Challenge: Handmade 2010 xmas

esmer

Who can help me with Bath Bombs...... I have found the ingredients and looks easy. Im looking for somewhere that stocks it all. This site is FANTASTIC for crafts.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/natural-beauties-bath-fizzies

jlp76

esmer wrote: »

Who can help me with Bath Bombs...... I have found the ingredients and looks easy. Im looking for somewhere that stocks it all. This site is FANTASTIC for crafts.

I made these last year and used the Soap Kitchen website, not the fastest but lots of variety - they were really easy to make too

lizalloareds

esmer wrote: »

Hello All....

all this is getting me all excited about christmas...... We have decided as a family to make presents or spend a max of 10.00 on each adults........ kids will still get the same, and maybe some made gifts.

My Poundland bargains

10 round clear containers - Use for my pots of Gold
25 White paper sandwich bags - For my bath bombs or chocolates
5 pink face cloths - for my Doggie Flannels (not that I have a clue) lol
Pink Fluffy socks - Sock Monkey
2 pack of Glitzy Socks - Purple and Silver Sock Monkeys
10 pack of assorted Felt - Might make a Sock Advent string.

Morrisons
Mugs - 50p each

Home bargains

Tea Towels 4 pack purple and spotty - To attempt a door Stop in a Pig design. 1.99
Chocolate Coins = 95p - Pots of Gold
Eshaw mint crisps 1.99 Pots of Gold
Chocolate Wishes 2for a 1.00 - Pots of Gold

Got Buttons for 5p each at a wee shop near me.

The Town house in Glasgow has got Scarf Kits for 1.00 and its the fluffy wool so going to go there and get some for my mum, she is knittng them for xmas.

I will post as I do stuff and I love hearing about all your wonderful Ideas. I was going to get good card and make A4 calendars for my parents, but not sure how I could bind them together?

Thanks

Where is The Town house ?

nikifm

midnightraven3 wrote: »

nixx

it just came to me as i read your post

the cupcakes?
since he is such a fan
(and this would cut costs as games are £££££)

why dont you make him either a certificate or vouchers
like a sort of cupcake of the month kinda thing

each month a different flavour/topping etc
promise to say deliver 6 cupcakes of the month throughout the year
he can anticipate getting them each month and his present would last all year:T

Wowwww! Love this idea - and I'm sure he would to! The only problem would be sneaking them past my sister so he actually gets them hehe!
Brilliant idea - thanks midnight [=

Mim_D

esmer wrote: »

Who can help me with Bath Bombs...... I have found the ingredients and looks easy. Im looking for somewhere that stocks it all. This site is FANTASTIC for crafts.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/natural-beauties-bath-fizzies

I'm also looking in to making these and have found quite simple looking instructions (famous last words, I haven't tried it yet!) here
http://www.makingmagazine.com/bathroom-heartbomb.asp .

Like you though, I'm looking around at where to get the ingredients at the best prices! Where do people who have done this tend to buy citric acid?

nikifm

I haven't made bath bombs from scratch (used a kit! hehe) but you tend to be able to get citric acid from a pharmacy [=

esmer

lizalloareds wrote: »

Where is The Town house ?

It's on Buchanan street, across from greggs used to be au'natural now it's got all sorts of bargains, none of the knit your own scarfs left

esmer

Amazon have citric acid, not tried my chemist. I managed to get witch Hazel in home bargains and some essential oils. those hearts are lovely.

Pixie_Fairydust

Thank you for the info on pots of gold and snowman soup, will try them both.

Chilli jam, I believe there is a recipe on the BBC Good Food website and Nigella does a good red pepper jelly.

Any help with the knitting patterns? something simple please.

Love this site, I really like the fact we are all trying to make Christmas special without putting ourselves in debt for the whole of next year. My OH doesn't really 'do' Christmas, I found a hat in QD today, its black with bah humbug on the front, think I will make him wear it, so its lovely to chat to people who love the festive season as much as me.

My new year's resolution is to start planning for Christmas in January!

Salt dough decorations are really good for the kids to make for pressies for the grandparents. Then every year when they decorate the tree it will bring a smile to their faces!

Wilkinsons have got baskets to use for hampers on line for £2.49, they are not available in the shops though, but free delivery to a shop.

midnightraven3

:o:o:o

far be it for me to question martha
((((((martha))))))

but making bath bombs is easier than that
after a few trial & error batches, i have made them for years
(its the sketchy spray bottle method that always made things go wrong, and i do find, she sometimes seems to overcomplicate things)

with the spray bottle, you only know you have gone, one spritz too far when it starts foaming in the bowl:rotfl:

i also STRONGLY advise against using food colouring
even a few drops can dye a plastic bath
and if you are a bit over zealous with it to achieve a deeper colour, it dyes skin too:(

i make 2 kinds, i very smooth, like you get in lush, and a more rustic one, that looks good in small sizes

To make 1 batch, size is depicted by mould
(this gives 4-5 tennis ball sized, or LOADS of small ones)
INGREDIENTS300g Bicarbonate of Soda
100g Citric Acid
10ml Fragrance or Essential Oil of choice
Colour cosmetic liquid colour,
this makes a rustic look
change bicarb level with cornflour for a smooth finish

so like 150g bicarb, 50g citric, 25g cornflour, oil & colour

mix, mould, dry
done
i feel a bit mean questioning martha as i am a big fan, but it really is much easier:o