Audrey's Mommy & Me class is having a Valentine's party in 2 wks and for once I did not procrastinate (which means I don't have to spend money buying 35 cards at the store that 3 of her other classmates will likely pass out...which happened last year). I'm hesitant to give out chocolate and have been seeing crayon hearts all over the web. So I decided to make use of all the unused boxes of crayons from my own childhood!
I initially only made large hearts, but soon realized that I wouldn't have enough crayons to make 35 big ones. So I found these mini-heart molds at Target's dollar section (2 silicone molds for $3). Sorry for the picture overload, but they're so colorful and fun :).
The most consuming part of the process was peeling off all the paper wrappers. I later read somewhere I could have dunked the crayons in hot water, but I didn't want to have to dry off each crayon. So I enlisted the help of my little helper and had her peel with me (although it frustrated her and she soon gave up..ha!). It's not necessary to sort each crayon by color, but I thought it was prettier this way. Be sure to mix in light colors like white and yellow. I did make a couple brown color combos but regretted it bc they really did look like chocolate.
Chopped them all up with a knife and cutting board. Pieces were flying everywhere, I tell you.
The pieces all snug in their molds....melted on right. Just bake for 15 minutes at 250 degrees (or until melted, depending on the brand of crayons and oven temp).
Was originally going to package the hearts in clear baggies and create a label topper, but that seemed like too much work. So I googled some other easier ideas and did what another mom did using a free Hello Kitty graphic (can't find that blog anymore, or would link here). I ran out of glue sticks for my glue gun so need to finish attaching about 15 more hearts, although I think I have enough for a pre-school party next year!
A lot of the moms in our class are from Asia and new to the country. Last time I made "dirt"cakes in flower "pots," one mom got mad at her son for eating what she thought was real dirt. This time, I don't want anyone thinking these hearts are chocolate so I put a little warning note at the bottom :).
Yes, they are the size of chocolates...but they don't smell or look like it, right?
I like how the metallic gold and silver crayons make these hearts look a little more "sophisticated." Or, Planet Earth-like!
Here's the little one showing off her colorful BLUE tongue from eating fruit snacks she opened herself without my permission this morning. At least it's not from the crayons! Just lovely ;).
