Thursday, March 24, 2011

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

I love the softening and exfoliating effects of hand scrubs - so I decided to make my own - and loved it so much I gave it to my mom as a birthday gift!


Ingredients:

•2 1/2 cups white sugar
•1 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
•4 tablespoons lemon juice (I also added lemon zest)



I found there was too much EVOO in the finished product, so next time I would add less. Mix ingredients together.



Then pour into a cute glass container that seals.



Add a label - I decided I liked the edge made with pinking shears.



Use Mod Podge to attach the label and make sure to put a top coat on - to seal it.




Add a ribbon and a spoon or scoop and it's ready to give as a gift!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Wish Tree

how to make a wish tree

I found this idea on the Internet while searching for ideas for my sister's wedding. I found that it's a Dutch wedding custom where guests are given a piece of paper to write their wishes to the bride and groom and then hang it on the tree. This creates lasting memories and a beautiful focal point. The Wish Tree can be used in place of or in addition to a guest book.

This Wish Tree looks like a simple vignette, but it took planning and many small projects to get this beautiful setting.

1. The "tree" is a branch I found on the highway. The diamond looking beads around the base were not strong enough to hold the branch, so I used plaster of paris in a small cup, then put that in the glass base, with the beads around it.

2. The jars on the table were found at Gordman's, the words cut out using a Cricut, then attached to the jars with mod podge. I used the jars to hold the tags and the pens.



3. Instructions were put in a frame. Some weddings use a poem as instructions, but we just invited guests to leave a wish for the couple.




4. The tags were "large blank tags" from Hobby Lobby. The fronts of the tags were stamped with a flowering branch stamp and had a clear label that said "I wish...". On the backs, I glued squares of scrapbook paper. Sheer ribbon in coordinating colors completed the tags.






Behind the tree, I used a mirror, with the words "wish tree" on it. To get the look of frosted glass lettering, I used a kit from Hobby Lobby and stencils.






Strands of iradescent garland around the tree and a lace tablecloth on a small wooden table finished the look. All the details together made a Wish Tree Martha Stewart would be proud of!