Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Save & Recycle Used Candy & Mint Tins & Boxes




Save those used Candy Tins and Recycle them into Gift Card Containers or use for storing small items. The gift card holder is a useful and enjoyable handmade gift by itself and can be used for paper clips, safety pins & other small items.




Remove any stickers and clean & wash the used tins. Wipe with alcohol to remove any residue. Spray outside of tin using acrylic paints with several light coats. Turn upside down if you don't want to spray the inside too but you can paint it if you wish. Let dry. Paint your theme with acrylic paints. If you do not know how to paint flowers, etc, just paint simple items like stars, hearts, polka dots, stripes, etc. Or use a simple design like an American Flag, stick figure flowers, trees, etc. Let dry. You can add gold to the edges or paint the bottom a different color if you wish. Adding some glitter might be fun too!




Spray your painted box with a clear Acrylic or brush on varnish. Let dry. Apply severl light coats. Add your gift card and tie with a ribbon if you wish.


Tips: Use stencils if you feel you are not artistic. Be sure to spray light coats of paint so you do not get too much paint that might cause runs. Be sure paint is dry before moving to the next step. Have Fun!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Make your own Body & Hand Lotions & Save Money

Save money by making your own lotions. Use items you might already have in your bathroom or buy from Dollar Stores/drug stores or discount stores. You can make a whole batch for less than you would pay for one bottle of store-bought. Empty containers of Two-15oz. bottles of baby lotion (scented or unscented), One 7.5 oz of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and one 8oz. container of Vitamin E cream. Be sure to cut the bottles open & sqeeze out every last drop! Use a wire whip or an electric mixer & beat until smooth, light & fluffy. Takes 2-3 minues. Put lotion in pretty containers or jars. Add ribbon, dried flowers or raffia. Keep a few for yourself or hand out as gifts.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Combine Tiny Bottles of Shampoo, Liquid Soaps & Lotions

Save all those tiny bottles & containers of lotions, shampoo & liquid soaps. Clean one of those empty bottles of wine, olive oil or any nicely shaped bottles your saving for the recycle bin. Turn your little containers upside down in the neck of the saved bottle & let drip. Add a drop or two of water to really clean it out & continue to let drip till totally empty. You will have a nice variety of soap or lotions combined together. It doesn't take long to fill up the bottle. Just keep adding to it. You can use those small bottles from the hotel rooms, department store samples or just use up what's left in your store bought bottles. In no time at all you have a full bottle to use that didn't cost you a cent! Add a rafia bow, a silk flower or paint the bottle yourself. Makes a nice gift too!