Crafts in the Kitchen

Bath Bombs

2 tbsp. citric acid
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda

3 tbsp. coconut oil (or you can use another emollient oil like almond oil, avacado oil or apricot kernel oil)
1/4 tsp. essential oil (as per instructions)
3 - 6 drops of liquid colorant (if desired)

Instructions:

Place all of the dry ingredients (first three) into a bowl and mix well.
In a small lass bowl melt oil then add fragrance and colourant.
Slowly add oil mixture to dry ingredients and blend well.

Take truffle sized soops of the mixture and shape into balls. Balls should be about one ince in diameter.

Let the balls rest on a sheet of waxed paper for two to three hours. Gently reshape if needed.

Let the bombs (balls) dry and harden for 24-48 hours. Pack each bomb into it's own closed container to keep fresh. To use, drop one to three bombs into warm bath water to release fragrance and oils.

Bubble Bath Jelly Jars

1 packet unflavoured gelatin

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup clear liquid soap or bubble bath

essential oils by preference, taking note of instructions

food colouring - optional

small objects (silk flowers, toys, small figures, etc.)

1/8 sheet card stock weight paper

ribbon, yarn, or raffia (for bow to tie label on jar)

clear container with lid, such as a small glass canning jar

Instructions:

Empty the packet of gelatin into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Heat water in a saucepan, until just boiling. Immediately remove water from heat source. Carefully pour the hot water into the large mixing bowl and gently mix with the gelatin powder. Allow gelatin to completely dissolve. Be patient. THis may take a few minutes.

Slowly and gently stir the liquid soap to the gelatin mixture. Ad a drop of food colouring and 5-8 drops of fragrance oil. Be careful not to beat mixture or bath jelly will become foamy. 

Pour mixture into a clean, clear container. Place your chosen small object inside container, nesting it inside jelly. 

Refrigerate Bubble Jelly until set (approx. 4 hrs. ) As the jelly sets, come up with a name for your creation. Then using your card stock paper and ribbon, make a label for your jar. Attach label to bath jelly jar by punching a hold in one corner of the label. Thread ribbon, cut long enough to ti around the jar, through hole on the label. Tie around the jar! (You can also decorate your jar with additional small items or dried flowers, as desired).

To use: Scoop a small amount of jelly (1-2 tbsp.) into your hand and hold under warm running water for a bubbly bath treat!

Honey Lip Balm Recipe

1 ounch bar beeswax

1/2 cup sweet almond oil 

1 tsp. honey

Optional Ingredients...1 tsp. flavour (vanilla extract, peppermenit oil etc.)

In a sauce pan over low heat warm the oil and melt the beeswax into it. Take off the heat and add into the lip balm jars (small jam jars work very well).

Take Note...Consistency may vary with geographic areas. If the lip balm is too hard, re-warm and add more sweet almond oil. If it is too soft, add more beeswax. It's really easy!

More a more healing balm you may then add powdered golden seal, comfrey, calendua, or natural essential oils. Enjoy!

Play Dough

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

2 tbsp. cream of tartar

1 cup water

2 tsp. vegetable food colouring

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

Mix first three ingredients in a medium pot. Add food colouring to water; add to dry ingredients along with the oil. Stir to dissolve. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly with  a wooden spoon. Remove from pot and work in hands a few minutes. Store in air tight container. 

Other Ideas

Bottle door stop, glass jar tea lights, paper machet, bee's wax candles, fimo fun, pot porrie sachets, barley husk pillow, crock pot aromatherapy, herb smudging, bath salts...