Mother's Day Gifts: How to make bath salts

I have been into making gifts lately. I was taught how to make bath salts by my friend. I made 10 jars for Mother's Day this year. I had 3 large lovely mason jars, that I used for my Mother, Mother in law and Sister in law, The others were various jelly, small mason jars and even a relish jar. These were for the mothers at our church. I really enjoy the Victorian era and the style from that time. I made my gift tags with Victorian photos.

Ingredients/Directions for bath salt:

Epsom Salt
Essential Oil  (I used 100% pure Jasmine. I found this at the health food store)
Baking Soda (makes the skin soft)

Food coloring. I used about 3 drops of Neon Pink

I mixed everything up in a large gallon ziplock bag.

I found a wonderful remnant of fabric for $.50, that also matched well with my Victorian theme. I was able to make all of these gifts for less than $20.00. It always pleases my husband when I'm able to stretch his hard earned dollars.

Gift Tag

It was then that I carried you..

Footprints

One night I had a dream--

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson

......I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

Diaper Wreath Tutorial

DIAPER WREATH SHOWER GIFT

This is a cheaper alternative to making a diaper cake, which usually costs about $70 to over $100. Just because you are shopping on a budget doesn't mean you need to bring a cheap looking gift. The diaper wreath shown cost approximately $35.00.

Most of the items you need can be found at the dollar store.

Items used in this project:

• 
  
  Wicker wreath ring base (you can use styrofoam, or a coat hanger or a wire based ring)
• 
  
  28 Newborn size diapers. (Next time I will use size 1 or 2, these were kind of small to work with) NOTE: The amount of diapers you need will depend on the size of the diapers and the wreath ring.
• 
  
  Small rubber bands
• 
  
  Curling ribbon
• 
  
  Decorative Wire Ribbon
• 
  
  "It's a Boy" bow and curled ribbon
• 
  
  Toy Bear
• 
  
  2 juice size sippy cups
• 
  
  1 4oz bottle
• 
  
  2 pairs of socks
• 
  
  3 pairs of mittens
• 
  
  Sun hat
• 
  
  2 beanie hats
• 
  
  2 pacifiers
• 
  
  8 baby spoons

You will need some type of circle base, like a wreath base. A wire coat hanger could work too. I found this wicker flower wreath at the dollar store.

I removed most of the bulk of the wreath because my diapers are small.

These were extra diapers from another project. They are Earth's Best Organic NB size. I would recommend using size 1 or 2, it was difficult to work with the NB size.

Open the diaper and fold lengthwise toward the center and then wrap around the wreath.

Put the folded in diaper around the wreath and secure it with a small rubber or elastic band.

Continue this until the wreath is full. This is 28 NB diapers.

Cut desired length of curling ribbon to tie around each diaper. I found it easier to curl the ribbon before attaching tying it on.  

After all of the ribbon is tied on, you can are ready to attach the baby items. Use the curled ribbon to tie the items on. I didn't attach something to every diaper but most are spoken for.

This cute little bear is attached by ribbon to hang down in the middle of the wreath.

The next few pictures are close-ups of the items I included in my wreath.

HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT

3 Tiered Diaper Cake Tutorial

3 TIERED DIAPER CAKE SHOWER GIFT:

This is the 4th cake that I have made or assisted in making myself. I received one of these when I was pregnant with the little twins. It was such a fabulous gift to receive. I made my first one 2 years ago. They tend to be a bit expensive, this one I'm showing cost about $75.00. I'm including all of the supplies in this price. I don't have to buy pins and a cake base every time, but if it's your first cake you will need to buy these things.

List of supplies you will need (items in this cake will be in parentheses):

• 
  
  Size 2 Diapers: about 75 to 100 depending on thickness and how many other items you will include in the cake. (90 size 2 diapers)
• 
  
  Small elastic bands. (90 small clear bands)
• 
  
  Onesies, jammies, bibs, blankets, socks, hats etc, for the inside of the tiers. (6 Onesies, 5 bibs, 3 hats, 1 pants, 1 receiving blanket, 2 binkies w/ holders)
• 
  
  A toy for the top (I usually use a musical toy that ties in the crib)
• 
  
  Receiving blankets for the "icing" to wrap each tier. You can also use a fleece blanket. (3, one for each tier)
• 
  
  Ribbon to match, I recommend wire ribbon for the largest bows, it looks nicer. (I used 6 different colors, with 3 being wire.
• 
  
  Very small thin ribbon to tie around the diapers to keep them secure. I've tried dental floss and fishing line, but ribbon works the best.
• 
  
  T Pins (I used less than one box approx 28)
• 
  
  Round or square cardboard base. (I used a cake base. I bought a set of 6 at Michaels)

This cake is for a shower for a baby boy.

 Begin by rolling your diapers and putting an elastic band around them to hold them tight. I like to roll them form top where the picture is, toward the bottom.

This is a photo of all of the supplies used in this cake, excluding the diapers

Ribbon

Roll and band all of the items you want to place inside the layers. Use a rolled diaper to gauge the size

Decide which items will go in the middle of the tier. The more items you place in the middle, the less diapers you will use. I have here, a receiving blanket, and several oneseis and bibs. Tie the circle of clothing items with the small ribbon.

Next, put a circle layer of diapers around the middle and tie that together with small ribbon.

Continue adding layers around until it's about as large as your base or as large as you'd like. Tie each separate layer with the small ribbon. This has 3 layers of diapers around.

Use one of your receiving blankets to cover the diapers and pin it into the diapers using the T Pins, and then flip it over. (look down at the 2nd tier to get a better idea of how to pin it)

Wrap a large wire ribbon around this layer, for the bow.

I added a smaller non-wire ribbon to tie around the large ribbon.

 

Follow the same guideline for the second layer. This tier should be slightly smaller than the bottom tier. I used the hats, a couple bibs and one or two onesies in the center. There are 2 layers of diapers around.

Wrap the middle tier in another receiving blanket and pin it closed. Then flip over. Try to keep it as flat as possible on the bottom so it doesn't teeter.

Wrap the middle tier with ribbon and make a bow.

I also used 2 different ribbons for the middle tier, but this time I only tied a bow with the non wired ribbon. I pinned the fatter wire ribbon closed in the back.

Make the final tier. I also used 2 layers of diapers (not shown) for this tier. I used one small outfit in the middle. The top tier should be slightly smaller than the middle tier.

The top tier is usually the most difficult to wrap, due to it being so small. I have found that the easiest way is to fold the receiving blanket into thirds, depending on the height of the diapers. Try to leave a few inches at the top and bottom. I like to use a blanket with a character and make it directly in the front.

Roll the blanket around the diaper layers and pin closed. Then you will pin the top and bottom. It's okay if it doesn't cover all of the inside, you will be putting the toy on top.

Tie a smaller ribbon around the bottom of the tier just under the character. Notice the orange ribbon under the tier going from left to right? This is to attach the toy to the top.

Attach the toy to the top by tying it on with ribbon. I also used another color of wire ribbon to give him a bow.

Finally, hang a couple of pacifiers/binkies from binkie holders.

I don't attach the tiers to each other. It's easier to transport them with the tiers separate. Also, it's nice to include a card with the size diapers used and also mention that there are clothes inside and the size of those. The receiving mom will most likely want to wait to the last minute to disassemble the cake. By knowing the sizes she can determine when her baby will need them.

Here is the final product.

SOME OTHER DIAPERS CAKES I'VE MADE:

This was my first one, and it was a unisex shower.

This was for a shower for a baby girl. Sorry the top is cut off.