Handmade

Salt Dough Ornaments

Cat paw print (painted after baking)

My daughters idea, she traced her hand and cut it out with a butter knife. Then when we transferred it it got all wobbly looking. She painted it with acrylics after baking.

Braided wreath (painted with acrylics after baking)

Twisted Candy cane with 3 year old inspired color scheme painted after baking.

To make dough:

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 -1/2 cups hot water (tap water)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (optional)

Combine the salt and flour in a mixing bowl . Gradually add the water until the dough becomes elastic
Add the vegetable oil.If your dough is too sticky, add more flour....too crumbly....add more water. Once you've got your dough at a consistency you can work with, bring on the rolling pins, cups, bowls, straws, cookie cutters, plastic utensils, and let the fun begin! When you finish your creation remember to make a hole in the top for a loop of ribbon to hang it from.
For colored dough: add food coloring  into the water before adding it to the dry ingredients. Using colored dough gives the ornaments a unique, old fashioned look. Muted, soft colors.
Or you can paint your creations after they dry with acrylics, then seal with a spray varnish.
Whichever method of decorating you chose, place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet and bake at 175 degrees for an hour or two. Don't over bake or your will have brown ornaments.
Store unused dough in an airtight bag and store in the fridge.