Salt Dough Keepsakes

I was always going to be a fun mother, although my idea of fun is sometimes different from the little one's. On Thursday morning while we were on annual leave and his daddy had a few hours off to himself (keeping fit at the gym!), we baked something arty (but cannot be eaten) in the kitchen.

I found this recipe from a Clarks booklet advert (they are trying to sell us first walking shoes for the ridiculous price of £30 a pair which is what they are supposed to cost nowadays, or so we are told) and gave it a try.

What you need:
1 cup plain flour
1 cup salt
1/2 cup warm water
a pair of little feet or hands
mixing bowl
greaseproof paper

The fun part:
1. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl and knead until smooth and stretchy. If it still feels sticky add a bit more flour, if it's too dry and crumbly, add a tiny bit more water.
2. Once the dough is ready, divide it in half and press each half into a small bowl (slightly bigger than baby's feet) or a bigger bowl to do both feet at once. Sprinkle a little flour into the bowl first so the dough doesn't stick, then turn it out in a floured surface. But you can also just use the rolling pin if you want, which I did.
3. Push your baby's foot or hand firmly into the dough, then lift straight off again. If your baby is anything like Isaac, you might have to try more than once (he wasn't very cooperative!) but don't worry, simply knead the dough and try again!
4. Preheat your oven to 100 degrees Celcius/200 degrees Fahrenheit/lowest gas setting, then put your foot impressions on some greaseproof paper on a baking tray. Bake in the oven for 3 hours, then leave to cool before painting the colour of your choice. If you don't have an oven, you can leave it to dry outside for at least 5 days until it feels stone dry.


So these are our finished products. I painted the first batch with sienna coloured acrylic paint mixed with water which turned out like Isaac has pressed his hands on poo, as pointed out by his dad, but it was quickly redeemed by painting gold glitter paint over it. 
The second batch showing this footprint was just painted with gold glitter paint and looks better. 
We bought the glitter paint from the arts and crafts department of our local B&M and just costs £1.99 for both.
So this  arty project seems to have turned out well and they look like perfect gifts although in hindsight this activity might be a bit more fun when the little lad is a bit older so he can be more keen on pressing his hands and feet. But there's no stopping me from encouraging other crafty and fun parents to try it too!