Yes, I realize it's early November, but we get a little ready for Christmas around here. I was actually pulling my hair out working on some federal foreclosure cases and Lelya was crying at my feet when I decided to shut down my computer and do something fun with her. These little ornaments were a really fun craft and very easy to make. This batch yields a ton of ornaments (about 25-30, depending on the size of your cookie cutters) so I'm planning on hanging a few on our tree and then gifting out to L's friends & relatives. Because we're all about homemade-with-love gifts :)
Here's What You'll Need: - ½ cup salt - 1 cup flour - ½ cup water - Rolling pin - Cookie sheet - Toothpick - Miniature cookie cutters: stars, Christmas tree, hearts, whatever your heart desires. We also made baby elephants - Acrylic paints: Whatever colors you want your ornaments to be - Glitter glue or glitter paint (optional) - ribbon
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until dough is formed.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.
4. Roll out the dough to about ¼'' thick with a rolling pin that has been dusted with flour.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out your ornaments.
6. Use a toothpick to make a hole toward the top of the shape. Poke the toothpick into the shape, then holding toothpick straight up and down, make a circular motion as if you were stirring something.
7. Place all shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and place into the preheated oven.
8. Bake for 2 hours.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
10. Paint!
*Tip: Use the handle end of the paint brush to paint dot ornaments on your trees.
*Optional: When paint is dry, use glitter glue or glitter paint to put a sparkling cover coat on your ornaments.
11. When dry, thread ribbon through hole and tie in a knot in the back.
& yes, our Christmas tree is up ;)