How to Make a Paw Print Keepsake or Ornament (Only 3 Ingredients)

A few days ago, I saw the simplest way to make a DIY Keepsake Paw Print Ornament. And immediately I knew that it was the perfect, almost no-cost way to give a gift from the heart (or to keep the kids happy during the holidays).

Editor Cat has been nudging me to write a Christmas blog post, so she volunteered to help create this pictorial guide.

Editor Cat grabbed flour, salt, food colouring, cookie cutters, and measuring cup

Ingredients

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1.5 cups salt

food colouring

1 cup water

Directions

In a med-large bowl, mix together flour and salt.

TIP: Add a few drops of food colouring to water first

Add a few drops of food colouring to 1 cup of water. 

Note: the video shows food colouring being added later on, but I found the colour to be more uniform if it is added to the water first.

Add coloured water gradually to flour-salt mixture until a doughy ball begins to form.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth. Then flatten it with your hands.

TIP: I used a sheet of wax paper and the side of a glass to roll the dough out. I aimed for dough to be about a 1/3-inch thick.

Flatten dough by hand or use my wax paper and glass trick / © 2015 RoseWrites

Next, ensure your oven racks are set so that the ornaments will bake in the center and preheat oven to 275 F (135 C).

Editor Cat allowing me to push her paw into salt dough to create a keepsake
© 2015 RoseWrites / All rights reserved 

Editor Cat insisted I gently push her paws into the dough. You could use a round cup to cut out the paw prints or cookie cutters. We tried a few different cookie cutter shapes. 

Use a cookie cutter, glass, or butter knife to outline paw print and poke a hole

Use a skewer or toothpick (or similar pointy thing) to create a hole for a string (or a nail).

Carefully lift (use a spatula) the paw print shapes onto a parchment paper-lined or foil-lined pan and bake for 10 minutes. Allow the ornaments to cool completely (I propped them up on the sides of forks).

After adding a decorative string, hang your keepsake up on the wall or Christmas tree or place in gift box.

Note: This works well with baby feet too.

Editor Cat Selects Her Favourite Paw Print Ornament / © 2015 RoseWrites

Editor Cat Puts Paw Print Ornament on Christmas Tree / © 2015 RoseWrites

Wishing You & Yours a Happy Holiday Season. Love, Editor Cat