Thursday, December 15, 2011

Giftmaking, redux (part 2 of 4)

Hmm, let's see now, what all did we get up to that day.... Well.

Well, we did make jigsaw puzzles. That was really fun. This is a project that I flat-out stole from Jack McKee's great book, "Woodshop for Kids" (lots and LOTS of great project ideas in there, and handy info on teaching kids to use tools wisely and well, too). I cut a puzzle 'blank' out of thin plywood and they sawed that blank all to bits with the coping saw. And then put those bits back together, painted them up, and voila! Homemade wooden puzzle, quite nice.

We also whipped up some peppermint creams, which was a recipe that I also scavenged from the amazing cookbook, River Cottage Family Cookbook (LOVE this book and all the amazing photos... so inspiring and enticing!). They're awesome because you're really essentially making ultra sweet peppermint edible playdough... which then dries into a melt-in-your-mouth little treat.
Peppermint Creams
2 c. powdered sugar
1 egg white
Peppermint essence
A few drops of cooking oil
Green food coloring (optional)

Mix up the sugar and egg white and peppermint and food coloring, if using... you will probably have to resort to squishing it together with your hands in the end, 'til all becomes a cohesive blob. Add powdered sugar as needed so that it's no longer sticking to your hands, but is easy to mold and work with, like play dough. You can then roll out the dough and use a tiny cookie cutter or jar lid to cut into nice little bite-sized uniform pieces, or you can just let the kids mold them into whatever shapes they want... which is what I did. They didn't look as pretty but believe me, they still got eaten. Rub a few drops of oil onto the piece of wax paper you have lined your cookie sheet with for easy removal.

We then dipped them in chocolate, which I had melted in this little crockpot. Optional of course, and I think this crockpot runs a little hot because the chocolate, by the time we got to it, was not smoothy, shiny, and looking forward to coating our delicious little treats, but rather in a more chunky, hard to work with state.... I shan't be using that crockpot for projects such as this again.

We also made fizzy bath salts, which I didn't manage to capture a photo of, but they are always a guaranteed hit and much easier to make than fizzy bath bombs, I believe.


There's lots of recipes out there, but here's the one that I like:

Fizzy Bath Salts
4 c. epsom salts
2 c. baking soda
1 c. citric acid
40 drops of essential oil ( I used pine tree and lavender, for a kind of holidays/ decompression blend)
food coloring optional

The food coloring might not show up in the mix, (and don't add too much, or the liquid will 'activate' the citric acid and the whole thing will fizz up and any fizzy action at a later date will be lost) but it will color the water when it goes into the bath. What could a parent or a teacher want MORE than a mix that will magically turn their bath into a fizzing purple whirlpool? Quite fun. Citric acid can be a little hard to find, but it is sometimes found in the kosher section of the supermarket as sour salt, and I also have seen it in the bulk spice section of our local gourmet grocery, Central Market.

Have fun, intrepid gifters~ more coming soon!




18 comments:

bedroom designs said...

Hey
Get your mess on!
I appreciate you writing on such a subject, I really needed to find this info. Cheers for discussing!

rental mobil jakarta said...

Nice article, thanks for the information.

cheap furniture said...

Hey,
Get your mess on!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think that beauty radiates from you to write such a magnificent article! Keep it up.

Projector on Hire in Delhi said...

waooo nice info regarding "Giftmaking, redux (part 2 of 4)"

Thanks,

Projector on Hire in Laxmi Nagar

Unknown said...

Hollywood Movie In Hindi
Hollywood Movie In HindiHollywood Movie In Hindi
Hollywood Movie In Hindi

Ishika Sharma said...

Lajpat Nagar Escorts give real and authentic sexual assistance for all the customer. Our call girls exceptional and new desi youngsters and untouchable youngsters. Our sexual organizations are open for you 24*7 hours and 7 days in seven days to give you a compensating sexual bliss that you never experience. Come and visit our escorts phenomenal land and pick the youngster eagerly.

Ishika Sharma said...

You should gravitate toward that Delhi Call Girl encourage their contributions at the entire of the town place, enveloping rural areas and organization. putting circular alongside your pretty youthful Call Girls in Delhi at your long.

khushisinha said...

Have a passionate enjoyment with Rajendra Place Escorts. It is safe to say that you are ready to meet generous, skilled escorts at Rajendra's place. Let's call for Rajendra Place Escort Service now.
Escorts in rajendra Place
Rajendra Place Escorts
Rajendra Place Call Girls
Sexy escorts in Rajendra Place
College call girl in Rajendra Place
Rajendra Place escorts
Rajendra Place Escorts

Damini Sharma said...

Our escort agencies are redesigned one regarding offering the Delhi Escorts. Regardless of what time it is, you can call our representatives to get the accompanying administrations according to their inclinations. Delhi Escorts are getting mainstream among the individuals at fast speed. The purpose for it is the straightforwardness of Delhi Escorts through which individuals can undoubtedly discover an accomplice to appreciate.

Damini Sharma said...

There isn't anything better than having joy in Aerocity Escorts young ladies with you. our ladies can be discovered indicating you have enough time. Give up the pressure of your regular daily existence. Simply step onto the distant and present one in our Aerocity Escorts. It doesn't make a difference how you are in your normal life, our Aerocity Escorts can help you to be the individual which you generally want to be.

Teenasharma said...

Welcome to begin the beginning of your intimate journey with Chhatarpur Escorts Service to enjoy the moment. We are ranked as the best sexy and fun pliers in the cheerleading industry, who devoutly pursue our entertaining jobs to bring you a union of ground level racy beauties. We are an affordable agency that offers you the best services at comparable prices.

Chhatarpur Escort

Escorts in Chhatarpur

Call Girls in Chhatarpur

Chhatarpur Escorts Service

Jareena said...

Escort service near aerocity
Escort service in aerocity
Aerocity escort service
Escort service in delhi
Delhi escort service
Escort service in goa

Lucas Mason said...

Bitcoin Wallet Refund Phone Number & Live Chat Support

Bitcoin Wallet Refund Phone Number Are you checking out the best place to take a stand for your harder money? Then the Bitcoin is going to be the right choice forever. Some people ate wishing to refund their money from the bitcoin wallet and here you’ll get the higher details about the way to roll in it.

Lucas Mason said...

BTC Customer Service Contact & Live Chat

If You Searching BTC Customer Service Content do visit our website.BTC Customer Service Contact

Mysorecallgirls said...

Girls Service in Mysore |
Mysore Girls Service |
Girls Service in Hubli |
Girls Service in Tumkur |
Girls Service in Mangalore |
Girls Service in UB city |

Sonia said...

Clean and Informative Blog.

Exhibition stand design company said...

Expo Stand Services is a leading exhibition stand builder in Europe.
Chicago trade show displays
Cape Town

custom exhibition stands said...

Blueprint Sp.Z.o.o. has been one of the leading exhibition stand designing and building companies in Europe since 2005. Working for the last 18+ years, we have expertise in designing and building brand-specific booths.
To know more:- Exhibition Stand Companies Europe