Please Don't look at my Blog

So I tried to do some changing around and a new header and I really messed it up so PLEASE don't look. Some day I will have time to fix it up right and pretty!

Special Project

One of my favorite things to do is create and what I love even better is to create things for people I love. One of my most beloved is my grandmother; affectionately, Nanny. She is such a big part of my life and really, one of my closests friends. In many ways she has shaped who I am. One of the darn toughest gals I know, full of spunk, keeper of family history, crafty in her own special way, and well...she thinks my kids are the tops too!

I've been working top secret on a little project just for her that is finally coming to a finish. But first a little history.

My grandparents purchased an historic building in the town I grew up in about the time I headed off to college. Built in 1892, it was originally a hotel set right at the railroad. So it was the key landing spot for many travelers, including one US president. In the 1930's it was converted into a hospital and many local residents were born there. Nanny has quite a collection of baby photos from those who were born there stored away with letters in her "hospital" album. I believe it was in the 70's when the building was vacated by the hospital (a new facility was built) and donated to the historical society who housed the city museum there. When my grandparents purchased the building, it was in quite the disrepair.

But they, with their four hands (and many of ours--family), have put it back into a beautiful, majestic state once more. It now houses their living quarters in the back half on the first two stories, two full apartments-one each on the first two stories, and four sleeper/rental rooms with bathrooms. It also houses a large formal dining room and marble floored grand lobby. The third floor is yet to be finished, but they keep trucking along at it in the time between their travels, hobbies, and active family life.

Now my part of the story.........I enjoy creating things and helping her decorate the rental rooms. One of the things I have wanted to do is to make her some custom soaps to put in the bathrooms for her sleeper rooms and for when she has events. I finally got around to getting a logo designed and fine tuned it with some help from my stamp maker. Well, I just love this stamp, and I hope Nanny does too! I am creating her three different soaps...lavender, deep forest (both pictured), and an olive oil. All will be stamped with: Durley Hotel.

Who do you create for?

Scratch n Win

I am so excited to offer a special promotion for the month of October!

Customers will have the chance to win one of 3 coupon codes for a dollar amount in my shop. One coupon in each of the following increments will be awarded: $5, $10, and $20.
During the month of October, each customer shopping on-line with Soap Scent-sations will receive a scratcher ticket with their order. Only one ticket will be in each order so the more separate purchases you make, the greater your chances to win one of the prizes. Only 40 tickets will be printed, so get your purchases in early!


*Thank you for the wonderful tutorial from Mitsy at ArtMind.

Where to shop:
Etsy
ArtFire
1000Markets

*tickets only available during the month of October, while supplies last
*offer not valid with any other discount
*not valid on custom or wholesale orders
*must present code at time of purchase
*winning coupons must be used between November 1 - Decemeber 31, 2009


Will you be a winner?

Chocolate Scent-sations!

The most recent challenge for the SAFEteam challenge was entitled Bon Bons and Booze! Now I am not a big drinker, but I found this challenge interesting and had an immediate inspiration!

There are 4 things that are a must at the holidays in our house: homemade biscotti of all varieties, gingerbread men, Grandma’s cranberry salad, and chocolate! My mom makes dozens of varieties of chocolate treats; Peanut Butter Balls, dipped Pretzels, fudge, the list goes on! My addition to her chocolate plate is a creamy, brandy filled truffle.

When this challenge was announced I knew immediately I had to recreate these decadent treats in a bar of soap! So here they are, complete with heavy cream, real unsweetened chocolate, and YES! a shot of brandy. My favorite part of this soap is the stamp I found, "a balanced diet is a chocolate in each hand" The stamp also inspired me to create an additional soap with a chocolate theme! What is better than one chocolate, but two!

You can view the rest of the entrants on the SAFEteam blog starting on Friday. Be sure to vote and comment on your favorite BonBon inspired soap for a chance to win a FREE bar of soap! To purchase Brandied Chocolate Truffle Soap or its companion soap, Raspberry Torte, visit my Etsy shop.

I'd like to share the edible recipe with you as well, as it is too good not to share!

The Edible Brandied Chocolate Truffles

10 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 Tbl unsalted butter
½ c heavy whipping cream
1 Tbl light corn syrup
¼ c brandy

8 oz semi sweet chocolate
½ c cocoa powder, fine chopped nuts, toasted coconut (your choice!)

In med glass bowl, melt 10 oz choco with butter in micro, 30 secs. Stir and repeat. Set aside.

Heat cream and corn syrup in sauce pan over med heat until simmering. Remove and pour over choco. Let stand 2 min, then slowly stir in circles, til all choco melted and cream incorporated. Gently stir in brandy. Pour in 8 x 8 glass dish and refrigerate 1 hr.

Using a melon baler, scoop chocolate onto a sheet pan lined with wax paper and return to fridge for 30 min.

Place toppings in individual bowls. Set aside.

Now place 8 oz semi sweet choco in med mixing bowl. Place this on top of another larger bowl lined with a heating pad set on medium. Stir choco occasionally and heat to 90-92 degrees F. Do NOT allow to go over 92 to maintain a crisp crunch when complete.

Remove balls from fridge and shape into rounds.

Dip into melted chocolate using forks. Roll in desired topping. Place on baking sheet and cool for 1 hr. Store in fridge and serve at room temp.

This time I used some sea salt as one of the toppings and that was a nice contrast with all the sweet, richness of the truffles. Drink, be Merry, Eat more Chocolate! Enjoy!

Have a Coke!

I am a collector and keeper of many things. Coca-Cola paraphernalia is one thing that adorns a portion of my kitchen. Today I found an Etsy shop that is LOADED with great shelving options and other Coca-Cola items perfect for the avid collector! Take a peek at this wonderful little find!



I may have to add to my collection soon!

Falling for Etsy

I am still heavily absorbed in thoughts of fall and was wondering what everyone else was doing for fall. I know I can always count on the talented artisans at Etsy for fabulous finds no matter what the season. I know this will be my place to do my shopping this year again! Enjoy!

Fall Flurry

As school starts, my mind starts twirling with the remembrances of fall; leaves changing colors, warm soup, smells of baked goods filled with freshly picked apples, berries, and pears seasoned with cinnamon and other spices.

As the flurry of fall soap making has commenced, it is only natural that these things come into play. Of course I have to throw in some of my own favorites, and tried and true favorites among customers. A few are already available in my Etsy shop and the remainder will become available in early September. So be on the look out for your fall favorites and be sure to pre-order to secure a bar today.

The first two are available now and the third in limited quantities until the next batch is cured:

Pumpkin Pie Spice with Lavender - a soap made with real pumpkin pulp, pie spices, and lavender essential oil. A true spicy soap with just a hint of lavender to make it almost romantic.

Caramel Apple - a dead on scent of tart apples covered in rich, creamy, sweet caramel. I love this one. It is alot of fun and reminds me of Halloween as a child.

Lavender and Oats - an old favorite. Since I only have a bar or two left, this one was for sure on the MUST make list. There will be some limited edition shapes this time around too!

Blackberry Sage - a balanced combination of sweet berries and herbal sage. Not too sweet, not too earthy.

White Tea and Berries - another sweet scent in such a pretty layered bar of cream, pink, and lavender. You might think this is too springy, but really the fall berry scent plays nicely with the subtle white tea, making it a nice fall blend. Oh, and I was just dying to create something with this scent!

Deep Forest - a slightly new blend based off of my Evergreen Forest Glycerin bar. Very earthy with hints of spice. The perfect bar for your favorite guy. These I made in my brand new guest loaf mold and just LOVE how they turned out! A limited quantity are stamped with a cute little phrase that would be ideal for housewarming gifts, your cabin in the woods, or just for any rustic bathroom. Made with my favorite Shea Butter Recipe, green clay and spices for natural color; Cedar, Fir, Cinnamon, Cloves...need I say more!

Other things to be looking for: a Mizzou themed soap, more sea salt bars, and shaving soap. I'll keep you updated as these roll out of the molds. And if you have an special requests, please don't hestiate, I love custom orders.