TUESDAY’S DISPLAY CHAIN ON WEDNESDAY - “T0 SHARE”–RUSTY COOKIE CUTTER ORNAMENTS

Since many of us are browsing through magazines and looking online for holiday ideas such as gifts, decorating ideas & recipes, let’s give a little of ourselves here through Blogland.  For this week’s Tuesday Display Chain we were “To Share” a Holiday Inspiration, tutorial, recipe, etc.  Visit Misi at 1890 Gable House Musings and check out her display, along with those of the others that are participating. 
 
This is my first year to decorate a tree with a prim theme.  As I was looking for inexpensive ideas I saw a photo of a tree decorated with old cookie cutters and dried orange slices.  I loved the look, but did not have any old cookie cutters, and the ones I saw at antique stores were pricey for a large quantity.  I was in Walmart and found a package of 18 cookie cutters for $9 – but they were shiny and certainly not prim looking.  I bought some anyway, thinking I would try to find a way to age them.  I searched online and found several links to instructions for rusting safety pins and bells and thought this should work for the cookie cutters, as well.  It worked out great so I would like to share what I did, for those of you who are interested. 
 


RUSTING COOKIE CUTTERS

Items needed:
    cookie cutters
    bleach
    cider vinegar
    salt
    Spray Acrylic – matte finish
    strips of homespun for hanging

1.  Layer the cookie cutters in a plastic or glass container (I used a plastic shoe box).  (I also set the shoe box inside a larger plastic container to prevent spills.)
2.  Sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of salt over the cookie cutters.
3.  Pour bleach in next, covering the cookie cutters about half way.
4.  Pour in enough vinegar to cover the cookie cutters.
5.  Let them sit for 2-3 days.  (I put mine outside as the fumes were strong.)
6.  Remove from solution (I used tongs) and place on newspaper in the sun for 2-3 days.  (They will continue to rust after removing from the solution.)
7.  When they have achieved the look you want, spray with matte finish acrylic and let dry.
8.  Tie homespun on cookie cutters and they are ready to hang on your tree. 
 


I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season.

Christmas Blessings,
Sue