Veronica Julep

10 Minute Crafts

Quick and Easy Rose Bath Bombs

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Bath bombs. Who doesn’t love them? With the winter almost here important to focus on taking good care yourself. Between all the sickness going around and the fact it’s just cold out so we spend a lot of time being uncomfortable. This is one of my tricks to help with the winter self-care.

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This project is super fast and super easy. It’s a very quick 10 minute craft that really brings a lot of enjoyment. The best part about this recipe is it uses mostly regular household items. Quick and easy self-care right when you need it.

The bath bombs themselves take a short time to make but need to sit overnight to retain their shape. If you don’t have that amount of time or patience on your hands you can still make this. Just follow the recipe and put the mixture in a very large jar. Once sealed it won’t dry all the way and you’ll have awesome fizzy bath sprinkle salt. Just scoop out half a cup worth and enjoy. It feels just as good there’s just a bit less of a show.

There is a Danish term that roughly translates to coziness, togetherness and well-being in the darkness of times. The word is hygge.  It is pronounced HYUU-ga. As a culture the Danish really embrace the winter and everything that goes with it from sweaters to warm tea and cookies. Even playing in the snow, they embrace it all. This is my goal for this winter to really savor it. Taking a hot bath with these bath bomb I’m sure will make it even better.

First things first this is what you need for supplies. Also, if you so desire, you can add food coloring (just a couple drops) to make them whatever color you so desire. I chose to keep mine white. Don’t worry if you do add a few drops though, it won’t stain your body or your tub. The only way that would happen is if you use a lot of food coloring. I mean a lot a lot.

What can make these bath bombs even better is using a scent that is really you. I tend to like more classical things so I went with rose. If this is your first time making bath bombs I suggest you stick with rose, lavender or chamomile. Those are the three classic scents and after that you can just get fancy. Some people even add fresh herbs to theirs. Whatever you choose make it your own. When you make these the whole house smells wonderful.


These next items are the hardware you need to make bath bombs. Gloves are key. None of the chemicals will burn you (otherwise we wouldn’t be putting them in a in a bath bomb right?) but, if you get the essential oil on you in it’s highly concentrated form it’s kinda hard to get the scent off your hands. It’s also easier to do the clean up at the end if you just have the gloves to take off. You also need a tray (I use a cookie sheet and one piece of aluminum foil to cover it with. Not tightly, we will get that.


The only other items you will need are molds. It can be any fancy shape you want just make sure that it won’t be too hard to get the physical bath bomb out so it can dry. One very popular mold is the gumball machine prize plastic case. They are the perfect size and shape.


I am going to make one that way but, my standby for this is a mini muffin tin. It’s quick, easy to clean and I can do multiple moldings at a time.


The first step is to measure the dry ingredients. Keep in mind we are doing chemistry after all so they need to be as precise as possible. In glass bowl start with 1 cup of baking soda.

Next add 1/2 a cup of cornstarch. Cornstarch is superfine and super sticky. Make sure you take an extra second to scrape out as much as you can from your measuring vessel. Also, it will go everywhere and it’s not you it’s just it’s nature. This cannot be avoided that’s why am using the mat. Another tip is to measure it over the sink for easy clean up.

Next add 1/2 a cup of Epsom salt. Before you open the container though shake it because it does get very cakey.

Then add 1/2 a cup of citric acid. Citric acid can be a little interesting to look for in a store. It’s with the canning stuff generally. It’s usually used in pickle making.

Once all the dry ingredients are in the bowl use your hands to break up any big chunks then, whisk to get the finer ones. It’s very important that there are no chunks. Otherwise this recipe won’t come together.

It should look like this when it’s ready. So soft. So smooth.

Next the wet goods. In a mason jar start by adding 2 1/2 teaspoons of water. You really just need a container to mix the wet ingredients in. My container of choice for that is always a mason jar. It is a chilly dry day here so this amount worked well for my recipe today. Add a small bit more at the end if the bath bombs are not sticking together.

Then 2 teaspoons of the essential oil of your choice. The bottle I bought had a governor on it which made it take a while for enough to come out to fill up the measuring spoon. It’s easier if you remove it before you pour.

Lastly add 2 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Some people prefer coconut oil but, due to possible allergens of these gifts I’m making I prefer olive oil it’s more neutral.

Swish about in the bottom of the jar it should look like this when well mixed. This is the point to add the optional food coloring if you wish. Carefully pour the mason jar of liquid slowly, I mean super slowly, into the dry goods bowl stirring the whole time. I find to start mixing a whisk is best but once you get towards the bottom of the liquid in the container switch to a fork or your hands. They just work better. If it starts foaming as you pour that means you’ve poured too much at once. The easy fix to that is to just stir faster. Last add 1/8 teaspoon of pink salt then mix.

Once mixing all the ingredients are together the mixture will be sticky. Now it is time to mold. I first went with the gumball machine prize container. I filled both and packed them down as tight as possible this is key to having a strong bath bomb.

My favorite mold is a mini muffin tin. You can do a larger batch at a time that way. I also find the bath bombs come out more uniform because of the tough metal of the pan.

Let the gumball price mold sit for about 10 minutes then gently tap them both out.

Take your loosely lined with aluminum foil cookie sheet and place the bottom of the bath bomb on it. Flat side up.

Put about three dribbles the water on the tip of your finger then touch the flat top of the bottom piece of the bath bomb half. Then, place the top flat side down on top of that. Let sit overnight.

Place the muffin tin on the cookie sheet then cover with the aluminum foil from the pan, folding it up. Turn the pan so it’s upside down then tap out the bath bombs.

Easy peasy. Let sit overnight.

I always end up with a bit left over. I put it in a small jar and put a lid on it. This is the awesome fizzy bath sprinkle salt I mentioned earlier. It’s wonderful.

Recipe

1 Cup of Baking Soda

1/2 Cup of Corn Starch

1/2 Cup of Citric Acid

1/2 Cup of Epsom Salt

1/8 teaspoon of Pink Salt

2 1/2 teaspoons of Tap Water

2 teaspoons of Essential Oil (rose is my favorite)

2 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil

4 drops of Food Coloring (optional)

These bath bombs are quick and easy to make. They make great gifts for everyone. Also, try to hygge. I’ve heard that’s where it’s at. Treat yourself. As always make it but, make sure you make it your own. Enjoy.

Adorable Halloween Cloth Pumpkins

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October is my favorite month of the year. I love Halloween. Making all the yummy treats, costumes AND the decorations. The brisk air. The leaves starting to change color. Sweater weather. I really could not get any better?

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A big part of what I love about October is making fall related crafts. These pumpkins are very simple, very quick and very easy. There is a good chance you actually have all the pieces you need just lying around the house. One of the nice things about this craft it is it is not very expensive but, makes a big impact.

First step is to gather the supplies. I always grab the fabric first for this to make sure I have enough. You can use any fabric you want but my preference is super bulky funky fabric. Like furry or something else with a bold texture. The thicker fabric just makes them turn out cooler. I picked some from my collection and had a great time at the fabric store to find the other ones.

You’ll also need to gather some sticks. I grabbed ones that were just lying about the yard. I prefer thicker ones but it all depends on the size your pumpkins come out. It’s good to have a variety. Different fabrics look better with different thicknesses irrelevant of size of pumpkin.

You also need to make sure you have something to cut them with. These are my favorite scissor. They are Leatherman Raptors. DB got them for me for Christmas a couple years ago. They fold which is a great novelty and come with a belt holster. They are actually made by Leatherman for paramedics so they are super sharp, have a seatbelt cutter and a little pokey thing that breaks glass. I love that they are a multi tool. There is so many things you can do with them that my children call them the Magic Scissors.

The next thing you need is templates. The easiest template comes from your kitchen cupboard. You already have it. Plates. Grab a few different sizes to make them more interesting.

The next thing you need is a water erasable pen or some chalk. I prefer the water erasable pen. The one I use is this one. The color is bright enough that there will be no question where the cutline is. It can be challenging with thicker and more textured fabrics. In a pinch caulk works that’s what my mother used, That’s what my grandmother used and I’m sure her grandmother used but the water erasable pen just works better especially if your fabrics white.

The last thing you need is stuffing. I prefer using just regular stuffing. Nothing fancy is needed. What I happen to have on hand is poly. It keeps its’ shape super well under different temperature conditions and is very squish able (so necessary for this project).
… And a needle and thread. The color of the thread doesn’t have to perfectly match the pumpkin it’ll be tucked away so you won’t be able to see it either way.
To begin roll and flatten the cloth out (if wrinkled iron). I always start in one corner and go from there that way you can optimize class for your project.

Trace the plate with your water erasable pen.

Cut out the circle (preferably with your equivalent of magic scissors) then, begin sewing.


Thread the needle with enough thread to go around what will look like 2/3rds of it’s way around. After you thread your needle pick a spot and go all the way in keeping in mind that the less even stitches the better. If the pumpkin is too even it will look artificial and strange.

Sharpie for scale of stitch evenness. Just go for it.

This far in is the best place to remove the water erasable pen. Use a damp cloth‘s to gently pat where the line is. I left mine so it would be easier to see what I was doing in the final stages of sewing with white on white.

Stuff the pumpkin and pull the thread tight.


To finish so an X on the top gathering as tight as possible then tie off the stitch and cut the thread as close to the quick as you can.

Squeeze gently a few times to even out the stuffing.


I like waiting till the end to decide what thickness my stem should be because I don’t know exactly how the pumpkins going to look until the end.


For this one I want kind of a thick one so i’m going to pick the perfect knot on the stick then, take my magic scissors and cut.


Last step I  poke a little hole with my finger where the stitch was trussed at the end and insert the stem.


Voila. Fancy pumpkin. Enjoy.

These are so fun and easy to make I went and made some from a few other different fabrics. It’s a tossup whether the green fur or the white one is my favorite but, I can’t say enough about how much I love this project.


Did you have fun making this craft? Post your photos. Leave a comment. I love feedback. Tell me what you think.

Enjoy. Life is too short.

10 Minute Quick Craft: Mason Jar Straw Lid 

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If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.   -Will Rogers

 

I’ve been admiring these adorable drinking vessels for quite some time now. The occasion came when I need to upgrade my water glass for work so, this seemed the obvious route to take. This project couldn’t be more simple and took me less than 10 minutes to complete.

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All I needed was these few things. A mason jar complete with metal lid. A hole punch with a flower shaped puncher (the shape will be more obvious in later photos). A 5/16 inch rubber grommet and last but not least a metal straw.


The whole punch I had from an earlier crafting adventure. The grommet I got from my local hardware store in the plumbing section in the aisle where the little drawers pull out. The straw was also an easy find at my local highish end cooking store but, can easily be found online fairly inexpensively.

Once I gathered everything it was time to get down to business. It is important to make sure you know exactly where you want the straw hole to be before you start punching. Look before you punch. If the words being off center or upside down might get in your craw just take a second and put it where you want it. I did. Then, just line it up and squeeze.


The first hole will look like this (see below). There is a chance it needs a little wiggle to get it out and cut off of the other side depending on how sharp your punch is. This does take a lot of hand strength so patience is a must as it might take a couple squeezes.


The next step is to widen the hole. Simply move the punch just beneath the hole but still make sure it’s a little over the first hole and punch like so, again with patience.


I went for a third hole making-a-triangle shape because of the size of my puncher and the angles. It looked like this when I was done.


Not so pretty but, perfect. It’s just what is needed for a super tight grip on the straw which will reduce leaks. Other punchers might make different size holes. Adjust as needed.  Try it and see what works but make sure you remember you can only punch (cut) once. The next step is to insert the grommet. This will require ablittle flipping and wiggling as they’re not exactly the same size and shape. Make sure all of the metal is covered with the edge of the grommet with both lips.


Next step, insert straw. It’s not perfectly round so when you insert the straw it’s going it be super tight. The solution is to push it a bit around the sides to get just the right shape. I know that sounds strange but that’s the only way to get the super tight fit to avoid leakage.


Final step.

Enjoy your favorite beverage. Easy peasy. Quick crafts are the best. I was feel so accomplished when I complete them and they don’t take a whole afternoon.

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