Begin saving empty containers.  Remove labels, and thoroughly wash items before storing.  Mayonnaise jars, interesting glass bottles,  plastic containers, tins, boxes… all of these can be used to make wonderful home made gifts.  Every time you or the kids get bored this summer, take out some of your saved containers and decorate them.  You can pull out some broken egg shells and mosaic the top of a jar lid.  Give the kids some acrylic craft paints, and let them paint snowmen on the outside of some containers.  Decoupage herb pictures on the outside of bottles so you can later fill them with home made herbal vinegars or oils.  You’ll have fun projects to fill those lazy summer days, and be well on your way to beautiful and unique gifts containers. 

If you use dryer sheets in your dryer, begin saving them after the clothes are done.  You can begin making bath teas from herbs.  My favorites are peppermint, lavender, and rosemary.  Just pick some fresh herbs and sandwich them between two dryer sheets.  Stitch the sheets together around the outside (or use a good waterproof glue) then pop the “tea bag” in the bath for a relaxing aroma therapy treatment.  If you are not going to use the herbs right away, dry them before making the bag.    

            Tomorrow is May Day.  Help your children participate in an old tradition that has nearly died out by making little baskets or cones from paper.  Early in the morning, gather little blossoms from your garden, and help the children fill each basket.  (even dandelions are appropriate)  Then, under your supervision, have them hang the baskets on the door knobs of neighbors homes.  They don’t need to knock or ring the bell. The little gift has so much meaning when left anonymously.  This is such a simple gesture, and will bring so much pleasure to each person when they open their doors and find a “basket” of flowers waiting for them.

Egg shell Jewelry… made from some of those saved colored egg shell pieces.

You can make beautiful little one-of-a-kind gifts with some of the most unusual items.  Egg shells, whether colored or plain are very versatile.  You’ll want to use your biggest pieces of shell for a beautiful necklace.  Cover both sides of the shells with a two part epoxy which you can get at any craft store.  Set the pieces on a piece of ceramic tile or an old dish lightly coated with Vaseline to dry.  You can get a similar effect and strengthen the shell pieces with multiple coats of clear nail polish.  Make sure each coat dries for at least 3 hours when using nail polish.  When completely dry, drill a small hole in the top of the shell. You can find a great hand drill and drill bits here:  http://www.bobbibopstuff.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_18&sort=20a&page=3  the bits are at the bottom of this page:  http://www.bobbibopstuff.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_18&sort=20a&page=2

If the color isn’t quite right or if you want to embellish the color, use acrylic paints on the shell to get the desired effect.  Put a clasp through the hole and add a jump ring big enough to string your chain, thread or ribbon through.

You can make earrings with shells that are similar in size and shape, or add several pieces of shell to your ear clasps with jump rings.   

29-Mar

By using ingredients from your pantry, you can take care of your skin and save. Try the
following:
Honey and oatmeal can exfoliate dry skin.
Ginger seeped in a bath softens your skin.Cucumber and milk softens tired skin.

You can also make the best possible cream for dry, cracked skin… especially your feet.  Go to the nearest dollar store and purchase 1 bottle baby lotion, one bottle vitamin E lotion, and one jar Vaseline.  Mix the three together.  I just use my electric mixer.  I then put the new mixture back into the original containers and use daily.  I’ve never found anything better, and it only costs me $3 and a few minutes.  I save little jelly jars, and put some of the mixture into them as future gifts.   

30-Mar

You can make some delightful treats for all the children on your Easter list.  Purchase some white plastic spoons and suckers.  The round tootsie roll pops or a similar pop is the best.  Draw a bunny face on the back of the spoon with a permanent marker, add some felt bunny ears.  Tape the sucker into the bowl of the spoon and tie with a bow.  Here is a link to some that a member of a craft forum created for her Spring craft show.  http://bobbibopstuff.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2164

She also made some chicks.  http://bobbibopstuff.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2166

This is a fun and inexpensive treat that little kids will love.

31-Mar

            Review your calendar for March, and budget how much you will be spending for each gifting occasion.  If you normally purchase a Christmas present for those same people, plan on purchasing the Christmas gift at the same time.  Remember to record the purchase in your book.

1-Apr

            Keep pinching the tops of your herb plants and picking mature leaves.  Dry and store.  Even if you just use them for cooking instead of purchasing the bottled kind, you’ll save money.

2-Apr

            Almost everyone saves newspaper clippings, travel brochures, and other printed documents, and after just a few years these items begin to deteriorate due to the acid in the papers.  Archival mist is very expensive, but you can make your own by dissolving one milk of magnesia tablet in one quart of club soda.  Let mixture stand overnight,  stir well, and pour into shallow pan (like a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan).  Carefully lay clipping into mixture and let soak through.  Remove and lay on soft towel  to dry.  Be sure to test the colorfastness of inks on items other than newspaper before you soak.  This is a great money saver for anyone that creates scrapbooks.