Here in Sunny CA!

I've been spending the week in sunny Palm Springs, CA at the annual Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild with over 200 other soap junkies! I'll post pics when I return. It's been a fantastic conference, talking soap from dawn to dusk and Erin Brokovich was our keynote speaker providing a great message about "stick-to-it" which was appropriate in these economic times.

My first day I listened to Erin Brokovich (and by the way, ONLY Julia Roberts could have played her), Donna Maria who of course was just awesome in "The Media and You", a melt -n- pour class about delicious desserts which was inspirational and lotionmaking with Annemarie from Brambleberry who is just awesome!

My latest readings

I've just finished up the first book in the "Twilight" series, a series of young adult books that involves a family of vampires. I wouldn't normally have chosen this book, I don't keep up with pop culture very well, we don't have cable TV, I've never watched American Idol or Dancing with the Stars and had to quiz our neighbor's daughter about who the heck Hannah Montana was when Claire came home from school singing about her. But a dear friend of mine, an avid reader and movie watcher, recommended it and knowing that someday my daughters would probably read it I sat down with it. Plus, I thought I might watch the movie and thought I'd rather read the book first.

The first part of the book I was honestly thinking "what's the big deal?", but as the story unfolded I did find that I enjoyed it. If I was a teenage girl I would have entirely fallen in love with Edward and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I also just finished Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum novel, "Fearless Fourteen". I've absolutely loved these books, I think the characters, especially Grandma and Lula are laugh out loud hysterical and this book brought in some extra characters that just added to the craziness. This series is light hearted and just plain old entertaining.

Sunny California, here I come!

Next week I'm leaving for the annual Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild conference in Palm Springs, CA. This is three days packed full of eating, sleeping and talking about soap with almost 300 other soapmakers from around the US and Canada. I'll be gone for 10 days, travel time and arriving a few days before the conference as I'm an assistant to the coordinator and will be working at the conference.

If you're a soaper and would love to join us it's not too late! This year's keynote speaker is Erin Brokovich and the conference will be jammed pack with speakers covering topics from soapmaking to small business management. We'll be staying at the Miramonte Spa and Resort, very fancy, with "chilled" pools.

Our store will be closed on Monday, May 11th, Tuesday May 12th and Wednesday May 13th but open the other days in my absence. Internet and mail orders will be accepted while I'm away but will not ship until my return.

My bravest little girl

Thank you to everyone who sent their prayers and well wishes for Lucy this week. Last weekend Lucy suffered her first blown asthma attack and was taken to the ER not once, but twice, and then admitted to the ICU. The doctor told me that she was admitted to the ICU because of her age rather than her situation, however, I think he only told me that to help me keep a grip on my sanity. She did fabulous and was very brave and only really cried when the IV was put in her arm (who wouldn't). After a two night stay we returned home and she is back to terrorizing her sister so I know that she is feeling better. Again, thank you to everyone.

Goin' Nuts at Summit Soapworks!

People have said that I was nuts for years and so now I've gone really nuts! Maple nuts have arrived at Summit Soapworks Gift Shop. Almond, walnuts, cashews all covered in yummy Vermont Maple Sugar! Soon they'll be available online at my webstore - not a soap but what better treat to enjoy in the tub with your favorite Summit Soapworks fizzy bath bomb!

Mother's Day Giveaway!

Stop by our gift shop at 106 Main St., Ludlow and enter your mother to win a Melt -n- Pour Soapmaking party.

Mom and three of her closests girls (daughters, friends, etc.) will be treated to a special evening of making their own soaps. This can get a little messy but is a lot of fun and everyone takes home two soaps and a little treat from Summit Soapworks.

We also have lots of great gifts for mom, soaps, jewelry, painted glassware, quilted aprons, artwork and my dream is to someday offer pottery, I seem to struggle with finding the elusive potter for my shop.

Entries must be submitted in person at our gift shop and by 3pm Mother's Day.

My first ever class

I have had the most fabulous day! Today was the day that I finally taught my first class to folks I didn't know. I was visited by 10 gracious ladies staying at the Green Mountain at Fox Run www.fitwoman.com and 3 staff members. We made bath bombs, salt scrubs and body sprays for them to take home as souvenirs from their trip to Vermont. They handled my "organized clutter" (that's what us slobs call our mess to make ourselves feel better, LOL!) of a workshop and tight quarters wonderfully and I think that a fun time was had by all. It just reinforced my idea to talk to my landlord about expanding the back work area so that I can offer spa parties/classes. My poor landlord runs now whenever he sees me coming because he knows that I'm going to spring some new, wild idea on him. Oh, and my new penny candy is arriving tomorrow for the shop, well, it's not a penny anymore but many kinds from when we all were kids, Hot Balls, Jawbreakers, candy necklaces, Big League Chewing Gum, Fun Dips (remember those, dipping the candy stick in the powdered sugar) and the list goes on. Very fun!