Wednesday 13 November 2013

DIY Christmas: Salt Dough Hand Prints Ornaments

We made hand print ornaments out of salt dough! These make fantastic homemade personalised gifts for friends and family.

To make the salt dough, we used:
1 cup of salt
1 cup of plain flour
1/4 cup of water (maybe more, maybe less)



This was enough to make the two hand print ornaments. And all you do is mix it all together to form a dough, knead for a little while so the dough is smooth. I then split it in half and roll out into two rough circles, using a little dusting of flour. I rolled until the dough was approx 1/2" thick.



Tristan and Scarlett used their hand to make a imprint in the salt dough (don't forget to create a hole for the ribbon using a pencil), then we gently transferred the salt dough onto a silicon covered baking tray, and baked slowly for 3 hours at 100 degrees C.


Ours seemed to take longer (another hour longer) so check back at 3 hours and see how "wet" the dough still is. If it is still soft and damp, pop back into the oven for 30 minutes, then check again. Also, if the oven is too hot, the dough may rise, so keep it low.


We left it to dry on the windowsill for an additional 24 hours before painting!

We chose to paint the outside red, leaving the hand print colour-less but glued on lots of glitter!



I then used a black Sharpie pen to write their names and month! It just needs a pretty ribbon, and voila! A fabulous present for Nanny and Grampy....but shhhh, don't tell them!









25 comments:

  1. What a perfect craft for this time of year. Our Grandson loves doing crafts and this is perfect. I used to make salt dough for my Daughter many years ago.

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  2. My little guy made one of these in preschool and it's one of my most treasured ornaments.

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  3. I'll be making these this year, quick quick, where did you get the silicone baking "sheet/mat ? I need that! Thanks in advance I never see them

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  4. What grand parent would not treasure a gift like that--and pretty easy to make as well. Your son looked like he was enjoying himself immensely-what a gorgeous smile he has!

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  5. What a fantastic idea and what a great way to keep a special memory. x

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  6. I have always remembered doing this as a child, but never thought about finding a recipe! Thank you!!! I will be doing this with my children this year!

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  7. Those are so cute and I bet the kids had a blast making them. I will give it a try with my youngest.

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  8. Aww! How cute. I think this is a great way to preserve memories of the kids from year to year.

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  9. What a cute craft idea for the little ones. Seems simple enough and doesn't take up too much time!

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  10. I always say I am going to do this and never get around to it. I will make handprints with them this year though

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  11. I almost did this last year, but got lazy. I really want to do this with my girls! They sound like so much fun and a great thing to show them when they get older!

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  12. I made these two Christmas's ago. We sent them to my husband while he was deployed. So much fun!

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  13. Okay you sold me! I am so making one of these for my daughters! Maybe make a big one with my whole family and hang in about our front door!

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  14. great craft for family members too! send them to gramma, for example.

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  15. I've seen them done at school but never thought to make them at home. Super fun and cute!

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  16. Dropping in to say hello! I attempted these a couple of years ago with my son but a) he ate the dough when my back was turned and threw up and b) the resulting hand thing was a disaster :-(

    Lisa @ http://www.howtobeadomesticdisgrace.blogspot.com

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  17. I love how beautiful these handprint ornaments came out. They will make for a cherished keepsake when the kids are older.

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  18. I think these would make totally great gifts for parents/grandparents. I also think that taking them to local nursing homes and passing them out would be totally awesome.

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  19. What a fun activity! The kids look so proud of their work :)

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  20. I absolutely love these! We plan on making a couple for Christmas presents this year. :)

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  21. These are so cute! I have seen them before and they are so easy to make and your kids look like they had such a great time.

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  22. This is on my crafty to do list this year, make an ornament with my son - thanks for the recipe!

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  23. How precious is that? I wish I had made them with my kids when they were little!

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  24. I really need to do this. A great keepsake!

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