Blossom Sundries

Blooming here

I could have spent all morning walking around taking pictures of flowers, oh wait!

I wish I could just set my camera out in front of the peonies and get time lapsed photos and then combine them all into one big photo mosaic, nature is so amazing to watch and around here there are so many beautiful waterfalls, nature trails, creeks and mountains I would prefer to just explore than watch tv (however Brian and I are hooked on watching duck dynasty).

 

In between snapping photos of all the new blooms I did manage to get busy at making more soap. My longstanding wholesale clients love the sweet smell of Kudzu Blossom, which grows on a crazy out of control vine around here (the vine is such a scurge) but the flower, oh my gosh the flower is so beautiful just look....

believe it or not they smell like grapes. It kind of reminds me of grape bubble gum scent or laffy taffy, do you remember that? 

Deep rich colors of violet, plum, fuscia, green and blue.I gather up the blooms every year and take photos and set them out in the studio, in the house, the car...it smells so good!! Oh yes where was I?

I made a few batches of the Kudzu this morning. Now I know you are probably wondering why in the world the soap is green instead of purple, or maybe you're not but anyhow it's green because I used to color the soap with the Kudzu vine and it would come out a beautiful earthy green.

For about a week it would stay that earthy green color, then turn gray...yuk

So, since my clients wanted a earthy green color I would add a safe color alternative into the soap for them. Over the years I've added oatmeal as well. This is a goatmilk soap bar.

 

The next few weeks (or month) will be a busy soapmaking time for me as I restock the shelves with the favorite summer scents that everyone loves the most and some new surprises too.

I can't wait to share our new website, it will be a boutique that will include our barn wood decor too...so excited!

Things are really blooming for Blossom! I feel like things are finally going in the exact direction of my dreams. The dreams I had for this little business say 15 years ago.

Our little family is growing and changing too. Our youngest Zack (of only 18 years old) has set his sights on becoming an MP in the U.S. Army and he is now half way through his training at Fort Leonardwood and he loves it.

So this mama has found even more time on my hands and I quickly realized I better stay extra busy as to keep my mind off my worries. The perfect time to follow a few dreams, wouldn't you say? 

I will be sharing the new site next month, but I will give you a few sneak peaks along the way.

Of course Spot just sits around watching the flowers bloom for me :)

 

a little vintage flea market sale and other weekend small talk

I have a little vintage flea market sale going on (in my Etsy Shop), Spring cleaning my studio...thought you might like a peak...

Eyeglasses

Vintage Cosmetic Tin - Tangee Rouge (my grandmother always carried one of these in her purse, besides lipstick it's something a lady never left home without ;)

Yellow Flower Brooch

Rubber Stamp Set

Metal Stamp Set 

I absolutely love when weekends roll around during this time of year. Get up early, grab a cup of coffee and out the door we go to find all kinds of goodies I just can't live without! Yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, you name it we're there. 

It was really time for me to clean out my studio, but it's so hard to let go of these precious finds, but I sometimes it's just time for them to find a new space. I have copies of all my old photos I've been collecting for years, they will be available in the shop very soon.

Recently, on one of our early morning yard sale scavenger hunts we came across a friend selling her goodies, at an old barn just down the road. You should have seen it, they even had a fire going (it was chilly out at 8am mountain morinings, love them!)

Our friend was selling lots of old furniture, something I always have to talk myself out of because our little farm house has so many fabulous old chairs/tables already I don't have any more room...well maybe a little more room, he he.

Just look at this beautiful find, it was her mother's cross (she had many), just look at the lovely details. Nina is such a sweetie, she just gave it to me in return for a small ball ping hammer Brian had given her years ago. The cross hangs in my studio now, there are just some things I hang on to forever and this is one of them. I love crosses. So this is not fo sale.

I'm sure I will be digging in the dirt this weekend too, now that the frost is gone. So many htings need to be done around here on this old farm, but I love every bit of it, no matter how long the to do list gets.

Making soap is on that list as well, I will be sure to share all about that Monday.

Hope yall have a great weekend, go.explore.enjoy!

Lori

 

 

 

A heart felt Mother's Day gift for all mama's

I couldn't let the week go by without a little gift for all you mama's out there...

Whether you are a mom now, or want to be or hope to be, whatever the situation. It takes a very big heart and this world is a better place with you in it. So this is for you.

Love you mom xo

Just click on the link and copy to your computer, enjoy!

I gathered these for you...you know who you are. You could use something bright and happy to make you smile. Has it worked?

Buttercups, growing wild and free in the front pasture. I waited as long as I could to pick them, I could stand it no more. 

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous.  Bricks to all greenhouses!  Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant!  ~Edward Abbey

Why wait for a special occassion to give yourself fresh flowers? Bright yellow makes me so happy, I just might paint the floor that color, so I can enjoy it all year long...seriously!

It has quit raining on my side of the mountain and the sun has come out, oh I can't wait to get the garden tilled and to enjoy a fresh tomato sandwich again.

oh, did I say tomato sandwich? Goats love all vegetables, especially my tomatoes! Oh well comes with the territory and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Feel free to save the sunflower photos to your desktop as a screen saver, but only if it puts a smile on your face!

Lori

A golden hair Seraphim

Oh look who I dug up!

how old could she be?

her face worn and weathered, as if 100 years old but still a beauty!

she looks to have age on her wings too...

she has obviously been through many flights of fancy

I saw hope and a kindness in her face emerge as I continued to add one layer right after the other with my paint. A few more touches and she will be complete and look as though she came from the past, tucked away and buried for hundreds of years. A golden hair Seraphim "means “burning ones” or nobles. They are also sometimes called the ones of lovebecause their name might come from the Hebrew root for love". (quote by why angels)