Every now and then I'm compelled to change things. After all, the same old, same old, would get boring after awhile, wouldn't it?
I'm always in awe about how a design takes shape. Sometimes they move me. Sometimes they don't. After all these years of creating product, labels, web sites, etc., I've learned that there's a common denominator with each. Simplicity. Or maybe you prefer to it as less is more. No matter what you wish to name it, it's true.
I've been working on, yes you guessed it, new label designs for various products. Every now and then change is needed to not just perk up this soap maker, but also, to improve on improvement. Make sense?
Now I understand how folks compare cute little babies to cute little buttons. I recently discovered these darling wood buttons. I kind of thought they would fit in with the modern vintage look of the aristocrat cuffs.
I've been dabbling in accessories!
I think I'll dabble some more. I was excited about the necklaces. The one on the right sold the first day I displayed it at the shop. No worries, I'll make more!
Although you can't really see an entire view of this cardboard container, you may wish to take a closer look. I am a sucker for cardboard containers! Especially handy to incorporate into a display. In this case soap.
The paper containers come in a variety of sizes and are available here. You can embellish them with wallpaper, graphics or designs. If you're printing an image to place on the round craft color container you will need to measure the surface. Then you will know what size to create your design. In this case, I used a vintage image and printed it on a craft label. No gluing, simply rub.
I believe a collection of these wrapped in pretty paper would be eye catching and a great storage idea. I used to visit my neighborhood wallpaper shop on a frequent basis simply to gather their discarded wallpaper sampler books. I would use the paper to cover a melange of items. Love this word!
For the guys... Beer Soap formulated with our favorite hometown brewery ale. Beer of choice for this soap, chocolate wheat with barley and then dipped with cocoa nibs. Scented with Bay Rum. Which by the way is a favorite fragrance for both boy or girl. I've been witnessing the expressions as both sexes sniff. Soap Sticks are back! Ten count.
Soap Box. I have to say, Easter design is my favorite. I'm making the boxes at the shop in between customers. You may recall how the boxes were an original idea directed by my sweet soft spoken mom, Alice. Soulful to create and satisfying to gaze upon.
Little assortment of Easter being displayed at the apothecary shoppe. I love the rabbit sacs!
Along with a shiny new month, comes a sparkling new Bittersweet design arriving at the apothecary shoppe. Introducing The Aristocrat Cuff! Simple design, vintage incorporated, shades of cream linen. A blend of Creamy Cameo's coming that will soon be joining the collection.
I snatched this vintage Allspice tin from Julie's shop. Love the patina and of course, the spice itself. No pumpkin pie complete without a sprinkle or two of Allspice.
It's been a whirlwind of taxes and end of month around here and I can't recall if I'd shared the glass apothecary jar with you. Another application after you create a vintage label and instructions a few posts ago. If you're interested in making your own and slathering them all over the place like I did.
Okay, I'm not sure where spell check is today on Typepad. Have you seen it? Warning: This post may contain misspelled words! Where is that little icon. Come out, come out, wherever you are...
I have total admiration for the new botanical prints. An early bird spring arrival and available at the apothecary shoppe on water street. I'm pondering ideas of wallpapering an entire wall with a mix of prints.
Did I mention how it's tax time around here? Moving on to more desirable topics. Is desirable misspelled? Darn it...
A busy past week and I'm already planning ahead for next shop week. New Cuffs and a variety of soaps in production. February ushers in a Spring like feeling at the design table. Always love January and February for that reason.
We had our first snow of the season. A wet sloppy one and it didn't stick to the roads.
Mango Salsa and Mexican Layer Dip in the fridge awaiting this event they call Super Bowl. It's all about the food for this soap making girl.
I am in love with these soft organic cotton bath mitts. Simply slide a bar of bittersweet soap inside the mitt, and experience that rich coconut lather. It seems organic cotton is softer than regular cotton. I don't believe the mitts are listed on my web shoppe, but I'm slowly in between shop design adding the new items for my faraway customers. Thank you, by the way...
It's my thing to mix old with new and especially if the vintage piece fits in with the more modern ware. I'm always on the hunt for little treasures such as the Epsom Salt container in the picture.
This is a corner tucked inside the Vintage Boutique. Both Bittersweet and Aggieal's Attic Vintage Boutique share the same floor of the Century old home.
The French paper labels... I received several emails asking about more detailed information about how to create them. So easy.
You don't have to use the exact kind of paper that I use, French brown paper. I believe most of the craft stores offer a similar version, but they call it craft. Just make sure the weight is not heavy. You want a regular paper weight to pull this design off. After you purchase the paper search for a design. I sometimes visit this web site simply because the resolution is large enough to create a larger image.
Upload the image onto your computer and don't forget to save it under a name you will recognize. Print your design onto your French paper, kraft paper by selecting a 8 1/2 size template. You can choose to turn it if you wish. Print...
Allow to dry a few minutes. Most printers use vegetable ink. After the image drys, immerse the entire paper in a sink of water or simply run water over the paper. I simply lay the paper on an empty table. While still wet, sprinkle a few drops of instant coffee onto the paper. Gently rub to create an old distressed look. Kind of like finger painting...
Allow to dry completely on a flat surface. Once dried, tear the edges some to create a more distressed look. I chose a glass vessel to the label above. Old metal, wood, glass, any surface will work.
Pour regular glue over the entire back of the paper. Gently rub the glue over the surface of the paper making sure there are no bubbles. Position the paper label onto the desired vessel. Rub as to remove any bubbles. Enjoy.
I started a Shop Display page on Pinterest. Since I dabble in shop life everyday it seems appropriate to share some of my work with others. The page depicts how I mix vintage with new and display my hand made items at my apothecary shoppe.
Sometimes I need to reflect on past designs. It's a trickle down view of creations past and present. A birds eye view of the many years I've been creating. It help to put things in perspective.
A little ensemble of calico drawstring bags are sitting on the shop table. I sew a small gusset in the bottom of each bag so that it sits upright. What's not to LOVE about the construction of a drawstring bag? I'm making hundreds!
They don't take long to make. I'm envisioning a vintage crate filled with an assortment of calico's. A spring collection of sorts.
The pink star flowers are a favorite too! They were popular in the seventys, but I fancy them today just as much!
I have "this thing"for drawstring bags! I'm always drawn to any hand-made item that is simply constructed and offers an array of uses. Bittersweets floral drawstring bags are used for housing our moisture rich soap and apothecary. Sometimes it's nice to receive a gift wrapped in a pretty cloth bag instead of the traditional paper and bow package, I believe. The gift lives on as the fabric bag may be used for something else.
As some of you know "this thing" feelings continue and more heart felt joy surrounds my fondness for lavender sachets.
Let me start first by saying I very seldom make a cake from a box. However, when it comes to making Rum Cake I make an exception. How come? Well certainly... Rum Cake made from a box is DELICIOUS! Please take this foodies word on it.
A few years ago I purchased a pan that has 12 individual bundt forms. The cakes are so cute when they're wrapped or placed in a pretty tin. They are always well received and will charm everyone on your Christmas list. I promise. It's not too late to order pans if you don't have them already. I found some here. While I was searching for them I spotted this pan, LOVE! What a pretty cake pan! Hint, hint Santa.
This Christmas I'm switching the neighbor cookie tray to CAKE and CANDY. I'm kind of bored with the cookie thing. The Rum Cakes and Toffee will replace cookies. If you've never made homemade toffee before I would encourage you to. It's not difficult. The most important tool to have is a good candy thermometer. Then you can make pralines, divinity, toffee, caramel, and all the other sweet treats. I found one here, but you can pick one up at your local market also. This is the best toffee recipe. The only one I ever use any more! Thank you David H.
one 3.4 ounce package (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold milk*
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum
---Glaze---
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum
Cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts on bottom of pan. Combine all cake ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan. Invert on serving plate. Prick top with fork. Drizzle glaze over top of Bacardi Rum Cake. Use brush or spoon to put extra dripping back on cake.
Glaze: Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Note: The rum will cause steam. Be careful not to burn yourself.
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