Bittersweet and the little soap company

Spring May

I took a break from Bittersweet work yesterday while waiting for my supplies to come, and worked outside in the yard. I ended up spending the entire day outside spreading cedar mulch, fertilizing and planting.

I don't like chemicals at all, but when it comes to poison ivy, chemicals are my best friend.

I had not worked in the rock garden since my horrible bout with poison ivy, so one of the first things I did was mix up some poison ivy killer and  sprayed the noxious weeds. Now that its leaves are showing, it's easy to detect, and there was a considerable amount growing next to the garden, and I saw the exact spot where I came in contact.

I planted some vegetables this year in my garden. I have had gardens before, but it's been a very long time. My back yard is shielded by trees, and I don't believe gets enough sun for a full blown garden, but  I am experimenting in the rock garden to see what I can come up with, and planted rows of onions, red peppers, and tomatoes.

We eat lot's of spinach salads, and I thought those veggies would be tasty in our summer salads.

I've had the thought lately of making our entire back yard a green produce growing facility.

With produce being not so great from the store, and prices soaring, I am seriously considering  just that.

I can grow fruit trees, and blueberry bushes, and cut a few limbs, and have a huge veggie and herb garden.

If I recall, gardens are lot's of work, but rewarding at the same time. These thoughts are in my mind, and I will ponder them until next Spring.

I moved the red wicker chair to a tranquil resting spot. I have been spending a considerable amount of time in that chair, just setting, looking, thinking.

 

I have some seeds that require soaking before planting. The snow berry bush, and morning glory both need a little soak to help them sprout. So I'm soaking my seeds tonight so that I can plant tomorrow. Then the fun part of watching the seedlings sprout and grow. That's my favorite part!

One more thing..

I've had a few people email me regarding our recent tornadoes.

Obviously we were not hit by the tornado, but just one block from where my brother lives on the outskirts of town was, and it's a horrible site! I have always been fascinated by this weird weather phenomenon, while being horrified at the same time.

Tornadoes can destroy everything in their path, while leaving a lawn chair setting untouched a few inches away from their destruction. I think that is too weird!

Five years ago we had a large tornado go over our home and hit just one block away. We were terrified, when we heard out basement drain suck in air from the air pressure. It completely destroyed many, many homes, and hit our beautiful college on the hill.

The other night at two O'Clock in the morning we all awoke to that same sound. It's an eery sound, a sound of too quiet. I guess that's where the phrase, "calm before the storm" came from.

Above the calm though is total kayos, and if you've ever heard that roaring sound before, there is no doubt you will recognize the sound immediately the next time you hear it. I even fill the pressure change, it feels as though someone is pushing me down from the head, very strange. I have talked to others that have experienced this same feeling.

The other night at two O'Clock, fortunately for my family and my neighbors, the tornado stayed high above our home.

Enjoy caring and sharing Spring May Days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)   

Owl love and a special friend

The past few mornings I've been awaken by the soft sound of hooting owls outside my bedroom window.

When I was around twelve or so, my best friend Nita lived across the street from the city park in our small town. During the summer months after dark, Nita and I would set on her front porch and watch in awe, as for some mysterious reason, the owls in our town seemed to enjoy congregating at the park after dark.

Like clockwork every night, twenty owls or so would fly around the small park, as Nita an I watched from her porch.

Ever since those nights on Nita's porch, I've been taken by these large fly by night birds.

I have a love for all birds big and small, but owls in particular, probably because of their mysterious keep to themselves nature, and fly by night preference, have always fancied my bird loving feathers.

I hope the owls continue to find refuge in our cedar trees outside our bedroom window throughout the spring and summer. I love waking to their unique soothing sounds.

From owls to rabbits I say!

My friend Dana is getting ready to launch a new blog and web site called The Stone Rabbit. Dana and I met when Bittersweet had only been in business for a few years, as she was close friends with one of my wholesale customers, and mutual friend, Donna.

That was around nine years ago. Dana and I just found out that we both grew up in the same small town I mentioned above. My world has always been small, and no acquaintance is by accident. Wouldn't you agree?

Dana makes and has created some of the cutest patterns and stuffies that I've ever seen, and I can't wait until she gets her blog up and running so you can see for yourself. I'm really excited to check out her patterns, and will, I'm sure, be one of her first customers.

Enjoy caring and sharing Spring Days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Splendor in the soap.

Ah yes, another sweet soap making day at Bittersweet.

With spring hopefully around my corner, I'm inspired once again to make the Bittersweet "garden soap."

I'm eager to savor the soaps fresh eucalyptus scent throughout the Saturday studio. Spring will be blossoming inside, regardless of it being wishy washy and hesitant to bloom outside!

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do, right?

Speaking of Spring!

I began making the sweet gingham berries. These cute little accessories are a whiz to make. I am sprinkling on a bit of lavender essential oil onto the cotton batting before gathering each one.

My friend Evalyn gave me a huge assortment of these vintage sugar bags. Aren't they delightful? I wish this kind of packaging was still available. They remind me of the old feed sack bags, sorta.

I also began stitching some "lights out", eye masks that I'll be adding to the Bittersweet line of products. That is if my server cooperates and allows me to work on the web site, ah, once again, computer glitches in my system. They always show up at the most opportune time, don't they?

Once again, a busy day planned in the program.

My anticipation is oozing with the thoughts of Spring blossoms blooming.

Enjoy a caring and sharing Spring Day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

   

"She is a specialist in the baking of pies and cakes."

  This is a picture of my Great Aunt Enid and her six brothers, one of which is my Grandfather. I captured this old photo while rummaging through my trunk. I now have the picture hanging amongst other photo's in the bedroom.

I remember as a small girl visiting my Aunt Enid's home. In fact, I remember a considerable number of things in reference to my Aunt and her home.

I remember her home was quite large and stately with a large front porch that sat close to a popular park close to downtown Kansas City.

I remember, inside her home, she had a large number of collections or treasures throughout. Her kitchen was spotless, and most always, a freshly baked pie or cake setting atop the counter. There was a large attic that you had to walk up several stairs to enter, and pretty hand made quilts adorned the beds in the bedrooms that I'm sure were created my Aunt Enid. 

I remember two of my fond collections of my Aunts, and can still recall the feelings I encountered while gazing at them in awe each time we visited her. One of the collections, butterfly paper weights, the other, tiny pill boxes in a assortment of sizes, safely tucked inside a china cabinet that sat in the dining room. The cabinet had glass doors and I remember setting on the floor looking into that cabinet admiring the collection of pill boxes, as if they were precious museum pieces, knowing their significance to my Aunt, words unspoken. I do believe there was one occasion after many years of looking into the cabinet, asking my aunt if I could open the cabinet and hold one of the boxes, funny, you'd think I would remember holding them more than just looking from afar.

My Aunt never married so it was just her alone in that big white house. That was always intriguing to me as a young girl. All of my other Aunt's were married with families and kids, and I always wondered to myself, again, word unspoken, why such a pretty intelligent talented woman never married or had children. Those thoughts carried on with me until my Aunt died in 1986.

Maybe it had something to do with growing up with six brothers, and I guess I'll never know why she lived alone, and it really doesn't matter I suppose.

I remember Aunt Enid being a proper and poised woman, and although I don't ever recall her raising her voice or disciplining me as a child, I do remember being a bit scared of her, as I could tell by her appearance, she would never tolerate misbehaved children, and knowing that, again, unspoken, I was always on my best behavior while visiting my Aunt. I'm sure my Mother loved those brief moments in time!

The year is 1926.

Enid was indeed an extraordinary soulful woman, and I'm proud to have had her as my Aunt!

These are copies taken from an article in the St. Louis Globe, dated 1926, and a story about my Aunt Enid's days as a young pioneer woman.

The article is quite long, four pages in all, but very interesting to read. I love the words and phrases used back then.

I remember Aunt Enid being quite modest and matter of fact about her life, but after reading the article, it's obvious how her life as a woman during these times was difficult and much different than today. Her life was filled with many frustrating hurdles. She boldly leaped over each and every one, as though they were not hurdles at all, but rather life experiences that she would carry deep inside her heart forever and ever.

You must read this letter written to the paper requesting information about my Aunt, it's so cute!

   

 

Enjoy a caring and sharing hurdle of a day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Cozy Corners

When decorating the sweet home, a favorite and always a must have part of the decorating scheme, is fitting in a cozy corner in each room. It doesn't have to be a big corner, and maybe not a corner at all, but a tiny area that's dusted with treasures, or shimmering from the soft illuminating glimmer of a lamp or candle. I always use a low wattage bulb in the cozy corner lamp, it casts warm glowing shadows onto the walls and ceilings.

These little corners are reminiscent of an indoor secret garden.

My corners are usually filled with objects I'm passionate about, like little birds and rabbits, flowers, or a favorite vintage find from my travels with Jule's on our flea market journeys.

I am betting you have cozy corners in your sweet homes too.

With Spring hopefully approaching soon, I'm Spring loading my cozy corners. They are keeping my heart toasty warm while Winter remains outside.

Wednesday, sewing day, h'm, I'm thinking rather, painting day!

I'm painting my cozy corners...

Enter the Bittersweet March Giveaway!

Enjoy caring and sharing Cozy Corner Days..

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

   

Spring Giveaway

Another caring and sharing giveaway, you exclaim! 

Most certainly, after all, sharing is caring!

March has arrived, well maybe I'm one day ahead, but I have so anxiously awaited its arrival, and hoping it will bring its dear friend Spring!

Yes, once again another little giveaway to announce.

The lucky person that wins will enjoy..

A fresh bar of Bittersweets aromatic Lavender Mint Olive Oil Soap, a tube of our famous Cherry Almond Lip Balm, and our Lemon Oil Nail Creme. I think I'll toss in a few surprises too!

The winner will be announced in the middle of March.

Just drop me a little note saying, I want to enter!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Loving the new space, and sweet home*

Thank you for your warm and thoughtful sentiments regarding my 501!

I'll tell you, we are having a winter to remember! The last couple of days have been more snow and ice and cold. I'm so glad my good hormones kicked in this winter week and gave me the boost of feeling like sprucing and painting the sweet home.

I love the new bedroom! Yesterday evening I piled quilts and blankets atop the bed and grabbed a huge pile of magazines, propped my new fat pillows, turned on HGTV and, heaven,  that's what new paint and new pillows can do for you on a cold gloomy winter's night.

I also cleaned out our linen closet and ironed and starched my entire collection of vintage embroidery pillow cases. I neatly folded them and placed them in large baskets inside the closet. I kept opening the closet admiring it after I was done, I was so thrilled to have the closet look so nice, and the crisp clean linens awaiting guests, or maybe just Lennis, Jill or Patrick!

My Grandmother Christine used to iron her sheets and pillow cases. I remember visiting, and as I got older, my favorite thing to do at Grandma's was to climb into the crisp cotton sheets and lay my head on the outdoor fresh scented pillow case.

Speaking of pillow cases. Yesterday, while sorting through my collection and ironing I came across a pillow case my Aunt sent me that appears to be a double pillow case. I had never used it, and always thought indeed it was a double pillowcase, but while ironing I noticed the embroidery design is on each end, but one on front and one on back. I was completely thrown by this. It's apparent the embroidery has been done by a seasoned embroiderer, and I can't imagine her embroidering the wrong side of the pillow case. If any one is familiar with how this whimsy, but pretty pillow case is to be used, I would be thrilled to know!

This picture shows the pillow case folded over so that the ends match, but if you were to place pillows inside and lay the case on the bed, one design would be on one side, and the other on the bottom. Just don't get it!

Dana suggested that maybe the maker created it, so as too minimize washings. Turn it over, and woo la, a clean pillow case. A logical answer to my obsessed embroidery pillow case mystery questions.

I am thrilled to tell you that while cleaning the linen closet I found amongst the white linens my favorite pair of white pants, that I thought I had mistakingly thrift ed two years ago, and it gets better.. I also found my jadeite bracelet that I received from my Great Aunt. It's my favorite piece, as I wear minimal jewelry and the pieces I have are very special to me. I was broken hearted thinking it had fallen off while wearing it. While cleaning the linen closet I found it mixed in with some older jewelry. I was over joyed, and flabbergasted that I found two lost favorite things in less than two hours!

Changing the subject.. Lennis and I recently discovered a new tasty snack that I believe is super duper fantastic! Toasted cinnamon bread with peanut butter and grape jelly. You must use grape jelly to get the full taste bud sensation! I'm telling you folks, if I owned a diner, this would be on my lunch list! I'm not even a fan of peanut butter and jelly, but you must give this a try!

I made a purchase to assist in packaging Bittersweet. I love the Cavallini collections! I have several of their stamp collections and could not resist these, and I purchased them on this web site.

 

This is how I incorporated the stamps into Bittersweet packaging.

I'm planning on having a Paris Soap Giveaway next week so keep posted. I believe a French inspired giveaway will be fun!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 Two hugs are better than one)

Spring bunnies and little things

The holiday's are becoming closer together!

Easter is in March this year, March 23rd, and just a little over one month from Valentine's Day!

Mr. Smith is happy Easter is early this year, as he finally has his wife, Roberta beside him.

 

I've been drawn to making stuffies lately!

I'm also on the never ending quest of designing new packaging.

I'm quite pleased with the New laundry powder containers, and yes, continuing to use what I have! I have a large reserve of these containers on hand. They're cardboard and recyclable, which I really like, and convenient for choosing either sifted or pourable spout for easy dispensing of the powder.

I'm also making more of the petite book boxes. I just love the size of these little boxes!

I decoupage the boxes with different papers, and then fill them with vintage ephemera.

I'm hoping Spring will arrive soon, as this has been a very long winter!

Until Springs arrival, I'll keep dreaming! The dreaming inspires me to make, rabbits, and flowery boxes, and candy colored creations.

My heart is saddened by another college campus shooting! I have no words to express my thoughts on these outrageous acts of violence, only prayers...

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

A Really Good Show!

    

What a Great Grammy Night!

Last nights Grammy show was my all time favorite!

The best way to sum up the event would be to say, a perfect mellow blend of new & old, and to think I was going to just half way watch as I finished laundry, and worked on bunny faces!

The older performers added the extra bonus, and a balance with pleasant surprise's to the normal hum-drum Grammy night.

Come on, Cher, Beatles tribute, and I love watching Cirque du Soleil. I had tears in my eyes as I watched the video clips in the back ground of the Beatles show, and Aretha, and Tina!

I even felt Amy Whinehouse's excitement on her win, and I like that girl! She's spunky, fresh and new, in a Billie Holiday kind of way.

After hearing Feist perform last night, I couldn't resist adding her music to the blog. Then while searching I spotted a Melanie song about estate sales. That song is too funny! Notice at the end of the song Melanie gets in a blurb "brand new key!" Some of you remember that Melanie song! Julie and I talk about this all the time about how it creeps us out to go through dead people's stuff at estate sales!

I just read the review about last nights Grammy and noticed they used the word retro when describing last nights show. I guess that's a good take too! A wonderful television surprise,  and a fresh change from re-runs, last nights Grammy!

WARNING! This picture may contain sensitive material and should not be viewed by children under 12!

After I took this picture of the bunny in progress, I couldn't help but notice Mr. Smiths worried face as he stares upon his bunny friends face in utter concern.

Mr. Smith, I can understand your concern, but please be assured your friend will have a complete face by this evening!

This simple looking vintage bunny turned into an all day event! I couldn't get this right, and then this, and then, so much for premature simple thinking, (happens all the time!) I finally got the pattern right, and now I'm able to make lot's of bunnies.

I've been roaming back and forth on projects, and have more to share with you later this week.

It's a cold Winter day, so I'm hunkering down in the cozy studio to make bunnies.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Warm Chicken and Noodles

I can't think of anything better to eat on a cold winter's day than chicken and noodles. From scratch of course, with big thick egg noodles mixed in with sauteed carrots, celery and onion. Perfect ending to a perfect day!

If you've never made noodles before, I would recommend you try it. There easy to make and well worth the twenty minutes or so of mixing and cutting, and if you live in a cold snowy climate like me, noodles are the perfect comfort food.

I use my Grandma's recipe, but I believe most noodle recipes are similar to hers.

From Scratch Noodles

3 beaten eggs

6 Tbsp. milk

1-1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups flour

Mix all the above, stir in enough flour to make stiff dough, let rest for 10 minutes. On a floured surface roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Let set another 20 minutes. Roll up loosely, cut into 1/4 inch-thick slices. Unroll and cut into desired lengths. Spread out to dry for about 2 hours.

Chicken & Noodles

Boil desired amount of chicken in large stock pot. Pour olive oil into another small pan and saute sliced celery, onion, and  carrots on low setting for about 20 minutes.

After chicken is done boiling skim off the fat on top of water with a ladle.Remove chicken from pan and cut into small bite size pieces. Transfer pieces back into pan along with adding the sauteed vegetables. Season with a small amount of salt and pepper, thyme, and sage, and bring to a boil, add noodles and simmer for another 20 minutes or so.

This will be the best chicken and noodles you've ever eaten! Enjoy!

I'm making token of love cards. Here's a glimpse...

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Versatile Vintage Challenge

I'm having fun crafting and creating with the stuff I have on hand.

The stock value of my local craft store has surely dropped in the past few weeks, and I bet they miss seeing my face around, as I was the girl that gave their customers directions inside the store!

I encourage you to try and make cute things out of what you have! It will not only surprise and thrill your creative side, you get a sense of pride and new appreciation for the stuff just sitting around, not to mention the fact your utilizing the three R's, Recycling, Re-purposing, and Reward.

The reward is great!

I have to admit I have a pretty good amount of supplies on hand, so if you have to purchase one or two tiny things to complete the projects, no biggy, and the next time you venture into a Versatile Vintage challenge, you'll be prepared!

Here's how I do it, and I'm sure you will want to develop your own technique.

I ponder awhile, read new magazines, collect ideas, ponder some more, and then begin the treasure hunting through the studio, looking for mostly versatile vintage pieces, item's I can either use as accents such as the vintage linens I incorporated into "Sweet Heart Sachets", or postcards I sewed into little pockets for housing Bittersweet perfumes. 

   

The possibilities are truly endless!

 

I challenge you to give it a try, and then once you've completed the crafty endeavor, share your creation's with the world!

Enjoy caring and sharing crafting explorations.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

*Vintage Pretties*

I have a large collection of vintage linens stored neatly in the sewing room. Some of which are tattered or stained, but the beautiful embroidery work and applique is unblemished and awaiting some creative ideas. I know the extensive time and effort someone placed into making each and every piece, and appreciate every single stitch.

I have been allowing them to set  on the shelves for some time until I decided what best to do with them.

During my studio cleansing it came to me what I should do with some of the vintage pretties.

I have been wanting to make sweet heart sachet's for Valentine's.

Sachet Hearts filled with aromatic lavender to hang in your boudoir.

I chose modern/vintage style cottons and then embellished each one with some of my embroidery trim collection. I attached a creamy satin ribbon for hanging, and then added some of my favorite ecru buttons to hold the ribbon in place.

The results are pleasing to my eyes, and I love that I was able to re-purpose the linens.

I'm particularly fond of the little blue bird, and will be on the lookout for more linens with similar designs, as I believe they add a bit of charm to the sachets.

The sweet vintage handkerchief pouches have been fun to make too. I also have a large collection of handkerchiefs, and was concerned that they would forever set in my dresser drawers, as I could never use so many handkerchiefs.

I prefer linen over cotton, and partial to ivory or white handkerchiefs.

I'm very pleased that I was able to create more modern vintage pretties.

It's going to be a busy Tuesday for this girl!

I'm packaging some special soap orders and making more pretties for Bittersweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

*My Domestic Space*

The focus on clearing and cleansing both the merchandising studio and the sewing studio has allowed me to rummage through the semi retired stuff I've made in the past.

It's so hard to part with pieces that I've made! I still remember how I felt when I made them and the anticipation of completing each and every creation, and those final moments, last stitches, or ideas.

All of that reminded me of this wonderful book.. I have throughly enjoyed reading this book! The  words on the cover are as though the author read my mind! It's a  book you keep going back to over and over again!  Great job, Jane Brocket!

As I look around the studio I get warm happy feelings as I gaze upon the space. I'm very thankful to have a space I can call my own. I feel as though I enter a different world when I walk into the sewing studio. The bright red walls echo the excitement I get each time I venture into a new project, and the color reflects the wild side of me!

The room is by no means perfect to the seasoned decorator, but to me it's a room of perfection and direction.

I'm headed to the sewing room to begin the dreaded task of cleaning out the drawers, and organizing the textiles.

It's a snow day too!

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none) 

*Re-do, Recyle, Reward*

I'm in major re-do mode in the Saturday Studio! Boy oh boy, it doesn't take long for that room to get disorganized and out of hand, and then before you know, I can't find a thing! That bugs me! I'll know I have something and spend forever looking for it never discovering where on earth I placed it, thinking, "I know I put it in a good spot!"

This past weekend in between my relax/safety mode of soap making, I've decided it's time once again to clear the clutter in the studio and begin merchandising for Valentine's Day.

How is it that somehow the old decorating items from year's past don't seem to excite me as they did the year before. I think about last year and when I first laid eyes upon these things and how anxious I was to place them in the studio. Now they just kind of set there lifeless and boring! I am one to use what I have though, and I know I've mentioned more than once how I prefer to recycle items I have on hand, rather than purchase a bunch of new ones. This season is no exception. In fact, it's become somewhat of a game for me to play as I dig through my closet, shed, and plastic containers.

With that in mind, let the decorating and creating begin!

I'm finding that the vintage and the hand made pieces are always the one's I go back to rather than the stuff I've purchased at stores.

For instance the bird cage I bought at Julie's shop, I love merchandising with the bird cage because the possibilities are endless! I did purchase some peachy pink tulle to hang around the cage. I hung some dainty hand made lavender sachets inside.

 

Since I make most everything I sell, the empty spots are always filled with hand made Bittersweet rather than wholesale items. That makes it easier I believe and it motivates me to make new stuff all the time!

While digging through the tucked away I found Adaline! Do you remember little Adaline? She's one of my favorite hand made creations from last year.

 

I've always been fond of paper sachets and I made some yesterday to fill an empty cabinet spot. They are easy and fun and would make a delightful tussy mussy gift to fill in your best friends Valentine basket.

I printed the design onto a plain white piece of paper and then folded the paper into an envelope. I stuck scented cotton batting inside each envelope and then sealed each one with a dab of glue.

I filled the origami pouch with paper narcissus to add a whisper of Spring!

I'm in creative mode and plan to take advantage of this sudden Spring attack! I'm off to merchandise the apothecary cabinets.

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

 

*Carry Happiness and Cherry Blossom Dreams*

Even though I appreciate and love the changing of the seasons and the versatility we experience in the Midwest with our ever changing weather, I could easily come to love Spring year round.

I guess I would say it is my favorite season, as you can probably tell since that's all I seem to be talking about lately!

It's as though my little town wakes after a long winter's nap. The grass turns green, the wild cherry plum trees and the red buds come to life, the birds chirp a happy song, the daffodils begin to dance there colorful show, the lilacs bloom, the mushrooms pop. Oh my, oh my!

I'm particularly excited about this Spring as I have new seedlings to plant that my swap partner Dana sent when we exchanged seeds last Summer. I'll also be planting the "snow berry bush. I can't wait to dry it's unique white berries, and explore the plant through the seasons. I also have "moon flower seeds," or "angel trumpets", as my Mom used to call them. They are extremely special seeds to me, as they were my Moms favorite flower.

Snow berry Bush

The Angel Trumpet plant is quite unique. The large creamy white aromatic blossoms prefer cloudy overcast days and they put on their best show during twilight summer evenings. I can't stress how pleasant this plants fragrance is. It's soft not too sweet, perfect! If you plant close to a window, you will surely prefer the window open, as their delightful fragrance will travel into your space.

I'm anticipating, (there's that word), a bountiful crop of hydrangea's and sweet pea's, as last year we experienced a late frost and I went the entire summer without one single cutting of  my two favorite flowers. Not having them, made me appreciate their beauty even more!

My cherry blossom dreams even carried through inside the Saturday Studio.

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter, soon to be Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Floating Ideas*

Do you ever have so many floating ideas in your head you begin to feel overwhelmed? I'm sure you have!

How do you deal with it is the question.. Personally, I try to relax, take a deep breath, grab a bite of chocolate, and focus.

For a artsy crafty girl such as myself sometimes that's easier said than done. I'm sure you understand completely!

So many ideas..

"Oh, I could make this for so and so, and I could make these for you know who, and hey, I think I could sell these!"

When I begin to get that feeling I make soap! That's my safety creative zen like zone.

For you it might be sewing or painting or knitting or something, nevertheless we've all experienced crafty over-load and are in need of a safety zone to help clear the idea clutter!

I mostly get these feelings this time of year. I guess with Spring around the corner I get excited with the fresh ideas pulling at me in anticipation. There's that word! I really like that word! The mere mention of the A word excites me. I love the anticipation of just about everything. For me the excitement usually begins and even sometimes ends there.

You know the feeling, you make something for the first time anticipating the lovely way it's going to turn out, and then oops not what you quite expected! Then the feeling of anticipation was the highlighted yen moment that you treasure instead of the actual finished work.

OK, I knew I was getting into a intellectual discussion again! STOP RIGHT THERE!!

I actually have not been disappointed lately in my creative endeavors, but have had plenty to last me for a very long time. Isn't that true. The more stuff you make the better you get, and before you know it you've almost reached perfection, and then the anticipation becomes united with the completed work and the world is once again a happy place!

Gotta love it!

Back to my soap making..

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

*A Glimpse of Bittersweet Spring*

The past few days have been unseasonably warm and mild and it has triggered me into a Spring state of mind. Isn't it funny how weather plays a factor into how our mood reflects in our daily life?

While my mind continued to dream of Valentine's Day and Spring I was encouraged to make the Tuberose soap.

I had romantic thoughts of candle light rose petal baths. With that wonderful thought in mind, I placed rose buds on top of the aromatic soap.

I can invision the soap floating in a warm bath while the rose buds softly swim around my body as I soak away my cares for the day.   

Mixing botanical and herbs into soap can be tricky. If mixed inside, the soponification process will quickly turn them brown and unrecognizable, but if placed outside they add a bit of beauty as well as offering ex foliating properties.

 

In between the soap making frenzy, I've began the transformation of Spring into the Saturday Studio. It's one of my favorite season's and it makes me feel good to walk downstairs and be taken to a place I can only dream of in Winter.

We will still have many cold wintry days before my dream of Spring becomes a reality. Until then, my dreams will remain!

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*These are a few of my favorite things*

While beginning inventory yesterday, I took a needed break and took a shot of a favorite thing.

Inventory isn't that much fun and I needed some motivation to continue the count.

This coral pink party dress was hand made by some sweet soul. I can only imagine the reason for it's creation. My thoughts go to.. 

I can imagine the process of choosing the party dress pattern, and searching for the perfect fabric to create the dress.

I bet the girl that made this dress had been invited to a Summer party, and while setting at her sewing machine carefully piecing the pattern she dreamed of the boy that was escorting her to the party and the friends she'd enjoy and the yummy foods she'd try while wearing her stunning hand made dress.

I can imagine the last step sewing the dress was attaching the little bow she hand sewed as she anxiously awaited her final stitch.

I wonder if she would ever dream it would be displayed some fifty years later in another girls creative space.

It continues to be a "party dress," but in a different light, and it brings the new girl joy each and every time she looks upon it.

I believe the word "hand made" is under rated! Maybe "soulfully created" is a word that better describes such a work of art!

This little pink dress has inspired me ever since I laid eyes on it at my friend Julie's shop, and it's another few of my favorite things.

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

    

*Cupcake Love*

Long before cupcakes were such a hot treat, I dabbled in their cute petite world as a young girl. When I was growing up, cupcakes were one of my favorite desserts to make. The sprinkles and the mounds of icing always made this a fun baked goo-die to share with my family and friends. Now that I'm a big girl, I'm still fascinated with their cuteness.

This fascination continues and I am constantly on the look out for new cupcake recipes, ideas, and cute cupcake stuff.

I wonder if there is a national cupcake month? Hmm, if so I would think February would be an ideal month for such.

While pondering the cupcake thoughts the other day, I ordered this book thinking how fun it will be to travel to thrift shops scouting old wool sweaters for making them. What a clever idea! I love the fact you're able to recycle the wool sweaters into something so creative and unique! Take a look at the creator's blog.

While I was at this store I spotted this little cupcake and couldn't resist sticking it in my cart. I can envision these setting in a little bakery shop next to the cupcakes in the bakery window, can't you?

I think I'll take it upon myself to assign February as "Cupcake Month."

Let me know what you think about that idea.

Enjoy warm caring and sharing winter days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Thoughts of Spring*

Every year after Christmas and New Years day I begin to ponder thoughts of Spring. Being a Midwestern girl  most of my life, the cold winter air of January and February make you yearn for the birds chirping again and shades of green rather than the cold gray skies and bitter cold  wind.

I used to dislike this time of year and would get depressed from the lack of warm days and sunshine. I even purchased a tanning bed so that I could continue to get the light therapy during these cold two months, which by the way, there is something to that theory! I always felt better after being in the tanning bed light, downfall, bad for my skin and ended up getting rid of the bed!

I've even  had thoughts like, why on earth do I live in this cold part of the earth and why do people put themselves through the torture of having to warm your car, and scrape ice, and shovel snow, and thawing frozen pipes! I believe every mid westerner has had these thoughts and I'm not alone.   Over the years though there's been a twist on how I felt,  and I have slowly began to appreciate and see these two wintry cold months in a different light.

What's changed you ask? I guess just the way I think about it.

Now I think about how I enjoy hunkering down in my warm cozy house baking breads and winter goodies for my family.

I think about how instead of looking out my kitchen window and dreaming of Spring,  I embrace the cold by putting on my winter gear and heading out for a mile walk through my neighborhood.

I think about Spring through Winter's eye.

I don't believe I would appreciate Spring as much without Winter.

I think about creating new Spring fragrances while gazing outside into winter, and the anticipation and excitement carries me through to March.

I think about how I'll plant new seedlings once the ground thaws, and how I'll force the forsythia bush indoors so that I can extend their short lived yellow petal beauty.

I think about Valentine's Day, and ponder the thoughts of what new things I'll make special for the "love day."

Ah yes, thoughts of Spring.... I adore these thoughts, I truly do!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two WARM hugs are better than none)

*Favorite Things Now,Then and Probably Forever*

With Christmas just days away, and the end of the year approaching, it got me thinking about presents. Gifts that I've bought for myself, items purchased by others, and favorite things in general.

I have a considerable number of favorite things, none of which are really valuable to anyone but myself, but nevertheless, special to me, and although I don't believe it to be good practice to become too attached to materialistic things, I do cherish my favorite things, and life would be somewhat of a bore without them.

A few of my favorite things...

Old clothespins

Little Birds

Vintage Soap Boxes

Fabric Wrapped Embroidery Hoops

Red Gingham Umbrella's

Red & White Polka Dot Anything

Vintage Bird Cages

My Bittersweet Apron that Maggie embroidered with my Bittersweet Logo. How many stitches? Don't ask! Let's just say her machine was on overload!

Little Cozy Corners Of Our Home

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two holiday hugs are better than one)

   

*Peace & Love*

Which comes first, Peace or Love?

How about the two holding hands..

I'm working on some new Bittersweet packaging.

Peace necklace courtesy of Patrick, as he was a seventy's child for Halloween! The new packaging was influenced by this favorite era.

Beautiful paper courtesy of Amy Butler's wonderful line of stunning papers! Which reminds me of a fresh version!

Working away with little play! I plan to break soon..

Holiday Idea #4

Wrap gifts in retro, vintage style papers for a festive holiday look. Tie packages with bright colored ribbons and bows to show off the paper!

Enjoy caring and sharing Holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Sunday Bliss*

Great Book!

My weekends are changing as quickly as the holidays are approaching!

One thing stays the same though, Sundays are always a day off! A day for whatever! A day to wear "morning trousers" all day if I want! A day to reflect on the past week, or maybe a day to not reflect at all, just lounge around and eat these for breakfast ! Lovely blog, and great recipes, by the way!

We all need a day like this, don't you think?

A day to think ahead about Christmas!

Yesterday, in between customers, I began hanging garland and Christmas trims. I made a stuffie. He looks lonely setting under the tree all by his lonesome, don't you think? Stuffie #1 desperately yearns for a stuffie #2, 3, and 4.

I found this red bouncy pom-pom garland yesterday at this place and I absolutely love it! I'm hanging it everywhere!

   

I'm making these to hang on the trees.

Blogging will set on the back burner for awhile.

Bittersweet Giveaways are still coming and there is still time to enter October's Tickle Me Pink!

Enjoy caring and sharing HOLIDAYS!!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Flea Market Journey

Julie arrived yesterday morning to pick me up so that we could travel west to one of our favorite flea market events. This event is held only twice a year and I always get excited to go, knowing I'll find some great vintage pieces. I grabbed my Canon and stuck it inside my back pack thinking maybe I'll have time to take a few shots in between my searching flea market treasures.  On our way I noticed the trees are beginning to show true signs of Autumn's arrival. They're beginning to preview their stunning showy shades of orange, yellow and red. Missouri landscape is lovelier than any you'll ever see!

The flea market is held inside an elementary school. As we walked into the school, I gazed down the hallways to see both sides of the hallway filled with booths upon booths of vintage finds anxiously adding to my excitement and initiating me to begin the treasure hunt.

As I began to find small treasures here and there, I decided that it would be fun to talk and possibly take a few shots of some of the nice men and woman that were selling their wares.

My first stop led me to Claudia Aakers booth. Claudia had a wonderful mix of vintage that I was immediately drawn to. Claudia's husband makes the cutest little folk art wooden birds. I purchased several items from Claudia, but you'll have to wait to see them on another post. I picked up a little something for my friend Leigh Ann while in Claudia's booth. Ahh, the anticipation!

 

After visiting with Claudia I  traveled a few isles down and met husband and wife team, Randy & Donna Klein from "Pen & Pencil Antiques". This couple stood out not necessarily because of their unique pieces they had in their booth, but more so their personality and their sincere kindness and obvious team work they put into their work. Julie bought a darling cabinet similar to the one in this picture to use as a display piece in her shop. By the way too, thanks Randy for loading the cabinet into Julie's vehicle.    

After I got going on all the picture taking and visiting among vendors I decided why not continue. After all, these people put out an enormous amount of work preparing for such an event. I know, cause I've done it many times. I'm impressed with this show more than any I've seen in awhile. It's apparent to me that there is  organization and commarodity among each vendor. They even served food in the school cafeteria. Not just any food, but home baked pies, and huge baked potatoes topped with cheese and broccoli. As I sat at the lunch room table eating my baked potato, I people watched and reminisced feeling a little nostalgic while setting in the school cafeteria.

After re-rejuvenating my body with some potato carbs I met Mrs. John Kramer. Both her and her husband own and operate their company, "Kramer's Best Antique Improver". It was interesting to talk with Mrs. Kramer, as we had a common interest, creating products witho