Christmas Craft Clay Recipe

In a large saucepan, mix together two cups flour, two cups salt, two cups water, two tablespoons cream of tartar and two tablespoons cooking oil. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly for one or two minutes. The mixture will start to clump immediately. Keep stirring and remove from the heat when it reaches a dough-like consistency. If it gets too dry, add some more water and/or a drop of oil. Let the mixture cool until it can be handled. Knead it well until it's smooth (add more water if necessary or reheat if it's too sticky). Divide dough into separate plastic bags. Add food coloring and knead it well inside the bag to get an even color. Use the dough and cookie cutters to make homemade ornaments, figurines, door plaques, candleholders, kitchen magnets, etc. After cutting and making a hole with a skewer or pencil tip, let the pieces dry completely and coat with polyurethane to protect.

Tip: Be sure to store the extra dough in airtight containers or it will dry out.