WELCOME!

WELCOME!

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to have you visit with me and I hope you enjoy your stay. I absolutely love company, sharing, and making new friends so I hope you find something here that inspires, motivates, or just pleases you in some way.

Of course, I love to visit and be inspired also. So if I don't already drop in on you, please let me know where I can find you and I'll hop on over to see what you're doing or to just say "hi".

Before you go, I would love it if you'd please leave me a comment letting me know you dropped in! Actually, I'd just love to hear from you -- comments, opinions, or questions you'd like me to answer.

In the meantime, relax and make yourselves at home... you're family here!!!

I'll be seeing you!


Saturday, December 10, 2011

TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY BLOG HOP!!!


Hello, everyone and welcome to the Holiday Blog Hop!!!  Thanks so much for joining us today, and we hope you enjoy yourselves and the projects we've prepared for you!!!  Of course, there'll be more fun and prizes along the way, but you'll have to visit each blog to see what they're prizes and rules are to be eligible.

Pam of  The Bugbytes is our hostess for this hop and I'm delighted to be a part of it.  Pam also has a wonderful hostess prize for some lucky winner too!!!  You'll want to check her blog out for sure for any additional blog hop activities -- like the blog hop challenge !!!  So head on over to her site, enter your project, and be eligible for another great prize!!! You can easily be directed to her blog by clicking on her blog name at the beginning of this paragragh or from the list below.  If you've just started this hop with me and would like to hop along with us from the beginning, I've provided a list of all the participants below in the order of the hop -- just click on their names in the order they're shown to be directed directly to their blogs:
  1. Pam - http://www.thebugbytes.com/
  2. Jeannie -  http://nonnasscraps.blogspot.com/
  3. Jen - http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/
  4. Carole - http://www.onmycraftroomwall.blogspot.com/
  5. Lisa Brooks - http://thejourneyoflisaslife.blogspot.com
  6. Audrey - http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/   YOU ARE HERE!
  7.  Mila - http://milamemories.blogspot.com/
  8. Sheila aka sassylady - http://shesasassylady.blogspot.com/
  9. Elizabeth - http://217creations.blogspot.com/
  10. Kelly Millet - http://www.kamscraftyplace.blogspot.com
  11. Dayna Sabrina - http://www.sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com/
  12. Lori - http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
  13. Denine Vajja - http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/
  14. Melissa - www.melissamade2.blogspot.com
  15. Allison -  http://goodybagdiva.blogspot.com/
A while ago for a blog hop I gave a recipe for a homemade liquid soap.  Since then I was recently asked about a lotion recipe from one of my followers and thought what a wonderful idea for this hop with Christmas so close upon us.  So, my project today is a quick and simple lotion recipe I found which can be designed for both men as well as women by simply changing the fragrance you use to scent it.  And, the best of all is you only need three (3) easy to get items to make it.  First let me show you a picture of the bottle of handmade lotion I've prepared and personalized to give to my cousin for Christmas:


Now I'm going to give you the recipe and tell you how to make it.  Here's what you'll need:
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil (any kind will do including a Dollar Store brand)
  • 1/2 cup of emulsifying wax (can be found at most craft stores, online, Amazon, EBay, Overstock, and Etsy) -- DO NOT USE BEESWAX OR PARAFIN WAX AS A SUBSTITUTE!!!
  • 1-1/2 cup distilled water
Put water in a clean/sterilized pan or pot and bring to a rapid boil.  While water is boiling combine olive oil and wax in a clean glass bowl/container and place container into a water bath (a pan or pot filled with enough water to cover at least 1/4 way up the bowl) and place on the stove; on a medium-low heat allow to heat until all the wax crystals have melted into the olive oil.  Once the mixture is thoroughly melted remove from stove and slowly pour the boiling water into the mixture beating the ingredients vigorously with a wooden spoon.  You'll immediately see the mixture turn a milky/creamy color, and the emulsifying wax acts as a binder allowing the oil and water to mix.  Beat every 15 - 20 minutes until mixture begins to cool and allow to rest, uncovered, for 24 hours.  That's it!!!  This recipe will fill a 12 fluid oz. bottle.

(As a note:  I also tried melting the wax/oil combo in the microwave and it worked just as well as the hot water bath.)

Now it's ready for you to mix in your favorite fragrance or essential oil, or your favorite perfume or cologne to taste.  Again, suit the scent for men or women with the selection of fragrance you use!!!  Since I made mine as a Christmas present, the scent is Holly Berry and this fragrance oil can be ordered from http://www.Naturesgardencandles.com.  Last,  just embellish a pretty lotion bottle, pour in the lotion, and it's all set to go!!!  And, how about combining it with a matching scented liquid soap as a set -- you can find my easy recipe by clicking  the following link to be directly linked to that post:  http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-earth-day-gabys-happy-birthday-blog.html.

Okay,my blog candy for you before you leave is a set of 6 matching vellum and cardstock sheets, and a "SURPRISE" package you'll receive with it:


All are welcome to leave me a wonderful comment and a winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on Monday, December 12, before 5 p.m. central time.  Good luck!!!

The next stop on the hop is Mila.  Click on her name to be directed to her blog, she's waiting with another great project for your enjoyment!

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you had a bit of fun here!!!  And, as always...

I'll be seeing you!

37 comments:

papillon digital design said...

What a great great gift. Wow would love to smell the lotion. Great wrappping. I am sure whoever gets this will love it. TFS for sharing the recipe.

Dayna Sabrina said...

Audrey I didn't know you made your own soaps and lotions. What a fabulous idea. Your project is awesome - as always, and the presentation is spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing and participating in this blog hop. I always love to see what you come up with! Sabrina @ sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com

Besthobbyeva said...

Audrey, what a wonderful idea. Homemade gifts are truly the best! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I love how you spruced up the bottle, just beautiful.

Be well my friend!

Laurie
serenityscrappers

Anonymous said...

I love this recipe. What a great idea for teachers.

Kards by Kathi said...

What a neat idea for your lotion. I love giving things that are homemade. This is a awesome blog hop and I am enjoying it. Thanks.

LisaB said...

Great Project!

Josie0602 said...

Oh your soap looks really wonderful!! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Tracy
jtg0398 at sbcglobal dot net

lighthouse said...

Thank you so much for this great recipe. I can't wait to try it. It's a great gift idea.
Donna (lighthouse@bedardphoto.com)

AllisonF (Goody Bag Diva) said...

This is SO cool! I just can't stand it!

Happy Mofe said...

LOVE this. I have just started making many homemade items and I do go through a ton of lotion so I will be trying this soon.

Brenda said...

The bottle of lotion is so pretty - what a fantastic ideal for a gift. I will have to try the recipe when things slow down a bit.

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

This is such a fun gift idea!
Carri~abusybee
www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

Kymberlee - The Mama Midwife said...

I LOVE home made gifts like this. SO much thought and personalizations in these gifts. Thank you for sharing the recipe and tips.

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Wow! you are letting us have your recipe! Thanks and I love how you have the bottle embellished! TFS

Maria said...

Wonderful gift idea. Thanks for sharing the recipe and instructions!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful home made gift idea!!! Love the instructions!!!

CathyinMN said...

Thank you so much for the recipe for making lotion. I will definitely have to try this out. what a wonderful gift it will make. TFS!

RockinRenee said...

Thank you for sharing your recipe. It's a great homemade gift.

Denine said...

Audrey, I love this idea. How adorable and so Personal. TFS

Bunnyfreak said...

Love the packaging of the lotion.

Lisa said...

What an AWESOME gift idea, Audrey!! I love this!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!! This would be a perfect gift for my mom :)

Lisa
indymermaid.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Hi Audrey!

Did you know it was the soap post that started me following your blog? Yep, it's true! And now I am thrilled you added in the lotion! You always do such elegant and wonderful projects which is why I'm a loyal fan/follower/friend! And I just loved that little angel ornament you made on your last post. I'm sorry to hear about all the things going on right now and hope that all gets better soon.

Susan
cricutandgrasshopper.blogspot.com

Angi Barrs said...

Your cousin is going to love this. Gorgeous design. :)

Jean said...

This is great. I love it!

Carole P said...

Audrey I couldn't wait to get to your blog and see what this project was all about....I am definitely going to be trying the soap and lotion recipes. What great gift ideas! Thanks so much for sharing with us!

Happyscrapin said...

I love homemade gifts, they come from the heart. Thanks for the recipe and tips!!!


plese.cathy at yahoo dot com
happyscrapin@blogspot.com

Mary Ann said...

Awesome idea. Nothing beats a homemade gift. TFS. Mary Ann

marg0006 said...

Sweeet! Thanks for the great ida.
marg0006@verizon.net

missstamper said...

Great giveaway! Everyone likes paper and surprises!

Milamemories said...

What an awesome gift!! Thank you so much for the instructions!!

neddgirl said...

Wow, I never dreamed of making my own lotion. Interesting.

Rebecca
brrck@yahoo.com

lovemypaper said...

Such a wonderful project TFS!

ScrapCrazyyyy! said...

I might have to try making the lotion. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Hope all is well and you are getting ready to celebrate Christmas.

Gail said...

Hi Audrey
I missed the blog hop because I did not see it. Happy Holidays.
Gail at www. stkittsscrapper.bogspot.com

lisa808 said...

Awesome gift idea. The bottle for your cousin looks so pretty.

Unknown said...

Oh Audrey, thank you so much for this recipe. I have been super busy with Christmas, mailing gifts and 2 of the 6 birthdays we have this month, yikes! Anyways I am so excited to try this recipe but it will have to wait 'til after the holidays, lol. Hope all is well with you, hugs~Mary

JenL said...

Another awesome project Audrey! Thanks for the recipe.