Awesome DIY Christmas Gifts!!

Just Found this CUTE idea, might have to try!!

THE GUNNY SACK :

{Everything} In A Jar - Handmade Gifts

With just a little over 10 weeks until Christmas, it is already time to start thinking about gifts!  The more gifts that can be taken care of ahead of time, the easier the holiday season will be.  I came up with a really fun idea that can be customized to pretty much any person or occasion called:

{Everything} In A Jar

Today, I am going to show you the ones I made for teachers!  Teachers spend so much time at school so I tried to think of items that could be used at school.  When I picked the supplies to stuff the jars, I tried to stick with a color scheme for each jar to make it look cuter.

{energy} in a jar

Peanuts

White Chocolate Hot Drink Mix

Suisse Mocha Latte Mix

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Energy Bar

Milk Chocolate Truffles

{pampering} in a jar

Cozy Socks

Sunshine Daisy Lotion

Sunshine Daisy Fragrance Spray

Moisture Rich Hand Creme

Soothing Massage Bar Soap

Eye Treatment Cream

Facial Scrub

Lip Balm

{refreshment} in a jar

Facial Cleaning Toweletts

Wrinkle Release Spray

Disposible Mini Toothbrushes

Tide To Go Mini Pen

Peppermint Gum

Peppermint Altoids

Mini Brush and Mirror Combo

The first step for assembly is to stuff the goodies into the jars.  This takes some planning and coordination.  A long pencil can help with shuffling items around and getting them to fit.

I designed some labels to print off and put on the jars.  You can print these labels out, free of charge, if you would like to make your own jars.  The first one is has the wording on the ovals and the second is blank so you can add whatever you want.  I think I made the images large enough that you should just be able to print them from clicking on the image.  My printer just ran out of ink so I can't test it but if it doesn't work just let me know and I can add a Google Doc or email you the file.

I cut out the labels and using Elmer's CraftBond Glue Spots #GlueNGlitter in the thin small style, I attached the long strip to the back of the jar.

Then, using more glue spots, I wrapped the strips around the jar.  The 2 ends don't meet but that is okay because the oval will cover the opening.

Using more of the glue spots, I attached the oval label.

My kids like the {refreshment} in a jar the most and keep claiming it as the one they are going to give to their teacher!  I told them we can buy more of the same stuff and make another jar!

Here are some more fun ideas we came up with for jars:

{tide me over} in a jar

Beef Jerky

Nuts

Trail Mix

Granola Bars

Single Serving Drink Mix

{first aid} in a jar

Bandaids

Tweezers

Ibuprofen

Ointment

Gauze

Hand Sanitizer

Non Latex Gloves

Antiseptic Wipes

{s'mores} in a jar

Marshmallows

Chocolate Bars

Graham Crackers

{relaxation} in a jar

Mini Candles

Bath Salt

Massage Oil

Eye Mask

{sewing} in a jar

Mini Scissors

Thread

Thimble

Buttons

Seam Ripper

Needles

You get the idea!  This gift can be for teens, moms, kids, friends or anyone else.  Just customized the jar to the recipients tastes!  It is fun to try to find mini items that will fit in the jars!

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING:

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub {for Mom}

We all have them {well at least I do}; poor, exhausted, DIY doing, spray painting extraordinaire, crafters hands. I have been using this simple mix for a few years and it is the best recipe to rejuvenate your skin and bring your fingertips back to life. The sugar is an excellent exfoliate to remove the craft leftovers from your nail beds and cuticles too! It takes only minutes to mix and you most likely have all the necessary ingredients sitting right in your pantry.

Packaged up just right this makes another inexpensive Mother's Day gift; a perfect addition to tuck in a little gift basket.

Begin my mixing 2 1/2 Cups of Sugar with 1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add in 4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice {or scented essential oils to your liking}. This mixture will make enough to fill a 12oz. Mason Jar {and you'll have just enough left over to clean your hands afterwards too}

Mix really well until a gritty paste forms and spoon into a glass container. {make sure your container has a lid that seals}

I have to say I love this mix and use it all the time. After sitting for awhile you may need to mix prior to using as the sugar may settle. A tiny bit is all you need and it leaves your skin extra soft and smooth. {plus not to mention it scrubs away all craft evidence so my hands do not look like a mechanics out in public}Enjoy!

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub {Easy Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts}

Since the Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub & Brown Sugar Body Scrub were a hit in the spring, I thought I would share a new festive mix that would make a great hostess gift for the upcoming holiday. These are extremely easy to put together and you can even make larger batches to finish off a few gifts all at once.

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub{use as a hand scrub or body scrub}

2 Cups of Brown Sugar

1 Cup of Granulated Sugar

2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Cup + 1 Tablespoon of Sunflower, Safflower, or Vegetable Oil

Mix Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar and Pumpkin Pie Spice together, making sure there are no lumps.

Add in oil and mix well. I like to use Sunflower Oil that can be found in most health food stores. Sunflower oil, like other oils, can retain moisture in the skin. {Safflower Oil is very similar to the Sunflower} Alternately, you can use plain Vegetable Oil as well.

{I would omit using Olive Oil wth this one as the scent can be a little too powerful to mix with the warm scents of the pumpkin and brown sugar}

These keep well in a sealed, sanitized glass container for months.

Just keep out of direct sunlight; as you would store the oil itself.

Click here for some simple printable labels

{they are sized to fit a 1 1/2 inch punch or they can simply be hand cut}

Today I'd like to share an easy and simple recipe for Scented Room Spray that essentially anyone can put together. The initial supplies cost just a few dollars and you'll be sure to have enough finished product to cross of many people on your list.

The base ingredients for the spray are Witch Hazel and Distilled Water. Witch Hazel can be found in the health and beauty section and costs just a little over $1. Distilled Water can be found at any grocer and runs just under $1 for an entire gallon.

Just about any scented oil can be used to scent the spray. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils, such as the ones above, which are mainly used for scenting candles and soaps. I purchased mine from an online retailer, however many local craft stores also carry them as well.

To make, simply mix;

4 ounces of Distilled Water

2 ounces of Witch Hazel

and 1 tablespoon of Scented Oil

The recipe can be adjusted as needed to fill any size containers.

Stir to mix well and let sit while you prepare your bottles.

{Note: the picture above is prior to stirring; the oils and water will combine}

links at the end of this post.

This is my favorite body scrub. {not just because it is yummy Brown Sugar and Vanilla either} It's the perfect exfoliate for your heels, knees and elbows and great for your tan legs in the summer time too.

You want to begin by mixing 2 Cups of Brown Sugar and 1 Cup of Granulated Sugar together until there are no lumps. Add in 1 Cup of Sunflower Oil and 1 Tablespoon of Pure Vanilla Extract. {I like to use Sunflower Oil for this body scrub because it does not carry the strong scent that Olive Oil does}

Mix together well and scoop into a sealable glass container.

I purchased a few of these vinyl decals at Joanne Fabrics a few weeks ago at 70% off. {and my nearby store still has a ton left} I got this 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 decal for just 30 cents. The scoops were purchased from Walmart - you can find them in the kitchen utensil section and they run about $2.00 for a set of three. Super cute just to have around for party scoops!

I be sharing one more Project for Mom tomorrow then I'll be back to some home decor. I have some exciting things I'm working on for The DIY Club that starts this Friday. {I can't wait to share} Below are the other Projects for Mom that have been posted that last couple days {click on each picture for the tutorials} Enjoy!

NORTHERN COTTAGE:

YUM Scrub

This weekend I put together some yummy hand scrub using

SUGAR

DISHSOAP

A DASH OF MULLING SPICE (yummy wintery cozy smell!)

A few drops of FOOD COLORING

and

PRETTY JARS

Mix it all together…

 

I found through trial and error that I like to start by measuring the jar I’m using and fill it almost to the top with sugar and then dump that into a bowl along with a bit of the dishsoap and spices to the consistency of your liking for good mixing power.

Once totally mixed…it goes cleanly (not like in photos above!)

into the FRESH jar

without worrying about a mess or getting every little nook and cranny into the mix.

I added 3 drops of food coloring to this batch just to make it a pretty pink color.

Decorate the tops and throw on a bit of ribbon and you’re done (ready to enjoy or give as gifts!)

  

LIFE IN THE MOTHERHOOD:

Peppermint Body Scrub

Homemade Scrubs

I have a couple of homemade scrubs I wanted to share with all of you. It's nice because you know what you are putting on your skin and the ingredients 'should' be ready at hand.

The first scrub is an idea I got from a good friend. She posted this on Facebook and I knew I had to make it not just for me but for my neighbors. It's a peppermint scrub!

Peppermint Scrub

Ingredients:

1cup of sugar

1/3 cup of mineral oil (I just used hypoallergenic baby oil)

2 T of corn syrup

1/2 tsp of peppermint extract

1 drop of green food coloring