SMF January 2017 Challenge: Gradient Layer

[artemis]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter

 

[CaraBou]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter
16. CaraBou - My future is so bright I'm soaping in shades

 

[newbie]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter
16. CaraBou - My future is so bright I'm soaping in shades
17. Newbie-trying to think of something original or unexpected and coming up short.

 

[HowieRoll]

My second attempt is in the oven as I type, and I have very little hope that it will look anything other than a child's craft project. Things went sideways from the get-go when I couldn't figure out why my tallow and CO weren't melting all the way, and it took me far too long to discover I had turned the burner off. And yes, this was after coming back to stab at it with the spatula several times.

Looks like it might be time to regroup and formulate Plan C!

 

[Catastrophe]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter
16. CaraBou - My future is so bright I'm soaping in shades
17. Newbie-trying to think of something original or unexpected and coming up short.
18. Catastrophe - Yay, I finally have enough posts!

 

[newbie]

Welcome, Catastrophe! And Howie! And BeesKnees! And Redhead! I hope you enjoy this and many challenges to come.

 

[CaraBou]

Trial run went well but too plain jain for competition. But now I know what I'm doing- right?

Two tips to share: If using dixie cups, measure your colorants in advance so you can set up the gradation before the batter ever hits them. Add the fragrance after getting the colors right in the batter so trace doesn't ruin your plans.

I used BB Moroccan Fig, which I've been avoiding because it moves like a fiend. But give it the right challenge and just one more letter, and it's my friend

 

[galaxyMLP]

Trial run went well but too plain jain for competition. But now I know what I'm doing- right?

Two tips to share: If using dixie cups, measure your colorants in advance so you can set up the gradation before the batter ever hits them. Add the fragrance after getting the colors right in the batter so trace doesn't ruin your plans.

I used BB Moroccan Fig, which I've been avoiding because it moves like a fiend. But give it the right challenge and just one more letter, and it's my friend

I meant to share that you should mix the color first, then add the fragrance and gently mix! I made that mistake when making this soap a while ago (like in the video).

Cute comment about that FO! I'm glad it seems like this is something that is working out ok for most. Sorry to hear you think your fist soap is plain jane.

 

[doriettefarm]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter
16. CaraBou - My future is so bright I'm soaping in shades
17. Newbie-trying to think of something original or unexpected and coming up short.
18. Catastrophe - Yay, I finally have enough posts!
19. doriettefarm - I'm iced in today so might as well give this a shot

 

[mintle]

1. BattleGnome - super excited for a new challenge
2. Mx6inpenn - I'm game
3. dibbles - I can't believe I've never done this
4. MissChief - Twist my rubber arm..I'll MAKE room, dammit!
5. Sonya-m - haven't soaped or been on here for ages so it's about time!!
6. Crispysoap - bring it on
7. PenelopeJane - this should be fun
8. Steve85569 - I just happen to have an FO that accelerates...
9. earlene - another new technique for me to learn! Thank you
10. HowieRoll - first challenge ever; new technique. What could go wrong?
11. Redhead1226 - Im positive Im going to say the "F" word during this. A lot!
12. Judiraz I haven't tried a gradient in about a year. Should be fun
13. BeesKnees I have only been soaping a little over 2 months so it may be a mess but I'm game!
14. mommycarlson - I'll give it a whirl!
15. Artemis - I guess I can TRY to keep the hanger out of the batter
16. CaraBou - My future is so bright I'm soaping in shades
17. Newbie-trying to think of something original or unexpected and coming up short.
18. Catastrophe - Yay, I finally have enough posts!
19. doriettefarm - I'm iced in today so might as well give this a shot
20. mintle - it's been a while, I will be happy to soap again!

 

[earlene]

Second trial done today & in the oven for CPOP now. The first one isn't going to make the cut. Hope this one turns out more in line with my goal.

 

[HowieRoll]

Say, is there a rule about how close up the entry photos have to be taken? My second attempt looks AMAZING... from about 10-15 feet away. :wtf: haha...

 

[doriettefarm]

Just put attempt #1 to bed. Everything seemed to go well . . . used my slow trace all veggie recipe because I needed to use up some palm oil. It stayed pourable up to the last layer so I'm crossing my fingers there will be enough distinction between the colors/layers (7 total). If not, I've got a plan B up my sleeve for tomorrow.

 

[CaraBou]

Sorry to hear you think your fist soap is plain jane.

Oh no, I actually love it. It is very soothing to look at. I'm just hoping to come up with something more creative. That one I'll just hoard for my own eyes - unless I continue to be stumped!

 

[Sonya-m]

Challenge soap done! Fingers crossed it's ok - got a bit thick towards the last couple of layers.

 

[earlene]

I like the look of my second attempt, but it may not be good enough for an entry, so I will try a third one today. I used natural colorants for the first two, and found getting the gradiant shades to work out as expected. I plan to switch to micas for the third try.

 

[artemis]

I cut my soap today and I am really pleased, but I don't think it really fits the challenge. The first layer of color isn't quite different enough from the base color. I can see the difference in person, but it may not come through in a picture. Also, my layers are not straight, horizontal lines. It looks like the Misty Mountains. If you turn it the other way, it's sort on like the ocean.

 

[dibbles]

I had a try at this yesterday, and it just went all kinds of wrong. I will be able to try again later in the week, so back to the drawing board I go.

 

[CaraBou]

I've now got two soaps I really like. The second is dressier but probably still too subdued to compete well. Regardless, I love the calmness. Who knew this technique would suit my style so well!

Artemis, I'm having trouble photographing too. Some of the layers are hard to distinguish, and also the hue is wrong (way too blue). I've tried three cameras as well as outdoor and indoor lighting. I've been trying to adjusting the white balance on my DSLR, but it's time consuming to adjust, test, adujust, test. I've had better luck truing the hue in post-processing, but I'd prefer not to go that route. No way I can enter the original pics though - the soap doesn't even look green!

 

[doriettefarm]

I gave this another go today just so I'd have 2 options to choose from. Cut batch #1 today and it looks promising. Not sure I'll like batch #2 better because I messed up on my color sequencing . . . was supposed to use color #1 in dark to light order then color #2 in light to dark order but ended up reversing color #2 (it's also dark to light). Guess we'll see when I cut it tomorrow but at least they both smell good. I used Nurture's Frangipani Jasmine for #1 and Juicy Apricot for #2, both behaved very well. With all the ice and cold we've had this weekend it's got me dreaming of springtime!