Sunday, August 31, 2008

Soap Giveaway!

I am going to give away a sampler of all my soaps in a drawing on September 13. If you would like to be in the drawing, email your name, address and website or blog information to me at gardenlynnherbals@gmail.com. I will choose 2 winners and each will receive a sampler pack of all varieties of my soaps. Good Luck!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Hettie's Garden Soap

Hettie's Garden Soap is in production! I am so excited about this venture! I have made several different kinds, all natural with herbs that I have grown and dried or purchased directly from a grower. I am using only the finest quality ingredients. I have FINALLY finished the labels, but I am still working on the packaging. Here are my varieties:


Rosemary Mint
Lavender Oatmeal
Classic Chamomile
Gardenia Blossoms
Lavender



I hope to add more in the future. These are all my own recipes and they are just heavenly, if I do say so myself.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Socks

Such a simple little word, don't you think? Trust me, there is nothing simple about socks. My family can't understand my frustration. They are always saying, "Why are you knitting socks, when you can buy them?" They just don't get it. But, as one of my blogging buddies said one day, "Once they wear hand knitted socks, they will refuse to wear anything else." I believe that to be true. I have been obsessed with socks the past few months and what do I have to show for it? One, ONE mind you, completed sock. For some reason, I have been unable to knit a pair, whether it be one at a time, 2 at a time on 2 circulars, or 2 at a time on a 40". I have had several good starts, but then I either can't figure out where I am when I pick up again, or I drop stitches, or I create a stitch that has never been seen in the knitting world before and so I end up ripping it all out. Do you think I am under a curse? Do you think that the knitting gods might be trying to tell me something? Or, am I being careless and not paying attention? I think I am a decent knitter, no ME or Alicia, but fairly decent. I usually learn things really quickly, but socks have eluded me to this point. Maybe I need to try a new yarn? I have been using the same yarn since I started. Who knows?

Monday, August 25, 2008

Simple Living

As some of you may know, I am a very simple person, and I have decided to simplify my life. Doing this however, is not as simple as it sounds. It takes dedication and work to change your lifestyle. My life does not match my personality, that is for sure. So, I am going to blog my journey to a simple and easy life. I will start tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Time in a Bottle

Don't you wish that we could save time in a bottle? I would have many bottles. Sometimes I wonder if I could find a better way to manage my time. The weekends seem to fly passed me as if I were standing by a fast moving train. I want to hold on to the hours and use them the way that I want to. Somehow that never happens. I guess we should try and make the most of each and every hour that we are given.

Combining My Blogs

Hi Everyone!
I have decided to combine my 3 blogs into one. I will now be posting at GardenLynn all the time, so please visit me there. You will see lots of things from Knit Picky and Lynn Quilts on the GardenLynn blog. Visit soon!

Monday, August 18, 2008

This Weekend

I made 2 batches of soap this weekend and they both turned out great. I made one batch of lavender and 1 batch of chamomile. I sent some of them off to the testers, and today I got some excellent feedback. I am working on a couple of recipes and also on some names for the bars. I would like to have all my soaps have very special names.

I have several bunches of lavender and rosemary drying in the pantry and I am about to cut the lemon balm. The drought has made things difficult this year for my veggies, but my herbs seem to be holding out pretty well.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Soap, Soap, Soap

I have been reading and searching for every soap recipe that I can find, and I have a bunch. I made lavender soap last night and it is just heavenly. I am still working on the packaging, but I think I have a good way to do it. Things are looking up for GardenLynn Herbals!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

For the Love of Herbs

After a very long break, I have gone back to what I know and love more than anything, and that is HERBS! They are like a good, close friend. They are quiet and soothing, always there to love and admire. I am hoping that all my herbal friends, gardening friends, knitting friends and fellow quilters will join me in the celebration of herbs. It has been a lifelong love affair for me, going back to my childhood when I spent many lazy summer days with my Grandmother in her gardens. She grew the most beautiful flowers and herbs. She taught me that herbs and flowers were good for the soul and the body, as well as being medicinal, good for cooking and just plain pretty! My Grandmother knew all the herbal remedies for anything that ailed you, the best herbs to season those fresh veggies and how to make your hair shine. I value all the time that I spent with her and all the things that she taught me. I am hoping to have a granddaughter in the very near future, and then I will be the teacher...........