I had a bucket of old crayons. They were broken, chopped up, half-eaten, in some cases. But I held onto them. And I had no idea why, until today. Months ago, I picked up a copy of Martha Stewart’s “Good Things for Kids.” And then I threw it in our craft closet, just off the Family Room. But about one week ago, Pea found it. And she’s been carrying it around with her, bringing it to the dinner table, sleeping with it. So, I figured it was time to do one of the projects in there.
I should add here that Martha? She scares the hell out of me. She’s so… perfect. And I know, I know… she has a huge staff of perfect people helping her to look perfect, but still. She’s pretty amazing, I think. Martha Stewart? Rachael Ray? Do you even have to guess who’s camp I’m firmly planted in?
In all honestly, I don’t watch either of their shows. Martha? I prefer her in print. Or on her website. But it’s not Martha. It’s me. I can’t sit still to watch a program. Any program. And Rachael? Well, I’ve decided that she’s an acquired taste. And it’s not mine…
Anyway, I pulled out the magazine this morning, and can you believe that there was a project in there that calls for, you guessed it, old and discarded crayons? And you know what else? I had everything else that I needed for the project right here, in my own home. Awesome. I was finally able to put these cute little alphabet and number silicone molds to use. They are adorable, we’ve been dying to try them out, but beyond making cute ice cubes, I wasn’t sure of the project that would work for us (jello shooters, anyone?). You know me, I hate to bake. Although I should add that they are oven safe up to 550 degrees. So you could bake with them, if you were so inclined.
But us? We made something cool with them! Crayon Blocks! Right from Martha’s magazine. And the silicone molds? So perfect – the “crayons” popped right out… Although it did take us a very long time to bake the crayon bits (55 minutes) in that 150 degree oven for the chopped up crayons to melt. And then, they melted so much that we threw them in the freezer for about 20 minutes to harden. (I might add here that my issue with Martha has always revolved around the circumstances of this very project: her stuff looks great, but it’s often just not as it would seem. Recipes are rarely right, projects are never as simple as she claims, and it can be frustrating. But that being said, we were able to improvise with this project, and Pea? Well, she had no idea it wasn’t going as planned, so really, in the end? All winners.) Oh, and consider yourself warned, should you try this project: as easily as crayons break? Is as hard as they are to actually chop up with a knife. A Wusthof knife, no less. (A gift from our wedding. I should add here that the month after our wedding? I cut my hands not once but twice on those knives. On two occasions, my new husband had to rush me to the ER, where they promptly stitched up my wounds.) Today? I cut my thumb twice. Chopping crayons. Not badly, but those crayons? They move around, and fast. My hands? Not so nimble. So, please, be careful…
There were a few letters that didn’t make it. I think it would have been better to use cookie cutters that were a little gentler, you know, not so angular, so tiny. Because some of the letters? They broke. No biggie. We had fun, and Pea couldn’t wait to test them out, on paper. But it occurs to me now, as I’m looking at these new “crayons,” that we are, inevitably, going to end up right back where we started. Because these letters? Well, as soon as she uses her preschooler force to press them down on paper, snap! They’re going to break! And, well, here we are… chopping them up, once again, to mold into new crayons…
Can I just say that it was the process that was so satisfying? I can’t imagine anything more awesome, then being in the kitchen, with my little girl, dancing around to Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” and creating something. Satisfaction…
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That is such a cool idea! I really want to go melt crayons now.
Milena is hilarious! And you are an awesome mom, Melissa! This is a great idea. I wonder if I can do it with my 2 1/2 year old. Im a tad bit worried though. She already thinks that crayons are an exotic delicacy… if she’s me put them into the oven, they’ll soon become and afternoon snack. Hmmm, maybe Ill wait another year or two before doing this project with her!
Was planning to do this with mini muffin tins but seeing your letters, I’ve changed my mind! They look so great! Awesome project! Go Pea! These would make such cute gifts too.
Sounds like fun! About those Wusthof knives? They are so on the top of my wishlist!! But they are scary if you’re not used to them. One of my friends has a set and I was chopping veggies the other day… well, they are sharp before the edge of the blade… so yeah, I learned!
Such a great project! We did this for valentines when I was little, using heart shaped candy molds. It was before all of the silicone baking pans had come out, so the molds were just plastic, and super cheap at craft stores. I don’t think we had to break up the crayons as tiny as cutting them, we just broke them, which was something we could help with. The difference with the plastic molds is that they can’t go in the oven. We melted individual colors in the microwave and then poured them in. My sister and I thought the silver and gold would crayons would make especially pretty hearts, turns out they have metal in them and the project almost ruined the microwave! Maybe try a different shape mold and they won’t break as easily?
You had me at Rachel Ray is not your acquired taste. Can’t stand the woman. So obnoxiously loud. She’s like chalk on the board for me. And Martha? I think she is great in print too. I idolize her. That craft room of hers? I want my ashes put to rest there. Come to think of it I have a ton of crayons. R would love this. I think I’ll use a rolling pin to smash them instead of cutting with a knife. My bloodthirsty kid should like that.