Summer is in the air in Michigan (finally!) and USA Independence Day is just around the corner. If you're a soap nut, it's time to get in the spirit  for summer holiday craft shows. These star soaps are easy to do and a perfect Fourth of July craft for the kiddos. If you run a summer camp, this is a project for all ages.

The following molds were used:

Mold Market Mold #219
Celestial Freedom Stars Economy Mold
Mini Embed Stars Economy Mold
Lollipop Sticks 

Melt & Pour Soap: It's Graduation Time

These graduation cap soaps are made using two Mold Market molds. The base is #276 cupcake mold and the cap top is  #256 s'more mold. The graham cracker portion of the s'more mold was flipped over and secured to the cupcake with melted soap. The round button in the center of the cap was made using a mini circle cutter.

Gold and silver cording was attached to the cap with melted soap. How fun to make these soaps in a graduate's school colors.

Have fun with this idea and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. It's going to be hot, humid and sunny here in Michigan, 91 degrees!

Finally...the Wheatgrass Soap

Finally had a moment to work with the wheatgrass I grew at Easter. I cut back the grass last week and new sprouts are already popping up. Yippee, I am going to have a whole new crop. I dried the cut grass in the microwave on a defrost setting. If you have a "Melt" setting, use the one for butter, that will also work. Spread a handful of the cut grass onto paper towel and place in microwave. Use short bursts of heat (which is why I recommend the defrost of melt settings. You're not trying to cook the grass, just dry it.

I experimented with three different designs. The soap pictured (R) was made by pouring a small layer of clear soap into the mold. Let the layer set up for about 30-45 seconds and then place strands of the wheatgrass on top of the clear soap. Pour another very thin layer of clear soap to seal the grass in place. A second layer of white soap was then poured, followed by a layer of grass green. Chopped grass was added to the grass green pour. A final layer of white completed the bar of soap.

The soap pictured center was poured in clear layers. Random strands of wheatgrass were added to each layer. The final soap (left) started with a clear pour. I let the soap set up slightly and added chopped grass and did a thin overpour of clear soap. The balance of the mold was filled with white soap. Bamboo & Hemp fragrance was used for all the soaps. The fragrance was a perfect fit.

I leave for a short retreat in the sun at week's end. When I return, I will post a brief tutorial with pictures on how to make these soaps. I'm also working on a packaging idea to complement the grass theme.

Camouflauge Fun

My grand son, Carson, is celebrating his ninth birthday in May. He opted to have his party at my house because..."NeeNee always plans fun stuff". I was flattered, but the event involves a camp out in the back yard along with a scavenger hunt, sack race, marshmallow toss and camp fire with popcorn. My OCD personality always makes it over the top, and I didn't disappoint. Hmmm... wonder why laundry is never done. I'm a confirmed nut case, but harmless and fun loving!

There are imprinted dog tags for each soldier. Goodie bags include binoculars, head lamps, canteens, camouflage bandannas, face paint, survival whistles..... you know, everything you need for a back yard camp out (NOT!). Geez, I even created a scavenger map that matches the layout of our backyard. It's pretty neat, in my opinion. My grandson has no concept of how much time, energy and funds have gone into planning this event, but his excitement makes it all worthwhile.

The invite is a twine lanyard with party info and camping admittance tickets secured with loose leaf book ring binders. Dinner and breakfast "Camp Grub" menus are also attached to the invite. The invitees will bring their invite/tickets to the party to cash in for prizes throughout the evening. Thankfully, there are only 4-5 boys coming to the party, otherwise, I might have to forfeit a paycheck to cover the cost.

In preparing for the party, my mind raced with soaping ideas (as usual). Next week, I will be showcasing camouflage soaps along with packaging tips. If all goes well, those soaps will be included in the goodie bags for the birthday camp out.


The Scavenger Hunt Map

 I leave for a mini-trip to Florida the first part of May (hello sunshine). Once I return, I will put together a complete birthday party packet for this Camouflage Fun party including soap instructions. I have plenty of packaging ideas racing around in my head.

The Spin to Win Camouflauge wheel will be used for dollar store prizes. Hoping for nice weather. One never knows in Michigan.

Oops, I Overheated the Soap

Here's a sampling of some of the soaps being displayed at the 2012 Soap Guild Conference. Mold Market has two vendor table at the event and my assistant, Kristy, has been pouring soap samples for their table display.

There was one soap mold in particular I wanted her to use. It's our best seller Tray Mold #079. Her intent was to use small chunks of colored soap and then over pour with clear soap. She got a little anxious (bet you've never done that :) and the over pour was too hot and melted the embeds. Her final soap looked like this:

Instead of colorful embedded soap chunks, she ended up with a melted tye-dye look. The extreme heat caused three things to happen.

1. The intense heat scorched the soap and affected the opacity. Overheating melt and pour soap (especially clear) will cause the soap to have a yellowish tint.
2. Overheating soap will also burn off the fragrance. The intensity and aroma of the scent dissipates under extreme heat.
3. Pouring hot soap will warp a plastic mold. That's what happened in this case. The mold was discarded because it bowed under the extreme heat.

I point out this faux pas because those new to soap making often overheat MP soap. The excessive heat warps the mold and they believe the mold to be defective (or question why the soap is no longer clear).

It was a lesson learned for Kristy. Unfortunately, it cost us 2 pounds of soap, fragrance, colorant and a mold. A new or small business can't afford these costly errors. I know because I've been there. The soap is usable, but certainly not saleable quality.

Melt and pour soap should be heated to no more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If doing an over pour, I recommend 132 to 135 degrees. No thermometer? Then do a pinkie test. Dip your pinkie finger in the melted soap. If it's too hot to keep your finger in the soap, then it's too hot to pour.

We've Got Grass Baby!! Day 7

Look at those awesome looking containers of wheat grass. I'm so excited that the seedlings have grown to a reasonable size. Will post pics of the final table setting for the Sunday Easter dinner.

Chole's Easter Gift

Chloe loved her gift. The sweet voice of an eight year old expressing her thanks was a reminder that there are plenty of kids that appreciate the small things you do for them.

This is a follow up to a prior post!

Celebrating Easter: My Take

I gave one of my workers the templates to make this gift wrap bunny project for a special child. Tucked inside the box are all kinds of Easter goodies. I added some finishing touches to the wrapped box (but failed to take pictures). I have a call out to the honey-man hoping he can snap a few phone shots before delivering.

Oh yah! The Easter eggs are ready to hide. That will happen on Friday. We have 180 eggs and each child will receive a orange bucket to collect their finds. The Golden Eggs (there are 12 of them) are worth $5 or $3. Some colored eggs are worth coins, others can be cashed in for candy. The grand kids nanny will be scouting out the hiding places and make sure we are good to go.

Easter baskets are stuffed and ready for delivery by Peter Cottontail. Hoping it doesn't rain as our Easter event is an outdoor event. The Bunny Hop bags housing the yellow tubs will be used for a relay obstacle course race.

 

The wheel is ready for spinning. Once eggs are collected (kids have 20 minutes to collect eggs), they spin the wheel and cash in for candy or money. Each child gets 8 spins.We are going to put a bunny face on the center of the wheel.

Face painting and canvas painting is also on the Easter Brunch agenda. But, the biggest celebration is my faith. The Easter celebration at our church is so large (we normally host 3 Sunday services), we gather in the gym at a local high school.

Wheat Grass (Day Five)

Cha Ching!! I do believe I will have wheat grass for my soaps. Look at those sprouts shooting up from the soil. Unfortunately, my honey-man was not impressed and showed no interest in my green thumb project. No wheat grass soap for him.

Business Shout Out

I was delighted to find a tutorial posted on SisterStuff.blogspot on how to use GoPlanet's popsicle mold. Carrie from greenbeans craftterole was a special guest on the SisterStuff blog. A big thank you to sisters Alish and Whitney for sharing the how-to. And an even bigger thanks to Carrie for the great tutorial filled with wonderful pictures that are easy to follow.

Here is a list of ingredients needed for this project:

• Clear melt and pour soap base
• Crinkle cutter
• Small soap bags
• Popsicle mold with sticks
• Soap fragrance (Carrie used Fruit Punch, Mango, Lemonade, Apple and Grape). We sell them all.
• Soap colorant (make sure it's non-fading colors). I suggest our Neon Bright Liquid gel colors. These are extremely concentrated. Start with a drop and add additional until desired color is achieved.

Back in 2008, I posted a video tutorial on making these soaps. It demonstrates   fudgesicle and raspberry drizzle soaps. The raspberry drizzle soap is poured in layers which is helpful if you want to learn how to pour in varying colors.

The link for the tutorial video is found here. I sure hope you take a moment to visit the two blog sites mentioned above. They have some really awesome craft ideas that are inspiring and unique.

Growing Wheat Grass (Day Four)

I'm doing a happy dance this morning. Sprouts have appeared and I do believe I'm going to have Easter wheat grass. I just have to remember to spray the seedling every with water. That's one of the reason I've never had house plants. The poor things died from thirst. Keeping my fingers crossed these little guys live at least through Easter, so I can make my wheat grass soaps.

The big empty spot is where I will place a glass vase filled with decorative eggs and fresh daffodils (I hope!)

Yay, Wheat Grass is Sprouting!

At 5:30 AM I checked on my little wheat grass seedlings to see if they were making progress. Low and behold, there were root sprouts popping out from each little guy. The dirt and seeds had conceived and the birthing process had begun. Now, let's see if the conception produces some healthy green babies (and lots of them!).

I'm a goofy chick, for sure, but things like this excite me so bear with me through my wheat grass evolution of growth. Unfortunatelyy, my husband had to share that they were selling flats of wheat grass at the grocery store that were 4-5 inches in height. Leave it to a man to point out the obvious. I'm not letting it burst my bubble about green thumbing it.

I will remain positive and assume my wheat grass will outshine that of my local grocery store. Hoping to see some green by Wednesday. Stay tuned (and in my cheering section).

Wheat Grass Soaps (I hope!)

With Easter just around the corner, I am growing wheat grass for use as a table display. I purchased some organic wheat grass (about 1 pound) and soaked the seeds in water as recommended. It helps the seeds to germinate faster. I'm in somewhat of a time crunch since it generally takes 9-10 days for the wheat grass to grow to a reasonable height.

If the grass grows, I will also be making wheat grass soaps to gift to my dinner guests. Definitely crossing my fingers that my green thumb attempt works.

I selected a ceramic dish (it will be the main table centerpiece) and lined it with the top of a shoebox cut to size. Several layers of moist paper towels line the box top. I applied a moist layer of peat soil using a spray water bottle to moisten the peat. The soaked wheat grass seeds were evenly distributed into the peat soil. Push down slightly to secure seeds into the soil.

Using the water bottle, lightly spritz the planted seeds. They need to remain moist during their growing session (about 9-10 days). I’m anxious to see if the roots sprout. I covered the dish with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect.

Wheat grass does not require direct sunlight to grow, so I’m keeping the dish on a side counter in the kitchen.

My granddaughter, Olivia, helped me plant smaller egg shaped containers. If all goes well, these will be displayed at each table setting along with a colorful egg nestled in the grass. It's a win/win or lose/lose project. Easter is on the April 8 and I'm a bit behind the estimated growing time. If anyone has successfully cultivated wheat grass, I welcome your input.

We cut newspaper to fit the egg cups. The paper was soaked in water to help facilitate seed germination. Wish us luck, my grand kids are really counting on making the wheat grass soaps. In case you are clueless what wheat grass looks like....

Hop on Over...

Yep, that's right, you can hop on over to this link and download this Easter Brunch template. They are offered in MS Publisher format so you can change the text areas to fit your needs.

The GoPlanet Family is doing a big Easter brunch this year... we even have pillow case relay races in the works. I'm excited about the brunch menu as it showcases several BlimpyGirl.com recipes.

Enter to Win: Say Hello to A Better Body

This new Chicken Soup for the Soul book is being released May 22, 2012. It is available for pre-order on the Amazon.com web site and includes a personal story entitled the The Closet Witch.  It is a short story of my post menopause weight loss journey. If you find yourself battling weight issues in your post fifty years, I encourage you to pick up a copy.

I will be giving away one FREE copy of the book on May 25, 2012. Here's how to enter:

In NO less than 200 words, explain how you are working to overcome weight issues. Your age is not a factor. I am interested in sharing a story on my BlimpyGirl.com web site that inspires, encourages and motivates others to work toward a healthier and more fit lifestyle.

Send your submissions to:

info@blimpygirl.com

Include your full name, shipping address and email. A random drawing will be held on May 24, 2012. The winner will be notified by email.

Prelude to Spring...

The weather is Michigan has been unseasonable warm. When you have 70 and 80 degree weather in mid-March you embrace it and pray a winter storm watch isn't in the works. The pleasant weather inspired staff to pour these colorful Spring soaps.

Don't forget, we are closed March 22-26 for Spring break. When we return, look for a post on how to make mini bundt soaps filled with yummy, sudsy goodness.

Spin for Success

The grand kids arrived for their usual Wednesday night stay. The threesome bounded through the door and immediately spotted a spinning prize wheel on the counter. In a matter of seconds, the clicking wheel was in motion.

The wheel was a display piece my husband discovered in a storage closet at work. He was certain I would find a use for it. Come on, I have grand kids, of course I would find a use. I traced the original inserts and created colorful, age-appropriate inserts.



I watched intently as the grand kids took turns at the wheel. Would their spin yield wins, loses, opportunities or frustrations? Would my "I've got an Idea" draw cards inspire them? My intent was to create a fun game. But, I also wanted each turn of the wheel to mirror life-learning lessons. As adults (and business owners), we sometimes need to take a spin at the wheel and reflect on the following.

“Lose a Prize” Spin

Life isn't always fair and expectations can be dashed. Don’t have a pity party over disappointment, perceived unfairness, or failed promises. Accept it as a time-out moment. Not everyone plays by the rules.

“Move Backwards” Spin

Things don't always go as planned. You can prepare and plan but sometimes you're just meant to learn a lesson.

“Opposite Direction” Spin

Aim in the right direction, knowing chance can sometimes determine the outcome. Have a mindset that turns "opposite direction" challenges into opportunities.

“I Have an Idea” Spin

When inspired with an "I have an idea (light bulb moment)", weigh both the good and bad. If it seems feasible, believe in yourself, embrace the idea and run with it.

“Lose a Turn” Spin

A “Lose a turn” moment in life does not reflect failure. It’s only a momentary delay in reaching your goals. Refocus and move on.

“Zap Me” Spin

People, circumstances and events can zap energy. When facing complicated situations, remain proactive and determine how much energy you are willing to forfeit toward a resolution. Accept that some situations may never be resolved. You may not always win or liked.

“Circle” Spin

Call it Karma, but what goes round comes round. A specific action leads to a specific result. Decisions and choices you make today comes back to you.

“Square” Spin

Life is about balance. Each side of a square represents self, family, business, community. Do you need to rebalance these areas? Have awareness of what's right for you and stop doing anything that's not moving you toward that goal.

  

It’s no surprise that operating a successful business involves planning, testing, marketing and having a vision. Your wheels may be spinning, but don’t confuse movement with progress. If there are no signs of progress, it's time to reassess goals.

After 35 years in the business, I have learned a successful life, family or business is not built on wild card spins. If things aren't working as planned redirect your momentum and energy to produce positive results. Learn to adapt your plans to new circumstances and opportunities. Anyone can spin the wheel, but not everyone sees opportunity behind each spin.

Rock Candy Soap Tutorial... YES!!!

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Finally! The tutorial for the Rock Candy soap is online. It's been a labor of love to say the least. So many distractions and issues in getting it all together. There were audio, computer, and weather issues that caused delays. But, ALAS... the tutorial is done!

Not only is the tutorial online, but our FREE templates for packaging the Rock Candy soaps are posted on our web site.

So far, feedback is positive. These soaps may not be the the most practical, but they do grab attention and shout BUY ME! Hey, high heels have never been practical either, but we still  buy and wear them.

You will need to purchase our 4 x 2 x 9 inch clear cello bags to use with the template. I hope you have fun with this soaping project and would love for you to email your results!

Soft Serve Ice Cream Tutorial

A customer recently purchased the Mold Market Soft Serve Ice Cream mold and wanted to know how to use it. I hunted through photo files to see if I had snapshots. YIPPEE!! I found some. They may not be the best photos, but they certainly give a decent presentation on how to use this mold.Soap.

The first step is to melt, color and scent the soap for the cone. You will need clear soap base mixed with 20% white soap base. Add equal parts of yellow oxide liquid gel and bronze liquid gel. You will have to eyeball the color based on how much soap you have melted. I suggest adding 1 teaspoon of GoPlanet fragrance oil per pound of melted soap base.



Pour the cone colored soap into the mold.

Don't worry about the top portion of the soft serve cone. It will be trimmed off once the soap has set up. Only the cone portion will be left.



Once soap has hardened, remove from mold using gentle pressure. With a large kitchen knife, cut off the top portion of the soft serve cone. Set aside and use when pouring other soap cones. The soap base can be remelted.

Place the bottom cone section back into the mold. Push down on the soap so that it is securely locked in place. You don't want any of colored soap from the top section to seep under the cone.

Melt, color and fragrance the soap you will be using for the top portion of the cone. Make sure you let it cool down to a comfortable pouring temperature. If you can comfortably dip your pinky finger into the melted soap, you are good to go.

Pour the colored soap into the top half of the mold. Let set until firm.



I like to let the soap set up overnight. Gently pop soap out of molds cavities and wrap for packaging.