MFT WSC519 WaterBaby

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hello everyone- it's been a while since i've posted here! i've been very sick with bad allergies and a terrible headcold for almost 3 weeks! feel like i might be turning the corner this morning- but it's windy and cold again today so we'll see how we do (please think good thoughts- it's been really awful!)

MFT's WSC for last week was to watercolor an image- i'd never done that before (other than played a little with some pencils and blender pen- but that's not a water brush!) coincidentally, i had also ordered some ingredients to start experimenting with homemade bath bombs. the idea for a cute bath set hit me the moment i saw my brand new Pure Innocence cutie from MFT- this one is Lather Rinse Repeat- isn't she just adorable in her tub of bubbles?! you gotta love that sweet rubber ducky too! ca-ute!

all i had on hand was a Strathmore watercolor pad so i stamped the image on a piece of that using Brilliance graphite black ink. i used clear embossing powder over the ink and heat set it well to ensure my watercolors wouldn't run the image. it really worked great! i made a few of these to have some extras on hand.

i had a set of Winsor & Newton watercolors that i got on sale at dick blick years ago (the little tiny half cakes in a box-it was around $10 for the set and comes with mixing wells and a brush) i dug those out & got to work mixing & coloring. i have to say i was hesitant to put the first swatches of color down, but then i just let go & started to play and not worry about it (you can always stamp off and emboss more!) the process was relaxing and fun and it forced me not to rush things. very zen. very cool. totally give it a go!

here's a closer view:

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this card is straightforward but some things to note:
i used a ticket corner punch (SU) on the image & on the mat.
patterned paper is by Basic Grey (kioshi line)
i popped up the little ducky in his puddle that i had painted separately.
i used an MFT Fossil note card for the base, and some MFT glittered garnishes for embellies. Ribbon is from MFT too.

here's the inside:
just a simple white emboss of the sentiment.

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the bath bomb bag is an MFT gusset bag
i cut a label with my nesties, and stamped the same PI image using a light brown ink for a lightly colored 'watermark' effect:

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the back of the label has some instructions and the sweet ducky image from the same stamp set.
the instructions i simply typed up (i used the Cheri font it's a free download) and printed out & added to the bag:


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if you're looking for supplies or starter kits, try Bramble Berry

Bath Bomb Recipe
ingredients:
1 part citric acid
2 parts baking soda
fragrance if desired (i used an oil blend)
colorant if desired (i used lilac la bomb colorant- it's an fd&c based dye in a glycerin base)
witch hazel in a spray bottle (you need several spritzes)
something to mold with- ice cube trays, plastic easter eggs, plastic ornament molds or soap/candle making molds, sand molds- anything!

directions:
mix the citric acid & baking soda thoroughly in a large bowl.
sprinkle fragrance (i used .5oz for 1 lb. citric acid/2 lb. baking soda-see note below*) over dry ingredients and mix well.
add colorant and mix well (to your liking- i used a quarter of the small bottle of colarant) again.

here's the tricky part:
while stirring the mixture spritz some witch hazel over the bowl- like 6 pumps or so and incorporate it well. you don't want to dump in a bunch of liquid or it will start fizzing on you. just a light spritz at a time, 6 times in a row. i needed about 4 sets of short pumps to get the mixture to clump together & hold it's shape in my hand- it will vary based on your temp/humidity. basically if you pick it up and can mold it in your hand like damp beach sand you're done- start packing it into your mold right away. over fill the mold, press it together (if using the ball ornament mold) let it sit a minute or two, then release the mold (one side at a time on the ball mold- gently tap & lift off one end of the mold, then the other) set to dry on some wax paper for about 2-3 hours.
enjoy!

* fragrance note: these were HIGHLY scented bombs- truth is they came out too strong for us and too big! i've been breaking them into quarters & using just a small piece at a time! still works great- just don't get the pieces wet when you break them up!

also- i don't recommend using these for young kids- fragrance free ones would be ok, but lots of fragrance or certain types of oils can cause some stinging in little eyes or in any little scrapes or cuts!

whew- that was a bit longwinded eh?! lol! thanks for hanging in there!
need to take more meds & make a quick thank you note before school is out today! hope to be back soon!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
^o^
-g