A good cause . . .

I was just about ready to put my laptop aside and get on with my day . . . I have a million things to do.  But sometimes that's easier said than done.  I had to check out just one more link.  I'm glad I did because I think this is a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e and for such a great cause.  And what bravery . . . I could NEVER do this--so I especially admire these lovely ladies.  Check out the Knotty Knitters 2011 Calendar, and be generous.  I can't think of a nicer way to spend $20. 



(c) 2010 Knotty Knitters

 xoxo

Every day is a new beginning . . .

Don't you love that about life?  Everyday we have the opportunity to start fresh.  Whether you're on a diet, gardening, reading a book, or have lost your way . . . tomorrow means you can start fresh again.  The garden sitting half finished is only waiting for you; the book you put down meaning to finish "tomorrow" is still open as though no time had passed at all, and your body will benefit from a good diet today as much as it would have yesterday if you'd only stayed on that diet.  All things are new again.

I've started keeping lists of things I need to do.  My schedule has become so crazy that even as little as I cook, sometimes the dishes get piled up; I vacuumed yesterday and thought I'd broken my Oreck because it was making crazy sounds (a quick look and pulling out big paper and tape pieces solved that); and poor Mac is looking pretty shaggy right about now (he needs his winter 'do and I just haven't had time to indulge him).

But I have been working on a new project close to my heart.  I've loved all things handmade since forever.  I've never not loved handmade things.  So the sensible thing to do, of course, is to get more love in my life by also making things for others.  So . . . I'm starting my own business--something I've wanted to do for many years.  I've been working like crazy to put together my web site, my merchandise, my business cards, my style.  And it's coming together. 

My first project unveiling will be project bags.  I love using them and want to give others the opportunity to own what I believe is just the best project bag out there.  And they're beautiful.  Lots of linens, cute cottons, some pockets, some embroidery . . . just a little bit of everything.  But they're all beautiful.  I've already sold several to friends who are using them as gift bags (why didn't I think of that?). 

So please bookmark my site at http://www.grandmatutudesigns.com/ and visit back very soon.  We're almost ready to unveil some beautiful things.
xoxo

Soap . . .

Some people are lucky enough to become grandparents at a fairly young age--say 40 or 45, even 50.  I, however, was forced by inconsiderate children (they'll love reading that, I'm sure!!) to wait and wait and wait . . . I thought I'd never make it to grandparenthood.  My daughter was nearly 30 when she had that sweet little girl to your right! 

So, when I tell you that I used to make soaps in my hippie days . . . oh so many years ago when I was oh so young . . . it won't surprise any of you, my fair readers, that it was something like 40 years ago that I made soaps.  Suffice it to say that a lot has changed in 40 years.

So, in all fairness, alas, I must call myself a soap making newbie again.  How lucky am I?  To have had the experience of making soaps with lard and lye so many years ago, and then to be reincarnated to now and making soaps with avocado oils, Shea butters, etc. is pretty cool, I must say.  What a difference!! 

But I wish my generation had been a lot more green conscious when we were "growing up."  All this saving the environment, minimizing your carbon footprint, and tree hugging stuff is new to us oldies in the past ten years or so.  I, for one, am doing my best, but sometimes I slip up.  My slip ups are due to various things, but it's usually for one of two reasons:  laziness (sorry, sometimes I just get tired) or ignorance (some of this stuff I just can't imagine).

So imagine my horror when I determined that one of the products I've used in my recent soap making is a gross offender, environmentally.  Palm oil is a key ingredient in many of the soap recipes available these days.  Come to find out, it's a major, major source of deforestation and destruction of rain forests and thus contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions.  Eek!!!  I didn't learn this until I'd run out of the little bit of palm oil I'd purchased and began looking on the Internet at sources to replace it and for alternative products that can be successfully used in its place.

Now I understand that you can't believe everything you read--and everything on the Internet is not necessarily authoritative.  However, until I can do my own research on the subject, palm oil is O.U.T!!!  None of my soaps will contain palm oil in the future.  Certainly, I will honor the oil I've used and will use the products I've made with it--but I'll also honor the future by boycotting the use of it until further notice.  If and when I determine that palm oil is an acceptable ingredient environmentally, I'll begin to use it again.  But until then, it's curtains for palm oil!!

I'm going to be selling my soaps at the upcoming Share the Harvest Holiday Gift Market on October 16th at Jacob's Reward Farm.   My soaps are luxurious--sudsy and full of good oils, like avocado and jojoba, and I think you'll love them.  Hope you'll come and see all the pretty things we're getting ready for you!!

xoxo

Two weeks away . . .

Today has been a fairly focused day as I get myself ready to gear down for the Share the Harvest Fall Gift Market.  There was a meeting of the vendors last week, and I'm really pretty excited to see what everyone is going to be selling.  For example, MargaretandPurl.Etsy craft baby items; Southern Fried Lace does monogramming; Tasty Eats At Home is a chef specializing in gluten free foods; Monica's Jewelry does the most beautiful bracelets you've ever seen; shefeltz does fabulous flower-laden wool handbags crafted from recycled sweaters; and myself--GrandmaTutu--I craft beautiful project bags and simple, elegant soaps.  Here's what I've been working on, and will be working on for the next few days: 

Here's a picture of my project bag I use for knitted sock projects. I love the silver bead closure.



Here are some of the colors you'll see on GrandmaTutu's table at the craft market.




I use a loofah on my heels--with the right kind of soap and a loofah, your feet will purr (hint, hint).



I'm not sure I knew what linen was when I was a kid; since finding linen, I'm amazed at the different prints available, rather than what I was used to for so many years--wheat, white, pink . . . now there are lovely, exciting prints.

Stay tuned for more progress reports. 

And mark your calendar:  Saturday, October 16th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Jacob's Reward Farm, Parker, Texas.  Be there or be square!!  You'll so wish you had if you miss it!!

xoxo