Little Bags...

One of the crafts I LOVE to create are gift bags. Small, large, square, round---if you receive a gift from me---most likely it will not be paper wrapped, but be placed inside a handmade fabric gift bag. If you are thinking that it would be easier to just paper wrap a gift...to me this is easier-& a gift bag that can be used forever---Also if you're like me & have tons of fabrics pieces that you are not willing to throw away-this is a wonderful alternative. For years my family & friends have received this little bags-each with a button & a bow...so for years they have called these my "button bags." Two of the button gift bags above will be included in a raffle basket I will be making up for tomorrow night. Our local orchard called Butler's Orchard is having a fund raiser for our local high school's after Prom party. I haven't made up the basket yet, but it will be filled with bath & body goodies from Under the Willow, several more decorative washing cloths, etc... & the middle "doggie" button gift bag will be sent to a relative in Florida with a soap sample tucked inside.

Someone asks me again...

They asked me "why" I don't list everything on my website, that I offer to everyone I know, or offer at craft shows, holiday giving, etc... ?? The simple answer is time. The time to update the site, the time to keep up making the products, filling orders, the time to do this, or that. So finally after several people have mentioned to add one particular product (they have been using) to my site, I decided the time was right...

Richly Almond Lotion from Under the Willow

Richly Almond Lotion~ In short it's decedent, smooth, creamy & really does look like the photo...It also has an exclusive (with Under the Willow) blend of fragrances that top note is---what else? Almond---Richly Almond. And it's on special this week if anyone is interested in trying out our lotion...

And if you'd like to see what happily takes up my weekends at times...go here.

Cottage kitchen makeover...

Remember moving day...my son & future daughter-in-law...into their cottage? It was only several months ago...Once they finished the second floor-demo started on the cottage kitchen. Old white cabinets were removed, along with a wall inbetween the kitchen & dining room...& an unbelievable transformation was created! Just some moulding around the windows, & some custom cabinets along a wallside remain to be finished...My son's the cook~ while his fiance will be the "baker"...I'd say a perfect match!

Here's what it took to transform an old outdated kitchen into a dream kitchen...

Kitchen on moving day...before demo

During demo here...

and here...getting ready for new drywall...

...adding an arch & small hallway...and tucking the frig into a cove...

...here some final stages of the large cooking/entertaining island...

...new white cabinets & a large farm kitchen sink...and finally the kitchen is done enough for the "cook" to cook up a storm...for some very lucky guests!

It took the kids about 2 months from demo to cooking the "1st meal"--During this time there was piles of wallpaper to remove in the dining room area, drywall, cabinets, appliances, lighting, probably 50 trips to the dump, etc...and very appropriately someone hung this sign above the kitchen window:

Give away winner is...

I hate waiting, so I decided to do this bright & early Valentine's Day... The winner was chosen in a very scientific way :)...The 14th commentator- from the day I began the give away.... And the winner is Jackie from In the Land of the Living Sky!

Jackie if you send me your address at (info@underthewillowgifts.com) I'll send off your little handmade soap goodie of Bennington Maple Sugar !

Thank you everyone who left a comment. I enjoy reading each & every one of them. Another give away will be in the near future.

Just a Girlie Girl...

This is a Mud Puddle Girl...don't let that perfectly dressed doll fool you---She can play just as hard as any little boy, catch fish in a pond, hold bugs, hug a very dirty dog, climb trees, ride a bike, & run in the mud...But as a dressed up Mud Puddle Girl it's all about layers of dots, bows, stripes, fancy shoes & a fancy hair pin and did I mention LOTS of yummy lip balm?...But when she's ready to help Mommy in the kitchen, do crafts or just play she wears this. Each week Under the Willow's gift shop will feature a product line.

This week is our newest line called Mud Puddle Girl. It's fun, sassy & it's about what a girlie girl does best....just being themselves!

And don't forget a give-away is still going on... win a free round bar of Bennington Maple Sugar...leave a comment & on Valentine's Day--a winner will be announced!

Give Away!!!

Bennington Maple Sugar Round Handmade Soap

A Valentine's Day gift to the winner... Now I know it's not hearts, roses or a box of candy--I'll leave that gift giving to your sweetie...Just leave any comment on this blog between now & Valentine's Day, & you will be entered to win this round handmade soap bar of Bennington Maple Sugar. This creamy soap is made with olive oil, shea butter, real Vermont Maple Sugar...
& drizzled with Maple Cream Sugar Whipped soap glaze.
The soap is tucked inside a Bennington Pottery soap dish---that I can't part with, but the creamy soap could be yours. Good luck!

Tonight Under the Willow...

Under the Willow carriage house at night...

All is calm--the night air is unseasonably warm--the fog from the morning has passed through. The Willow seems to be waiting for a fresh snow to blanket its bare branches...

Today I made ...

Farmhouse Oats & Honey Freshly Made...SOAP

SOAP! The weather is unseasonably warm (50 degrees) today. A jacket was hardly needed to wear down to my soap kitchen. In a few days this freshly made batch of Farmhouse Oats & Honey soap will be ready to cut~ & in another 4-6 weeks it will be ready to use & to post on my Under the Willow gift site. One method of soap making I use is called "Cold Process". I have never really figured out why the term "cold" is used; afterall~ the soap batter is very hot before pouring~ somewhere between 100-120 degrees...

Stay warm! Have a great week ahead..