RecipesCrafts

Recipes for Crafts & Projects

Bakeable Clay (good for larger projects)
   2 cups plain flour
   2 cups salt
   3/4 cups slightly warm water (food coloring can be added to water)
   2 tablespoons cooking oil

Stir together flour and salt. Make a well in the flour mixture and add the water and oil. Knead the dough for about ten minutes. Let the dough rest for 15-30 minutes.

Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, make the shapes you want, and bake in the oven at 150 - 200 degrees or until hard. The time will vary, depending on how big the project pieces are. If the dough rises, that means the oven is too warm. Pricking the bubbled spots that have risen with a needle or straight pin will usually release the air. Turn the heat down just a bit and move the baking sheet to a different, cooler position in the oven if possible.

After the entire project is finished, spray clear acrylic over it to make your salt clay products last longer.

Cinnamon Spice Craft Dough (good for ornaments)
   1 cup apple sauce
   1 cup cinnamon
   1 teaspoon nutmeg
   1 teaspoon cloves
Mix until the dough has the consistency of playdough, adding more apple sauce or cinnamon as needed. (You can buy cinnamon at the dollar store quite cheaply.) Roll dough flat, dusting countertop and rolling pin with cinnamon if dough sticks. Cut out shapes with knife or cookie cutter. Use a toothpick to make a hole for hanging. Dry at room temperature for 5-7 days, turning over at the end of the third day to ensure even drying. They dry even quicker in a food dryer, and give your room a wonderful smell!

Slime
Corn starch, Water, Food coloring (optional)
Put cornstarch in bowl. Add enough water to make a paste. If desired, you may also add food coloring. This makes a messy slime that goes from liquid to solid.

Flubber Flubber can be stretched, bounced, and rolled! Store in an airtight container for about three weeks of use!

In a large container combine:
   1 1/2 cups warm water
   2 cups white glue
   Food coloring

In second, smaller container, combine:
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 tsp. Borax

* Mix ingredients in each container thoroughly.
* Pour contents of smaller container in to large container.
* Gently lift and turn mixture until only about a tablespoon of liquid is left. FLUBBER will be sticky for a moment or two. Let excess liquid drip off then FLUBBER will be ready!

Bubbles
   1 cup water
   1/3 cup dish soap
   2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Combine ingredients and enjoy. Great to use on a hot fall afternoon or a restless spring day.

Different Bubble Blowing Tools
Use a plastic straw
Make lots of little bubbles by wrapping masking tape around five or six plastic straws
Fly-swatters
Plastic rings from soda six-packs
Wands made from pipe cleaners.
You could also use string and straws. Use a large piece of string and thread on 2 straws. Tie the string at the ends. The straws become the handles. The children hold onto the straws, gently insert the string, pull up, and big bubbles are made.

Make Your Own Watercolors
   1 tablespoon vinegar
   2 tablespoons baking soda
   1 tablespoon corn starch
   1/2 teaspoon glycerin
   2 drops of food coloring (your choice of colors)
   1 teaspoon water

In a small bowl, add the baking soda and vinegar. Mix. When the baking soda mixture stops foaming, add the cornstarch and glycerin. Add the food coloring. If this mixture feels too thick, add a little bit of water till the right consistency. Store the watercolors in a tightly covered jar. Baby food jars are perfect for this. (This recipe will make 1/4 cup of paint)

Silly Putty
   1 part Sta Flo Liquid Starch
   1 part Elmer's White Glue (NOT Elmer's School Glue or NOT Washable)
   Food coloring (optional)

Mix glue and starch together until it feels like a putty. If desired, add food coloring and mix thoroughly. When not in use, Silly Putty may be stored in an airtight container.