Category Archives: ornaments

Clay Handprint Impressions & Ornaments

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I tried something new this year, using clay to make  ornaments.  I dare say that it worked fabulously.  It onlclayy takes a few supplies.

The clay takes about a week to dry. If you want to make these for holiday gifts, then there is still time.

just gather the following supplies:

  • Air Dry Clay (available at craft stores or even on Amazon)
  • Triple Thick Glaze
  • Straw
  • Parchment or Wax Paper
  • knife or round biscuit cutter
  • Rolling pin
  • Ribbon
  • wipes

Lay out some wax paper or parchment paper.  Roll out the clay to the desired shape.  Bobby and I made candy canes as well as handprints.  For the hand impressions, roll the clay until it is about 1/4 of an inch thick.  Press your little ones hand into it.  Wipe off their hand with wipes. Then cut out around the handprint.  I used a biscuit cutter, but a knife would work as well.  Then use a straw to make hole(s) at the top. Smaller handprints only need one hole, but larger ones hang better with two.

Clay BobbyLet it dry for about five days.  Then you can paint it as you like.  For the impressions, I used a triple thick gloss and glitter.  For the candy-canes, I used red paint and then after it dried the triple thick gloss.

Use ribbon to hang.  Viola!  Cherish for years to come!Clay Gloss

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Inexpensive Toddler Ornament Craft, Family Heirloom & Christmas Gift

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The other day, Bobby and I decorated our tree.  Amongst the nutcrackers, silver balls and bells, there were special ornaments to hang.  These glass snowballs were made by Bobby’s handprints from past years.  He was so excited to learn that he made these treasured ornaments.  Now, everyday he goes to admire those ornaments.  He points to them with such pride and says “i did it.”  This year we’ll be making some for CJ too.

These little ornaments also make treasured family heirlooms and affordable gifts.  For us, we’ll be making these same ornaments every year.

With a few supplies you can make them too!  My color scheme is white and silver.  So, I bought clear glass ball ornaments and decorated them with little sparkly white handprints.  You can also do the same thing with other glass ornaments – red, silver, etc.  Just think of a color scheme you want through the years.

All you need are paintable glass ornaments (I get mine from JoAnn’s Fabrics & Crafts), acrylic paint, a sponge paintbrush and DecoArt Glamour Dust.   Before starting make sure your little one is wearing clothes that you don’t mind being decorated with paint, get your supplies ready, and go!

  • Squeeze acrylic paint onto a paper plate or something.
  • Then apply paint to your child’s hand with the sponge paintbrush.
  • Help them carefully wrap their hand around the glass ball.
  • Repeat for as many times as you want ornaments.
  • Go wash your child’s hands immediately – acrylic paint comes off with soap and water.
  • After tot is all clean then sprinkle the Glamour Dust on Ornaments.
  • Let the ornaments dry for a few days.
  • Then use a Sharpe Pen to write initials and the year.
  • Enjoy, treasure and share your creation.

Happy crafting!

Also published at SonomaNews.com – http://www.sonomanews.com/News-2011/Inexpensive-toddler-ornament-craft-family-heirloom-and-Christmas-gift/

Rainy Day Fun – Ornaments With A Bit of History

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Desperate for a rainy day activity, I remembered back to when a babysitter in days of past made cookie ornaments.  It dawned on me that Bobby might like doing something like that, after all he does love to play with playdough.  Salt-dough is basically the same thing but more keepsake friendly.

The difference between the two recipes comes down to oil – play dough has it, salt-dough doesn’t.  Consequently salt-dough dries hard giving lasting life to your child’s creations.  The good news is that kids can play with the dough for days (just keep it airtight) and then dry their creations for further play or even gifts.

Here’s how to make salt dough.  Take 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup salt and 3/4 cup warm water.  Mix all ingredients and kneed for 5 minutes.  Then play!

We made animals and even cookie cutter ornaments in the shapes of cowboy boots as Bobby has been really into Woody from Toy Story lately.  If you decide to make ornaments, make sure to make holes in them before you set them out to dry.  Straws make perfect holes.  Drying takes about a week.  After they are dry, you can color them with paints or markers.

As a side note, making cookie ornaments also provides a way to teach a bit of history.  The whole tradition of decorating a Christmas tree started in Europe. Back then trees were decorated primarily with food and candy as a symbol of giving thanks for daily bread.

Wishing you rainy days filled with fun!