More for Mom from Martha
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and who better to turn to for some last-minute gift ideas than Martha Stewart?
Surprise mom by creating the perfect homemade gift to show her just how much you care.Bath FizziesIntroduction: Ice-cube trays serve as molds, giving the fizzies their shape. Using a flexible silicone mold lets you slide the cubes out smoothly without breaking them.Show off the colors of the bath fizzies in glass jars with screw tops, the kind used for storing sugar and flour. Pack each type of fizzy in a separate jar so the scents won't meld.Write the name of the scent on a vellum tag (choose a shade that matches the fizzies), and punch a hole in the top. Thread the tag with ribbon, and tie it around the jar.Citric acid, a common food additive, is available at wine-making-supply stores, some spice shops and online.When citric acid is combined with baking soda and placed in water, a chemical reaction creates bubbles.Makes 1 dozen. Use two per bath.Materials1/2 cup citric acid1 cup baking sodacup cornstarchcup organic cane sugarAbout 6 drops food coloring10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jarsSteps1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup.2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar.3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands.4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again).5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.Tub TeasNothing soothes the soul like a good long soak, especially with a heady infusion of calming scents.MaterialsHeat-sealable tea bags, thesage.comLavender buds, thesage.comChamomile buds, thesage.comPeppermint leaves, thesage.comDried organic lemon verbena, localharvest.orgSteps1. Fill heat-sealable tea bags (perfect for one bath) with cup lemon verbena, lavender, peppermint or chamomile.2. For small bags, top 5 -inch starched muslin circles with 1 tablespoon of botanicals; tie with waxed twine.3. Giving a few of these in different scents lets bathers customize each bath.Mother's Day Balloon BouquetFor an unexpected alternative to flowers, try this balloon bouquet.IntroductionBe sure not to release helium balloons outside once you are finished with them since they present a hazard to animals.ResourcesHelium-quality balloons, partycity.com. Baker's twine, in brown/white, etsy.com.MaterialsLetter templateCard stockScissorsHole punchThree helium-filled balloonsBaker's twineSteps1. Use a template from the website listed below to print letters on card stock; cut them out, and then punch a hole at the top of each. String the letters onto three helium-filled balloons using baker's twine.2. Finally, fasten the balloons to Mom's chair or bed, spacing them out a bit. The cheerful display will have her floating on air.For more information, visit