Homemade Scented Halloween Playdough

Move over pricey stinky playdough! I know that the store bought store says "non-toxic", but I don't know what the heck is in there. And the smell turns my stomach. DIY playdough is not only super soft and cheap to make, but is non-toxic and safe (in case you have that kid, like me, who eats everything). You can even customize the scent to your liking. Best of all, you probably already have all the ingredients right there in your own home.

You will need:

• 1 cup of flour {Amazon link}
• 1/3 cup of salt {Amazon link}
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar {Amazon link}
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil {Amazon link}
• 4-8 drops Young Living essential oil of choice
• 1 cup water
• Pint size wide mouth jar {Amazon link}
• Felt, ribbon or material for stem (optional)
• Sharpie marker or cut vinyl for jack-o-lantern
• Halloween cookie cutter (optional){Amazon link}

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir. Heat over med-high heat until the playdough thickens up a bit. This should just take a few minutes. Take off of stove and let cool. Knead in your essential oil.

This recipe will make enough to fill a 16oz jar. To decorate your jar, use a sharpie marker, some cut vinyl, etc. You could use some felt for a stem if you'd like. Super fun and easy to make. Great for all the kiddos on your list. You can also add a cute cookie cutter for them to play with the dough.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

Soft Homemade Playdough Scented with Essential Oils

Move over pricey stinky playdough! I know that the store bought store says "non-toxic", but I don't know what the heck is in there. And the smell turns my stomach. DIY playdough is not only super soft and cheap to make, but is non-toxic and safe (in case you have that kid, like me, who eats everything). You can even customize the scent to your liking. Best of all, you probably already have all the ingredients right there in your own home.

You will need:

• 1 cup of flour (affiliate link)
• 1/3 cup of salt (affiliate link )
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar (affiliate link )
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil (affiliate link )
• 4-8 drops Young Living Lavender essential oil (or scent of choice). Contact me for more info on Young Living oils.
• 1 cup water

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir. Heat over med-high heat until the playdough thickens up a bit. This should just take a few minutes. Take off of stove and let cool. Knead in your essential oil. This recipe will make enough to fill a 16oz jar.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

Handprint Flower Artwork or Placemat

We are going to visit my mom this week for vacation. I wanted to make her something special from the boys. They love to do hand prints, so I came up with this fun idea. Probably because I'm obsessed with my new laminator right now. Expect to see many lamination post soon! I just love the saying "The best things in life aren't things", but you could use a different phrase or no phrase at all. This hand print flower can be adapted to many different ideas, like one hand print flower on the front of card.... hummm... (must make some of those soon!).

You will need:

• Ink pad - I prefer a washable type {affiliate link }
• Piece of paper or my FREE print out
• Green marker {affiliate link }
• Scotch Thermal Laminator 2 Roller System (TL901) {affiliate link }
• Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches {affiliate link }

Instructions

Print out my free printable or just use a plain sheet of paper. Rub and pat the ink pad onto your child's hand until full inked. Guide his/her little hand onto the paper where you want the flower to be. Then draw the green leaves and stem with the marker. Decorate with any other decoration/wording you'd like.

Place the paper into a laminating pouch and send through the laminator. Instant placemat! Or it can be hung on the wall, etc.

Here is a free pdf download of the template with only the top sentence. You can hand write the bottom if you'd like.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

10th Day of Christmas in a Jar 2014 - Homemade Cookies

Homemade Christmas cookies are everyone's favorite gift. Every year my family makes a TON of different Christmas cookies, literally! They make different kinds of Christmas cookies from recipes that have been passed down for generations from my Italian relatives. Most package an assortment of different cookies and give as gifts. If you aren't into the week long baking marathon, then just whip up your favorite cookie recipe and package them up for giving. I used this recipe from my blog.

Instructions

Bake cookies and package in a cute jar and decorate!

Want to know how I organize and store all my recipes on my computer and share on all my devices? I use the Cookin' software! I can import recipes from the web, add my personal ones, add pictures, print pdfs, and then view them from my iPad, iPhone, etc!

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

9th Day of Christmas in a Jar 2014 - No Bake Engery Bites

No-Bake energy bites are not only fast and easy to make, but you can customize them however you'd like. The only downside is that they need to be refrigerated. I used this recipe which also gives you ideas for how and what to sub out for other items.

You will need:

• 1 cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal (not quick cook)
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter or any nut butter
• 1/3 cup Honey or Agave Nectar
• 2/3 cup Coconut Flakes
• 1/2 cup Ground Flaxseed
• 1/2 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds {optional}
• Medium Cookie Scoop

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands or spoon.

Cover and put into the fridge for 30 minutes.

Once chilled, form into balls. I found it easiest to use my Medium Cookie Scoop to scoop out a scoopful and then form into a ball from there. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!

8th Day of Christmas in a Jar 2014 - Homemade Granola

Who know that plain oatmeal and a few other simple ingredients equals homemade granola! For some reason I just figured this out! All natural granola can be very expensive to buy. You can find a ton of recipes online for every type of granola you can think of. Or you can start with your basic granola recipe and then add any of the goodies that you'd like. You can really use any recipe you want. Homemade gifts are always well received.

You will need:

• Homemade granola
• jar

Instructions

Put granola in a jar and decorate!

Want to know how I organize and store all my recipes on my computer and share on all my devices? I use the Cookin' software! I can import recipes from the web, add my personal ones, add pictures, print pdfs, and then view them from my iPad, iPhone, etc!

Using the affiliate links in this blog to make purchases helps support my site. Thank you in advance!