Last night I decided to make some cinnamon applesauce ornaments. I used to make these as a kid, and they were always fun to do. If you've never made them before, you should, at least once. The recipe is simple ... equal parts cinnamon and applesauce, with a bit of white glue (mix the glue with the applesauce before adding the cinnamon). I add in just a bit of ground cloves and nutmeg too, because I like the extra zip they add to the scent.
Keep extra cinnamon and extra applesauce handy, in case you need to add a bit more of either one during the process. While the recipe is easy, working with the "dough" can be a challenge. If it's too applesaucey, you'll have a hard time picking up the cut ornaments, and if it's too cinnamony it will be very crumbly and hard to roll out. Patience is most certainly required. But the results are fun, and your home will smell soooooo good!
Mix the dough really well with your hands, then roll it out to about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Cut out with 2"- 4" cookie cutters. You can use a drinking straw to cut holes in the dough for hanging, or you can wiggle the flat end of a toothpick to create a hole. Just be careful! You can easily split the dough. If that happens, press the crack in the dough together gently. The glue in the dough should keep it from cracking once dry. For drying, you can either let them sit out for a few days, turning often, or you can dry them in a warm oven (200* or less), turning at least once per hour, until they're dry. The results are a rustic and very scented holiday ornament perfect for hanging on the tree, or adding to the top of a special gift. I added a bit of glitter to mine once they were dry, and the effect is perfect.
Google "cinnamon applesauce ornaments" and you'll find all kinds of info online about making them (and probably other recipes, too).
Now for the extra crafty goodness I have to share with you!
I wanted to make a gingerbread shaped cinnamon ornament, but I don't have a gingerbread boy cookie cutter. So, I got to thinking .... I do have a Sizzix die cut in the shape of a gingerbread boy, the perfect size for a cinnamon ornament. Normally, I adhere glitter to die cuts using glue, so I thought I would try adding cinnamon to the die cut shape with glue to see if it worked. Guess what! It did!
I do have some recommendations for you if you try this for yourself. First, since the cinnamon doesn't adhere thickly to the glue, I found that it's best if you either use dark brown chipboard for your shape, OR ink it a dark brown before you add your glue and cinnamon. You'll get a much more realistic looking shape than if you leave the chipboard a pale color. Also, don't forget to ink the edges of the chipboard shape! Cute as can be, and he smells divine! This little guy is decorated with a red (hard to tell it's red) button and two holly leaves. Since he's not as delicate as a real applesauce cinnamon ornament, he'd be perfect worn as a little pin on a scarf or hat. Glue a pin to his backside, and you've got the perfect holiday scented pin!
