Quick and Easy Like Me

My little brother, Aaron (12) helped me make these last weekend. He had great fun measuring out the ingredients, mixing, and rolling out the dough. I even made him clean up too. A boys gotta learn early, right? I think the most fun was decorating them and seeing how many different designs we could come up with. He made these for his parents for Christmas gifts. I'm sure they'll appreciate all the hard work and love that went into them.

Salt Dough Ornaments

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients is a medium bowl with a wooden spoon. Dough forms rather quickly. Remove dough and knead until smooth (a couple of minutes). Roll out onto floured surface until you reach the desired thickness of your ornaments. Mine were about 1/8" thick. Cut your shapes using your favorite cookie cutters or cut out shapes using a pairing knife. I've done both and have to say that cookie cutters are far easier :) I also rolled out the dough to make a rope then spelled out my sons names. Place cut-outs onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Cut a small hole for ribbon to pass through using a straw (before you bake them). Paint your ornaments with egg-wash paint. Then bake in a preheated oven at 250 degrees for 2 hours. This will allow the ornaments to dry out completely without getting brown. Allow to cool, then string ribbon or colored yarn through the holes and hang on packages or your tree.

Before & After- click to enlarge

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Egg Wash Paint

• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp. water
• food coloring (add as much or as little until desired color is achieved)
• inexpensive paint brushes (one for each color)

Whisk the egg to break it up, then add the water and food coloring. I used three eggs to decorate a batch of ornaments and still had plenty left over. I beat the eggs and water in a bowl, then poured the eggs into smaller containers (I used glass votive holders). I used 5 colors in total (red, blue, yellow, green and purple). Brush the egg wash over your unbaked ornaments and have fun!

NOTE: This is a great craft for kids to do since it's so simple and the project can be completed in one afternoon. Just plan accordingly since they have to bake for 2 hours.

This egg wash can be used for sugar cookies as well. It is completely edible and will give your cookies a lacquered look.

Also, if you don't want to use egg wash paint, bake the "naked" ornaments as the directions state, then paint after they are cooled with craft paint. This will give you a more vibrant color, but they will not be shiny.