They are all really great imo... I only made one attempt and it really was a fair as far as the design is concerned.
SMF August 2020 Challenge - Zig Zag Cosmic Wave Technique
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They are all really great imo... I only made one attempt and it really was a fair as far as the design is concerned.
I’ve had my share of fails with challenge attempts. I used to not enter them, but lately I’ve decided I will. There is something about entering, trying, and completing, even if I don’t win, show, or place.
I look at it like this: if I ever enter a marathon, or triathlon, I would go into it knowing that some people have trained to be the best, and probably started with more talent than I have, too. I wouldn’t expect to cross the finish line with them anywhere in sight, would I?
Yet the experience of preparing for and running the race is still fun, and still good for me. Finishing it still has value, too - because finishing something hard, or something where I’m not the best, develops my character. It gives me compassion for those who struggle where I may shine - bc now I know how it feels to be not-so-good at something. It also develops perseverance when I don’t give up bc it didn’t turn out like I wanted. It helps me be appropriately humble when my best effort is so minuscule compared to “the greats.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to enter, as well. No need to stress ourselves out over soap! But I do find value in sharing even my flops with all of you. The grace, acceptance and encouragement you/we pour out to one another is healing to all who receive it.
Ahem. Well. That turned more philosophical than I meant it to be. But I hope y’all are encouraged to try and to enter. You may be surprised at the positive outcome that doesn’t depend on how cool your soap looks.
I look at it like this: if I ever enter a marathon, or triathlon, I would go into it knowing that some people have trained to be the best, and probably started with more talent than I have, too. I wouldn’t expect to cross the finish line with them anywhere in sight, would I?
Yet the experience of preparing for and running the race is still fun, and still good for me. Finishing it still has value, too - because finishing something hard, or something where I’m not the best, develops my character. It gives me compassion for those who struggle where I may shine - bc now I know how it feels to be not-so-good at something. It also develops perseverance when I don’t give up bc it didn’t turn out like I wanted. It helps me be appropriately humble when my best effort is so minuscule compared to “the greats.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to enter, as well. No need to stress ourselves out over soap! But I do find value in sharing even my flops with all of you. The grace, acceptance and encouragement you/we pour out to one another is healing to all who receive it.
Ahem. Well. That turned more philosophical than I meant it to be. But I hope y’all are encouraged to try and to enter. You may be surprised at the positive outcome that doesn’t depend on how cool your soap looks.
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I’ve had my share of fails with challenge attempts. I used to not enter them, but lately I’ve decided I will. There is something about entering, trying, and completing, even if I don’t win, show, or place.
I look at it like this: if I ever enter a marathon, or triathlon, I would go into it knowing that some people have trained to be the best, and probably started with more talent than I have, as well. I wouldn’t expect to cross the finish line with them anywhere in sight, would I?
Yet the experience of preparing for and running the race is still fun, and still good for me. Finishing it still has value, too - because finishing something hard, or something where I’m not the best, develops my character. It gives me compassion for those who struggle where I may shine - bc now I know how it feels to be not-so-good at something. It also develops perseverance when I don’t give up bc it didn’t turn out like I wanted. It helps me be appropriately humble when my best effort is so minuscule compared to “the greats.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to enter, as well. No need to stress ourselves out over soap! But I do find value in sharing even my flops with all of you. The grace, acceptance and encouragement you/we pour out to one another is healing to all who receive it.
Well. That turned more philosophical than I meant it to be. But I hope y’all are encouraged to try and to enter. You may be surprised at the positive outcome that doesn’t depend on how cool your soap looks.
Love this.
Here are 2 pictures of my attempt at the Zig Zag Cosmic Wave. They show the off the best. The other photos are not worth sharing at this point. The batter was too thin, I guess, because the colors seem to bleed into each other.
Oh, and I never officially entered because I wasn't sure I'd find the time to make the soap in the first place, so it's good I didn't post it on the entry thread. So I am okay with that.
Oh, and I never officially entered because I wasn't sure I'd find the time to make the soap in the first place, so it's good I didn't post it on the entry thread. So I am okay with that.
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Agreed! I love your color choices @earlene, and I can see the curving and feathering!
I personally found this technique waaaaayyy more difficult than I thought it would be (hence the four attempts, haha). The cool thing is, all of the soaps I've seen shared here still look cool even if they weren't technically perfect.
I couldn't ❤ this more. Thank you!I’ve had my share of fails with challenge attempts. I used to not enter them, but lately I’ve decided I will. There is something about entering, trying, and completing, even if I don’t win, show, or place.
I look at it like this: if I ever enter a marathon, or triathlon, I would go into it knowing that some people have trained to be the best, and probably started with more talent than I have, as well. I wouldn’t expect to cross the finish line with them anywhere in sight, would I?
Yet the experience of preparing for and running the race is still fun, and still good for me. Finishing it still has value, too - because finishing something hard, or something where I’m not the best, develops my character. It gives me compassion for those who struggle where I may shine - bc now I know how it feels to be not-so-good at something. It also develops perseverance when I don’t give up bc it didn’t turn out like I wanted. It helps me be appropriately humble when my best effort is so minuscule compared to “the greats.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to enter, as well. No need to stress ourselves out over soap! But I do find value in sharing even my flops with all of you. The grace, acceptance and encouragement you/we pour out to one another is healing to all who receive it.
Well. That turned more philosophical than I meant it to be. But I hope y’all are encouraged to try and to enter. You may be surprised at the positive outcome that doesn’t depend on how cool your soap looks.
I’ve had my share of fails with challenge attempts. I used to not enter them, but lately I’ve decided I will. There is something about entering, trying, and completing, even if I don’t win, show, or place.
I look at it like this: if I ever enter a marathon, or triathlon, I would go into it knowing that some people have trained to be the best, and probably started with more talent than I have, as well. I wouldn’t expect to cross the finish line with them anywhere in sight, would I?
Yet the experience of preparing for and running the race is still fun, and still good for me. Finishing it still has value, too - because finishing something hard, or something where I’m not the best, develops my character. It gives me compassion for those who struggle where I may shine - bc now I know how it feels to be not-so-good at something. It also develops perseverance when I don’t give up bc it didn’t turn out like I wanted. It helps me be appropriately humble when my best effort is so minuscule compared to “the greats.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to enter, as well. No need to stress ourselves out over soap! But I do find value in sharing even my flops with all of you. The grace, acceptance and encouragement you/we pour out to one another is healing to all who receive it.
Well. That turned more philosophical than I meant it to be. But I hope y’all are encouraged to try and to enter. You may be surprised at the positive outcome that doesn’t depend on how cool your soap looks.
I couldn't have said it better myself @AliOop!
Thank you, @dibbles @szaza @gardengeek and @Jersey Girl. It's been on my heart for a bit so I appreciate the opportunity to share.
The only thing that I could add to @AliOop is something a quilt artist said to me many years ago. Don't compare your quilts to others, especially those with more experience than you. Always compare your current quilt with what you did on the last quilt. Did you correct mistakes? Did you learn something? That is what makes quilters better and quilting more fun. I see a direct correlation in that to soaping...at least for me.
When my back allows me (hopefully in the future) I will take this to heart when I start entering the challenges. I know that I won't "win", I'll be that beginner soaper that is learning. But I will do it for fun, for knowledge and for show...this forum is the best for all three. In the meantime, I have every challenge bookmarked and have devoured the videos. One of these days, I want to do them all, even if they are years late!
When my back allows me (hopefully in the future) I will take this to heart when I start entering the challenges. I know that I won't "win", I'll be that beginner soaper that is learning. But I will do it for fun, for knowledge and for show...this forum is the best for all three. In the meantime, I have every challenge bookmarked and have devoured the videos. One of these days, I want to do them all, even if they are years late!
@Quilter99755 so true! The challenges are meant to be an opportunity to learn and have fun.
In some respects, the challenges are like a book club. Everyone is reading (making) the same thing. But the interpretations, ideas and learnings are as unique as each person taking part. And I think we all gain something from everyone else.
In some respects, the challenges are like a book club. Everyone is reading (making) the same thing. But the interpretations, ideas and learnings are as unique as each person taking part. And I think we all gain something from everyone else.
My soap is still so soft in the mold still /: surprisingly, one of the fragrances I used made cosmic wave glop and I had to save with a chopstick swirl. The other I really like the color scheme. Here is what they look like in the molds. I can wait til I can cut! Maybe tomorrow. I can’t believe I waited to so long to make them that I missed the entry deadline. I had evenresearched good color schemes to try!
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I really like those colors and designs!
@SPowers love how psychedelic yours look!
@SideDoorSoaps those tops look promising! Curious what they look like on the inside..
@SideDoorSoaps those tops look promising! Curious what they look like on the inside..
Thanks @AliOop and @szaza! I was finally able to get them out of the mold but they were still very soft and probably could have set another day out of it before cutting but I was impatient!
A proper cosmic wave zig zag:
and then the flop (I used a chopstick and hanger inside):
the second one required a lot gentler handling for some reason, it’s same recipe except for the added titanium dioxide and fragrance which is what I think gummed up the works. Both fragrances arefrom the BB Adventurer collection Backwoods Hike (top) and Verdant Woods, which I think smells like the Duluth Trading “Date Night” scent. Omg, I love it so much. You can kinda tell where some of the cosmic-omg was happening in the darker bars but the hanger swirled them right up. I wish the yellow had stayed as vibrant in the first attempt. This was fun!
Everyone's bars are beautiful!!
A proper cosmic wave zig zag:
and then the flop (I used a chopstick and hanger inside):
the second one required a lot gentler handling for some reason, it’s same recipe except for the added titanium dioxide and fragrance which is what I think gummed up the works. Both fragrances arefrom the BB Adventurer collection Backwoods Hike (top) and Verdant Woods, which I think smells like the Duluth Trading “Date Night” scent. Omg, I love it so much. You can kinda tell where some of the cosmic-omg was happening in the darker bars but the hanger swirled them right up. I wish the yellow had stayed as vibrant in the first attempt. This was fun!
Everyone's bars are beautiful!!
@SideDoorSoaps Those are lovely! I actually really like the cosmic hanger swirl 
Suzette
Well-Known Member
They are lovely!
Suzette
Well-Known Member
Very nice designs.
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