It's day three for my countdown to the release of my newest stamp set, Just For You! It's also group post day for the Papertrey Ink Design Team and guess what? They are all creating project using Just For You! They are so incredible... Oh my word!
Yesterday I showed you how you don't have to be someone who makes things to be able to successfully use Just For You... it's a gift giving set in general. When you see the set as a whole you will totally see what I mean. Today I'm back to making stuff... because I like doing that! :) You could easily switch out the made stuff with purchased if you wanted though.
I love making things that are personal and pampering. Bath salts have been a long time favorite... but I thought I'd try my hand at soap making...and let me tell you, it's a BLAST! I started out by searching online to find a source for the products I would need. Bramble Berry is not only an amazing source for products but they have numerous blogs and even videos on how to make everything in a snap! (Little did I know when I first discovered them that they are just a little north of me too!) In addition to providing the soap products for today's post... they wanted to play along in the excitement for Just For You! Make sure you read the end of the post for the chance to win some Bramble Berry goodness!
On to the fun projects!
This mold is what first caught my eye and just about fainted... it's so cute!. I was excited to try this with melt and pour soaps! I also loved their mini Ice Cream Cone erasers. I instantly thought of my Ice Cream Cone image from lOvE songs! Here is what I used to make the first two soaps.
I started off simple, with the clear soap and the pink eraser.
After letting that set, I added a layer of soap with green mica coloring in it. I wanted a complementary color.
After removing the soap from the mold I wrapped it in plastic wrap and placed this cute sticker I made on the back. Imagine the different images and scents you can make. Like orange with an orange slice image... a sweet pea pod and baby scent for a baby shower! Whoohoo! So many fun and, holy cow, super easy possibilities
I could have stopped there... since it's so stinkin' cute but I stepped it up even more. I stamped a little Lemon Tart band to go around the soap, embossing the circle sentiment with clear embossing powder and Raspberry Fizz ink. Now, I wanted to still see the little eraser, so I punched out the center of the sentiment using the EK 1 1/4" circle punch.
I added a Eyelet Lace Die cut Border that was stamped with A Little Argyle and stamped the ice cream cone images fro lOvE songs as well as the Bubble image from Just For You on the band.
Aren't they adorable! My girls are crawling the walls because they want these so bad! I've had to hid them! LOL! Funny huh!
after getting my feet wet I tried the multi-layer Cone mold. This took a little longer.. but just wait until you see the final result! Now remember... it smells like yummy Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream!
First thing I did was to melt the soap, add color and scent. Then I careful added the first chocolate layer. I knew that I wanted the next layer to have "Chocolate Chips" in it so I put some scrap chocolate on that layer.
I must have forgotten to snap the other fill photos, but after I let these layers harden I added the mint green color, let dry then the gold-ish cone color. (Here is Bramble Berry's instructions for the mold) I took a tip from the Teach Soap site and scored the back of each layer, making it easy for the layers to stick together! Just wait and see how cute it turned out!
Here is the cute, full packaging I created for the custom soap.
I stamped the Mat Stack 2 die cut Aqua Mist cardstock with the dotted image from A Little Argyle. The circle sentiment from Just For You is then embossed in white then the center is punched out. Next I punched out the sentiment circle with the larger EK circle punch. I layered that *ring* over the stamped sentiments and ice cream cone. The Making Memories slot punch was used to make the slots in the die for the ribbon to run through.
Notice the cute little box? Yummy too huh! I used the Dotty Biscotti paper to line the simple score box and edged it with Eyelet Lace die cut white cardstock
Here it is right before I adhered it together. 5"x7", score in 1 inch on each side, snip on the score lines on each end until you hit the perpendicular score lines. fold in and glue. The lid is just Clear Cardstock that is a 7"x 3" piece that is scored in 1" on the two ends. Same with the liner... but after scoring I trimmed the ends a little to make room for the decorative edge. SUPER SIMPLE!!!
Here is the set, open for you to see the finished soap! Trust me when I say... It smells good enough to eat!
OK.... one last project for today... and it's going to BLOW you away with possibilities. Here are the products that I used. Notice the Lavender theme! (I was thinking SPA while making this!)
Do you see what I've got in the soap mold? Yep... stamps!
You simply place them in the mold before you start pouring! Now... I must admit, I did not think of this idea. Here is the Soap Queen's post. I just put my own twist on it. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES!!! *Jumping up and down!!!*
I tried multi-layering, but didn't do as good as I had hoped. Here is the 1st, gold yellow, layer.
Let that set...then I mixed in some white over it and even added a third layer with Lavender blooms in it.
Next I bushed it with some of the gold yellow mica powder. I don't usually like gold but I really liked the idea of Natural Elegant for this ensemble.
Look how fun it is to have a little message in the soap. I could have done different designs too. Endless possibilities I tell you!
I wanted to make some bath salts that were Lavender scented too... (1 cup Sea Salts, 1 Tbs Lavender, 1 Tbs Baking Soda, 3 ML Hungarian Lavender Fragrance Oil.)
I even added a tad of the coloring to sparkle it up a bit. (wish it showed up in the photo.)
Here is the finished and packaged soap!
I used the same box concept as the Ice Cream soap, but started out with 5"x5" cardstock. I used Kraft and simply stamped it with the new Background Basics: Geometric set. Very Elegant. Totally matches the stamped coffee bag too.
Here is a great example of why having a sentiment in stamp form is SO fantastic! Being able to emboss it to coordinate with your gift provides such an elegant feel.
I used the Lavender Sprig image from my Life set to complement the packaging.
Elegant but not glitzy or over the top. This is the perfect gift for someone who is going through a rough time and needs some relaxation.
Now that you've made it through the long and wonderful post let me tell you about a little GIVEAWAY!
Bramble Berry is offering a $25 gift certificate for one lucky winner.
How to enter...
- Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Just For You project is, by anyone, not just me and voila! You will be entered!
- OPEN TO EVERYONE.
- One entry per person.
- Winner will be chosen by random generator and will be announced May 13th @ 9 pm PST. You have until 30 minutes before then to enter!
- The winner will have to contact me from their email address they used to enter so I can confirm the winner. They will then be contacted by Bramble Berry to receive their prize.
ALSO... Don't forget to enter to win Just For You, Mat Pack 2 Die, Eyelet Lace Die and ALL THE FELT over on Nichole's Blog!!!
Here are the links to the Papertrey Ink Design Team. showcasing Just For You!
- Erin Lincoln
- Maile Belles
- Betsy Veldman
- Dawn McVey
- Debbie Olson
- Heather Nichols
- Kim Hughes
- Melissa Phillips
- Michelle Wooderson
- Niki Estes
I have even MORE up my sleeve for tomorrow... see you then!
Thanks for poppying by!
- Stamps- Just For You (Available May 15th), lOvE Songs, A Little Argyle
- Ink- Raspberry Fix, Summer Sunrise, Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist.
- Paper- Lemon Tart, White
- Other- Eyelet Lace Die, 1 1/4 " EK Circle Punch, Bramble Berry Soap making products and molds.
- Stamps- Just For You (Available May 15th), lOvE Songs, A Little Argyle
- Ink- Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow, Aqua Mist.
- Paper- Dotty Biscotti, Aqua Mist, Kraft, White, Clear Cardstock
- Other- Mat Pack 2 Die, Eyelet Lace Die, 1 1/4 " & 2" EK Circle Punch, Bramble Berry Soap making products, Mint Chocolate Chip scent and molds.
- Stamps- Just For You, Background Basics: Geometric(Available May 15th),Life, Fresh Alphabet
- Ink- Dark Chocolate, Plum Pudding, Encore Gold
- Paper- Kraft, Plum Pudding
- Other- Eyelet Lace Die, Plum Pudding Grosgrain, Gold Ribbon, Simply Chartreuse buttons, Small Coffee Bag.1 1/4 " & 2" EK Circle Punch, Bramble Berry Soap making products, Hungarian Lavender scent, mold, Sea Salt.
