Several weeks ago, the girls were playing with Sculpey clay, and I found myself creating a small thatched cottage reminiscent of the one on a music box my grandmother used to have. The children admired it, but it needed a green background, perhaps a small map of Ireland.
That night, on the internet, we discovered a source for cookie cutters in the shape of Ireland, not to mention a large Celtic Cross. Our Sculpey palette included: Ivory (501), Lt. Blue Pearl (1103), Tan (301), Emerald (323), Black, Yellow, and one other lighter shade of green. (You bakers out there might prefer to make these as cookies with marzipan embellishments!) The photos below show a step-by-step guide to these quick and easy projects:
Alice,
These are gorgeous -- Sculpey is so much fun for hte kids to work with and really holds up well. We did our Jesse Tree ornaments with it and they're in great shape. Maybe we'll do the Lenten Journey tree with sculpey?
Thanks for sharing this idea and getting this Mama thinking!
Posted by: Mary G in Greenville | February 14, 2006 at 08:01 AM
Thanks indeed! Great project, Alice. And Mary, you're right -- Sculpey would be so much better for our Jesse Tree. We did ours out of salt dough and many of them have broken.
Posted by: Karen E. | February 14, 2006 at 09:18 AM
Beautiful! Ds saw them and now I gotta go get some sculpey!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Theresa | February 14, 2006 at 09:27 AM
Only you, my dear...never in a million years would a craft as charming as this occur to me. You have such a gift.
Now listen, you have GOT to get down here for a visit--our local living history museum has a replica Irish thatched cottage exactly like your creation! Complete with friendly kitty curled up at the hearth, and a spinning wheel in the corner...I always expect to see Auld Mary there!
Posted by: Lissa | February 14, 2006 at 06:18 PM
>Now listen, you have GOT to get down >here for a visit--our local living history >museum has a replica Irish thatched >cottage exactly like your creation!
Wow, I wish I could pack my bags right now.
Many thanks for the kind words, everyone!
Posted by: Alice Gunther | February 14, 2006 at 07:08 PM
How pretty!
This Celtic proud family needs an Ireland cookie cutter... must have one!
ERIN GO BRAGH!!!
Posted by: Ann | February 14, 2006 at 07:41 PM
These are so pretty! My dh's family is from County Kerry.
Posted by: Rebecca | February 16, 2006 at 09:52 PM
Alice, once again, your talents astound me! Truly inspiring and beautiful, love the creations, and Margarets are stunning as well! Thanks for sharing these links, I'm off to order now!
Hugs, M.
Posted by: Happyheartsmom | February 23, 2006 at 02:10 PM
Many thanks, Meredith!
Posted by: Alice Gunther | February 23, 2006 at 03:47 PM
What a great project. Of course I had to order the cutters right away. Off to buy Sculpey. Thanks for sharing your lovely ideas I benefit greatly from your creativity.
Posted by: Mary Ellen | February 23, 2006 at 05:26 PM
Thanks Mary Ellen--and welcome home!!!
Posted by: Alice Gunther | February 24, 2006 at 12:31 AM
Oh, so delightful, Alice! I love to see the results when the creative juices flow in your house! And because of your Irish heritage I love to get inspired by your ideas esp. for this feast day!
Posted by: Jenn Miller | March 07, 2006 at 09:55 AM