Every year around Christmas we hang mistletoe in one of the archways of our home. I always tell my kids that if they are caught under the mistletoe they can share a hug or say something kind. They love this idea. Now that our mistletoe is away for the season I thought it would be fun and add on to our salt dough suncatchers collection to create Heart Salt Dough Suncatchers and call them “Love Catchers”. Thanks to the creative Ana at Babble Dabble Do for the cute name idea. Spreading love around our home is a nice visual reminder that taking care of each other’s hearts is the most important thing we can do each and every day.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE HEART SALT DOUGH SUNCATCHERS

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

transparent pony beads

parchment paper

cookie tray

string or twine

2 heart cookie cutters (1 large, 1 small)

glitter

oven or toaster oven

AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT

fine motor development

color exploration

creativity

artistic expression

scientific exploration (what happens when beads are heated)

HOW TO MAKE HEART SALT DOUGH SUNCATCHERS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Begin by mixing together the flour, salt and water to make the salt dough. Roll out dough and make hearts using a large heart cookie cutter . Using a small heart cookie cutter make a small heart in the center of each large heart.

Using a spatula carefully lift each star onto a cookie tray covered with parchment paper . Set up a table with transparent pony beads and the tray of salt dough hearts.

Fill the middle of the hearts with the transparent pony beads. Try to make sure that there are no spaces left between the pony beads. Add a small hole to the top of each love catcher. You can simply use the point of a knife or a small straw to add the hole.

Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 1.5 hours or until the beads are melted together. Remember oven temperatures can vary it may take a longer or shorter amount of time. The salt dough will turn a light to dark brown color. You may smell a slight melting plastic smell. Make sure you are cooking the heart salt dough suncatchers in a well ventilated area. If you are concerned about the fumes many readers have had success using their outdoor grill or a toaster oven on a porch. Let cool completely.

Next we brushed glue on the baked salt dough suncatchers (not the melted bead part) and generously sprinkle with glitter . If you do not want to use glitter paint is a great option! Once dry string the Heart Salt Dough Suncatchers and hang around your home. We hope our Love Catchers bring lots of love to your home!