We make a lot of gifts for people. I think its more personal and usually theyre toys weve got ourselves so tired and tested. Well we had a lovely birthday party for one of lovely girls friends so I thought wed make some more salt dough beads.

Theyre very easy to make. But I have learnt one thing: make a small hole in the middle of the bead before cooking that way when they expand they dont crack on the outside they expand into that hole. Then drill them, make more than you need as you’ll loose a few. I used an M6 drill bit…

So make salt dough. 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup water. Roll into bead shapes. MAKE HOLE IN CENTRE! Stick in oven for a few hours on a low heat. When cooled drill. Then paint and doodle on.

We bought a plastic jar (toddler safe!) made a lable added laces and da da pressie to love!

Brown bag crown.

Chop bottom off brown paper bag. Fold down and down until it looks like a reath.
Cut circles from tissue paper, dollies, whatever you have. Get kids.to stick them together.to make flowers. When you have 10 or so flowers stick them to your crown.

And ta da. A beautiful May day crown. Lovely girl loved this so much we will certainly be doing lots more flowers!!