Bread Dough Pumpkins

Thanks to Jill Lane in Virginia for this cute autumn craft idea!

Mix until smooth:

2 cups white flour
1 cup salt
3/4 cup hot water

If the dough is still a little sticky, add more flour.  If too dry, add more water until it's easy to handle.  Knead until the dough is elastic.  Make a ball, flatten it a bit and use a knife to make creases in the pumpkin.  Stick a twig in the top for a stem.  Bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes.  It might be a good idea to let them dry even more overnight before painting them.

Paint pumpkins and add raffia or ribbon bows to the stems.

Aren't they cute?

                                                                Jill Lane's photo

Here's another version of making bread dough pumpkins, using lacquer and glitter as well:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4487349_make-salt-dough-pumpkins.html