Melted Crayon and Watercolor Frames (Kid made gift)

Do you ever feel like life is moving at a super fast speed and you are just being pulled along for a ride?  That's what I've felt these past two weeks.  We battled an illness, hosted a good friend for a couple of days, and celebrated my sister's graduation.  Oh yeah.  We've also been preparing for our move to California later this summer.  Ahhh!  (More on that later.)  So today's kid-made crayon and watercolor frame was actually made quite a few weeks ago.  I'm excited to finally be posting it today.  I love how easy the it was to make and how lovely it turned out.  (This would definitely be a great kid-made Father's Day gift!)  But, I can't take full credit for the idea.  I originally spotted the idea on fellow Rockin' Art Mom Twodaloo's Crayon Resist Photo Display post.  And she was originally inspired by Artful Parent's Melted Crayon on Wooden Blocks post.  (These two ladies are super creative, so definitely check their blogs out!)

Kid Made Gifts- Melted Crayon and Watercolor Frames

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Materials Needed to make Melted Crayon and Watercolor Frames

• Watercolor Paints (We used Watercolor Tubes but Twodaloo and Artful Parent used Liquid Watercolors
• Paintbrush (or dropper)
• Wooden Frame (I got mine from Michaels for a dollar.  What a steal.)
• Crayons
• Baking Pan
• Kitchen Towels
• Oven mitts
• Paper Towels
• Sponge Brush
• Mod Podge

Steps to Make Crayon and Watercolor Frames 

 

1.  Cover your work area.
2.  Turn your oven on to 350 degrees F.
3.  Place your wooden frame into a baking pan and let it warm up in the oven.  (I put it in for about 5 minutes.)
4.  Pull your wooden frame out.  It should be hot.  But don't worry, in minute or two it will be warm (and not too hot) to the touch. 
5.  Put your warm wooden frame on some kitchen towels.  Remind your child to be careful and not touch it.  (Although honestly it wasn't very hot at all.)
6.  Draw on the frame with crayons.  (They should glide smoothly onto your warm wood.)
7.  Once you're done with the crayons, paint over your artwork with watercolors.  (We used Watercolor Tubes, so I just made the paint very dilute before we paineted on the wood.  I also used paper towels to soak up excess paint.  Others have gotten good results with Liquid Watercolors.)
8.  Protect your artwork with Mod Podge.  (We used the sparkle formula.)

We gave this frame to my sister as a graduation gift and I think she really liked it.  The photo of the two of them smiling is super cute.  Plus, Chuck's artwork helped to make it very special.

Psst- If you liked this craft, then you might like these two as well!:

• Easy Toddler Melted Crayon Art 
• Mosaic Styrofoam Tile Picture Frame

Happy making, friends!