at least for the holidays) in the living room, I think I'm officially cured of the yo yo fix. For now, at least. (And again, I say...dang, photographing windows is not fun.)

Edited: I'm not the only one with yo-yo garlands on the brain! See Heather's here (she's also got a fab tutorial for making yo-yos).

Comments

[Amy]

I was wondering how you'd do it too. What a nice idea. It spreads them out so you get a beautiful garland with half the yo-yos - great (not that they aren't fun you know.) It's charming. You really do have hot glue on the mind lately :-)

[AmyDe]

I love that! I've got a few (hundred) yo-yo's sitting around that will now have a happy garland home. Thank you!

[sadira]

They look so wonderful and festive...totally different than most garlands don't they? And you're certainly lucky for such good help!

[Sarah]

very sweet.

[heather]

Wow! I have never been a great fan of the yo-yo but that garland has turned me around. What a great way to play with the holiday fabric stash. Impressive!

[Mary]

That is adorable!

You are truly an inspiration.

Have you ever posted a photo of your work area?

I am trying to organize mine.

[mela]

what a great idea!!!
it looks beautiful - maybe i should put it on my list of all the things i would like to try to do....

[laurie]

Love it! I'm working on a yo-yo garland myself and may have to steal your idea of spacing them on the rick rack so that I don't have to make so many yo-yos!

[Jenn]

I have to say that your blog is an inspiration. Your home must be beautiful with all you crafts decorating it!

[beki]

Ooooh, the ric rac is perfect!

[Meredith]

I love those! I want some.

BY the way, your blog has inspired me once again. I am asking for my first sewing machine for Christmas. Any suggestions for easy patterns or good books for a novice like me?

[Jennifer]

That's amazing. Ric Rac is so dreamy. Ever since I saw your first yo yo post I have been making them non stop. Thanks for all the inspiration.

[nina]

they look great! i loved how the kids got involved. that makes it even better.

[jenny b harris]

What a cute way to use yo-yo's!!! Love it!

[Malissa]

Very sweet. Ric Rac is my favorite!

[erin]

looking good Amanda!

[Heather]

Love your garland! It's extra Christmas-y :-)

[hannah]

so glad all your helpers got in on the action. adelaide was softening the ricrac right? it looks lovely!

ps. i am scared to go to joanns...

[Carmen]

Very festive!

[Erin]

When I was a kid, my grandma taught me how to make yo-yo's. I ended up making a pillow top, and she's made quite a few yo-yo quilts in her day. I loved that pillow. Just another use for them.

[Daphne]

Thanks for the link to the Yo-Yo tutorial! and thanks Heather for making it, I've been curious 'bout those yo-yo's since I first saw them here!

[The Weekend Warrior]

Very very cool! You could use them instead of bows on wrapped presents also.

[karla wall]

you use to have a book up about buddha and being a mom cna you tell me the name of it?
thanks karla

[Di]

I love it! Great idea and so quick to assemble. I love reading your blog every day. It has got me back to sewing and crafting - something I have let slip for a while.I didn't realise how much I was missing it until I saw all of your projects and knew I had to start making things again. Thanks for being so inspirational.

[Vicky]

Like the garland! What on earth is "hot glue"?

[Grace]

As usual, very beautiful, Amanda.

[Amanda]

Coveting this just a bit. Must try.

[bigbucketgirl]

my comment disappeared?
oh, anyhow it was just to pass on the anxiety of my 6yr old dd who is loving the yo-yo's but seriously worried that in your hot glue 'passion'...you hot-glued the cat to the window in soulepapa's post!!!!!!!!!!

[Abbey]

You must be one magically magical woman...how in the world are you able to do so many things at once?? (Being a mom, a wife, a crafter, a blogger...) Very Impressive. Do you sleep at night? : )

[Katie]

My first time to your site! You make some beautiful things. Thanks for sharing!

- A Fellow Southern Mainer

[June]

The yo-yo garland is awesome. I think Adelaide's proclivity for helping via putting things in her mouth is a tad funny (yes, worrisome too)--reminds me of the Baudelaire baby in the movie (The Unfortunate Events...) who helped by biting things.

[molly]

i love this garland idea! and I love how *everyone* helped in the process...and it IS hard photographing doorways. I tried to get some shots of a garland I made last week. the pix were so pathetic, I didn't even share them...(yours look much better)

[Erin O.]

Love the garland, and love your stained glass window, too!

[Heather Bailey]

Hey Amanda, hey all, I just started a Flickr photo group for handmade garlands:

Ga-ga for Garlands

Add your photos to the pool!

[Heather Bailey]

Oops, that "Ga-ga for Garlands" was supposed to be a link. I guess it didn't work. Here's the web address for the garland photo group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/83026256@N00/

That's better :-)

[Sheau]

These are simply wonderful. So festive and cute! Nice hands...

[martha]

so fun!

[lisa s]

brilliant.... i <3 yo-yo's

[brandie]

wow amanda! your garland is great...definitely the best i have seen! :)

[Delia]

Very very very cool looking garlands...I'm only just starting to tap into my craftiness. Who knows? Maybe next year...thank you for sharing these!
--D.--

[colleen]

i don't know where to start with all this thrifting goodness! the dress on the left looks so much like my first day of school in the fourth grade, i wonder if it is! but, let me tell you how much i adore the way the yoyos look as garland. you are lucky to have such resourceful helpers!

[Stephanie]

I just love what you did with the garland and since seeing your post yesterday I have already made a bunch of yo-yos! Thanks for the inspiration!

[barbara]

I just love the yo yo garland. I first encountered yo yo's on I think, it was my ninth birthday. My Gram bought a doll for me for my birthday crafted by one of her friends. The doll's body is made out of yo yo's. I have always treasured it. She sits on my mantle....nearly an antique!!

[Jen]

will you put them on your tree?

[April 1930s]

LOVE the rick rack idea! love it, love it, love it!