Fall Leaf Salt Dough Ornaments

Some days with a toddler are anything but expected. 

You have to prepare yourself for mood swings, tantrums, fits, messes going everywhere and time outs. Did I mention I was talking about the toddler in my life and not me?????

Just wanted to clarify. 

Some days it's hard to see the difference. 

Anyhoo...

Due to such "unexpected" events in my TODDLERS life, this project I'm about to share took us a span of about three days. But I am happy to report: all is complete now. 

We began this project on a day when our weather report was "cloudy" and "rainy." We finished it on a morning when the weather report was the same. 

Not that I'm complaining. I love cozy days inside. 

Despite the tantrums 

(her's, not mine...just clarifying again). 

We began by mixing flour and salt in a bowl. 

(She looks proud of herself, huh?). 

Then we added enough water till it was dough-like. 

Then I took over and started kneading it 

(My hand is a claw...RAAAAAAA). 

Then we placed the dough on my pastry mat (love that thing) and patted it down and then rolled it out. She liked both options. 

And then walla..LEAVES!!

I helped Addy press them down as firm as possible so it was a nice and clear cut. 

She giggled each time. 

I decided to try her hand prints with part of the dough. 

Then added a leaf to the middle and baked it on with it. 

I inserted a little hole at the tops of the leaves with a straw so we could hang them. 

Then we baked it on a low temp for a few hours. 

On day two (when the tantrums weren't as much), we painted them. 

Addy did some and I did some. 

She played the "I'm independent card" and wanted to use every paint brush we own. 

Pick your battles, mom. 

I really liked how glossy they looked when they were first painted. 

And on day three we put red ribbon through them for hanging and wrote on the back. 

Overall, a great project that kept us busy for THREE DAYS!! 

Here's the recipe if you want to try it out. Of course you can use whatever shapes for cookie cutters you want and even add glitter for extra sparkle!! 

Salt Dough Recipe

1/2 c. Salt

1 cup Flour 

1 cup Warm Water

Mix salt and flour and add enough water until it is dough-like. Kneed until smooth. Roll out till about 1/4 inch thick. Make shapes. Bake in a 200 degree oven until firm (about 2 or 2.5 hours). 

Cool and paint.