A bath & body package for a little pampering makes a sweet gift for the girls on your gift-giving list.
I made hand lotion a few years ago for my mom and I, and we both liked it.
I just made some more using an updated recipe found on a great blog called A Sonoma Garden that includes a preservative. When I made the lotion the first time, I did not add the preservative. We had no problem with it spoiling but since I am giving these a gifts, I though it best to include the preservative.
I packaged the hand lotion with crochet cotton wash cloths and an Oatmeal Silk soap made with my daughter, Abbey and her boyfriend. I am so excited about learning to make soap and will post soon what we did. Ryan is a biochemical engineer and he is always teaching me all kinds of things about chemicals and metals and what they do and how to make stuff!
~*~
I have made washcloths from many different patterns but ever since my bloggy friend, Lynn, from Happier Than a Pig in Mud shared her pattern, it is the only one I use. She always has such great ideas on her blog. You need to go visit her!
I followed the instructions on a Sonoma Garden and purchased the ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs.com as she suggested. I added Sweet Orange Organic Essential Oil for fragrance. Ingredients can also be purchased through the Amazon links below.
Sweet Orange Homemade Hand Lotion
source: A Sonoma Garden
In a four-cup measuring cup (a smaller one would work), I added 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4-cup emulsifying wax.
Heat in microwave on high until melted, about 45 seconds.
Add 24-36 drops essential oil (I added 36 drops and thought the fragrance not as full as I would like)
In another microwave-safe cup, heat 1 1/4-cup water (I used bottled water) for 45 seconds. Stir in 1/4-tsp. Potassium Sorbate.
Pour the water mixture into the oil mixture and stir. The mixture will turn a creamy white.
Pour into clean jars and allow to cool. I don’t know if it matters, but I began by putting the jars and lids in a boiling water bath just to be sure they were very clean.
The lotion will thicken when cooled.
Simple labels or tags can be made and printed for the jars of lotion.
A Sonoma Garden shares free printable labels
Lynn’s One-sie Two-sie Dishcloth/Washcloth
Using an I hook and 100% cotton yarn ( I use a H hook)
Ch 27
SC first row, ch 1, turn
*SC first hole, DC next hole, repeat from *, Ch 1, turn
When just about square, SC last row.
If all goes well, (just love Lynn’s optimistic comments ~ she knows real life I tell ya!) every row except the first and last will begin with a single crochet and end with a double crochet.
~Pampering Packaged ready for gift-giving~
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means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
it won’t cost you anything additional.
means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but
it won’t cost you anything additional.
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www.gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com
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Evie Dawson says
Thanks for the post.Natural soaps has become an essential part of my life.. LOVE making them. There are so many ways to personalize a single recipe, I rarely make the same soap twice!
Sandra martin says
This is amazing idea to give some one special these beautiful gifts. I will love to use such kind of body soap. Thank you for making this wonderful post.
corners of my life says
How lucky your friends were to receive this lovely gift . . .
Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness says
What wonderful gifts to give out, made from the heart and beautifully packaged. You need to open an Etsy store to sell your creations.
Just a little something from Judy says
I continue to learn so much from you, to be inspired by you, and to gain new skills from you. You can take simple projects and make them look like pages straight out of my favorite magazines! This is proof positive of that fact! Your friends and family must have been so blessed to receive these homemade gifts. I am tucking this post away for future references. I love how you did this! What a gifted lady you are!
Sherry says
What lovely thoughtful gifts. I bet they smell heavenly, I love citrus scents.
Janette's Sage/Simply Your Decor says
Oh this is great. I haven't been able to do anything this Christmas and I so miss making things. Thanks for this post, I am keeping it for the future.
Winnie says
It's a fantastic gift!!
I know I'd loooooooooooooove to recipe it
And when you make it yourself it's so special
I wish you a fantastic holiday with your family 🙂
Suzanne says
very lovely! next Christmas perhaps! Merry Christmas to you and yours Lorraine:-)
Debbie says
What a wonderful, personal, loving gift! I'd love it! Wishing you and yours a very merry and blessed Christmas!
lindsey says
Such a beautiful gift. I have made wash cloths many times and this year I have knitted them in a garter stitch using cotton yarn. I like to crochet them too and will take a look at your pattern. Have a wonderful blessed Christmas.
Kristina says
I'll have to bookmark this for next Christmas. Thanks for sharing this.
Cyn says
sew beautiful I am going to have to try those crochet pattern. Thank you for the body lotion site. I have excema BAD since turning 40 lol. Will try her creams too
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
What a great gift, I love the scent of orange! I'm glad you like the cloths, just finished one up to add to a gift myself. Thanks so much for the shout out and I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas Lorraine-enjoy:@)