Relaxing scents

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY THIRTEEN:

Scented Bath Salts.

You will need:

Salt

Epson salts

Baking soda

Essential oils

Food coloring

Attractive glass bottles that keep out moisture

Ribbon and flower trims to match your scents.

Method:

In a large bowl, mix to combine 6 parts salt; 3 parts Epson salts, to soothe tired muscles and reduce inflammation; 1 part baking soda, to soften waters and alleviate skin irritation.

Add a few drops of essential oils ( Be sure to check for an allergic reaction first) and combine.

Add a few drops of food coloring to match the scent you place in your salts, for example, peppermint use green coloring, until you achieve the desired shade. Present the bath salts in a stoppered and labelled container to keep out moisture.  Add a gift of soap and a face washer as desired.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Glittery snowflakes

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY TWELVE:

Hot glue snowflakes

Snowflakes Ornaments

You will need:

Clear hot glue sticks

Hot glue gun

Baking paper

Surface that can take a bit of heat

String

Wet glue

Glitter

Method:

Draw out a snowflake shape on baking paper. Keep the shape simple and not too large. You can make a large snowflake but you will have to keep thickening it with the hot glue. A smaller shape requires only a few layers of hot glue.

Using your hot glue trace the snowflake shape. Work from the centre out, and then let it cool. Add another layer of hot glue tracing the snowflake shape as before. Keep this method going until you feel the snowflake has enough thickness.

Add a hanging loop at the top using a dollop of hot glue to secure.

Let cool.

Peel off the snowflake from the baking paper. Pull away any unwanted hot glue strings.

Once cool, using your wet glue coat the snowflake, then before the glue dries sprinkle glitter over the entire snowflake. Let dry. Make sure the snowflake is well covered and there is no hot glue showing. Do this front and back. If you don’t want your glitter to flake off you can also brush over a coat of artist acrylic varnish.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Wrapping paper

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY ELEVEN: 

Wrapping paper uses.

Wrapping paper can be useful in scrapbooking. The paper can be used as a background or elements can be cut from the paper to be used as card toppers or as individual motifs for journalling cards. You can also use the wrapping paper to make your own Christmas tags, recipe cards, or even postcards.

The cards below use a variety of scrap pieces to make up journal cards for December Dailies, Project Life, Planners, Smash books, and any other scrapbooking use. 

When you want to use wrapping paper images, look at the over all design of the paper. Some elements can be cut out singularly other designs can be used as a background. Most times there is a repeat motif like the Santa Claus on the above wrapping paper. These repeat motifs can be fussy cut out and foam dots can be used to layer them. I layered two Santa Claus's, then cut the head out only and layered it again on top of the other two Santa Claus's. I added glitter glue to highlight some of the motifs on the suit.

The presents on the next wrapper I also cut out singularly. I cut out the bows and using foam dots layered them under the original bow to give dimension. I also pulled apart double layered stickers and added those to the presents, as well as real ribbon bows.

When cutting out wrapping paper like this, I always cut out small sections and then glue the paper to thin card. I then cut out the shapes with small, fine sharp scissors. Edges of the cut out can also be inked as well. 

If there is very small motifs on the wrapping paper, like the snowflakes with the Santa Claus, don't waste them. Cut them out too and glue them to paper clips to be used in planners and journals.

This is a nice way to use up all those left over tags, and other Christmas-y bits at the end of Christmas.  

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Christmas Bell

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY TEN: 

Silver Bells.

You will need:

Cardboard, thin but not too thick. String. Glue, (wet glue, not a stick.) Scissors. Kitchen foil.

This is really easy craft and makes use of what you have at home. First cut out a bell shape from your cardboard (recycle cereal packets is fine). Run a bead of glue to follow the ridges of the bell. Along the glue add your string. Let dry.  You can keep your bells plain or add in some lettering, write out the words you would like in glue, then follow the glue line with string. It is fiddly but doable. When everything is dry cover the bell shape with kitchen foil. Gently press around the string to bring out the shape in the foil. To cover the back make another bell the same and glue both together.

You can make these bells as plain or fancy as you like. Larger bells can be used as a bunting around a Christmas table, medium bells can be used on the tree, and even smaller bells can be used as gift tags on presents. 

Fancy bells can also have lace, and paper flowers of choice.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Homemade flowers

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY NINE:

Felt flower hair clips.

You will need felt in assorted flower colors. Plus green felt. Because this is such a small project this can use up all your scrap felt pieces.

You can cut your felt flower shapes out by hand. I used Marianne design Creatables die number: LRO145

I used the largest flower in the set. I cut the first flower just to the center. The next flower I cut 1 petal out of the flower. The third flower I cut 2 petals out of the flower. I then used glue to stick the first and last petal of each flower together. 

 Finally the flowers were stacked inside of each other. Alternate each flower when you glue them together so the petals are not all together. Add a flat back gem or button of your choice. Cut out  leaf shapes from the green felt. Cut two small leaves and glue them together. Then glue them to the back of your flower. Use strong glue to glue the entire finished flower to your clip.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Herbal candle

Make yourself a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY EIGHT:

Herbal candle wreath

This is a simple Herbal wreath made from kitchen garden herbs.

You will need:

Rosemary

Bay

Thyme

Basil

Parsley

Any other herb of choice as long as it is fresh. You could make a flowery one using nasturtiums and calendulas as well.

Garden twine

Dried Orange

Dried Lavender wand (Optional)

A terracotta pot. I gilded mine using gold leaf gilding kit brought from any art section. A candle of choice. Again optional. You will also need a base to set the pot and wreath on.

Make a wreath from Rosemary. Lay the Rosemary against each other and at the bottom of the stem wrap twine tightly to hold the stems. Add the next Rosemary against the last, bring the twine down around the Rosemary loosely and then wrap tight, at the stem, to hold the Rosemary in place. Continue this way until you have a wreath. Tie off the twine tightly. 

Now begin to add the other herbs, gather them up and using the garden twine wrap them around the wreath tightly. Continue as you did the Rosemary wreath, wrap the herb bouquet tightly and then loosely bring the twine down to the next section add a bouquet of herbs, wrap tightly around the stems. Continue this way until you have the entire wreath covered in herbs.

Sit the terracotta pot on a dish, then add the candle. If you don't want to add a candle you can fill the pot up with other useful kitchen cooking items, such as dried herbs or seed packets. If you don't want a real flame candle you can also add one of those solar flickering ones as well.

You can decorate the wreath with dried orange slices, some tinsel, a small lavender wand.

As always be careful when burning candles. Never leave unattended. Never leave around pets or small children. Don't let any greenery near the naked flame. Be safe.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Left over treasures

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

Day Seven:

Sparkling loop earrings

You will need:

Assortment of beads in various shapes and sizes

Wire

Loop earring findings

Earring posts/hooks

Crimping tool

Wire cutters

Method:

The main aim of these earrings is to use up any left over beads and any short left over wire. The wire can be from 3 inches to 5 inches long.

If you prefer you can use loop earring findings. The loop is already made for you.

Earrings using a ready made shop brought loop finding

Thread your beads onto your wire. A clip of some sort will help stop them sliding off and flying off your wire. Leave enough wire to thread one end through the last bead on the wire. Pull the wire up to form a loop. Slide on a crimp bead over both wires and crimp the bead firmly closed. Trim off excess wire. Attach the bead loop to your earring post by gently pulling apart the loop at the bottom of the earring post; slip this where you closed the wire with the crimp bead. Close the earring post loop and you are done.

If you use left over wire and beads these earrings are very cheaply made and look pretty. Add them as a gift to the tea pocket favors. 

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Useful tips for embroidery

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY SIX:

Best tips for embroidering

Tips

Always wash your hands before beginning to embroider. It is a good idea to plan the sequence of embroidery before you begin, to avoid moving your hand over the finished work as much as possible. I always embroider larger sections first, then fill in with the smaller details. I work from the top to the bottom or from the center outwards.

Take the time to finish off the thread at the back of the work, instead of passing to another area. This will avid shadowing which is very disappointing when the finished work is framed or made up. However, working on very closely embroidered areas you can pass the thread across as it will not be visible.

You may enjoy adding small beads to enhance an embroidery and they can be sprinkled among flowers to form the center of a flower. Small buttons may also be used. Take care to keep the buttons and beads in proportion to the design so as not to distort the dimensions.

Needles 

Any crewel-eyed needle that is the appropriate size for the thread you are using is suitable. Do not use a needle with a blunt point, such as a tapestry needle, on closely woven fabrics.

Embroidery hoop

All work must be done while using an embroidery hoop. To make your embroidery a more pleasant task.

Transfer pencil, dressmakers carbon, or fade/wash away pen

Ideally, you should use some form of washable pen or transfer pencil to draw your embroidery design on your fabric. If these are not available, use dressmaker’s carbon paper to leave an imprint, or simply draw the design onto the fabric using a soft, well-sharpened lead pencil. Often a window during the day can be used as a ‘light box’ to trace off a design with the aid of natural light illuminating the pattern. To work this way, hold the design behind the fabric and press them both against the window while drawing. 

When using a transfer pencil, always work in reverse. The iron should be hot on a dry/cotton. Press but do not rub the iron as it will smudge the transfer.

For free embroidery patterns see:
Q is for quilter

If you scorch your linens:
Removing iron scorch marks

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Let it snow ornament

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY FIVE:

This is my take on a pinterest find ornament

Materials:

1 inch square wooden block ( These can be found any craft section and they come in a packet of six)

Two head pins ( These are in the Jewelry making supplies and are the ones with the loop at the end)

 6 Small faceted glass beads in your choice of colors

One large drop bead acrylic or glass

Largish jump rings.

Acrylic gesso in white

Modelling paste (Or texture paste)

Glue gun or strong glue

Glitter.

Acrylic paint:

Black for eyes

White for highlight in eyes

Orange for carrot nose

Blue

Gold pen for lettering and highlighting some of the carrot noses

Flat brush

Fine brush

Palette knife or flat kitchen knife

Flat nose pliers

Method:

Step 1: Paint the wooden block using the Acrylic gesso paint. Let dry.

Step 2: Use a knife to spread on the Modelling paste. Spread it thickly and uneven to look a bit like snow.

Step 3: Take glitter and spread it into the modelling paste around the edges of the block try to keep the snowmen’s faces clear.

Let dry. ( A heat gun works well for these steps). 

Step 4: Use black paint to paint in the eyes.

Step 5: Use dots of black paint to form the mouth.

Step 6: Use triangle shape in orange to paint in carrot nose.

Step 7: Use the gold pen to add in lettering. You can add some black paint to form shadows around the lettering. A black fine tip pen works best for this.

Step 8: Use a fine brush to add in white highlights in the snowmen’s  eyes.

Step 9: Add watered down blue paint around the edges of the blocks and shade in some black paint to add interest and make the snowmen’s faces stand out.

Step 10: Take the head pins and thread on your small faceted beads. Where there isn’t a loop use flat pliers to curve the head pin to make another loop.

Step 11: Use your large jump rings to attach your drop bead. I pulled my jump ring right out and threaded it through the hole at the top of the drop bead and closed it back up. I added another jump ring to use as a hanger. You can also add an ornament hanger to make it look prettier.

Step 12: Find the center of your block at the top and the bottom and using a hot glue gun run a bead of glue around the loop of the head pin to make it stand and stay. Do the same for the bottom of the block. Use your modelling paste and cover the top and the bottom with modelling past to hide the glue. Add glitter if desired.

Step 13: Add a ribbon if desired and hang on tree.

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Simply colourful

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY FOUR:

Crocheting an edge around wash cloths.

You will need: 

Crochet hook

100 percent crochet cotton yarn

Scissors

Needle

AMERICAN CROCHET STITCHES.

  

Start in the center of your wash cloth. Poke your crochet hook through, grab the thread up and tie off a secure knot (how I start). Put your crochet hook at the bottom of where you tied off and grab the thread with the hook again to make a single crochet.

Chain 2 go back down in your wash cloth and make a single crochet. Chain 2. Repeat around wash cloth to make first round.  When you go around the corners don’t put your stitches too far apart otherwise your stitches on the second round will be pulling. So go a little closer for the corners. The first round is like a blanket stitch to help with the second round.

Close the first round by slip stitching closed.

Second round: Chain three. Double crochet in same space where you closed off the first round. Count first chain three as a double crochet. Make a picot stitch by chaining three and bring crochet down into the top of the first two stitches of the double crochet. YO and pull through the three stitches on hook. This will make a like a little loop at the top and this is called a picot stitch. Go back down into the same space and make two double crochet stitches, this will form a shell stitch. Go down into next space and single crochet. Make a shell in next space: Two double crochet, picot stitch, two double crochet. Single crochet.

Repeat until your second round is finished. Finish off with a slip stitch to close round. Weave in any loose ends with a needle and make sure the ends are tied off securely.

These take no more than an hour to do and anyone can make these. Add bubble bath or soap or perfume or after shave and wrap them up.

SEE ALSO: 

Crochet bobby pins and chart for translating stitches

I hope every one is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

(Blog name changed from Vintagepapery to A peaceful homemaker) Linking up to:

Banana Muffins

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

DAY THREE:

Banana Muffins

3 cups self raising flour

1/14 cups milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

90 g butter, melted

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Chopped walnuts
Vanilla essence

Bananas, very ripe, mashed. Use up to about two or more.

Preheat oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a 12 hole 1/3 cup capacity non stick muffin pan.

Sift flour into large bowl and add brown sugar, cinnamon and stir well. Make a well in center then combine milk, egg, walnuts, vanilla essence, and butter in jug. Add mashed banana with the milk mixture. Pour milk mixture into the well and use a large spoon stir all ingredients until just combined.

Spoon mixture into muffin tray until about three quarters full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a  skewer in center comes clean. Allow to cool in pan and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

These can be made the day before Christmas or frozen and thawed day before Christmas.

Make them up in a sweet little basket hamper with one of the apple napkins and tea pocket favors. 

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.

Pocket favors

Make your self a merry little Christmas. 24 days of gifts and makes to create a frugal home made Christmas.

Day two:

TEA POCKET FAVORS

Materials:

12 x 12 inch double sided scrapbook paper. Or plain card stock. Cereal boxes can also be used for card stock.
For paper you can also use 6 1/2 inch scrap booking paper. Scraps of paper can be glued individually to each square. Christmas wrapping paper can also be used.

Ribbon.

Tea Bag Packet.

Reuse any left over tags, stickers, or old Christmas cards from last year for the decoration.

 Cut 12 inch paper into strips of 3 ¾  width  x 9 ¾ inch long.

Score (fold) at 3 ¼ to make three folds along the 9 ¾ length. The last fold, folds into the card and cut diagonal to make the pocket. Run a bit of glue along the bottom of the diagonal cut to form the pocket. If you are using scraps of paper that aren’t quite long enough glue these down to your card stock before you cut your pocket. Now you can decorate the front. Glue down the ribbon leaving enough ribbon to tie off. Then add your decorations on top of the ribbon.

A sentiment can be stamped or cut from old Christmas cards and placed inside. Add your tea bag packet.

Small gifts can also be added behind the tea bag packet. This favor can be tucked into a mug with a treat as well.

The tea pocket favors can be decorated in any style and any color to personalize each one.

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening where ever you are.