Wow! Thanks for the helpful ideas for filling up gift baskets for my childhood friends coming to celebrate our 50th birthdays together.
I’ve taken the picture frame idea, and made a couple of frames (photos later, after the glue dries and I can stand them up), and today, my family and I made bath salts to add to the baskets.
Oh- plus I got these two white baskets FREE at a garage sale this weekend, along with the chalk ware lady ($1)
And the mini dresser tray and two perfume bottles. ($1 also).
I wasn’t going to go shopping at all this weekend, after my big buys last week.
But…. I was driving by one… and saw a yard full of OLD things. How could I not stop??
This vintage ruffled slip was hanging on a clothes line in that yard, along with some of these antique lace panels.
I need to dress in a vintage prom style for Silver Bella, and am thinking that this slip could come in handy that night, and it was only $10 for all of the lace and the slip. But that was all the shopping I did, my total for the weekend was $12. I was proud of myself for holding back.
Have you ever made bath salts? I made up a recipe, using:
sea salt (two containers)
half of a box of powdered milk
about a 1/4 cup of baking soda
and approximately a third of a bottle of glycerin
We mixed in a handful of ground lavender fresh from my herb bed, and some vanilla/citrus essential oils I had made up a while back. I’m hoping it will be soothing and refreshing, it smells delightful.
Sugarwing’s Daddy did the mixing, he is much more thorough than I am, I would have just stirred it a bit with a spoon and been done.
He put on gloves and mixed each and every granule by hand for at least a half hour.
Of course, no project in the kitchen gets done around here without my expert helper. She likes to be in the center of everything we do.
I’d like to make some pretty labels up for the bags of bath salts we made up, probably will do that tomorrow.
And as a thank you, for the people who were so kind to leave comments with ideas for filling baskets- I want to give away 12 of my one ounce bags of the mixture to the first 12 people who say they’d like some.
So, here is what you need to do- if you sent me some advice about the basket, and you’d like to have a small pack (enough for one good, relaxing soak in the tub), leave a comment and let me know you’d like some.
This is to celebrate going over 10,000 comments on my blog during the last post! Thanks again for taking the time to stop and visit and leave comments, I love to hear from you.
edit-thanks, I have 12 people who would like a sample of bath salts. I wish I could send some to everyone else too!
Here is my 12:
1-Cheryl
2-Karen
3-Robin
4-Heather
5-Donna
6-Connie
7-Joanne
8-Terri
9-Caitlin
10-Jodi
11-Beverly
12-Betty Lou
(still need addresses for the last 3)
This tag that I just finished is too big to use for the gift baskets, it is 8"x4". If you are interested in buying it for $9, (includes postage-US) just email me.
I loved all of the ideas, and will make use of quite a few, these free baskets will hold a LOT.
Here is what I think I’ll add:
*personalized tags tied to the handles
*the match boxes I already made, with mini candles
* CHOCOLATE!! (that was a popular suggestion)
* a magazine (rolled up and tied with a bow)
* decorated frames so they can display a photo of the trip when they get home
*snacks, like granola bars
* a water bottle with a pretty label
*bath salts (homemade)
*Bath and Bodywork’s lotion
I’ll line the basket with some of the vintage linens I bought last week.
Now, I have to think about the 50th birthday gifts I want to give them!!!!!
I haven’t had more than a few minutes to make stuff this weekend, Sugarwings has been staying with us quite a bit, and today FIVE of her friends came to play.
They were all calling me Grammy Karkie and wanting to paint, or play dolls or in the garden hose at the same time. It was hectic but fun. So hectic, I didn’t get a camera out!
The lake was beautiful this weekend. If you’d like to see a VERY short clip of Sugarwings making up a song while hopping on her PopPop who is laying back and relaxing on a raft, click here.
One of the strangest things happened to us at the lake!
About 6 weeks ago, we caught our anchor on something on the bottom and had to cut it loose, and buy a new anchor.
Yesterday, as we drove across the cove, our motor shut off, due to a rope wrapped around the prop. It must have been floating around, and we just happened to drive across it as it bobbed around the water.
As we untangled it, we thought it looked a lot like our half of a blue rope that was attached to our new anchor, and the we had some trouble getting the mess untangled because it seemed to be stuck to something. Well, we tugged, and found out it was attached to something- our OLD anchor that we had cut loose earlier this summer!
What do you think the odds are that it just happened to be US who got caught on the rope of our own anchor lost weeks ago??? That rope could have hooked any boat on the lake. What odd timing that it was us!!!
I wonder if that ladder we lost will be coming back soon???
Hi Karla, great ideas for your basket. You could also add a bath cap or a fluffy bath puff. The recipe for the bath salt sounds great and so relaxing .
Karen
Oh wow, the first? to leave a comment!! What a fantabulous birthday basket bounty…wow hows that for alliteration(?). I would love your wonderful bath slats but they wouldn’t make it through customs to Australia, so I just thought I would leave a little message saying that I love this post and your birthday basket recipients are lucky to have you as a friend. Kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Karla,
I’d love to try your bath salts! What a fun way to spend your 50th Birthday! Mine is coming up in September, so plans are in the works, too! Oh, and if you find an extra prom dress, let me know…I’m also on the lookout for Silver Bella!
oh YAY! I’d love to try it ! Sounds very soothing! I see where Sugarwings gets her looks…her dad is a cutie! (Of course we all know her mama Hippie Chic is a natural beauty!) Sounds like the baskets are going to be packed full of fun little treats for your friends!
You have lucky friends to have such a thoughtful, lovely friend! They will love it Karla! I hope you have a great time with them! karen b….
Ps. you dont have to write back, I know you’re busy!
Sounds like a good time will be had by all. Sugarwings Daddy is too cute! You two are such fun Grandparents! Have a great week!
Oh boy, I think I might be in time to score some of your bath salts. I love fresh lavender. Yum. I am glad you got lots of great ideas for filling up your baskets. Can’t wait to see them all done. yay!
well I love bath salts and especially anything lavender ,I sure could enjoy a nice relaxing soak in the tub. Donna
Count me in, sweet karkiejo! I love giveaways. That was an unusual thing to happen with your anchor!
Smoochies,
Connie
oh, you have so great ideas. If you give to your friend bath salts, so your basket needs lovely towel with roses or atc 😀
Oh, I love this tag whose you have made, so cute!
Greetings from Finland =)
Well I may be to late but I would love to have some bath salts. Thanks for the recipe. I think they may be perfect to make for some nice little Christmas hostess gifts.
I’m thrilled you liked the water bottle with your own labels on there.
Your baskets are going to be perfect! You are going to have so much fun!
Big hugs,
Joanne
P.S. Hurry on over to my blog, if you haven’t already. I’m having a quick giveaway right now. This is in addition to my Christmas in July giveaway.
Love the ideas for your birthday baskets…
Sugarwings is so cute
First, the dragonfly pin arrived…..I’ve just been too busy to thank you. I swear, I’m moving, no yard sales here have things like what you find. It amazes me.
I have a friend who collects Americana and he gives everyone a small flag (50 stars) on their 50th birthday. I don’t know why, but other than the sports car I bought myself, thats the only gift I remember from that day!! Its in a plant on the porch this summer.
I would love to try some of your bath salts if there are any left! Does SugarWings look a bit like her Daddy? I am thinking so! Bobbi
You are so clever Karla. I’m going to try your bath salts recipe. What a great little gift to have on hand!
Gretchen
Have you added a votive candle to your basket?
What a beautiful blog! You have lovely photos, and I especially am loving the goodie baskets you’re doing for your gal pals!
Stacey
I’m going to use your recipe myself!! I have been spoiled by you lately so I’ll leave somebody else a chance to have a present from you! (though it was tempting I have to admit that). I love such an ‘unbelievable’ story as yours with you anchor. Have a nice day!
Your girlfriends will adore their baskets! Thanks for sharing your photos!
Have a great day!
Kim
thanks funny about the anchor karla. the video of sugarwings is cute. was she singing to the fishes? congrats on over 10,000 posts! that’s a ton!
Love that Sugarwings song! What a cutie, don’t you love this age? Great purchase of lace, you will be gorgeous!
Here I thought Sugarwings looked just like her mom, and I see so much of her daddy in her now too! What fun to make the bath salts concoction together! Sugarwings is adorable, love the picture of her on her grandpa in the lake!
Karla, I would love some after this CRAZY past week I have had! Thanks!
Maybe better late than never.please I would love to have some of your bath salts? Hope you all have a wonderful time! Hugs, Terri
If you have any bath salts left, I’d love to try it. I like to make them sometimes too. What about adding some nice tea bags to your basket and if you have some garage sail cups, that would be neat too. I like to drink tea while taking long, soaking baths.
That Sugar Wings — what a darling dumpling!
Jody
Karla, they are going to love your baskets. I know I would.
If you have one left, I would like it. And, thanks for the offer.
Truth, oddly enough, is always stranger than fiction! And Sugerwings has her father’s eyes. They are beautiful eyes. Now I know where she got them!
Brenda
More wonderful finds!!!
I would love a little of the bath salts, if any are left! You are soooooo nice!! Thanks!
Oh what a wonderful post! Your ideas are fabulous for the gifts Karla! Your son is a cutie and so sweet to help with the bath salts!! Thank you so much for the recipe too!
That is so crazy about the anchor!! Kind of eerie too 🙂
Love ya,
Amy
Karla, your kitchen helpers are really really cute!!! you found really great stuff again, good for you:)
Your friends will LOVE those baskets!
I would add a bath puffy from the $1 store.
Sugarwings sure looks like her daddy.
~elaine~
Your friends are going to love their baskets of goodies. The slip and lace are beautiful. You did well again even if you didn’t intend to yardsale. Of course if you see a sale you MUST stop.This is a law of true yardsalers. Have a good evening.
Jean in Virginia
Oh she is so sweet!!! Rachael
I love your world, Karla. I love the way you think, the things you do, how you create, how you give so generously and how much fun you make blog visiting for all of us! What a joyful stop!
Karla, I’m leaving here today with so much inspiration that I had to hire a U-Haul to take it with me! Congrats on 10,000 comments and for making this such a beautiful place to visit!
I love the basket ideas!
Huge California Hugs, KJ