DAY 1 - 25DAYS of Christmas Gifties or Stocking Stuffers

I know... Christmas isn't very far! :) I have decided to do a 25 Days of Gift making or Stocking Stuffer ideas. Some ideas may be extracted from other sites and some will be ideas of my own.

To start out DAY 1, I am going to get my kids to make some Christmas Ornaments made from Homemade Clay Recipes.There are many different recipes which can be used.

I have included a few several clay recipes, including a refrigerator clay, a clay you bake to harden, one you coat for a glossy finish, and one that works up and stays pliable much like store-bought modeling clay for you.

For my project, I thought I'll use Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #4. It's my first try but I am glad it turned out great. :) I just love Gingerbread men. 

The kids has an enjoyable time playing with the lay and molding, cutting...Here's what we did:

Before baking

After baking

TA-DAH! The finish product :) I will be doing more later and probably give more ideas.

 Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #1


2-1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
food coloring (optional)

Mix the clay ingredients together. Store the modeling clay in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic baggie or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #2

1 cup salt
1 cup flour
1 cup water
food coloring (optional)

Mix and stir the ingredients together over low heat. Cook the mixture until it has thickened. Remove the clay from heat and allow it to cool before using it.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #3
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
food coloring (optional)

Stir together the dry ingredients. Mix in the oil. Mix in the water and food coloring. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the clay thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pot. Cool the clay before use. Store clay in a sealed container or plastic bag.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #4

1 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
1-1/2 cups cold water
food coloring (optional)

Mix and heat the ingredients together over low heat until a dough is formed. Cover the clay with a damp cloth and allow it to cool before use. Seal completed clay products with shellac.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #5
This clay recipe produces a clay with a smooth consistency similar to that of store-bought playdough for kids. Air-dry products made with this clay.

3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup of salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
2-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
food coloring (optional)
few drops of vanilla extract for scent (optional)

Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the oil, food coloring, and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, salt, cream of tartar) in a bowl. Mix the hot liquid into the dry ingredients a little at a time to produce a pliable clay. The clay may be stored indefinitely in a sealed container at room temperature.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #6

This clay recipe can be used to make ornaments, jewelry, or other hardened sculptures. Bake this clay to harden it. Pieces may be painted and sealed, if desired.

4 cups flour
1 cup of salt
1-1/2 cups water
Work the ingredients together to form the clay. Store the clay in a sealed container until it is needed. Bake the finished pieces on a non-stick cookie sheet at 350°F for approximately one hour or until they are slightly brown around the edges. Cool the baked clay items on a wire rack before using them or painting them.

Homemade Modeling Clay Recipe #7
Paper Clay:
2 Cups toilet paper
1 Cup regular joint compound (the premixed kind. Jonni recommends not using Dap brand since they changed their product and it doesn't work for the recipe anymore).
3/4 Cups paper mache paste or Elmers glue (much cheaper to use your own paste).
3/4 Cups flour

Start off by soaking your toilet paper in water: When it is fully wet, remove cardboard center, squeeze out as much water as you can and break up into chunks. Add all ingredients and mix on medium-high for 2-3 minutes and viola! You are ready to sculpt your heart out! Recipe yields 3 Cups of paper clay.

Hope you will have as much fun as I did spending time with my kids and playing clay! :) *hugs*

Have a Blessed day!