Thursday, March 17, 2011

Personalized Toy Car Mat

I really can't believe that I am
actually saying things like:

It's at least 30 years old.

I made it over 30 years ago, 

Back in the early 70's....

I guess Grandma's house is suppose to have old things and it has always been that grandma is able to tell her grandchildren about the old days.

It's just that I don't feel old enough to have 30 year old belongings and toys that my children once played with! And, when did the 70's become the old days?



This is an example of something that I made for my son some 30 years ago that the grands now love playing with.

It is a length of canvas fabric that I used crayons to create a personalized mat to play with little cars on.

This was long before the store bought kind or the lengths of cute printed fabric panels you can now purchase.


I had drawn in everything that a little town needs. To personalize it I drew in both of his Grandma's houses that were across town from one another. One even had the swimming pool that he loved to go swim in.


His daddy worked at the Post Office.


Little boys love emergency vehicles so it had
a hospital, fire station, and police department.


I also drew in a gas station and a school with a playground.

As you see I am not much of an artist but somehow it
has continued to capture the imaginations of the little
ones I love for that's right.....
over thirty some years now!


I remember finishing it up late Christmas Eve back in the late 70's. I wrapped it up with a collection of new shiny cars, emergency vehicles, airplanes, and helicopters.

The edges of the fabric didn't get hemmed that Christmas Eve. I'm bound to get to it one of these days!

If you have grandchildren who like to draw this just might be a fun project to create and play with together!






6 comments:

  1. What a great idea! I'm definitely going to make one for each grandchild! The fact that it can be passed down is even better.

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  2. I had made one of these mats! Did you ever do th paper dolls on interfacing fabric? Back in the olden days, Cristmas was homemade!

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  3. This is just wonderful! And even more so because of the 30 years of memories.

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  4. Great idea! I love it when the kids appreciate something like that.

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  5. Truly an heirloom! A great idea that has clearly stood the test of time, hemmed or not.

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  6. What a wonderful idea! I love "old-school" projects like that, including making our own paper dolls. At my house, we have all kinds of do-it-yourself activities when the kids stop by and lots of wooden toys. Lots of memories being made.

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