Bath Tea Bags

I recently found out there were such things called bath tea bags. I was on one site which took me to another site, and then before you knew it, I was 10 sites away from where I started. There are several sites out there with bath tea bags for sale and instructions. So I decided to make some.

The purpose of a bath tea bag is to put your soothing bath additives in a bag and then put that in the water, rather than letting the stuff be directly in the water, which ends up going down the drain.

I made mine with oatmeal and lavender and put it a simple draw string bag I made out of muslin. As I was running the bath water, I dipped the bag in the water, like you would do with a regular tea bag. I was not impressed with these. I felt as though I spent my entire bath trying to squeeze the oatmeal out of the bag and into the bath. I even made sure I ran the oatmeal in the food processor to make it into a powder. Next, I tried making the bags out of tulle and the oatmeal just came out. I am not sure of a solution right now, but I still thought I would share in case anyone has a solution! They must work, right? Otherwise there wouldn't be so many people selling them?

Here are two links with instructions and two links where they are being sold. (I have no association with these sellers)
Green Living
Bristen
ETSY
ETSY

Recycled Candle

Every Monday, our local Thrift Store has 25% day. Needless to say, I go to check out any deals. I know that Mother's Day is coming up, so I have been on the look out for items to recycle into other crafts.

I stared out with a glass goblet (for lack of a better term) with a lid ($0.75), a white non-scented pillar candle ($0.75), a nice smelling green and yellow candle ($0.50), and some seashells (had on hand).

I melted the wax of the large white candle and poured it into the goblet, reusing the wick. When it was almost set up, I added the green layer. When it was almost set, I put 4 seashells around the sides. I then added the yellow layer, and then more white on top.

Be sure to almost let you layers set before adding the next layer. For more on candle safety, Click Here.

I also picked up two small pans and a wooden spoon to use making this candle. Make sure that once you melt a candle that is already scented, you declare that pan "candle making only" otherwise your food will take on the taste of the candle.

I am happy with the results. I don't think it looks too bad for my first time making a candle in 20+ years! This is going to be for my step mom for Mother's day, so don't tell!

Just For Men

Just for men; a soothing soak for tired and achy feet. Well, it's not really "just for men", but it does make it sound more manly. Ryan tried this over the weekend and loved it! His feet were killing him from being on a ladder all day doing the siding. He soaked his feet for about a half of a hour and said they felt great.

I think I have about a $1 invested in the soak, including the jar. This would make a really nice gift for Dad for Father's Day. Or, even Mom for Mother's Day.

Supplies:
1/2 c. Epsom salt
1 chamomile tea bag
1 peppermint tea bag
5 drop blue food coloring, optional
decorative jar with sealing lid

If using, mix food coloring with salt. Open both tea bags and add to salts. Mix well and pour into jar. To use: add entire jar to hot water foot bath.

Chamomile has many healing properties as does peppermint. Chamomile promotes relaxation, alleviate stress and relieves pain, while peppermint is a muscle relaxant and helps manage stress.

Desktop Memo Pads

Ryan's aunt Becky made these for me. I think they are so neat!! She is so talented when it comes to stamping and card making!

I think these would be very simple to make if you are a stamper! And, they would make a very nice gift! I know I am always looking for a pen a paper by my phone! Mother's Day is coming soon and I think the females would really like this!

She took an acyclic picture frame and tuned it upside down. Took a piece of scrapbook paper and cut it to the size of the frame. And then, inserted it into the frame. She next, inserted a smaller, stamped piece of paper on top of that.


Becky then cut a piece of velcro and stuck it to the frame and the pen, to hold it in place. She took Post It Notes and took off the back to stick them to the frame. Becky finished it off with a coordinating ribbon.

Flower Gardens

If you are getting ready to plant flowers, check out Michigan Bulb! They carry so many pretty flowers at a cheap price! My great grandmother ordered there for years with no problems! And, my mother just received her flowers she ordered last week. They have a life time guarantee on all of their flowers!

Michigan Bulb even has flower garden layouts, with the flowers at discounted prices, if you are like me and don't know what to plant where. I think most plants are bare root, so shipping is almost nothing! The best of all, you can order you plants at any time and they will not ship them until they are ready to be planted in your area!

Be sure to allow yourself at least an hour to look at all of the beautiful flowers! Order something for Mother's Day while you are there!

Saucer Coasters

I really, really liked this coaster until I went and used glittered Mod Podge! With that being said, I still like. You can make a set of 4 of these coasters for about $4.00.

I got my saucers for $0.75 each at Walmart and my stickers also for $0.97 for a whole sheet. I found the felt feet at the Dollar Tree in the "tool" aisle

Supplies:
4" clay saucers
stickers
craft paint
clear acyclic spray finish
Mod Podge
4 felt feet

1. Paint saucer with several coats of paint.
2. Position stickers on saucer.
3. Coat with Mod Podge.
4. Spray with acyclic sealer to make them waterproof.
6. Add felt feet to bottom of coaster.

With the cost being so low, your little one could make these for grandma for a nice and personal gift for Mother's Day.

Photo Tile Coasters

These are really neat coasters! You can print any image you like on them! Just think what a nice Mother's Day or Father's Day gift these coasters would make with your special photos on them! Only one word of advice before you begin, they are very addicting!!!



There is a really good tutorial at .Split Coast Stampers on how to make them. I followed these directions with no problems. I am not a stamper, nor do I own any stamps, so I did not stamp anything under my image. I also allowed the picture to wrap over the sides instead of centering my picture, otherwise I followed each step. I chose to print my pictures in Sepia tone, but you could use color or black and white also.

I got my tiles at Lowe's. They came in a box of 9 for about $4.00. Make sure your box says "Tumbled Marbled Tiles." I thought I had the right tiles at first, then I saw what I did need. I think there was 3 different colors of the tiles.




The first photo is an angel Ryan and I spotted at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. The second picture is the Harding Memorial in Marion, Ohio.

Photo Paperweight

I don't think crafts get any easier than this!! I bought the photo paperweight at the Dollar Tree, in the frame aisle. All you do is take the bottom off and you can add your own photo. This would make a nice gift for mom on Mother's Day or even dad for Father's Day!!

For this paperweight, I just cut a pretty piece of material to fit inside the weight. You could use a photo, material, glitter, paper, stickers, or anything! The best of all, you only have $1.00 invested in each one!!

Cupcake Bath Puff

When a friend explained this to me she said it is a flower bath puff, but I think it looks more like a cupcake than a flower. So, I am calling it a cupcake bath puff. What's more convenient than a bath puff with the soap already in it?

Supplies:
1 pound melt & pour glycerin soap (I used Dial glycerin soap and not the kind I should have!)
5 Mini/travel bath puff
Cupcake pan (I used a silicone pan)

1. Melt soap in microwave for 30 seconds at a time until soap is melted.
2. Pour into cupcake pan, filling it half full.
3. Press puff into pan.
4. Allow to set and remove from pan.



This would make a nice filler in an Easter basket or a very nice gift for Mother's Day.