Art Party: Krispy Treat Paintbrushes

I realized recently that I had never posted about a party that is a particular favorite of mine: my sweet niece's 10th "Art Party" birthday! I am going to post a couple of different parts of this party but I thought I would start off with a little tutorial about one of the snacks we served: Rice Krispy Treat "Paintbrushes"!

For the treats you'll need:

-Homemade Rice Krispy Treats (You'll get the best results for this project by following the original recipe. I usually add extra marshmallows to mine, but that will make them a little too soft.)

-"vanilla" flavored almond bark candy coating (find it at Walmart on the baking aisle near the baking chocolate)

-wooden popsicle sticks

-various icing colors

 I used these "AmeriColor" icing tints from Hobby Lobby. They are really inexpensive ($1.49 each) especially if you use a 40% off coupon! They provide amazing colors, and you don't really have to use much at all-only a few drops.

First, cut your treats into the size you want your "brush" part to be. I did mine about 2" x 3".

Then insert a popsicle stick into each treat on the narrow rectangle side, about 2 inches in. These are your handles. Leave these to sit while you melt your candy coating. I did mine on the stove top, but it is microwaveable, too.

 

Then, divided the untinted coating amongst bowls and tint it the desired colors. My sister had these little glass prep bowls that worked perfectly. You want them to be deep enough that you can dip in about half of each treat. If your coating starts to harden, just pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds to make it liquid again.

After you have dipped each treat place it handle side up on waxed paper to allow the coating to harden. It also gives a kind of "paint pooling" effect that worked great for our theme!

Then, display "artistically" on a plate!;) We got these cute painter's palettes for $1 each at Micheal's. We bought enough that each girl used them as plates and then they got to take them home.

They were a huge hit with the birthday girl! I can't wait to share the rest of this adorable party with you.

Linked up to:
Thrifty Thursday at Living Well, Spending Less 
Homemade by You at Made to be a Momma