December 2019 Un-Challenge - New to You

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@Mobjack Bay, that lace is beautiful! I also have one of these impression mats that I have never used -- maybe I should try it, I just always worry that it'll be a mess. But I just love everything about that lacey soap :).
 
@Mobjack Bay, that lace is beautiful! I also have one of these impression mats that I have never used -- maybe I should try it, I just always worry that it'll be a mess. But I just love everything about that lacey soap :).
Thank you :). I put off using the mat for a long time for the same reasons. It turned out to be easy and not messy based on the method I used, which was similar to what she does in this YouTube video, except that I used a loaf mold:


@SoapSisters I love your soap. It’s very modern looking with those crisp edges between the colors.
 
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I made my first salt bars ♥️
 
Here's a picture of my first attempt at mica lines. I used Raspberry and Vanilla FO, added a little TD because I couldn't remember if the FO discolored. The pink is Terra Cotta mica. I was worried about my batter being too thin and breaking through the lines but I think I let it get too thick. Maybe I should watch a video... I think it turned out pretty well for a first attempt.
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Thank you :). I put off using the mat for a long time for the same reasons. It turned out to be easy and not messy based on the method I used, which was similar to what she does in this YouTube video, except that I used a loaf mold:


@SoapSisters I love your soap. It’s very modern looking with those crisp edges between the colors.

Ah, this is very helpful, thanks! I totally would have done it the wrong way without watching this :).
 
Wanted to try a few hanger swirl techniques. Bottom layer made with circular hanger swirl through entire layer. Second later I took the hanger through two times horizontally only (thought I would get a different look). White layer; then top layer with a thicker batter swirled together. This is unscented goat’s milk for a family member with fragrance allergies. I’ll have video on insta at some point soon @latheringlotus

Happy Holidays
 

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Considering how I imagined my soap would turn out and how it actually did, this is an epic fail. Even though it is not the same as my pictured ideal, I sort of like how it turned out. New to me was layers, using stout as my liquid and using TD. I've always been a get 'er done utility person for soaps until I found this website. So having anything fancy is a big production. The stout I used was called Rasputin's Revenge. It lived up to it's name! It seemed to take forever to stir the lye into the liquid and I couldn't find my stainless strainer so just kept stirring. I was doing HP and it was the first time that I almost had soap on a stick. The stout maybe? It started to get very stiff but never got to the greasy mashed potato stage. I went ahead and did the zap test and it was definitely soap. So I quickly stirred in the yogurt and FO, then took some out to add the TD. That was supposed to be just a bit lighter but more of a tan color. Obviously I added more than I needed had to add some more of the darker brown or it might have been white. Then my notes said to add a quarter teaspoon of AC to the brown and it instantly turned gray. I hurried to glop it into the mold, tossed the lighter portion on top...tried for a swirly design on top but it was already too stiff. I cut it within two hours. The FO is Barnwood and the colors seem like they were
deigned for it. However, I was disappointed as I cannot smell any of the FO in the soap, but both my husband and daughter can. Goes to show you that scent is very personal.

I may have time for another first before the end of the year. But if not, at least I have some of my soaping firsts done. Thanks to Shereen for reminding me to use my wavy cutter. I love the look, especially with this soap.
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So I tried my first hanger swirl but my soap accelerated to quickly and was too thick...so not much swirl!
Next I tired an activated charcoal with embeds. I had so much soap cured I shedded a bar! It was fun, but next time I’ll probably add more shredded soap. I just wanted an AC face bar.
 
Wanted to try a few hanger swirl techniques. Bottom layer made with circular hanger swirl through entire layer. Second later I took the hanger through two times horizontally only (thought I would get a different look). White layer; then top layer with a thicker batter swirled together. This is unscented goat’s milk for a family member with fragrance allergies. I’ll have video on insta at some point soon @latheringlotus

Happy Holidays
Lovely @Jamielynn !!!:thumbs:
 
I had a few things I wanted to try. So I made three batches of soap, all coloured with TD, lavender & blue ultramarines.
And all scented with Lavender, Patchouli, Orange & Geranium because one was an order for a B & B, the other 2 for me.
I wanted to try Ione's swirl from Eve's Garden Soaps. So the small one I did as exactly as I could to hers. That was a 16 bar log mold.

IMG_2181.jpg

After I did the 16 bar mold I knew I wouldn't want to do my 28 bar mold that way. Too nerve racking! So I wanted to try to get a similar effect in an easier way. This I did by doing an ITP but didn't swirl it at all in the pot. When pouring I did a lengthwise back and forth motion from end to end and then did only the first 2 hanger moves that Ione's does. I liked this
even better!

IMG_2183.jpg

For the 3rd batch in a 28 bar log mold I did an ITP swirl but instead of swirling in the pot with a spatula I swirled with a large ss wire whisk.

IMG_2182.jpg
 
I had a few things I wanted to try. So I made three batches of soap, all coloured with TD, lavender & blue ultramarines.
And all scented with Lavender, Patchouli, Orange & Geranium because one was an order for a B & B, the other 2 for me.
I wanted to try Ione's swirl from Eve's Garden Soaps. So the small one I did as exactly as I could to hers. That was a 16 bar log mold.

View attachment 43037

After I did the 16 bar mold I knew I wouldn't want to do my 28 bar mold that way. Too nerve racking! So I wanted to try to get a similar effect in an easier way. This I did by doing an ITP but didn't swirl it at all in the pot. When pouring I did a lengthwise back and forth motion from end to end and then did only the first 2 hanger moves that Ione's does. I liked this
even better!

View attachment 43038

For the 3rd batch in a 28 bar log mold I did an ITP swirl but instead of swirling in the pot with a spatula I swirled with a large ss wire whisk.

View attachment 43039
I LOVE your soap!! Thanks for your explanations. I'm going to try too.
 
I had a few things I wanted to try. So I made three batches of soap, all coloured with TD, lavender & blue ultramarines.
And all scented with Lavender, Patchouli, Orange & Geranium because one was an order for a B & B, the other 2 for me.
I wanted to try Ione's swirl from Eve's Garden Soaps. So the small one I did as exactly as I could to hers. That was a 16 bar log mold.

View attachment 43037

After I did the 16 bar mold I knew I wouldn't want to do my 28 bar mold that way. Too nerve racking! So I wanted to try to get a similar effect in an easier way. This I did by doing an ITP but didn't swirl it at all in the pot. When pouring I did a lengthwise back and forth motion from end to end and then did only the first 2 hanger moves that Ione's does. I liked this
even better!

View attachment 43038

For the 3rd batch in a 28 bar log mold I did an ITP swirl but instead of swirling in the pot with a spatula I swirled with a large ss wire whisk.

View attachment 43039
Love them! Another thing to add to my soaping Bucket List. I should have never joined this group! You (collectively) have waaaay too many great ideas for me!
 
I haven't been inspired. The holidays depressed me since I lost my mom and dad in rapid succession in 2018. I did see something I might try. Sorry for the bummer post. Just really feeling it this year and miss the forum.
 
I haven't been inspired. The holidays depressed me since I lost my mom and dad in rapid succession in 2018. I did see something I might try. Sorry for the bummer post. Just really feeling it this year and miss the forum.
@bookreader451, so sorry for your loss. When I lost my Mom, the first year was the hardest, especially during the holidays. She always planned these big get togethers. I come from a rather large family and we had each other to lean on.
I hope you have others you can gather solace from, you will be in my prayers.
 
I haven't been inspired. The holidays depressed me since I lost my mom and dad in rapid succession in 2018. I did see something I might try. Sorry for the bummer post. Just really feeling it this year and miss the forum.
I'm inspired but I still haven't made my soap. I'm feeling unmotivated, for some reason. It's understandable that you're feeling depressed; just be kind to yourself.
 
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