Clay Christmas Ornaments or Gift Tags

I revisited my clay ornaments this year.  I was determined to make that clay recipe work better this time.

This time it worked perfectly.  Instead of doubling the recipe {it just doesn't set up properly that way}

I followed the recipe exactly.

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup baking soda

3/4 cup cold water

Stir together all ingredients in a pan and cook over medium heat.  As the mixture comes to a boil, keep stirring until it thickens.  You will then be able to use your SPOON (not your hands-it's hot...just sayin') to form the dough into a gloppy ball. 

Remove the pan from heat and cover it with a moist towel.  Let it sit until cool enough to handle.  Once cooled you can sprinkle a bit of cornstarch on the counter and knead it a few times. 

You will then have a perfectly soft, not sticky dough to work with.  Roll it out and cut into shapes just like you would if you were making sugar cookies.

If you'll be hanging them up or using them as gift tags, make sure that you poke a hole in them for stringing before you bake them. I just used a straw.

Bake them in the oven at 175 degrees for about an hour.  Flip them over half way through baking time.

I stamped mine with rubber stamps before baking but you can leave them plain if you want to.

Once baked and cooled these can be painted if you wish.

I've hung mine on the tree for Christmas.

Have fun!

xo and God Bless,

Kathleen

Christmas Bird Decoration Tutorial

First I have to apologize that I didn't have this posted two days ago like I said I would.  I just got a little busy and it had to wait....I'm sorry!

Anyway, on to the glittered bird ornament.  This is so simple really, I should probably call it a "where to find the birds post" rather than a tutorial.

I was at Walmart with my husband last week and he was looking for a few hunting supplies.  While standing there next to him, I spotted this bag of birds.

Only, I wasn't picturing them hanging up in the trees fooling other doves...I was imagining three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree...sorry...but you get the idea.

I excitedly picked them up and threw them in the basket, all the while my husband is watching me, wondering what I'm going to do with a bag full of dove decoys. 

I smiled at him and said, "I'm going to put them on the Christmas tree.  Just wait, you'll like them."

They really aren't all that spectacular on their own so this is what I did.

I simply spray painted them white with Rustoleum 2x Painters Touch in Heirloom White.  After the paint dried, I brushed the whole thing with Mod Podge then sprinkled them with clear glass glitter.  Once they dry, brush off excess glitter and clip onto the tree!

(they already have clips attached..or loops of you prefer to hang)

I love them now!

The birds can be found in the hunting section of your local
Walmart.  They're on clearance right now for $9.00 for a pack of six.  They are also sold separately if you only want to make one or two.  They're priced at $1.50 if you buy them individually so the cost is the same.

Enjoy and have a great week!

xo and God Bless,

Kathleen