Bittersweet and the little soap company

a partridge in a caramel pear

Most of you that read Bittersweet know about my passionate love for baking and my love for baking special treats to give to family and friends. This year it's been difficult to find the time to bake. My shop duties take up most of my time. That's shop life. I still love it! Anyway, I thought about making the chocolate dipped shortbread again. It was well received. Maybe Rum Cakes, also yummy. However after seeing these, I really wanted to make them instead. 

The caramel sauce recipe is a bit different than the one I'm accustomed to making. Not sure about the corn syrup in the recipe.   It's been so long since I've made homemade caramel, but I do not recall corn syrup as one of the ingredients. I really like this packaging. 

The recipe is a bit different than the one above too. I will probably use the first one, but I will definitely want them to have the little craft tags, delightful. Choosing the dipping ingredients might generate some Christmas cheer!

Gearing up for a busy last week open at my brick and mortar shop. Inventory will be fading with the winter wind...

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

hand-made holiday idees, chapter 1

no. 1

no. 2

no. 3

no. 4

no. 5

no. 6

 

no. 1

The Saturday Lounge Pant in simple white cotton or linen. Add pretty trims. Super easy to make and fast. You can whip some up in no time. Who wouldn't love to have a pair of "Saturday Lounge Pants?" You can find oodles of patterns for the short. This pattern is close to what I used to make the one in the picture.

 no. 2

A French Lavender Chalk Board with Trimmings

Who wouldn't love to have a pretty French Chalk Board? I purchased the chalk board at my local craft store along with a yard or so of burlap. I cut the burlap to form a 2 inch strip long enough to go around the entire board. Then simply ruffle the cut burlap strip. With a glue gun attach the burlap. You can embellish the chalk board with dried lavender sprigs or herbs, dried flowers, etc. Maybe place the French style chalk board in a wicker basket filled with tea towels and kitchen gadgets. 

no. 3

A pretty desk drawer

I purchased an unfinished four drawer desk chest. I removed the handle pulls and painted them. They were black.  Then I chose a pretty paper from the scrap book section of my craft store. I placed the paper onto the drawer to find out where to cut the paper to fit exactly. Then I glued the paper onto the wood carefully and making sure there are no bubbles. Cover with several coats of quality satin varnish. 

no. 4

A Lavender Sachet

Honestly, I don't know of anyone that would not love a few Lavender Sachets to tuck inside their linen drawers or closets. 

I simply purchased wide eyelet trim and cut them to make a small square. I turned the square piece inside out and sewed around three sides. Then I filled the little pocket with fresh lavender. Sew up the bottom and that's it. I placed a Bittersweet label on a piece of twill tape and wrapped it around a trio of the hand-made sachets. You can purchase personalized hand-made cloth tags at the craft store or you can make your own with heat transfer. H'm.... That's an idea!

no. 5

A soft woolly winter hat

This may be a tad bit complicated to explain. Simply because when I crochet I don't ever use a pattern. Start with a single crochet and then let your fingers to the walking. I used a thick soft blend of yarn to make the hat. 

no. 6

A lacy lingerie chemise. 

This little camisole was easy to make. I chose muslin and simple lace trim. I purchased lingerie type clasps so that the camisole could be altered to fit. This pattern is similar to what I used to make the one pictured. Here's another cute pattern.

Hand-made holiday idees, number two coming after Thanksgiving. 

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

READ ON... CHAPTER 2 Here