Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Softsoap Gift Basket And A Giveaway!

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SoftSoap-Giveaway

Read on to see how you can win a SoftSoap Decor Gift Basket for yourself!

I made up this cute kitchen themed gift basket to have on hand for whenever I need a gift for a friend. I made sure to include a couple of bottles of Softsoap’s new Decor Collection, as it is not only great soap but pretty as well!

At only $2.49 (10fl oz) a bottle, (gorgeous and affordable!) I can definitely put these in all of my gift baskets. The Decor Collection comes in 3 different scents, Peony & Plum, Orchid Petals & Mint Water, and Wild Basil & Lime.

LHS_Decor-Collection


In my gift basket I included 2 bottles of Softsoap, a pair of Woodburned Spoons, A color coordinating Dish Towel, 2 Glittered Coffee Mug & A set of 4 glass magnets. This makes the perfect kitchen themed gift basket and would be great as a house warming gift!


gift basket

gift basket2


gift basket3


Soap provided by SoftSoap. $2.49 (10fl oz)


GIVEAWAY

Win yourself a whole collection of Softsoap’s Décor Collection. Leave a comment on this post by 30th June and you will be in the draw! Tell us why you would like to win!

US residents only.

Comments

  1. Beautiful to look at, unusual and interesting scents… a gift for friends… and one for me

  4. because I bought some of this very soap the other day and I like the scent…I bought the Wild Basil and Lime

  5. I’d like to win because I have never tried these scents before or this new collection.

  7. I would love to win this lovely gift basket so I can share it with my daughter who is having her first baby and my first grandbaby in August. I would like to bless her with this great ‘spa’ basket since she is working long days (everyday) up until the baby is due. What a surprise it will be for her. Thank you for the opportunity!!

  8. Oh, new scents! It would be great to win since the hubby is adverse to trying new things. Especially if he thinks it will be girly! Would love to be able to try these.

  9. I Love Softsoap! These new one look great and I can’t wait to try them. I love your basket….I think I will do one for my daughter and her boyfriend. ..they just moved into their first place together yesterday! 🙂

  10. I would like to win because it seems I’m always running out of hand soap in my house! I didn’t know they had so many choices. Thanks

  11. That’s a cute gift pack! I’ve love to win it so I can gift it to a newlywed friend of mine 🙂

  13. I’d like to win because I just love soap! The Wild Basil & Lime scent sounds wonderful for the kitchen. I always have a bit of a tough time there trying to avoid floral scents so I usually have a citrus scented one by the kitchen sink-I bet the basil adds a nice touch.

  16. I love the Softsoap products and have not seen these. You made a beautiful gift basket with very interesting things in it. The wood burned spoons are adorable.

  18. I would love to win because I am out of soap!! These look so pretty and I am sure they smell great!

  19. I just had two new neighbors move into our small cul-de-sac and another one soon to arrive. This would make the perfect welcome gift for them!

  20. A GREAT idea for a nice gift. How come I can never think of things like this? Ha! Would love to win this!

  22. I love SoftSoap…it is a wonderful product. I would love to win to give myself a birthday present which is in August!

  23. I would like to win because these sound like they smell great, and I didn’t even know they existed!

  25. I am going to visit some friends and staying at their house so this will be a great hostess gift for them

  26. I would love to win these scented hand washing soaps to compare them to what i purchase . Thanks !

  27. I didn’t know softsoap had such pretty bottles. I would love to check out the new product

  28. I needed something else to add to a kitchen wedding gift…hadn’t thought of hand soap…now it is ready to gift. YEA!! Thanks for the idea. ;>) MS

  30. What a great gift addition to a gift basket! The scents sound so appealing I would love to try them all!

  31. I would love to win! I am a hand soap junkie lol! I love it! I guess, since you inspired me, I could, maybe, give some away as gifts, but we will see lol!

  32. I’d love to win because I have a thing about liking great smelling soaps. Apparently I am passing this on to my kiddo because my little gal seems to do a better job washing her hands if the soap smells ‘pretty’.

  33. Adorable gift basket! I love giving gift baskets to friends and family. But this might be one I keep for myself because it’s just too cute!

  35. I’d like to win because these are scents of soap that could go well in our home. I love the names of all of them and would love to try them. Plus, I have a soft spot for anything with peonies.

  37. What a great idea! Would love to win one for myself but I am going to try to make some for gifts

  39. I would love to win because I am obsessed with scented hand soaps and I always have to sniff them all when I see new “flavors.”

  40. I would soooo love to win this gift basket just because it is sooooo Awesome!! & my kitchen is verrrry much in need of some Love! We have been “in process” for past 2 yrs…of remodeling & repairing storm damage to our family room kitchen. This win would definitely make my Kitchen SMILE!!! (& ME tooooo!) giggle….

  41. I would love to win this new soap collection. I really like nice soap and the fragrances you’ve included sound delightful. Thanx for the opportunity to win.

  42. Would love to win it, thinking would make a wonderful gift and my birthday is in a couple days!

  43. Would love to win this basket. Between my 3 kids at home and our 5 grandchildren in/out, we go through a lot of hand soap. Would love to try these new scents!

  45. Oh what a lovely gift basket. I’ve never tried these scents before and I would love to be able to have a good look at those spoons! They look so wonderful!

  46. I would love to win this, I just love the pump soaps. I have not tried any of these scents, it would also help me out, I am on a fixed income. Thank you for the giveaway.

  48. I would LOVE to win these new Softsoaps! I have been using Softsoap for years and love the scents – I have even gotten my Mom using only Softsoap. This giveaway would be a joy to receive … and I’d even share with Mom!! Thanks so much for this chance.

  49. What an awesome idea. I really live the wood burned spoons. You are right that is a great house warming gift idea.

  50. I would like to try the new scents the basil addition makes it seen very special. The gift basket is beautiful idea.

  53. I would like to win because the name of the scents sound like they would cheer me up every time I wash my hands. The whole basket sounds beautiful and would cheer me up after my knee replacement that has me feeling down.

  54. I love soft soap ,and these sound like amazing scents. The basil and lime in particular sounds great. Your gift basket is lovely.
    I’d love to use these in my downstairs powder room . It’s our most public bathroom 😉

  57. I’m excited about all the new fragrance. I’d love to win the basket to go in my bathroon!

  58. Hi, Soft soap is the only liquid soap I use all over the house, that is one reason I would like to win the other is I have never seen that collection before and would love to try them all. Thank you and have a great week.

  60. I would love to win this basket. I love to have great scents around me when I need so soothing time. Thanks for the opportunity.

  61. I love Softsoap. I have never seen this collection before. I would love to try the new scents!

  62. I am a Senior Caregiver and I would love to win this just to relieve some stress! Seriously, the new scents sound scrumptious! Especially the Peony and Plum! And the mug is so pretty, perfect for a morning cup of tea!

  63. Love to have… need more aroma therapy!! It’s all about the little things in life! 🙂

  64. I’d like to win because I have been going through a depressing period and I would like to pamper myself just a little bit.

  65. Wow, coincidentally, just like the lady previous, I too am a home health caregiver, & I would SO appreciate the lovely aromatherapy from the this lovely prize of soaps. I’d also probably put them in the sink all around the house, ’cause they’re not just kitchen soaps! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win, God bless! 🙂

  66. These soaps sound divine! With summer here and working in the garden, we all need a lot of soap to keep clean.

  69. Like these very much and would like to
    gift this to a good friend going through a
    difficult time. Thanks for the chance to
    win!

  71. As a mom of three small children I out my wants on the back burner often. I would love some grown up soaps along with little goodies like Woodburned Spoons, A color coordinating Dish Towel, 2 Glittered Coffee Mug & A set of 4 glass magnets, it’s the small things that I appreciate 🙂

  74. I like to put out nice and interesting soaps and lotions for our guests to use when vising.
    Thanks for the chance to win this!

  75. I use Softsoap all the time and I like to have gift baskets on hand in case I need one for a last minute gift.

  77. I would love to win this basket and gift it to my daughter who is raising 4 boys and never has time for herself.

  79. I would love the scents, and my husband broke my favorite coffee mug so I need a new one…<3

  81. I would love to win to try it and see how it feels on my skin. Thanks for the opportunity.

  84. I use soft soap these scents would be nice to try BUT what I really love and would be thrilled to win are the wood burned spoons they are great cute and pretty. Thank you for the great give away chance.

  85. Soft Soap is in all my soap dispensers — it’s the best! I’d love to share these new scents with friends — what a lovely gift they would make!

  87. Would like to win these because I havent tried these scents yet and the packaging is very pretty. Thank you for the chance.

  89. I would very much like to win this because I absolutely LOVE everything with a citrusy scent.

  90. Have always loved softsoap would love to try the new ones , very confident that they would be great

  92. I would love to try this new product by SoftSoap!The bottle design is very attractive, and I like their products.

Have you read?

DIY Thrifted Glass Christmas Platter With Vintage Santa Fabric

There’s nearly always a glass serving plate hiding on a thrift-store shelf. Sometimes it has a scalloped edge, sometimes a pretty pressed-glass border, and quite often it looks like something your grandmother would have brought out for Christmas afternoon tea.

This project gives one of those secondhand finds a festive makeover using vintage-style Christmas fabric. We’re attaching the fabric to the underside of the platter, allowing the Santa design to show through the glass while leaving the upper surface uncovered.

For the version pictured here, I’ve chosen the vintage Santa panel from the Christmas fabric bundle shown with this tutorial. His burgundy hat, snowy beard and surrounding greenery look lovely framed by the clear scalloped border.

I love that the original glass detail remains part of the decoration. Rather than covering the whole plate, we’re adding a circular fabric panel beneath the smooth centre and leaving the decorative rim visible. It’s a simple combination, but it has that nostalgic Christmas look that suits an old-fashioned sideboard or farmhouse kitchen.

You don’t need to sew anything, and you don’t need an expensive platter. Start with an ordinary clear glass plate in good condition and a fabric piece large enough to cover its centre.

Skill level: Beginner
Hands-on time: Approximately 45–60 minutes, plus drying and curing
Technique: Reverse fabric decoupage

What You’ll Need

  • A thrifted clear glass platter or large plate with a smooth central underside
  • A lightweight vintage-style Christmas fabric panel
  • Clear-drying decoupage medium suitable for glass and fabric
  • Soft flat paintbrush
  • Sharp fabric scissors
  • Scrap paper for making a template
  • Pencil and washable fabric marker
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Clean lint-free cloth
  • Rubbing alcohol, if recommended by your decoupage product
  • Folded towel to support the platter
  • Protective covering for your work surface

The pictured design uses the Santa portrait panel from the supplied fabric bundle. Other panels, such as the Christmas tree, snowman or wreath, would also make lovely variations.

Check the actual fabric-panel dimensions before buying or cutting. Your chosen image needs to fit the smooth central area of the platter without losing its main details.

Choosing a Thrifted Glass Platter

Look for a platter with a smooth centre and a decorative border. Scalloped edges, little fan patterns and pressed-glass details frame the fabric beautifully.

Inspect the plate carefully for chips, cracks and sharp edges. Choose ordinary glass rather than valuable crystal or a collectible piece.

Run your fingers over the underside of the centre. Deep moulded patterns, raised lettering or heavy texture can prevent the fabric from sitting closely against the glass. A smooth, nearly flat area is much easier to decorate.

For your first attempt, choose a shallow plate with minimal curvature.

For serving: Use glassware known to be suitable for food contact. If you cannot establish the suitability of a vintage piece, use it for decorative display or wrapped treats.

1. Clean the Platter

Wash the platter thoroughly in warm water with dishwashing liquid. Remove price stickers and adhesive residue.

Rinse and dry completely.

If your decoupage product recommends an alcohol wipe, clean the underside as directed and let it evaporate before continuing.

Place the platter upside down on a folded towel. The towel should support it securely without making it wobble.

2. Make a Template for the Centre

Measure the smooth central area inside the decorative glass border.

Cut a circle from scrap paper and place it against the underside to check the fit. Adjust it until the circle sits within the smooth area and leaves the ornate rim uncovered.

Avoid tracing the entire outer edge of the platter. The fabric panel should finish before the pressed-glass border begins.

Keep the template for positioning your fabric.

3. Position the Santa Design

Prepare the fabric according to its care instructions. If washable, prewash without fabric softener, dry and press flat. Test a scrap for colour bleeding.

Place the paper template over the printed fabric and check which details fall inside the circle.

For the Santa version, position his face and hat comfortably within the template. Leave enough space around his beard and the surrounding Christmas greenery so the image feels balanced.

Trace around the template on the reverse of the fabric using a washable marker. Cut carefully with sharp scissors.

If the platter has a slight curve, begin with a little extra fabric around the template line and trim to the final size after fitting.

4. Check the Fit Through the Glass

Before adding glue, hold the fabric against the underside with its printed side facing the glass.

Look at the platter from the front. This shows how the finished design will appear.

Adjust the position so Santa is upright when the platter is displayed. Check that the circular fabric edge sits neatly within the smooth centre.

Once you’re happy with the arrangement, remove the fabric and return the platter to its upside-down position.

5. Apply the Decoupage Medium

Brush a thin, even layer of medium onto the underside of the smooth central area.

Cover only the area where the fabric will sit. Keep the decorative border, outer rim and upper surface free of glue.

Avoid thick puddles, which can make it harder to smooth the fabric and may take longer to dry.

Follow the working time and application directions for your chosen product.

6. Attach the Fabric Printed Side Against the Glass

Lower the fabric onto the wet medium with the printed right side against the glass.

The plain reverse side of the fabric should face you while you work. Once the platter is turned upright, the Santa design will be visible through the glass.

Start near the centre and gently smooth towards the edges. Use clean fingers and light pressure to help the cloth make contact without stretching it.

Carefully inspect the platter from the front while the adhesive is still workable. Look for trapped bubbles, folds or areas where the fabric has not made contact.

If necessary, gently lift a loose section and smooth it back into place.

7. Ease the Fabric Around Any Curves

A flat centre is the easiest surface to cover with one continuous fabric circle.

If your platter curves slightly, work around it gradually. Avoid pulling hard on the cloth, as this can distort Santa’s face or stretch the circular edge.

Small relief cuts may help around an outer margin, but keep them away from the main illustration and avoid bulky overlaps.

If the shape requires several deep cuts or folds, choose a flatter platter for this portrait-style design.

8. Allow the Fabric to Dry

Leave the platter supported upside down so the wet fabric is not touching the table.

Allow the adhesive to dry according to the product instructions.

The medium may look cloudy while wet. Wait until it has dried before judging the clarity of the design.

Once the fabric is firmly bonded, trim any surplus carefully with scissors. Keep the fabric edge within the smooth centre and away from the rim.

9. Seal the Underside

Brush a thin sealing coat over the exposed reverse side of the fabric, including its cut edge.

Allow each coat to dry before adding another, following the directions on your bottle.

Keep all sealing coats on the underside. Do not coat the upper glass surface or wrap the finish over the rim.

Support the platter so nothing touches the wet backing while it dries.

10. Let the Finish Cure

A dry surface is not necessarily fully cured. Follow the complete curing time specified for your chosen medium before regular use or cleaning.

If using Mod Podge Dishwasher-Safe, the manufacturer specifies a 28-day cure before gentle top-rack dishwashing. Other formulas have different requirements, so check your own product rather than applying that timing to every finish.

For a handmade fabric-backed platter, gentle cleaning is the preferred approach.

Using and Caring for Your Christmas Platter

Mod Podge is not food safe. The manufacturer advises keeping it on areas such as the back of a plate, away from food-contact surfaces and the rim. This project keeps the fabric and medium underneath, with the original upper glass surface uncovered.

Once cured, use suitable glassware for room-temperature treats placed on the bare upper surface, keeping food away from decorated edges. Wrapped sweets are another lovely option.

Wipe the upper glass gently with a damp cloth and mild detergent, keeping the fabric backing as dry as practical. Avoid soaking or scrubbing the underside.

Do not put the altered platter in an oven or microwave, and avoid hot cookware or sudden temperature changes.

If giving it as a gift, include a care tag:

Fabric decoration is attached underneath the glass. Clean gently, do not soak, and keep away from heat.

Styling Your Finished Platter

The vintage Santa design looks lovely beside burgundy ribbon, fir sprigs and a couple of old brass bells. Keep the surrounding decorations simple so the portrait and scalloped glass border remain the focus.

You can also display the empty platter on a sturdy plate stand, where the fabric artwork is easy to see.

If you’re making several, choose different Christmas panels and let the thrifted glass shapes vary. A Santa portrait on a scalloped plate, a wreath beneath a smaller dish and a Christmas tree on a flat tray would make a charming collection.

This is the kind of project that makes me look twice at the glassware shelf. A plate that seemed a little plain can become something worth bringing out each December, and a small piece of fabric gets to do much more than sit in the scrap basket.