Doing the first batch anxiety dance - PICS ADDED!

[KnitchyFingers]

Okay, so I just attempted my first batch of CP. I do not think it went well. I decided to be ambitious and attempt swirling, too. However, by the time I had everything all mixed up for the swirling, everything was wayy too thick. Picture pudding-like consistency. I ended up with one red squiggle line at the bottom of my mold and then I had to scrap everything and just get the rest of it spooned into my molds.

For reference, I used:
40% olive oil
30% palm oil
25% coconut oil
5% shea butter

At trace, I added a few drops of Vitamin E and ~ 2 ounces FO.

I think part of it may have been a noob thing. I got so excited when I saw trace that I had to call my husband to come look. (Side note: He just walked out of the kitchen and said "It smells like Bath and Body Works in here!")

It DID smell pretty and look nice and creamy. I covered and insulated everything and we'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm just a little upset because it doesn't look so nice and it was so thick when I went to put it in the molds.

Oh well... I'll still have nice, useable soap, maybe... right?

 

[ChrissyB]

yes I think you will most definitely have soap.
It sounds like your fragrance could have caused it to seize, I have had that happen before, it makes it very hard to work with.

 

[carebear]

sadly, soap waits for no man. next time ignore the DH and just keep doing your thing cause a pause to have someone come look can take just too long.

if you used the stick blender then next time don't. also, with that many hard oils I actually do best soaping with lye and oils at about 110 degrees - seems to slow things down (soaping cooler goes faster - go figure). palm can trace quickly.

could be your FO as well - which one exactly did you use?

 

[KnitchyFingers]

Thanks, everyone! I think it may have been a combination of things. I did use the SB and my oils and lye were on the cooler side (both around 90 F). I used the free samples from BB (didn't want to dip into my "good oils" until I had shown myself I could do it!). They were Hollyberry and Cinnamon Sugar. I wasn't such a fan of the cinnamon sugar in the bottle, but it smells nice mixed with the Hollyberry.

FWIW, the SB DID get it to trace uber-fast. Like, 10 minutes fast. I stopped as soon as I saw it, but that was it. FOs in and I turned my back and it was already going fast.

 

[carebear]

oh 10 minutes ain't uber fast... but you will see as you continue to experiment...

great job, by the way.

(according to the scent review board the hollyberry can accelerate somewhat, the cinnamon sugar appears to be well behaved)

 

[KnitchyFingers]

Is is silly that I'm itching to try another batch now? I was cleaning up and got all excited because when I was rinsing my pot, it was making a nice, creamy lather. I said to DH "Look! I DID make soap. That's my soap!"
(It's just ugly, haha).

 

[ChrissyB]

No that' not silly, you have got the bug.
Some fragrance oils can be problematic, it sounds like the hollyberry is your culprit.

 

[abigtroutt]

Sounds like a great soap to me !!! We will need to see pictures when you unmold and cut !!! We love pictures !!!

 

[Lindy]

You know I heard somewhere that this can actually turn into an addiction - of course the rest of us have it totally under control :roll: - but it sounds like you might be one of those.... :wink: .....that gets addicted..

Of course I am so not addicted - I just don't like to let my soaps get lonely so I have to make more soap to keep them all company... they need friends too...

Welcome to the world of soaping and oh yeah we like pictures.....

 

[starduster]

Effects lasting?

You know I heard somewhere that this can actually turn into an addiction - of course the rest of us have it totally under control :roll: - but it sounds like you might be one of those.... :wink: .....that gets addicted..

Of course I am so not addicted - I just don't like to let my soaps get lonely so I have to make more soap to keep them all company... they need friends too...

Welcome to the world of soaping and oh yeah we like pictures.....

LMAO
Can't wait to see photos.

Does anyone have the mortallity rate for soapers that forget to eat drink etc and get in to Soap Dervish Swirl that never stops?

 

[topcat]

Does anyone have the mortallity rate for soapers that forget to eat drink etc and get in to Soap Dervish Swirl that never stops?

That would be "livin' forever in the moment" subjectively Starduster! Who cares how long that is in 'people years'? :wink:

 

[KnitchyFingers]

You guys are funny. I took them out of the molds and cut them this evening. While clearly my cutting technique needs work (I didn't bother with a ruler), I did indeed manage to make soap.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12328921@N06/3094626884/
The soap in the molds - ugly right? You can see how thick it was when I spooned it in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12328921@N ... 866463985/
The bottom of the soap after it came out of the mold. Demonstrating my pathetic swirling attempt.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12328921@N ... 866463985/
Cut and waiting to dry out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12328921@N ... 866463985/
We always love mommy's soap!

So, they're ugly, yes. I'm still considering re-batching just to even out the coloring a little and make it a nice, rich red color all over. WHat do you think? Yes, no?

 

[starduster]

Congrats

Congrats. Dogs and soap look wonderful.
It is such a journey though and you have to do the soaping thing yourself and be brave enough to experiment and risk hicups.
Can't wait to see further soaping from you.

 

[Deda]

Cute Pups! And your soap looks great - now the hard part. Waiting to use it!

Congrats!

 

[Lindy]

Well done! Your soap looks great and so do your babies!

 

[topcat]

Yes, they look great! Don't rebatch unless you really want to for the experience.....they look like they were meant to be that lovely blend

 

[ChrissyB]

I think they look fine, they turned out pretty nice and even with no air bubbles. Good job.
Now you will have to make more.
We soapers must be the cleanest people on the planet. :wink: