Bath Salts Tea Bags

Posted on April 23, 2013 by runwaychef

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.

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.

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.

1. Layer together two coffee filters.

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

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

3. 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 Easter Egg Candles

Posted on March 28, 2013 by runwaychef

No matter how old I get, there are many things I will never outgrow. Chocolate milk, coloring placemats at restaurants, watching the Little Mermaid and crafting (I am secretly still 5!). While I never turn down the opportunity to dye an Easter egg, I wanted to switch things up a bit this year.

Somehow through all our moves, the eggs that Mr. Runway Chef and I first dyed together have never broken….so of course I decide to break them instead! But only to update them in to candles. It’s a fun way to hold on to something from the past, while looking at it in a whole new ~~candle~~ light!

To make the easter egg candles you will need:

Dyed eggs (I used some we had saved from the first batch of eggs we ever dyed together)
Tea lights (use 2 per egg)
Wick (or you can make your own)
Tools: a double boiler, a spoon, a glass measuring cup (to help pour), foil (to cover your workspace for easy clean up), paintbrushes/pencils/wooden spoon & tape (to hold the wicks well the wax sets), and a container to set these up in
Optional, food coloring (if you would like to color the wax) and essential oils (for scented candles)

Begin by gently breaking off the top portion of the egg.

Next, remove the wicks and metal holders from the tea lights. Set the metal holders aside, and begin melting the wax over your double boiler.

While the wax is melting, set up the eggs. Place each one in a metal holder from the tea lights. Line them up in a semi-shallow container and then lay the paintbrushes across the tops of the eggs.

Measure your wicks and cut to the appropriate length, making sure to leave enough room to allow you to tape it on to the brush. Secure the wick in place with the tape.

Once the wax has melted, if you choose to dye and scent the wax, now would be the time to do so. Otherwise, working as quickly as possible, pour the wax into the measuring cup and then into the eggs.

Let the eggs harden over night. Remove the tape and brushes, trim the wicks and enjoy!

DIY Business Card Holder Tutorial

Posted on March 7, 2013 by runwaychef

I dare you to find a cute business card holder. Because you won’t. They are all either hideously ugly, or hideously ugly. And you most certainly won’t find one painted gold and covered in hearts and pink and white twine!

After months of letting my cards sit in random stacks, I stuck them in this old Altoid tin. And after months of letting them sit in the remains of minty freshness, I decided it was time to take this business card holder seriously. So as promised, here is my easy DIY to make your own pretty and unique business card holder for your desk.

DIY-Business-Card-Holder The only essential item you need is an old Altoid tin. From there ou can use a variety of papers, fabrics, felt, ribbon, twine, paint, spray paint, or even pom-poms to decorate and customize your card holder. For my tin, I used gold spray paint, twine, and felt and ribbon secured on with a glue gun.

Paint the outside of your tin.

Cut a piece of felt the size of the inside of the tin.

Line the tin with the felt. Attach it with a hot glue gun and then use scissors to trim down any excess felt.

Trim the inside with ribbon. You could also use felt here or just leave it plain.

DIY-Business-Card-Holder

Accessorize with glitter, ribbons, twine, etc to jazz it up and make it personal for you. I used heart ribbon I got a while ago in the dollar section at Target (a similar option found here) and this pink and white twine.

DIY Valentine’s Day Cards

Posted on February 5, 2013 by runwaychef

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 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)

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

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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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 Gold Polka Dotted Shower Curtain

Posted on January 25, 2013 by runwaychef

Gold Polka Dot Shower Curtain

It has been well documented on here that I love to spray paint and glitter just about anything I can (sleep with one eye open Mr. RC…you could be next!). I really am convinced that glitter and paint truly make everything better. I mean let’s talk about this shower curtain….before it met me and my arsenal of paint, it was just a sad and dreary little piece of plastic. But NOW….it’s bright and cheery and I’m pretty sure if it could talk, it would be definitely thanking me for its fabulous makeover!

DIY Gold Polka Dotted Shower Curtain

1 shower curtain (I used this clear one)
A piece of cardboard
A large jar (or other circular object to make a pattern)
A pen
An exacto knife
Gold spray paint
Sealing spray paint

1. Make your dot pattern by tracing the jar onto the cardboard and then cutting it out with the exacto knife.

2. Next lay out your shower curtain on a hard, clean surface. Make it as smooth as possible.

3. Lay out your circular pattern and if necessary spread old newspaper/magazines around to ensure the paint stays only in the circle.

4. Begin spray painting.

5. Continue laying out your pattern and spray painting circles until you have covered the entire curtain.

6. If there is any paint that went astray you can use a q-tip and some nail polish to clean it up. Otherwise, spray with the sealing spray and then let dry for at least an hour. After drying you’ll want to wipe down the shower curtain (around the dots) with a damp cloth to clean up any spray painting mist that may have settled.

P.S. I apologize for the picture quality…I blame it on our dark and very narrow bathroom!

Runway Chef

food.fashion.fun

Tag Archives: DIY

Bath Salts Tea Bags

DIY Easter Egg Candles

DIY Business Card Holder Tutorial

DIY Valentine’s Day Cards

DIY Gold Polka Dotted Shower Curtain