Art Gift for My Artist Friend

I lost my job right before Christmas this year, so I had to be very thrifty for gifts. What's more thrifty than homemade gifts?! Of course, the gift still has to fit the beneficiary, so that makes it even more tricky. I have a friend who is an art teacher at a local elementary school. So she likes kids and art...hopefully. When I think of kids I think bright colors and big messes, and that thought led me to Pintrest where I found this pin!

All done! Yes that is a tootsie roll wrapper there...

ComeTogetherKids Blog is where this project is originally from. Due to slightly differing techniques our pictures turned out a little different. I used a hair dryer and that added a lot more splatter. (Check: messy) Also I put a word inside my heart because my friend says "Delightful" all the time. I thought it added another personal touch. The big box of crayons was on sale for $2.50 (check: colors) (check: cheap)
If you don't want to follow the link, here are some basic instructions.

Supplies:
Canvas or canvas board
Big pack of crayons
hot glue gun
contact paper
white paint
hair dryer or heat gun.

Instructions:
Arrange crayons in the order you like along the top of the canvas.
Glue them down. You can take the wrappers off or leave them on, whichever look you prefer.
Cut a design out of contact paper and place on canvas. The paint is because the paper will lift up on the edges and let the crayon leak in. (could try gluing around the edge to keep this from happening)
Use hair dryer to melt crayons. The longer you melt the further down the canvas it will travel.
Once you are satisfied, let dry.
Add personal details and touch up with the white paint.