Valentine’s Day swoon over old 45s and LPs

Love songs abound on the grooves of old 45s and LPs that are no doubt scratched and warped in attics everywhere. But your stored-away keepsakes can have a new life if you get into this recycling activity. It’s all about warping them even more to create terrific bowls, picture frames, clocks and even a planter for a romantic bloom that your valentine is sure to love!

First, the bowls. You and your kids can change your “oldies but goodies” into unique shapes with these easy directions.

An adult or teen should do the first step of the project. In a well-ventilated room, place a record on a sheet of aluminum foil and set in a preheated, 300 F oven. Keep your eye on the record the entire time it is in the oven. If your oven doesn’t have a window, leave the door slightly ajar to observe the warping of the record, which will occur within 15-20 seconds. As soon as it begins to warp, immediately remove it from the oven using oven mitts. You don’t want the record to melt!

With the mitts still on, remove the foil and place the record in a glass or metal mixing bowl that is smaller in diameter than the record, centering the hole of the record in the middle of the bowl. Press the center portion of the record to the bottom of the bowl. It will harden within seconds into its new, curvy shape. Remove.

Mold several records, and then get the whole family involved in the decorating with some of these ideas:

•Place a picture in the middle and, using paint in squeeze bottles, draw designs around it.

•Glue a mirror in the center and add a hanger on the back to display on the wall.

•Buy an inexpensive clock mechanism at a crafts or hardware store and attach it through the center hole of the record. Glue colorful buttons around the hole to represent each of the 12 hours.

•Leave the molded record as is and use for a tray to hold your collections. As a valentine gift, it’s especially fun if you choose a record with a romantic title.

•Use the molded record as a planter for a growing plant. The hole provides drainage.

•Set a napkin inside of a larger record “bowl” and use as an eye-catching container for popcorn!