DIY Plaster Aroma Stones for Essential Oils (That Double As Kids Sidewalk Chalk)

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April 2, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 5 Comments

Learn how to make DIY plaster aroma stones for a quick and easy essential oil diffuser. This easy DIY craft project is perfect for the kids to make for Mother’s Day gifts. Plus they can create extras to use themselves. Turns out these essential oil aroma stones actually double as kids sidewalk chalk. So it’s the perfect 2-for-1 activity when you need things to do when bored, or are looking for creative kids crafts to keep your little angelic demons out of your hair. Keep reading to discover how to make my DIY plaster aroma stones for essential oils. Plus easy DIY ideas for kids crafts and activities that I loved as a child.

Last week I got into a groove and started getting crafty. I was going to rock being stuck at home. Unfortunately, it turns out that adult fears outweigh that childhood boredom that kept me entertained as a Gen X latchkey kid. Because my increasing anxiety kicked everything up a notch, including the fibro. And there’s no amount of knocking boots or edibles that can get me back into my magic zen zone.

Everyday is just one day at a time right now. Slowing down and a lot of self care. Hoping things don’t get worse. Worrying that no one I know gets sick. Crossing fingers, legs and toes that my friends who’ve lost their jobs are going to pull through this with some hope (and sanity) left intact. It’s crazy out there. And I’m worried. But I think it’s important to remember that we are not alone. If we stick together as a community and look out for each other, we’ll all be okay. In the meantime, get back to basics by crafting! It’s basically art therapy for stress. (Plus it’ll likely help you cope better than day drinking. Those cortisol spikes cause some pretty wicked insomnia.)

Unplugged Kids Crafts & Activities

I know some of you still have kids at home bored out of their minds. So it can be hard to drag them away from video games and the internet. Since I’m apparently old enough to now be confused with a boomer (Um, hello. My PARENTS are boomers. They are in their 70s.) I have all kinds of ideas for unplugged kids crafts and activities that I did as a child. Because Atari was about as good as it got back then. And I was never great about the whole hand eye coordination thing.

Mix dirt with grass and water to make pinch pot pottery.
Learn about edible weeds and herbs by foraging for salads.
Create an at home restaurant with food, menus and money hand drawn onto paper, then cut out with scissors.
Bake cookies and brownies and grilled cheese.
Make paper dolls.
Attach multiple sheets of paper together with tape, then draw roads on them for toy cars.
Dig up the yard to make roads for toy cars.
Use kids sidewalk chalk to draw roads on the cul-de-sac for biking.
Play dress up with other family members’ clothing, complete with a photo shoot.
Make furniture for dolls using upcycled cardboard and other found materials.
Write a zine or start a journal.
Craft a wearable mermaid’s tail from newspaper, tape and aluminum foil.
Slam your brother’s finger in a door. When he gets you back, compare blood blisters.
Make a terrarium with dirt and moss from the great outdoors.
Use scraps of paper to create mosaic art.
Sew easy felt finger puppets.

Build a teepee or fort.
Craft a diorama with fish or dinosaurs.
Use paper clay to make a giant volcano for some vinegar and baking soda action. (Complete with red food dye, of course.)
Learn how to crochet.
Make a woven wall hanging using a handmade weaving loom.
Cross Stitch.
Use leftover fabric to sew a quilt by hand.
Read a book.
Forage and identify the leaves of 40 different trees. Press them between wax paper and create a book.
Make flower necklaces and bracelets with dandelions and clover blossoms.
Craft friendship bracelets using embroidery thread.
Make melt and pour soap.
Learn real life skills through The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs.
Make solar prints.
Use fabric crayons or markers to make custom t-shirts.
Decoupage empty cigar boxes with Mod Podge and scrapbook papers.
Paint pictures using watercolors.
Make homemade candles.

They can also make this awesome kids sidewalk chalk. Or DIY plaster aroma stones. Whatever you prefer to call them. Simply whip them up in a fun mold (I used my soap making molds) and have at it.

What Are Aroma Stones?

You may be wondering, what is an aroma stone? An aroma stone is basically just unglazed pottery. It’s used as a fragrance diffuser for fragrance oils or essential oils by simply adding drops of your scent of choice to the stone. You can make aroma stones using air dry clay. You can also make DIY plaster aroma stones using plaster. By adding colored mica powder, you can easily add fun colors to your aroma stones. And utilize them as kids sidewalk chalk as well. Here’s how it’s done.

DIY Plaster Aroma Stones (Or Kids Sidewalk Chalk)

Ingredients:

1 cup plaster
3/4 cup water
2.5 grams mica powder

Materials:

Silicone mold
Mixing bowls
Mixing utensils
Measuring cup

Directions for Making DIY Plaster Aroma Stones:

I made my DIY plaster aroma stones the same way I did my essential oil ornaments. There’s not a huge difference in the process. I used four parts plaster to three parts water with a full size sample package of mica powder for color to create these.

This recipe always works for making kids sidewalk chalk, however, the colors are pretty pastel. For bolder colors, if you’d like your DIY plaster aroma stones to double as kids sidewalk chalk, simply double or triple the amount of mica powder used.

You can also easily increase or decrease the size of my recipe for DIY plaster aroma stones simply by resizing it as needed. Just adhere to the four parts plaster to three parts water ratio. The addition of mica won’t make any difference in the outcome of your DIY plaster aroma stones as far as them holding together.

Once you’ve gathered all the supplies and materials you need to make your DIY plaster aroma stones, use a measuring cup to measure out the plaster and water into separate containers.

Add the mica powder to the dry plaster and mix well.

You want the color to be evenly incorporated throughout the plaster.

Once you’ve mixed the plaster and mica powder for your DIY plaster aroma stones, stir in the water. Continue mixing until there are no clumps and the plaster is completely fluid.

Now pour the colored plaster into your silicone mold. I used these silicone flower molds. The smaller of these two molds will make three DIY plaster aroma stones or kids sidewalk chalk in a single color.

Now use your finger, a spatula or another utensil to pop any air bubbles that may be present. You can also try tapping the mold lightly on your surface area to remove air bubbles. However, I found this challenging as the mold isn’t sturdy.

Allow the DIY plaster aroma stones to set up completely. It will take them about 20 minutes or so to fully harden. Once hardened, you can unmold them.

To make additional DIY plaster aroma stones or kids sidewalk chalk in more colors, simply repeat the process using a different color than the first.

How to Use Your DIY Plaster Aroma Stones:

To use your DIY plaster aroma stones, add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil blend to the tops of the stone. One of my favorite blends right now is Simply Earth’s Tranquility essential oil blend. I find this blend especially helpful during times of stress. (Especially when I can’t find TP anywhere! Am I right?)

You can also create an aromatherapy essential oil blend to reduce stress and promote relaxation for your DIY plaster aroma stones. Simply combine 10 drops manuka essential oil, 10 drops bergamot essential oil and 2 drops lavender essential oil in an amber glass bottle. Then swirl to combine. Then add the blend to your plaster aroma stone to help ease away stressors and promote calm.

(If you’d like to discover more about essential oils, try out new recipes and learn about aromatherapy, then sign up for the Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box. Not only will you receive a coupon for $40 off your next purchase on ANYTHING you like, you’ll also get a free bonus box of ingredients and supplies at no additional cost with your first box. Simply use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE at checkout. You can find reviews and essential oil recipes from past boxes here.)

How to Use Your Aroma Stones as Kids Sidewalk Chalk:

Using your DIY Plaster Aroma Stones as kids sidewalk chalk is a snap. Simply add additional mica, if desired, when making your stones for that extra color pop. Then give your kids some chalk to play with and enjoy! It works great on streets, sidewalks and paving stones. And, of course, parents and adults can join in the fun too! (You’re never too old to be creative.)

You can find some great ideas for sidewalk chalk art here. Or check out these sidewalk chalk games.

Like my project for making DIY plaster aroma stones? Then make sure you pin this project to Pinterest for later!

If you love home fragrances, then also be sure to try out my DIY reed diffuser with essential oils as well as my DIY wax melts with beeswax.

For more great essential oil recipes and easy DIY ideas, be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram for more beauty recipes and ideas for a spa day at home. As well as sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: crafts, diffuser blends, diy, easy, essential oil blend, essential oils, gift idea, gifts for women, handmade home, healthy homemaking, home fragrance, homemaking, kids, kids project, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts

Soap Sponge DIY: An Easy Way to Exfoliate Skin & Reduce Plastic Waste

February 20, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Learn how to make a soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine. These soaps are dual purpose with an exfoliating sponge and a soap in one product. With proper care, your homemade soap sponges will last about two months. And they offer a number of benefits, not just in skin care, but for the environment as well. Keep reading to discover the benefits of soap sponges, plus how to make your own with just two simple ingredients and a sponge.

The first time I saw a soap sponge in a soap making group on Facebook, I was intrigued. Was it a solid bar of soap with a sponge inside? Would that even be comfortable to use? How do you make one without making a mess?

Since I love playing with all things soap, I decided to take on the challenge and teach you how to make a DIY soap sponge without making a mess.

I was pleasantly surprised that a DIY soap sponge wasn’t messy or hard to make. It was actually one of the easier melt and pour soap making projects that I’ve done.

Unlike DIY loofah soap, which is a loofah embedded inside melt and pour soap, a soap sponge is a sponge that is infused with soap. It’s still soft and squishy, so it feels like and works like, well, a sponge.

Why Use a Soap Sponge?

First off, you may be wondering, what is a soap sponge? A soap sponge is exactly what the name implies. It’s soap in a sponge. So like body wash on a loofah, soap sponges lather and cleanse skin when used. But what are the benefit of using a soap sponge over traditional body wash?

They help reduce plastic use.

Going completely zero waste is nearly impossible. Everything comes in packaging even if it’s just the supplies for production. While bar soap and even syndet shampoo bars are a great way to reduce waste in your daily bath and beauty routine, not everyone loves bar soap.

There are a lot of body wash fans out there. This can make reducing plastic waste even more of a challenge. However, an easy way to ditch your plastic body wash bottle is by using a soap sponge! What makes this even more amazing, is that you can make your own DIY soap sponges yourself, at home.

Once the soap is gone from your soap sponges, you can reuse the sponges for household cleaning, such as tackling your grungy toilet or shower door.

They offer gentle skin exfoliation.

Another benefit of soap sponges is that they offer the added benefit of daily skin exfoliation without any extra steps.

Every day, skin cells die and rise to the surface of your skin before they eventually fall off. These dead skin cells make your skin look dull and sometimes feel itchy. The sponge I used exfoliates the skin to remove this top layer of dead skin cells.

Unlike a body scrub, this sponge is a gentle exfoliant. It’s safe for both kids and adults, even for sensitive skin. It gently removes dead skin cells without causing redness or irritation.

You won’t notice a big difference the first time you use it, but after several uses your skin will start to look brighter and healthier.

How to Make a Soap Sponge

The Best Sponges for Making Soap in a Sponge

I bought a set of 5 soft sponges to make my soap sponges. They are made with natural fibers and soft to the touch. They also have a rope in them so you can hang the sponges to dry after you use them.

These sponges are shipped in a vacuum sealed bag. As soon as I cut open the bag, they puffed up but they were deformed. I soaked them in water and squeezed them, and they looked great. Let them dry completely before dipping them in the soap.

The sponges I used measure 5.12 inches x 3.5 inches x 2 inches. If you use smaller or larger sponges, you may need to adjust the amount of melt and pour soap that you use.

Choosing Your Melt and Pour Soap Base

Since my sponges were multicolored, I decided to use a clear melt and pour soap. I didn’t add any colorant, but you can if you use a solid color sponge.

I used Crafter’s Choice clear melt and pour soap. Their clear soap is very clear and doesn’t set up too fast. It gives a decent lather for a melt and pour soap, so it makes a good soap for the bath. This brand also offers a number of options, including all natural options as well as bases with additives like aloe, shea butter, goat milk and even oatmeal.

While Stephenson’s also offers natural melt and pour soap bases, their bases tend to cool and set up more quickly. Therefore, I do not recommend their bases for this particular project.

Add a Natural Essential Oil Blend

Because I shower in the mornings, I wanted a fresh scent that would lift and lighten my mood. What better way to start a day, right? So I used the Happy Joy blend from Simply Earth. (It’s a recent, and one of my favorite additions, from their monthly essential oil recipe box.)

A blend of geranium, sweet orange, grapefruit, and ylang ylang, this natural essential oil blend works wonders at helping to get me motivated to start my day! It’s a light and fun scent. Plus, it’s also a synergy that can help boost your mood and uplift your spirits. I have a roller with this blend as well, and I keep it by my desk so I can use it while I’m working.

The Happy Joy essential oil blend is only kid safe for children over 10. Therefore, if you’re giving your DIY soap sponges to a child, try a kid safe essential oil blend. Alternately, you can also use a fragrance oil instead.

Ready to make your very first soap sponge? You can find the tutorial for making soap sponges below. But first, I wanted to share a few soap making tips before your get started.

Tips for Making Soap Sponges

I used sponges with a rope in them. The rope got dipped in the soap with the sponge, and it was fine. It got firm, but it wasn’t completely hard. The soap will dissolve the first few times you use it anyway.

You should be practicing safe soap making even with melt and pour soap. Always use heat proof gloves and eye protection when making a soap sponge because the soap is hot and can splatter. These gloves are PVC coated and liquid and heat resistant.

I put a clothes hanger on my cupboard knob and used S hooks to hang my soap sponges after they were done. They didn’t drip much, but I had newspapers on the counter to catch drips.

You will have some soap left over. Pour it into a small mold to use as a hand soap or save it for the next time you make soap sponges.

Unlike cold process soap, melt and pour soap doesn’t need time to cure. It’s ready to use as soon as it’s cool.

Soap Sponge Recipe

Ingredients:

2 sponges
8 ounces clear melt and pour soap
½ teaspoon Happy Joy essential oil blend

Instructions:

Use a digital scale to weigh out the melt and pour soap base. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the melt and pour soap into one inch cubes.

Next, combine the melt and pour soap cubes in a heat safe container. Melt the soap in the microwave in 30 second bursts until melted. You’ll want to stir the soap between each interval to help the soap melt faster, and ensure even heating.

Once the soap base melts, carefully remove the soap from the microwave. I recommend using a tea towel to handle the container as it may be hot.

Then, add the essential oil blend to the melted soap base. Stir well for at least 30 seconds to combine.

Now, while wearing heat resistant gloves, dip each edge of the sponge into the melted soap. Then dip the top and the bottom.

Squeeze gently to remove excess soap.

Repeat the process until the sponge will no longer hold any additional soap. Each sponge should soak up about 4 ounces of the melt and pour soap base.

If necessary, gently reheat the soap if it starts to solidify during the process.

Once you’ve completed making a soap sponge, hang to dry.

Your DIY soap sponge is ready to use once it’s cooled and hardened completely. However, I recommend waiting a day prior to use.

How to Use A Soap Sponge

The soap sponge isn’t a solid piece of soap, so it feels more like a sponge than a bar of soap. To use, just wet it and squeeze it to make a lather. Then use it like you would any soap.

How to Care for Soap Sponges

Water is the enemy of melt and pour soap. If you let this sit in water, the soap will dissolve quickly. To help it last longer, set it on a soap dish or hang it where it won’t get hit by water.

If you hang it up between uses, it should last about two months.

Yield: 2 Soap Sponges

DIY Soap Sponge

Make a dual purpose DIY soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine to exfoliate and cleanse skin in one easy step for beautiful, glowing skin. An easy melt and pour soap recipe for beginners.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Easy

Materials

8 ounces clear melt and pour soap
½ teaspoon skin safe essential oil blend

Tools

2 bath sponges with rope
heat resistant PVC coated gloves
knife to cut soap
scale to weigh soap
microwave
bowl

Instructions

Cut the melt and pour soap into one inch cubes.
Melt in the microwave in 30 second bursts until melted. Stir between each interval to help the soap melt faster.
Remove the soap from the microwave carefully. Add the essential oil and stir well for at least 30 seconds.
Wear heat resistant gloves and dip each edge of the sponge into the soap. Then dip the top and the bottom. Squeeze gently to remove excess soap. Repeat the process until you each sponge is filled with half of the soap.
Hang to dry.

Zero waste skin care recipe for a DIY soap sponge. Learn how to make a soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine. These soaps are dual purpose with an exfoliating sponge and a soap in one product. With proper care, your homemade soap sponges will last about two months. And they offer a number of benefits, not just in skin care, but for the environment as well. Discover the benefits of soap sponges, plus how to make your own with just two simple ingredients and a sponge.

Love this easy melt and pour soap making project for making DIY soap sponges? Then be sure to pin this recipe to Pinterest for later. And check out my Pinterest board for Easy Melt and Pour Soap Recipes for Beginners.

More Melt and Pour Soap Projects

If you enjoyed this tutorial and recipe for making DIY soap sponges, then you may also want to explore some of these other easy melt and pour soap recipes for beginners.

Discover more of my soap making projects by following me across all your favorite social media platforms. You can follow Soap Deli News blog on facebook, twitter and instagram. You can also find me on Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, DIY Craft Project, Soapmaking Tagged With: bath and body, crafts, diy, easy, eco-friendly, gift idea, melt and pour soap, melt and pour soap recipe, melt and pour soapmaking, natural skin care, skin care recipes, soap tutorial, soapmaking, zero waste

Herbal Bath Soak DIY for Valentine’s Day Gifts, Mother’s Day or Wedding Favors

February 7, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 9 Comments

Create a simple DIY herbal bath soak for someone special in your life. It’s an easy way to remind best friend, mother or even your overworked coworker not just that they are important to you, but also that they are totally deserving of self care. Whether you need gifts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s day or wedding favors for your friends and family, this easy herbal bath soak is ready to gift in just 5-minutes or less!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you may be looking for a quick and easy last minute Valentine’s day gift idea. These DIY herbal bath soaks are the perfect relaxing, bath time treat to help your BFF or loved one celebrate the holiday self care style. Or, keep this easy idea in mind for spring wedding favors or even DIY Mother’s day gifts this May.

This test tube style herbal bath soak DIY uses pre-blended relaxing bath herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. However, if you already have organic herbs and botanicals on hand, you can customize the herbs that go into your bath soak to suit your taste. I chose to use the relaxing bath herbs for their robust floral fragrance and natural beauty. Made using only certified organic herbs, this herbal bath soak contains a blend of organic Chamomile flowers, organic Lavender flowers, organic Comfrey leaf, organic Rose Petals, organic Hops flowers, organic Passionflower and a blend of true essential oils.

If desired, you can also add cosmetic bath salts to your herbal bath soak. Simply layer the relaxing bath herbs with bath salts of choice in between each layer. You can learn more about the different types and benefits of cosmetic bath salts here. Plus discover two relaxing salt bath soak recipes with essential oils including an herbal bath soak recipe with lavender, rose and calendula petals.

Here’s how to put together your own DIY herbal bath soaks for holiday gift giving or wedding favors.

DIY Herbal Bath Soak

Supplies & Materials:

3 oz. Relaxing Bath Herbs
Large test tubes with cork stoppers
Jolee’s Mini Repeats Hearts Stickers, or similar

Directions for Assembling Your Herbal Bath Soak:

Using a large funnel or a rolled up sheet of paper, simply fill each test tube with the relaxing bath herbs.

Insert the cork into each test tube to close.

Then place a sticker on the end of the corks.

If desired, you can also tie a ribbon around the top of the test tubes.

That’s it! It really is that quick and easy to make your own DIY herbal bath soak gifts. (Sometimes packaging is everything!)

Love my easy DIY herbal bath soak gifts? Then be sure to pin this project to Pinterest for later!

More Relaxing Bath Time Recipes

If you’d like to try other ways to enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub, then try one of these other herbal skin care recipes. These relaxing bath time recipes are also perfect for gifting, and as always, a lovely self care treat!

If this project peeked your interest to learn more about the herbs found in Mountain Rose Herbs’ relaxing bath herbs, then you may be interested in taking an herbal course in botanical skin care. You can find a review of a botanical skin care course that I completed recently here.

For more great self care recipes and projects from Soap Deli News, be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: 5-minute crafts, bath and body, bath recipe, bath soak, botanicals, easy, gift idea, herbal, herbal baths, herbs, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts, self care, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gifts, wedding favor, weddings

Dollar Tree Valentines for Gifts, Party Favors and BFF’s

February 4, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 7 Comments

Whether you need Valentine’s day gifts for someone special or affordable favors for your Valentine’s day party, these easy DIY Dollar Tree valentines are the perfect way to show you care, And you don’t need to spend a lot of money. Crafted entirely using products from the Dollar Store, these dollar store valentines are easy to create and customize. Keep reading to learn how to craft your own Dollar Tree valentines two ways in 5-minutes or less.

To be frank, Valentine’s day is not my favorite holiday. My son is grown and off in grad school, and I’m an empty nester. So there’s no excitement in decorating a Valentine’s day box for cards, or picking out the perfect valentines for his classmates. And when you’re dating, especially in your forties, yet another holiday (how many of these things are there?) often evokes a WTF moment in which your brain teeters on shutting down completely. (Or at the least throwing up from the trepidation.)

That’s not to say there’s no love in my life. I have some pretty amazing friends. That my friends are the true blue forever kind of friends always gives me a warm and cozy feeling. It feels good to know that if I’m ever truly in need, they’re there.

These women are the kind of friends that, even if you drop off the face of the planet for a while, they’re still around to help you climb back into their universe when you’re ready. The people who you’d do anything for and they’d do anything for you in return. Including standing up for you when you aren’t around. So while Valentine’s day may not be the same gross happy couple ooey gooey holiday for me as it is for everyone else, I feel really good about celebrating Galentine’s day instead.

Easy DIY Dollar Tree Valentines

Regardless of who’s your gift recipient, these super cute Dollar Tree valentines are perfect for kids and coworkers as well as friends and family. They’re both affordable and easy to make. Gift them to your valentine solo, or pair them with one my free printable valentines cards for an extra special, DIY Valentine’s Day gift.

I made these Dollar Tree Valentines using mini metal buckets intended for wedding favors. They’re perfectly sized for Valentine’s day party favors or mini gifts. And I love that there are a number of ways to use them. Whether if it’s as a candy bucket for Valentine’s day treats or a mini Valentine’s day bouquet complete with a heart shaped lollipop flower.

They even come with tiny white ribbons. However, I chose to use Valentine’s day themed ribbon I picked up from the floral section at my local Dollar Tree and saved the smaller ribbon for a later project down the road.

DIY Dollar Tree Valentines with Candy Hearts

Conversation hearts are a Valentine’s day classic. It’s always so much fun reading the little sayings stamped onto each heart shaped candy. (If you’ll notice on this photo, the green one front and center says “Gal Pal.” And no, that wasn’t planned. It just happened.)

However, you don’t have to fill your buckets with little messages. Any small candy, such as jelly beans, also work great for this Valentine’s day gift idea.

What You Need:

mini metal buckets
ribbon
Valentine’s day candy
foam heart table scatter
3.8 in W x 5.75 in H zipper seal bags
glue dots or glue
scissors

What To Do:

First, fill a zipper seal bag for each Valentine’s day candy bucket you’d like to make. Place the zipper bag inside the bucket to fill to the correct height. Then, cut off the zipper top on the bag.

Next, use scissors to cut the ribbon to length. Then tie the ribbon tightly into a bow around the top of the bag. Place the bag of candy hearts inside the mini metal bucket.

Then, adhere foam hearts to the front of each pail using either glue dots or glue. Alternately, you can also use heart shaped stickers for this step.

Your Dollar Tree valentines with candy hearts are now complete and ready for gifting! Simply repeat this process until you have the amount of Valentine’s day gifts you need for your party, event or gifts.

DIY Dollar Tree Valentine’s Day Bucket Bouquet

I love these little Valentine’s Day bucket bouquets. Not only is the “flower” in these Dollar Tree valentines edible, but once the candy lollipop is gone, the floral arrangement can be used throughout the month of February to decorate a small space, sided table or a work desk. And, unlike real flowers, there’s not need to swap out the water or worry about them dying.

What You’ll Need:

mini metal buckets
heart shaped lollipops
floral stems
floral foam
scissors
knife

What To Do:

Using a knife, cut the floral foam into small sections that fit inside the mini metal buckets.

Then, center the heart shaped lollipop into the center of the foam block and push it down to the bottom of the foam. Now place the foam block inside the bucket.

Using scissors, cut down the the floral stems into smaller sections and arrange them inside the foam around the lollipop.

Keep working until your mini Dollar Tree valentine bucket bouquet looks full and lush, and the foam block is no longer visible.

If desired, you can tie a decorative ribbon around the bucket and tie it into a bow. That’s it!

Love my DIY Dollar Store valentines, but don’t have time to make them right away? Then be sure to pin this project to Pinterest now, so you can easily find it again when you have more free time.

More Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

If you enjoyed my ideas for easy, DIY Dollar Tree valentines, then you may also like some of my other Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

You can also visit my DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts board on Pinterest for more great DIY ideas for easy Valentine’s day gifts.

Also make sure your follow Soap Deli News across all your favorite social media platforms for more great DIY ideas throughout the year. In addition to Pinterest, you can also find me on facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: candy, crafts, diy, dollar tree, frugal, gift idea, holidays, inexpensive, party favor, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gifts

Whipped Sugar Scrub Recipe To Naturally Exfoliate & Hydrate Skin

January 18, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 8 Comments

If you have dull or dry skin, give it a boost with this homemade whipped sugar scrub recipe. Made with natural skin care ingredients, this DIY whipped sugar scrub naturally exfoliates and hydrates skin. So you get soft, beautiful glowing skin with a more youthful appearance. Say goodbye to tight, dry, itchy or even flaky skin today by adding this easy, homemade beauty recipe to your natural skin care routine!

I was recently discussing skin care with a fellow friend in Ohio. Her skin barrier really struggles through the winter months despite taking measures to hydrate dry skin, such as using gentle soap formulated for dry skin and running a humidifier. As a result, her eczema recently flared back up.

She’s tried SOOOO many over the counter skin care products without much luck. So I suggested she give this recipe for an emulsified whipped sugar scrub a try. As a fellow maker, not only did she love this winter skin care recipe, it actually helped her skin look and feel healthier! My eczema relief balm then assisted further by locking in moisture and soothing her itchy, eczema prone skin.

Formulating a Hydrating Whipped Sugar Scrub for Natural Winter Skin Care

Whether you’re looking for a homemade gifts for her or simply a nourishing way to care for your own skin, this whipped sugar scrub recipe is a treat! While I developed this recipe for my own winter skin care routine, it’s a delight year round for anyone looking for smoother, hydrated skin! The third in my series of self care recipes — the previous two being my skin conditioning whipped body butter recipe and my chocolate mint lip scrub recipe — this whipped sugar scrub recipe offers exceptional dry skin relief. You’re simply going to love its ability to soothe your tight, dry or itchy skin!

My whipped sugar scrub recipe is emulsified so it doesn’t feel oily like straight carrier oil and sugar type body scrubs. Formulated with ingredients that won’t clog pores or cause acne, this whipped sugar scrub recipe is made with skin conditioning shea and cocoa butters, along with jojoba and hemp seed oil.

Hemp seed oil, which is naturally rich in fatty acids, is considered to be one of the most nutritional oils available. It has a number of both nutritional and cosmetic uses, and contains all the essential amino acids necessary for health and wellness. As such, hemp seed oil is one of my favorite carrier oils for dry skin care. It works wonders at soothing the symptoms of dry skin and offering eczema relief. Therefore, it is also a key ingredient in many of my other dry skin care recipes such as my dry skin body oil recipe.

Ready to add a lush whipped sugar scrub to your natural skin care routine? You can learn how to make my emulsified whipped sugar scrub recipe below.

Emulsified Whipped Sugar Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

3 oz. refined shea butter
3 oz. raw cocoa butter
1 oz. hemp seed oil
.5 oz. jojoba oil
.5 oz. vegetable based emulsifying wax
.25 oz. all natural fragrance oil or .15 oz. essential oil, of choice
13.5 oz. granulated white sugar

Whipped Sugar Scrub Recipe Notes:

As the contents product may come in contact with water during use, a broad spectrum preservative is highly recommended. If you choose not to use a preservative, you should remove the desired amount from the container for use, prior to entering the shower or bath.

Instructions:

You will need a digital scale to weigh all of the ingredients for my whipped sugar scrub recipe. If you make, or plan to make, a lot of natural skin care products, I recommend this baker’s math scale for durability.

Using a digital scale, weigh out the shea butter, cocoa butter and emulsifying wax. Combine the ingredients in a double boiler, then gently heat until melted.

Once the butters and wax have melted, remove from heat.

Then weigh out the jojoba and hemp seed oils. Stir the oils into the melted butter and wax mixture.

If using a preservative, weigh out the amount indicated by the manufacturer. Stir into the ingredients once the whipped sugar scrub base is at or below the recommended temperature.

Then follow with the fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice.

Next, weigh out the sugar and combine in a large glass bowl with the liquid ingredients. Mix well to combine.

Allow to cool slightly before whipping with a hand blender, stand mixer or whisk.

Now pour or spoon the whipped sugar scrub into a 20 oz. jar. I used a 20 oz. square glass jar with a clasp lid that I purchased from the Dollar Tree. (These are such a great price! I mean, it’s hard to beat a dollar, right?)

If desired, you can tie a ribbon around your container into a bow for homemade gifts. I used floral garden ombre sheer ribbon from the Dollar Tree for this step.

Yield: 1 - 20oz. jar

Natural Whipped Sugar Scrub Recipe

Make this natural whipped sugar scrub recipe for dry skin relief. This homemade sugar scrub recipe is emulsified so it's not greasy like traditional scrubs. Formulated with naturally exfoliating sugar and hydrating skin care ingredients, this DIY whipped body butter is the perfect bath time treat to hydrate and exfoliate skin as part of your daily natural skin care routine for soft, beautiful skin.

Active Time 25 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

3 oz. refined shea butter
3 oz. raw cocoa butter
1 oz. hemp seed oil
.5 oz. jojoba oil
.5 oz. vegetable based emulsifying wax
.25 oz. all natural fragrance oil or .15 oz. essential oil, of choice
13.5 oz. granulated white sugar

Tools

digital scale
large glass bowl
hand mixer
spatula
20 oz. glass jar
ribbon

Instructions

Weigh out the shea butter, cocoa butter and emulsifying wax. Combine the ingredients in a double boiler. Heat until melted.
Once melted, remove from heat.
Weigh out the jojoba and hemp seed oils. Stir the oils into the melted butter and wax mixture.
Follow with the fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice.
Weigh out the sugar and combine in a large glass bowl with the liquid ingredients. Mix well to combine.
Allow to cool slightly. Then whip with a hand blender, stand mixer or whisk.
Pour or spoon the whipped sugar scrub into a 20 oz. glass jar. Then decorate with ribbon, if desired.

Notes

More Whipped Sugar Scrub Recipes

If you love my emulsified whipped sugar scrub recipe as much as I do, then you’ll also love some of these other whipped sugar scrub recipes:

Also be sure to try my skin softening, emulsified sugar scrub recipe for dry hands.

Don’t have time to make my emulsified whipped sugar scrub right now? Then be sure to pin this winter skin care recipe to Pinterest for later.

Also make sure you download my free printable self care journal. It’s perfectly sized for your Happy Planner and it even comes with printable skin care recipe cards so you can keep track of your own natural skin care recipes for healthy looking, glowing skin!

For more great winter skin care recipes, be sure to check out my Pinterest board, Winter Skin Care Recipes for Natural Beauty. You can also find Soap Deli News on social media for more great DIY ideas. Follow me now via facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: anti-aging, bath and beauty, bath and body, dollar tree, dry skin, dry skin recipe, exfoliate, exfoliating, gift idea, gift ideas for women, gifts for women, Mother's Day gifts, natural alternative, natural skin care, self care, Valentine's Day gifts, vegan, whipped sugar scrub, winter, winter skin care