By Lisa Pavelka
Create a photo frame ornament destined to become a cherished keepsake quickly and easily using Fimo Soft. Just follow the directions to make the Christmas Snowflake, Hanukkah Star or the Kwanza Flower variations.

MATERIALS:
Fimo Soft Clay: Christmas Variation-Silver #81, Metallic Red #202, Tropical Green #53; Hanukkah Variation - Metallic Gold # 112, Brilliant Blue #33, White #0; Kwanza Variation-Black #9, Indian Red #24, Emerald #56.
Amaco Pasta Machine
Amaco PolyBlade
Teardrop leaf cutters (from Kemper Tool) K46: 1 ¾”, 1 3/8”, and 1” or follow the direction to create a cutting template
1¾”Circle cookie cutter (from Ateco) or make a circle cutting template from instructions
X-Acto type craft knife
Needle Tool or skewer Small, round coffer straw 8” x 8” or larger ceramic work/baking tile Optional:Ball tip stylus, Fimo Gloss Lacquer

1. Condition each color (starting from lightest to darkest) by rolling through the largest setting of the pasta machine a few times. Make sheets of all three colors by rolling through the 3rd largest setting of the machine.

2. Cut out six teardrop shapes using the largest cutter. To make your own cutting templates, trace the teardrop and circle shapes onto a piece of waxed paper or deli wrap and cut out with scissors. Use these templates to place over the clay and cut around with your craft knife.

Tip: it’s helpful to place the flattened clay on a deli sheet or waxed paper when cutting out the shapes. This makes it easy to lift the shape from the paper backing after cutting without stretching and distorting the clay.

3. Repeat Step 2 to create six medium and six small teardrops from the remaining two colors. If desired, texture can be added to one or more petals.

Tips for adding texture:

4. Once all 18 teardrops have been cut, stack them from largest to smallest, leaving approximately ¼” of clay exposed from under the edges of the clay placed on top.

5. Roll up the outer edges of the largest teardrop inwards and lightly press together to form a fluted end.

6. Position the six, layered teardrops into a circle on your baking tile. The largest teardrop edges should touch, but not overlap. Once these are evenly spaced, cut out the center using the circle cookie cutter or paper template and remove the excess clay.

7. Roll a 1/8” diameter snake of clay using the same color as the outer teardrop. Gently press the snake against the inside edge of the frame opening. Trim away excess clay. Decorate and secure the snake by pressing vertical or angled lines every eighth of an inch, using the needle tool/skewer.

8. Roll six - 3/8” diameter balls of clay using the same color as the smallest teardrop. Press a ball over the outer tip of each teardrop, slightly flattening with your finger. Make a hole with a small coffee straw in one of the circle ends. Bake the ornament on the work tile for 30 minutes at 275ºF. When cool, gently slide the PolyBlade underneath to remove it from tile. Tape a picture on the back and add a ribbon.