Hummmm.....

....something seems a bit wrong with the date (lol) . I mean wasn't it just yesterday I was bidding an old year goodbye and now I'm about to say farewell to an entire month---No way. Honestly where did the time go!!!! I can only blame it on , well me I guess as there's no other reason.

On a better note. My first batch of soap arrived a few days ago and I've been happily creating a mess. I had this crazy idea that soap making was going to be a breeze---boy did I get a wake up call!!! Yes cutting the base and melting it is something very easy and if you just want to pour a single layer you've got it made. However, if you want to pretty them up, add layers or other crazy things then you've got to think things thru. I learned the hard way that one needs to cut ALL (sorry for the shout) the needed base up before starting the layering and one doesn't mix ingredients into a super hot base or you'll get The Blob. Plus if you want to layer you better not be afraid of rubbing alcohol because thats what binds your layers! I have been experimenting with natural coloring and the likes and found some spices make awesome coloring and that unsweetened cocoa powder is a real winner in a soap. I have managed to wipe out about 8 lbs of base and only made about 3 lbs of good looking soaps. Some of my first few bars are good enough to use just not pretty so I'll sell them as Usable just not pretty and mark the price accordingly. I've hit on 3 really great lines : Milk and Honey ( all natural), Neapolitan (super yummy smelling) and Cherries Jubilee (this one is my favorite by far) I did make an Oatmeal and french vanilla a few weeks back but I think I overdid the oatmeal but my family still loves it. And the worse thing I've made so far is the lavender bars!!! I did not grind up my buds like suggested and let me tell ya the end result was less than appealing. So will need to grind grind grind the lavender next time. I'll also be working on some Chamomile and need to remember to grind those flowers as well. Anyhow thats what soap making is all about. One just needs to learn to keep notes and write down everything they do as that way they will know what/where it went wrong. I have found the best molds are turning out to be silicon as you can just peel them off once the soap is set. Now my next biggest hurdle is Pricing. Any suggestions as to what you'd be willing to pay for a natural soap bar??? I'm leaning towards $4.00-$4.50 for the 4 to 5 oz ones depending what all goes into it. To about $3.00 or so for the smaller sizes. I don't want to over kill anyone but I would like some (even a teeny bit) of profit.

Right now I'm battling another virus bug-only makes about the 5th time in a few short months. Not sure why I'm being hit with all this junk. I guess maybe it's just my season to get whammied.


Well just wanted to drop in ,say hello and let my followers know what I've been up to. Take care, have a wonderful day and wish me luck with this soap stuff.

Another year gone and an awesome giveawaty

Before I start my actual post let me tell ya about this great give away that Melissa (Creating from the heart ) is having. She's offering A CuttleBug and goodies!!!! Go over and check it out and while you are there have a look at some of her awesome things she does!! She is incredible (http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2010/12/end-of-year-giveaway.html ).


Can you believe another year has bit the dust-well lets give it a few hours here! I mean where did time go??? Seems like only yesterday I was trying to find all my stuff from when we had moved (Dec 09)(-shoot I still can't find half my stuff (wink) ) . However when I really sit back and reflect on this past year I have to say things were alot better this year than they had been. This year hubby didn't have to take off work due to his health (aside from minor sickness) , we were able to pay off all our high interest credit cards and I was able to get back to my crafting shows!!! I'm human and I complain (sometimes cry) about all the "things" I think I need but God kept HIS hands upon us and we never once went hungry, we never failed to be able to pay our bills and none of us got seriously sick. Plus DD and hubby still have jobs and in this area that is a HUGE blessing. What the new year will hold is only Gods knowledge but whatever shape it takes I know I'll always be in the Masters hand and what HE puts upon us is only what we can handle and with everything we can't HE makes a way for us to get thru it.


Also I want to thank each and everyone of my followers for sticking with me thru another year. Y'all mean so very much to me and I look forward to another great year with all of you. Hopefully GD will provide us with some silliness but she is starting to enter that-do not laugh at me stage. Enjoy the New Year and stay safe if you plan to go celebrate tonight


Hugs to all

Vicki

Merry Christmas

As the days draw closer to Christmas I just want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope each of you get something wonderful. but if the Big guy doesn't bring you what you really really wanted try not to focus on that too much because if you have a warm house, food on the table, your health and a source of income you have far more than alot of people these days.

I saw this wonderful tidbit on Facebook this morning and thought I'd pass it on

Santa lives in the North Pole
Jesus lives everywhere
Santa rides in a sleigh
Jesus rides on the wind
Santa comes but once a year
Jesus is ever-present
Santa supplies you some goodies
Jesus supplies ALL your needs
Santa comes down the chimney uninvited
Jesus stands at the door and knocks then enters into your heart.


Merry Christmas. Enjoy the time with your family and friends.

Correct link to store

Okay not exactly sure what is happening with Bloggger-it or just may be this new computer but the store link isn't the correct one so we'll try again.


http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/store/

while I'm at it let me try the direct link for the kitshttp://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_187&products_id=6214



http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_187&products_id=6208

Winter Wishes and My Blue Christmas

CuddleBeez's has two new wonderful kits out!!! The first is called My Blue Christmas . It is filled with all the goodness of a Christmas kit in colors that are just awesome. This beautiful kit would also create a great winter LO and how about using it for that winter wedding--tooo stunning. Its on sale here (for awhile so hurry over)--well can't seem to get the link to post so hop over to the store and look for CuddleBeez's scraps .

http://http//www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/store/

The other is called Winter Wishes and is more of a country themed kit. Think all those winter/Christmas photos you take while at the cabin!! Or out cutting the tree. I see Christmas cards here. Again this is on sale for a limited time so don't delay,.

Have a great day .

oooHHH I wanna cry!!!

Sorry if that sounds a bit too much but I lost ALL my data on the old computer before I could transfer it over. All my scrap booking data, all the files I hadn't backed up and there was plenty of school related stuff that I hadn't gotten on to flash/disc. How did this happen????? I'm not even real sure but I had let my daughter use the old computer and well I guess as usual she went into places she shouldn't have. I will have to see if there is anyway to retrieve alot of that data or if it's just gone forever out into the ever growing cyper graveyard. OOOh well it's not really worth killing anyone over but I sure won't let her touch my new computer.


Been getting any snow in your area? It was coming down pretty good earlier then just stopped. However I think the forecast is calling for some heavier stuff to moving in later tonight or by morning. We are suppose to be on the lighter end of this but I think the last time they told us that we ended up with over 12"!!!! Never trust a weather man!


I'm just loving this new computer but this wireless keyboard is all ready proving to be a battery eater. I need to figure out how it shuts off. The mouse shuts down fine but this keyboard just keeps going. Windows 7 hasn't been too awfully hard to use but it did take me a bit to figure out how to transfer some scrapbook templates into my program. Right now I am without a printer as my HP Photosmart doesn't work with Windows 7 and the new Dell wireless won't connect to wireless without first being hooked up to wireless. Really need to get it up and running as I really use the printer alot.

Well right now we are in the middle of a cake bake off event and I have to be the judge and taster --yumm yumm Styrofoam cakes!!! Whatever happen to just baby dolls and tea parties???

Dude I got a Dell!!!

Wow I did really get a brand new Dell Inspiron Touch screen with Windows 7 64 bit6s!!!! It is sooo awesome but boy does it show me I don't know a thing about computers. It came almost set up so that wasn't an issue but trying to save files etc has proved to be a challenge. It also came WIFI ready so that saved on cable cost. Right now I'm set up in the kitchen but hoping to get it in the bedroom by the weekend. !!!!


Well it had to happen--snow and lots of it and wouldn't you know it I have to get out into this mess tonight. Hubby is working over so I will have to go get him in about an hour or so. Hoping the roads stay semi dry because the temps are freezing so any wetness will cause ice!!!


Okay this has to be short as daughter is off work. Hope the cat stays off the computer because I have some things going on!!!

Have an awesome day-snow or rain.