Tuesday Tutorial -- Martha's Bath Fizzies

Here's a tutorial from Martha Stewart that we all could use.  I know that the holidays are over, but there are many more gift giving opportunities in the coming year and with money as tight as it is right now, we can all probably enjoy a gift that someone made just for us.  Bath fizzies are a great way to de-stress and relax.  What a great way to pamper someone!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ice-cube trays serve as molds, giving the fizzies their shape. Using a flexible silicone model lets you slide the cubes out smoothly without breaking them.

Show off the colors of the bath fizzies in glass jars with screw tops, the kind used for storing sugar and flour. Pack each type of fizzy in a separate jar so the scents won't meld. Write the name of the scent on a vellum tag (choose a shade that matches the fizzies), and punch a hole in the top. Thread the tag with ribbon, and tie it around the jar.

Citric acid, a common food additive, is available at wine-making-supply stores, some spice shops, and online. When citric acid is combined with baking soda and placed in water, a chemical reaction creates bubbles.

Makes 1 dozen (use 2 per bath)

Tools and Materials
1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
About 6 drops food coloring
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jars

Directions
1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup.
2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar.
3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands.
4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again).
5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Bath Fizzies - Martha Stewart Crafts

Related articles

• Luxury Bathing the Green Way (brighthub.com)

Free Heart Book Template

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd post something easy to do that would be a nice valentine to give to others.  I found this really cute tutorial for a Valentine Heart Book on About.com and I hope you enjoy making at least one of these cute books to hold special mementos from this year's Valentine's Day.

On another front, we started to decorate the nurses' station at work yesterday, but decided that it looked too much like a baby shower because we could only find pink and green valentine cards and pink streamers.  We just gave up and went to the store next door for rootbeer float supplies instead.  I think the floats were a hit!

Here's the tutorial.  Enjoy.  After you make this book, go to the original site and see all the other wonderful templates and tutorials they have to make beautiful boxes and cards.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Folded Paper Heart Book

Folded Paper Heart Book

Kate Pullen

This folded paper heart book is deceptively easy to make. The book is formed from a single piece of paper. When the cover is added the book contains four pockets, each providing a space to hold a heart shaped billet-doux or love note. If you don't want the book to contain pockets then simply glue the pockets together. Although this book is small in size, it contains plenty of space for decorations, small photos, special notes and more.
The heart book is made using this free printable template - Heart Book Template. While I normally suggest printing templates onto scrap paper and using these as templates to transfer the design to best paper, in this instance, where the folding and cutting needs to be reasonably precise in order to get a neat finish, I suggest printing the template onto best paper. I have included two versions of the template, one in black and the other in a light gray. The gray template is ideal for use on lighter paper. Although the print is on the reverse of the book, the light gray ensures that the folding lines will not show through the paper and this is ideal if you are using a lighter weight paper.

Materials Required

• Template
• Paper and card
• Scissors, glue, paper folder or folding bone and ruler
• Ribbon
• Rubber stamps, inks and other embellishments as required

Cut Out the Template

Cut around the template

Kate Pullen

Print the template directly onto best paper or onto scrap paper and transfer the image to best paper as required. Cut around the edges. Add decorations to the paper now or at a later stage if more appropriate. This is the best time to stamp on the paper as it is still flat.

Fold the Paper

Fold the Paper

Kate Pullen

Use a paper folder or folding bone to score and fold the paper. With the right side facing, fold the first heart under and continue folding the rest of the hearts in concertina style. This will give you a book with four pockets. Folding it the other way will give you three pockets. I prefer the four pocket version, however this is just a personal choice.

Make a Cover

Make the Cover

Kate Pullen

Cut a cover from a piece of paper or card stock. Use the hearts as a template to cut the cover, making it slightly larger than the hearts. Score and fold the cover.

Attach the Ribbon

Add the Ribbon

Kate Pullen

The ribbon that ties the book is sandwiched between the cover and the first pocket. Cut two lengths of ribbon. Mark the point on both sides of the cover where the ribbon is to be attached. Glue the ribbon in place on the inside of the cover. Glue the cover in place.

Make the Inserts

Make Inserts

Kate Pullen

Cut four heart shapes for the billet-doux inserts, these need to be a fraction smaller than the heart pockets. Add any decorations as required and attach a ribbon tab to each insert.

Put the Inserts into the Pockets

Place the Inserts into the Pockets

Kate Pullen

Add any decorations as required on to the inserts. Place the inserts into each pocket. If you are looking for inspiration for things to write on the inserts, take a look at these short love poems or why not turn them into fancy conversation hearts!

Finish the Book

Add any finishing touches as required to the book. I added a row of beads around the edge of the one in the photograph.

Related articles

• How To Fold A Paper Heart (mademan.com)
• Projects " How-To's " Paper Valentine Hearts (cutoutandkeep.net)
• How to make Swedish paper hearts (guardian.co.uk)
• Valentine's Day Ideas (socyberty.com)
• Free Printable Valentine Cards (brighthub.com)
• 10 Cute Valentine Heart Templates & Patterns (brighthub.com)
• Free Lonely Hearts Valentine's Day Sampler (forthemommas.com)
• Valentine's Day Cupcakes: Three Lovely Recipes (education.com)
• Throw a Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating Party (education.com)
• Men's Guide to Crossing the Valentine's Day Minefield (psychologytoday.com)

Here's a great tutorial for making a really pretty hostess gift

 I frequently come across tutorials that I think are exactly right.  Below is one I found on Design Sponge.  Originally, I though these would be cool to make for yourself (and I still think that) but I now think these would make the most wonderful gifts to give your friends.  They are super easy and I think you could adapt this idea to many different  shapes, so you don't have to stick with the "leaves" theme (although I particularly like these leaves).  Think about up-coming holidays.  Wouldn't these be cute for Valentine Day presents to friends?  How about Easter gifts for co-workers or church friends?  I simply love this idea and can not wait to get my hands on some felt!  Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

sewing 101: wool felt pot holders

Add a little fall flair to your kitchen with these quick and easy wool potholders. They’re super simple to make — just cut out the leaf shapes, add the decorative stitching and you’re done! You can finish one in an hour or less, and they’re a great beginner project for those of you still afraid of your sewing machines. (You know who you are!) Keep these cuties for yourself or pass them along with a homemade pie or a jar of apple butter as a sweet hostess gift. — Brett Bara

CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump!


Materials

• about 1/2 yard each of three colors wool felt (Note: be aware that felt made of synthetic fibers can melt when it comes in contact with high heat, so wool felt is recommended here. A good source for a wide range of wool felt colors is www.purlsoho.com.)
• sketch paper to draw a leaf template, or a picture of a leaf to use as a guide
• sharp scissors
• pencil
• contrasting thread
• sewing machine

Instructions
1. Create a leaf shape.

To begin, draw or trace a simple leaf shape about 8″ wide and 8″ tall. Don’t worry about making it perfect — an imperfect shape adds to the charm! You can use a real leaf as a guide, or look for a leaf shape in a free clip art collection. You can also print out my photo above and trace it (enlarge it on a copy machine, if necessary).
2. Cut all three layers from felt.

Cut one piece of felt from your leaf shape, then lay it on top of another color of felt. Cut out the second piece just slightly larger than the first, then repeat with a third color of felt. You’ll have three layers of leaves, each slightly larger than the previous layer. Again, don’t worry about making them perfect!
3. Make the hanging tabs.

Cut a strip of felt about 1″ wide and 4″ long.

Fold it in half lengthwise, then stitch down its center using a zig-zag stitch.

Fold the strip in half and pin it to the bottom edge of the largest leaf piece.

Stitch it in place about 1/2″ from the raw edge of the leaf, using a straight stitch.
4. Add the veins.

Layer all three leaf pieces and pin them together. (Be sure that the raw edges of the hanging loop are sandwiched inside the layers so that they’re not visible on the finished pot holder.) Set your machine to a slightly longer than average stitch length. Beginning at the base of the leaf, sew a line all the way to the tip of the leaf.

When you reach the tip, raise the presser foot, pivot and sew back to the base. Repeat this to make several lines of stitching along the same path.

Repeat to sew another vein up each section of the leaf, always returning to the same beginning point at the leaf base. You can add all of this stitching in one continuous line, constantly sewing back and forth and always returning to the same beginning point.

Continuing in the same manner, add smaller branches off of each main line.

And you’re done! That’s all there is to these simple pot holders. Now go cook up a big batch of something warm, and put them to use! (I highly recommend apple pie.)

Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/10/sewing-101-wool-felt-pot-holders.html#ixzz1CeIi00sZ

Dove Garland -- From Frugal Family Fun Blog

Here's another quick, last minute Christmas craft you and the kids can make to make your home more festive and ready for the holidays.  I personally love the idea of using something I have on hand to make an ornament, so this is right up my alley.  Visit the Frugal Family Fun Blog for more quick and easy and fun ideas.  While you are there, don't forget to say "Hi!" in the comments.

Emily and I made a pretty dove garland, and it was made using our new favorite art supply — coffee filters! These were so much fun to make!! If you have some coffee filters on hand, you can download our template, and print it out on card stock, to make a dove garland of your own!

Fold 2 or 3 coffee filters in half and line up the pattern so that the belly of the dove is on the crease of the fold. Invite your child over to trace the pattern!

Cut out your doves! Since the filters are thin, you can cut 2 or 3 at a time.

Separate your beautiful birds! They may want to give one another a kiss!

Attach your birds along some string with tape. Ours are in the kitchen, and every time there is a slight breeze, they look like they’re flying!!

Weeeee!!! Fly, doves, fly!!

We have another fun and frugal coffee filter craft coming soon (Clara LOVED it!), so get some coffee filters and craft along with us!

Have fun!!

Related articles

• Coffee Filter Wreath Tutorial (sorta) (courtneyoutloud.wordpress.com)
• Ring Around the Coffee Filter..... (courtneyoutloud.wordpress.com)
• Trimming the Tree, Frugally (momblognetwork.com)
• Holiday Activities for Kids (thehappyhousewife.com)
• Last-Minute, Stress-Free Holiday Decorating (wisebread.com)

Paper Fan Flower

 Here is a wonderful tutorial I found on Under the Table and Dreaming.  Since it is so close to Christmas now, I thought I'd post this here and suggest that this would make a really beautiful substitute for a bow on packages.  They could be kept and hung next year as ornaments, so you'd be giving two gifts in one.  Just a thought!  I know these are beautiful and easy so I hope you can make a few this year.  Maybe just make some to give to co-workers as Christmas presents?  Enjoy.  Please do visit both of these wonderful blogs, too and don't be shy.  Leave them comments!


_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello all, this is Heather from WhipperBerry!

We were soooo excited when Stephanie Lynn asked us to be a part of her handmade ornament week. The problem for us…picking just one. We decided to offer two super simple ornaments that would be lovely on a tree, as décor or a beautiful gift for friends and neighbors.

We will begin with the Paper Fan Flower. We have used this little gem several different ways and thought it would also make a great ornament for a beautiful tree. Here is how to make one.

You will need’

• One sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper. I would use a rather light weight paper for this project.
• Paper cutter and scissors.
• A glue gun

Cut paper into three, 3x12 strips.

Start folding the first strip of paper like a paper fan with 1/2 inch folds.

Continue folding all three strips of paper.

Next, you need to glue all three strips of paper together with hot glue. Put a thin strip of glue on the end of the first strip and connect the second strip while keeping the folds consistent.

Then connect the third strip, making on long folded piece of paper.

You will then connect the ends.

Next, you will smoosh {real technical, I know} it down to create the flower.

The flower will need to be anchored in order to keep that shape.

I take a piece of scrap card stock and place a large glob of hot glue in the center of the card stock. Then place the center of the flower on top of the glue and push it together to tighten the flower.

You can embellish the center how ever you like. For this example I used a button but you can use anything really.

Related articles

• 30 Beautiful Do-It-Yourself Wreath Projects (onlinecertificateprograms.org)
• Go tree free without losing the sparkle (knoxnews.com)
• Create a Vintage Style Holiday Wreath (cathiefilian.blogspot.com)
• How to Make Paper Mache Ornaments (csahm.com)
• DIY: 35 Out of the Ordinary Ornaments to Make (frugalupstate.com)
• Projects " How-To's " Pleated Paper Flowers (cutoutandkeep.net)
• Tuesday Take out: Cards turned ornaments (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)

Here is a recipe that is simple and tastes great.

I found this recipe here

♥ Apple Pie Cake ♥

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 4 apples (your choice of variety) cored, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup whole wheat (or white if you prefer) flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• dash of salt

Combine sugar, eggs and almond extract in a large bowl. Mix well. Stir in the sliced apples to this mixture. Sprinkle the flour, baking powder and pinch of salt over the appley-good mixture. Mix Mix, Stir Stir...until well combined. Pour into a greased 8-10 inch pie or cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
YUM!!

It's crazy-simple, and SO SO good!

I am always looking for simple and easy recipes, especially now when time is so constrained and you feel you are being pulled in a million directions at once.  This cake is to die for and just the ticket for a cold, holiday evening.  I made it and served it with vanilla ice cream while it was warm.  UMMMMMM GOOD!
Please feel free to check out the blog I found this recipe on, if you have time.