Holiday Crafting

Normally during the Holidays I'm stressed and I just can't wait for Christmas to be over. I rarely feel like doing anything except bake a few cookies for Pacen's sake and put out some decorations. This year I've managed to stay pretty relaxed and I've even gotten into the spirit of the Holidays. I'm really enjoying the Holiday season this year and I even did some Holiday crafting (above and beyond my normal cookie baking). I made some lip balm and some ornaments.

I found the lip balm recipe on a fellow blogger's blog and even got the idea from her to put inspirational stickers on the containers. I'm going to give them to my friends. Here is my finished product:



The lip balm was so easy to make! Here is the recipe:

1 oz beeswax
1 oz shea butter
1 oz cocoa butter
1/2 oz almond oil
1/2 oz vitamin E oil
4-5 drops orange flavoring
2 drops essential oil (her recipe called for cinnamon. I actually didn't use any.)
5-6 drops pure vanilla
a pinch of ground clove (this is a skin irritant so don't use more than a pinch)

I put some almond extract in my lip balm because I love the smell of it! You can find the first 5 ingredients at Hobby Lobby (or probably any craft store).


I got the idea for the ornaments from Better Homes and Gardens (yes, I am a BHG fanatic!) and when I saw the ornaments on their website I just had to make them! They are ribbon candy ornaments. Ribbon candy has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my Grandpa Hess.