Soap-making and Christmas gift ideas

It's been an eternity but thanks to Meadow we are finally having another Happy Valley Housewives project!

Meadow's friend is super savvy about essential oils and has offered to teach us how to make soap using some essential oils. They are going to be way cute and of course smell divine, so come one come all!

Here's WHAT TO BRING (besides your beautiful self):

• a few dollars to help cover costs so you can bring home your own lovely-scented soap:)
• a friend (optional but always welcome)
• an idea or example of a Christmas gift idea--I know how creative you people are so come share the wealth and help us fellow gift-givers!

WHERE AND WHEN WE ARE MEETING:

Meadow's abode @ 12:00-3:00pm on

Tuesday, November 23rd

Any questions? Contact me, Savannah @ 801-228-8863

Ottomans Part Two: Upholstering Your Ottoman

THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE NINTH

12:00 PM AT THE PARENT'S RESIDENCE

Make sure to check the post labeled "Important Ottoman Info" (or something along those lines) for the items you will need to bring.

Along with those items bring a potluck item to share.

{Ottomans Part One: Constructing Your Ottoman soon to come!}

Dimensions

Just a reminder for those of you that haven't gotten your dimensions for the ottomans to Nichole yet, remember to do so by tonight! We are getting together sometime next week. I will post the actual date by Monday.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! Love you all so much!

IMPORTANT Info on the Ottomans

Here are a few more pics and the DETAILS about our upcoming project: Ottomans!

(remember you can click on the picture to see it larger)

In case the pictures don't make sense, the last picture is of the dimensions I chose to do. You can do your's HOWEVER you want of course. I think it would be fun to do a longer one, say 48 x 18 and put it at the end of your bed. I think mine are a pretty good height if you are wanting just an actual ottoman to rest your feet on. But remember to take into account the height of your couches.

As far as the upholstering goes keep in mind the following things:

• You'll want a sturdier fabric (no cotton/cotton blends) I used upholstery fabric from Hancock Fabrics but Home Fabrics (next to Michaels in Orem) has a HUGE selection and they are pretty decently priced.
• Get about 4 inches extra for each side of your ottoman (you'll need some room for pulling and stapling)
• Most likely you are going to want foam on the top of your ottoman. Rather than spend a fortune on regular foam they sell at fabric stores, Tricia recommends buying an egg crate mattress (I found mine at Walmart) instead which you just fold in half. It worked great and was more than half the price of foam.
• For the sides and top I got one bag of low loft batting. This just adds some extra cushion to your ottoman. (Again, I found mine at Walmart)
• If you have a staple gun bring it!
• I have some upholstery nails(see first picture) but I may not have enough for everyone. You can find some at... take a guess..... WALMART! haha or any fabric store.

Ideas

Okay Ladies, I went through my house looking for other ideas that we could do for our next activity. Here are a few things I have made that we could do.

Ottomans (can be used for storage as well) Est. Price: $20-25 per ottoman

A funky painting (I used acrylics and the canvas was super cheap) Est. price: $10-20

Picture/card display Est. Price: $5

Clothes pin board Est. Price: $2-5

Pillows + envelope pillow cover (great because you can easily remove the cover to wash it) Est. Price: $5-7/pillow

Let me know what you girls think!

Headbands

Our first official Happy Valley Housewives project!
Host: Meadow
Instructor: Savannah
Project: Headbands

I'm sure all those who came would agree it was a success! We had a great time learning how to make headbands and feasting on the delicious food made by Meadow and Nichole.

The most scrumptious little lunch ever. Nichole made the chicken salad inside the croissants I believe. It was simply splendid.

Meadow needs to open her own bakery. She is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!yum....

Beforehand we purchased plastic headbands online at theribbonretreat.com, which we covered with fabric. A big thank you to Meadow for supplying the beautiful fabric!





I loved seeing each individual's unique touches on their headbands. Everyone had such great ideas!

The lovely girls Nichole and Frankie

Me (Savannah) attempting to show everyone how to cover the headband

Our gorgeous mother/mother-in-law, Trish.

Missy, her little mind at work :)

Here are a few of the finished products!

A few of the many sweet little children who played so well and were SO patient with their mommies crafting away. I also want to recognize Adam, Missy's hubby who took care of all of our little babies! He was a big help!

Thanks to all you girls: Meadow, Trish, Tricia, Nichole, Frankie, and Missy!