Monday, December 08, 2008

reuse.recycle.repurpose.

i'm always looking for ways to reduce.resuse.recycle.repurpose items we already have at our home. so today, i have another idea for those of you stumped for stocking stuffer ideas for your kidlets. these also make great traveling companions for those hitting the road this holiday. and is virtually FREE since you are repurposing.

RAINBOW CRAYONS!
these are so very simple to make, but do take a little bit of prep time. it's most certainly something that can be done as a family. it's one of our december traditions around here.

start out by sorting through the crayon box and gather all the broken one in a dish (you can buy a new box of crayons if you don't have broken ones)
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holler for the troops to join you for peeling duty. it's way more fun to have helpers, otherwise you might abandon craft before the task is complete. (notice the yo-yo ball isn't far from site, LOL.)
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pile the peeled ones into a new container so you can watch your unpeeled pile dwindle and your peeled pile multiply. kids like to see the progress they've made. (note from my hubby....it's much easier to peel if you slide the tip of a paring knife down the seem of the crayon to cut the paper. obviously a parent-only task.)
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using a cutting board and sharp knife, cut crayons into 1/4" pieces. doesn't have to be exactly 1/4". (tip: i recommend purchasing a cutting board from the dollar store to devote only for crafting so you don't ruin your kitchen cutting board.)
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oh, a little side note...this is best done with all the same brand of crayon since some contain a higher content of wax/parafin. the "cheap" crayons tend to separate color from parafin and all the parafin rises to the top leaving a transparent film on top. another little tip: if you eat out with kiddos, you know they always give you crayons to keep them busy at the table. don't leave those crayons lay when you leave dinner. tuck them in your purse and start a container at home and before long you'll have plenty to complete this project.
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i like to use a mini-muffin tin for mine. they are just the right size for a child's hand. one year i used a snowman muffin tin. really, any kind of oven-safe tin will work. just fill up the tin, making sure your crayons are level with the pan, OR below. don't pile them higher than level with the top surface or they will melt everywhere, including into the bottom of your oven.
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heat them for 20 to 25 minutes at 175 degrees. remove to cooling rack.
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allow to cool until they've set back up. about an hour or two. then pop the whole tray in the freezer for 15 minutes. this will allow them to pull away from the edge of the pan and when you flip them over they fall right out. NO MESS!
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the pile of crayons you see in the blue bowl ended up making 21 rainbow crayons. a few broken crayons goes a loooooong way. you can wrap them up a few in a pack and gift them this holiday! simply tuck them into a sandwhich baggie and tie with ribbon. Voila! adorable and FREE!

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the winner of yesterday's prize is: Dale Ann Potter! please email me at taniamwillis at (yahoo.com) with your mailing address so i can get your prize out to you.

and today's prize is.........a copy of "Get It Scrapped!" courtesy of Debbie Hodge. thank you debbie!
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here's the description I lifted straight from Amazon.com.
Product Description: Getting organized, whether it's organizing the photos or supplies, is half the battle to getting started for most scrapbookers. Get it Scrapped addresses organizing photos in a clear, methodical way that's easy to understand and then analyzing the photos to determine a plan of action for creating layouts. The page ideas represented in the book are organized to facilitate the creation of several common page types: events, moments, portraits, stories, series photos, all-about-me layouts and more!

About the Author: Debbie Hodge is a regular contributor to Memory Makers Magazine and in the past year has also had work featured in BHG Scrapbooks Etc, Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbook Trends and several idea books. Debbie holds a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management therefore fueling her interest in "the scrapbooking process."
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40 comments:

  1. I love the crayons. I have a literal bucket full because I don't know what to do with them and I hate throwing things away. I know what I will be doing this week. Thanks Tania, I love your blog.

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  2. That is such a fun tip to share! And I bet the girls had a blast - great way to keep little fingers busy!

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  3. Thanks for sharing the great idea, Tania. That is something I never thought of, and never heard of too!

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  4. I love the idea of reuse and recycle. Thank you for this fun tip.

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  5. What a great idea! thanks for sharing.

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  6. Congrats to Dale Anne.... Thanks for sharing that wonderful tip.... my daughter hasn't started using crayons yet, but I'm sure it will come in very handy.

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  7. Ahhhh I remember doing this when my girls were younger. So much fun. I am loving your blog. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Tania here's an other way to clean up those broken crayons...take a tall glass put bath salts on the bottom if u have some decorative small stones put on top of bath salts then let ur melted crayons cool a bit then pour into ur glass insert a candle wick and you've got urself a candle (4 this 1 u'll have 2 melt crayons on the stove)

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  9. Tania here's an other way to clean up those broken crayons...take a tall glass put bath salts on the bottom if u have some decorative small stones put on top of bath salts then let ur melted crayons cool a bit then pour into ur glass insert a candle wick and you've got urself a candle (4 this 1 u'll have 2 melt crayons on the stove)

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  10. We haven't done this in soooo long!! Thanks for reminding me of the directions!!!
    Your girls look like they are enjoying themselves!!
    Thanks for sharing your creative talent with us!!!
    Bunny

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  11. proof that you live a much more colorful life than I do. I've done this - but I put all the yellow in one tin, all the blue in another, all the ... well, you get the idea. BORING. LOL

    Rainbow. Now why didn't I think of that? The kids have been bugging to do it again anyway, so I'll have to think rainbow next time!!

    And, I'm sure you know this, but don't put me in the drawing for that rocking awesome totally cool over the top book! Cuz I have one, make that two. okay okay - I have four - one for each kid. hahah!

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  12. OH yeah...my children would definitely enjoy playing with these. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. thanks for sharing about the crayons. I have done this before, but had problems getting the crayons out. I will try the freezer trick. thanks

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  14. One year I bought my boys a crayon maker they had so much fun making the crayons, but your way is so much easier.

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  15. That is a great way to use the annoying broken crayons that I seem to always have more of. I am sure that will be a craft for one these cold wet days over the christmas break! Have a great Day!
    Desiree

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  16. When I was teaching preschool I used to do that with the broken crayons all the time. The kids loved them. They're easy for the toddlers to hold onto also.
    Congrats Dale Anne!

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  17. We used to make shavings of the crayons and place between two pieces of wax paper. Then iron until melted. Hang in your window for a beautiful stained glass effect. You can isolate colors into a specific design or mix the colors for a rainbow effect.

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  18. This is brilliant. I am so doing this with the kids as soon as Christmas break starts!!! Thanks for sharing!!! :)

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  19. Oh, that would be a very nice prize... :) I like the rainbow crayon idea. Might have to go break a few. ;)

    Carmen.

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  20. What a great idea for old crayons. We are going on a snow trip and I am sure dd and her cousins would love these for the trip. Also makes for a great activity once school gets out next week.

    Thanks for the tip.

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  21. sounds like a great book. I love the recycle idea!!

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  22. I remember my mom doing that crayon craft with us when we were little. It was so much fun! I can't wait till I can do it with my daughter; she just turned one 2 weeks ago, so it'll be awhile before we can do it!

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  23. Warning: Do not try to melt the crayons in the microwave. I broke my microwave this way. I will have to re-try this in the oven.

    Meghan

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  24. Haven't thought about these crayons since I was a kid! Gotta put them on my list of things to do when the babe gets older.

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  25. I had forgotten about rainbow crayons! My cousin's mom (the once removed stuff so not certain the exact relation) used to make these. We never did see the 'how' so now with your help I can make some too!!!

    ROCKIN'!!!

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  26. We did this too! It was so fun!


    Found you through HOTM. :)

    I'm a subscriber now :)

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  27. Those are sooooooo cool! I remember doing that with my older boys..now I need to do it with our 4 YO.

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  28. Too funny, I was going to comment yesterday asking you how you make rainbow crayons!! Think I am going to go out and buy a box to secretly make for the kids for christmas!!

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  29. LOL.. you are to funny ..to bad I through out all my crayons.. that is a very neat idea..mariah #2457

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  30. This is so cool..Rainbow crayons! Can't wait to try this out with my grandson's during christmas break.
    I always enjoy your blog.

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  31. WOW!
    THANK YOU very much.....!!!
    Emailing you privately.

    LOVE the melted crayons idea!

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  32. Cool project. I'm going to have to start saving those broken crayons! - Brenda #3635

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  33. Love those rainbow crayons!! I always take the crayons from the restaurants!! (I'm a teacher and somehow I don't have enough reds or blues or other primary colors, the ones that get left behind are all the color combo ones...like yellow orange or red violet.)
    Anyway, thanks for another great thing to do with my crayons. I definitely want to get rid of those combo colors!! This is the way to do it!!

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  34. I haven't done this since I was a kid! Thanks for the reminder!

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  35. What a FANTASTIC idea for the crayons. I love it. I'm a freak for new crayons...this could make me a freak for old ones too! Thanks for the chance to win again.
    Shae

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  36. Definitely going to try that crayon thing here! You are such a cool mom!

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  37. Thank you so much for sharing the crayon idea! Now I know what we'll do inside on this cold Michigan day. COOL!

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  38. We're making the crayons right now!!!! Such an easy project--better than throwing all those crayons away!

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