Sticky Hearts

Photo Credit: Family Fun

 I saw these beautiful yarn hearts in my Family Fun magazine.  Of course they would be messy, but I thought we could handle it.  I also thought they'd be a delightful gift.  Well, at least I was partially right; they were messy.

We began the project on yet another snow day.  The children LOVED cutting the yarn.  Granted, they liked cutting little pieces instead of foot long pieces.

While they cut, I made the cornstarch glue.  This was my first lump of glue.  The directions weren't clear, but still I didn't think I should get a lump of glue.  I even tried adding lots of extra water.  It didn't do much.  The second wasn't much different.  After that I just thinned our school glue a bit and used that. 

 After E (age 2) went down for his nap (since I am a wise mom), M and I got to work making our blobs hearts of yarn.  Warning: Unless you want glue all over, warn your child that it will be sticky and icky.

Basically, we placed a cookie cutter on a bit of parchment paper.  (Parchment was recommended, but wax may have been the better choice.)  Then we dipped our yarn pieces in the glue and squeezed out the extra.  Then we placed it in the cookie cutter.

 I think my expectations would have been a bit more realistic had I known that a 3 inch cookie cutter wasn't nearly large enough.  I made the heart below, and really, it was the only one that didn't look like a blob of the ones that M and I made.  The blurry photo only makes it look better.

However, if you have a way to make a giant yarn heart, I'd say go for it!  Visit Family Fun's directions.  If you are able to make the cornstarch glue, please tell me how!  If you don't want to try that, I would suggest liquid starch.  (I haven't used it since an art class in college, but I think it would be perfect for this project.  You can buy it at your grocery store, too.)

For us, this was a worthwhile craft since the children loved cutting.  M was really disappointed, and I was, too.  However, it was a good lesson for both of us that crafts don't always turn out.  She was actually okay with me throwing out the blobs of yarn.

We made Raggedy Ann and Andy crafts with the extra yarn we cut.  We are enjoying the books a lot!  I think I will stick with the heart hunt for this celebration today.