Bittersweet and the little soap company

Merci, wrappers

I'm calling each of you personally and thanking you for your lovely emails, comments, and orders for the "soap wrapping  kits".

I know you will have as much fun as I do wrapping the bars of soap.

I'm thinking about having a "soap wrapping contest"!

I'd love to see your creative wrappings! Wouldn't that be fun? Then we could have a grand prize "soap wrapping" winner , and they would win lovely things, and be treated like a Queen!

I'll be putting together a few more kits, and  sending the ordered ones out today or tomorrow, no later, then I think I'll take a little blogation so that I can get caught up a bit.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Soap Wrapping Kits*

"Soap Wrapping Kits", are coming to Bittersweet!

My favorite thing to do at Bittersweet is to wrap soap! It's so much fun to pick and choose different creative ways to package the soap, and I'm always looking for new inspiring wraps.

I thought you might enjoy wrapping your own bars of soap, and putting your signature on the silky moisture rich bars. I've put together a soap wrapping kit along with soap & creative wrapping bits and pieces that can be used alone or add the trimmings of your stash of nifty packaging goodies. I'm sure you'll enjoy this little collection!

 

Once wrapped, the soap is a wonderful unique gift, and the recipient will surely, without a doubt, love your beautiful bars of handmade olive oil soap!

P.S. If you want, you can tell the gif-tee that it's the same soap that was in the goody bags and presented to the Hollywood stars at the American Music Awards, and the Emmy's too!

 

The kits contain, (4) bars of Bittersweet Soap, two bars of Lavender Mint, and two bars of Oat's & Goat's, (2) wrap a bar size pieces of pink vintage wallpaper, cream colored satin ribbon, a bunch of tiny paper flowers, a swatch of my favorite rose bud cotton fabric, (2) paper cups, a bundle of natural excelsior, and (4) petite vintage enclosure cards for writing sweet sentiments to attach to your lovely thoughtful gift.

The kits will be available tomorrow @ 12 pm, central, here. I have a limited supply of the kits made, and I'm not sure when I'll have more available. I'll update the blog if I run out of kits. Thanks and enjoy a caring and sharing Soap Wrapping Summer!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Flirty Frocks and Creamy Pokes*

I have been pondering the thought of sewing my own clothes for awhile. Just starting out with a few easy patterns, nothing to complicated, you surely remember how I am with patterns. I'm looking for patterns that are retro influenced or vintage inspired, then use some of the fabulous modern textiles to make my creations.

I want to be dazzled  with the new shirt, pants, dress or skirt! The way I used to feel when I was a teenager. You remember how that felt, don't you? Remember the "Gunne Sax" prom dresses? Remember that wonderful feeling you had while wearing one? That's what I'm talking about!

It had been awhile since I looked at pattern books, and I received an advertisement that said this place had "Butterick" pattens on sale for $1.99, so I was inspired by that, since patterns are so darn expensive any time else! While I was searching through the books, I noticed Simplicity has brought back some of their vintage patterns. So funny, I remember the last time I was looking though a pattern book, thinking, I wish they had a pattern book with nothing but vintage patterns, how cool would that be? There weren't a lot of the vintage and retro pattens to choose from in the book, but I'm sure they will follow up with more.

My first pattern, Butterick B,5216, attracted to the one with the tie, kind of retro, and very much a "Flirty Frock"!

I wore this all day yesterday! It gave me that "Gunne Sax" feeling. I also found this pattern, Simplicity 2950, 3rd one down,  a little dress smock to wear while making soap or cleaning the sweet home, or maybe just to wear for no reason at all, cause I like it! I like 2932 too, don't you? I don't like the fabric they used on the pattern cover, but oh how cute if made with calico, or Heathers fabric or possibly this fabric, how flirty chic cute indeed!

I also made some "Creamy Pokes". I've talked about these before, remember? Poke, a word used to describe bag during Victorian days. Year's ago I was searching for another word to describe bag, and found that word listed in the dictionary.

I incorporated vintage trims and embroidery into each poke I made, and I love the creams on creams. I am offering the "Creamy Pokes" on the web site. They are ideal for housing embroidery hooks, stashes of trim, buttons, etc.

 

  I'm off to explore more pattern creations.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Pleasant + Unpleasant = Balance

With the pleasant comes the unpleasant, and isn't that usually the case? I consider this document unpleasant anyway. "What is this document"? I'm so glad you asked!

INSURANCE... Gotta have it when you own your own business!  I still don't like it, and you can't make me!

My annual insurance coverage paper work came once again, and just as it was last year and the year before and the year before that, enclosed, "Cap On Certified Terrorism Losses". Isn't that scary? That particular title.

The act, and I quote, "Is a violent act or an act that is dangerous to human life, property or infrastructure and is committed by an individual or individuals as part of an effort to coerce the civilian population of the United States or to influence the policy or affect the conduct of the United States Government by coercion. There you have it, an insert from Article A, section 2. AND That's THE UNPLEASANT PART..... Wouldn't you agree?

My beliefs... Along with the pleasant comes the unpleasant, and if you're lucky and your heart is light, and you're blessed, we're all blessed I believe, then comes BALANCE.

On the pleasant Saturday morning side.. Another Patchwork Mushroom popped up right next to some Bittersweet product over night.

I met a wonderful Mother, Daughter team at the market this morning. They own this company.

While I was posting,  I smelled something good, I had forgotten I purchased one of their candles and had it burning in the kitchen.

My weekly supply of fresh tomatoes from the market, and that cucumber, from my garden!

A little rain storm moving through this morning. I like it!

It's a glorious Saturday, and I'm balanced and in sync, and prepared for a lovely weekend.

Enjoy a happy balanced Summer weekend.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Patchwork Summer*

I was naturally taken by the plump toadstool that sprouted in our front lawn, which inspired me to create this large patchwork mushroom. I envisioned a candy colored mushroom that you might possibly see while thumbing through the pages of a children's fairy tale.

Wouldn't it be lovely if each one of us had Summer Sprouts like this one popping up throughout our landscapes?

A little yard filled with patchwork toadstools, and pink hollyhocks, and beautiful large cabbage roses back dropped by a white pearly colored picket fence, and  little blue birds frolic while they sing their merry melody's.

I can see this in my mind...

As the evening falls, grasshoppers serenade little fairies basking on lily leaves while the big round yellow moon lights the stage.

Enjoy caring and sharing patchwork Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Summer sprouts*

When I went out yesterday morning for my walk I couldn't help but notice this very large plump toadstool grazing on our front lawn. I was amazed by its size and the fact that it appeared over night. How do they do that?

It kind of reminded me of this. Only that one was edible.

I'll be working in the studio, and pondering some vintage thoughts. I hope to have some Summer Sprouts to share with you soon.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Let the production begin*

I spent the day replenishing Bittersweet inventory. I had sold out of "cherry almond lip balm", and "lavender liniment". I love to make the liniment, as the fresh eucalyptus and rosemary fills my sweet home with its intensifying aroma's. Then I made a fresh batch of lip balm, and changed the packaging to pink!

Don't you just love their new pink wrappings?

   The new shot of the lavender liniment, the one I'll put on the web site. The lavender in the back ground has been dyed. Did you know flower manufacturers do that? It allows the lavender stems  to stay vibrant for a very long time, otherwise the lavender color fades over time.

I have both, simply because I like to mix the two hues of violet and purple in arrangements.

My experimental rock garden, the one that I was concerned didn't get enough sun. What's that green thing laying on the rock garden dirt?

 

I picked my first cucumber! I just sat and looked at it for a very long time, and smelled it too. It is beautiful! I requested that Lennis come down to the garden and take a look at the luscious vegetable before I plucked it from its vine. My Dad popped by, and I ran to get the cucumber to show him, smiling, glowing, Mrs. Green Jeans type smile.

The dog hair I placed amongst the garden plants seems to be doing its thing, no rabbits!

I have three tomatoes plants in the garden, and between the three, I have over thirty green tomatoes on the vine, YEAH! I love my little organic garden! I can't wait until next Spring, I'm planting even more. Wait until you see the egg plant and zucchini!

If I have extra I plan to share with family and friends.

I'm headed out for my morning walk, then back to sew some more "morning trousers". I'm in a sewful mood. I'm also feeling, yearning to create with vintage, not sure exactly what I want to create yet, beginning thoughts spinning by.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

What's the buzzzzzzz?

 

Remember that research I mentioned I'd been doing on an additive for my soap? While I was chatting with the honey guy at the farmers market he began telling me about this resinous mixture that bee's collect from tree buds and sap flows. The mixture is called propolis, and the bees use it to fill small gaps within their hives instead of bees wax. The conversation about this naturally bee made substance spiked my tincture making interest.

I already incorporate bees wax into my toiletry recipes, as I like its stability, and the fact that it's pure and comes straight from nature.

Apparently this mixture, propolis, is being researched and used for treating a number of ailments including, infections, burns, cold reducers, dental pain, and the list goes on and on.

I'm still very much in the research stage, and never add anything into my products, even though it's natural, until I've throughly examined the possibilities. I do however believe this bee harvested resin has some wonderful healing properties from the research I've done already, and I quite possibly will add the rich anti-wonder ingredient into a liniment or lip balm rather than Bittersweet Soap.

I'm also changing the look of Bittersweet's lavender dryer sachets. Each drawstring bag contains two large lavender filled muslin pouches, tested and Bittersweet approved for up to forty dryer loads, oh and I added a few wooden pegs inside, I thought the little bags worked nice to hold pegs too.   

I'm gearing up for holiday production. July is always holiday production time around Bittersweet. It's time once again to begin manufacturing of our holiday soaps.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

"Blowin in the wind"

Remember that song, "Blowin In The Wind"? I always loved Peter, Paul, and Mary's trio, and their songs. I especially liked the song, "I'm Leavin On A Jet Plane", remember that one?

I remember the music of 1969 very well. I spent my days sitting in my room listening to the new songs and remember playing my record player listening to Summer. Songs like, "Spinning Wheel". Remember Tom Jones? I have a couple of his Cd's I listen to when I'm in a funk. Good old Tom! "What's New Pussycat"?

Added Later: I was watching a documentary on Sun dance yesterday about records. Did you know records, 45's are hot it Jamaica? That's all they listen to. I think that's cool! It showed the clubs and the disc jockeys were all playing records.

I have always been fond of boy girl bands, and even more fascinated by boys with one girl band.

Paul and Linda, Linda in the background singing backup and hitting the tambourine on her hand.

Grace Slicks band Jefferson Airplane, she rocked!

It's beginning to heat up in my little town. I've been picking my blooms and savoring them while they're so colorful and pretty before the heat sets in for its "dog days of Summer".

      

Aren't my hydrangeas beautiful? This is actually a  cutting from last Saturday, and it still looked pretty after an entire week. Do you want to know my trick for keeping them so long? Smash the stems a bit about an inch and a half before placing them in a vase filled with water:)

I love to be able to pick fresh flowers to bring inside. It's one of my favorite things about Summer!

The sassafras aprons are blowin in in the wind! I ran out of Studio room on Saturday, and hung them on the line.

I had some fabric left over from Julies apron and made another pair of "Morning Trousers". Aren't they cute?

My friend Sharon popped in on Saturday. Sharon is a professional seamstress. I met her when I had the shop downtown, and was instantly taken by her peppy contagious smile, and her savvy creative designs.  She even teaches sewing classes.  She's multi talented when it comes to sewing and knitting, and always shares her knowledge and creative skills whenever we're together. You won't believe the gift she brought me! I'll share later this week.

Sharon was so gracious as to show me some stitches. I'm so excited to learn these stitches, and oh how I love to sew now!

I have a long list of Bittersweet products to make. Peppermint Foot Creme, Lavender Liniment, atop the list, Morning Trousers, Fragrance Mist, and a new lip balm, Wild Cherry!

Enjoy a caring and sharing Summer day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Sassy

The food was fabulous and the hostess was sweet, and my Independence day was an afternoon delight!

Don't you think these girls look sassy in there new Sassafras Aprons?

Pictured left to right, Jill, maker of the Sassafras, Jills best friend, Julie, Julies Moms friend, Jeannie, and Julies Mom, Patty.

Girls you look mighty sassy!

The day after, and I'm cleaning up fireworks from last nights display, then to the farmers market to get my weekly supply of fresh veggies.

Saturday Studio Opens at noon. Summer Fun, and on the run!

Enjoy a caring and sharing Summer weekend.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Happy Summer

In between the dog barks and cars buzzing by our  neighborhood, comes the sound of loud cracks and bangs from the fireworks being shot throughout the block.

I've been working on some secret projects in the studio, shhhhh, we must keep a secret or it will ruin the 4th of July surprise I have planned.

Lennis and I are invited to our dear friends Tom and Julies for an Independence Day Celebration. I made goodies for the three girls that will be in attendance at the party.

This may sound boring and mundane, but it was such a thrill to make something for someone rather than making something to sell. I make and sell so many things, and very seldom do I have the time to just sit and make things to give, so I have even a better appreciation for the phrase, "giving is more fun than receiving".

I've got two wrapped and ready.

Do you notice the little cards sitting in front of the bags? Yes, they are great summer recipes from sweet darling Heather. I laminated each one and sticking them in with the gift.

We always make homemade ice cream on the 4th of July, and I believe the "Strawberry Pretzel Desert" sounds yummy! Thanks Heather for sharing the recipe, and I can't wait to try it.

Julie if you're reading this post, that's the only secret revealed about your gift!

I've also been working on a new soap additive, that I discovered of all places, the farmers market while shopping for produce on Saturday. I am in the research mode at the moment, but I am really excited about incorporating this new ingredient into my soap recipe.

Wide leg pants are back too. I am washing and ironing the pant fabric and making more of the "morning trousers", and they will be available soon exclusively at the Saturday Studio. Get them while they last! I won't be making any more until late Fall.

Enjoy a caring and sharing Independence Day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Love Bird Sachets, and a little tutorial

This is a picture of the little bird sachets I mentioned in last weeks post.

Aren't they sweet?

They are quick and easy to assemble, and make a wonderful creative Summer project for kids to make also. Keep in mind you'll need a glue gun, so you might want to supervise little ones, but they will love putting together these darling love bird sachets.

Thanks Aunt Glenna!

You will need.

needle,thread, scissors, silk or velvet leaf, glue gun, essential oil or fragrance, cotton batting, fabric, tiny bird found at craft store.

Step 1

Cut a six inch circle.

Step 2

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or fragrance to the cotton batting, and carefully mix into batting. I prefer lavender or sandalwood essential oil.

Step 3

Place a generous amount of batting in the middle of the cut circle, gather tightly with needle and thread making sure each piece is gathered. and there are no raw edges.

Step 4

Attach small silk or velvet leaf to top of gathered fabric with glue gun, allow to dry, and then glue bird on top of leaf as seen is this picture.

Enjoy your little love bird sachet or share with a friend, as it will surely become a treasured Summer gift they will adore.

Enjoy a caring and sharing love bird Summer day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Red & White Unite that's right!

I've had warm  fuzzy feelings over the couple red and white, for the past few years. The color white mixed with hues of creamy pearl or sand dollar tones has always been a favorite color to decorate with as well as a royal French red standing all by itself, but my favorite color couple from now until my end of time, red and white together.

As I look around the studio it becomes apparent, that  outspoken flashy red and white are my two favorite creating colors.

The New Bittersweet Bags, red and white!

Dream Pillows, red and white!

Stuffed berries, red and white!

Even when I travel back in time when Bittersweets brick and mortar boutique was downtown, the Bursty Balls were red and white!

Guest Soaps, red & white!

Couture Cartons, mostly red and white!

May Day Basket, red and white!

Peg Bag, Red & White!

Vintage Labels, packaged in red and white!

My Grandmother Lola's pie safe in our dining room, red and white!

Peppermint Foot Creme, red and white packaging!

Dryer Sachets, red and white too!

Lavender Filled Eye Pillow, red and white!

Cinnamon Spice Holiday Soap, wrapped in red and white!

Savon Fritures, red and white!

My homemade chutney, red and white!

Past display, red and white! 

Lennis's Moms recovered retro chairs, red and white!

The vintage strawberry summer wall art, red and white!

OK, I know I just broke the blog record for displaying pictures!

It's a red and white kind of day!

Enjoy it!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Summer Saturday's

Another early rise Saturday morning, yes, it is five am friends, as I rub my sleepy eyes, and sip on my first morning cup of Java.

The Saturday Studio has been transformed into a Summer studio, with its bright echos of red and the new freshly made poppy pinnie.

I'll be traveling over the hill and through the neighborhood soon to co-pilot the short trip to the downtown square with Patrick so that he can begin his farmers market Saturday.

I have been purchasing my weekly supply's of veggies at the market, and I must say, the vegetables I've been getting at the market are fresh and delicious. I can almost feel the nourishment and vitamins enter my body as I nibble on  the freshly picked produce, not like store bought stuff at all! No wax, no sitting for weeks in the back room, and they all  taste wonderful, instead of blah. I encourage you to travel to your local farmers market this Summer so that you too can indulge in crisp tasty fruit and veggies. Your body will thank you, as will the farmers that grow the produce.

Do you like the new poppy pinnie? I have been making Summer Pinnies as well as the Sassafras aprons.

The Saturday Studio is open today, and it's nice and cool outside, as a cool front moved through overnight. A great Saturday indeed!

Enjoy a caring and sharing Summer weekend.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Summer Reruns Currently Showing

 

Summer reruns are currently showing...

Rerun number one - The Wig, Click

Rerun number two - Girls In Tree's, Click

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Cozy Colored Corner's

This is a shot of the Saturday Studio, an area close to my check out desk. I had intended to change the bird cage and take down the cotton candy colored tulle, it's been up since Valentine's Day, but I just couldn't bare to part with the look. I like the softness the tulle adds to the vintage bird cage.

The little clothespin flower dolls, not an original  idea, I saw the dolls in one of my magazines, but I thought they were cute, and they were fun to make. I call them Cherry Blossom Dolls, as they remind me of Spring.

I had planned to share a tutorial on making some love bird sachets, but I seem to be sassafras apron obsessed at the moment, so let's plan on next week. I can't wait for you to see them. Again, not an original idea, my Aunt sent me a couple of the bird sachets from a boutique, and as soon as I saw them fell in bird love, and you will too.

I  believe I might have found a new color combination I fancy. I really like this grouping of Bittersweet in lavender and celery green. The colors seem to mix well, and offer a soothing sense of calm corner as you walk into the Studio entryway. I even like the vintage brown apothecary bottle setting amongst the lavender and soft green display.

I purchased this pewter looking dish at Dana's tag sale. I'm always on the look out for dishes, boxes, etc,. to use as product displays.

The blue patchouli packaged soap is complemented by the dish, I think.

  This is the last picture I took yesterday. It's a tiny corner shelf. I am so in love with these botanical printed boxes.

The little boxes are an original idea my Mom thought of before she died. She said, "you need a little box to hold your soap". Thanks Mom for the wonderful idea!

I added the botanical to the web site. Each one comes signed, dated, and wrapped in tissue.

Back to Bittersweet work I go, I go.

More Bittersweet creations to come...

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

Sassy Summer

Another sassy apron that I made yesterday. Gosh, it takes a long time to make ruffles! This apron pattern, even though I've made count em, three now, is a time consuming sewful project and took most of the entire three days to sew three sassy's.

The pinnies, on the other hand, straight lines and simple hems are pretty quick to create compared to the ruffled Sassafras.

Oh well, what's that saying? Good things come to those who wait, or maybe, time pressed is time expressed, I made that one up!

Why we're on the subject of pressed time, I must confess.. Starch has become a best friend when sewing!

I starch each and every pattern piece of fabric before stitching the pieces together. I should buy stock in Niagara, a Kansas City Company. I thought this was an interesting discussion on that web site. I also use Bon Ami, another home grown product, that is an outstanding green cleansing powder product that I use in addition to Bittersweet's cleansing powder, when cleaning the sweet home.

I wanted to share a little something with you..

Last week when Julie and I went to my friend Dana's sale, one of the first things I noticed, this charming heart shaped pin cushion setting on the tag sale table.

I picked it up thinking to myself, what a delightful soulful hand made work of art. I told Dana I wanted it, and asked if she had made it. She said yes, and that it was made from an old wool sweater, and that the base, a glass vintage candle vase, how delightful ditto.

Dana being the sweetheart soul herself, gave me the pin cushion as a gift, how delightfully ditto, ditto!

Dana, thank you for the gift. I will treasure it always, and when I look at it I will think of you, hopefully for many years to come.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Creative Twist

As much as I love the Pinnie styled apron and its clean lines and practicality, I too am finding, the Ruffled Sassafras, a name I created for this retro 1970's pattern is calling out to me. Little did I realize when I picked up this pattern during my flea market travels, that I would enjoy its retro fluff and ruffled beauty to this extent. What is it about ruffles?

Yesterday when I began to dig through my archives of  fabric I soon  realized it was time once again to sort through the many different textiles, colors, textures, patterns, and do some reorganizing as well as an inventory of the fabric stash, not to mention my need for green creating.

It's hard to remember what fabric you have when it's piled high, bits and pieces tucked deep inside the piles. So with that in mind, in between taking breaks and making more Sassafras ruffles, I began the somewhat dreaded task of the green sorting. I haven't gotten very far with the project, as I have had  several intermissions, and a more than several iced coffee breaks just because it's not my favorite task.

I prefer this retro apron pattern with a contrasting pocket, rather than matching. So with that in mind I'm sorting out large yardage's of fabric and matching with small pocket snippets. The snippets are the bits and pieces that seem to disappear within my shelves of fabric.

I believe it's the fabric blends that make the final product stand out amongst the crowd.

I'm also realizing my mind, left brain, has taken on a recent twist in styles. My twist, an urge to create with a mix of retro and vintage , both styles timeless and complimentary.

I'm definitely influenced equally by both vintage and retro, and feel they both offer some sweet nostalgia in all my Bittersweet creations.

I really wasn't planning on making any more Sassy aprons any time soon, as I'm busy with so many different projects, but several of my customers have requested them at the Saturday Studio, so I aim to please!

So to my long time patrons, and customers both old and new, Sassafras aprons making their Summer debut exclusively at the Saturday Studio.

I'm sewing the day away my friends, and enjoying the creative twist, in between sorting a shelf or two, and looking for some RED HOT RETRO TEXTILES soon to be cut and sewn into a sassy Sassafras apron.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Flourishing

Bonjour.

Just dropping in to say HI, and a shot of my flowers while they flourish in the Summer sun, soon to be HOT Summer sun, which translates into lots of watering, and possibly droopy blooms.

I'm planning on enjoying a week of sewing. I'm going to make more Sassafras Aprons, a few Saturday Totes, and if the mood still follows, Morning Trousers.

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Coupure de blog

I'll be on a short coupure de blog.

It's my down time before production begins next month on Bittersweet holiday soap's.

Enjoy a fabulous Summer Solstice. Lennis and I will celebrate at our good friends Ted and Dawns annual Solstice Party. Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)