My First Lard Soaps

[Luckyone80]

So I used the same recipe that Sonya-M used and I didn't have any issues with the recipe itself. I made 2 batches, one a little larger than the other just by a few ounces.
The first smaller batch below is scented with Cucumber Melon FO and colored with dried dandelion leaves for the darker green and just the regular color of evoo for the yellowish part of the soap. It was ready to cut by 36 hours.

 

[Luckyone80]

Now this 2nd batch I scented with white tea and ginger FO and colored with AC, TD and alkanet root powder. This one I unmolded and tried to cut at 36 hours but was way too soft still.
I don't know if maybe I used too much FO b/c it is pretty strong and I used about 1.5 oz to 30 oz of batter. The AC layer on the bottom was the softest but really it was soft all throughout. I didn't finish cutting it until last night and I made it Sunday morning, so that is 3 full days. I've never had to wait that long to cut before.

 

[Luckyone80]

I must not have used enough alkanet b/c its more of a pinkish grey than it is purple, oh well.

 

[Earthen_Step]

I must not have used enough alkanet b/c its more of a pinkish grey than it is purple, oh well.

Still looks great!

 

[Seawolfe]

They are both lovely, but I adore that green!! Dried and powdered dandelion? How much do you add? I have a dehydrator and I am sure I can find some dandelion leaves

Oh and the cucumber melon FO - do you like it? I have the cybilla one from BB, at unmolding I didnt care for it, but after cure I really do like it.

 

[JustBeachy]

Both great looking soaps. Great job.

 

[snappyllama]

Those came out great!

 

[Luckyone80]

They are both lovely, but I adore that green!! Dried and powdered dandelion? How much do you add? I have a dehydrator and I am sure I can find some dandelion leaves

Oh and the cucumber melon FO - do you like it? I have the cybilla one from BB, at unmolding I didnt care for it, but after cure I really do like it.

Yep I picked the leaves outta my yard, threw them on a cookie sheet and into the oven until dried then crushed them up in my food processor. That batch was about 26oz and I used at least 1 tablespoon, maybe 1.5 tablespoons.

I live the Cucumber Melon FO but I need to buy it from somewhere else or use more than 1 oz for that size batch. I just used the stuff from Hobby Lobby and the scent is faint but I do love it.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

They look fab. Wait till you use them!

 

[Jstar]

How awesome those came out! I also have dandelion in my yard..all over the place in fact..I'll have to go gathering

Love them both, but Im partial to the second one..love those colors

 

[xraygrl]

OH MY! They are so very pretty! TFS!

 

[Luckyone80]

Thank you all! I can't wait to use them to see how they compare to my other soap recipes. I just really wish I knew what the issue was with the white tea and ginger soap, that still bugs me.

 

[Sonya-m]

Oh I love them both!

 

[srblatt17]

Nice job! Purple is sometimes a finicky color in soap as it morphs often depending on the type of colorant used. It's pretty regardless.

 

[Luckyone80]

I cleaned up the white tea and ginger soap better than I did before since it was still so soft when I cut it. This picture makes it look better.

Then the 2nd pic is of the Cucumber Melon after its sat for a few days, not sure whats up with the color change.