I find it really hard to keep both of my children entertained over the school holidays. There aren't many things that we can do all together as they both have such different needs. Today was great though as we spent a bit of time together while sorting out our art chest. Toby lined up coloured pens while Amy and I sorted through the drawer of broken crayons. For the last few years she's scorned crayons as babyish and so I thought we'd try out something that I originally saw on Rebecca's website (she has lots ideas for fun suff to do with children). Amy sorted and grouped the broken crayons
and then we gently baked them, chilled them and finally...
...yummy new crayons which almost look good enough to eat. We had great fun and recycled some cruddy crayon stubs into lovely new ones. I'm so chuffed to have found a good use for my silicone cupcake mould because the cakes I made in it did not emerge as heart-shaped - they came out in bits!
so cute! i know what you mean about the different needs - it's a challenge.
(by the way, with silicone pans i read that you're supposed to let the cake/muffins cool completely before getting them out - or they will come out in pieces - try again?)
Posted by: kirsten | March 27, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Beautiful colors. I have made candles using crayons and parafin. Really pretty.
Posted by: WPGGAL | March 27, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Wow! Those crayons look great - definitely a good idea for my children's holidays in a couple of weeks!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | March 27, 2008 at 07:09 PM
We have tried these with our children and they loved it. I recieved a heart cupcake mold for christmas and thought I would be making beautifully shaped cakes but alas I also ended up with crumbs! Shame as I really love the gingerbread shaped mold and was put off buying anymore after the mishap with the hearts. Still gingerbread crayons would be pretty cool!
Posted by: Helen Shields | March 27, 2008 at 07:17 PM
What a colourful post! Excellent idea...might try that with my little one!
Posted by: Janey | March 27, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Such a cool idea and colourful, looks like something I would try with my old crayons and a great way to put the mould to use.
Dy
Posted by: Dyan | March 27, 2008 at 08:06 PM
What a great idea! I have a whole drawer full of crayons that I suddenly need to melt!!
xx
Posted by: Lesley | March 27, 2008 at 08:56 PM
What a great idea. And your hearts turned out really beautiful. I'll have to try it one day, though for now it's probably better to wait as my daughter will not only think that they look good enough to eat she will actually eat them.
Posted by: Fioleta | March 27, 2008 at 08:59 PM
They are just like little works of art! What a fantastic idea. Very satisfying result for Amy. We have holidays coming up and there is many a cruddy crayon in our house! Thanks Julie - Jen
Posted by: jenny | March 27, 2008 at 09:13 PM
what an excellent idea, they really do look good, and are they ok to use as crayons still?
Posted by: Marianne | March 27, 2008 at 10:24 PM
What a fantastic idea. They turned out great and I am sure they will be used now.
Posted by: sue | March 27, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Those are so cute!
Posted by: Nikki | March 28, 2008 at 12:16 AM
If you ever do it again, stick a bit of wick
in them and presto chango! you have candles!
Neat gifts!
Posted by: Shirlucky | March 28, 2008 at 12:27 AM
What a fun idea! :-)
Posted by: Binny | March 28, 2008 at 01:05 AM
They look fabulous
Posted by: Alison | March 28, 2008 at 03:53 AM
What a fantastic idea, I always thought those end bits of crayons were wasteful. Might give it a go in the spring holiday.
Posted by: quilty | March 28, 2008 at 07:26 AM
MUST do this before the kids go back to school...but must find mould first! We have a classmate birthday coming up and I think they'd look wonderful wrapped up as a gift...thankyou for the reminder!
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | March 28, 2008 at 07:42 AM
That's what I needed to do with the tiny pieces of crayon that little fingers can't hold onto to color with. My son dropped the box of loose crayons and alot of them broke. We tossed the itty bitty ones. I wish this post came earlier this week.
Must file this away in my head!
Posted by: c.Rachel | March 28, 2008 at 07:49 AM
what a fab idea, they look so pretty too,
great blog by the way,
Angie
Posted by: angie | March 28, 2008 at 09:01 AM
I'm almost wishing I had a drawer full of cruddy crayons! Isn't it funny how children deem wax crayons babyish after a while? I love them still...
Posted by: Dragonfly | March 28, 2008 at 09:38 AM
What a fab idea! Will definitely try this - thank you :o)
Posted by: Kitschy | March 28, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Gosh you have a good memory to remember that post! I love making some with mixed colours for multi colour crayons. We have the same silicon heart moulds too ... I use them to make moisturising skin balms from my beeswax, mixed with avocado and essential oils. I also use them as moulds for my homemade soaps ... would you like a soap? xxx
Posted by: Rebecca (Sallygardens Smallholding - living sustainably in rural Ireland) | March 28, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Brilliant idea, Julie - we've been intending to do these for a while but not got round to it. My two have just jumped up and down at your pictures! And I have the very mould ...
Posted by: dottycookie | March 28, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Great opportuntiy for a bit of science too! No children at home, no crayons.:0( Make the most of every moment, however hard it is, I wish I'd taken the time to stop and stare, your blog will give you such joy (and perhaps tears) when you look back over the years.
Posted by: jill | March 28, 2008 at 01:17 PM
What a lovely idea, I would like some of these myself!
Love Alison x
Posted by: Alison | March 28, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Lovely crayon hearts! Makes me miss my kids being little! And grandkids are way too far in the future, so I may need to borrow some of my friends' little ones and try this project.
Posted by: Kristin J | March 28, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I have seen this before but not with heart shaped. I must do this. I have a 14yr that still likes to color and hates the broken ones...this will be good. Thank you for sharing this.
have a colorful weekend :)
Posted by: Kim | March 28, 2008 at 05:50 PM
What a FAB idea!!
April xx
Posted by: April Pardoe | March 28, 2008 at 06:32 PM
genius!
Posted by: katie | March 28, 2008 at 06:35 PM
What a brilliant idea - don't they look gorgeous when they've been 'done'? x
Posted by: Kitty | March 28, 2008 at 06:37 PM
I had no idea you could melt the crayons into bigger crayons! What a great idea. Thanks for the great pictures too.
Posted by: Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears | March 28, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Those crayons are fantastic! What a fabulous idea. LOVE IT!
Posted by: Annie | March 28, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Hi Julie
What a terrific idea. Sorry I missed your 200th post draw, but congratulations on reaching this milestone.
Marie x
Posted by: marie | March 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM
what a great idea...I haven't had very good luck with cake in those silicone pans either!
Posted by: carolyn | March 29, 2008 at 12:48 AM
We did it! For our very first attempt we winged it a bit but good results! I posted pictures...what do you think? Thanks again for the reminder!
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | March 29, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Fantastic idea! I am so pleased to read about everyones difficulty with those silicone moulds. Its not just me that ends up with bits of cake after all! Hubby keeps on insisting I try and try till I get it right. Well atleast 11 victoria sponges later...that have to be 'altered' and disguised as triffle (LOL) I am sure the product is at fault and not the maker!
Posted by: Jenne | March 29, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Hello Julie
i havent been by for a while due to a dip in energy but its been nice catching up today and seeing your last few posts. I cannot believe 691 comments to win the toy!!!how on earth did you keep up with them and read all of them! i mean i can believe that many people would want a toy but still it must be the most number of comments left on a post ever,you must feel v proud. if thats the right word, certainly pleased that you are read by that many people. does it feel strange? i am celebrating my anniversary blogging today and have done a small giveaway. i'm not sure how many people will enter,i'd hope for 6 rather than 6oo!!
take care and love to you and the children, kat x
Posted by: Kat | March 29, 2008 at 02:30 PM
my first time here
but wow...
your blog is amazing!
Posted by: gkgirl | March 29, 2008 at 03:53 PM
what a fab idea, do you think there are moulds out there in the shape of superheros for my little boy?!
Just discovered your blog and your work is beautiful, how on earth do you keep up with all these posts?
Look forward to returning again and again!
Lx
Posted by: My Baboo | March 30, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Hi, I've only just found your blog, and think you are very talented, your toys and stamps are amazing and I have passed on the Arte Y Pico award to you :)
Posted by: Jo | March 30, 2008 at 01:21 PM
hi - I remember melting crayons with my kids when they were little. :0)
Your bunnies amaze me. I'm a knitter of animals too - come visit my blog!
Posted by: sara | March 30, 2008 at 04:17 PM
What a great idea, they look so good it seems a shame to use them, but I suppose you could always do it all again when they have worn and broken :0)
Posted by: Modelwidow | March 30, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Thats such a great idea! I love the end result - the heart crayons look simply lovely.
x
Posted by: Jasmine | March 30, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Looks like fun, I'll have to try this one out too!
Posted by: Outi | March 31, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Great use for the silicone cake mold. Mine come out in crumbs too, even with some Pam sprayed on it.
Posted by: Judy | March 31, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I have tagged you as one of my favourite blogs - please stop by and have a look
April xx
Posted by: April Pardoe | March 31, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Sometimes, but not always, the cakes come out better if you leave them to cool completely before trying to remove them..I say this after MANY disasters myself, LOL! The crayons are ace though,what a good idea to use them like that.. I can feel some heart shaped candles coming on!
Posted by: Raspberry Grace | March 31, 2008 at 02:20 PM
You are my Blog Of The Day on my site. Love your crayon hearts.
Posted by: franacropan | April 01, 2008 at 11:48 AM
What fantastic idea! I will have to try this. Thank you!
Posted by: domesticshorthair | April 01, 2008 at 04:09 PM
What a lovely idea!
Posted by: Gallinavecchia | April 03, 2008 at 12:15 PM