Old Fashioned Handmade Shower Gifts
by Brenda Hyde of OldFashionedLiving.com

Finding the perfect gift for baby or bridal showers isn't always easy if you are trying to be creative and unique. Nothing is more memorable or heart felt than gifts you create yourself to help encourage relaxation and pampering. 

The following old fashioned recipes can be made easily made and packaged for the new bride or mom. Add them to a pretty wicker basket decorated with a silk bow and lined with old fashioned lace for a special touch.

Rose water

Ingredients:
3 cups rose petals
3 cups purified water

Pick the rose petals just after the dew has been dried by the morning sun. Place in a glass or porcelain container and pour boiling water over the petals. Allow to steep for two days, stirring frequently. Strain and bottle.

Peppermint Skin Toner

Ingredients:
1 pint vinegar
1 pint purified water
1 cup mint leaves

Place all ingredients in a glass or enamel saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Pour into a glass jar and allow to steep for four days. Strain and bottle. Be sure to label with a pretty card and ribbon.

Lavender Sachet

Ingredients:
1/2 pound lavender flowers
1/2 ounce dried mint
1/2 ounce dried thyme
1/4 ounce ground caraway
1/4 ounce ground cloves
1 ounce sea salt

Detach the lavender flowers and leaves from the stems and mix with the other ingredients. Place in small bags made of silk, unbleached cotton or cotton with die-fast color. Sew shut and tie with a ribbon if desired. You can be creative with this mixture and sew heart shapes that can then be decorated with miniature ribbon roses and ribbon.

Herb Closet or Drawer Squares

Place handfuls of each of dried lavender flowers, rosemary, one tablespoon each crushed cloves and small pieces of dried lemon peel together. Sew small cotton squares about four by four inches; leaving a space open. Stuff with herb mixture. Tie several together and wrap in tissue paper tied with raffia. Attach a note explaining that these will protect clothes from insects and can be placed in drawers, closets or boxes.

Herb Honey

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon fresh herb
or 1 tsp.. dried herb
1 pint honey

Choose an herb such as thyme, lavender, mint, rosemary or even rose petals. Bruise fresh leaves slightly and place them in the bottom of a small saucepan. Pour room temperature honey into the pan and heat over low heat very slowly. Stir the mixture until the honey is JUST warm, about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into sterilized jars and seal tightly. Store the jars at room temperature for about one week to blend flavors. Then reward the honey in the same way and strain out the herbs. Recap. Jelly jars work well for this. Tie a ribbon around the neck with an attached tag with suggested uses such as: sweeten tea or punch, use in salad dressings, combine half and half with butter to use as a spread for waffles, pancakes, muffins or bread.

Related Articles:

How to Make a Grapevine Wreath
These wreaths make fine gifts to give to friends and family as is or fixed up with dried flowers and herbs and ribbons. These wreaths are great to hang on the front door or on your walls as decorations.

Autumn Snacks and Crafts
Autumn brings to mind apples, cider, squash and the savory sweet taste of pumpkin pie and bread. It's also the time of year when the kids start spending a little more time indoors and need some activities and snacks to occupy their minds and hands.

Counted Cross Stitch: Mounting and Framing
Counted cross stitch can be a very fun and rewarding pastime.  It's one of the few crafts I enjoy and that I feel confident about the finished results.