Monday, December 11, 2017

Make it for Christmas

This year I learned how to make a few things for Christmas gifts.

I made some Frankincense and Myrrh Perfume.  I didn't quite make it as per the recipe because  I had some issues getting all the right ingredients.  But I did try it out and next time I will  have everything in stock. I still have the 5 roll on bottles which I ordered from Amazon so I can make more  of this perfume or any other scent I desire.  I sourced the ingredients from local stores but they are also available on Amazon.

The bottle with the cap off and the steel ball roller is the one that I made.
One thing about the perfume is that several of the oils are quite pricey (frankincense, myrrh and the jojoba oil used as carrier oil).  Of course a little goes a long way but if you do not like the scents then you've made the perfume for naught.  I didn't mind the experiment because the frankincense and myrrh oils are associated with the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus but you might wish to at least sniff the essential oil testers if you buy in person.

Here is the recipe if you would like to try it yourself.

The other gift I made is called Vanilla Infused Sugar. I don't use a lot of sugar and neither do my friends but a little of this special sugar will be a treat.

This sugar will now infuse for one week and then I will strain out the vanilla pods.

I just made enough for several small jam jars (using about 2 cups of sugar and 3 vanilla beans).  I will give these as gifts when they are ready after tying some raffia around them or some colourful ribbon, adding labels and short notes with some ideas for using the sugar.

Here is the Vanilla Infused Sugar recipe.

Earlier in the week I also attended a workshop and learned how to make some very simple candles and bath bombs.

The candle making was super easy.  There were a lot of people in the workshop so the instructor decided to do an easy project which involved only two items:  beeswax sheets and rolls of candle wick. If you would like to make these items but don't have supplies near you these are items that can be found on Amazon.



To make the candles you simply place the wick at one end and roll the beeswax tightly.  At the end you gently squeeze the ends to the body of the candle. The wax melts and seals itself.  It surely cannot get any easier than that. Beeswax sheets now come in a variety of colours.  I used purple and the little candle below is just for me. I guess I should trim the wick a little as it is a bit long.




You can get quite creative with the beeswax sheets and use several colours placed in various ways to make a pretty pattern.  I think these candles would also make nice birthday gifts.


The bath bombs we made are also super easy to make.  The recipe is here.  The recipe link I've shared will take you to a very similar recipe to the one we used. The instructor also brought dried herbs and flowers which we could add to our bath bomb mixture and/or to the molds themselves.  One of the batches mixed by my group wasn't quite wet enough so a bit of it came apart at the top (see photo above, top right).  That's okay because these bath bombs are just for me.

I had a lot of fun with my workshop table mates.
They were all super friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Now I must get on to wrapping the rest of the gifts I am giving. Believe it or not I still haven't posted two parcels but I have to do a bit of sewing before I can post one of them.
The lead up to Christmas will now be spent cleaning, putting up Christmas decorations, buying food for Christmas guests and generally getting ready for Christmas.
I'm a bit late with things this year though I started my preparations (gift buying) early.
I really want to enjoy a Christmas of peace and joy.

Thanks for stopping by. 
Have a wonderful Christmas season.





Joining in with Our World Tuesday.

24 comments:

Mari said...

Those are all wonderful gifts, all the more special because you made them. I just finished putting together Pasta Fagiloi soup mix, in a jar for gifts for my sisters and step mom. We often give each other some little thing we have made. Hope it tastes good!

magiceye said...

Love it that you are personalising your gifts!

Hootin Anni said...

My goodness! Such creativity! I love the idea of making perfumes. I could get the scent I WANT!! I'm going to have to check out this online and see if I can figure it out. I shop at Amazon too, so those roll on bottles will work nicely. AND!!!....I learned something here...I didn't even know there was such a thing as beeswax rolls. Genius.

Rhodesia said...

Wow that looks like you have had fun and done a good job as well. Hope all is well Diane

Little Wandering Wren said...

Those bath bombs are awesome, I'm always worried about the ingredients that are used at the stores, but I have see yours are all natural! What a perfect gift :)
Wren x

Joanne Noragon said...

Well done. It makes me happy to see the towels still go strong.

annie said...

You've made some wonderful things. The recipients will love them!
I love the idea of Frankincense and Myrrb!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, these are all cute gift ideas. The vanilla infused sugar sounds yummy. I am allergic to perfumes and a lot of scents. Wishing you a happy day and week ahead.

Al said...

You seem quite crafty - I've never had any skills along that line (although I did make a glass pendant last week as part of our company holiday party).

Jeanie said...

I don't do fragrances but the vanilla sugar would be a hit for me and I've done the candles before and would do them again in a heartbeat. I think gifts we make are so meaningful and special and so very valued by the recipient. Someone on your list will be very lucky indeed!

Lady Fi said...

I like all your presents!

Melanie said...

Lovely gifts for some lucky people! I love the scent of Frankincense.

Sharon said...

I love the purple candle! I would treasure that as a gift!

Christine said...

Brilliant gift ideas! I would try the vanilla sugar for sure!

NatureFootstep said...

wow, you are amazing and very creative making gifts :)

shayndel said...

Wonderful gifts, and so special each one!! I would never think to attempt most of those, but have always wanted to make candles. Hearing that you said it is easy is inspiring! All of the recipients will surely by blessed by your kindness and all the love that went into the making♡

Unknown said...

What neat DIY ideas for gifts. Perfume is something I have always wanted to try out myself use essential oils.

Angie said...

In the 'good old days', most Christmas gifts were handmade, so good for you! I am sure these items will be cherished by those who receive them!

clairz said...

I love the idea of the frankincense and myrrh perfume. I've never seen or smelled either one. Thank you for this lovely post, I really liked reading about all your crafting adventures. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from New Mexico.

diane b said...

Well done for tackling such a job. Sounds too complicated for me but I admire your tenacity. Hope you had a nice Christmas and have a Happy new Year.

Saucy Siciliana said...

You are so talented Joyful, I am not good at making anything, I have no talent. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Peggy said...

Thank you Joyful! What a beautiful way to share and be creative as you make gifts and I pray enjoyed a peaceful and Joyful Christmas! I especially like your last two images and the connection of perfumes to the "magi" ... I was blessed by your visit on my regular blog and earlier in October at the Lighthouse! I left a short reply on my blog too to your comment, then decided I'd try to connect to see what's up on your blog (or if you still are blogging) and was pleasantly surprised that you are and sharing some really precious thoughts and gifts. I wish the same for you in 2018!

Blessings!

Aritha V. said...

Very nice gifts! It is so great: special because you made them.

I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

What lovely gift ideas.we use small amounts of vanills sugar. We also make cinnamon sugar. Thanks for sharing .

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