we are doing things handmade & homemade...
we are not getting caught up in the "spend, spend, spend" chaos...
we are doing more with less....
we are going to remember what this Blessed Season is all about :)
& to that end, i've been collecting crafting & gift ideas for a while now. sew mama sew had some really wonderful links to great free tutorials & free downloads during the month of september during their "handmade for the holidays" feature. whip up also is a sure bet for great free tutorials. also, if you purchased the november tarisota collection you get all of the new tarisota classes for download (if you didn't get the collection, there are still 2 free classes available & if you wish you can purchase the classes that suit your fancy).
this week the kids & i have been recycling our broken up crayons into these adorable marbleized star shaped chunky crayons & we will wrap them up pretty for gifting to their classmates & friends (& shhhh...they each are getting a full set too :)
we are having a blast, and because this gift is basically free, it is really a gift from the heart :)
click here for a free download of these adorable hello kitty gift tags (tamar also added some really cute ones for the little guys). also available for free download are some more sophisticated gift tags that are really gorgeous.
here is what you do:
* go around the house, the car & dig in your purses to gather up all of used up & your broken up crayons. if your family is anything like us you've got a ton.
* pop the kids at the kitchen table w/ a trash bowl & have them remove the paper wrappings.
* chop the crayons up into bits w/ a sharp knife. we chose to keep our bits separated into color groups so that the crayon would be a mix of purple, a mix of yellow, etc. you may choose to throw all the bits together & create full on mixed rainbow stars (super fab too!!)
* pop those colorful waxy bits into one of those shaped silicone baking trays (i got a star shaped one at michaels, use that coupon!!!) or you can use a regular muffin tin (just make sure if you are going to use it to bake food in again, you line the muffin tin w/ foil cupcake liners.)
* bake your bits at 250 degrees for @ 15-20 minutes (time will depend on how small you cut up the crayons. just wait until the bits are nice & melted & liquidy). remove from the oven & cool completely. be patient & wait for them to completely cool before you try removing them from the tray. we had one batch that we tried to remove too early & it got all wonky, so we had to re-bake it.
* now you have adorable star marbleized crayons
* now wrap up your star crayons really pretty (i used some cellophane bags that i bought way back for some reason i forget why...lol brown paper bags would also be great.), add some ribbon (c'mon i KNOW you've got gobs of ribbon around :) & add one of these adorable hello kitty gift tags
TA DA!!!!!!! little perfect pressie all done :)
Merry Christmas & happy crafting!!!
xoxo
gi
Gorgeous gorgeous Gigi - I have also seen car ones done for boys :) but stars would suit all!!
Tamar x
Posted by: Tamar | December 02, 2009 at 06:16 PM
These are awesome, what a fantastic idea!!!! xo
Posted by: Didee | December 02, 2009 at 06:42 PM
You have been providing so much inspiration for me lately! Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Jen Davis | December 03, 2009 at 05:04 PM
i truly want to thank you!!! i have tons of crayons everywhere in my house...this is a perfect gift! again, thank you!
Posted by: Jackie | December 03, 2009 at 10:02 PM
what an awesome idea! I think I am going to do this with all of the broken crayons at school, my students will love it!
Posted by: Melissa | December 04, 2009 at 08:08 AM
Handmade rocks! Love your ideas, Gi!
Posted by: Anilu Magloire | December 04, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Hi there, I’ve just discovered your blog today. I’m sure you hear this all the time but, wow, what pretty and inspiring layouts you create. I think I’ll be coming back again and again for more! Thanks for sharing your work.
Posted by: Angela | December 04, 2009 at 10:39 AM
love these tags, thanks for the link Gigi, and love the star muffin case!!
Posted by: anna bowkis | December 04, 2009 at 01:16 PM
cool idea!
i'm loving the purple ones :-)
i may have to squeeze this project in because lord knows we have about 800 gazillion crayons laying around this house!
hugs, patty :-)
Posted by: Patty S | December 04, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Thanks for sharing this super awesome idea Gi!!
I'll definately do this!
Have a wonderful december.
hugs
Posted by: gudrun | December 06, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Your starry shapes look wonderful - lots of "edges" to use as tips, as opposed to the circles I've made. Tx.
Posted by: caro | December 06, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Hi Gigi! i don't know how to send you a mail. Could you mail me? i'd like to make you a proposal. Thanks. Paloma1815
Posted by: paloma1815 | December 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM
this is awesome gigi, love the colors and awesome way to recycle!
Posted by: vee | December 08, 2009 at 01:50 PM