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Good Morning and welcome back for another fun crafting journey! Today we bring you a kid-friendly craft that is great for a rainy day activity {OR} a Valentine’s Day gift! Our family experimented with this nifty and thrifty craft during our recent “Winter Snow Storm”. Thanks to Mother Nature, we had three lovely days out of school and work to enjoy some family time!
So, first question, what do you need to decorate your very own mug? That’s simple… {A WHITE COFFEE MUG}! I picked mine up from Target, but it’s actually recommended to use the cheapies from the dollar store for the best results. That’s a win-win on my list!
Next, you need the specialized decorating tools… {SHARPIES!}
Our discovery of the day… {Metallic Sharpies!} How awesome!
Now, just go to town with all those awesome colors and create your masterpiece! For children, I do have a few recommendations…
Once your masterpieces are created, here’s what you do to add the “permanent” part…
- Place your mugs on a baking sheet and place in the unheated oven
- Turn your oven to 350 degrees and allow it to preheat
- Once preheated, set a timer for 30 minutes and allow them to bake
- After the timer goes off, turn the oven off without removing the mugs
- Allow the mugs to cool in the oven—only remove once they are cool to the touch
Congratulations on your finished project! You have now captured these fun little moments to entertain you while you are enjoying your morning coffee… AND the mugs are dishwasher safe***! Here is the one I made for the husband. I think he liked it just a little {LOL}.
***UPDATED: We have received mixed reviews regarding this process working for some crafters and not others. Hmmm, not sure if maybe it’s the type of mug or varying ovens? I say: when in doubt, hand wash! We’d hate for you to lose that sweet little picture your kiddo drew for you {they would be devastated if it washed off in the dishwasher}! Also, there are more expensive paint pens and markers available at local craft stores if you are wanting more guarantee than these cute little sharpies can provide. 🙂
So how do you continue this fun for days to come? Homemade Hot Cocoa! My mom used to make Hershey’s Hot Cocoa for us as kids and I have loved making it for my own this winter. I definitely don’t have time in my day-to-day activities to be reinventing any wheels, so I use the tried-and-true recipe provided by Hershey’s, it’s fantastic. You can get the recipe on the Hershey’s Website, or I have listed it below for your convenience.
{ingredients}
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
1/3 cup hot water
Dash salt
4 cups (1 qt.) milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Miniature marshmallows (optional)
{directions}
- Stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do Not Boil.
-
Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings.
{my tips}
- The dash of salt and vanilla extract are optional for me and my family. Sometimes I remember, sometimes I don’t—they don’t know the difference.
- When adding the milk, I stir in slowly. I don’t know if it helps or not, but I feel like to blends better.
- I don’t beat with a rotary beater or whisk until foamy, so that would be option unless you just really like the frothy part. I add whipped cream AND marshmallows for maximum sugar rush {LOL}.
- The Kraft Jet Puffed Mallow Bits are amazing {with or without the hot cocoa}!
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