Salt Dough Ornaments

(Recipe from Sunday School Ideas)
*She has other great tips, hints and tricks on her website

1 c. salt
1 c. warm water
2 c. flour (use only plain all-purpose flour)

Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl or kitchen aid. Slowly add ½ the water while stirring. Slowly add more water and continuing to mix and blend, until it creates a ball of dough that is firm and just soft enough to knead. (The exact amount of water will depend on the moisture content of the flour as well as the general humidity in your home as you prepare the recipe.) Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Use cookie cutters and other shaping materials to shape and cut out the dough. Use a straw or wiggle a paper clip into your dough to make a hole in the center for hanging.

"Bake at 250 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 to 3 hours. The lower the temperature the longer, but with the higher temperature you run the risk of browning. Of course, there’s no harm in browning them if you don’t mind the color, or if you are going to cover them completely with paint. "

Once they are out of the oven let them cool. I like to sand the edges a little with some sand paper. May sure you brush away all of the crumbs.

We like to use a glaze as a beautiful finishing touch to the ornament. Sculpy makes a shiny and matte finish glaze, or you can also use mod podge or a epoxy resin.

*Remember that the dough will begin to lose its ability to hold fine detail after about an hour.

**Every year our little family likes to handcraft and paint ornaments. We do everything from the sculpy clay ornaments, salt dough ornaments, cinnamon ornaments, to the little ceramic ones you can buy at the store. My children always look forward to it!