A news story caught my eye about the enduring popularity of the pliable, reusable, edible and fun diddly-icious stuff we all used to play with as kids. It mentions how it shaped the imagination of millions of kids worldwide, and i truly believe it too. I now attribute all aspects of my imagination to two things - playschool, (the most fun you can have whilst being 'educated') and playdoh.
Just reading the story brought a smile to my face. Isn't it strange how small token products from your childhood can bring it all back to you and make u reminisce with a goofy look on your face? I was even talking excitedly about the Hungry Caterpillar to my driving instructor today! (To my delight, the book is still incredibly popular and can be found in all good book stores.)
Well, I can't remember all the details but i know i had a whole bucket of play doh pieces that i had mashed together to form an icky pinkish green blob. Something tells me i might have confused it with plasticine - another childhood favourite though not quite as mallable - so then you had soft, pokey play doh completely mushed with hard stiff plasticine, which unlike the former, did go all bad if you didnt keep it in the container.
And oooh my favourite play dog utensil. Cos I know Hasbro made lots of funny equipment thingies for play doh. This gadget here:
Recently it has come to my attention that this thingybob is called an 'extruder'. Yah, try telling that to a four year old. This thing is my favourite squeezy press thing - you roll up a big lump of dog and jam it inside the device. pull the blue rule to whatever stencil design you choose, and pump that thang right outta there!! Voila! To a young, naive me, that was absolute genius. i felt like i was creating art just by slammin my hand down on the red pedal. How chuffed i was :-)Alas, my recollection of play doh smells elude me - but since Play doh are making their distinctive smell into a fragrance to celebrate their 50th birthday, for childhoods sake i might just.. oh sod it i'll just get some more play doh. (hint hint, xmas coming up..)
