Winner

And the winner of the birthday soap is...Marcia T!

She said: "Happy Birthday to you!  I love cake any day of the year, but on my birthday I need to have an ice cream cake. One layer of cookies and cream and one layer of chocolate is my favorite!"

Marcia, please send me a message (info@seattlesundries.com) with your mailing address and your choice for the second bar of soap and I'll get those out in the mail to you.  

Thanks everyone for commenting and helping me to celebrate.  It was a good birthday!  I DID get my raspberry and marzipan Princess Cake, along with flowers, some priceless cards from my kids, a visit from my brother, and some great music to celebrate.  Happy early St. Patrick's Day too!!  

 

Birthday Give-Away

 

Today is my birthday, so I think it's a good excuse to do a soap give-away.  

I've spent the morning trying to choose my two favorite soaps for one lucky winner to help me celebrate.  The problem is, I'm having some trouble choosing.  My soaps are a little bit like my children...I love them all, but in different ways.  So I think I'll narrow it down this way: the winner gets one bar of Highland Fling Soap, since it's almost St. Patrick's Day (and yes, I know this is an Irish holiday, but it's Scottish bands who play MOST of the Irish venues on St. Pat's anyway, so I figure it works).  In addition, they get to choose another bar on their own.  Both will come in tins.  

This is a one day give-away, so SPREAD the word FAST!  Tomorrow's not my birthday anymore...

To enter, answer the following question in the comments section:

What flavor birthday cake do you like best for your own celebration?  Or maybe it's birthday pie, or birthday prime rib...whatever.  I like white cake with raspberry filling and a cream frosting & marzipan.  Yummm.

Shea Butter

I've decided to start a new series of blog posts that give a bit more information and background on many of the ingredients that I use regularly when making my soaps and personal care products.  I'm going to start the whole thing off by taking a look at shea butter.

Shea butter is an ivory colored natural fat that comes from the nut of the African Shea or Karite Tree (butyrospermum parkii). It’s high in un-saponifiables and is richly moisturizing. It’s also believed to have anti-inflammatory, humectant and emollient properties. The shea butter that I use comes from western Africa and is extracted by cold-pressing.

In Africa, shea butter is used for everything from hair care to cooking. Outside of Africa it is used primarily for skincare products and, occasionally, in chocolates as a replacement for cocoa butter, since it’s entirely edible. Shea butter will start to melt on contact with warm skin, making it a great ingredient for lotion bars, lip balms  and soaps.  I use shea butter in several of my products.   A little goes a long way, and it 's a wonderful addition that nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

Spring Wedding Show

I'm excited to be participating in a new wedding show this year.  It's called  The One Wedding and Events Showcase, and it will take place in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle on the evening of Thursday, March 31st.  It's at a really cool venue called Urban Light Studios, which has great indoor and outdoor space with an artsy, eclectic feel.  There will be over 30 wedding and events related vendors there to show folks what they have to offer.  I'll be displaying some of my custom work, handing out out samples and chatting with people all evening.  I hope you can stop by!

Happy Valentine's Day

One of my new favorite bands: Ivan and Alyosha.  They have a new album that was just released called Fathers Be Kind.  Isn't this a beautiful song?

Give-away Winner!

And the winner of the three Valentine's Day soaps is:

#1  Jen Mueller who said..."My "fluffy tiger". It was a blanket that my Nana bought for me!"

Jen, send your mailing address to me at info@seattlesundries.com and I'll get those out in the mail to you tomorrow.  Happy Valentine's Day!!

Feelin' the Love

Valentine's Day is next Monday.  I am not yet totally prepared.  Actually, I'm not even remotely prepared. I have some good ideas, though.  I'm thinking about picking up some cards from Driscoll Design, a wonderful local paper art and stationary company.  I had the pleasure of meeting owner/designer Angela earlier this winter.  You can find her greeting cards and paper creations at retail locations all over the US.  Clearly I need her to give me some lessons in successful wholesaling.  Angela makes truly beautiful items that are whimsical, retro and totally happy.  Many of the cards even have glitter.  I love glitter done tastefully.

Isn't this owl valentine great!*

I'm also thinking about making these root beer float cupcakes to eat after we make my kids' favorite meal: fondue.  We use hot peanut oil to cook skewers of beef, shrimp and vegetables before dipping them in a variety of yummy sauces.  My dad and step mom taught us another great trick few years ago.  They put out a bowl with raw, beaten egg (for adhesion) and a bowl of instant potato flakes to roll the meat or veggies in.  It makes a crunchy, surprisingly light layer.  It's really good.

Have you made plans for your Valentine's Day yet?  Have you picked up or made any goodies for the loved ones in your life?  Would you like to win some free ones?  Let me spread the love.  

In honor of Valentine's Day, I will be giving away (to one lucky person) THREE bars of my special lavender and vanilla Lotta Love Soap: one bar for your Love, one for your Mom (because moms should always get valentines) and one for You.  That's a lotta love.  

I made only one batch, and it'll soon be gone.  If you'd like a chance to win, just answer the following question in the comment box:  

What childhood possession (toy, book, blanket, etc.) do you remember loving the most?

For me it was my stuffed bear Growler who got his name because he didn't actually have a mouth, just stitching, so he could only growl...I theorized as a child.

A winner will be chosen on Wednesday so that the bars can be shipped out and be received by the holiday.

*Image courtesy of Driscoll Design Blog