Bittersweet and the little soap company

Happy thoughts generate sweet memories...

 
  
 The past three days have been unexpectedly fun as I've sorted through my studio and brought out favorite little things that have been tucked away. The re-furbishing is coming along nicely, and I'm inspired to create more with the new look. I'm surrounding myself with objects of affection, both past and present, and mixing in those soulful inspirations.

Before I get ahead of myself with the excitement of the reveal, I want to share a new recipe with you. It's a muffin receipt. Having always been a muffin loving girl and this one stood out. I am fond of plain cake donuts too, and that's why I like this recipe.

All righty, now that I've got you thinking about happy summer muffin baking...

 

It's beginning to take shape.

The little cabinet my friend Kim picked up for me works great for housing some of my sewing gear, millinery flower collection, and  swap treasures like the little pink bird from my friend Kelly.

Paint brushes easily obtainable. Paper stacked neatly in containers for my eyes to see. Flirty Frocks line the walls.

 

Fabric sorted and creative bits and pieces in a place. Yep, a place!

 
  Pictures of friends here and there promote happy thoughts indeed...

And, pictures from the past remind me to be myself, and stay true to my heart.

Past creations remind me of who I am. 

Secret thoughts that I keep inside associate themselves with items sitting here and there throughout the space. Every time I gaze upon these paint brushes I'm reminded of my Mom and how she painted so beautifully with them.

Freshly cut bars of hand-made soap brings out my passionate side!

Enjoy happy caring and sharing thoughts during these summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 

 

 
  
 
 

 

Recycled Goods

Do you remember awhile back when I was on the search for an original mirror for my entry? My sweet friend Julie spotted this one while out and about and thought I'd like it. She was right!

I love anything round. It's a feng shui thing with me. Round tables, round labels, round flower gardens, you get it!

Someone has crafted this mirror from old cable reel. I love the fact they re-purposed a not so special gadget into this wall art!

 Monday, typically I don't try and plan too much on this day, because I have found that most always other things get in the way. I try and utilize the day by running errands, and beginning new projects, but usually don't get to involved, because always, most always, other little weird Monday things come up!

I will give you a glimpse of the studio work room that I'm working on. This will be a long drawn out process, simply because I have so much stuff, and it all needs to be re-examined according to protocol. You know how it is when you have a small space. You try to get the stuff you use on a regular basis accessible, and the stuff you use every now and then put away, unless it's cute or vintage, then you want to have it out so you can see it!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 

 

Summer Shades

Bittersweet is refurbishing some of our packaging. Every now and then I stop and examine the labels on products but if only to simply see if I still like them. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

   

Do you remember the Lemon Water label? You helped me design that one!
 
 Over the years while creating product, soap labels, I have found most always, less is more.

Being the graphic loving girl that I am, it's a challenge not to lather up the pictures on all of my packaging. I'm quite fond of antique toiletry labels, and have a large collection in my library. I sometimes use them as reference when creating a new label.

 I love the shapes of these labels. Typically, vintage labels were not square or round, but molded from the design of the label. I would imagine the shape of the label came first in design, then the wording would be added to fit according to the size of the label. That's how I do it too.

Still working on that studio. It's always fun to place new product labels on the shelves.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

 
 

Apricot Chicken~Summer Food

I made this dish the other night for dinner. Yummy good and oh so summer tasting!

 Here's the recipe.

We have a little break in the heat today, more seasonable temps, nice.

I'm wrapping soap and tidying up the studio for this Saturday. I haven't been open the last three Saturdays, and anticipate a busy day!

More studio pics coming...

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

 

Studio days...

The studio is long overdue for a makeover. Summer time @ the Saturday Studio is lay-ed back, and although manufacturing speeds up, my little home shop slows down and is usually neglected between making things. 

When the shelves begin to thin out, that means it's time to replenish them with new creations. I have heaping piles of soap that needs to be wrapped, and fresh jars of lavender liniment to place in the apothecary cabinets.

I'll share the makeover when it's completed. I'm rolling around thoughts of neutral mixed with fresh blossoms from the summer garden. I won't purchase anything new for the re-do, but rather dig into my stash of past flea market finds. It's always rewarding for me to utilize what I have on hand, and to not have a need to buy new stuff.
I fixed a yummy summer meal the other night that I want to share with you later.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily, Jill 00  

 

 

Little things, small joy...

 
  They've built a huge new grocery store on the outskirts of my little town. The store is surrounded by fields. After loading my car with groceries,  I happened to glance upon the field and noticed those flowers. I could not resist picking some to take home. I believe the purple blooms are some variety of bee balm. Speaking of that butterfly attracting plant, look what has began to bloom in my yard!

The blooms don't last a long time, just enough to enjoy their sweet honey like scent. I guess that's why the butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to their purple petals.

 
My flowers are beginning to stand tall throughout the garden.

 
Hydrangeas with big heavy clusters line the north side of our home. They prefer north. They won't tolerate too much sun. If you're looking for a beautiful cut flower for a semi shaded spot, hydrangea is the one! Always make sure to smash the stem with a case knife if you're going to use for cutting. The blossoms won't last through the day if you don't do that, and you'll be disappointed. If you smash the stems, they'll last all week!

The won't be ready to dry until they begin to fade on the plant. They will turn somewhat green, and become even more heavier, and the blooms will become hard to the touch. That's when you pick them for drying. No special treatment required, just stick the stems in your preferred vessel and within a few days they will be dry. You must pick them at that precise time though, otherwise, your blooms will shrivel to resemble a lilac bloom. 

 
My favorite native flowers are beginning to bloom too. Brown Eye Susan and Echinacea. Nine species of this plant. I have managed to locate three at my local nursery, but would like to discover all nine.

Lavender days @ Bittersweet. Making more lavender liniment, sachets and soaps.

Enjoy caring and sharing simple summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none) 

 

Summer Solstice

 
What a weekend! Three celebrations in two days, whew!

The Where bloggers create party too, fun...

That's a shot of the Saturday night Summer Solstice Party. Ted & Dawn host such a fantastic summer party. I met some new friends, and enjoyed visiting with the old ones.

This is a shot of some old friends. Rachel, Dawn (the hostess), Becky and Sarah. Can you tell the three blonde girls are sisters? I think very highly of all these women. The girl's mother and I were good friends. I will share that story sometime.

H'm night shots, kind of tricky, and I'm not that good at it!

But I think you get the Summer Solstice picture, don't you?

I'm putting together a little Summer Solstice scrap book for Dawn. Kind of thought it would be nice for her to look back someday on all the special caring and sharing get together's from days gone by.

Soap manufacturing week again! 

Summer is officially here!

Happy Summer Solstice Day!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

 

 

My Bittersweet Creative Space..

Scrapbooking design generated with Smilebox Don't forget to check out Calico Petals too!

Summer Celebrations...

Summer Celebration weekend planned here in Bittersweet land.

Our dear friends, Ted & Dawn host a summer solstice party every year this time, and we always look forward to visiting and hanging out with some summer fun. I'll try to remember my camera, and take some shots to share.

My birthday falls on the other end of the summer solstice, the winter, so I get this warm comfortable kind of feeling during the summer one. H'm....

Father's Day, I still have to think of something really nice to give my dad, and Lennis. Talk about procrastinate. Well, not really, I've been thinking about what to give two of my favorite men, but to no avail have I come up with a gift worthy of their ranks.

Then... Our 11 year anniversary on Saturday too!

 

My, my the time does fly! We got married in Eureka Springs Arkansas 11 years ago.

So with all those summer celebrations to attend, I think I'll jump a blog train for a mini vacation.

I'll be back on Saturday for the Where Bloggers Create Party. Don't want to miss that! I'll be sharing my creative space pictures both on Calico Petals and Bittersweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)