This week I will be working on a tutorial for DIY Christmas ornaments made of white clay dough. I decided on just Christmas trees and maybe crosses with the white clay and will try my hand at snowman heads (so cute!) next week. This will probably take a few days since I do not have enough time in one night to accomplish this (after work, gym, dinner, and homework).
Last weekend I visited a craft/gift store and they had some beautiful ornaments. I took some pictures of the more simplistic ones that I believe I can recreate. I also got an idea for some Christmas tree ornaments using the kids finger prints as ornaments from the Mothering website. Here are the idea pictures:
White Clay Dough:
- 4 Cups Flour
- 1 Cup Salt
- 1 1/2 Cups Hot Water
- Paste Food Coloring
In a large bowl mix flour and salt until well blended. Add a 1/2 cup of water at a time until smooth (few minutes ea 1/2 cup). Make dough into a ball and work in any leftover flour and salt in the bowl. Knead dough for about 5 minutes and knead in coloring if desired after.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Flatten dough with a rolling pin until there is a consistant thickness (like when making cookies). Use cookie cutters or knife to make the shape of a tree. If desired use extra pieces to cut small circles for ornaments. Attach ornaments to tree and use straw or knife to cut out a small circle near the top of the tree. (don’t forget this step as you cannot make a hole after it’s in the oven!). Ball together the remaining pieces of dough and repeat steps to use up dough. Place completed trees on cookie sheet and cover with foil. Bake until hard (about 5 minutes).
Wait until completely cooled before painting.
*Fun alternatives: Split up the dough and make several colors. Add glitter to the dough to make it more festive. Use Koolaid as a dye and fragrance.
I will add the next step for decorating after I do this tonight. I like to let it cool overnight and work on the decorating the next day. Makes for less pressure 🙂
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