Diamonds in the Ruff: Paw Print Salt Dough Ornaments

Paw Print Salt Dough Ornaments

With Christmas coming, you can expect ornaments and decorations in every corner and every nook and cranny, homemade cards for grandma, and lights that brighten every street. Some might expect the gift of a family puppy or kitten. One way to celebrate that new addition to the family is salt dough ornaments. If you want to cherish the memory of your pet, make one of these paw print ornaments with the whole family! They can even be customized with so many colors, wording, add a little sparkle with some glitter; anything you want! It’s such a sweet Christmas keepsake idea and they ended up looking ADORABLE!

**Please note that these can be toxic to pets if eaten. So, just to be safe, hang them high up on the tree.**

Here is everything you are going to need to make these keepsakes and memories with the kids.

Ingredients

½ cup hot water
½ cup salt
1 cup flour
Parchment paper
Acrylic Paint
Matte Finish Mod Podge
Cup or cookie cutters
Ribbon
Gold Paint Pen or Sharpie, Glitter, or any other little trinkets

Instructions

Mix together the hot water, salt, and flour in a medium-size bowl. Knead it together with your hands until it forms a dough ball. If it's too sticky, add some extra flour.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough on the counter until it is ¼ inch to ½ inch thick.
Use a small plastic cup or cookie cutter of your choice to cut out circles or shapes.
Grab your cat or dog and gently press their paw into the center of the circle or shape to make an imprint.
Use a drinking straw to cut a hole for the ribbon.
Transfer the circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 225 F for 2 to 3 hours until they are solid and completely dried out.
Once they have cooled, you can paint, color, or draw on the ornaments to match your pet’s personality.
Write your dog's name and the year on the front or back of the ornament using a gold paint pen or a Sharpie marker.
If you want to add glitter to your ornament nows the time. Add a coat of Matte Finish Mod Podge and sprinkle it generously with glitter.
If you only want the imprint filled with glitter, allow the first coat of Mod Podge to dry completely. Then add a generous second coat to the inside of the paw print and sprinkle it with glitter.
String a ribbon through the hole to hang your ornament.
If you want you can attach other items to the ornament using hot glue.

There you have it. These easy and inexpensive decorations will show how much you love your pet, so spoil them rotten. And the best part, you can even make these keepsakes using your children's hand and footprints.