What soapy thing have you done today?

[GemstonePony]

Cut/beveled my SMF January challenge soap attempt. I'd attempted the pour/swirl knowing the batter was much thicker than ideal. It's a pretty soap, but not the swirl it needs to be, so I'll try again with a different recipe next week.
Also, made (syndet) shampoo and shampoo bars.

 

[MonicaT73]

Hello ladies.
I am super new to soap making but I am hooked!
Unfortunately, right now, I am able to make just one batch per week. This is my third batch:
I used my own recipe (I am experimenting with oils: I want my soap to be vegetarian and possibly palm-free) and it was extremely soft when I unmolded 24 hours later...

 

[Guspuppy]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.

 

[TashaBird]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.
View attachment 53879

I’m sorry it’s not what you were hoping for. It’s still pretty!

 

[KimW]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.

I agree - it's still a really pretty soap!

 

[violets2217]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.
View attachment 53879

It’s beautiful soap... I just saw it on Instagram and thought it was a very cheery and happy soap... It made me smile!

 

[Guspuppy]

Aww, thanks ladies! I do like the colors, they came out just as I wanted. It's just not what was in my head!

 

[TashaBird]

Yesterday was prepping, packaging, and posting. Hoping I get some making done today! Doing a couple experiments with kaolin clay vs none.
Also, my coworker lazy in the sun.

Omg I finally have money for the next NS mold I want and they’re out of stock! Pleeeeeze restock! This money burning a hole in my pocket!

 

[JackofallShaves]

Finally learned an important soap making lesson. Was making a small batch only with 2 lbs of oil and realized that I did not have the desired quantity of NFO with me only towards the end of the cook(needed 54 gms, I only had 30 gms in stock). After some crazy on the fly math, ended up splitting the batch successfully, but I will never start a cook again without measuring all the ingredients first.

 

[Whillow]

Hello all,
I cut soap before I headed to work this morning.
I am totally addicted to soapmaking. I absolutely love it.

 

[SPowers]

Cut my wildflowers soap - very happy that the colours have come through as planned.
@violets2217 Yes my little 'leftover' soaps always get more ash than the main batch that always gels
@Zing Roger is the current Mr KiwiMoose. I was outbid on the new hubby by @Catscankim
View attachment 53860

Beautiful... it does look like a bouquet of flowers!

 

[KiwiMoose]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.
View attachment 53879

GusPuppy - if you don't tell anyone your plans they won't know. I saw the pic before I read what you'd written and thought it looked amazing!

 

[The Park Bench]

I'm sorry, I can't keep up with you. Now, is Roger your old husband or the new one that @Fendigirl has just cruelly cast aside after a simple mistake?
JK. Twelve below temp here so I will gaze at your garden throughout the day.

12 below??? Good grief... Winter is an over achiever in your neck of the woods!

 

[Guspuppy]

GusPuppy - if you don't tell anyone your plans they won't know. I saw the pic before I read what you'd written and thought it looked amazing!

You are so right. But fellow soap makers know the disappointment of a thing not turning out like it looks in your head!

it's starting to grow on me.....

 

[Zing]

This is a total disappointment: the plan was to drag some 'stems' up from the grass and then drop swirl daisy colors on top. But it accelerated like wildfire even adding the FO one color at a time so it's just blobs. FO is Nurture's 'daisies in bloom'.
View attachment 53879

Okay now, "total disappointment" is a bit strong! I totally get the disappointment of the mismatch between plan and reality -- but this is really nice looking soap. I looked at the picture before reading your post and I saw a beautiful grassy meadow, sky, clouds, and glorious sunshine probably because it was SEVEN BELOW ZERO AND I WANT TO BE IN A SUNNY WARM GRASSY MEADOW RIGHT NOW!!

 

[Booker]

Yesterday was prepping, packaging, and posting. Hoping I get some making done today! Doing a couple experiments with kaolin clay vs none.
Also, my coworker lazy in the sun.

Those are some amazing soaps!

 

[Mobjack Bay]

One of these days I will stop experimenting with recipes, but I’m not quite there yet. Here’s some soap I made yesterday using a tried and true lard-based recipe that has a good dose of OO. I usually soap this recipe between 85 and 90F and 35% lye concentration, but started this batch with everything at 73F and used 40% lye concentration. Wowsers! I planed the tops because they were uneven, but there was no ash. The batter stayed fluid for a quite a long time

 

[The_Phoenix]

Made more carrot soap. Here she is tucked into our cooler that I confiscated long ago. Threw in some colloidal oats and coffee grounds because people keep asking me for soap with coffee grounds.

One of these days I will stop experimenting with recipes, but I’m not quite there yet. Here’s some soap I made yesterday using a tried and true lard-based recipe that has a good dose of OO. I usually soap this recipe between 85 and 90F and 35% lye concentration, but started this batch with everything at 73F and used 40% lye concentration. Wowsers! I planed the tops because they were uneven, but there was no ash. The batter stayed fluid for a quite a long time

View attachment 53889

Lovely colors and very nice design.

 

[Zing]

One of these days I will stop experimenting with recipes, but I’m not quite there yet. Here’s some soap I made yesterday using a tried and true lard-based recipe that has a good dose of OO. I usually soap this recipe between 85 and 90F and 35% lye concentration, but started this batch with everything at 73F and used 40% lye concentration. Wowsers! I planed the tops because they were uneven, but there was no ash. The batter stayed fluid for a quite a long time

View attachment 53889

Wowsers is right! What is that swirling technique?!

 

[violets2217]

I usually soap this recipe between 85 and 90F and 35% lye concentration, but started this batch with everything at 73F and used 40% lye concentration.

I always contemplate changing up my lye concentration, but always chicken out and stick with my 33%. I have been soaping at room temperature, which is usually 75 to 78F for me and I like it a lot! I might be brave next batch and try 35% lye concentration, I would love more working time. That’s a beautiful soap, awesome swirls!

I got an inexpensive soap planer today from Amazon and tried it out. It was fun and made such a difference with the soap bars! I tried to bevel on it too, but I think I like my veggie peeler better. A good investment, indeed!