"Painting" Rocks

One of the things on our Summer Bucket list was painting rocks. I wasn't sure if I was going to have the kids actually paint the rocks, or if we were going to do something different. Then I remembered seeing somewhere last year this fun idea!


Things you need:
a handful of rocks, cleaned
paper plates/bowls or parchment paper
crayons
oven or very hot day
baking sheet

I prepped these rocks in the oven while I was preheating it for a chicken nugget lunch. I placed my rocks on a baking sheet and popped them in the oven to warm them up. You want to get these nice and toasty. If setting outside, make sure you place them in a spot that is sunny all day. Once they were nice and toasty,  I put one on each plate or bowl. I let the kids pick out whatever color they liked, and warned them that the rocks were hot and not to touch. Once you touch the rocks with the crayon it starts to melt and get nice and liquid. Draw pictures, or like D, just "paint" it all one color! Once we were done with the color, we set them aside while we ate lunch. Once the rocks are cooled, they will be coated in wax, colorful, and neat to feel.

Crafts in July

We have been so busy that blogging has gone by the wayside.  So instead of writing much I'll just show pictures.  At the end I'll post all the link to the great blogs I have found many of these ideas.  Enjoy!

For the fun Letter animals:  http://totallytots.homestead.com/NowIKnowMyABCs.html
For the butterflies:  I followed the idea found everywhere but used washable marker and "painted" with water like found on http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2010/07/quick-craft-tie-dyed-sunshine-ornaments.html
For the ladybugs: http://www.craftideas.info/html/rock_lady_bug_b.html  and  http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/bug-and-insect-crafts-for-kids.html

Homemade Crayons

I have wanted to do this for some time now, but I wasn't sure what the right method to use would be. So I listened to the complaints my friends had, and read a blog from a fellow mom, and came up with my own way. I got the great idea to do this now because my friend's little boy is having his first birthday party this weekend (look surprised Stacey!), and I thought it would be fun to make washable ones for him. Then I got the great idea to make these for the kids coming to the mom's group Valentine's day party this week (look surprised girls!). It turned out to be more work then I expected, but that was because I realized halfway through that there were 22 kids coming to the party. The actual work itself was super easy!

Supplies you will need:
-recycled cans (I have been saving my cans from veggies, sauces, beans, whatever, clean them out before use.)
- broken or access crayons in whatever colors you want to make (I divided mine into colors)
- a saucepan (one that it doesn't matter if it gets crayon in it. I bought one just for this project from a thrift store for $1.20!)
- plastic spoons
- wax paper
- a mold of some sort (I had silicon ice cube trays that I got from Target in the dollar section, they are $2.50 for a 3 pack, or you can use muffin tins, regular or disposable, candy molds, whatever you like! I was just at Ikea and they had fun shaped ice cube trays that would work for $.99!)
- tongs
- oven mitt

Now, to start, you will want to take all the paper of the crayons. After hours of peeling with my aching nails, Adam came home and ran a exacto knife down the side and the paper came off very easily! So do that, please! I then separated the colors that I used into it's own can. I laid down 2 sheets of wax paper underneath my working surface to protect my counter. Set out the molds you have on top of the paper. Put your saucepan on the stove top, place a can in, and fill with water until the can is about to float. I had the heat on med-high, and once the crayons start to melt, stir them with a plastic spoon. Once the wax has completely melted, pick the can out of the water with the tongs. I set it on the wax paper and got a better grip with the oven mitt, then poured the wax into the molds. Make sure you fill the molds (at least my ice cube trays) to make it easier to get the crayons out. Let cool until you can touch. Then you can either take the crayons out of the mold (I found that the ones I left in the mold over night were difficult to take out), or layer another color on top. The first batch that I made were the washable crayons and those were just one color. The next batch for the Valentine's party, I made 2 layers. I layered red/orange, blue/purple, yellow/green, and black/brown. Take it from me, you may want to make the yellow ones first, of layer the green on first. Mine took some of the red color from the red crayon batch, but still are mostly yellow! For now I have just stacked them on plates, ready to be put into bags to take with to the parties. I hope this helps some of you looking to do this. If you use this method, let me know what you think and what shapes you make. I'm curious!

Crayons in the cans melting away!

Colors waiting to go

The washable ones in the mold

The finished 2 layer crayons. I think they turned out cute!

10 things I love

In honor of hitting the 1,000 hit mark on my blog I thought that I would do 10 things that I love.

1. The fact that people actually want to read what I have to say. That is amazing to me!

2. Both my kids. They drive me nuts a lot of times, but I don't know who I would be if it weren't for them.

3. Adam! If it weren't for him I would not be the person I am today. I owe a ton to him, and boy do I love him!!

4. The fact that I have a good roof over my head. If you would have told me that a few years ago, I don't know if I would have believed you.

5. My group of friends that I have made these last few months here in sunny South Bend. You have saved me from myself and seasonal depression.

6. Coffee! After working in coffee for many many years, I can totally appreciate a cup of java. Yum.

7. My family! They have been there for us through it all. And I totally include my wonderful inlaws in this group. They made me feel like part of their family and have helped us with so much. Thank you!

8. crayons. I can't get enough of them. I think I have 13 boxes of all sizes stashed in my utility room closet. Every back to school time, I just need to buy a new box. There is just something soothing about the smell and look of a new box of cayons.

9. Music is the soundtrack of my life. There are songs that I hear, and they take me back to a place, time, or even a person and a feeling. I would truly be lost without music in my life.

10. I would have to also say books. They transport me to new places, new people, new ideas. I learn so much from reading and I hope to instill that in my kids for the future.


So, thanks for reading my blog. I love all of you too!!