Please BUMP if you like what you see or just to bump it so others may benefit from some cheap and easily made holiday gifts!
Holiday Gifts you can make!
Wooden Box
Materials: 1 small, hinged, wooden box, craft paints, stencils, paint brushes. (see below for more ideas on how to decorate the box)
Directions: #1 Paint the box & let dry. #2 Stencil a motif on the box and allow to dry. You’re done!
There are many ways this craft can be done. You can paint the box, or stencil it with a certain motif, varnish the box, hodgepodge the box, use a wood burning iron to burn in details (heart, tree, etc), using wooden glue attach painted wooden shapes to the box. This gift idea is a great way to showcase your creativity! You can also use cardboard boxes. Both the wooden and cardboard boxes can be found at craft stores and are very inexpensive.
Bath Soap Crayons
Materials: White bar of soap, food colorings, water, cheese grater.
Directions: Using a cheese grater, grate an entire bar of soap into a bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring and water and mix well. Form into a ball with the consistency of play-dough. If needed, add more water, a drop or two at a time. Cut up into approximately 1” thick crayons (for best results). Place crayons onto a paper towel overnight to dry. You’re done!
Ragball Apple Wreath
Materials: 9- 3" Styrofoam balls, 1- 12" x 1-1/4 x 3/4 styrofoam wreath ring, 44/45" wide cotton fabric, 1- 1/4 yd. dark red, 3- 1/8 yd. coordinating red prints, 1- 1/8 yd. green
1- 2-1/2 yds. #9 coordinating ribbon, 2- 18" lengths floral wire, 9- 1-1/2" cinnamon sticks, serrated knife, yardstick, scissors, pencil, tacky glue or glue gun and glue sticks.
Directions: Cut a 2” slice from each ball to flatten bottom of apple. Next, cut the following fabric strips of width of the fabric (44 or 45”). From dark red, cut four 1 ½ inch strips to cover the wreath ring and four ¾” strips to cover 2 balls; from 3 coordinating prints, cut six ¾” strips to cover 6 balls. Wrap 1 piece of floral wire around the top of the wreath ring, making a loop for the hanger. Using thick glue at the beginning and end of each strip, wrap 1 ½” wide dark red strips around wreath; cover wire around wreath ring, leaving loop uncovered. Use the same process to cover apples with ¾” fabric strips, using 2 strips per apple. Cut 18 leaves from green fabric. Punch a ¾” hole in top of each apple with a paring knife. Dip end of cinnamon stick in glue and insert in hole for apple stem. Glue 2 leaves at base of stem. Glue flat bottoms of apples to wreath alternating fabric patterns. For additional bow tails, cut an 18” length ribbon; set aside. Make bow with eight 3 ½” loops, a 1” center loop, one 2” tail and one 4” tail; twist wire around center of bow to secure. Fold 18” tail in half; secure to back of bow with wire. Cut 2” and 4” tails at a slant. Cut ends of longer tails in a “V”. Secure bow to bottom center of wreath by wrapping wire ends around wreath. If desired, apply drop of cinnamon oil to cinnamon sticks; reapply as needed to enhance aroma.
Candyland Holiday Tree
Materials: Styrofoam cone (any size), cardboard circle or plate for base, assorted candies: jellies, starlight peppermints, hard candy, mini marshmallows, jelly beans, ribbon candy, etc., Star or other decorated cookie for top.
Icing (Makes 3 cups)
3 cups of powdered/confectioner's sugar & 6-7 tablespoons of warm water.
The trick to perfect icing is to start with a spotlessly clean and grease-free mixing bowl and electric beaters. Put sugar into a deep bowl; add the water a little at a time and beat until icing forms peaks (about 8-10 minutes with a heavy duty mixer, or 10-12 minutes with a handheld mixer). The icing doesn't need to be refrigerated, but it sets up quickly so keep it covered with a damp cloth while it is being used or store it in an airtight container. Re-beat at low speed before using again. The icing can be tinted using food coloring. I suggest that this be added in to replace some of the water and only add a drop at a time until desired color is reached
Directions for Assembling the Tree:
This is so easy and the results so spectacular, you're going to love it! The icing is used like glue throughout the entire process. It usually sets up within a minute, so assembly is quick and easy. This project is excellent for young children.
Spread a generous tablespoonful of the icing in the middle of the cardboard circle or plate. Place the styrofoam cone on the icing and allow to set for 10 minutes. Test to make sure it is secure before continuing. You may either spread the icing on the cone with a butter knife or spoon it into plastic baggies and snip off one lower corner to create a "pastry bag." I used the pastry bag method, which is less messy. Starting at the bottom and working in rows, spread a thick line of icing all around the bottom of the cone. Press an assortment of candies and mini marshmallows into the icing and allow to set. Spread another thick line of icing all around the cone just above the line of candies you've just created. Press more candies into this line of icing to create the second row. Continue in the same fashion until you reach the top! If you'd like to place a star or other decorated cookie near the top, be certain to glue it in place with the icing several rows BEFORE you fill in with candy. When you reach the decorated cookie, fit the candies around it.
Festive Scrappy Wreath
Materials Needed: One 9" metal ring, 1/4 yard green plaid fabric, 1/4 yard of red plaid fabric, 1/4 yard of alternate green plaid fabric, 1/4 yard of alternate red plaid fabric, 1/8 yard red contrasting fabric for bow, pinking shears, scissors.
Directions: Use pinking shears to cut all four fabric pieces into 1 1/2" x 9" strips (1/4 yard should yield 30 strips). Take one strip and simply tie once around any section of the metal ring, making sure the ends are approximately the same length. Continue this tying procedure alternating pattterns and colors with the balance of the strips, placing them closely side by side all the way around the ring. When finished, your ring should be completely covered. Use pinking shears to trim both long sides of the 1/8th yard of fabric for bow. Tie once around any area of the metal ring and complete by tying a nice large bow. Twist bow to have right side of fabric showing in the front, then use pinking shears to trim off ends evenly at an angle. Glue edges of bow to wreath, if necessary, to hold in place. May further embellish by adding ornaments or other ribbon. Complete your wreath by fluffing and pulling strip ends until you get desired fullness.
See pic here:
http://www.cranstonvillage.com/proje...l.aspx?id=1030
BATH Tea
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup rosemary leaves (or substitute lavender, thyme, lemon verbena...or your favorite herb)
1/4 cup rose petals [optional --JJnotes: *not optional* :-)]
Mix the ingredients together and, for each sachet, place a few tablespoons in the center of a six-inch square of lace, cheesecloth or muslin [JJ notes: I've used the muslin tea bags that better kitchen stores carry, or make my own using a *firmly woven* muslin/cheesecloth fabric--you don't want the contents of the bag getting down the drain!!] If you're using a square of fabric...bring the four corners together and tie in the middle with a washable ribbon, making sure that the mixture is secure in your bath. Tie the bag to hang sachet mixture in a honey pot in the bathroom and refill sachet as necessary. Each bag can be used several times before it needs refilling. Oatmeal is very good for the skin but by itself is not particularly attractive, which is why I add rose petals. The Rose petals complement the oatmeal and add a little more fragrance to the mix.
Kitchen Potpourri
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 cup whole allspice
10 cinnamon sticks, each 3" long, broken into pieces
8 small bay leaves
4 whole nutmegs
3 Tbsp. star anise
2 Tbsp. whole cardamom pods
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mixing well. Store indefinitely at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
Candy Cookie Mix
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon powdered vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed, making sure all brown sugar lumps are crushed. Store in an airtight container. If you want to give this mix as a gift, attach the following instructions to the jar:
Candy Cookie Mix
1 cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Cookie Mix
1 cup candy bar chunks (peanut butter cups, chocolate candy bars or chocolate chunks
Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the Candy Cookie Mix and candy bar chunks and blend on low just until the cookie mix is incorporated. Form the cookies into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Remove from oven, and cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Makes three dozen cookies.
Friendship Soup Mix
1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup alphabet macaroni (or other small pasta)
In a 1-1/2-pint jar, layer the first eight ingredients in the order listed. Seal tightly.
Yield: 1 package (can also be stored in a Ziplock-type bag or container)
To give as a gift, include the following instructions on your gift tag:
Friendship Soup Mix
1 package Layered Friendship Soup Mix
1 pound ground beef
3 quarts water
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, un-drained
Carefully remove macaroni from top of jar and set aside. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown beef; drain. Add the water, tomatoes and soup mix; bring to a boil Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Add reserved macaroni; cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender. Yield: 16 servings (4 quarts)
Hot Cocoa Mix
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 dash of salt
Miniature marshmallows or cream, optional. Combine all ingredients and store in a in tightly sealed container. Makes about 4 cups of hot cocoa mix.
Directions (print out and attach to jar)
Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix to a mug and fill with hot water. Stir to blend. Add some marshmallows or cream.
Gifts In A Jar Tips
Sometimes we like to add some miniature marshmallows to the mix and then fill a quart jar with the cocoa mix and miniature marshmallows combination.
Attach the directions and decorate for gift-giving.
Add a circle of holiday fabric which has been trimmed with pinking shears and tie with some raffia or ribbon.
You can also attach a peppermint stick or candy cane to top of the jar with the raffia or ribbon.
Italian Pasta & Bean Soup Mix
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/2 cup dried pink beans
1/2 cup dried kidney beans
1 cup small egg pasta bows
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon instant chicken broth, granules
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Place beans into a 3 1/2 cup jar (layer or mix together) with a tight-fitting lid. (Don’t forget, you can store these mixes in an airtight container or zippered plastic bag). Place pasta in a ziplock baggie and place on top of the beans. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl and place in a small ziplock baggie.
Include the following recipe:
Italian Pasta and Bean Soup Mix
Remove pasta and seasoning packets. Rinse beans. Cover with water and soak overnight. Rinse and place in a 5-quart Dutch oven with 8 cups water, 1 can (28-ounces) crushed tomatoes, seasoning packet and 1 cup each of coarsely chopped carrot, celery and onion. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours or until beans are tender-firm. Uncover, increase heat to medium-low and boil gently for 35 minutes, stirring until soup has thickened slightly. Stir in pasta, increase heat to medium and cook 10 minutes longer or until pasta is tender.
Snowman Soup Mix
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
1 handful of miniature marshmallows
1 candy cane
Put items in a mug and wrap with cellophane.
Include this poem:
Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!
Cake in a Coffee Mug
This recipe will make 8 or 9 coffee mug gifts.
1 (18.25 ounce) box cake mix any flavor
1 small box instant pudding mix (not sugar free), any flavor
Place dry cake mix and dry pudding mix into a large bowl and blend well with a whisk. This will be about 4 to 4 1/2 cups dry mix and will make 8 or 9 coffee cup cake mixes. Place 1/2 cup dry mix into a sandwich bag. Place mix into a corner of the bag and tie it there with a twist tie. Continue making packets until all your dry mix is used.
Suggested Flavor Combinations
Lemon cake mix - lemon pudding
Yellow cake mix - chocolate pudding
Devils food cake mix - chocolate pudding
Pineapple cake mix - coconut pudding
Butterscotch cake mix - butterscotch pudding
Select a large coffee mug. Make sure that it contains no metallic paint as it will be used in the microwave. Check it to ensure that it holds 1 1/2 cups of water.
(I got my mugs at the dollar store for 50 cents a piece!)
Glaze Mix
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dry flavoring such as powered lemonade drink mix, cocoa powder, etc.)
Place the glaze mix ingredients into a sandwich bag and tie into corner of bag. Label this bag Glaze Mix and attach it to the other bag with a twist tie.
Place one baggie cake mix and one baggie glaze mix in each coffee cup. Now attach the following baking instructions to each coffee cup:
Bake a cake in a coffee cup. Generously spray inside of coffee cup with cooking spray. Empty contents of large packet into cup. Add 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon water to dry mix. Mix for 15 seconds, carefully mixing in all the dry mix. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. While cake is cooking, place ingredients from Glaze Mix into a very small container and add 1 1/2 teaspoons water. Mix well. When cake is done, pour glaze over cake in cup. Enjoy while warm.
Gingerbread Cookie Mix in a Jar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the spices. In a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar layer the ingredients starting with the flour baking powder mixture, then the brown sugar, and finally the flour and spice mixture.
Attach a card to the jar with the following instructions:
Gingerbread Cookies
Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. Blend together well. Add 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 slightly beaten egg. Mix until completely blended. Dough will be very stiff so you may need to use your hands. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Decorate as desired.
Chocolate Chip Cookies Mix in a Jar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix the salt and baking soda in with the flour, then layer the ingredients into the jar. Attach a gift card with the following instructions:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients. Beat 1 cup of unsalted butter or margarine in a medium bowl. Beat sifted ingredients into butter until blended. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix beaten egg mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop teaspoonsful of batter, spaced well apart, onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar
Place following ingredients into an airtight jar or container.
1 cup uncooked fine egg noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/8 teaspoon celery seeds
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
Attach this recipe to the jar:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Entire contents of soup mix from the jar
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked diced chicken
Empty the soup mix from the jar and the water into a large stockpot. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chicken and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Pizza Mix in a Jar
2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 package (1 tablespoon) active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
Combine all ingredients. Place in an airtight jar or container.
Attach these instructions on a gift tag:
Pizza Makes two 12-inch pizzas
Contents of Pizza Dough Mix jar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup warm water
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon crushed oregano
Place the Pizza Dough Mix in a large bowl and add the olive oil and water. Beat with a wooden spoon or dough hook until mixture forms a ball. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 5 minutes. Transfer to a greased bowl and let the dough rise for 90 minutes. Divide the dough in half and pat into two 12-inch circles. For thin crust, fill and bake the pizzas now. For thicker crust, let pizzas rise 30 to 45 minutes. Top the pizza dough with tomato sauce, cheeses of your choice and crushed oregano. Drizzle olive oil over the pizzas. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Fire Starters
Pine cones
Candle Wax (available at craft stores)
Candle Fragrance of choice (pine, cedar work great...but experiment.. just don't use SOAP fragrance for this.)
Melt the candle wax in a double boiler. I usually use a coffee can in a pot of water. If there are any candlemakers out there, I'm sure they could offer suggestions. Add fragrance (and candle color, if using) and dip the pine cones. Let cool on a piece of wax paper. I usually package these in a tin from the Dollar Store.
Children’s Bath items
Fun in the Tub Finger Paints
1/3 c Mild Dishwashing Soap (Ivory works great)
1 Tbs. Cornstarch
2-3 drops of Food coloring
Mix cornstarch and liquid soap in bowl. Pour equal amounts into ice cube tray. Put drops of food coloring into each section and mix till blended.
Jelly Jar Bubbling Bath
3 packets of Unflavored Gelatin (we use Knox)
3/4 cup Water
1/2 cup Clear Liquid Soap or Bubble Bath
5-8 drops of Fragrance Oil - as desired
1-2 drops of Food Coloring - optional
Small objects (silk flowers, toys, small figures, etc.)
Empty the packets of gelatin into a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Heat water in a saucepan, just until boiling. Immediately remove water from heat source. Carefully pour the hot water into the large mixing bowl and gently mix with gelatin powder. Allow gelatin to completely dissolve by mixing well. This may take a few minutes. Slowly and gently stir in the liquid soap to the gelatin mixture. Add a drop of food coloring and 5-8 drops of fragrance oil. Be careful not to beat mixture or bath jelly will become foamy. Pour mixture into a clean, clear container with a lid. We use 8 oz jelly jars. If you desire, you can place a small toy or object inside container, nesting it inside jelly. Refrigerate until set (about 4 hours). For a quick gift idea: Tie a piece of ribbon or raffia to the jar and attach a gift card. If you use a canning jelly jar you can place round lace or printed material between the lid and the seal. It should hang over the seal approximately 1". To use: Scoop a small amount of jelly (1 - 2 Tbsp.) into your hand and hold under warm running water. Note: The container or object placed in the jelly can be adjusted to the likes and interests of the person you are making it for.
Soapsicles
8 oz. Unscented, Clear Glycerine Soap
1/4 Teaspoon each Cherry, Lime, Grape and Orange Fragrance Oil
Red, Orange, Green and Blue Food Coloring
Popsicle Molds
Popsicle Sticks
A Piece of cardboard or poster board
Paper clips.
Cut pieces of the cardboard a bit larger but the same shape as the popsicle mold (round or oblong) and cut a slit in the middle. Now divide the glycerin soap into 4 equal parts (2 oz each), melt one at a time in a small pan over low heat or in a glass cup in the microwave. Add cherry fragrance oil and 2 drops of red food coloring. Stir gently and pour into popsicle molds. Take one of the cardboard pieces you cut and put a stick thru it, using the paper clip so that the stick stops at the cardboard and doesn't fall all the way thru. Make the rest of the soapsicles in Orange, Lime and Grape (using 1 drop of red and 1 drop of blue food coloring) or make all the same flavor, using 1 Teaspoon of your favorite fragrance oil and 8-10 drops of coordinating food coloring. Put molds in freezer, when frozen remove from molds. This recipe yeilds 4 popsicles. Store in cellophane candy bags with a ribbon or a twist tie.
Scented Soap Crayons
1-3/4 Cups Ivory Snow Powder (Dreft works also)
1/4 Cup Water
50 Drops Food Coloring
10-20 Drops of Fragrance Oil (your choice)
Plastic candy molds or soap molds
Mix the soap powder and the water together in a large bowl. If you want many colors, pour small amounts of the mixture into separate bowls. Add the food coloring and oil and stir until the soap has the consistency of a very thick paste. Pour the mixture into the molds. Allow the crayons to harden (this will take a few days to a week). Pop the crayons out of the molds and allow to dry a few more days before using.
Chocolate Milk Bath
2 Tablespoons powdered cocoa
1 1/2 cups of nonfat powdered milk
1/2 cup baking soda
Place in a zipper plastic bag and shake until well blended. Pour into a decorative bottle. This recipe makes approximately 2 cups. For a fun gift idea, place the mix in a canning jar with a piece of round printed material or lace cut about 1 1/2" larger than the ring. Place the material between the seal and the ring. Wrap some raffia or curling ribbon around the neck and attach a gift tag.
Cookie-Cutter Soaps
4 cups Ivory Snow powdered detergent (any gentle care powder detergent will do (Dreft)
1/2 cup water
Vegetable oil ( olive, sunflower, sesame or apricot work great!!)
20 drops of essential or fragrance oil (your choice) (optional)
Food Coloring (Red, Blue or Green)
Pour the powdered detergent into the large bowl. Add water and fragrance, stirring with a wooden spoon until it forms a thick batter the consistency of sticky play dough. Divide the mixture among the 3 small bowls. Add 2 to 3 drops of food coloring to the dough in each bowl. (For a darker color, add more drops.) Coat your hands with vegetable oil. Work the color into the dough until it is completely blended. Wash your hands and apply more vegetable oil before mixing a new color.. Cover a flat, clutter-free surface with long sheets of waxed paper that overlap by 2 inches. Pour several teaspoons of vegetable oil into a saucer for dipping the cookie cutters. Have paper towels handy for cleanup. With clean, oiled hands, pat out each portion of soap dough 1 inch thick. Dip a cookie cutter into the oil and, pressing firmly, cut through the soap. Carefully remove the cookie cutter. (If the soap shape sticks to the cutter, gently remove it with your fingertips.) With a spatula, place the finished shapes on a baking sheet. **Keep an extra cup of powdered detergent on hand to add if the mixture is too sticky. ~ You may make 3 different fragrances. Use 10 drops of fragrance per color.
Blue Raspberry Shower Gel
3-4 cups distilled water
2 cups liquid castile soap
2 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
1 1/2 tsp. salt
15 drops raspberry fragrance oil
1 drop blue food coloring
Add soap and warm water, stirring until well blended, mix aloe vera gel, then the salt, then the fragrance oil, and food coloring. Stir until thick and blended and bottle it. Pour into a squeezable container.
Toiletry Recipes
Bath Tea
1/4 cup each (dried)
rose petals
calendula
lavender
black current leaves
oatmeal
Tiny bit of fragrance or eo's if desired.
Mix together-- then drizzle with 1 tablespoon glycerin. Let sit over night and package in muslin bags or teabags.
Milk Bath
4 cups powdered milk (you can use the cheapest you can find- I usually get it at Sam's Club)
1 1/2 cups ground oats (if you have a coffee grinder, these grind really well in one of those)
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup seasalt
Measure and dump these ingredients into a big zip lock bag. Shake it around. I usually scent this with a vanilla fragrance oil. You might want to try your local craft store or
www.brambeberry.com. If you go to a craft store, be sure to buy SOAP fragrance and not candle fragrance. Candle fragrance is not skin safe! If you are using fragrance, add about an oz or to smell. Some people like to add a little cosmetic glitter, too. When using it in the tub, 1/2 cup is usually plenty. Now, for packaging-- you can use kraft (or colored) tin tie bags. Or check out the milk cartons at
www.creativemode.com. If using either of these, kids can decorate them with stickers to give it even more gift appeal. Or you can sometimes find great containers at the Dollar Stores.
Bath Salts
sea salt
equal parts or so, no big deal
baking soda
lavender essential oil 5-20 drops depending on the size jar you put it in.
You can use ANY Essential oil to make bath salts scented! Use 1 cup of sea salt to 3 cups of epsom salts (sea salt found near the regular iodized table salt and the epsom salts found near the bandaids section...I got mine at WalMart).
Mix the salts together, add several drops of whatever essential oil you use (don't use fragrance oils as they can irritate the skin) and then pkg them! I used Mason/jelly jars because they were recyclable, but you could just as easily use small paper bags, ziplock bags, those reusable/disposable gladware containers, el cheapo plastic containers from your dollar store or even glass bottles with covers/corks, etc! Just remember to decorate the container they'll be in! OH! For my lavendar bath salts I also added food coloring to make it light purple! For a regular adult bath, use 1/2 cup or more of bath salts mix.
WARNING! Epsom salts are NOT recommended for pregnant women or smaller children/babies/infants.
All Purpose First Aid Salve
*itching, insect bites, scratches, cuts, burns, etc*
1 part st. john's wort
2 parts calendula
1 part comfrey leaf
1 part comfrey root
1 part plaintain
Use all these herbs in dried form. Infuse in olive oil (or your favorite oil with a long shelf life). What I do is put herbs in an knee-high, then cover with olive oil. Turn the heat on low, then turn off and let infuse for several hours. You may want to turn the heat on and off often, but don't let it get too hot. Remove the knee-high herbs. Mix in enough beeswax to create a salve and heat over low heat. Add a little vitamin E when it is cooling, then pour into tins/jars/whatever.
Dream Pillow
1 cup each lavender, chamomile, mugwort and hops.
Put into a sachet (make your own!) and place in your pillow (between pillow and pillowcase).
Tooth Powder/Paste
1/2 cup very fine white clay, sifted several times
1 tsp seasalt
1 tsp baking soda (optional)
1 tsp myrrh powder, sifted several times
a few drops anise seed oil, peppermint or spearmint oil to taste
Using a wire whisk, mix clay with sea salt, baking soda and myrrh. If making paste, mix with enough water to form paste. Add EO if using to taste. May also add glycerine to taste.
Aftershave
Pack a wide mouth canning jar with bay leaves (mostly) but add some whole cloves, a bit of grated ginger and allspice til you get a fragrant mix that pleases your nose. Leave a couple of inches at the top of jar.. add rum. Cover, shake and let sit for about a month. Strain and rebottle.
Powder
Equal parts kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, cornstarch.
Mix together.. may add few drops of essential oils or very, very finely ground herbs! If adding herbs or eo's, let sit a few hours
before packaging.
Dream Time Balm
Follow basic instructions above for making balm-This is to be gently rubbed into your temples to help you sleep and remember your dreams! Herbs are listed from the majority in the blend to the lesser amounts, but not specific.
Mugwort
Rosemary
Spearmint
Calendula
Patchouli
Lavender
Salt Scrub
2 parts sea salt
1 part epsom salt
little bit of liquid soap (Dr. Bronner's etc.)
little bit of castor oil
little bit of jojoba oil
*these little bits are less than a tablespoon or so* You want to get them all to stick together but not get mushy. Oils may be varied, but the liquid soap really helps it hold together. Add body-safe fragrance, mix all together and place in plastic jars. Do not use on freshly shaved skin! Otherwise, rub into skin and rinse off in shower. Leaves skin smooth and soft.
Bath Fizzies
This recipe is originally from
www.snowdriftfarm.com. I've made very minor changes to it. Do not try it on a humid day-- they just don't work!
dry ingredients -
1 cup baking soda
1/2 citric acid
1/2 cup cornstarch
wet ingredients -
2 tablespoons oil (I use jojoba usually)
1 tablepoon water
fragrance/coloring (can use a few drops of food coloring)
Mix dry ingredients together. Then mix wet ingredients together and drizzle into the dry ingredients. This should feel like the kind of damp sand that works best for sand castles. When they are mixed together well, shape as desired. Almost anything can be a mold for them-- I usually press mine into halves of those plastic ball Christmas ornament balls you can get at Craft stores. You can also use condiment containers, etc. Tap out and let sit overnight. These are kind of tricky-- if you can't get them to hold together as you'd like, try adding small amounts of whichever you need (dry or wet).
Roll-On Perfume
This is designed for these little roll-on bottles. Mix about 4-5 parts oils with 1/2 to 1 part fragrance or essential oil- it depends on strength of fragrance. Pour into bottles. Bottles are available at
www.making-soap.com
Glitter Gel
This is very popular with girls and easy to make! There are a couple of different options, I prefer the first one because it is more natural, but feel free to experiment!
#1
1/2 cup aloe vera gel (if you have a Wal-mart, they usually have a good price on it)
1 tsp glycerin (optional-- makes it a little thicker)
about 1 tsp. cosmetic grade glitter (bramble berry has this, too-- don't use craft store glitter unless it says it is cosmetically safe!)
Fragrance (if desired, I don't)
#2
Use premade hair gel and just add cosmetic glitter.
Usually, this is packaged in little jars. If you want to, you can use cool little plastic cosmetic jars (
www.making-soap.com) or clear plastic jars (
www.brambleberry.com)
-Out of habit, I keep my lip balms and glitter gels in
the fridge until I need them.
Lip Balm
This is a very basic recipe-- alter the oils, tinker with it however you would like-- just keep the ratio of solids to liquid oils the same and you'll be fine!
1 oz beeswax
1 oz shea or mango butter
1 oz oil (you can mix and match oils here-- apricot kernel, olive, avocado, sweet almond, castor, etc.)
Just a touch of vitamin E (you can squeeze out a couple of capsules) ADD LATER
Flavoring if using ADD LATER
Melt these together over low heat in a double boiler. Remove from heat, add flavoring and Vit. E, then pour into tubes/pots. Flavoring and pots/tubes are available at
www.brambleberry.com or lots of places--maybe even craft stores?) I usually pour mine into tubes because they are less likely to get contaminated if you don't have to dip your fingers in. But both work great! ! My personal favorite oils in it are a combo of apricot kernel and hempseed oil with a bit of castor- it's really absorbitive! And I only use peppermint EO in mine, but orange EO or the flavorings work great.
-Tubes, pots and flavorings are available through
www.brambleberry.com or
www.stuffjulielikes.com. They may also be available at your local craft store, but not mine.
more lip balm
I've never made this one, but it is from
www.rainbowmeadow.com and I'm sure it would be a hit with the chocolate mint lovers out there!
1 oz cocoa butter
1 oz beeswax
2 oz castor oil
5 drops pepperment essential oil
Melt beeswax and cocoa butter. Remove from heat and stir in castor oil. Allow to cool before stirring in essential oils, but mixture should still be warm and pourable. Stir essential oils in well and pour into lip balm tubes. Recipe can be increased. Peppermint essential oil may be decreased if too tingly. If more
tingle is required, peppermint may be increased up to a total of 20 drops.
-Shea butter is available through
www.olivetreesoaps.com (also at local health food stores for BIG BIG bucks!!)
-Specialty oils -
www.making-soap.com or your local health food stores (probably big bucks!).
Body Spray-
8 oz EverClear/100 proof Vodka
1 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerine
1 tsp. FO of your choice
Combine these ingredients really well. Again, a jar works great! This will not be really clear, especially depending on the fragrance or essential oil you use, so keep that in mind before packaging.
Linen Spray-
About 3 ¾ oz distilled water mixed with about ¼ oz lavender essential oil. This is awesome as a sheet spritzer!
Bath Candy
4 oz shea butter
4 oz baking soda
2 oz citric acid
Melt the shea butter, then stir in the baking soda and citric acid. Add scent if desired. Vanilla is really nice! Pour into small molds. Let cool, place in freezer, then pop out. I wrap these in those little foil candy wrappers.
Candle Jars
Materials: Large saucepan, metal canning jar lid rim, coffee can, paraffin wax, crayons, paint stirrer, candlesticks (one for each jar), thick widemouth glass canning jars, Metal tongs, plastic beads, tacky glue, candle wicks.
This takes under an hour to complete. While melting and pouring wax is best left to adults, the creative parts of this candle-making project (choosing the perfect crayon to color the wax and decorating the glass holder with beads) are meant for kids.
Directions: Set up a double boiler to melt the paraffin. Fill the bottom of the saucepan with 4-5” of water and drop in the canning jar lid rim. Then back chunks of paraffin into the coffee can, setting in on the jar rip so that it doesn’t directly touch the bottom of the saucepan. Melt the wax over medium-high heat, carefully adding more chunks until the can is about two-thirds filled. To color the melted wax, break half of a peeled crayon into pieces. Add them to the wax and slowly mix with a paint stirrer, then turn off the heat and let the paraffin cool for about 10 minutes. (this will help minimize the shrinking when the wax hardens.) Using a sharp knife, cut out the candlesticks ½” shorter than the jar heights (adults!) Now, heat the jars by running warm water on the outsides but not the insides (this will prevent cracking when you pour in the hot wax). With metal tongs, dip the bottom of each candlestick into the melted wax and stick it to the inner jar bottom. When the candlestick ends have hardened enough to hold, carefully pour enough wax into the jars to cover the candlestick tops but not the wicks. Once the candles cool completely, your kids can glue beads to the outside of the jar, arranging them in a border around the rim, perhaps, or creating a multicolor pattern all the way around.
EGG SHELL ORNAMENTS
These ornaments are just about the most eco-friendly holiday ornaments you can make. Although these ornaments are very fragile, you can reuse them year after year if you handle them with care.
Materials:
Fresh eggs – as many as you want ornaments
sterilized sewing needle (sterilize by holding over a lit match)
water-based paints
glitter
white household glue
pipe cleaners - as many as the eggs you use
Poke a hole into the top and bottom of each egg. Blow into the hole at the top of each egg (the small end) so that the insides of the egg comes out through the bottom hole, into a bowl below. Save all the eggs' insides for cooking. Paint the eggs with water-based paints, or coat the eggs with white household glue before covering their surface with glitter. Bend one end of each pipe cleaner into a "U" shape (so that the "U" is about 1 inch in length). Gently insert the other end of the pipe cleaner into the top of the egg, and use the end with the "U" to hang the egg on a tree.
.
& Dylan (7) 
