Valentine Hearts (and How to Make Goop)

I saw a really cute Valentine's Day idea in Family Fun magazine and somehow thought it would be a project that me and my 18-month-old could do together. (Think again, Mommy!)

I was warming the glue in a pan on the stove when I went to the garage to find the yarn. I came back to find that my glue had hardened and cracked, leaving little white pieces throughout it.

The baby didn't understand how to put the yarn into the glue and I was not about to get the glue all over my floor, so I had to make her heart too.

Then, I tried speeding up the drying process by heating the hearts in the oven. The baby's heart ended up glued to the parchment paper. I couldn't win!

Even after all that, they came out OK, so I thought I'd share the project for you to try too, if you don't mind being foiled at every turn. (insert evil laugh here)

Here's how to do the project:
1. Make Glue. Mix 1/2 c. water and 1/4 c. cornstarch in a heavy pan over medium heat. Allow to heat until translucent and thick (watching it carefully!) Let it cool so you can handle it.
2. Cut some yarn into 1-foot lengths. (Pink, white, and red are popular V-Day colors.)
3. Put down a piece of parchment paper. Dip yarn in the cornstarch glue, get most of the goop off, and arrange in a heart-shaped cookie cutter on the paper.
4. Allow the yarn to dry. (Use the oven on a very low setting [150°] at your own risk.)
5. Present to your Valentine! (They would look cute pasted to a card.)

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday!