Holy Hannah, Batman! Is that a Glitten?!

Yes indeed, Robin. It is in fact a glitten. You realize this can only mean one thing... I'm done with all my washcloths. Here's your proof:

And that's not even all of them. Yikes. I dropped the order off today and I'm done! I have to say I have this immense feeling of accomplishment and pride. I put together 44 facial care bags and 2 "For Him" bags and got them out the door today, without too much stress. There was the glitch of not having *nearly* enough rosewater, but that stress only lasted a day or so. Then I talked with the customer who was okay with getting her stuff a couple days later, and voila! I did have to knit 2 washcloths this morning to get it all ready, but pulled it off and left the house around noon. So I decided to reward myself by knitting some wool.

Here are pics of what the gift bags look like, now that I have changed my packaging procedures. Oh, and let me tell you the mess we had here Saturday night trying to fill those cold cream bottles. Pouring didn't work as it was too thick and the necks are too narrow. So I thought the jerky gun would work. Nope, nozzle not small enough. I finally settled on stuffing the cold cream in a plastic bag with the corner cut off and squeezing it into the bottles. Yes, I filled about 30 bottles this way. Then I decided to pour it before it gets that cool so it's still a little runny. That worked for the last few, but there's this *very* fine line between "cool enough it stays mixed" and "too cool that it doesn't pour". But I made it, they're out the door, and the customer is excited. What more could I ask for?

Oh, I wrote a new washcloth pattern too, but don't know what to name it. Any suggestions?

Almost Out of the Woods

I haven't updated in too long. I waited to put up the Cyber Monday items until they were listed since it was supposed to be kind of an exciting surprise. I will put some pics of those things up later when I don't have to worry about ds spraying vinegar and Windex all over the bathroom.

As for the large order I have going on here... I have enough washcloths to be done but I grossly miscalculated (well, I didn't calculate, and that's where the problem came in) the amount of rosewater I would need so I had to rush ship it from Utah. It should come tomorrow. I have all the cold cream done, packaged, and ready. I just need the rosewater to make the astringent and then I think I have to make a few more lip balms and I'm good to go. Who'd believe it? Other than the freakout of not having enough rosewater (I'm talking I was more than a gallon short. BIG deal), it has gone rather well. Who would've thought I could pull this off?

Dishcloth Stress

Okay, so I'm not quite to the point of "stress" yet, but I'm getting worried. I knew this would happen... I'd lose steam. So I picked up a bit yesterday and knit 1/2 a washcloth. I've gotta get cookin! I just have so many things I should be knitting right now. Cabled vest, longies (I'm on the second leg at least... bottom up), glittens, bag, and some Christmas presents yet undecided. Well, being busy is good, right? The difficult part is the weekends are full for a couple weeks so I can't just sit around and let someone else watch my kids while I knit all day on a Saturday. :)

Grand Opening Preparations and Changes

Our store officially has it's first stocking on October 7. Hooray! But suddenly I feel under the gun. I have a Turtle Butt I'm almost done with and 3 diapers finished, of which one will be FFS.

So far I have been packaging all my bath products in glass bottles and jars for the reusability and recycling factors. I'm thinking of discontinuing anything in bottles and packaging the other things in plastic ziploc-type bags, or maybe find some type of biodegradable bag to use instead. The glass just makes so many more shipping headaches... they're fragile and heavy. I'm thinking to continue offerring jars and bottles locally but selling on the shop only things that can be packaged differently.

Pattern *Swooning*

There is something wrong with me, it must be a serious disease. I saw a picture of a Danish Tie Shawl and I'm in love. I should blame it on SpiffyKnits, but I don't even know her. I think I got to her blog from MVFF because she donated a raffle prize. But seriously, I HAVE to make one! It's so cute... and extremely functional. See, I live in the frigid north... Minnesota, USA... and it gets cold here. And in case no one has noticed, all things living-related are costing more and more and more (ie natural gas to heat my house). That said, we keep our house at a balmy 68 degrees Farenheit during the daytime, and 65 at night. With that information one can see the practicality of having a shawl around the house, and with two kids, a shawl that stays put is even better.



On to other news, I got a couple of things done on Friday! I got a batch of lip balm made, but not enough to fill the order I have at the Color Wheel Salon. Bah. I didn't have enough containers on hand... which reminds me I should run and go pick some more up tonight. I also got the lotion made for the raffle, but she didn't give it away... so I don't know if I needed to do that or not, but it's done. I was kind of proud of myself for that one! And I got a picture taken. The bath bag and facial bag both come with a hand knit washcloth and I got two of those knit over the weekend. I made a Vine Lace Washcloth for both of them, I am pretty happy with how they turned out. The pattern was a little putsy at first, and required paying attention to what row you are on, but they're cute. I "blocked" one a little and was disappointed to see that it looks like the color in the yarn ran a little. I used a natural colored yarn that has little sections kind of "painted" in light blue, purple, and pink. (Note to self: Figure out how in the WORLD to post photos.) I do still need to make some cold cream because I have an order for that. Seriously, it's some great stuff. I have a friend who can hardly use anything to clean her face because she breaks out or gets a rash, and my cold cream works for her. It makes me proud. :)