Homemade Bath Balls, Soap Balls and Heating Pads

FUN GIFTS TO MAKE ~ EASY ON THE BUDGET ~ GREAT TO RECEIVE!
By Lois Breneman, Heart to Heart Newsletter, jhbreneman@juno.com

Fragrant Soap Balls

Ivory Snow Flakes
Perfume or scented oil
Food coloring

Moisten soap flakes with water to the consistency of very stiff dough. Divide into several bowls if making a large quantity, so you can make a variety of scents and colors. Shape about 2 tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on wax paper to harden for several days, turning each day. Wrap in colorful cellophane and tie with a ribbon to give as gifts. Arrange in a small box or in a small basket lined with colorful tissue paper.

Bath Balls

2 cups finely ground sea salt 
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil
½ cup baking soda
2 eggs
½ cup cornstarch
25 drops fragrance oil
2 Tbsp. light oil

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Using a teaspoon of the dough, gently roll it into a 1 inch ball. Continue this method, placing balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, you can decorate balls with whole cloves or rose buds. Bake the bath balls for about 10 minutes until they are lightly browned – do not over bake. Allow the balls to cool completely. To use: Drop 1 or 2 bath balls into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Note: If you give these bath balls as a gift, be sure to list all the ingredients in case of allergies, as well as instructions on how to use.

 

Heating Pad Or Foot Warmer

This is great to warm cold feet when going to bed or to sooth tight neck muscles. ½ yard cotton flannel 4 cups uncooked white rice 1 Tbsp. whole cloves Cut the flannel into a 14”x18” rectangle. Fold with right sides together, so the rectangle measures 7”x18”. Sew around edges, leaving an opening for turning. Fill with rice and cloves. Hand sew the opening shut. For gift-giving, include instructions: To use as a heating pad, microwave for 1-2 minutes in High.

 

photo by: themeparkmo