Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with marshmallow

1. Peeps 2. Glue Gun 3. ???? 4. PROFIT!

Unicorn on the cob — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:07:42 -0800

I want to affix Peeps (the Easter atrocities) to fabric in order to make a costume. BY TOMORROW. Crafty MeFites, hope me with your glue-gun wisdom! I am attending an Easter party tomorrow that requires some kind of costume. Everybody knows I hate Peeps more than anything in the world, and lo and behold, the neon critters are on sale. So I decided to make myself into one giant neon Bunny Peep. Tons of googling and clicking leads me to believe that I can hot-glue them directly onto most things, and ribbon is mentioned here in this book.

A friend who is quite crafty has assured me that Peeps + glue gun + fabric = disaster; there must be something between, like a piece of cardboard or other intermediary surface that will adhere to the hot glue while also keeping the fabric from sticking to any backing, myself, etc.

I have already cut open the packages to allow them to harden as much as possible so they don't melt as soon as they touch the glue gun; I'm not sure that spray-varnishing them now would have them ready-to-wear by tomorrow afternoon, since the varnish would have to dry overnight. (I read that one woman allowed them to dry for five days before making them into garlands and wreaths, and 5 days from now is not an option). Also, I don't want to buy more stuff unless I have to; something around the house (painting tape? more fabric? buttons? I'm listening...) would be ideal.

Please don't suggest another costume idea; I already spent time and money getting this ball rolling and won't have time to whip up anything else from scratch, time-wise or financially. I have a lot of neon pink components now in front of me--what I lack is the ingenuity to make it stick. Literally.

Alternatively, would another type of adhesive work better? I am not married to the glue gun; it's mentioned a lot in Peeps craft links, though. Bonus if you have experience making arts and crafts with Peeps--firsthand knowledge is what I'm really looking for here.

Optimal Junk Cereal: Can it be done?

majick — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:10:14 -0800

In a box of cereal containing two objects of differing density, how does one ensure a roughly even ratio throughout the box's use? That is to say, how do you keep the bottom of the box from being all grain and no marshmallow? Given a box of, say, Lucky Charms comprised of marshmallow bits of density d and cereal bits of (for argument's sake) density 1.25d and thus having a tendency to separate into layers what's the best practice for keeping the low density bits from floating on top of the high density bits? Assume non-optimal distribution at the time of purchase -- contents may settle during shipment. Furthermore assume equipment likely to be in the average household.

Lightly agitating the box while pouring appears to exacerbate the problem. During the box's first few uses, the marshmallow ratio remains high, but at the cost of a high proportion of "grain only" spoonfuls toward the end of the box. I want to avoid those.

Pouring out the entire box and stirring it makes it even worse. Stirring a massive salad bowl full of cereal seems to quickly float the low density bits to the top.

I would be perfectly willing to have a lower marshmallow ratio at the top of the box if it were possible to create an approximately even distribution somehow. But how? How does one create a very rough macro-scale suspension of lightweight cereal bits in a medium of grain bits, and furthermore how do you keep it that way?

You would think this problem has been addressed somewhere in various industrial processes: creation, handling and distribution of rock aggregates, soil mixes, compost, and various other mixed materials that may be prone to settling before and during use.

peeps, peeps, peeps

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:56:27 -0800

How long before peeps go stale? I have a friend who likes marshmallow peeps but only when they are stale. I bought a package of peeps that I want to give him as a present but, not being a peep connoisseur myself, have no idea how long I should hold on to them before giving them.

Also, do I need to open the package for staleness or can I just leave it sealed?