Tag Archives: DIY Gifts

Bath Salts Tea Bags

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DIY Bath Salts Bath salts have always been considered a great gift giving option (hello Mother’s Day!). But who wants to get the same old bath products over and over again, am I right or am I right? When I was younger (maybe around 8th grade), I dreaded holiday gift giving with friends for the pure fact that I knew when all was said and done I would possess enough Bath & Body Works products to open up my own store.

bath salt tea bags

It’s been some time since I received a Bath & Body product (no one get any ideas!), and I no longer have so much hatred for bath products gifts. I think when they are home-made, well thought out, or unique, they make a great gift, especially for a holiday centered around pampering (like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day or a birthday). These bath salt “tea bags” fit the bill perfectly! They are easy to make, smell heavenly, look pretty and they sure are unique.

how to make bath salts tea bags

To make the bath salt “tea bags” you will need- regular coffee filters, epsom salt (you can also use scented bath salts), dried lavender (or other pretty smelling flowers), a spoon (to scoop in the epsom salt and dried flowers), twine (I like to use baker’s twine) and scissors.

things to make with coffee filters 1. Layer together two coffee filters.

DIY coffee filter projects

2. Spoon 2 tablespoons of epsom salt (or bath salts) in to the middle of the filters.

DIY gifts 2. Next add in about 1 tablespoon of the dried flowers.

bath salt tea bags3. Gather the coffee filters and tie together with a piece of twine.

To use- Run a bath with hot water. Place 1 or 2 “tea bags” in and let steep for about 10 minutes before getting in. It will last about an hour before all the salt is dissolved from the bag, so if you choose to you can leave the bag in the tub with you or you can discard it. Either way, relax and enjoy!

 

DIY Valentine’s Day Cards

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DIY Valentines Cards

Being a romantic at heart, I never pass up the chance to read a Nicholas Sparks book, watch a chick flick (much to my husband’s dismay), or make and send a hand-made Valentine. Well I realize I am probably the only one left in this century who even bothers to send something via the pony express, let alone actually make it first, I thoroughly enjoy the process (when time allows). I used to make something similar to these Valentine’s cards with my Mom and sister when I was younger and I always enjoyed how unique each one was from the different patterns of melted wax. They’re very easy to make, so I hope that means this year my cards will be getting some company on their pony express ride :)

DIY Valentines Cards

DIY Valentine’s Day Cards

Supplies Needed:

DIY Valentines Cards Craft Supplies

In addition to the above items, you will also need:

  • Construction paper in Valentine’s colors
  • Bakers twine
  • Exacto knife
  • Glue
  • Heart (or other festive shaped) stickers
  • Fancy-edged scissors (optional)

Red Crayons

1. Turn your iron on to preheat and set aside. Next, select an assortment of Valentine’s colored crayons.

Crayons

2. On a thick board/protected surface, use your knife to cut off a small piece of crayon (cut from the non-pointy end so the crayon is still usable). After removing the paper wrapping, finely chop up the crayon in to pieces.

DIY Valentines Cards 3. On a towel covered surface, lay out a square of wax paper. Cover with a small amount of the crayons (a little goes along way here). For a 6 x 6″ square of wax paper, I used about a teaspoon of crayon “crumbs”. Once you have the crayon pieces down, cover with another piece of wax paper.

DIY Valentines Cards

4. Using your iron gently start tapping at the wax paper, barely touching the surface and only holding it down for a few seconds at a time. The wax will quickly melt, and as it does you can use the tip of the iron to gently “drag” the wax around the paper.

DIY Valentines Cards

5. Continue on until you have used up all your crayon pieces; set aside to let everything harden and cool.

DIY Valentines Cards Supplies

6. Meanwhile, make your cards out of construction paper with fancy-edged scissors. Then, using regular scissors, cut a “window” into the middle of the card. Next, cut small pieces of baker’s twine (mine were 1 1/2″ but the length will depend on the size of your “window”, card and heart shape, so adjust accordingly).

DIY Valentines Cards

7. Once your wax paper has cooled, use your exacto knife or scissors to cut out heart shapes. You will need 2 hearts per card. To assemble the heart, cover one side in glue, place on the twine (as seen in the middle picture), then press down on top with another heart. Let it dry, then use your exacto knife to trim the hearts to the same shape and size.

DIY Valentines Cards

8. To attach your heart to the card, open the card all the way up and lay it front side up. Align the heart to the position you want it in, then, using a small dab of glue, attach the string to the card. Firmly press a heart sticker over the end of the string. Set aside to dry.

DIY Valentines Cards

DIY Valentines Cards

DIY-Cupcake Bouquet

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Everyone loves getting a bouquet, but a bouquet you can eat? That’s a gift I would give myself!

Start by making your cupcakes and frosting and let both cool. I used a recipe for just basic vanilla cupcakes and buttercream (you can try this and this, but remember to only make a 1/4 of a recipe) but feel free to make whatever kind you want. Bake the cupcakes in yellow or green liners (to look like the flower) and dye your buttercream whatever color you want to make it look like the petals. Pipe on the frosting with a star tip. Side note: I used a 6″ pot that held 6 cupcakes.

While your cupcakes are cooling, cut two circles of styrofoam to fit into your pot, one for lower in the pot and one for closer to the top. You can also you use a block of floral foam.

On top of the styrofoam bunch up a sheet of green tissue (to look like the grass/ground).

To assemble the “flowers”, put either 2 large toothpicks or a cake pop stick in the bottom of the cupcake. Gently press it into the foam. Side note: If the green tissue starts to get in the way, you can put the cupcakes in the foam first, then press pieces of the tissue in around the cupcakes.

Wrap the whole flowerpot in colored tissue and tie with a bow.

 

Adapted from a recipe in The Cupcake

 

 

Homemade Gifts & Goodies

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Homemade gifts are, in my humble opinion, some of the best to receive. Give me something homemade that I can eat and now we’re really talking.

If you are running short on time or you found out last minute that you have to give someone a gift, these home made goodies are a few great options.

Bloody Mary Vodka + Home-made Bloody Mary Mix



For the Vodka: Infuse 4 cups of vodka with 6 green olives, 1 tbsp. olive brine, 1 tsp. horseradish, 2 cloves chopped garlic, 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 a lemon juiced, 1 lime juiced and 4 jalapeno peppers (2 diced and 2 left whole with just the ends cut off).

For the Bloody Mary Mix: I used this recipe.

Bottle in pretty bottles and make some cute labels (I used paper bags, some festive stickers and markers).

Peppermint Cookie Bark

1/2 a package of mint oreos (I used Trader Joe’s Peppermint Joe Joe’s)
1/2 c. chopped candy canes
24 oz. white chocolate,melted

In a foil lined 9″x13″ baking pan, first layer  the cookies, then the chocolate and finally sprinkle with the candy canes. Place in the fridge for several hours, or until hardened. Break into pieces and store in the fridge.


Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

3 c. semi-sweet chocolate, melted
12 oz. coffee beans

Toss chocolate with the beans and lay out on a wax paper lined tray. Place in fridge to cool, then break a part and place into a zip lock bag to store, or divide into individual bags for gifting.


Spiced Nuts



6 tbsp. butter
1 c. brown sugar
dash of salt and nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
8 oz. of pecans and 16 oz. of peanuts (or whatever combination of nuts you would like)

Melt butter and sugar together. Next stir in spices and then the nuts. Mix until the nuts are coated then spread onto a foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until browned. Let cool and then bag the nuts.

Chocolate Toffee Squares-I used this recipe.

Homemade Cappuccino Mix + a cute travel Mug 

1 c. of coffee creamer (whatever flavor you would like-I like hazelnut or vanilla) + 1 c. instant coffee granules + 1 c. chocolate drink mix + 1/4 c. white sugar + 1/2 tsp. cinnamon- Mix together and then bag or pour into 2 12 oz. jars. Use 3 tbsp of mix for every 6 oz. of hot water.


Soup-in-a-Jar Mix



In a 1 quart glass jar, layer the following:

1 c. of pasta shells
3/4 c. each split peas,kidney beans,pinto beans,great northern beans
1 package of onion soup mix
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. of each garlic salt,pepper,basil,rosemary leaves

Instructions and remaining ingredients to include on the card:

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 medium carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks,chopped
1 can of chopped chicken (can be omitted)
Salt to taste
Parmesan cheese to top off

Place beans and seasoning along with 4-5 cups of water into a large pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and then continue to simmer until beans are cooked,about 4 hours. (You may need to add water throughout to keep the beans from getting too dried out). Add all remaining ingredients, except for the pasta. Cook for 30 more minutes. Add the pasta and cook 10 more minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.