Preserving Memories-Mama Mac's Timeless Salt Dough Snowman Ornament

Among the cherished trinkets adorning our holiday tree stands a vintage salt dough snowman ornament, a precious creation by Grandma Mama Mac in the winter of 1986. This beloved ornament, gifted to Kim / 1969 during her high school days, has adorned our tree each festive season since. As we celebrate our enduring love and marriage since 1991, this year, we've decided to honor its legacy by preserving it in a shadow box.

A Snowy Treasure From the Past: Crafted with love and dexterity by Mama Mac, this snowman ornament emerged as a wintry masterpiece, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit. Its creation marked a time of joy and familial warmth that has echoed through the years. I mean who doesn't love a snowman? And, added bonus...this one has a history.

A Symbol of Shared Traditions: From Kim's high school days to our marriage in 1991, this snowman ornament has remained a constant, gracing our holiday celebrations. Its presence on our tree has become an emblem of shared memories, reminding us of the laughter, love, and cherished moments we've experienced together...especially those in the kitchen over the years. Lots of Christmas cookies and cheese straws have been made with Mama Mac's daughter who we call Ma"C". We have blogged on Ma"C" before check it out in the links below:

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2020/04/mac-and-her-mosaic-trays.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2020/06/beer-pong-tabledaniel-cochran-style.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2019/04/mac-and-kappa-delta-handmade-mosaic-art.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2019/01/handmade-heidi-j-hale-and-mac-christmas.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2017/01/mac-artsy-fartsy-mother-in-law.html

https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2010/05/birdhouses-mother-in-law-memories.html

Honoring a Sentimental Journey: As we approached this holiday season this year, we've decided to honor our treasured ornament's journey. To safeguard its legacy, we've chosen to preserve it in a shadow box—a keepsake that will allow us to display and safeguard its sentimental value for years to come.

Embracing the Legacy: In encapsulating Grandma Mama Mac's lovingly crafted snowman ornament in a shadow box, we're commemorating not just a beautiful piece of holiday decor but also the enduring spirit of family, tradition, and the legacy it holds within our hearts.

The vintage salt dough snowman ornament, gifted by Grandma Mama Mac, has become an enduring symbol of our family's holiday traditions. Its journey from Kim's high school days to our marriage has woven a tapestry of love and shared moments. As we encapsulate it in a shadow box, we continue to honor its legacy, preserving the warmth and memories it embodies. We will one day pass it along to 1969's daughter, Mary Frances! Scroll below to look at the details on this snowman's facial features.

How do you make salt dough ornaments?

Making salt dough ornaments is a fun and simple activity that allows you to create personalized decorations for various occasions. Here's a basic recipe and instructions for making salt dough ornaments:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• Optional: Food coloring (for colored ornaments), cinnamon or other spices for a pleasant scent (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. If you're adding spices for scent, this is the time to incorporate them.
   • Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring continuously until a dough forms. The dough should be smooth and pliable, not too sticky.

2. Kneading and Rolling:

   • Dust a flat surface or cutting board with flour to prevent sticking.
   • Transfer the dough onto the floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it's smooth and easy to work with.
   • Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to your desired thickness, usually about 1/4 inch thick.

3. Cutting Shapes:

   • Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut out various shapes from the dough. Stars, hearts, circles, and holiday-themed shapes work well for ornaments. Make a small hole at the top of each ornament using a straw or toothpick for hanging purposes.

4. Baking:

   • Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 200°F (95°C).
   • Place the ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for approximately 2-3 hours. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your ornaments. The goal is to thoroughly dry out the dough without browning or burning the ornaments.

5. Cooling and Decorating:

   • Once baked and completely cooled, you can decorate the ornaments using paint, markers, glitter, or varnish. Acrylic paint works well for coloring the ornaments.
   • Thread a ribbon or string through the hole for hanging, and your salt dough ornaments are ready to adorn your tree or be gifted!

6. Preservation:

   • To prolong the life of your ornaments, you can seal them with a clear varnish or Mod Podge after decorating. This helps protect them from moisture and extends their durability.

Salt dough ornaments are versatile and can be personalized to suit different occasions or themes. Get creative with colors, shapes, and decorations to make unique and festive decorations for any time of the year!

Happy Happy, Merry Merry and all that Jazz as we venture into 2024! Wow, this has me thinking...we started the blog in 2010! 

Crazy to think of all of our family history here and the art lesson plans! Added bonus...want to learn about the title and Mr. Right Brain - follow this link for a good laugh! https://2soulsisters.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-post-is-dedicated-to-left-brains.html
1969

Sweet Nativities and Unfortunately, Whopper-Jawed Nativities-Blame it on the ART TEACHER!

Oh boy.  Sometimes not all the projects turn out right.  And sometimes, it is because of the art teacher.  This definitely was the case with this Nativity.  I felt real bad messing up baby Jesus and His family.  Let me explain.

Let me make this clear, we were in a hurry.  We had three weeks until the end of the quarter to complete this project.  Well, most of you know, you make the project in one week. It dries another week.  The students glaze third week and in the kiln the project goes!

I guess my biggest mistake was thinking that we did not have to slip and score the project.  I felt like that it would be easier to glaze if the Holy family was not permanently fixed to the base.  Wrong!  We should have slipped and scored all parts.  The students could have easily glazed around most of the inside of the bowl shape.  Students are awesome at cramming glaze here and there and destroying bristles on a paintbrush!  

How did this go down?

I played this video for the kids so they would have something to go by. Click HERE for basic Nativity instructions

As I said earlier, we did not slip and score.

The students wrote their name/grade on back of the Nativity.

The Nativities dried.

The students glazed the Nativities one color.  Let me say this…If you let the middle school kids use all different colors of glazes, you usually get into a hot mess.  As most of you know, the color of the glazes when you are putting it on the clay will be very different than how the glaze eventually fires out.

All in all, I was pleased with this project.  We always have fun when we do Nativities.  We have baby Jesus’ head falling off and rolling around the room.  Joseph’s arm falls off and that is a problem.  Lots of funnies as the project progresses.  

The students always love doing a Nativity.  Parents get excited when their children have art the 2nd quarter of school.  They have come to expect some type of Nativity from their kids.  Many of the kids are aware and put all their effort into making their Nativities.

Note to self.  Start earlier.  Slip and score the Holy family.  Do your own video.

Have a l👀k!

👇👇👇👇👇👇Nativities GONE WRONG 👇👇👇👇👇👇

It was a long night, so they all took a nap?

Mary turning a cartwheel?

Joseph tripped over the donkey and knocked Mary down?

Mary trying to give Joseph a hug and trips over her gown?

Joseph went out to talk to the owner of the inn and Mary dozed off?

No words.  Well, maybe a few.  This was a new kid and I think that she did not realized that glaze was permanent.  So, for fun she made a foot.  Do you see it on the left?  And yes, there is a small snowman on the right.  The family is in there somewhere, but they are a little whopper-jawed too.  And yes, whopper-jawed is a word and it means crooked, out of place, damaged, broken.  Whopper-jawed describes this project to a T.  And yes, “to a T” is a saying that has been known to be related to a t-square.  Everything relates back to art in some kind of way!

A group view:

A Bob Ross from a sweet student that decided to “plop” down in the middle of the mess!

Well, that’s that.

❤, 1965

Vibrant Creations-Exploring Sand Art & Feathered Jars at The 2 Soul Sisters Summer Art Camp

The canvas of creativity expanded at The 2 Soul Sisters Summer Art Camp as budding artists dove into the mesmerizing world of Sand Art. This engaging activity allowed campers to craft vibrant sand designs and place them within charming jars adorned with delicate feathers, resulting in unique and striking artistic creations.

Unveiling the Magic of Sand Art: Amidst the summer sunshine, campers ventured into the enchanting realm of Sand Art. With a palette of colorful sand at their fingertips, they embarked on a journey of imagination and creativity, using their artistic flair to craft intricate designs and vibrant patterns that mirrored their playful spirits.

Feathered Jars: An Artistic Accent: To house their captivating sand creations, campers adorned cool jars with feathers, adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to their artwork. The soft, feathery embellishments beautifully complemented the vibrant hues of the sand designs, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of their masterpieces.

Creative Expression Unleashed: The campers embraced their artistic freedom, exploring various techniques and patterns with the sand. As they layered colors and blended textures, each creation became a unique reflection of their individuality and imaginative prowess.

Fostering Artistic Exploration: The activity wasn't merely about creating art; it was a celebration of exploration and self-expression. Campers were encouraged to experiment, mix colors, and let their creativity flow freely, resulting in an array of stunning sand designs nestled within charming feathered jars.

As the sand settled and the jars adorned with feathers sparkled in the summer sun, a sense of pride and accomplishment radiated from the campers' faces. Their unique Sand Art and feathered jar creations stood as testament to their creativity, dedication, and joyful artistic spirits.

The 2 Soul Sisters Summer Art Camp's venture into Sand Art, coupled with the charming addition of feathered jars, was a vibrant fusion of creativity and imagination. Campers not only crafted visually stunning artworks but also experienced the joy of exploration and self-expression—a true testament to the boundless possibilities of artistic endeavors.

 1965 and 1969

#KimandKarenArt

#KimandKarenArtEducationBlog

Crafting Creativity: Exploring Round Clay Ornaments in Upper Elementary Art Class

In our upper elementary art class, creative sparks flew as students embarked on an enchanting journey of clay craftsmanship. This lesson plan revolved around creating round clay ornaments using slab rolling techniques, adorned with vibrant acrylic paints, and sealed to preserve their artistic expressions. Additionally, students delved into the world of ceramic vocabulary, enriching their artistic vocabulary while crafting memorable ornaments.

Unveiling the Clay Canvas: Excitement filled the art room as students familiarized themselves with the slab rolling technique. Using clay as their canvas, they deftly manipulated the slabs to create rounded shapes for their ornaments. The process of rolling out the clay encouraged tactile learning, fine-tuning their motor skills, and introduced them to the possibilities of clay artistry.

Exploration through Ceramic Vocabulary: The lesson seamlessly integrated the exploration of ceramic vocabulary. Students were introduced to terminology such as:

• Clay body: The type and composition of the clay used.
• Slab rolling: The technique of flattening clay into sheets or slabs.
• Kiln: A high-temperature oven used to fire clay creations.
• Glaze: A glass-like coating applied to fired ceramics for color and protection. Explanation of using acrylic paint instead of glazes. You can also watercolor on the bisqued pieces too!
• 
  
• Clear coat: A sealing finish applied to preserve and enhance the final artwork.

Colorful Expressions with Acrylic Paints: Once the clay ornaments were shaped, fired, and cooled, students unleashed their creativity with acrylic paints. Vibrant colors danced across the rounded canvases as students meticulously painted their designs, infusing life and personality into their creations. The painting process encouraged self-expression and artistic freedom, resulting in a myriad of beautifully adorned ornaments.

Preservation and Final Touch: To ensure the longevity of their artwork, students carefully applied a clear coat to seal their painted ornaments. This final step not only protected their designs but also enhanced the colors and textures, adding a subtle sheen to their creations—a testament to their craftsmanship.

As each student completed their round clay ornaments, the classroom buzzed with pride and accomplishment. The joyous faces and gleaming ornaments were a testament to their creativity, dedication, and newfound understanding of ceramic vocabulary. We have a hair dryer available if anyone needs it to help the drying process while they are layering the colors.

The round clay ornament lesson plan was a splendid fusion of creativity, ceramic education, and artistic expression. Through the hands-on process of creating, painting, and sealing, our upper elementary students not only crafted beautiful keepsakes but also expanded their artistic horizons and vocabulary.

1969 - Thanks Cathy Hicks for letting us share your lower school art lesson! We loved it and thought our readers would too!