DIY Essential Oil Perfume

Hello,

I have a quick and easy project for you today using two of my favorite things - essential oils & stamps!

This natural DIY perfume not only smells wonderful it also looks beautiful displayed on a dresser or in a powder room.  You can mix it up however you like by changing the scent, the bottle color and scrapbook paper.  Below are the basic supplies you will need.

• Therapeutic-grade essential oils
• Carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil)
• Glass atomizer bottle (2 oz.)
• Scrapbook paper
• Rubber stamps and ink
• Bows, ribbon or embellishments
• Small cotton bag

In an atomizer bottle combine 1 oz. of carrier oil with your essential oil.  I can't really tell you how many drops as that depends on the desired intensity and how strong your oils are.  I would recommend starting with 10 drops and go from there.  You can add additional essential oils to create your own custom scent.

Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit around your bottle and adhere with glue.  I also added some trim to the top of my paper for a finished look.  Next, attach a bow or embellishment to the glass bottle.

On a cotton bag stamp your desired images.  I created a 'Paris' theme using stamps by Cavallini Papers & Co., Inc.  All images were stamped in StazOn ink.

Now you are ready to shake and spritz ... that's all there is to it.

Doesn't this make a cute little gift?  Perfect as a stocking stuffer too!  Simple things bring great joy ...  

Enjoy your weekend!

Let's Make Roller Bottles

Hi everyone,

Roller bottles are so simple to make and great for on the go!  What better way to enjoy your favorite scents and create gifts for your friends.  I purchased 10 ml bottles since they fit perfectly in my purse. I highly recommend you use a roller bottle with a metal ball, especially if you are using any type of citrus oils.  Metal roller tops help oils glide on smoothly.

You will need:

• 10 ml glass roller bottles
• Fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil of choice
• Small funnel or pipettes (optional)
• Therapeutic-grade essential oils

For 10 ml bottles, I usually use 15 drops of essential oil and then fill the rest with carrier oil.  For kids' blends, I suggest reducing that to 5-10 drops.  I prefer to use fractionated coconut oil because it does not stain your clothes and lasts longer than other oils.  Essential oils do not have an expiration date; although, once mixed with a carrier oil they take on the expiration date of that carrier.  Keep in mind citrus oils can be photosensitive.  It is advised to wait a minimum of 6-12 hours before exposing skin where you have applied citrus oils to UV rays or sunlight.

Vinyl labels can be created for your bottles or use stickers or rub-ons to personalize them.

Do you have any special recipes or blends you like to use?  I always keep a bottle of calming at my desk for those stressful days.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Essential Oils Gift Bag

Hello everyone,

Today I thought I would share with you a gift I put together for someone special.  This calming gift set of essential oils consists of Lavender, German Chamomile and Rose.  The set contains relaxing effects that are perfect after a long day!  They can be added to a diffuser, mixed into your favorite soaps or added to massage oil.  I'm hoping these oils will allow my friend to relax and rejuvenate herself.

During this time of the year I find myself contemplating if I should give handmade gifts, buy gifts and how much to spend.  Please tell me I'm not the only one thinking this!

I'll be gifting these to her in this beautiful natural muslin drawstring bag and including usage cards. 

So what do you think?  Will she pamper herself and enjoy the aromatic properties?

These little gift bags would also make great stocking stuffers.  Just add a piece of tissue paper, a personalized name tag and some ribbon.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Chamomile Tart Tin Soaps

Good morning,

I woke yesterday to the sound of rain.  It was so soothing to hear the drops falling.  The gardens desperately needed it and we received about 3+ inches.  The brown grass is already turning green again.  Since I knew I would be staying inside all day I thought I would try my hand at making some soaps using cute vintage tart tins.

Now, I have to admit I'm not very good when it comes to judging quantity so I purchased a 1/2 lb. of Shea butter soap base and shaved off about 1/2".  I then took the portion I cut and sliced it into cubes. I highly recommend you purchase a soap knife.  It will make your life much easier.  The sliced cubes were placed in a glass Pyrex measuring cup and placed in the microwave.  They were melted in 20-30 second intervals, stirring after each interval.  It took about 60 seconds for mine to completely melt.

While the soap was melting in the microwave, I spritzed the tins with rubbing alcohol.  This is an important step as it will help you remove your soap after they harden.  I just added rubbing alcohol to a mini mister bottle and it worked great.

After removing the melted soap I added 3 drops of Vitamin E oil and 8 drops of German Chamomile essential oil.  If you are not familiar with German Chamomile it has a bluish color.  Don't worry once you add your drops and stir the mixture you won't be able to tell.  Once I had everything mixed I then poured the soap into the tart tins.  I quickly added organic dried Chamomile flowers to the top and let the tins sit out for about an hour.  I then placed the tins in the refrigerator overnight and this morning the soap popped right out.

The cooling process will depend upon your conditions (temperature and humidity levels).

 I then placed the tins in the refrigerator overnight and this morning the soap popped right out.

I'm going to place 3 soaps in a cellophane bag and decorate it with crinkled seam binding with a tag.  So what do you think?  Aren't they cute?  Have you ever tried to make soap?

Thank you for stopping to visit.  Hope your August is off to a great start!

SpaRoom Mini Mistifier

Hi everyone,

Happy Saturday!  I'm so glad to be back with you today.  Life has been busy and I've been trying to do too many things.  Stretching myself too thin can sometimes take the fun out of doing things.  Do you ever feel like that?  So I have decided to close down some of my social media accounts.  Don't worry - Donna's Designs isn't going anywhere.  I will continue to have this blog, Donna's Designs Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest and Google+.  I plan to continue to share with you my crafting projects, garden tours, trip excursions, love of Longaberger baskets and experiences with essential oils.

Today I want to show you a product I have been using for several months and just love it!  Have you wanted to enjoy the spa experience while on the go or at the office?  I have to tell you about the mini personal mistifier by SpaRoom.  It is sleek, compact and spill proof.  It has all the benefits of a diffuser, but is completely portable and safe for travel (powered by 2 AAA batteries).  It uses no heat or chemicals and keeps the air fresh around you with the slide of a button.  It is so cute and fits right in my purse measuring only 4" high.

Just add distilled water to the 10ml compartment and a couple drops of your favorite therapeutic-grade essential oil.  It's that easy!  The mistifier works by reducing water into nanoparticles, creating a fine, gentle mist.  Once your friends see it on your desk at work don't be surprised if they want one too.

Can you say spa bliss on the go?  I use it in my craft room, while at work and even when I'm sitting in my gazebo reading a book.    

Have a great weekend!  I'm looking forward to the sound of rain tomorrow.  We need it desperately as the grass here is brown and crunchy ... LOL!

Lavender Violet Foot Soak

It's DIY time!  I love to enjoy some spa time at home to relax my achy and tired feet, especially after gardening.  Depending on the season I like to add fresh flowers or buds as a treat.  It is another way to enjoy your beautiful garden petals.  This soak will leave your skin feeling soft and silky.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom Salt
• 1 cup Dead Sea salt
• 1/2 cup Baking soda
• 10-15 drops Lavender essential oil
• Violet petals
• Large basin/foot tub

In a glass bowl, mix together Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt and baking soda.  Add your lavender essential oil, then toss in your petals and stir mixture.

I just love how the purple petals look against the salts.

Transfer ingredients to sealed glass jars.

I wrapped natural hemp cord around my jar and included a tag.

When you are ready for your foot soak, fill a basin large enough for your feet with very warm water, then add a 1/2 cup of your mixture and soak your feet for 20 minutes.  Enjoy the pretty petals swirling around in the basin.

Lavender essential oil is known for its relaxing and calming properties.  This soak will help soothe your tired, achy feet.

Wishing you a wonderful stress free week!  

Rosebud Bath Salts

Hello there,

Yes, I have been going a little crazy lately with my DIY projects.  It keeps me out of trouble ... LOL! Today I have some pretty rosebud bath salts to share with you.  Aren't the vials just gorgeous?

Ingredients:

• 4 large glass vials
• Epsom salt
• Dead sea salt
• Dried rosebuds
• Tub tea filters
• Rose essential oil (optional)

In a small mixing bowl, combine Epsom salt and dead sea salt.  Stir mixture then add 4-6 drops of rose essential oil.  Toss in some dried rosebuds and gently mix.  Spoon the mixture into the glass vials and cork them.

"Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness; know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again."

~ Unknown ~

To decorate my vials, I wrapped a piece of hand-dyed lace around each one and used hot glue to adhere it.  I then created a triple loop bow from May Arts silk ribbon and glued 3 rosebuds in the center and hot glued it to the lace.  Just creating these made me want to jump into the tub for a soak!

Four vials will fit in a jute drawstring bag.  I also included two tub tea filters so the recipient will have everything she needs to add the contents to her tub.

I then created a tag using rose background paper and glued it to a metal-rimmed tag.  A hole was punched in the tag and then I pinned it to the bag using a Tim Holtz Idea-ology metal trinket pin.  If you look closely you will see fragile stamped into the pin.

This rosebud bath soak makes a wonderful gift and is an absolute dream to help you unwind after a long day.  I love the smell of roses - who doesn't?

You can find all the ingredients to make this soak at Stampington & Company.

Thanks for stopping to visit me!

Chamomile Salt Soak

As Mother's Day approaches I wanted to make some quick and easy gifts for loved ones.  In less than 10 minutes you can create beautiful gifts with salts, herbs and essential oils.

Ingredients:

• Tub tea filters or glass container
• Epsom salt
• Dead Sea salt
• Pink Himalayan salt
• Dried Chamomile flowers
• Dried Peppermint leaves
• Eucalyptus Globulus essential oil (optional)

In a bowl, combine Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt and Pink Himalayan salt to make a wonderful bath soak.  Epsom salt is very relaxing, great for soothing sore muscles and therapeutic.  Dead Sea salts are filled with minerals that help to increase circulation, calm the nervous system, and strengthen bones and nails.  Pink Himalayan salt can prevent muscle cramping, create an electrolyte balance and increase hydration.  Did you know pink salts come from the mountains and are said to be the purest form of sea salt?

To make your bath soak aesthetically pleasing add your blend of herbs.  I have used dried Chamomile flowers and Peppermint leaves.  For a wonderful aroma add your essential oil to the ingredients.  Be sure they are therapeutic-grade.  Depending on the scent you are using I would suggest 8-12 drops.  You can always add more if necessary.  I decided to use Eucalyptus Globulus.

I'm all about packaging!  Have you ever received something so darn cute or pretty you didn't want to open it?  I'm so guilty of this!  I spooned my salts into several tub tea filters that can be placed right into the bath water (like a tea bag).  Be careful not to overfill the filters as the seams could potentially separate.  It doesn't take much to create an aromatic bath.  If you don't have tub tea filters you can use cheesecloth and twine or ribbon to tie the top.  Mine were tied with a cream organdy ribbon. 

If you are going to add your salts to a container I recommend a glass jar.  Also, keep the dried herbs large enough so they can be retrieved from the tub and don't go down the drain.

Add some ribbon, a pretty tag and you have created a fantastic gift.  Since I was giving mine away I put the tub filters inside gusseted cellophane bags and used Washi tape to close them.  Be sure to make a little extra so you can pamper yourself!  When you're ready for your aroma bath it is a good idea to squeeze the bag after adding it to the tub to release more of the scent.

You can find the tub tea filters and wonderful ingredients at Stampington & Company.

Happy soaking!