Cinnamon Clay

1 cup cinnamon
1 tbsp cloves
1 tbsp nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce (well drained)
2 tbsp white glue

Mix cnnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue. Work mixture with hands until smooth and well mixed. Divide into four portions. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness between two pieces of waxed paper. Cut with cookie cutters. Use a straw to make holes if you want to hang your ornaments. Put on a wire rack to dry at room temperature for several days. Turn twice daily so they don't curl. Hang with ribbon or colored yarn.

You can also dry the ornaments in a slow oven at 250 degrees until hard and dry.

Dough for Cookie Cutter Decorations

1 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
1-1/4 cups cold water

Combine dry ingredients in a saucepan. Gradually add water until the mixture is smooth. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a moist, mashed potato consistency. Turn onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth. When it is cool enough to handle, knead the dough.

Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Dip the cutters in baking soda and shake before cutting.

If you plan to hang the decorations, pierce a hole with a hollow coffee stirrer or a soda straw before they dry. Allow the dough shapes to dry for several days at room temperature on a cooling rack. They can be painted with markers or paint.