Bittersweet and the little soap company

simple happy

Happy hydrangea picking start to a long peaceful weekend. You wouldn't believe how many blooms that are on the hydrangea bushes so I took a quick picture to show you!

Awesome!
They grow all along the north side of our home. Aren't they stunning? Never have they bloomed so early! I'm guessing since we had a unusual mild winter they've gotten a BIG head start, no pun intended.

Several of my neighbors have stuck American flags in their yards in honor of Memorial day. I like that.

I'm hoping for a played back simple weekend. Lennis is working pretty much the whole weekend so we didn't have big plans. Studio open tomorrow and then I am traveling north to a high-school reunion Saturday night. It's held in my old high-school. Kind of cool. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

I'm hoping to work maybe finish the prairie quilt. I've been watching you-tube videos on how to machine quilt as I've never done it. I have a quilting sewing machine with the necessary attachments so I figure what the heck. It doesn't seem to be that difficult to me. I'm up for the challenge. My only concern is that I made an extra large top and it will probably be cumbersome to work with. I'm almost certain of that. Planning on taking my time. I also studied the process of choosing batting material. I found that interesting too. I prefer cotton or wool it seems.

It's going to be a crafty summer in Bittersweet land!

  
I bet some of  you have big plans for the long weekend.

Stay safe and enjoy.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

fluffy & fragrant

The peonies are blooming! It's such a thrill to walk down to the rock garden and pick an early morning dewy bouquet. My peonies are shaded so they always bloom after the ones in sunny spots throughout my little town.  It does kind of make me feel peony happy when my blooms are just opening up when others have faded and began to turn brown and dormant. Good things happen to those who wait! Sometimes that phrase applies to blooms.

I did a little write up on Calico Petals blog about seeds. You can click here to read the post.  Since I'm so passionate about the subject I felt a need to write it down.

I love taking product shots with flowers! Can't wait for the hydrangea's to bloom!

Attempting to capture a soft shot.

I'm proud to say the Peppermint foot creme is back! Several customers had asked when it would be available again. You can order a jar here.  The creme has healing properties with the combination of lanolin and vitamin e. Lots of other good pure|clean|simple ingredients added to make this rich concentrated creme.

As usual around here, more than several spring projects in the works. I picked up the paint for the bedroom yesterday and some sewing projects planned in between filling orders and manufacturing.

Pondering thoughts of a new lip balm and I'm going to go back to making a soap that contains vegetable oil just so I can re-visit Bittersweets soulful past. Soaps made with vegetable oils are referred to as castile soap. Very gentle and good for your skin. The original castile soaps were made with laurel oil.  

Here's a little soap making secret tip...

You know how Ivory soap floats?

If you whip your soap gently during the soap making process your soap will float! You may need to practice the method awhile before getting it right.

Something I learned a long time ago when researching soap making.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

Faded lilacs

I thought you might like to see more of the lilac setting shots. Some of the photo's were not used. The lilacs have since faded and won't return until next spring. We had the privilege of enjoying their charming beauty for an extended time since we're having the perfect record breaking spring.

In years past I've taken pictures of all the different flowers that bloom throughout our garden in the spring and summer. Since I have to wait so long to see them blooming,  it seems only natural to want to hold on to the short lived  joyful memory they bring to my world.

I'd really like to create a journal of sorts that showcases some of my favorite blooms. Sketches too along with the photo's.

I love flowers! You may remember how I once said if I had not chosen to be a soap maker I would own a flower shop. In fact, I've pondered thoughts of opening another boutique filled with antiquities, French inspired toiletry items and FRESH FLOWERS!

I can envision old white washed apothecary cabinets in ecru, lavender bundles sitting in vintage baskets, piles of beautiful savon assorted and neatly stacked and tied with beautiful satin and silk ribbon, trunk shelves layered with vintage linens, napkins and a rare array of  French ribbon and napkins, stunning fresh bouquets centering the round tables throughout. Can you see it?

I've even thought about a name, Floraison aigre-douce, Bittersweet Blooming!

I'm happy and content at the moment running my cottage business from home but it's nice to have creative thoughts to tuck away and reserve for a later date!

First things first... I have some other projects up my sleeve that take protocol. 

I know, I know, teasing is not nice. The big project can't be disclosed quite yet. I promise though when it gets closer to the proper time, I will certainly share.

Counting down to the final weeks before the May Day event!

My list remains long...

I wish you could sniff the new May Day fragrance!

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Love,

Jill 00 

  

Fleur parfume

This is a prototype for a sample of Bittersweets spring, summer parfume Jour de mai, May Day.

If you're fond of soft lily of the valley, tuberose and fresh citrus then you will fall in love with May Day parfume!

 I picked the small bouquet late afternoon. The sweet william is popping up throughout my neighbors yard and behind our home.

 I have fond memories of wild sweet william. When I was younger it was a favorite flower to pick during my hikes in the nearby woods. It flourishes in Missouri this time of year. I also plucked a red clover stem with five little red clovers attached to its stem.   You don't often see red clover. I plucked a small stem to press inside a book.

The glass vials of parfume are part of Bittersweets May Day hostess treats. I'm assembling thirty of them to add to the hostess gift bags that will be distributed the day of the event.

Then I will manufacture the parfume in glass roll on containers. I'm hoping to get the new parfume listed on the web site soon! Probably in a couple of weeks from now.

I'm also mixing up May Day potpourri. The new potourri mixture contains, dried rose buds, lavender, lilac blooms, tulip petals, velvet flowers, staticeand hydrangea flowers. The combination of the dried petals and botanical's is striking! I have a large bowl of it drying in the kitchen. Needless to say our kitchen smells delightful!

Have you ever made potpourri? It's quite fun to make! A simple stroll through on-e's landscape will turn up some of the sweetest surprises. In the winter I salvage pine needles, hemlock cones and seed pods. No need to add orris root unless you want to. I have found it really does not add any more life to the finished product. However, you must use a quality essential oil or fragrance to scent your potpourri. Creating a natural potpourri was inspiration for planting everlasting blooms this season.

I'm also working on the little seed matchbooks. Since the seed packets will be filled with butterfly plants I want to include a large butterfly image on the front of the matchbook.

Oh and I'm painting the basement floor! I spent the entire day ripping up the old yucky linoleum that I despised. Since it's the basement the floors are concrete. I painted them in a enamel floor paint in the prettiest shade of ecru. An interim period and time for me to decide what kind of flooring would best suit the high trafficked area. Not to mention it's the entrance area to the studio.

A bit busy as usual, but as most of you know that's the way we roll! I will be prepared for a mini break after all the work!

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

a pleasant place

A few days ago if you drove by Bittersweet this is where you'd find me! Sitting under the crab apple tree surrounded by lilacs and lavender. Oh darn! It took a great deal of will power not to stay in that spot! The bees homed in on the lavender and lilac aroma trail  just as they used to when I had the boutique downtown. I used to catch and release them with the butterfly nets I sold in the shop.

It was hot on this day, so hot and by the time I carried the set to its location I need to sit and rest a spell. You may remember me discussing my arm wrestling days, h'm....

Nowadays I keep up my bicep definition by lifting 50 pound cans of coconut oil and pouring large weights of liquid into molds. Liquid measure is considerably more dense than dry, harder to handle. Just in case you needed to know that. Probably not. You know how I am!

It's kind of fun taking product shots!

There's a precise time of the day when the bright sun doesn't escape through the white pine branches. A window of opportunity I call it.

It's rainy and cloudy today and I'm indoors preparing fresh Bittersweets.

I know I've said it before, but it's worth repeating...

I love spring!

Enjoy a caring and sharing spring.

Greet one another with the kiss of love... PETER 5

Jill 00  

the studio

The three tables that sit in the studio will soon be filled with new soaps! After all this is a soap maker's home. Our home lingers with the soft scents of sage and rose geranium.  Those two essentials were added  in a new soap I made yesterday. It will be available in the new spring line, French Basket. I can't wait to wrap the bars with French inspired papers.

The other side of the studio, the merchandise, shop is easing into spring.

Spring just can't seem to get here fast enough. I'm definitely feeling the fever! The thought of outdoor flea markets, May Day and green grass make my temperature rise just thinking about it!

I composed a spring flower post at Calico Petals. 

As I began publishing the pictures I soon realized a part two was in order. I love flowers! The ones mentioned in the article are ones that grow in my gardens. Having lived in our home for over 23 years the landscape is established. Almost all of the flowers, plants, trees, and bushes were transplants from old farms or given to me by friends. Some of which like the bleeding heart and stock that my dear friend Gayle gave me before she passed hold sweet everlasting memories.
The tall white pines that line our back yard were a foot tall and cost $1 each when we planted them 20 some years ago. Now they stand 50 or 60 feet tall!

That's why I get excited when talking about flowers. They are associated with joyful memories.

That is also why I love making soap! If you're a flower girl chances are you're too! That is also the reason I like to wrap the soaps in flowers and pretty papers and cloth. It all stems (pun intended) from my love for flowers I believe. It's also why I love creating things with flowery prints.  

Off to cut soap into bars. Ah the aroma reminds me of a field of flowers. Oh wait I've already named a soap that! Champ des fleurs. I'll be smelling and pondering at the same time as I decide which name best suits the new soap.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

naturally speaking

I've written numerous posts about dried flowers and how I love incorporating them into Bittersweet designs.

One everlasting bloom stands out, the modest straw flower with its straw like textured petals. Although I have pictured a natural hued bundle I'm equally fond of colorful straws.

When I had the shop downtown I offered a variety of dried flowers. Larkspur is another favorite dried. The amazing colors remain in tact even after their dried.

Then lavender, sweet lavender so many reasons to dry lavender. My first excuse would be to make sachets. If you read the blog then you know about my passion for those.

Hydrangeas, how could I forget to include you?

My list continues with a sweet tiny delicate bloom, baby's breath in its dried form. I stuck a couple of bundles in an old enamel pitcher and placed it in our entry.

Reminds me of my mom...

Those flowers will be included in my wish list of spring planting. With the exception of the hydrangea's, the remaining variety requires the same amount of sun. Hydrangeas always prefer northern exposure and will shine the  best if you plant them facing north. They do not tolerate full sun. Don't like too much shade either. Then they won't bloom. Easy to grow though and maintain and one of the most beautiful blooms to bring inside. Remember to smash the stem so the bloom won't shrivel. If you smash the blooms they will thrive for a week or longer! If you don't, you'll be lucky for the bloom to last the day.  Something I've learned over the years.

Stat-ice is another flower that dries nice.

If you're wanting to pick up a fun summer hobby this could be it!

I have always simply stuck my blooms into a large bucket and allowed them to dry naturally. No upside down thing going on. The trick is to knowing when to pick them. Something you learn as you stroll along the dried flower path.

Hydrangea's should be picked long after they've bloomed and the blooms get heavy and green and dense. Pick em and place them in a bucket and bring indoors. That's it. They'll last for years!

This picture shows what they should look like when you pick them for drying. This was taken several years ago and I still have the bouquet in our home.

This year I'm wanting to grow enough lavender to make wands. You need fresh picked lavender to make wands.

You need to fold back the long stems and if they're dried they will break. Pick the stems early when the dew is still on the ground. Making the wands requires some practicing so don't get discouraged. Remember good things come to those who wait. In this case, a perfect lavender wand worthy of a blue ribbon.

It's crazy soap making season in Bittersweet land. I say crazy because, well it just is. Early rising and late night setting. I'm also working on a new spring line, "Country Fair." So cute! I think you'll like it.

New "Country Fair" savon, Sun Fleur & Blue Ribbon Rose.

Spring sweet spring, I'm beginning to yearn for your scents and soothing sounds.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) 

 

 

 

Soaply things...

A rich olive oil artisan soap infused with Patchouli wrapped in a  hand crochet soft cotton washing cloth nestled on a bed of moss. Yep, that's what it is!

The studio is filled with nesting gifts. The one above is a favorite.

  
Awaiting on glass jars to arrive so that I can make more, you guessed it Marula Smoothie!

Do you like my lavender rain boots? They were sitting in the studio, just sitting and I thought they needed an accessory. What better than lavender I thought.

I'm working on a new Bittersweet project that is going to take a considerable amount of time to put together. I really want to share my projects with you, but I'm one of those that thinks if I mention before hand it might mess it up, so you'll have to wait sweets. The other blueprint won't get initiated for at least another year. It's a big assignment and will take me awhile to complete. I bet I've really got you wondering now!

Good things come to those who wait... Where the heck did that phrase come from? Ah, now I know.

I can't remember, did I mention our "House Blend" savon was back? Those applications, so many of them, what's a marketing girl to do? 

I think the news was posted on Face-book and not the blog.

So happy to have our signature soap back in house! It's blended with aromatic patchouli, sweet orange and vanilla. Three of my favorite scents. Hence, the name "House Blend."

Just in case and since I really can't remember where I posted this. The  Oats & Goats is back too!

Soap manufacturing week. Still contemplating tincture blends right down to the last drip of olive oil. Usually already know what kind of soap it is long before that. That's the way it's been lately. I'm pondering a soap blend of lemongrass and rose.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

More than a taste for a handmade Christmas...

Have you ever made homemade crackers? What a yummy treat to have around during the holidays. Several weeks ago we received one of those shiny magazines the market puts out in the mail. I always enjoy getting the periodicals because they have some really good recipes listed inside as well decorating idees and what not.

My thought when I saw the picture of the toasty nut crackers was how nice to gift friends and neighbors with a jar of Christmas chutney and some of those buttery crackers! The recipe makes around 100. They'd also be MARVY to serve at a cocktail party! You could package a dozen or so in cellophane bags along with the recipe and hand out as hostess gifts after the party. I am more than sure your guests would open the bag and begin to nibble on them during the ride home!

Click here  for the receipt.

Can you believe we have -0- presents under our tree? Since our preference to enjoy a homemade, Made in America Christmas, the motif has changed. Instead of presents under the tree you'll see little assortments of handmade vinegar, chutney, blank, blankety, blank, blank sitting on our dining room table. I can't wait to wrap them!

I must confess... My Christmas list  includes a bottle of Givenchy perfume and some outdoor gear to keep me warm while playing in the snow! Lennis could use some new jeans and socks. While Patrick has yet to give me his wish list. For the most part, we are celebrating a handmade holiday and focusing more on non materialistic things.

Just think in the olden days Santa brought a bolt of fabric for making a new dress for the lady of the house or maybe some pretty silk ribbons. An orange or lemon stuck inside a woolen stocking hung by the hearth would have been an extra special treat for those that lived in the north. Mother and children would prepare bread puddings and fresh wild turkey or deer would be served on Christmas day with loving care for the once a year celebration. The family would gather and read from the bible and Christmas songs would echo from the log cabins throughout the mountainside. The wild animals would howl and moan back and forth throughout the wilderness exclaiming it was Christmas!

Wow, times have sure changed!

A sweet little new family member seems to be most intrigued by the Christmas tree. Elle loves to sit or lay under the tree. She will be four months old tomorrow! We put a little bell on her collar so that we could hear her. She's sneaky! In a good way though! We feel blessed to have her in our lives and she will make our Christmas even more special.

Elle at 2 months...

Pondering those warm thoughts...

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Love,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Porchin' it...minus the hooch

Are you familiar with the urban dictionary? You may want to familiarize yourself with a few of its slang's and meanings. For instance when I say we've been porchin' it, well take a lookie and see for yourself if you don't already know what that translates to in urban-ville.

We've been enjoying the new tree house porch during the recent Indian Summer days. 

New roof coming tomorrow!

Packing your holiday orders after this.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)