Bittersweet and the little soap company

Ruffles are Ronderful!

  
Have you ever used a ruffle attachment on your sewing machine? I had been wanting a ruffle attachment for awhile, but never got around to ordering one. A couple of weeks ago I began researching their cost and videos on how to use them.

I have a bernina so my first thought centered around purchasing a bernina ruffle attachment no. 86.

I found the Bernina brand for around $100 on EBay, new and in the box, but I also found a knock off brand for $26.99!  I purchased the knock off one.

It arrived within a few short days and I was beyond excitement to put that baby on and begin making ruffles!

Four hours later and after watching you tube videos repeatedly for the life of me I could not figure out how to attach that ruffle attachment properly.

Yes, there were instructions in the box, but they were horrible and the more I read them the more I became confused.

Finally after just sitting and looking at the ruffle attachment and studying how it was made I had a light bulb moment!

Once I figured out how to assemble the gadget it was time to find the proper ruffle setting. That took a considerable amount of time too, but after playing with it and changing the numbers on the devise I was finally making the prettiest ruffles. In fact I do believe those ruffles are probably the prettiest ruffles I've ever seen on this side of the Missouri!

I even dabbled with some hang tag making!

 

My advise to you if you purchase a ruffle attachment... Take it slow and watch a few how to videos before attempting to assemble.

 

I hope this gets you ruffle excited and wanting to make oodles upon oodles of ruffles! Because I believe, Ruffles are RONDERFUL!

SHARE THOSE RONDERFUL RUFFLES! CLICK ON THE LINK ICON AND ADD YOUR BLOG POST. POST MUST REFLECT RUFFLES THAT YOU HAVE MADE!

 

enjoy caring and sharing days

Jill 00

My civic duty, ba humbug!

duty, obligation, responsibility - the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; "we must instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr jury duty - the civic duty to serve on a jury

I was called for jury duty once again! I was trying to remember how many times I've been summoned to serve in the past ten years. I believe 7 times to date! All of those times so called randomly selected through one court to the next up to Federal. I think I should begin playing the lottery. I was thinking the odds are on my side if similar to the randomness of choosing my name for jury duty! If my calculations are correct my chances of being called for jury duty are 70% at this rate. H'm...

Please don't misconstrue my feelings as being un-American or non compliant. I am a true patriot and very much a proud American in every since of the word.

Let me explain further if I may....

The state of Missouri pays a prospective jurror $6 a day plus .07 cents for mileage.

When I had the shop downtown and was called for jury duty I had to close the shop and take a hit. The $6 a day paycheck offered little assistance in paying my bills. 

Let's set those personal reasons aside for a moment because that is not why I dislike or oppose jury duty.

Going back to my civic duty...

I am going to be blunt and honest. I no longer believe our legal system is fair or just. There, I said it! Now you know the real reason I despise jury duty. Yes, I even used the D word. 

How can you become involved in something if you don't believe in it? I don't think you can.

Once again I will plan to break away from my work day to travel to the courthouse sit for hours awaiting the selection of the jury panel.

I believe the jury selection process is in need of a huge modification.

Being a juror is a large responsibility for a human. Your decision at a trial can make or break a persons life. Sometimes incrimitating evidence is left out until after the trial and the information would have convinced you to select a different vote.

Corruption runs rapid in our legal system. You can stick your head in the sand for only so long, eventually the truth will prevail. Question is, what do you do with the truth?

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

Passed Down

 

This corner of my dining room is filled with pieces passed down to me. The golden pie cupboard, that's what my mom always called it,  aka, pie safe, once warmed pies in my great grandmothers home. The piece was custom and I'm now wondering if it was a wedding gift made by a handy carpenter family member.

The cupboard was later bestowed to my grandmother, then my mom and now me. I've actually had it for many years now. It has been moved many times over the years, but still remains in perfect shape. It even has the original glass.

It's warm patina and little holes in the sides make it one of my favorite antique pieces.

Knowing warm homemade pies once sat on its shelves while little boys and girls sneak by to take a peek possibly thinking they could get a tasty sample while still warming.  I'm sure my great grandmother always placed them on the top shelf!

I have never used it for cooling pies. I appreciate its functionality for storing my china and odds and ends.

The little wooden safe is one of my favorite things in my home. In the weeks to come I will share a few more favorite corners of my home.

PROJECT MANY at Bittersweet. Translation: Numerous ideas and mind spinning with those thoughts that my hands can't possibly keep up!

I'm creating a new line of products, but it's hush, hush until the final prototype is finished.

Next post The new ruffle attachment I purchased for my sewing machine is ronderful! Definitely need to share the highlights with you. It took me several hours to figure it out and I found little help on the Internet. So I believe there's a need for good instruction and tutorial on the subject of ruffles.

Here's a picture of the ruffle testing facility.

 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

Winters Way

 
a sunrise shot from across the street

Old man winter is definitely having his way lately. Snow, rain and unseasonably cold all predicted in the next few days, then 70 degrees by this weekend!

 If you would pardon me sir, but Miss Spring arrived at my door last Sunday and the three day rule has expired for you. I do believe it's time for you to quietely move on, possibly and if I may be so bold, it might be a good idea to consider taking up a hobby. Thank you.

Missouri weather can sometime be unpredictable especially this time of year.

The wishy washy up and down tumbles will soon be a distant memory once the brown eyed susans and queens anne lace begin to bloom. We have some of the most beautiful woods and wild flower fields in the world.  

My little basket of hand selected flower seeds sit on a table right off my kitchen. A pleasant reminder spring will most certainly be here soon.

 
I don't plant until Mother's Day. My mother always followed that schedule. Most old timers do the same knowing it's a safe bet free of frost.

I was suppose to speak tonight at a friends shop but it had been cancelled due to the fact she's decided to close her shop. I am saddened by the news, but realize the reality of knowing how diffucult it is to maintain a small business during this extremely poor economy.

Small business such as myself are taking a big hit with the consistant negative numbers of the current economy. 

Believe me, it will be an even more negative impact on our economy if small business is no more! Knowing this makes me very sad.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

I'm thinkin about pussy willows

Winter has returned for one last curtain call. Cold temps rain and snow predicted in the week to come. Just when the magnolias began to bloom and the tiny crocus were sprouting. Oh well, I'm used to midwest weather and have even grown to appreciate it over the years. Knowing spring will click her hills and settle in soon ponders thoughts of my favorite A word. That song always makes me happy!

 
My living room shows subtle signs of springs arrival. Lennis cut some pussy willow branches from our very tall tree. The blooms don't last very long before the furry little pockets sprout. Soon after they open so you must pick early before they open and become dandelion like. Once you cut them simply place in a container of choice. When I was a little girl my mother grew a pussy willow in our back yard. I remember not being able to resist running my fingers down those soft furry blooms.

If you would like to have more pussy willows or start your own it's quite simple. Place cut branch into a jar of water and allow to root. Once you see good roots you're ready to plant. Must dig a very deep hole. That's the trick of having a pussy willow that lives. My mother taught me that. I would say depending on the size of your branch, 3 to 4 feet hole. If you have a post hole digger that's the easiest way to dig the deep hole. Dig the hole almost the entire length of the branch. Just a couple inches of the branch will remain.

 
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 

Vintage White

Thank you for the well wishes. How could I not feel better after receiving them? Slow going, but hopefully on the mend. During the last two weeks I've grown an enormous appreciation for a healthy mind, body and spirit. I can see how they all need to work together.

During the last two weeks I had only left the house twice! One to pick up necessities, the other, a short jaunt to my favorite twice a year vintage market. My 84 year old friend Evalyn went along with me. You might remember me talking about my sweet friend.  Evalyn was my neighbors nanny and we became friends the moment we met. I am sure everyone says that when meeting Evalyn. She's a special soul.

There are a couple favorite vendors at this show that I always skip to first. When I arrived at her spot I couldn't help but first notice the outstanding selection of vintage under garments and sweet blouses.

 
They were laundered and nicely starched and quite appealing to me as most white garments usually are. Remember the movie the Great Gatsby? I watch that movie just to see the wardrobe. The movie deplicts my favorite era, circa 1920.

 
I purchases one more vintage white blouse.

 
I also found several yards of home spun hemp fabric, very old.

This sale is temporarily housed in the towns high school. It's a fund raising activity for the school. School volunteers prepare homemade pies and soups and chili and offer their goodies in the cafeteria. I always have to get a little something so that I can sit down in the cafeteria. Instantly I'm taken back to my school days and I get this warm soulful feeling.

Funny, while Evalyn and I were standing talking in the cafeteria a volunteer asked me if my name was Jill? It was an old classmate from those school days I mentioned. Although she was 10 years or so my senior  Karen led the high-school band with her baton. I remember watching her in awe as she strutted,  (video funny) her stuff and threw that baton high in the air and caught it.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00  

The secret life of bees

 
I did not read the book, however the movie was on Hallmark channel the other night. After watching I've included "the secret life of bees" to my favorite watched movie. The actresses and actors did a great job with this movie. A must see spring movie if you have not seen it.

On the mend from what I call a dreadful virus and I do believe I've watched more television in the last two weeks than combined in an entire year!

Several requests have come in for the "bit's & piece's soap bags. I'm proud to say they are available on the web site. The not so perfect ends are from the wooden soap molds I use. Same great soap and an economical way to purchase the moisture rich bars.

 
Plus they come packaged in this cute little bag!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

 

 

Springing around

 
 I know that I've mentioned before how spring is a favorite season in Bittersweet land. That photo was taken a few years ago. I love the billowing alyssum hanging from the clay pots.

Preparing for May Day celebration and taking advantage of the sunny skies and warmer temps to take product photo's are just a couple reasons the season is so well liked. Flowers throughout the garden, the birds and blue skies, a few more reasons.

Then the....

Fresh new arrivals spring ushers in.

 
Bittersweet changes their soaps with the seasons too. Garden soap begins to appear as well as yummy flavors of Lemon Verbena and Spring Rain.

May Day hostess gifts will soon be filling wicker baskets in preparation for the event.

 
This basket full of goodies was a couple of May Days ago. Every year a new one is created. I made little origami pouches with handles with tiny posies on each one. As I look at this picture the fondness of thosw pouches grows.  

I like it when a product or creation comes back around the second time. The memories attached to it are still very fresh and sweet.

I'm going to put together an Easter basket full of Bittersweets. The basket will be filled with our new soaps including the French savon, Bebe, vintage wrapped linen. By the way, Bittersweet soaps make a lovely Easter gift, just say-in!

On Saturday while at the antique show I found the loveliest things. Show and share coming, I promise. Too many coals in the fire at present.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Friends of Bittersweet

I've been invited to talk before a group of women next week. The topic of discussion, owning and managing a business.

Business ownership means different things to each of us and its structure can come in many different forms. 

Fourteen years ago I quit my regular paycheck day job to sell soap. I had around $100 to invest in that endeavor! Most folks freak out when I tell them that. When I look back now, I realize the reality of those risks.If you stop to think about it, each day is a risk.  Blinded by the passion and determination I never spent much time pondering those so called risks. Not that I didn't get an ear full hearing about them. I must warn you, sometimes from the folks you least expect the advise to come from.  I never listened to them, because I never doubted what I was doing.  I belive if you do think about failing, then you really don't have the passion to carry your business on to be successful.   

During those first few months of business ownership I learned many things. None of which could ever be taught in business school. One of the first things learned was a sole proprietors work is never done. I remember working many overtime hours every day! Never had I worked this hard before.

I began to breathe, eat and sleep thoughts of this new business I was creating. Working 16 hours a day quickly became the norm. If I may be frank, overtime is a mandatory if you want your business to run smoothly and produce a profit. No ways around that one, I'm afraid. Don't worry, since you feel so passionate about what you're doing, it doesn't feel like real work!

Having said that, owning your own business can fill your heart with content and reward like nothing else on earth. Those passionate feelings you posses are there for a reason. They mold you in and build character in ways you could never imagine. Those real life experiences cannot be reproduced and are valuable beyond measure.

When asked what do you feel is an important key to owning your own business. Never quit! I can't tell you the times I've came close to quitting. One time stands out in particular.

Business had slowed down to a trickle. I needed to make some serious cuts and decisions on what to do next. I had decided my business phone would be one of the first things to cut. While on hold to disconnect the line I received a huge order come in on the other line. Needless to say, I was swayed by that call in a positive way and hung up the phone immediately. A sign I thought. That was some 10 years ago!

Those quitting thoughts come and go and I believe the norm to have them.

With very slow economic growth I have pondered those thoughts more often. It costs much more to maintain and have a small business than it used to.

Most people don't realize the cost that incur on a daily basis.

Business taxes, phone, bank account, credit card account, insurance, city license, Internet services. Those are the every day expenses a small business has and that's just working at home!

If you have a shop, add all those plus rent and utilities as well as advertising.

Having said all that... See why you need that passion?

All kidding aside... The lessons I've learned are sometime larger than life itself. 

My heart sings and my soul dances each and every day! The cost of experiencing those feelings, priceless!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 

Browsing the vintage markets...

 
What a fun change of pace to close the shop and caravan to one of my favorite twice a year vintage markets. I took my friend Evalyn along for companionship. She's a great comrade!

I spotted the enamel coffee pot and was in awe! It's larger than the picture, a foot tall and in superb condition. At first I did not think it was old it was in such great shape but as I took a closer look I realized it had been taken care of quite nicely and is indeed old.

I have always preferred my coffee from one of these vintage stove-top percolator's. I believe they make a perfect pot of coffee. Just keep freshly made pot on a low burner and it stays warm. That's the old fashioned way of making coffee.

Starting to rain and after the rain spring like temps so the landscapes will begin to shed their winter coat.

Have been working on vintage French inspired soap packaging. Actually going back to some wraps from years past. Isn't that funny?

 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00