If you comment on all the blogs in the hop, finishing at www.jennifersjumbles.blogspot.com to let Jennifer know you've been all the way around, then you'll be in with a chance to win a spectacular seasonal prize of Basic Grey Aspen Frost and Carta Bella Winter Fun items, worth over £25! All entries must be received by Monday the 19th of November at 10.59pm GMT.
OK so I decided for my blog post I would like to try something I have never made before so I have made some Salt Dough Ornaments. I have seen some lovely ideas in magazines and books over the years but still no tried it so here goes. I got the recipe and instructions from Katy's blog here. She clearly describes how to make the salt dough so I won't go into that part. Suffice to say if you a mixer it's easy, then you knead for all you're worth for 5-10 minutes and then go for the cutting out part. I decided to make a star shaped garland and then several Christmassy shapes including an angel, reindeer, bell etc. I made extras as I wasn't too sure how the shapes would turn out.
While they were cooking, I checked to make sure they weren't cremating in there and found that several of the holes I'd made had closed up. I tried re-making the holes but they still closed off so next time I will have to make them bigger I think. Also some of the shapes went puffy which I think gives them character but if you want them perfectly flat, making thinner shapes seemed to work best.
Anyway once they wer dried, I chose to try two finishes on the shapes: decopatch and paint.
Decopatch is brilliant as you use a special glue/sealer and that saves you having to use any varnish. I found a red Christmas design in my local shop and cut up the paper into tiny squares. Then you just glue and add shapes until the ornament is covered. And here are the five decorations which just need the hangers adding which will be gold ribbon. The material is from my fave fabric store Millie Moon.
The other shapes I firstly painted with white gesso. As the shapes are quite water absorbent I thought having a primed layer would help the paint adhere and also make the shapes more durable.Here they are all ready for the next stage...........................
And the next stage involves some of this..................
Next stop on the hop is Manchester, Tennessee where Julie is waiting to show you something exciting. Have a safe trip.
Here is the full list of blogs should you get a little lost....................
Jennifer: www.jennifersjumbles.blogspot.com
Daphne: www.dapfniedesign.wordpress.com
Kirsty: www.journalofcuriousthings.co.uk
Lisa-Jane: www.comeinsidemycrazyhead.blogspot.co.uk
Lizzie: www.lizziemade.blogspot.co.uk
Louise: www.scrapbook-me.blogspot.co.uk
Jennifer: www.jennifersjumbles.blogspot.com
I've had problems with timings when I've tried salt dough,Jo....but those decopatch ones have turned out brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteThey look fab Jo, I havent played with salt dough since I was a child. I think I'll have to make a batch up & play with the kids with it as part of our december treats
ReplyDeleteanother fab idea.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I remember salt dough - I experimented with it a couple of times, though I did singe one batch I seem to recall.... These look great Jo, I look forward to seeing your follow-up post when the others are finished :)
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about decopatching salt dough before, what a great idea :)
ReplyDeletemy sister in law used to make and sell salt dough plaques many moon ago. I have always admired how they are made. Yours look fab x
ReplyDeleteSo cute, thanks for sharing. Love the blackboard ones!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I have always wanted to try out, maybe this year!
ReplyDeletethose ornaments have turned out really well .... decopatch delights!
ReplyDeleteThese are fab Jo - it's something I've always wanted to try too and 2012 might just be the year now that I've seen these :)
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing salt dough ornaments and wanting to try them too, maybe this year! You decopatch ones look lovely, I'm going to look out for some Christmas decopatch paper. I'll look forward to seeing the next installment too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in with the hop! x
They look great. I haven't made salt dough since the children were small. Maybe it's time to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteI used to make these with the children, will have to make them again with my grandchildren now.
ReplyDeleteThey turned out just beautiful. I hadn't thought of decopaging them. I like that idea.
ReplyDeletelooks as though you have had fun with this project well done
ReplyDeleteI last made salt dough when my daughter was small!! Perhaps should make another batch after seeing yours!! Love the decoupatching!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think I can imagine the golden ones, Jo, but I'll look out for the next installment!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun idea. I haven't made dough shapes for ages... In fact, I have forgotten how (thanks for the link!).
The decopatch is fun and very pretty. I might have to try it!
We still have some salt dough ornaments that the boys made 15 years ago - happy days! The decopatch gives a lovely finish - something a bit different too!
ReplyDeleteI saw some wonderful plaques made out of salt dough recently and planned to revive this old craft. I used to do it a lot when the children were small. Love how your decorations turned out - I may make some with my granddaughters.
ReplyDeleteThese look really fab and I look forward to seeing the others when they are finished.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to make your own decorations, I'm sure they will be treasured for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteHope you can finish it off and add it B4 the end of the festivities!!! Looks fun!
ReplyDeleteI think we made these as kids; thanks for the trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteRinda
These look good. I've never used salt dough or decopatch, although I've hovered over it in my loval craft shop many times
ReplyDeleteoh! those are looking gorgeous - I'll pop back later for the next instalment! :o)
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have covered the first lot. The gold will look lovely too. I made some salt dough magnets in the summer and stamped into them which is another idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm another who has never had a go at salt dough, maybe this year I will seeing how fab yours look - look forward to seeing them finished!! xx
ReplyDeleteThese turned out really well Jo...loving that deco patch, and looking forward to seeing the others when they are finished!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Love these-and I have been meaning to try some myself!
ReplyDeleteWe had a huge collection of salt dough ornaments. Every year our child care provider gave each child a personalized salt dough ornament. They lasted for years, but over time the hangers came out or they yellowed beyond attractiveness. I think there are still one or two we hang on the tree each year.
ReplyDeleteOooh I haven't made salt dough for years - I used to love it
ReplyDeleteWe used to make these every year when the kids were smaller - found that plastic drinking straws cut into small lengths kept the holes open. Not used decopatch, saw it being demoed at a show many years ago and thought it looked fun.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really fun idea and perfect for the children too!
ReplyDeleteThey look lovely, thanks for showing!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I was thinking of doing this with my kids this year - never thought of deco patch though, may have to give it a try, they look lovely.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. My Aunt used to make salt dough ornaments and I remember a fabulous wreath that she made for my Nan one Christmas
ReplyDeleteI like how they turned out with the paper.
ReplyDeleteSounds like something my granddaughter will love to do thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSaltdough is great to make with the kids
ReplyDelete