Salt Dough Ornament How To

Yeah yeah, I know it's after Christmas, but I just made our salt dough ornaments for this year.  I've been so busy making dozens and dozens of cupcakes, cookies, cakes etc. that I didn't get to this yet.  But I figure that my main goal is to preserve my kiddo's cute paws for all time, so the exact date isn't really that important.

I made these last year and they turned out great.  Not only do I love having the ornaments on my tree, but they make great gifts for family as well!  They are easy to make, but if you have very small children like mine, I recommend having a helping hand while doing this project.  This can also be a fun way to preserve your pet's paw prints.  It was extremely stressful to get Moses' paw print last year...I was very pregnant with my second baby, and while down on the floor trying to wrestle our 90 pound lab's paw to make a print, the dog was trying to eat the dough.  I have often been told Labradors are among the top five smartest dog breeds.  I have found no evidence to support this theory in my own house.  Needless to say, I am glad that Moses is done growing, and I don't need to get another paw print from him this year.

The dough is easy to mix up.  In a bowl, combine 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup warm water.  This recipe makes approximately five toddler hand/lab paw ornaments.  I have read in the past to soak the salt beforehand in the water so the crystals will dissolve.  However, I personally have not found that necessary.  There is so much salt in this recipe (they don't call it salt dough for nothing), that it would take a long time to dissolve.  I have not done this in the past, and it has not affected the dough.    After mixing, kneed the dough for a bit.  Then sprinkle your surface and your rolling pin with flour, and roll it out to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick.  The dough does not rise much while baking.

Now, you have to get your kiddo's prints.  For a baby under six months, it's difficult if not impossible to get a hand print, so stick to foot prints for the littlest babies.  Luckily, newborn toes are pretty cute in salt dough.  It's usually helpful to have assistance with this part (thanks Mr. Sugar Dish).  After you get the prints, cut around them in the design you want, and transfer to a cookie sheet lined with tin foil.  Spray a very light layer of cooking spray.  Last year, I used too much spray, and the ornaments absorbed it.

DO NOT FORGET TO CUT A HOLE FOR THE ORNAMENT'S RIBBON.  I use a drinking straw for this, works great.

Bake for three hours at 200 degrees.  I then flipped my ornaments and baked for another 20 minutes.  I have read that you should flip the ornaments halfway through, but I would not recommend this if you are making hand or foot print ornaments.  Upside down, the gravity takes some indention out of your hand or foot prints, and 20 minutes is more than enough.

Once complete, remove from the oven and let cool.  Then paint, seal, and add a ribbon.  I used acrylic paint and this sealant.

Happy Crafting!

~Sugar Dish