Monday, March 17, 2008

Thanks Martha!

A million years ago I visited Martha Stewart's website looking for a craft project to do with my daughter. I found a really fun idea that involved melting down old, broken pieces of crayons to make new, fun crayons. It sounded really easy--my specialty. It also sounded really practical since we have about a thousand broken pieces that never get used.

In addition to being St. Patrick's Day today (we're all wearing green--how about you?) it also marks the first day of Spring Break for the schools around here. Last night as I was tucking Ryanna in, I mentioned that she wouldn't have any violin lessons or pre-school this week because of Spring Break. I don't know if she heard wonderful things about Spring Break while she was at church, but she said, "Oh, that's okay, we'll just take naps and relax and stuff." Uh, take naps? From the child that hasn't napped in years? From the child that will fight sleep so hard that the sleeping medicine the dentist gave her had no effect? I was, of course, thrilled to hear that a nap sounded like a good idea.
Well, I thought that I should also plan some fun activities for this week since she can't do her usual stuff, so today we tried the above-mentioned project. It was a lot of fun!!! She really loves the new crayons and so does Owen. AND, although she didn't nap today, Owen and I did, so I call it a success!
Owen played with the regular, undamaged crayons while we peeled the broken ones.
Hard at work getting those wrappers off. I thought violet offered the most resistance.
Our hard work.
I love to do crafts with mom! (She was thinking this--promise!)
Sorry it's a bit blurry, but I love the colors.

After they are all peeled, you chop them into pea-sized pieces. You can group them however you want to. I learned it's better to have approximately the same amount per muffin tin, so they bake at the same rate.

The finished product. If you had muffin tins in fun shapes, you could do hearts or something else more creative than just circles, but either way, it was fun!

Mom, you're the greatest!!!!!

15 comments:

Lara Neves said...

That's a great idea! I will have to try that instead of just throwing broken crayons away like I've taken to doing lately.

Jenn Toon said...

FUN! We'll have to try that! We have MILLIONS of broken crayons from over the past 10 years of kids coloring in our home. Looks like a fun 1st day of Spring Break!

Lauren and Trevor said...

Looks like lots of fun. You're so good at doing creative things with your kids!

Tina said...

Cool idea, although I'm not sure I have any broken crayons around, I am serious about throwing them away at the first sign of breakage. I guess I need to chill out.

Kelli said...

I wish you would have posted this last week!!! I just threw away a whole crayon box of broken crayons! Oh well, I guess next time :) I can't believe how long Ryanna's hair is getting!

Have fun during spring break!

Lacey said...

Looks like fun! I'm with Tina..I don't think I have any broken pieces laying around...Crayons stay high on a shelf in a closet...my biggest fear is crayon marks on Elodie's furniture!

Alissa said...

Your kids are SO CUTE and very grown up since we last saw you guys! This is a great idea for old crayons. A friend of mine just did this with her kids for Easter & put the melted wax into plastic eggs to make egg crayons. Very fun!

Jessica Martiele said...

I wish I had crayons, 'cuz this is brilliant...but I chuck them the moment that they show up. Mikayla's favorite snack is a good waxy crayon. Remind me of this in about 2 years, will you?

Unknown said...

You are such a cute mom. Your family picture is great btw! I saw it first on Kjirsti and Tom's fridge. I love your hair and you look so thin! ;) Hope all is well in the Petersen home.

Heather said...

Seriously good idea. Too bad I just threw a baggie away of busted crayons :( I loved your commentaries too.

JenW said...

sounds like an awesome idea! what a good mom you are!

Julie said...

Happy Spring Break! It's now Wednesday... are you going nuts, yet? Because I know I am! ;)

wackywilsons said...

I have heard about those crayon ideas myself, so it is nice to see that someone has actually done it before!

I love your kitchen cabinets, the white/cream look...very pretty:)

I also love Owen's big belly! Wesley still has one, although he is 4...and Austin keeps up with it too...maybe it is a Wilson trait? Thank goodness Jared does NOT have one:)

way to be creative mom!

Dori said...

Cute crayons! You are such a cute mommy, I wish you lived next door. we would have so much fun!

Matthews Family said...

I love that idea Audrey! Thanks a bunch. I'll have to try it sometime.