Cupcake with Cherry Soaps

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Mold Market does it again with this new cupcake mold design. The mold includes two cupcake tops and two cupcake bases PLUS two 3-D cherries. The wafer wedge was hand-cut from soap, the lines were imprinted using a wooden skewer.

My assistant, Kristy, has been working with the newly released Mold Market designs. She is sooo excited about this cupcake mold. The 3-D apple mold is another favorite and I'll blog about that later.

We are also making Whoopie Pie Hearts for Valentine's Day. I'll post more pics of the whoopie pies this weekend. Mold Market's plain heart or polka dot heart molds work perfectly. Just fill with a layer of our whipped frosting. Kristy and I have a number of ideas on the drawing board which I hope to have posted this weekend.

Say hello to Kristy. She has been with GoPlanet since 2007 and continues to be a valuable member of our team.

Revisiting Valentine Ideas: Drizzled Soap Hearts

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Easy, easy, easy. There is still plenty of time to whip up a batch of these "good-enough-to-eat" Valentine hearts. So yummy looking you almost want to use a naughty word to get your mouth washed out with soap.

Our video tutorial is found here. Mold Market brand heart molds were used for this soaping project.

Packaging Soaps in a Book Purse

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I am all over this idea. One of my workers, Nichelle, arrived today with a purse made from the cover of the current book she is reading. How awesome!!

Nichelle is an avid read and lover of all things creative (of course, that's why she works for GoPlanet). This is the purse she made.

Fabric glue and remnant material was used to line the inside of the book cover. When cutting the bag liner, you will need to leave extra "side-vent" material for the bag to fully open.

The purse handles were purchased at JoAnn's fabric. Nichelle estimates the total cost of this purse project. at $35, but that was purchasing the book new. I suggest shopping local thrift stores for your book covers. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are other great shopping options. This particular book pictured had a 3-inch binding which is an awesome width for a purse.

What an incredible gift bag for soap and toiletry products or just to display products in a retail store.

Valentine Pops

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As promised, here are examples of the butterfly and flower Charms Blow Pops I'm making for my grand daughter's kindergarten classmates. The printable cut-outs are linked below. You'll want to use cardstock paper. I went with red and pink colors.
Flower Cut-Outs

Butterfly Cut-Outs

You will need a box cutter to make the slits to insert the sucker stick in the butterfly. The cut-outs clearly defined the cutting lines. Tape a Smartie candy roll over the stick. The butterfly antenna is made with a pipe cleaner. I cut the pipe cleaners in half and twisted around a chopstick.

A hand-held hole punch is needed for the flower cut outs. Slide the pop into the center hole. I added two Lifesaver candies (I punched a hole in the plastic wrapper; through the center of the Lifesaver). Slide these onto the sucker stick. Use a piece of tape at the base of the Lifesavers to keep them from sliding off the stick.

Add curling ribbon under the flower cut-out (below the Lifesavers). The "FROM" tag can be  positioned above or beneath the flower; it's your call.

Assembling the cut-outs is easy, cutting them out is time consuming. However, when I saw the look on my grand daughter's face, it was worth the time and effort. I have another Valentine project that I did for my 8 year old grandson on my BlimpyGirl.com web site. He preferred an candy airplane over the butterflies and flowers.

Handmade Valentine Cards & More

I'm gearing up for Valentine's Day. This year the grand kids are making their own Valentine cards for school. Miss Olivia is doing butterflies and flowers with Tootsie Pop suckers (with gum inside) attached to each card.

The boys voted for candy airplanes. The kids are excited about the whole DIY yourself concept (makes me smile :))))). I'll post links for the templates next week. I first want to assemble examples of the final outcome before adding links. I'm still waiting on candy to arrive (yes!!! I ordered the candy online because I was too busy to shop Walmart!)

I will also be sharing ways to use these ideas to package and embellish Valentine soaps. Gonna be a busy, zany soaping weekend. I'm also squeezing in a live production of the "Wizard of Oz" with the grand kids. I'm a confirmed nut case, I know. But I'm enjoying life in all its madness.

Packaging to Sell: Polka Dots

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Going dot, dot, dot crazy! I sent my honey man on a mission to the local paint store. HIS MISSION: Bring back paint samples. He was clueless about the "what for", but when he saw the finished packaging, he was impressed. Not that my honey gives a whoop about packaging, but the mere fact that he commented was a thumbs up in my mind.

I printed out some free vector backgrounds I found online and resized them to fit a sheet of paper (I used MS Publisher to resize the images). Once printed, I wrapped my box. I used a 1/2 pound candy box for this project. If you want to wrap something larger, visit your local dollar store and pick up rolls of gift wrap.

A 1" and 3/4" size hole punch was used to stamp out the circles. I attached the dots to cotton twine with double sided tape which allowed me to adhere the string of dots to the package. If you don't want to use gift wrap, just apply the polka dots to your box.

You can also use ribbon, jute twine or even strips of fabric to attach the cut-out dots. I can't wait to run with this idea and see the many variations I can create.

Packaging: Brown Bagging It!

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I often pack cold lunches for my grand kids when they stay over on a school night. As I was packing my grand son's lunch this week I was inspired. Hmmm....there must be a more creative way to use this brown  Kraft bag.

I started rummaging around for various ribbons, twine, gift tags and rubber stamps. If I really took the time to make the calculations, my guess is each decorated bag costs 45 pennies. Yep, that's right, PENNIES!!

A hole punch and several different decorative paper cutters were used (the type used in scrap booking). Your imagination is the only limitation to the many variations you can create. FYI, a 100 count package of lunch bags was $2.00. That's just 20 cents per bag.

Stock up on ribbon from clearance bins. Pick sizes that range from 1/4 to 5/8 inches in width. GoPlanetEarth sells a package of various gift tags and twine that is ideal for this project. All you need is assorted ribbon and an imagination!

Crafts: EZ Mat Board Note Pads

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This is an easy project and the cost in minimal. How fun to gift this at showers, birthdays or other special occasions. You can whip up a dozen or so in just over an hour. Here's what you will need:

• Mat board, the kind used for framing pictures
• Scrapbook paper that coordinates with the mat board
• 1 1/2-inch Binder clips (I purchased mine at Staples)
• 7/8 inch ribbon to match your scrapbook paper. This is the ribbon that will cover the top of the writing pad. (about 12 inches, you can trim as needed)
• Miscellaneous 1/4 and 3/4 inch ribbons that coordinate with your color theme. I used six ribbons in lengths of 4 1/2 to 6 inches. You can trim as needed.
• 5 x 8 writing pad
• Double sided tape

How To

1. Cut mat board into 6 x 8 1/2 sections. Places like Michaels may do that for free if you purchase a full sheet. If not, the cutting fees are nominal. An Exacto knife and ruler or commercial paper cutter can also be used.
2. Cut scrapbook paper the same size as the mat board. Use double side tape to adhere the paper to the mat board. Align carefully. I prefer to cut the scrapbook paper slightly bigger than the mat board. I then adhere and trim the excess with an Exacto knife. This ensures that the paper is neatly aligned.
3. Using double sided tape adhere the 7/8 inch ribbon to the top of the note pad. Wrap around to the back side.
4. Cut the 3/8 and 1/4 inch ribbon and tie to the binder clip.
5. Using binder clip, attached the note pad to the mat board.

Simple, elegant, affordable and practical!

New Year's Breakfast Frittata

Check out the recipe for this breakfast frittata made with asparagus and bacon (turkey bacon). The added cheese was low-fat, of course, as Blimpy Girl tries to make dishes that our both healthy and low in calories. It was a great breakfast to usher in 2012 especially when enjoyed with long time friends.

A tall glass of freshly squeezed OJ and a slice of toasted hard crusted bread (with a little jam) topped off the morning meal. I hope everyone enjoyed their New Year weekend. Now.... back to work. Whew! So much to catch up on after a week off.

New Mold Market Molds Have Arrived

The holiday was so crazy, I didn't have time to "play" with the 7 new Mold Market molds received during our break. The new page on our web site displays these newest molds. I can't wait to work dig my soapy hands into experimenting with these molds, especially the cupcake and apple mold.

Hope everyone had an awesome New Year's. We are playing catch-up after being closed for 10 days. Be patient!! We haven't forgotten you. Orders are being processed in the order received while we had holiday down-time.

40% Off Select Holiday Molds

It's that time of year. We are closing out select holiday molds at a 40% savings. This is the time to stock up for next year. Below is a link for the discounted molds. This savings runs through January 31, 2012. No back-orders. Limited to in stock quantities.

Check out the 40% holiday molds here.

My Reflections on 2011

Perhaps it's my age or the hectic pace of running a business but this year passed in record time. As snow is falling outside my office window, I'm reminded of the four season cycle. In Michigan, we experience all four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. This week marked the end to the longest day of the year. Days will begin to be longer and nights shorter. More daylight and sunshine is welcomed in the Midwest. As I celebrate this change in Winter Solstice, I reflect on how the 2011 seasons applied to my life.


Spring was a reflection on growth and a renewal of hope, a reminder that planted roots can grow and mature to accomplish set goals. The yield received is based on how well the soil is cultivated for growth.

Summer was a time to face challenge. Whatever did not grow in the Spring was assessed and changed to promote future growth. Some of my ideas did not survive. That's OK, because Fall was a time of reflection. I consider it the "Golden Season". It's a time when ideas are ready to harvest and I reflect on whether business or personal goals were achieved.

And then along comes Winter. For me, it's a time of death. A time to let go of those things that did not work, resurrect ideas and reinvent a new business plan.

As 2012 approaches, I am re-evaluating both business and personal goals. I hope you do the same. It's impossible to grow if not reflecting on where you are and where you want to be. Life is full of change. But change often brings growth.

My New Year wish for those reading this post: Be true to yourself; don't compare yourself to others in the business.

As you work to grow your business and see others succeed in the upcoming year (while you are not)... HANG IN THERE! Understand the dynamics of the Cycle of the Seasons. It takes time to develop a business. Heck, it takes time to evolve into the person we hope to become. It's about pointing yourself in the right direction, surrounding yourself with good mentors and focusing your sights on desired goals. It may not be easy, but success is never easy. It's a work in progress.

I hope 2012 brings that "Ah-Ha" moment to you. The moment when you say, "Yes, all that hard work paid off".

Family Quilts: A Christmas to Remember

It was a wonderful Christmas. The time and energy put into making it joyous for those I love was fulfilled. Pictured above is my 81-year old mother with a quilt. Before my grandma passed away, she gifted me with many quilt tops assembled throughout her lifetime. I promised her I would one day have them made into quilts. This was the year!

I gifted a quilt to my sister, daughter, mom and myself.

My mom reading my letter about the gifted quilt.

My Daddy passed away from cancer 3 years ago. My Mom misses the love of her life (56 years of marriage). This Christmas I wanted to give Mom something from my Dad. He loved eagles and collected all things pertaining to them. I gifted my Mom with an eagle lap quilt to cuddle under. It's a reminder my Dad is always near even though he is no longer with us.

The poem in the card my Mom is reading (above) was written as though in first person from my Dad. My iPhone played a song he dearly loved. The tears in my Mom's eyes were the best gift ever. She slept with the eagle quilt last night. I hope it brings her some measure of comfort as she snuggles beneath it next year.

My Mom and me, Christmas 2011.

Day Nine: 2011 Magic Elf Countdown

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Last night the elves spent time coloring in oversize coloring books they left for the grand kids. There were also special magnetic alphabet letters. Each elf left a personal message for the kids using the letters. Carson's read: "Rock on Carson". There was also, " I love U" and "Are U being nice?"

Packaging for under 30 cents!

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Ok... it might be a bit more if you don't have the rubber stamps, but once purchased, they can be used over and over again.

My daughter stopped by this morning on her way to work (for her usual morning coffee). She plopped a box of gooey putty containers on the counter and asked if I would wrap each one for my grand daughter's kindergarten Christmas party. How could I say no?

I struggled with how to wrap 25 containers. I didn't want to labor over something that cost so little, but wanted my grand daughter to be proud of the presentation. And then, like a vision in the night, it came to me (I just had to say that!) I remembered the white tissue paper in the warehouse. Small gift tags had just arrived (which we will be selling soon at GoPlanet), cotton twine and a drawer full of rubber stamps. It was everything needed to package a 50 cent gift.

I printed clear labels: From: Olivia and applied to each small  gift tag (the label was angled to fit the tag). White tissue paper sheets were cut into thirds. Holiday word stamps were used in red and green colors (FYI: GoPlanet's liquid gel colors can be used to ink rubber stamp pads).

Each gift was wrapped in tissue and tied with cotton twine (gift tag attached). To add color, a snippet of grosgrain ribbon was used. A recycled Kraft bag was stamped with Christmas merriment to cart the goods to the classroom.

As I looked at this simplistic packaging, I realized how this could be used to wrap soap for gifting. Of course, if using melt and pour soap, you will need to wrap the soap in shrink or stretch wrap before encasing in the tissue paper. What an inexpensive way to present your holiday soaps. 

I suggest cutting and stamping the tissue sheets beforehand if doing craft shows. Wrap purchased soap in tissue and dress with ribbon and gift tag.

Day Nine: 2011 Magic Elf Countdown

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My, my, my... Olivia's elf, Giggles, decided to shower and put on make-up during the night. Fischer's elf decided to read A Redneck Christmas story to all of his toy friends. Take note the celebrity Buzz Lightyear showed up for the reading.

Carson's elf, Dimples, thought skateboarding in the house was a great idea. Not so sure what mommy thought about that. A nutcracker friend also joined in on the play time. Take note of the skateboard in the nutcracker's hand.

These elf events were not on the calendar I prepared for my daughter. They were her ideas and pretty clever. As a full-time working mommy of three, she counts on her own mommy to help her with elf ideas :)). I'm glad she had a moment to be creative with the elves.

The kids each received a light up snow globe from their elves (purchased at Kohl's on sale).

Day Eight: 2011 Magic Elf Countdown

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Another night of mischief. The elves crept out of bed (even though the kids swear they were holding the elves tightly) and decided to play a few rounds of poker. They needed a fourth partner so solicited the help of one of NeeNee's nutcrackers.

The elves got into NeeNee's special glassware that are only reserved for the grand kids special sparkling juice. My 3-year old grandson was upset that the elves had not asked permission to use them (because the kids can only use them with permission).  The drummer nutcracker decided to help himself to some eggnog from the fridge and used the cup Miss O had been gifted at our family party.

Thank goodness those elves went home with the grand kids last night. I told them I might have to lock them up in a closet the next time they come to visit NeeNee and Poppy. The kids would have no part of that!

Cheese Tower Christmas Tree

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Love, love, love this! This was the cheese appetizer my daughter brought to our family Christmas yesterday. Everyone was in awe and snapping photos. She used four different cheese chunks (purchased pre-cut from Costco), parsley springs for the green, raspberries and sliced strawberries for the red.

What made this even more awesome was the cutting board used. My husband (the wine guy) received this from one of the wineries he represents. The grooved edge was ideal for arranging a border of cheese chunks.

I thought some of you might this idea useful over the holidays!

Coming Soon: Updates to Shopping Cart

In January, look for some shopping cart upgrades. I believe you will like the change as you will be able to sign-in to our web site and create an account. Once signed in you will be able to:

• Update billing/shipping profile
• View order details
• Manage recurring order details
• Print past invoices
• View previously abandoned carts

As with any change, it will take time to adjust. In the end, I am convinced you will find it an added benefit when shopping with GoPlanet.

 

 

 

$25 Holiday Giveaway

This is the holiday scene Kimberly B. is seeing this Christmas (photo by Kevin & Amanda.com). She is the winner of the "My Family Christmas Holiday Tradition" contest which offered a $25 gift certificate to GoPlanetEarth. A trip to NYC at Christmas time is on my bucket list. Congratulations, Kimberly and happy holidays to you and your family from GoPlanet. Here is the winning submission:

"... my mom, three younger sisters and I start our holiday season by putting up our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving. The family hangs out from early in the day playing games and watching holiday specials. Then, after eating and resting,we trim the tree and reminisce about years past.

Our tree has been around as long as I, 37 years, and we've both seen better times but continue to do our best each year. This starts the season with twinkling lights and positive intentions for what's to come.

Since we are all grown up and aren't swimming in a roomful of toys and clothes, we have started going out for holiday fun and giving mom a rest from the kitchen. We take in the traditional holiday sights NYC has to offer, like parades, department store window displays, Broadway shows and strolling the city streets just enjoying our time together. It has become just a spectacular as holiday sesons gone by with the knowledge that though gifts are nice, the real joy is spending time with my family."