These are recipes my Sister-in-law, Susie, shared with me, so I thought I would pass them along…

Clay

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

1 tsp powdered alum

¾ cup boiling water

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Food coloring (or drink mix crystals)

Mix flour, salt and alum. Add boiling water, oil and food coloring; mix well.

Salt Dough Cookie Ornaments

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

1/3 cup water

Mix, roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 225° for several hours; paint.

Spice Ornaments

3 lbs applesauce; drain for 3 days in a colander. Then add:

2 large tins cinnamon (save some to sprinkle on pastry sheet)

1 small container ground cloves

1 small container ground nutmeg

4 Tbsp corn starch, sifted

Mix together into cookie dough consistency. Roll out on cinnamon-coated bread board. Roll out ¼ inch thick and cut with cookie cutters. Make hole in ornament by breaking toothpick in half and leave in ornament first day or so of drying. Dry on wax paper 3-4 days, turning occasionally.

Finger Paint

½ cup corn starch

1 cup cold water

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

2 cups hot water

½ cup soap flakes or detergent

Pure food colors

Combine corn starch and ¾ cup cold water; soak gelatin in remaining ¼ cup water. Stir hot water slowly into corn starch mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and is clear. Remove from heat; blend in softened gelatin. Stir in soap/detergent until dissolved. Cool mixture and divide into a jar for each color. Stir food color into mixture in each jar to desired intensity.

Edible Play dough

½ cup peanut butter

¼ cup honey

1 cup powdered milk

In bowl, mix the peanut butter, honey and ½ cup of the powdered mild with your hands. Keep adding the rest of the powdered milk until the dough feels soft and not sticky.

Marbled Dyed Easter Eggs

Food Coloring

White vinegar

Fill each mug 2/3 full with boiling water. To each mug add 1 tsp food coloring and 1 tsp vinegar. Let water cool. Add 1 tsp vegetable oil to each mug. Stir vigorously and quickly dip each egg in and out. Put eggs on towel to dry. Wipe off excess oil before dipping in different colors. Stir dye each time before dipping eggs to make swirl marks.

Magic Potion

1 part Epson salts

1 part water

Bring to a boil and cool. Spread on picture you drew.