When you move, things are bound to get misplaced. Since we have been in the new house I’ve been missing my cheque book and my hot glue gun.

Yesterday, I finally unearthed both items (for some reason they were actually in the same place). I was most excited about the latter as I have several craft projects dependant on its rediscovery.

Last night I fired it up and made this. They were so fast and easy to put together, I made several more today.

Here’s what would need if you wanted to make some yourself:

hot glue gun (or craft glue – I think the hot glue holds better though)
a plain gift bag
8 or 9 buttons
green cardstock
leaf punch (mine is Martha Stewart brand from Micheals)

1. Punch out lots and lots of leaves (I used a whole page of cardstock)
2. Draw a circle on the bag (I just traced around a small saucer)
3. Using a dap of glue attach the base of the stems to the bag in a V formation, about a centimeter apart, working your way all around the circle.
4. When all the leaves are attached. Glue on the buttons.

That’s it.

Holy cow! There are only 32 days until Christmas!

As usual, I’m late getting started on my Christmas crafting. This weekend we didn’t have much planned so I had a chance to get started.

Today I made a batch of Green Tea and Lemongrass bath salts. It’s really simple to make. Here’s how:

First you’ll need to track down some containers for your salts. I like candy jars from the thrift store. Mason jars would be good as well.

Then you will need the following:

3 lbs Epsom Salts
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Green Tea
15 Drops Lemongrass Oil
2 tbsp Grape Seed Oil

Warm the olive oil in a double boiler. Add the lemongrass oil, grapeseed oil and loose green tea, stirring to blend as the mixture heats. Continue to infuse the oil and tea for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour the mixture through a strainer lined with a coffee filter into a large mixing bowl, a bit at a time. Discard the leaves and let the the oil cool to room temperature.

Mix the infused oil with the epsom salt. Spoon into jars and decorate.