Happy Holidays Everyone!

1. Colorful Christmas, 2. 6/7 - Annalie's Christmas stocking, 3. Colorful Christmas Decor, 4. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, 5. Bouquet of Christmas Lights, 6. colorful christmas tree!, 7. "it's a small world holiday", 8. Colourful Christmas Tree, 9. Candy canes, 10. Rainbow Hearts Christmas Trees, 11. Rainbow Tree, 12. Christmas Star Sugar Cookies

Many online sellers are signing off for the holidays, and as I realize the immensity of Christmas projects I have on my list, I must also take some time off of the computer. 

So in my absence, here is a mosaic of fabulous photos I found on Flickr.  For those celebrating Christmas - Merry Christmas!  Otherwise, have a great winter solstice!  See you again on December 28!

Flavor of the Month: Candy Cane!

November is here (I can't believe a whole week has already passed!) and holiday decorations are already starting to show up in stores. The best sales usually happen after Thanksgiving, but at Soapylove we are starting our sale early!

Today we are kicking off our Flavor of the Month promotion. Whether it's inspired by the season, an upcoming holiday, or just a great way to celebrate a new style, you'll find one special Soapy Pop that is marked down all month.

For November we have chosen the classic Candy Cane. It's a perfect stocking stuffer or affordable gift in itself! The sweet yet snappy scent is realistic and refreshing. Regularly $8.00 each, you can now get them for $7.50!

Winter "Let's Get Soapy" is Coming Together!

I am feverishly working on the new tutorials and articles for the Winter issue of Let's Get Soapy! I'm finding lots of inspiration from white Christmas trees and colorful ornaments this year. The focus is on holiday gift giving and using sparkle and shine in your designs!

This issue will launch on November 1, and you'll find these great projects and articles inside:

• Polka Dot Party Soaps (on cover)
• Shimmery Snowflake Bars
• Candy Cane Loaf Soaps
• Feature article about soap glitters
• Easy ways to expand your soap design into a gift basket
• and a product review of TKB's Pop Micas!

As usual I will be offering an early bird special for the first week, so make sure you are signed up for the Soapyclub to get an email notification when it's ready!

Happy soaping!

Soapylove Soapsicles Dressed to the 9's

I love Flickr. I created my account when I first started making soap and almost every soap I've ever made has a picture there. But another thing I love about it is keeping up with my contacts. The other day I saw a new picture from Red 7 Packaging. They posted a photo of New Year's gifts they made for their clients. I left a comment saying how lucky their clients are!

Little did I know that my Candy Cane Soapsicles were inside! Red 7 found me on Flickr and placed a bulk order but I had no idea that they would be getting the red carpet treatment. Cory and Angela Van De Griend, owners and designers for Red 7, gave me permission to blog (brag!) about their awesome gifts. Thank you!

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! :)

Shop - Learn - Create - at Soapylove!

Woo hoo! Soapyfans can now do much more at Soapylove. When you get to the Soapylove site, you'll be greeted with 3 new choices. It's like "Choose Your Own Adventure" for soapers!

Shop!

The Soapsicle Shop has been restocked with newness! Get ready for the holidays with the new Winter Wonderland, the ever-popular Candy Cane, and customize your own great gift set with an Ice Cream Truck Soap Dish and your choice of Soapsicle! Plus don't miss the brand new Peachy Keen with floating polka dots and a fresh peach fragrance.

Learn!

Check out the latest holiday tutorials all in one place - the new Learn page at Soapylove! Each is only $6.00 and will be delivered right to your email box pronto, so you can get soaping!

Create!

There's nothing better than learning how to make soap in person. Check out my latest schedule of classes including the double feature at The Nova Studio!

I'll still be making a few minor improvements to the site over the next week, but it's ready for your shopping enjoyment so definitely head on over! See you there!

2 Special Soapylove Classes at The Nova Studio!

I am really excited to announce that Lori from The Nova Studio has invited me to teach TWO Soapylove classes there next month! They're just in time for the holidays, so don't miss them!

The Nova Studio is located northeast of San Francisco in Point Richmond. I live in San Diego, so I'll be packing up my family and heading up there to teach two classes on Saturday, December 13.

The first class is called "Bubbly Holidays". I'll teach how to make 4 different holiday soap projects including the marbled Sugar Plum Soap Ornaments (each soap is actually threaded with a ribbon to be hung anywhere in the house - or on a gift!) and Frosty Vintage Tree Soaps.

The second class, starting after lunch, is called "Sweet Treats" where you'll learn how to make 4 sugar-inspired soap designs including Mint Chip Soapwiches and PB&J Bars.

We'll provide all of the supplies and make the soaps together. These classes are great for someone with no melt and pour experience, or a lot! I'll include tips and techniques, stories about some disasters I've had to prevent you from making the same mistakes, and best of all - we'll wrap up all of the soaps so you'll leave with special gifts ready for the holidays!

You can take just one class or both. Lori has a special offer for those interested in both. Go to http://www.thenovastudio.com/ for all the details! Enrollment is limited, so don't procrastinate. I hope to see you there!

8 Tutorials Now Available! Get Ready for the Holidays!

For all of you avid Daily Ditties readers, I promised you new holiday soap tutorials, and now they are ready! I just posted 4 brand new soap tutorials in my Etsy shop. Soon they will also be available on my main site, but for all of you getting a head start, I didn't want to make you wait!

You will find:
Frosty Vintage Tree Soaps (under the tree)
Sugar Plum Ornament Soaps (on the tree)
Fancy Ball Ornament Soaps (in the middle under the tree)
Glittery Glass Ball Ornament Soaps (not pictured)

If you go to my shop and click on the Soapy Tutorials section, you will find these and my year-round soap designs. Once you make your purchase, I will email the tutorials to you as PDF's which you can print at home. Fast and easy!

All of my supplies came from Bramble Berry except the ball molds ("Cheap Soap Molds - Round"). If you get a project and have a question please feel free to write me. Each project has great photos to help you along, but I'm always available to help.

Thanks and I hope you like them! Happy Soaping!

Get Ready to Have Some Soapy Fun at the Suds n Scrubs Holiday Workshop!

**PLEASE NOTE: DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO NOVEMBER 15.

If you live in the San Diego area, please join me on November 15 for the "Suds and Scrubs Holiday Workshop!" Come make lots of bath and body goodies for all the good girls and boys on your gift list. You'll make soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, and bath salts. Best of all, everything is provided. Show up empty handed and leave with a full bag!

This workshop is easy and loose. I'll give you your supplies, show you what to do, and you'll do the rest! Choose from a great selection of fragrances, colors, botanicals, and other products to make your projects just the way you like. No experience is necessary and you're guaranteed great results!

I have two different kits to fit your list. The Santa's Helper Kit which will make 2 of each project for $25; and Santa's Kit, which will make 4 of each project for $35 - that's 16 goodies you'll go home with! Kids 8 years and older are welcome with an accompanying adult.

Save some money and have a great time. RSVP to debbie@soapylove.com by October 24. There are only 20 spots! Feel free to email me with any questions.

Click here to see the full flyer for you to print out or save to your computer.

Stardust Rocket Fan

I just want to say "Thanks!" to Space Oddities for her post about my Stardust Soap Rockets in her blog today. Check out all the other cool kids gift items she wrote about - there are some excellent finds!!

http://www.crafttherapy.blogspot.com/