Wednesday 14 November 2012

DIY Christmas Decorations - Simply Made Doily Lace Clay and Salt Dough Tutorial

With Christmas around the corner I thought I'd make some decorations for friends and family and have devised a simple DIY craft tutorial using both a salt dough and clay base.

I used vintage doilies to create the lace print



I found the air dry clay much easier than salt dough overall, no mixing, dried snow white and set within 24 hours as opposed to the salt dough which is still drying 4 days later and will need to be painted, but I did love the idea that I could use household ingredients to create these decorations.  

 Here are the instructions for both techniques including how to create the lace print using vintage doilies or lace depending on what you have around the house... 

Air Dried Clay Decorations 
I used White Fimo Air Basic by Staedtler

You will need
 (I made about 100 small decorations with this quantity depending on your cookie cutter size)
500g air dry clay
rolling pin
baking paper
cookie cutters
straw or chop stick
doily
twine or string for hanging

To make the doily clay just roll out your clay, place the doily on top and roll over again then gently peel the doily off and you are ready to start cutting your ornaments.



Using a chop stick or straw make a hole in the clay for hanging, just make sure its wide enough to fit your string... I bought twine but sadly it didn't fit so I substituted with white yarn.


You can also use letter stamps to create extra details


then simply leave to dry on baking paper for 24 hours and that is it!



Salt Dough Technique

I actually made half quantity of this recipe and that made about 50 decorations so the amount below would make approximately double depending on the size of your cutters

You will need
1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water
mixing bowl
rolling pin
doilie
straw or chop stick
cookie cutters
baking paper
Mix your ingredients and knead to form a smooth dough then roll out, cut out your shapes, then pierce with a chop stick and leave to dry for 3-4 days.



Hope you find this useful!
Here's to a wonderful festive season!
xx



Also sharing on

Scandi Coast Home's gorgeous Saturday link party!



and
get your craft on

and

The Well Crafted Home




18 comments:

  1. they are beautiful! thanks for the tutorial :)
    x

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  2. Both versions turned out great, well done :)

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    1. Thanks Natalie, really glad you like them xx Tina

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  3. Hi Tina, they are really cute....im going to give the clay a go (fewer steps the better thanks to my rather short attention span!). Thanks for the idea. Allison x

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    1. My pleasure Allison, glad you like them!... I'm the same with craft I want it to be visual and quick without too many steps :) Tina

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  4. Beautiful ornaments! Thank you so much for the tutorial.

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    1. My pleasure Dana, thanks so much for your comment xx :-) Tina

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  5. That's amazingly simply - thank you!

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    1. My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comment... look forward to reading your blog - had the violet version of the Laduree pastry you posted from their Madeline store, when o when will Laduree grace us with their presence down under???...
      :) Tina

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  6. Looks really good! I've never tried salt dough before....kind of curious now.

    PS: I would like to invite you to enter the inHomewares giveaway at my blog. Enter for your chance to win $50 voucher! http://www.underlockandkeyblog.com/2012/11/inhomewares-giveaway.html

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    1. Thanks so much Trishie... I must admit my salt dough wasn't much of a triumph unlike others I've seen which have turned out perfectly... worth a try though!.

      :) x Tina

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  7. Great tutorial, must try one day!
    Penny x

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    1. Thanks so much Penny... no doubt yours will be brilliant! BTW love your Demijohn!
      x Tina

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  8. Between you and me we have the dec's covered! Will make a garland, great idea! :)

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    1. Totally Pippa! Can't wait to see your garland, so glad you liked the idea, no doubt it will be totally amazing!.
      :) x Tina

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  9. You're so clever and patient.
    Thay look really beautiful and classic ;O)
    T xx

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    1. Thanks so much Tania and thank you for hosting the best link parties week after week!.
      x Tina

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I just love reading comments, thank you for taking the time and for stopping by!