Lillian's By Design

In downtown Alton, IL a certain quaint, historic brick building faces the mighty Mississippi River.  Nestled inside is a warm and inviting shop filled with unique artwork: paintings, fashion accessories and wonderful handmade custom clothing: Lillian's By Design. 

The proprietor, and seamstress is Lillian Bates -and although I've only met Lillian once, her warmth, enthusiasm and bubbly personality made me feel as though I had known her for years.   This is a rare precious quality -especially for a shop owner, and I can honestly say that when visiting Alton you really should make a point to stop in to meet Lillian and browse her shop!

Lillian, who has been sewing since the age of 13 is clearly a master of thetextile arts.  Her pieces are one-of-a-kind, and range from unique jackets (that would look fabulous worn with jeans) to stunning formal dresses.  She can even take old "favorites" from our closets ( that ~ahem~ may have fit us better say, 20 years ago) and "recycle" them into new favorites that we can use and enjoy again! -Love that! Well, I've said all of this and almost forgotten the part that is most exciting to me personally: (You've probably already guessed it) Lillian's By Design is now offering all natural handmade soap by Heirloom Soapworks!  Yay!   I am tickled pink and honored to have my natural soaps in a boutique such as Lillian's.  -I love everything about her shop, it's location, the fabulous antique brick walls, the warm and inviting atmosphere, not to mention the fabulous one-of-a-kind finds.

I hope that you'll stop by Lillian's By Design the next time you're in Alton, IL -you're in for a unique treat.  Oh, and please say "Hi" to Lillian for me!  :)  

[caption id="attachment_1537" align="aligncenter" width="479" caption="Lillian at Lillian's By Design, Alton, IL"][/caption]

Ylang Ylang-Lavender w/Bentonite Clay & Madder Root

As promised, here is a photograph of my first colored soap at 48 hours.  It seems to be holding the shade that it had at 24 hours.  I suppose that's normal? It has really been fun experimenting with the color.  This color has really grown on me and I must admit that the soap has quite a bit more eye appeal than my plain cream colored version!

I really need to make some of my Citrus Grove soap, but I think I'm going to wait for my carrot tissue oil to arrive, as I am very impressed with Jen at Jenora Soaps  lovely yellow "Lemon Poppyseed" soap.  If you haven't seen it, you really must check it out!  I never realized what lovely colors could be obtained while still using only all natural ingredients.  I may try to find a nice orange colorant to layer in that particular soap, as it is a lemon-orange-grapefruit mix.  Also plan to try the cornstarch to see if it helps hold the citrus a bit more. Very exciting!

 My head is spinning right now with all the ideas, but I love that!  Thanks again to all you natural colorant soapers out there whose lovely work has inspired me to step out of my little "cream colored comfort zone." : )