Yarn...yarn...and more yarn.

I love to crochet but I find myself now with a lot of yarn. It seems like every time go to a craft store, I gravitate to the yarn section and end up with a least one skein in my hands.

I went into Michaels for some beads and ended up in the yarn aisle first. It's like the stores know when customers, like me, are on their way and they make sure that there is a clearance section at the front of the yarn aisles. I like Bernat , Lion Brand, Hobby Lobby yarn, and a lot of other brands. There is not really any brand of yarn that i do not like.

Which is why I have a yarn addiction. I don't know how to say no. I see all these different types of yarn and I must try it out at least one time. But then I can't just have one skein, I need at least two or three to complete a project. 

So I have come to the conclusion I must use up all that I have. I need to get rid of 70% of my yarn before I can buy more. So I am making items left and right with what I have trying to use up as much as I can before I move. 

I hope I can do it!

Peace-n-apples!

P.S. Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel to see what I have been up to and my Etsy Shop to see the new items I have listed.

A Visit to Abbey Brown Soap Artsian in Chicago - soapmaking classes

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a soap making class or a workshop and had a blast.

For a while now, I have been wanting to take a cold process soap making classes or workshop. But it is hard to find such a class here in Chicago. I found 2 others here but one was too far away and I wasn't sure if the other one was legitimate or not. Looking deeper I came by this shop on accident.

I went to Abbey Brown's website but I could never find an open class. By the time I would go on the site, the class would be over with. SO I decided to check back more often, so when I saw that a class was coming up in August/September I wrote the date in my calender to REMEMBER. But of course I wait till a week before the class to call only to be told that the class was full.

:(

So I asked to be put on the wait list. And guess what? They called.

So the day of the class I get there early because here in Chicago most of the time there is a parking issue. Found a park and went in side, and from the moment I opened the door, I knew I made a good decision to come to this place. It smelled the..words can not describe it and how good it smelled in there.

 Once all the attendees came, Deb, the owner, told us a little about herself and how she came into the business. Next she started to tell us a little about the soap industry and about soaping in general. She did not mind when people interrupted her and asked questions...which is a plus in my book. Afterwards she went into safety and how important it is.

Our class size was a small group, which in the end, was perfect.

Next we went into the soaping area and talked about scents and how they blend. Now this class is mostly speaking at first. I mean its a lot to take in in a class that is only 4 hours. So 75% is lecture really and 25% lab, if that helps anyone.

Then Deb went into safety again and what should be worn and done at all times. Example, (1) you should never mix lye and then not use it. Once mixed you can not store it a long time nor pour it down the drain. You will have drain problems if you do that. (2) Lye has to cool down before you use it. (3) Mix lye in a well ventilated area and not under the stove hood in your house.

Some of those things I would not have known and YouTube videos only goes so far.

Then we started making actual soap; measuring oils, blended till it gets to trace, pouring into molds, that type of stuff. Deb had already mixed the lye water the day before. We made three batches of soap and she told us what went into each one. We were also given a hand out that explained about the different types of oils and additives and what they were good for. And we got to take a bar of soap home.

So over all I would definitely recommend this shop to take a soap making class if you are in the Chicago area. The owner will make you feel at home and you would enjoy the experience just like I did.

Granny Square Baby Blanket

A couple of months ago I attended a baby shower and I let the mom to be choose what colors she would like in her blanket. She was having a little girl. Most mom's would choose a pink, lilac, yellow or white. Or a combination of some of the colors, especially with summer around the corner.

But she wanted a plum color. And I thought to my self....plum is a dark purple. But that was what she wanted so I tried to be accommodating.

And so I tried to lighten the color up by adding white. It came out pretty ok. I just wished I took better pictures to really pick up the purple color.

So after I finished hers, I knew I had to do one for my cousin who had a cute little boy. YEAH! 

I did not want to buy anymore yarn especially since I have bins of it. So I thought to use what I had in blue, grey, and white. It came out perfect even though I have not added in the paw in the corner yet.

Then I found these other ones I have made. 

I hope you enjoyed these pictures.

peace-n-apples.)

Soap and more soap....Banana Soap

I love banana's. Especially the ones that are almost perfect, no spots on the inside and that are not squishy at all. But it is hard to think of anything else. Especially soap smelling like bananas.

When I think of soap, it is hard to think about any soap smelling like bananas.

But I have found a scent that is to die for. It is called Banana Nut bread. And not only does it smell like bananas. It smells like Banana laffy taffy. If you loved those especially the smell then you know what I am talking about.

But the idea came to me to add strawberries with it also. What had come to mind to me was a strawberry and banana smoothy and how much I love those.

If you have ever had one you know what I mean when you taste both flavors together. HMMMNNNN. But I digress from the subject.

These scents can be added to any of the following glycerin bases and still end up the same: goat's milk, avocado and cucumber, glycerin, shea butter, olive oil and more...

But by far the one I love the most is the goat's milk. Which you can buy from your local Michael's store.

Michaels Craft store

The goat's milk soap has a nice smooth creamy consistency which leaves your hands feeling great.

So my first try with the banana hazel nut was when I wanted to mix it with strawberry. I wanted to created a strawberry banana combo, with half the layer smelling like banana and the other smelling like strawberry. And here is the finished product.

I cut this batch into 3 slices which was not exactly even :( but it had the fruity smell I was looking for. I only have 2 pieces left but they are tester slices.

I had pieces left over so I remelted it along with some white glycerin soap.

To find out more about remelting melt and pour soap, check out my YouTube video here.

So after I remelted the soap, to me it did not look yellow enough. So I added some more yellow color too it and this is what I came up. It is my banana soap, that smells like banana laffy taffy with a hint of strawberry.

SoapByJassy

Doesn't it look great.

Until next time ......................................Peace-n-apples.:)

2012 Chicago Beauty Expo

In a past post, I mentioned that I have natural hair. Well this past weekend I went to a natural beauty expo. It was here in Chicago at the Zhou B Arts Center. Who was there? Miko and Titi Branch of Miss Jessie's, Jacqueline Tarrant, and Rachel Odem.

I found out about the expo on YouTube when I saw someone speaking about the event and I thought.

HHmmmnnn......I want to go. If you preregistered it was $10.00. So we got there on time. I wanted to make sure I did not miss anything. Of course, we had to park on the street and we got a close park. :( We had to pay for parking. We ended up paying $7.00 and it expired at 4:15pm. We decided we did not want to pay anything more so we knew we would be leaving by then. There were vendors who had jewelry, apparel, soap, food, and hair books.

Also they had a mini fashion show. I can not even tell you who one of the other designer was but because I am into crochet I immediately knew who these ladies where.

Erika and Monika Simmons

I loved how they take different fibers and yarns and make into really beautiful pieces. Check them out on FaceBook  and on their website. Click their names above.

And guess what else we got?

Can you guess?

Yes!!!! It was some Miss Jessie's products. But each bag had something different. The video is not that good so click on the link below to see my full video on my YouTube channel.


To see the whole video check out my YouTube channel: jjassy81

I am so grateful for Rachel Odem getting together with Miss Jessie's and having the Expo. It was a great experience and I can not wait till the next one.

Peace-n-apples.:)

Soap Episode #2 - Melt and Pour Soap - part 2 - Online Stores

 I love shopping online. There is the convenience of not having to leave your home to get what you really want. And in this case it is melt and pour soap base. Do not get me wrong I like to go to the store and get what I want right then. I love Michael's but it only offers me limited options on what I can receive.

Same thing with Hobby Lobby. If I lived really close to one I would probably be in there every other day or two. I am always seeing new items in the store that I can use in my crafting. I got off subject...LOL. Sorry.:)


These two stores are great stores but they do not give you many options. Check out part one on my Soap Episode to see some of the options they carry.



When shopping online you have to be careful. Not every site you see is a reputable site and should not be ordered from. But through research and actually buying items I have come across some good sites. I have not ordered a lot and can only speak about what I did get. But over all I had a good experience and would recommend them.

1. Bramble Berry
Not only do they carry a good selection of melt and pour soap base, you can buy your other soap making products from them.
Here are the options they have: Aloe Vera, Clear, Goats Milk, Hemp, Honey, LCP Clear, LCP White, Olive Oil, Organic, Shaving, Shea, and White

2. Natures Garden
Not only do they carry a good selection of melt and pour soap base, you can buy your other soap making products from them.
Here are the options they have: SLS Free Glycerin, Black color, Marbleized, Natural Cocoa Butter, Natural Goat's Milk,  Natural Hemp Oil, Natural Honey, Natural Mango Butter, Natural Oatmeal, Natural Shea Butter, Natural Soya Milk, and Natural Yogurt


These are just two companies that you will have a good service from. As time goes by and I find more I will add to this list.


Coming Soon will be my list for fragrance oils and where you can get them from.

Peace-n-apples.:)

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The more followers I have here and subscribers on YouTube brings more opportunities. As soon as I get one hundred followers on YouTube, there will be a GIVEAWAY (soap or a crocheted item). So tell you friends and family about Sassy and Jassy.

Peace-n-apples ;)