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making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveled
how-Tuesday – recycled crayons

how-Tuesday – recycled crayons

Have you ever thought of buying small packs of crayons to include in a gift for a child? or to stuff in a busy bag or child’s party favor bag? Well, today we have a quick, eco-friendly, child do-able {with a bit of encouragement and supervision from an adult}, perfect for Earth Day how-Tuesday project – recycled crayons! And, assuming you have crayon bits already, it’s free {always a win!}!

One of the lovely things about this project is that you can make the crayons into whatever shape you choose to suit your theme or the child’s interests – having a beach themed wedding? Use a sea creature or shell shaped mold and viola! Custom shaped crayons!

materials needed: crayon pieces, mold {we used a mini muffin tin with silicon liners – you can also use a greased muffin tin, a silicon candy mold, or even small cookie cutters on a foil lined baking sheet}, an oven

making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveledstep one: prepare your crayons. Unwrap the one ones that still have paper on them, and, if needed break them further down so that they will fit in your mold
making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveled

 *note: if the crayons have gotten hot {such as in the diaper bag that you might have left in your car? *ahem*}, peeling off the paper might take a bit of work :)making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveledstep two: arrange your bits in the mold – we chose to arrange by color, but you might decide to do a variety together – the combination options are endless!making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveleda little artist hard at work {i’ve been told that I make the same face when I’m concentrating on my work ;)}making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveledstep three: preheat your oven to 275* {135 celsius} and put in your mold. This little guy was soooo patient!

making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveledthe pan after about 3 minutes

Keep an eye on your crayons – the wax will smoke once it has completely melted {ask me how I know ;)}

making recycled crayons via the Path Less TraveledStep four: Pull them out of the oven and let them cool. They will be cool enough to handle after a few minutes, but will take just a few minutes longer before they are “set” entirely through.
making recycled crayons via the Path Less Traveled Step five: enjoy! At this point they are ready to package or use to color with … we did a bit of both :) My little ones love coloring with these larger sized crayons!

I’d love to hear if you try this and what you do with your new shapes! A collection of multicolored Lego men marching through the crayon box, perhaps? Or maybe some colorful hearts to remind your guests of your special day? Might I suggest using some bags like these to package them? They’d be so lovely!

blessings for a lovely day,

XO

p.s. there will be a giveaway tomorrow!!!

p.p.s. would you like to see more posts like this? sign up for my updates and you’ll receive my newest content and exclusive deals in your inbox!

{I’m sharing this on Today’s Creative Blog, the Girl Creative,  Sew Can Do, A Vision To Remember, Skip To My Lou, Sew Chatty and C.R.A.F.T.}

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anniversary keepsake art via the Path Less Traveled
How-Tuesday: anniversary keepsake art

How-Tuesday: anniversary keepsake art

anniversary keepsake art via the Path Less Traveled Come this Friday, my husband and I will have been married for 5 years. 5 amazing years!

To celebrate that milestone, I have a sweet anniversary keepsake that I’d like to share with you for today’s How-Tuesday – of course, it doesn’t just have to be for an anniversary. You could make a version of this for any special photo: an engaged couple, babies, graduations …. just switch out the marriage vows for a quote or poem and viola! A new piece of art to grace your wall {or to use as a gift – this would make a lovely, cherished gift!}.

anniversary keepsake art via the Path Less Traveled materials needed: your marriage vows {or whatever poem/quote that you’d like to use}, lined paper, vellum {or tracing paper}, a fine point pen, your photo, a frame

optional materials {not pictured}: photo corners, photo matanniversary keepsake art via the Path Less Traveled You’ll need to determine the area that you’d like your writing to cover – if you’d like it to go all the way across your frame or just be centered over your photo. Place your vellum over the lined paper and start writing. {or maybe, if you’re nervous, practice on some scratch paper before starting on the vellum} Take your time! anniversary keepsake art via the Path Less TraveledOnce you’ve finished writing – being careful not to smudge the ink as you go along – you can put the layers of the art together. I used an 11×14 frame with a 4×6 photo, and so of course need a mat to fill out the frame. :) The layers, as I stacked them, are: glass, vellum, mat, photo, cardboard reinforcer that came with frame and frame back.

– Because I chose to place the vellum over the mat instead of under it, I used white photo corners to anchor the corners and add another layer of texture.

Once you have the layers adjusted to your satisfaction, carefully pop them in the frame and secure it. Then either wrap it {if using as a gift} or display on your wall – you’re done!

 

I can hardly believe that 5 years have already gone by – being married to John has been a blessing each and every day.

This project is a great way for us to be able to see {and be reminded of} our vows on a daily basis, and it has the added effect of renewing my gratefulness for him when I see how he’s fulfilling his vows on a daily basis. God gave me a winner! The congregation at our wedding laughed as I jumped with giddy joy when I heard John say “I do”, and I love being reminded of that moment – and his continuing faithfulness – each day!

 

xo

Did you miss the coupon I shared yesterday? If so, you might like to click over and check it out – it’s a good one!

 

{I’m sharing this on the Girl Creative, Sew Can Do, A Vision To Remember, Skip To My Lou, Sew Chatty and C.R.A.F.T.}