Oh sure, they look all pastoral, like they're just minding their own business, gazing over the fence and grazing by the stream. Don't be fooled. They're colluding.
I'm convinced they plotted a way to come home with me. At under a buck apiece, I was easy game. They fairly jumped into my Goodwill shopping cart.
I did paint by number as a kid, sitting at the built-in desk in the alcove of the Cape Cod style house I grew up in. The light on the north side wasn't the best, but I worked on a few of these there nevertheless. I can still smell the oil and see the toothpicks strewn about, miniature paint sticks for those tiny plastic pots.
I sorta sucked at it, but it was a lot of fun.
Who knows whatever happened to those early works? My guess is that they were probably in some state of incompletion when I abandoned them for another pastime, like Creepy Crawlers or stretchy loop potholders made on a loom. Or maybe I just ran out of #9 olive green or #4 aqua blue.
I think those horses knew they would rekindle a fond memory. They told their friends -- first, the little fishing boy, who sent his trusty Irish Setter all the way to eBay to sniff out a thatched roof cottage, flushing out a couple of ring-neck pheasants along the way.
And that, my friends, is how a collection is born.
The doves are the most recent acquisition, but I don't trust 'em. They look like they're up to something.
Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to visit Colorado Lady for links to other fabulous vintage thingies!
31 comments:
aawwww... they are all so adorable!! My favorites are the horses and the dog!!! Great finds :-)
I think I might have painted that dog paint by number. I always wondered what Mama did with it...now I know...GoodWill. I see these all the time at Thrift Stores and think about when I use to paint them. A very unique collection.
Love the horses - someone was very good at those paint by numbers - it wasn't me - I lacked patience for the small areas to paint in!
I really enjoyed seeing some of these vintage pictures again. I think the horse ones are the best.
I love the cottage and the oriental houses. I was never a painter and, even though I tried, I couldn't get them to look good. I finally gave up. I stuck with crayons and coloring books, and even then they weren't great, but I had fun.
P.S. Ed wants to know what I'm doing. I told him I'm reading your blog. He said to tell you hi, so here I am saying hi for Ed.
PPS: The doves are up to something. I say we sick the dog on them.
They're all wonderful..the covered bridge is my favorite. It's wonderful.. Happy VTT, have a great weekend.
What a great little collection! I know a couple of people who would probably sell their granny to get their hands on that paint by number cottage! :-) jk, they wouldn't really sell their granny, but you know what I mean.
what a fun post i had to have a little chuckle. Funny how a collection gets started & before you know it you're in over your head lol!
btw your 'paint-by-numbers' collection is delightful :)
Wow, what great finds for great prices! i really love the cottage one!
Have a wonderful day!
What a fun collection. My favorite is the dog.
Now I love your collection. I had one too that I just never seemed to finish. I see these in the magazines all the time, but I've never run across one. Really enjoyed your post!
All wonderful!! I think I like the pheasant the bestest!!
Blessings!
Gail
Hi, Thanks for coming by a leaving a sweet comment on my blog. I remember these paint by numbers. I was never good at it. These are so pretty.
Debbie
Hi, The horses and dog are my favourites. I was never patient enough to do good paint by numbers. Your collection is superb!
Wonderful collection I especially love the little boy fishing!
They are all adorable, but I think I love the doves the most! Sweet collection!
Oh, I remember doing paint by number! I wasn't very good either. And in the late 60's you could do paint by number on black velvet! Now that was something. You have a great collection.
I did paint by number too! Loved it, but mine were never this good. These are so gorgeous! Love love love them!
Your collection is beautiful! I love the one with the little boy fishing.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Oh my goodness-I think we were BFFs and didn't know it! I loved paint-by-number and making those stretchy loop potholders!
You have a great collection-that cottage is just incredible!
Anything over three is a collection in my book.
I love all the paintings, I did a few of these when I was a kid too.
thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
Ann
tin and sparkle
Back in the dark ages when I was a kid paint-by-number kits were a favorite Christmas gift. Can't remember what I painted or what happened to my "art," but the smell of the paint and stirring with toothpicks is forever in my memory.
I loved doing paint by number pictures as a kid as well! Your collection is truly wonderful and it brought back wonderful memories for me too! I always wanted a Creepy Crawlers set, but never got one!
Kat :)
Nice collection; the dog and the birds are my favorites.
These are great...I used to love these as a kid, but was never good at it myself....love your collection. Happy VTT!
You have some beautiful pieces. I don't see these very often anymore but I remember my brother doing them when I was young.
I agree, those doves are definitely up to something... Better watch out!
wow, your post made me stare with an open mouth! I never knew that 'paint by numbers' can be so beautiful and intricate, I love your Far East set!
I did a set with running horses years ago, but have to ask my Mom in South Africa what happened to it.
Thanks for you comment on my blog, my machine is a Singer 304A, she must be from the same year as yours.
Thanks again for sharing your paint by numbers collection, I really enjoyed seeing it.
I'm late for the party, but I remember paint by numbers! You describe it so well, the smell of the paint, etc. And Creepy Crawlers!Yes! Pretty sure those have been outlawed since you could burn yourself on that cooker thing. :)
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