It may be the middle of February, but I’m ready for spring to arrive. It’s exciting to watch the days get longer and feel the temperatures slowly rise. In the meantime, why not get a head start on your spring cleaning? This guest post from organization goddess Michele Connolly is the perfect place to begin. Michele has tons of great tips on when to sell, donate or throw away your clutter. This week I also shared a recipe for a Blueberry Kale Smoothie, which is a delicious way to “declutter” your breakfast. It’s full of body-loving ingredients such kale, chia seeds and blueberries. Yum!
The delicious Blueberry Kale Smoothie
While you wait for temperatures to rise outside, get crafty inside. The Soothing Baking Soda Oatmeal Bar is made using the double boiler method, and it’s a great natural recipe for sensitive skin. If you’d like to learn more about this technique, How to Make Rebatch Soap walks you through the process. Looking for more natural soap inspiration? Check out the interview with Janelle of Jangle Soapworks. Janelle makes all her soap with goat milk from her own farm, and prefers to use natural colorants and essential oils.
If you’re looking for a project bursting with cuteness and color, our Rainbow Hearts Melt and Pour Tutorial is sure to fit the bill. Scented with Pink Grapefruit Fragrance Oil, this tutorial not only looks bright and spring-like, it smells equally cheery. Speaking of cuteness and color, our Facebook Photo of the week has plenty of both:
This week’s photo comes to us from Amanda of Butterfly Butters Handmade Soap. This soap is full of soft and fresh colors, as well as subtle detail — notice the adorable butterfly soap stamp in the corner. All of Amanda’s soaps feature this butterfly stamp, which make them easily distinguishable and full of personality. If you’d like to try using a soap stamp, check out the How to Use Stamp Soap video on Soap Queen TV. They’re an easy way to add a personal touch.
Thanks to Butterfly Butters Handmade Soap for being a part of our soaping community, and expect a soapy package stuffed full of Bramble Berry goodies to arrive in the mail soon. Thanks to everybody who submits their photos each week. It’s so inspiring to see all the creative projects!
Butterfly Butters on the web: Butterfly Butters Handmade Soap’s Website
Butterfly Butters on Facebook: Butterfly Butters Handmade Soap on Facebook
These are my favorite…The ingredients are simple and the results are positive.Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi there! Not only is is simple but it is so amazingly tasty too! Thanks so much for your comment. 🙂
~Kevin with Bramble Berry
Hi Linda. Thank you for the compliment. As for the swirls and patterns. I watch and read a lot of tutorials and I practice even more. I think it helps if you find colors that compliment the “feel” you are trying to convey. For this I find paint sample cards from hardware stores to be optimal.
I love love love your style! I am new to soap making & would love to create beautiful soaps of my own some day ” your colors are fantastic & also the design !!! How did you learn to get your swirls & patterns so delicate ?
Ha! My reply is below. Hope it helps! xo
Hi Linda!
Aren’t Amanda’s swirls lovely? Practice definitely makes perfect when it comes to swirls! One tip is to use a slow moving recipe when attempting a swirl design, that way your soap will not become thick, and you can still achieve a “delicate” looking swirl. One great option is the Swirl Quick Mix, which is a premade combination of oils that are perfect for swirl designs 🙂
Swirl Quick Mix:
https://www.brambleberry.com/Swirl-Recipe-Quick-Mix-P5526.aspx
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Fantastic Amanda! Looks lovely fun stamp.. I love it
Thanks Cindee!
This is beyond cool! You literally just flattered me, and made my day. I wish I could find more to say besides THANK YOU, but I’m just to tickled and excited to say much more. Thanks. xo
Hi Amanda!
We are thrilled to feature your beautiful soaps! Thanks o much for being a part of our soaping community! I can’t wait to see what you make next 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Very pretty! The custom stamp really does make all your soaps special and the design is really good!
Thank you Margaret!
Hi Margaret!
Isn’t her stamp cute? We are big fans as well 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry