Bittersweet and the little soap company

One, two, three, four, and more...

 
Oh the thrill of having 5 or 6 projects going at once. That's Jill style!

Do you like the soft ice blue logo I created for Bittersweets web site? It was time for another spring cleaning on the web site. I'm adding the new spring 2011 as I go, but taking my time and working on the other 5 projects in between. 

Who doesn't like cherry blossoms and sheep? Remember my encounter with the large sheep last May day? I will never forget that May Day!

What about that Oscars? I thought it was a class act. I loved the hosts, great choice Academy. I really like Ann Hathaway. She seems like a sweet person to me.

Project no. 2, creating and working on Calico Petals.  No. 3, going through my final boxes of notions and baubles and ribbon. I unwrapped some fabulous vintage finds during my spring cleaning. I'm so tempted to show you now, but you will have to wait until I post them at Calico.

Oh and a new slide show, Bittersweet Spring, 2011! There is a link to the right.

It's always interesting to me to see how my sense of style changes over the years. Isn't it nice we have the ability to make changes?

I'm fond of the new hang tag created for Calico Petals.

 

One more thing too...

A GIVEAWAY COMING! 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

 

Soothing Saturday...

It feels kind of slow and soothing around the studio this morning. I guess because of this!

 
My SPRING boots got more than a dusting!

Studio open, but be warned if you come... I'm in deep shifting and changing and sifting the working part of the studio and it ain't too pretty because there are piles of stuff everywhere you look.

I call it the storm before the calm.

Speaking of that suppose to get thunderstorms tomorrow and threatening weather not in the form of snow, but rain and hail!

No matter to me, I seldom come out of my studio hole lately.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

Happy Camper

 
Oh the fun I've been having sorting through all my vintage goods and organizing the studio. In the beginning process the pondering thoughts did not contain the word fun. In fact, I believe, let's see what's the opposite of fun? Drudgery. Well my feelings about the task weren't quite that severe.

Present day:

Every morning I look forward to the trip downstairs to begin the tagging of hidden objects some of which have been hidden for so long that when I see them I say, oh yeah, get excited! I say under my breath or out loud,  I remember that! I always loved that!

 I'm also seriously believe I missed my calling. This process of sorting and moving and transferring and labeling brings a song in my heart. Kind of funny. While working on the restructuring and whipping that studio into shape.

How about some more pictures of the change?

 
That paper nook, aka plain old storage closet makes me so happy!

 
By the way... The first of four vintage goods offered at Calico Petals have sold!

I will be listing two more vintage items and I do believe you will love them. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but knowing the vintage pieces are moving to good homes makes me happy!

Thank you Carol and Pam.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Vintage goods offered at Calico Petals

 
I have been thinking what on earth am I going to do with my overflow of vintage treasures throughout my studio?

The answer came to me one day. Why not offer the goods on Bittersweets sister blog, Calico Petals.  I'm pleased as pudding with those thoughts and cherish the opportunity to share my collection. Knowing the pieces will be treasured and purchased by kindred spirits is comforting. 

 

Soon after the reorganization process and de-cluttering of the studio came the realization that this prime real estate must serve to be functional.  

 
Having said that... The notion of selling my collection of vintage goods on Bittersweets sister blog seems to be the perfect solution to my problem of too much vintage. 

This is how it will work...

I will offer a variety of vintage items each week. The items listed will be offered for one week. After that they will no longer be available. That way I can have new items every week!

My collection includes:

Vintage linens

Hats with millinery flowers

Decorative tins

Vintage paper items

Vintage patterns

Vintage dresses

Feed sack fabric

Vintage buttons and other notions

If one or more of those items is something you're interested in then you must visit the blog every week so you won't miss the new listings.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about an item. I will make every attempt to list an accurate description of the vintage good.

I will probably add a couple more items this week.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Where does happy come from?

 
What a crazy subject, right? I believe it's important to feel complete while traveling through life. Each one of us obviously has different lives and our perception of living a happy one aren't the same.

This is very deep subject matter and must be advised to take caution when reading.

Please note: This post is strictly this author's opinion.

I guess the feeling of complete must also accompany the feeling of happiness . Those two kind of go hand and hand, don't they?

What makes you happy?

When I was young I believed happiness and completeness came from much different things than I believe them to come from today. Those complete thoughts were quite opposite than those I feel today simply because my life was very different. 

Those content feelings of completeness seem to evolve over time.

As you get older you begin to realize happiness and contentment stem from things you seldom attributed to when you were young.

For instance, I'm often thankful for my health. There are many people both young and old that struggle every day with health issues. Those ailments impact their daily lives in ways I can not imagine. I guess maybe that's not true, because I experinced first hand how health issues affect family members during my moms battle with leukemia for almost 10 years. In fact, now that I think about it, those appreciative feelings of thanks grew from those informative years.

I'm learning that as I get older it takes much less to make me happy.

Things that I once took for granted are precious and dear to my heart.

My home that I've lived in for 20 plus years. Although materialistic in nature, my home does help to make me feel complete.

During my morning walks I talk to God. I thank him for today and request a tomorrow. I tell him I love him. I pray he keeps my family safe and happy.

Praying makes me feel complete. 

enjoy caring and sharing happy days.

Jill 00

 

 

Little space, big happy

 
I do believe the paper nook is complete. There are still a few vacant spots for more storage, but all in all, everyday paper items finding their reserved seat.

 
If you're in need of extra organized storage I would highly suggest utilizing a closet. I have to tell you too. It was a sacrifice to give up this storage closet. Our vintage home was built during a time when closets housed much less than today. In fact, a man usually possessed one nice suit that he wore to church or funerals and the lady of the house, a few nice dresses used for the same throw in a few church suppers. I'm sure shoes were not in over abundance. Probably only two pairs. One for church and a pair for everyday.

Having said that, transforming the closet into a useful every day used space seemed to make more since to me even though I no longer had the extra storage.

 
Yesterday closet reveal shows the clothing rods still attached to the closet wall. I am excited to tell you those rods came in handy for hanging tissue paper. Sweet re-purpose content feelings I have from that one. 

 
The red ribbon jars will store rubber stamps and bands. Already had them sitting in the studio.

 
If you were to ask me what was my favorite closet thingy? I would say that peg board! I had no idea all these handy organization trinkets were available to go with the peg. I do believe there is a housing devise for anything.

Now comes the chore of sorting through the once was items from the closet.

Planning to begin listing vintage items for sale on the Calico Petals blog this week sometime.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

closet mouse

 
The traditional closet is transforming into a shipping and paper nook quite nicely if I may say.

It helps to have a carpenter husband.

I requested my dh to construct the peg board. It will be so handy for storing all the stuff.

Lennis cut the shelving from salvaged wood we already had, green goodness!

I used paint that I had too, no cost there!

Peg board and hardware for the board, new.

I"m making a long burlap curtain to hang from side of door frame. I always have a stash of burlap on hand.

Total cost of closet, aka new paper nook, $36. 58

That suits my modest budget and puts a smile on my face.

I feel like a little closet mouse smiling!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Bitter but more sweet...

 
 
Another spring shot from last year because I can't wait for this!

Until then though I will have to be content with my little spring studio that is beginning to show signs of spring.

 
 
I've also been dreaming planning the new paper nook, aka closet makeover.  

Saturday studio open today 12-4!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

happily,

Jill 00

Mellow

My mind can't escape thoughts of spring! Yesterday we experienced spring like temps that influenced my mood even more. I do believe I've got the fever!  Yep...That's why I keep posting pictures of flowers.

 
That's a shot from last summer I believe. Those purple flowers are bachelor buttons considered to be a vintage flower I would think. They are hardy and bloom throughout late spring through the heat of summer and present a pretty cut flower in arrangements.

The old watering cans are a favorite item I'm always on the hunt for. Have you ever looked at one closely? Most are quite unique in design. Must not confuse the watering can with an oil can. Oil cans have longer narrow spouts, usually.

 
The transformation of the studio is almost complete. The new mellow look represents simpler less fussed over corners.

 
The soap rack is beginning to fill with new soaps.

 
This one, oh how I wish you could somehow get a whiff of its fragrance! Of course, I'm a bit bias when it comes to patchouli you know.

 
Mellowness continues in the wrappings. I'm quite fond of this new soap too. Champ des fleurs, Field of fleurs. If your nose didn't know any different you would mistake its scent for a country field of wildflowers, fresh and earthy flavored.

Busy day tomorrow! Expecting a large crowd at the studio.

Enjoy caring and sharing soon to be spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 

Vintage offerings

 

The picture I posted yesterday of the red bud trees in bloom was taken a couple springs ago. We're not quite there yet. In fact, it will be a month or so before we have the honor of their colorful company. I wanted to tell you that.

I also wanted to feel you in on a little secret I've been keeping and a special announcement. 
In the days and months to come I will be launching something new at Bittersweets sister blog, Calico Petals. I'm excited to inform you that Calico Petals will be rendering a wonderful collection of vintage offerings. All of which will be available for you to purchase.  

Each week Calico will offer a new collection of treasures.  

Since I've been in retail for soooo long my collection is extensive and offers a variety of hard to find collector pieces. 

I'm excited about the new endeavor and hope you will enjoy browsing the hand picked selections.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00