I am sure many people in the U.K are experiencing the financial sting at the moment, but never fear! With Mothers day just around the corner I have decided to compile a list of fun, low cost, ideas for crafty projects which will make excellent gifts for all the mothers out there!
Card:
There are many shops which sell lovely cards but I always feel a homemade card is extra special as it shows you have taken the time to make a card especially for that person and you can include your own heartfelt message on put a meaningful photo on the front of a happy memory.
Gift Basket:
This is such a simple gift to make and you can personalise it to suit your Mum!
All you need is a basket or box some coloured tissue paper, clear plastic cellophane and some ribbon - as well as your chosen selection of gift(s). I have included some suggestions for things you can make to put in your gift basket below.
* Bath bombs.
* Soap.
* Bath salts.
* Chocolates.
* Cookies.
* Cupcakes. (How about Pistachio and chocolate or Earl grey and lemon?)
* Massage oil.
* Flowers.
* Home made cushion covers.
* Personalised photo frame with a picture of a cherished memory.
Home made fizzy bath bombs:
You will need:
* Glass or metal bowl.
* Spray bottle.
* Gloves.
* Mold. (Small sized mold work the best as large ones tend to crumble when you remove the bath bomb)
* Sieve.
* 100g Citric acid.
* 200g Bicarbonate of Soda.
* 10-15 Drops of essential oils.
* 1/2 Tablespoon Olive oil / Almond oil / Apricot oil.
* 7-10 Drops of food colouring.
* Small amount of water.
Note: Beginners may want to scale the recipe down till they get the hang of it so they don't waste supplies!
Put on your gloves and mix the citric acid and baking soda together. Add the essential oil and food colouring. Mix rapidly with your hands so the acid mixture doesn't get a chance to begin reacting. Food colouring can make the mixture clumpy, if this happens rub the lumps between your fingers to make them powdery again!
Spray some water into the mixture a tiny amount at a time, you will only need a small amount to make the powder stick together! You are aiming to have a crumbly mixture which sticks together when you squeeze it in your hand.
Tightly pack the mixture in to the molds then tap the back of it to release your bath bomb. Put your bath bombs somewhere warm to dry - Not in direct sunlight!
Use your bath bombs within a few weeks for the best fizzy results as it will ware off after a month or two.
Common problems:
* If your bath bombs crumble when you remove them from the molds you haven't added enough water!
* If your bath bomb is expanding you have added too much water!
To rescue expanding bath bombs add more citric acid and bicarbonate of soda - 1 part citric acid to 2 parts bicarbonate of soda.
Home made soap:
Making soap from scratch has proven to be a problem for me as I find it difficult to always find the necessary ingredients so here is my hassle free, cheaty method!
Easy oat soap:
Moisturising, exfoliating and smells delicious! - Not recommended for use on your face!
You will need:
* 1 Bar of fragrance free soap. (I like to use the Shea soap from the body shop as a base though)
* 3 Tablespoons of porridge oats.
* 4 Tablespoons of water.
* Heatproof glass bowl.
* Knife.
* Soap mold.
Grind up the oats in a blender or with a pestle and mortar, then grate your soap into small slithers and place into your bowl. Add the water and melt in the microwave - watching closely in case it starts to bubble over.
Stir in the oats until they are all covered in the soap mixture. Pour into the mold and allow to cool and set. When it had set - Ideally leave it overnight - remove from the mold.
Optional: Wrap with a wash cloth and tie it with some ribbon for a pretty gift.
Home made bath salts:
Treat your Mum to some indulgent bath salts! Here is how!
You will need:
* 200g Epsom.
* 200g Rock salt.
* 2 Tablespoons of Bicarbonate of soda.
* 15 Drops of essential oils.
* 15 Drops of food colouring. (Optional)
* Dried flower petals or herbs. (Optional)
* Metal or glass bowl.
* Metal spoon.
* Glass jar.
* Ribbons for decorating.
Mix all the salts together in the metal or glass bowl - Plastic will absorb the smells. Sift in the Bicarbonate of soda and stir with a metal spoon - wooden spoons will also absorb the smells/colouring!
Add in the essential oil and food colouring if using, then add in the dried flowers or herbs (Lavender and Rose petals are especially nice and thyme is also good!)
Store the salt mixture in a glass jar as it will keep them fresher for longer. Decorate with the ribbon. Be sure to store the jar out of direct sunlight as it will ruin the essential oils!
How to use:
Add 50g -100g to your bath and enjoy!
NOTE: If using herbs or flowers they will clog up your plug. To avoid this put your salts in a muslin bag or circle of fabric and tie with a ribbon or piece of string and leave to infuse before and during your bath.
Hand made chocolates:
Not recommended for people with Strawberry allergies!
You will need:
* Chocolate.
* Strawberries.
* Cocktail or BBQ skewers.
* Grease proof paper.
* Plate.
* Truffle paper cases.
* Pretty box.
Firstly wash the strawberries and remove the stalks and leaves. Using the cocktail sticks or BBQ skewers push the strawberries onto the end - not all the way just so they are on the tips.
Place a sheet of grease proof paper on a plate and put to one side.
Melt the chocolate in a heat proof bowl, either in the microwave or over a pan of boiling water and stir until all the pieces make a smooth consistency.
Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and evenly coat them then lay them on the grease proof paper to set.
Once the chocolate strawberries have set take them off the skewers and place each one in a truffle case and them place it into the box, do this for all of the the chocolates and then close the box lid and decorate with ribbon if you want to.
Cookies:
There are so many cookie recipes out there but my current favourite are honey and oat cookies and they always seem to be a big hit with my friends and family so I shall share with you my recipe. :D
Oat and Honey cookies.
Makes 6 - 8 cookies.
Ingredients:
* 75g Porridge oats.
* 1 Tablespoon Honey.
* 75g Sugar.
* 75g Self raising flour.
* 75g Margarine or butter.
Grease a large baking tray and pre heat your oven to 170c / 325F.
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl - Oats, flour and sugar! Next, Melt the butter in a pan then add in the honey, then add this to the dry ingredients. Combine to make a sticky dough.
Flour your hands and shape the dough in to 6 - 8 evenly sized balls and place them on the greased tray - leave plenty of space between each one. Gently press each ball down to make them slightly flatter.
Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. When they are done leave them to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.
Enjoy!
xxVickyxx
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