Simply Create Link Party {10}

Thank you so much for stopping by to link up at our Simply Create Link Party!  We always LOVE to see what you've created!

Don't forget to check out the blogs that were featured on Monday afternoon HERE.  There were some amazing link-ups and it was really hard to choose what ones to feature.  But you don't want to miss these ones, so pop on over and check them out!

We can't wait to see what you created this week!

<center> <a href="http://www.simplydesigning.net/"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VwScEIo1Yuw/UUM1INKfNDI/AAAAAAAAIFs/5cmwnR-HOjQ/s250/simplycreate.jpg"/></a></center>

This week on Simply Designing and 

Redfly Creations:

Now, it's time to PARTY! Please link up your latest creations.

• You can link up pretty much anything as long as you "created" it
• Please visit as many projects as you linked up and Pin or share them in some way
• Please keep it family friendly, no links to shops or giveaways, and we reserve the right to delete any links that aren't appropriate
• By linking up you are giving us permission to feature or show off your project
• We would of course love it if you followed both of us, but it's not required :)

*Please Pin from the original source! Thanks.*

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.

This post may contain affiliate links.

DIY Bath Bomb Recipe {Pear}

After creating my own Sugar Scrub the other day, I decided that I wanted to experiment with other DIY Spa Recipes.  I have a few more in mind, but today I want to show you how to create your very own Homemade Bath Bombs!

You know, the fizzy, yummy smelling bath bombs!  Yup, I am going to show you how to make those today.

DIY Bath Bombs are really so easy and inexpensive to make!  And the customization possibilities are endless!  Today, I am going to show you how to make Pear Bath Bombs.
 

Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 c cornstarch
• 1 c baking soda
• 1/4 c epsom salt
• 1 c citric acid
• pear essential or fragrance oil
• green food coloring
• water in spray bottle
• soap mold

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix
2. Add fragrance or essential oil until desired scent is achieved and mix
3. Add several drops of food coloring
4. Spray mixture with water and stir until barely moist (*be careful not to add too much water as it will take all the fizz out of the bomb, so use barely as much as you need so that you can pretty these together)
5. Press firmly into a soap mold
6. Let dry several hours or overnight

Bath Bombs are really fun to use (who doesn't love a fizzy bath!?) and make great gifts for mom's, neighbors  girl friends, birthday's  or anyone who loves to bathe!

Enjoy!

If you love DIY Beauty Ideas, you're going to love this post too:

• Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

You can purchase all your ingredients by clicking the products below:

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.

This post contains affiliate links.

10 Amazing Planter Ideas

Hello Simply Designing readers!

I'm April, from House by Hoff, and I am so excited to be Ashley's monthly round-up contributor! {Doesn't that sound so official?}

I am a mom to one super-cute 18 month old girl, wife to my high-school sweetheart, and I am attempting to live a stylish and fabulous life in a one-income household.  It can be a challenge, but I think I've managed just fine, thankyouverymuch!

Now that we've been introduced, I'd like to share my first roundup with you! 

The topic?  Planter Ideas!

When it comes to outdoor planting, I confess, I've been a bit of a slacker.

I go to great pains to decorate the inside of my house, and I think, in years past, I have just lost my mojo when it comes to decorating outdoors.

I have vowed to myself that this year will be different.  Let's get inspired, shall we?

 I love everything about this photo from Willard and May.  The colors, the flowers, the planters, and the animal accessories!

These rope wrapped and painted terra cotta planters, from House by Hoff are a great for adding some texture to your outdoor planters! ;)

Using an old chair as a planter! Genius!  Love this bright blue color too!  Image found at Just Imagine.

I mean....c'mon.  This is gorgeous!  This makes me want to put up a fence just so I can hang some painted pots!  Tutorial found at Shelterness.

I love an excuse to paint something with chalkboard paint, and planters are no exception!  What a great idea!  Love the house numbers! Image found at Sprinkles On Everything.

Oh...Lowes!  You get me every time!  Love their idea for a terra cotta tiered planter! 

DIY window planters!  Yes, please!  Source

Somebody made an awesome DIY Flower Tower...hmmm I wonder who it could be?!

It's our buddy, Ashley, from Simply Designing!

What should you do with a colander that's just too cute to put in your cupboard?  Use it as a planter, duh!  Bob Vila, who knew you were so clever?

Old soup cans as succulent planters.  Very modern and cool looking, no?   Source

I hope you enjoyed our first round-up!  I sure enjoyed putting it together for you! 

For more outdoor inspiration follow my Outside the House board on Pinterest and Ashley's Exterior Design and Landscaping board on Pinterest.

I'd love you to stop by House by Hoff and peek around at some of my DIY projects, take my Home Tour, or check out my Party Ideas!

Have a great day! :)

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Ice Cream in a Bag

Today I want to share with you a really fun kid activity and treat that is both fun for the kids to make, tasty to eat and of course, it is simple!  Ice Cream in a Bag!  This is a perfect kid activity and a perfect activity to do as the weather gets warmer or even over summer break!  (I originally shared this post at Becoming Martha!)

I had heard that this was possible to do, to make ice cream in a bag.  But I was always a bit skeptical.  So the other day we decided to try our hands at it!  And we were amazed at the results!

This.  Actually.  Works!!

Ice Cream In a Bag

yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 Tbs Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 cup Rock Salt or Ice Cream Salt
• Ice
• 2 sandwich size ziploc baggies
• 2 gallon size ziploc baggies
• possibly additional baggies :)

 

Directions:

1. Place milk, sugar and vanilla into a small ziploc bag.  Squeeze out the air and zip shut.
2. Place this bag into a second small ziploc bag and seal.
3. Place salt and ice into a large ziploc bag.
4. Place small ziploc bags into large ziploc bag and seal.  
5. Place all of this into the second ziploc bag and seal tightly.
6. Let your child put on winter gloves and shake for 15-20 minutes.

Shake.  Shake.  Shake it some more.  

Set a timer.  

Kids will ask if it is done yet when you have 18 minutes to go...and 17 minutes...and 16 minutes.  It IS hard work to make ice cream! 

So set a timer, turn on the music and turn it into a dance party / ice cream making party!

Now some of you may be asking, why all the bags??  Because ice and rock salt are harsh on plastic bags.  This is to help prevent salt water from soaking your tables, floor and children.  I may or may not know this from experience :)

If your bags still leak feel free to place them into grocery store plastic bags too.

After 15-20 minutes of shaking you will actually have ice cream!  Real, honest to goodness, yummy, all ingredients approved by mom, ice cream!

And your kids will be delighted that they made it all by themselves!

 

  

Making ice cream in a bag is a really fun experiment to do with your kids.  It is so much fun and tasty too!  It would be the perfect activity to add to your Summer To-Do list!  I know we will be making this again this summer because it was just too much fun not to do again!

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.

Featuring YOU {09}

Thanks so much to all who stopped by on Friday to link up at our new and improved, joint link party with Redfly Creations!  Both Melissa and I loved looking at your links this weekend!

Here are a few of my (Ashley from Simply Designing) favorites from this week!

*Please Pin from Original Source*

Vintage Fan Makeover

Grow Your Own Gutter Strawberries

DIY Chalkboard Birthday Calendar

Braided Lemon Loaf

Baby Shower Favors

Dining Room Reveal

If you've been featured, feel free to grab our button:

<center> <a href="http://simplydesigning.net/"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-22hx7gMOBSg/UUS5tpI6UpI/AAAAAAAAIG4/asUuNiFGUVA/s250/simplycreatefeatures.jpg"/></a></center>

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.

Homemade Mother's Day Gift Ideas {Video}

I had a lot of fun going on TV recently to show off some really simple homemade Mother's Day gifts!  I have so much fun going to Fox59 and enjoy everyone there so much, they are such a great group of people!  So here is the video from last weeks Mother's Day segment.

click HERE to watch

Check out these other Mother's Day ideas:

• Ombre Mother's Day Free Printable
• Coconut Lime Raw Sugar Scrub
• Mother's Day Chalkboard Vase

I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest and via email.
I participate in the link parties found here.