DIY Glitter Playdough Party Favors

So... it's that time of year again... you know... birthday party planning time (a.k.a. the two week period in which my "dominant" personality is kidnapped and replaced by my Martha Stewart wannabe alter ego personality, haha).  This year, my inner Martha decided to up the ante.  So, instead of *ONLY* sending invites, planning the menu and decorations, keeping track of RSVPs, and putting party favors together, Inner-Martha decided that I should also drive myself looney hand making all of the kid-swag we'll be sending our guests home with.  Yay!!  Without further ado, here is the recipe for DIY item #1, glitter play dough in coordinating colors:

GLITTER PLAY DOUGH
Prep time: 30 minutes
Makes 30 units
Make up to 1 week prior to party

Materials:
Dry Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups salt
5 tsp cream of tartar
2 packages of the same flavor kool aid (choose a flavor that is colored the same color you would like the play dough to be)
Silver glitter

Wet Ingredients:
2 1/2 tbsp oil
2 1/2 cups water
Food coloring in the same color as the play dough

Containers:
30 small plastic containers with lids (I used containers I found at the dollar store, 10 pcs per bag)
Star ice cube tray (optional)

Single-Color Dough Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients in a large, deep pan or mixing bowl, and stir with a fork until ingredients are evenly distributed (leave out kool aid if you want to add a star accent in another color in the finished container).  In a large glass measuring cup, measure water and microwave on high for 7 minutes.  Add oil and food coloring to the water, stir, and pour evenly over the dry ingredients (leave out food coloring if you want to add a star accent in another color in the finished container).  Stir with a fork until fully blended, then knead on cutting board until soft and uniform in texture.  If the mixture is sticky, add flour in small amounts until play dough no longer sticks to fingers or cutting board surface.  Divide the dough, press into the individual containers, and cover with lids.  Store in two gallon-sized zipper bags, in the fridge.

Layered Dough with Star Accent Instructions:
To make layered dough with star accents, separate the mixture into 2 even balls.  Make a dent in one ball, add the main food color (around 25 drops) and kool aid package, and knead to distribute the coloring.  Repeat with the second ball, in the second color.  Fill the individual containers 1/2 full with the main colored dough, and cover with lids.  Add a layer of the second colored dough on top of the primary color in the containers, until almost full.  Finally, press the remaining dough in the main color into the star ice cube tray openings, and carefully push on the back side to remove.  Carefully press the stars on top of the dough in the containers, and replace lids.  Store in two gallon-sized zipper bags, in the fridge.

Bamboo Aloe Mint Exfoliating Body Wash

Did I mention how frugal I am yet?  No?  Well, if there is one word that describes me, it would probably be frugal - though perhaps in a "penny wise, pound foolish" kind of way (more to come on that topic, when I finally finish my coasters project... any day now).

My frugality sometimes results in odd impulses and principles.  Case in point: I hate throwing away any part of my bamboo stalks after I trim them back for the summer.  We have large clumps of bamboo scattered around our house, and every summer we have to rescue doors, windows, and balconies from the onslaught of foliage that has accumulated over the last twelve months.  This year, I decided to do something with every piece of the scrap bamboo.

For the tops of the pruned shoots, which has the youngest and softest leaves and stems, I came up with this recipe.  The bamboo provides anti-aging benefits, fights free radicals from the environment, and provides long-lasting moisture.  The bamboo fibers and sea salt exfoliate dead skin cells, and the mint, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice cleanse the skin of dirt and dead skin cells. Finally, the aloe, olive oil, and baking soda soothe and moisturize the skin, and the coconut oil leaves behind a long-lasting fresh scent.

This scrub/wash leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, but not oily.  You may notice a slightly slick feeling immediately after you bathe, which goes away within 10-20 minutes.  If the feeling lingers any longer, reduce the amount of olive oil used to 1/4 of a cup and adjust water as necessary to achieve the right consistency.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup young bamboo shoots
1 cup mint leaves
1 large aloe leaf
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp corn starch
18 drops coconut essential oil

Directions:

(Note: the picture shows a food processor, but I recommend a mixer so that you don't end up with uncut pieces of bamboo stem)

Wash bamboo, aloe, and mint leaves.  Combine all ingredients in a blender, starting with dry ingredients.  Mix ingredients together on lowest setting, then blend on highest setting until the mix has a puree consistency (like plain yogurt) and no large pieces of bamboo, aloe, or mint can be seen.  Add water in small amounts if needed.  Divide mixture amongst two clean airtight containers.  Will keep for 1 week at room temperature, or up to 1 month in the fridge.

When bathing, pour a generous amount into your hand and rub all over your body, taking care to scrub areas where dead skin cells tend to accumulate (e.g., elbows, knees, legs, arms).  Rinse and you're done!

Freebie - Kid/Tween Birthday Card Text

New Freebie: Kid/Tween Birthday Card Text, designed to be used on 4"x6" cards.  Enjoy!