Beer Soap!!!

Who new my most popular soap would be beer soap? It sells so well and I have now been featured in a local brewing amazing as a great gift for beer lovers....cool!

http://www.oregonbeergrowler.com/december-2013.html

I am also now selling my beer soap at a local home brew shop that my husband Joe frequents called Above the Rest.

Well, I think I know what soap to make next!!!

Christmas Bazaar Craziness!!!

Citrus Burst!

smells earthy and masculine

Beer Soap, with ground hops and malted barley!

I just wanted to stop by and let you kbnow that I am still alive!!! It seems that even though the blog is quieter than ever, I am busier than ever. In fact, I am so busy with Christmas bazaar craziness that I haven't taken a picture of soap, or my children for a whole month!!!! However, when I started this post, I felt so guilty, that I snapped a few photos of the few soaps that are yet to be packaged.  Everything I am ,making is being sold locally at these wonderful events. I am having the time of my life, but after making soap daily, packaging and caring for my family, I am left little time for anything else!

God bless those who read the last blog post. It was suppose to go on my family site, but after I learned of the mistake, I said, "what the heck!"

Also, the local home brew shop that my husband buys his supplies from will start selling my beer soap!!! They are called Above the Rest and they are awesome!!!!

Please stay tuned. There will be many beautiful soaps to see in the near future, along with some BIG NEWS!!!!! Now, that's a teaser!!!!

Little Girls!

My, a lot happens when you are in a family with 2 young children. For one, you let the blog slide! I really must not let that happen! So much has happened in the last few months! Somerset turned 3, My sister and Martin had baby Aria and we are busy with life in general.

Somerset's birthday was a blast. This was probably the last year we were able to keep this an all family affair. Grandma Laurel came to visit and Uncle Aaron came down for the day, so Somerset was surrounded by family! The day was all about her. We took her to the park in the morning where she collected acorns and played, next we took her to the Children's Museum where she ate a cookie the size of her head. In the evening, everyone went to Papa's Pizza, where she felt like princess and thoroughly enjoyed all the rides, pizza and attention. At home, we had a few neighbors over, amongst family and she had ice cream cake (she tried to blow out the candles with her new toy hair dryer...clever girl).

The party was a My Little Pony extravaganza! She has more ponies and pony accessories than she knows what to do with, but even a month later, the ponies still get their fair share of play.

It is wonderful to have a three year old. My Somerset is so sweet and sassy. She is the sunshine that brightens all of our days. She is funny and smart, and just about the prettiest little thing I have ever seen. I am completely in love with my little girl.

Speaking of little girls, another little girl has come into our lives! Aria Reine was born 3 weeks early! She came while me, the kids and my mom were in Vegas visiting with my Grandma and Uncle, so we missed her birth.

She stayed in the NICU 2 weeks, but she is home now and is as cute as can be, an such a good baby too!

Leo is going to be tested for TAG (Talented and Gifted). We knew this would come some day. He is so far beyond his age academically; he amazes Joe and I daily! He started doing square roots and he is practically reading now. He is crazy gifted and we  are so proud of him.

I am fully immersed in holiday bazaar season. I am so busy, but it is fun! I am starting to build some money back into the soap account...yeah! Next year I plan to try to get some wholesale accounts.

Ok, that is the briefest synopsis ever! I will try harder to be more diligent!

Baby, Vegas and Soap!

Peppermint and Vanilla Cream

Love Spell

Apple Jack N Peel

Getting ready for Bazaars!

Soap Packaging! Handmade tags (ingredients on the back), rustic ribbon wraps the soap, followed by tying jute twine. I also use cello bags to wrap the bars with pretty decorative tape. It's a labor of love!

 Life is busy! Really busy! October has been very wonderful and chaotic!

The kids and I went to Las Vegas with my Mom, where we met my Grandma and Uncle. I really wanted the kids to spend time with Great Grandma, so we tackled Vegas! The kids loved the pool and the fun characters on the strip. I even got to see Donnie and Marie's Vegas show.

As luck would have it, my sister had her baby while we were in Vegas. Little Aria Reine showed up 3 weeks early, much to our surprise, so we missed her birth. We had lots of time to catch up. She has been in the NICU with breathing issues. We are praying that she can come home soon.

In addition to all that life has blessed us with this month, I continue to make soap EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! 18 bars to be exact. In addition to that, I have been packaging about 50 bars a day to get ready for the bazaars. I am so busy, but I love it!

I'm Still Here!

I have added holiday soap bags to my collection.

I started making Wax Tarts!

Santa's Spruce smells amazing!!!

Honestly, I am still here! Actually, I am busier with my soap making than ever! I am so busy, that I don't have time time photohgraph and blog (did I mention I also have 2 young children!). Anyhow, I make soap everyday to prepare for all the holiday bazaars I have going on! My first event is next Sunday and then from there, almost every weekend or so is filled with something soap related. All my money currently is going into supplies, since I am making for more than I sell, but I have tons on great inventory! I probably have almost every scent you could imagine (well, we all know that is impossible!). I am currently making 18 bars a day and I am feeling pretty good about that!!!

Future Events:

St. Anthony's Holiday Bazaar: October 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
9905 SW McKenzie St  Tigard, OR 97223
Elk's Lodge Bazaar: November, 2 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
21865 NW Quatama Rd  Hillsboro, OR 97124

Pop-Up Bazaar: November 3 from 10 a.m.- 4p.m., & November 7 from 9a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
2111 NW Jessamine Way, Portland, OR 97229

Lake Oswego Farmer's Market: November 23, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Millennium Plaza Park

200 First Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Garden Home Bazaar: December 7, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

7475 SW Oleson Rd  Portland, OR 97223 

So Simple, yet so Divive!

People often ask me what my favorite soap is. That is a really difficult question. I love so many of the scents that I use. Some favorites that come to mind are Lavender Green Tea, Teakwood and Cardomom, Fresh Snow, Chai Tea, Lemongrass....it's really a difficult question, but I think my all time favorite is the one I tried first: Oatmeal, Milk and Honey. It is such a comforting, soothing scent and makes me happy! I use Bramble Berry's version of this fragrance, although many soap supply companies offer various versions. This soap is so simple. It's easy for me to make....no real bells or whistles, but sometimes the best thing in life are the simple things.

In Love

My Beautiful New Soap Cutter (Angel's sing!)

My Primitive Cutter (YUCK!)

Lemongrass Lavender

Fruity Loops

I am in love. I need to clarify. My first loves are my husband and children and then extended family and friends, but close behind is my new soap cutter! I had been hearing the praises about a wonderful wood crafter named Bud Haffner, who sells soap cutters on Etsy. My wonderful husband Joe, who constantly observes how I struggle with my primitive cutter, offered to buy me a "Bud" cutter as a gift... it wasn't even my birthday. He is just that great.

The cutter came in the mail earlier this week and it is the BEST soap making investment I have ever made (although technically, it was Joe's investment). Not only are the bars all consistent in size, the cut of the soap is extremely clean.  Now, I only press down the handle over the loaf, and the cutting is done. What a time saver!!!

I also am posting a few photos of recent soaps. I am also in love with my Lemongrass Lavender soap. It smells so good! I have started making kid friendly soaps too because kids love handmade soap. This one smells just like Fruit Loops...in a very good way. I get a little crazy with the design because it is suppose to be FUN!

I also updated my Etsy shop. Check it out!
Lion and Rose Handmade Soap Etsy Shop 

On a personal note, My son Leo started Kindergarten this week. He also read The Cat in the Hat on his own and learned to ride his bike. What an amazing week for Leo...I am one proud Mommy!