MA AND PAW Soaps...

I don't create alot of molded soaps, but when I do I have lots of fun! These two molds are old favorites of mine. And in dedication to all the "Ma's" who love those with "Paws"---these handmade soaps are for them...And I know there are lots of us who love our animals. The "Ma" soaps are created in Ice Sherbet, Lavender Grace, Sweetest Pea & Rose Garden and filled with skin loving shea butter. The "Paw" soap were created with a yummy cocoa butter handmade recipe with real chocolate. They can be found at my shop at Under the Willow or my Esty shop.

Thinking Organic...

Something about all this talk about organic goodness has certainly grabbed my attention... So-in between work, upcoming wedding plans, holidays, etc... I couldn't help but try my hand at some organic pillows & Billows (small pillows of comfort). The top small pillow is the Billow~ and will go to a Twinkle Pink girl...the bottom two are mine!!! After all, before I make them for anyone else- I better be sure they are exactly what I want in softness, durability, comfort...did I mention softness???? Luckily I have found the most butter rich soft certified organic flannel---mind you "Made in the USA." I thought it would be a great idea to start with pillows; after all, we sleep for hours (okay sometimes)---& what could be better than slumbering away on material that is pure, no-dyes, no chemicals...just pure 100 percent organic material... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It was the luck of the Irish...

See who's St. Patrick's Day birthday we celebrated today...here

Name that Girl!

Just for fun...This actually is an old advertisement from a magazine. This Lux soap ad features a relative of mine-- Can you name this 1940's movie star? She was on film, married to someone famous, was in the original movie "Little Women"---okay that 's it for now. Do you know?

If you do...something is coming your way- What? I am still thinking about that :), but it will be something you can enjoy!

Post Script: I have an interesting story about this beautiful lady you just might find interesting...hint- Gone with the Wind, a man who walks with a stick....

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Post Script II: Well that was fast! Joanna Schmidt from Product Body guessed "Who's That Girl?"

How did you do that? I was expecting this to run at least a week! There are two stories here: 1st---about Paulette Goddard- she was my grandmother's 1st cousin, and at one time she was married to Charlie Chaplin. At this time, she won the role of Scarlett O'Hara of "Gone with the Wind", but Charlie was sooooo jealous of Clark Gable (swoon) that he won't have it! So, the role went to Vivian Leigh...

Okay- now 2nd story---I received the sweetest email today from Joanna's daughter Nina- she wanted to see a pic of me- I really never thought about posting a pic of myself before (not wanting to run anyone off....). From this I learned that she had also had a b-day this month, so does my own daughter (St. Patty's Day)...& they even had a close relative that was called "Gigi"...very touching indeed. So, this brought me to the pic (you see above of Paulette Goddard), I had been meaning to post this pic for several weeks now, and when Nina emailed me, it reminded me of my own grandmother & relatives & decided to post the pic to see if anyone would know/remember about this grand lady in the Lux soap ad...

And IF I remember correctly-- Joanna has mentioned something about her fav color is green....Well sweet memories of loved ones, birthdays, & the color green, St. Patrick's Day & a very beautiful charming young tween named Nina--- sure makes a package going to be sent to the Schmidt household soon...:) Full ad with Paulette Goddard in a Lux Soap Ad

Seize the Cupcake!

Michelle from Blissfulcreativity sent me these handmade beautiful cards. My heart sinks, or could even say "sings" when I think of the time & thought it took to make each & everyone... One card that is missing-- Michelle had made-- I gave to my father for his birthday today. His exact words were, "Well look at that...What are those little things (brads)? Now this is a terrific card." The card said on the cover Thinking of U- warm colors with little metal brads. That warmed my heart, his words...he knew it was special.

Thank you Michelle~ I LOVE each & everyone of them. It will be especially hard to give away the cupcake card---it is soooo darn cute. This one I plan on hanging in my soap kitchen.

So with this beautiful display of handmade cards I can seize the moment with a bird, a flower, a bow, a thank you, a bird, or simply a thinking of you....& best of all they were handmade---one at at time...

Michelle is super creative in many ways... she also is the host of Pixie Lee Soap Forum, & Don't Forget Minnesota (what a catchy name!).

Small Steps to a Greener Outlook...

Yep, that's a real lunch bag~ but Earth friendly...

I've been thinking, really thinking about how my family, business, etc... can become more "green friendly". It really is such an important subject that we all have to be accountable for~ After all we really live under ONE roof....

Business wise~I think of all the labels I print, & print...the ink, the little cello bags I use, etc... then I think what could the biz really live without, without affecting the quality I insist on. I decided (although it's a small step)~ this month I will be NOT packaging my soaps with a printed label, & I will NOT use little cello bags. Instead, I will be slipping the soaps/products into an earth friendly little brown bag-stamp the ingredients, & if need be ~write the soap name & ingredients. After all, I'm a very small company & so I have the luxury of taking this small step toward helping the enviroment. BUT think~ if we all took ONE small step~ what's under this ONE roof of ours really would become greener.

So, if you are buying soap or another product this month~ it will be tucked inside a little Earth friendly brown bag or perhaps even a handmade reuseable fabric bag. And in the meantime our family will continue to carpool when we can, recycle, turn the lights off, turn the heat down, etc...

Do you have any ideas that you'd like to share that would make our earth a little "greener"? Please share....

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Post Script: This week anyone who leaves a comment will have a chance to win another giveaway & it will be shipped off in..hint, hint...a little brown

"Earth Friendly" brown bag!