What soapy thing have you done today?

[TashaBird]

Can soaping in colder weather cause bumps in soap?

 

[msunnerstood]

Bl

Who do you buy from on Amazon?

Black Diamond and Fire Dot. I wasnt crazy about the results of the fire dot dark brown but their other colors are good. I did like the Black diamond brown.

 

[SoapSisters]

I don't think she does enough testing as I have also had a few that did not hold scent in CP and she only removed them from her product offering after enough people complained. I do love her colors though, and the prices are really reasonable - plus she has fast turnaround time for shipping.

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply! I haven't ordered any of the FOs you mentioned (except for Burst of Energy, which was fine in my soap), so slight sigh of relief. But I'll be on the lookout with the others.

 

[Sudds]

Made these yesterday and I am very happy with how they turned out. I blended a bunch of FOs. I wanted to use Jamaica Me Crazy on its own but it fades so I mixed in some Coconut Lemongrass, Coconut Cream and a little Pineapple Cilantro with it. I’m calling it Hawaiian Breeze. It smells great. View attachment 54150

I love the colors and swirls in these soaps, the dragonflies don't hurt either!

 

[Sudds]

Didn't do too much soapy stuff except look at micas and try and reduce the ones I want, (which are all of them!) BUT I did pull this out of our basement garden:
It is the first one of the winter season, 12" from stem to stern. My son didn't think they would grow, hah! I made 5 jars of pesto last night from the largest basil leaves I have ever grown, we are on our second crop of cilantro, catnip is looking a little worse for wear, tomatoes are just now blooming, fennel tastes great on the occasional baked potato. Son had some beautiful lettuce but it started rotting in the middle. It has been fun and a welcome respite from the super cold weather here in WI and the lack of sunshine the past few weeks! Now back to labeling all my new soaping supplies and waiting for more products! Everyone, take care! PS, it was quite tasty with a handful of raisins, tomorrow I have to pull up a bunch more, I didn't realize they were so large!

 

[Ladka]

Bought some FO's yesterday: bergamot, lemongrass and cedarwood. Though this is not directly a soapy thing I must share it. I've been bitterly missing some FO's in my soaps and now that all the shops and markets are open again I'm glad I have some more FO's in store.

 

[Catscankim]

Just made my 4th and FINAL attempt at this month's challenge. I say attempt as if they are fails, but they are not. But after I saw a few more videos and some of the other entries...and my friend's suggestions on different colors, I decided to have another go at it before I submit something.

I have two contender soaps, and wanted this one to blow it out of the park, but it probably wont LOL. So unless the cut is phenomenal, I already know which one I am going to submit, I think.

I love this swirl so much, it is going to be one of my regular designs. I just have to get better at cutting it LOL.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

I did not make as much soap as I had planned - drama Friday night so I didn't feel like soaping, and then Monday I dinked around making dividers and making room on my cure rack. So here's Saturday and Sunday efforts.

Two batches (36 bars) The Perfect Man

View attachment 54112

1 batch (18 bars) Sun and Sand type. The only color that accelerated was the yellow, so the bottom layer was too loose when I poured the heavier yellow layer on top so I didn't get the nice clean lines I wanted, but it's still a long ways better than the first time I made this soap. (There was crying and swearing and telling myself I would never make soap again.)

View attachment 54113

1 batch (18 bars) Cool Water dupe. I've previously only used BCN's, but this batch was made with NG's and it played so much nicer - and I think the dupe is closer than the BCN version.

View attachment 54114

And finally, two batches (36 bars) of Lavender Sage. I couldn't decide how to the pour and the top, so I did each batch differently. I liked the top batch best of the two.

View attachment 54115View attachment 54116

Tonight I'm doing the challenge soap, and then tomorrow I'll get back to making a ton more soap.

.

 

[KimW]

Didn't do too much soapy stuff except look at micas and try and reduce the ones I want, (which are all of them!) BUT I did pull this out of our basement garden:
It is the first one of the winter season, 12" from stem to stern. My son didn't think they would grow, hah! I made 5 jars of pesto last night from the largest basil leaves I have ever grown, we are on our second crop of cilantro, catnip is looking a little worse for wear, tomatoes are just now blooming, fennel tastes great on the occasional baked potato. Son had some beautiful lettuce but it started rotting in the middle. It has been fun and a welcome respite from the super cold weather here in WI and the lack of sunshine the past few weeks! Now back to labeling all my new soaping supplies and waiting for more products! Everyone, take care! PS, it was quite tasty with a handful of raisins, tomorrow I have to pull up a bunch more, I didn't realize they were so large!

That's a fantastic carrot!!! Hyrdoponic, I'm assuming? We also have a basement garden, all hydroponic, that Hubby tends. Loads of lettuce, kale, basil and arugula. Some mache, and green onions and cabbage. One tomato plant that has started forming tomatoes - thrilling! He's just started experimenting with peppers and radishes. It IS so fantastic to pick something fresh out of the "garden" in the middle of winter.

 

[Melysg25]

Way too many soapy things going on on every available surface! Trying to get caught up.

What an awesome work space!

 

[TashaBird]

Was going to make another attempt at the challenge, but then some of my extruder discs came! Still waiting on the ones I ordered first. Also, got a bunch of soaps that need packaging. So, I had a long session of trimming and steaming last night. And, figured out packaging for my Purple Reign soaps which are going to sell out immediately! I love how my customers are chomping at the bit for them!!!
thanks @Melysg25 it makes me feel lucky! I do wish it was warmer down there! (no offense to folks who live in actual cold places.)

 

[KimW]

Was going to make another attempt at the challenge, but then some of my extruder discs came! Still waiting on the ones I ordered first. Also, got a bunch of soaps that need packaging. So, I had a long session of trimming and steaming last night. And, figured out packaging for my Purple Reign soaps which are going to sell out immediately! I love how my customers are chomping at the bit for them!!!
thanks @Melysg25 it makes me feel lucky! I do wish it was warmer down there! (no offense to folks who live in actual cold places.)

I tell ya - I'm just in love with seeing a door open to the fresh air and those pretty green leaves. And the soap too, of course!

 

[Jersey Girl]

Was going to make another attempt at the challenge, but then some of my extruder discs came! Still waiting on the ones I ordered first. Also, got a bunch of soaps that need packaging. So, I had a long session of trimming and steaming last night. And, figured out packaging for my Purple Reign soaps which are going to sell out immediately! I love how my customers are chomping at the bit for them!!!
thanks @Melysg25 it makes me feel lucky! I do wish it was warmer down there! (no offense to folks who live in actual cold places.)

Now THAT’S an extruder!

 

[KimW]

@TashaBird, from where did you order the additional design discs for your jerky extruder, please? Forgive if it's already been mentioned!

 

[SPowers]

Today I made a new batch of my 'Just Lavender' soap. This is by far my best seller for a scent that people seem to either lover or hate! I was doing a hanger swirl - had half of the white batter and half of the lavender batter poured when I realized I forgot the FO! Geez... haven't done that in quite a while! I poured half of the FO in the remaining white batter and half of that again the the coloured batter and will hope for the best. There should be scent in part of each bar I think but who knows??? Guess I'll find out.

 

[TashaBird]

@KimW there’s a zillion tweety birds chirping up a storm at the feeder outside too! And a hawk came through yesterday while I was washing a mountain of soap dishes. The sink is fortunately at the window.
@Jersey Girl it’s a jerky gun!

Soap stamps and more. Extruder from Amazon.

@TashaBird, from where did you order the additional design discs for your jerky extruder, please? Forgive if it's already been mentioned!

I tried powdered sugar this time instead of granulated. The cornstarch does weird things, and it turns into lye gravy. I’m going back to regular sugar.

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@TashaBird, from where did you order the additional design discs for your jerky extruder, please? Forgive if it's already been mentioned!
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I wouldn’t get that dinosaur set until she fixes the pterodactyl. His head keeps falling off.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I tried powdered sugar this time instead of granulated. The cornstarch does weird things, and it turns into lye gravy. I’m going back to regular sugar.

I switched to powdered sugar quite a while ago and I like it. It does thicken the solution some and get a little clumpy but I wouldn’t describe what I’ve experienced as gravy like and I just pour it in after a good stir (no straining) and it works perfectly. I use one TBSP PPO. How much did you use?

I just made a batch of soap and used NS 8th and Ocean FO. The batter started getting gloopy in areas. I think it may have been ricing. Then it thickened pretty quick. Don’t you just love when the bottle says no acceleration, no ricing...lol. Has anyone experienced this with this fragrance? My plan was changed and I ended up with an ITPS. Smells wonderful though!

 

[Zany_in_CO]

Uh oh! My new FOs from Micas & More are on their way! Are there specific scents that have caused DOS?

Looking to new recipes. I found one on BB that the author insists she uses all the time with great results. It calls for small amts of hemp seed oil and wheat germ oil. I read on this forum that WGO is caustic. Also, the recipe calls for 16 oz of olive oil, which I find heavy. Can I substitute 8 oz of canola for half the olive oil? I am afraid of experimenting too far afield. The more I read and soap, the less I know, it seems.....

Both of these queries are better asked in a separate thread where more members are likely to see it and respond. This type of question gets buried very quickly here.

 

[MarinaB]

Some salt bars and sheep milk bars.

 

[SPowers]

I tried powdered sugar this time instead of granulated. The cornstarch does weird things, and it turns into lye gravy. I’m going back to regular sugar.

hmm... I only ever use powdered sugar dissolved in water... never had that happen. Weird.