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Christmas Craft Project - Alpine Christmas Ornaments
Equipment: Large
bowl. Plastic bag. Small knife. Cookie sheet. Toothpicks. Small flat and
fine-pointed paintbrushes. Brush for varnish.
Materials: Cookie
clay recipe (see below). Fine wire for loops. Tempera or poster paints. Clear
high-gloss varnish or gloss wood finish.
Cookie Clay: 4 cups
flour; 1 cup salt; 2 teaspoons mustard powder; 1 1/4 cups water.
Using fingers, mix ingredients together in a
large bowl. If clay is too stiff, add a little more water. When thoroughly
mixed, lift from bowl and knead for five minutes. To prevent drying, put clay in
a plastic bag and keep closed until needed.
Directions: Pinch
off a piece of clay; re-close plastic bag. Roll the clay into a ball in the palm
of your hand. Following illustration, form the basic body shapes. Form separate
heads, hats, arms, pompons, and shoes, using smaller amounts of clay. Some
shapes may be formed with just one piece of clay (see illustrations above, which
are about 1/4 smaller than actual size). Make shapes about 3/4" to
1/2" thick. Use small knife and small tools such as manicure equipment. To
join pieces, dip fingertips in water; moisten edges of pieces; press together.
Pieces added on front surfaces, such as figures on tree and heart. are about
1/8" thick.
Place pieces on cookie sheet for final
shaping. When Ornament is completed, form short piece of wire into loop;
insert wire ends into top piece for hanging.
Prick shape with a toothpick in three or four
places to prevent uneven rising. Bake at 300° F. for 2 to 3 hours, depending
upon thickness of ornament. Ours are approximately 3/8"-1/2" thick.
Test with a toothpick; if still soft, bake a little longer. Let shapes cool
completely.
Paint shapes as shown or as desired; leave tan
areas in natural cookie color. When paint is completely dry, brush on the
varnish or gloss finish as a protective coating. Give ornaments two or more
coats, drying between each, depending on amount of glossiness desired.
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