Reuse those old Crayon Bits

Not sure what to do with all those broken crayons you have been storing away? Instead of replacing them, reuse and remake them into a whole new kind of crayon. There is a range of colors, but depending on what you decide to meld together, your newly created crayon can be psychedelic or just a solid larger, more easy to hold version of a crayon! Be creative, have fun and see what you can come up with.

What you’ll need:

• Crayons (Either use ones you already have hidden in the couch or at the bottom of the toy box, or you can buy new ones)
• Mini muffin pan (One that you don’t mind getting a little crayon on)
• Exacto knife (Optional – don’t forget you need parental vision for this)

Preheat your oven to 265° F. Peel off all the paper from the crayons (for the new ones, I found it much quicker to remove the paper in one smooth motion if I carefully ran the exacto knife down the center of the paper and peeled the paper back), and break them into 1/2″ to 1″ pieces. Arrange two to three like colors in each slot, then bake for 6-8 minutes (don’t over bake – you want them just melted so you can’t distinguish the crayon shape anymore). Let them congeal a little on the counter, and then place them in the freezer until they are firm (approx. 30 minutes). They should then pop right out.

This is great for little hands that aren’t steady enough to hold thin crayons. They can wrap their whole hand around them and go to town without breaking them.

Source: craftydaisies.com

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She’s Crafty!

Kira making Lion and Lamb Note Holders

For us here on the West Coast, April weather seemed to roar in like a Lion, but move out like a lamb.  So, I thought these crafty Lion and Lamb Note Holders that my co-worker Robyn, mom to Kira (10-years-old) and Alyssa (2 ½ -years-old), created for their refrigerator last year were apropos.  Not only were they fun to make, but their family still uses them on a daily basis! The ‘legs’ hold small pieces of paper that are useful for writing all of “those lists and notes” that so many of us parents must tally and keep track of.  I found a couple of different ways to make these nifty holders, depending on your (and your child’s) attention span and skill level. 

Option #1: (up to 2 hours)
Difficulty Level: 2 (of 10)
Note: This uses quilling, a decorative paper-rolling technique.

Materials:

• Colored construction paper (white, orange)
• Toothpick
• Card stock (white, yellow, black)
• Glue (Elmers type and non-toxic)
• Googly eyes (found at your nearest craft store)
• Colored Marker Pens (orange or black)
• Clothes pins (2 per note holder, and found at your nearest hardware or craft store)
• Magnetic strip (optional)

Directions:

Step 1

1. For each, start by cutting a few dozen 1/8-inch-wide strips of colored paper, each at least 4 inches long. Curl each strip tightly around a toothpick.
2. Next, cover a rounded, 3-inch card stock body with glue and attach the curls. Cut out a card stock face and ears, adding googly eyes and other facial features, and glue them all in place. Allow the glue to dry (20 minutes).
3. For the legs, which also serve as note holders, glue 2 clothespins to the back of the body. Stand the critter on a table or attach magnetic strips to the back and stick it to your fridge, then post your message in the clips. For an added touch, either paint the legs to match the bodies or cover them with an appropriate colored cardstock.

Option #2: (up to 1 hour)
Difficulty Level: 1 

Materials:

• Cotton balls or white pompoms
• Orange yarn
• Card stock (white, yellow, black)
• Glue (Elmers type and non-toxic)
• Colored Marker Pens (orange and black)
• Clothes pins (2 per note holder, and found at your nearest hardware or craft store)
• Magnetic strip (optional)
• Googly eyes (optional, found at your nearest craft store)

Directions:

1. For the lamb, cover a rounded, 3-inch white card stock body with glue and attach cottonballs.
2. Cut strips of yarn and glue to a rounded, 3-inch yellow card stock body with on end starting in the center and moving to the outside of you circle.
3. Cut out a cardstock face and ears for each. Draw the nose and mouth on the cardstock then attached googly eyes (or draw on eyes or cut eyes out of colored paper). Glue faces in place.
4. For the legs, see option one (3).

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Give Thanks for Napkin Rings!!!

Preparing for that perfect Thanksgiving meal? Include your little ones by making one-of-a-kind napkin rings for a truly special touch.  These ‘mini-masterpieces’ can be used for years to come or shared with guests as the reminder of a memorable day.

source: bhg.com

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Paper towel tubes
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Craft glue
• Craft supplies (markers, paint, paintbrush, ribbon, beads, feathers, etc.)

Measure and cut the tubes so each ring measures 2 inches in length. Be sure to make enough so everyone coming to dinner has a napkin ring. Cut the same number of 2-inch-wide colored paper strips. Glue the paper strips to the tubes.Now decide how you want to decorate your napkin rings. You could make each different or create a variety of looks. Use markers, paint, ribbon, beads, and feathers to decorate the rings. Here is a great chance to be really creative and fanciful.

DECORATING IDEAS:

source: familyfun.go.com

• Draw a turkey, autumn leaves, pumpkins, pilgrims, Native American headdresses or something fanciful on construction paper, then cut it out and glue it to the ring.
• Draw pictures of each family member to create their own personalized napkin ring or use a photo of each person attending and use it as the face of a turkey, pumpkin or pilgrim that you have glued to the ring.
• Leave a space on your design for names and you’ve turned it into a place card.  

 

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