"Let's Get Soapy" is now available! Hurry for a special rate!

Yay! After lots of hard work and fun soap designing, the first issue of "Let's Get Soapy" is now ready for you! And since you are a Soapylove Daily Ditties reader, you can get in on a special sneak preview rate. Starting on Saturday, 1/3, the eMag will cost $15. But if you go to the "Let's Get Soapy" drop page before then you can get it for $12! You'll be able to download and print it immediately.

What will you find in this issue? I'm so glad you asked!

I have poured lots of love into this first ever eMag devoted just to glycerin soapmaking! I've designed three all new projects, a product review (for the baby onesie soaps) and lots more. There are clear pictures to help you through the steps (which aren't hard, but you're probably a visual person like me!), and other articles you're sure to enjoy. There's a trend board to inspire you, a special page on how to multiply your colorant collection in a snap, and a whole page of packaging ideas! So you can see that it's jam packed with all sorts of soapy goodies.

I want you to love melt and pour soapmaking as much as I do. If you're not already a soap addict you will be after you get "Let's Get Soapy!" Plus there is even a special discount for my favorite soap supplier in the back.

So don't delay - get yours today! :)

"Let's Get Soapy" is getting close!

The last projects and photos are getting finished, and I just have some more writing to do... then "Let's Get Soapy" will be ready to hit the virtual newstands on Thursday, January 1!! Make sure to sign up for my newsletter (see box on the left) to get a special Soapyclub discount!

The Linzer Soaps will be one of several new tutorials you'll find in the eMag. Don't miss it! :)

Get Ready for Let's Get Soapy!

After the success of my holiday tutorials, I am very encouraged by your desire to learn! I love creating soap projects and every season brings new inspiration. There are lots of other things about soap crafting that I love, too. Like packaging ideas, technique tips, and product reviews. So I thought, "why not create a Soapylove magazine?!" So I did!

"Let's Get Soapy" is my new digital magazine (eZine) that will have all of those things and more! There are 3 new projects, a trend page, technique tips, and a complete supply directory. You'll be able to buy it online just like my tutorials, and I'll email it to you as a pdf. You can read it on your screen or print it out. So easy!

I will have it ready by January 1 on www.soapylove.com. Sign up for my newsletter to get notified of its release and even get a special rate on the premier issue!

Thanks so much for inspiring me to keep bringing you more and more soaping ideas. I think I'd implode if I didn't have you to listen to me! :)

100 Pounds of Love at The Nova Studio!

Lori Nova, who I met directly on Twitter, is the owner of The Nova Studio where bath and body classes (and non b&b classes, too!) are held in her beautiful Point Richmond shop. I packed up my family and we drove over 8 hours north so I could accept Lori's invitation to teach 2 Soapylove classes this past Saturday: Bubbly Holidays and Sweet Treats. It was such a great experience!

First, for Bubbly Holidays, we had 4 projects lined up. We made Glittery Glass Ball Soaps, Fancy Ball Ornaments, Sugar Plum Ornaments, and Frosty Vintage Tree Soaps (all tutorials are available in my Soapylove shop if you'd like to try some at home!). There were many m&p newbies in the class, but everyone took to it easily and made some truly gorgeous soaps! The marbling of the Sugar Plum soaps was probably the highlight since it was a team effort and it's really fun to swirl!

Next, after very quickly cleaning up, setting up again, and grabbing a bite to eat, we started the Sweet Treats class. Again, we had 4 projects on the agenda: PB&J soaps, Peppermint Soap Bark, Neapolitan Loaf Soaps, and Mint Chip Soapwiches. Each of these projects required a LOT of soap and our amazing helper, Joan, and Lori frantically cut and melted brick after brick of soap. The crock pots did their best! It was so fun unmolding and packing the soaps as they were finished. Here's a pic of me cutting up the Mint Chip Soaps.

After 8 projects in 2 classes of 14 students each, we blew through almost 100 pounds of soap base! Many students got new supplies to make more projects at home, and literally BAGS of finished soaps to share with their friends and family.

Lori has graciously invited me back, despite the frenzied pace of the classes, and I can't wait to teach there again! We'll be making a plan soon which I will announce as soon as it's confirmed.

If you attended either class, I'd love it if you posted your own comments here. Thanks so much!

Feeling the Holiday Spirit Around Here!

Since moving back to San Diego 4 1/2 years ago, I just haven't had much of the Christmas decorating spirit. I love getting gifts for people and stuff - I'm not a scrooge, but we have a small place and decorations just feel like clutter.

But now that my son is 3, he is getting me back into it. And this year, my husband is donating some Acupuncture treatments for a local restaurant's fund raiser and needed a wreath made to go along with the gift cards.

In true Soapylove spirit, I went at the project (hubby entrusted the task to me) with color and sparkle! Here is a picture of the wreath. It has yummy Sweet Tart candy canes on it, rainbow lights, and iridescent garland. I might squeeze some soapsicles on it, too, but I kind of like it the way it is.

Tomorrow I have to say goodbye to this frothy thing on my door, but at least I have a picture! And in the end, I don't have to store it, so YAY! :)

Pinching Pennies? Make Your Own Soapylove Soaps!

My gift list is getting pretty long now that I have 2 kids. New additions to my list are preschool teachers, babysitters, and playdate friends. So you can bet that I'm making some gifts this year!

If you're feeling creative and would like to try your hand at some Soapylove check out the Learn page of my site dedicated exclusively to tutorials! There are projects for beginners and experienced soap crafters, and once you get the supplies many of them can be made in an hour.

The Glittery Glass Ball Tutorial is my most popular. You can make any color you like, and the sparkly balls are so pretty! This is a great beginner project. Another fun one is the Sugar Plum Ornament Soaps which actually hang from ribbons and is a great project to do with a friend. One can pour while the other swirls! Having a party and need some cute favors? The 2-for-1 Soap Favors has both sparkly snowflakes and a marbled heart design included.

You can follow the projects exactly or just use them as inspiration to plug in your own color choices or cookie cutter shapes. There are lots of great possibilities, and the best part is that you can't mess up! You're making soaps that are ready immediately and are totally useful.

Another perk of making your own projects is how much fun it is. I encourage you to invite a friend over and make some soaps together. You can share the cost, get a lot done, and spend some quality time with eachother. It's a win win!

NOTE:
Some sources for the ball mold (these will take you right to the mold listing):
Herbal Accents (the one I use in the tutorial. May be sold out until week of 12/15)
New Directions Aromatics
Soap Goods