Money well spent

If you have to spend $9,000 on a new foundation, it's a real plus if it's done by two good looking twenty something guys who sing while they work...

Beyond scrapbooking with Pazzles

I can't believe there are so few people out there using their cutters for art and crafts? Would love to see what others are doing...here's an example of my candles...

A lovely start to the day

Can you dream calories?

One should never watch the Food Network after making a ho-hum dinner. I will be dreaming of Coconut Cream pie, cinnabuns, Hash and eggs......My hips will be 10 inches bigger when I wake up tommorrow

How to Make Cookie Cutters

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are various kits you can buy to help you make your own cookie cutters. Here's an easy way that uses materials you probably have in your home already.

Steps

1. Draw straight lines onto the bottom of an aluminum lasagna pan going lengthwise, using a ruler and permanent marker to be sure the edges are straight. Make the lines at least 1" apart and fill up as much of the bottom of the pan as possible.
   
2. Using your heavy duty scissors, cut the sides off the aluminum pan and then cut out your strips that you drew onto the bottom of the pan. Be careful, cutting aluminum can give you cuts and nicks in your fingers. Wearing gloves is a good idea.
   
3. Set aside your 1" aluminum strips and start designing on your paper. Keep in mind that you only have as much length as your strips to work with. To help you gauge the size of your designs, draw out your design on paper and then use string to measure the outline. Hold the string up to the strip and see if the strip is long enough. Also, since you're working with metal, give 1"-2" allowance for curves and so you can properly close your cookie cutters when you're finished shaping them.
   
4. Take one of your 1" aluminum strips and start molding it around your design. To help make curves, use pens or cups. To make 90 degree edges, use table edges or your ruler. Use anything around the house, just be creative!
   
5. To close your cookie cutter, overlap the ends of the aluminum strips and staple together more than once (three times is a charm!).
   
6. Use a metal file to grind down any nicks and burrs on the edges that will hurt you. Wash and dry your cutter thoroughly before cutting out your cookie dough.
   

Tips

• For sturdier cookie cutters, go to a hardware store and buy some 1" copper or aluminum ribbon. These will last forever, but to seal the ends together, you will need 2-sided tape and some clamps to hold the ends together as it sets. Wash these metal strips in soap and water before taping together, as they may have oil on them that would interfere with the tape bonding.
  
• To help fold the ribbon into the design, first draw out the design on paper. Then, trace the pattern onto wood and cut out the piece of wood. Mold the ribbon around the wood. Alternatively, you can cut out the design on 3-5 pieces of cardboard and tape them together instead of using wood.
  
• Don't have too many long skinny parts or tight curves, as these won't translate well to a cookie. Remember you are making cookie cutters and details will be lost when you bake the cookie dough because it expands in the oven.
  
• If you want to reuse the cookie cutters or store them away, don't pile anything on top of them that could deform the shape.
  
• Washing your cutters by hand will help them last longer.
  

Warnings

• Cutting aluminum metal will give you small cuts or nicks on your fingers, even if you're careful.
  
• Not recommended for small children.
  
• The permanent marker will smudge a bit because it doesn't adhere to aluminum too well, but it will be easy to clean off once your cookie cutters are finished.
  
• Once finished, the cookie cutters will be a bit fragile. Be careful when cutting the cookies, as the cutter may deform somewhat.
  

Things You'll Need

• Large Disposable Aluminum Lasagna or Roasting Pan (Rectangular is best)
  
• Heavy Duty Scissors
  
• Permanent Marker
  
• Ruler
  
• Stapler
  
• Paper (to draw your designs on)
  
• String
  
• Newspaper or Cardboard to cover the work surface
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Bake Cookies
  
• How to Make Christmas Ornaments with Dough
  
• How to Make Gingerbread Men Cookies
  
• How to Make Rice Sandwiches
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make Cookie Cutters. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Secondhand lion

Icesis on the farm

ignorance is bliss?

Lately (for the last 6 months), it is a nightly ritual to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with my Mom. I can't believe how dumb I've become about current events since I stopped reading the newspaper and watching the nightly news on a regular basis.

extreme makeover

Soulmates

From the first time I saw Lorraine smile from the window of her RV, I knew she would be my friend. Nothing stood in the way of that friendship over the years...Not language, disabilities, miles...not even the death of Romeo, her husband and also a special friend.
I got to see her in person today and my heart is full. friendship just does that
Thank you, Lorraine

Found the stair runners at the estate sale next door
We've moved into the Master bedroom though there are a few things yet to be done

Estate & Garage sales

I love being a buyer...hunting for pieces at pennies on the dollar exhilarates me. All the more reason, never to be a seller. People like me will never pay you full price...so get real. Don't put your priceless antiques out. I don't carry hundreds of dollars with me to sales and I probably will insult you if you say "make an offer".
If I do happen to walk away with one of your items (DIRT CHEAP)I will give it a loving home because I've learned after too many years to only buy what I love because I will probably be stuck with it forever....