What soapy thing have you done today?

[GemstonePony]

Different brands of powdered sugar might have different levels of corn starch. One bag I picked up even prided itself on having none.

 

[SPowers]

Different brands of powdered sugar might have different levels of corn starch. One bag I picked up even prided itself on having none.

Interesting... I get mine from the bulk store - will have to look next time at the ingredients.

 

[AliOop]

Some salt bars and sheep milk bars.

Those salt bars are just beautiful in their simplicity.

 

[TashaBird]

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

I’ll have to check to see if I can find some without. This was organic. Figured it was a cheap way to add an organic ingredient. Lye gravy is not appealing though!

I might’ve been over ambitious trying to fit all 4 into one soap. If I’d been able to get the pterodactyl to work (neck too skinny, head falls off) I’d have had to put it on top, which actually would’ve been cool I guess. No landscape, just a test run of all the dinosaurs shoved into some ITPS. It’s going to be a HUGE bar! Haha! Then that shamrock gold glitter from NS! Is it green? Is it gold?!! I love it! Glad I’ve got stuff to do to keep busy. It’s gonna be hard waiting.
mused sliced ends to spruce up my left over batter. Brachiosaurus hearts.

 

[Basil]

My Soapy thing today was being stupid. I was working on a new recipe with two butters, soy wax and goat milk. In the process of trying to scrape the thick batter off the blade of the SB, I accidently pressed the power button (yes, I should have dismantled it..) and caught my glove in it and ended up with a chewed finger tip. In the meantime, I was able to finish the pour having grabbed soapy paper towels and wrapped around my finger so as not to bleed in my perfectly white soap LOL. I'm sure this has to be one for the records....It doesn't pay to be preoccupied!! I also accomplished getting all my recipes organzied by date so I'm happy about that. I think I'm going to be happy about this batch too. I tried shea for the first time! I'll save you from seeing pictures of my finger

 

[AliOop]

Using some Christmas gift card money, I ordered a new stick blender (the Mueller Austria), and an adjustable log splitter from Bud Haffner. I've been vacillating between a log splitter and other soapy things. But since I can't make decent cuts from my slab mold without a log splitter, and some of the money went for the new stick blender, there was just enough to get the splitter.

He responded almost immediately to say he had one in stock, and it was shipped the next day. Amazing! Now let's see how long it takes to get here. So far I've haven't had any major delays with receiving things, but I figure my turn is coming...

 

[TashaBird]

My colorant shelf has turned into a menagerie of scrap animals. They’re my frenz. I luv them.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

My Soapy thing today was being stupid. I was working on a new recipe with two butters, soy wax and goat milk. In the process of trying to scrape the thick batter off the blade of the SB, I accidently pressed the power button (yes, I should have dismantled it..) and caught my glove in it and ended up with a chewed finger tip. In the meantime, I was able to finish the pour having grabbed soapy paper towels and wrapped around my finger so as not to bleed in my perfectly white soap LOL. I'm sure this has to be one for the records....It doesn't pay to be preoccupied!! I also accomplished getting all my recipes organzied by date so I'm happy about that. I think I'm going to be happy about this batch too. I tried shea for the first time! I'll save you from seeing pictures of my finger

Wow we cant be careful enough. glad you were able to finish your soap' hope your finger is ok.

 

[maryloucb]

I unmolded my bear fat soap. I was afraid it was going to smell tallow-y, but it’s got a very nice subtle sandalwood scent.

 

[KimW]

I'll save you from seeing pictures of my finger

Oh dear - I'm so sorry about your finger. I hope it's not too terribly painful and that it heals quickly! Impressive recovery though, I must say.

I unmolded my bear fat soap. I was afraid it was going to smell tallow-y, but it’s got a very nice subtle sandalwood scent.

Wow - that is a stunningly white bar. Love it.

 

[AliOop]

@maryloucb I agree with KimW - that is a beeYOO-T-full white bar. How much sugar did you end up adding?

ETA: I recommend putting down some baking paper under the bars, so they aren't in direct contact with the metal. Even stainless racks can develop cracks and wear that will expose the soap to metals that can cause DOS. It would be awful to see any such spots on those gorgeous bars!

 

[KimW]

@maryloucb I agree with KimW - that is a beeYOO-T-full white bar. How much sugar did you end up adding?

ETA: I recommend putting down some baking paper under the bars, so they aren't in direct contact with the metal. Even stainless racks can develop cracks and wear that will expose the soap to metals that can cause DOS. It would be awful to see any such spots on those gorgeous bars!

Ach - I was so mesmerized by the bars that I didn't even notice this. Good catch! Would be a shame to have those bars spot!

 

[Zany_in_CO]

It doesn't pay to be preoccupied!! I'll save you from seeing pictures of my finger

Yee-ouch! Maybe a picture of your finger plus IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE PREOCCUPIED underneath?

 

[violets2217]

Well I made lots off soap today. Really just 3 loaves but it feels like a lot. Gave the challenge one more try and then made some Chamomile infused soap. This was the second or third soap I made in the beginning. It always amazes me how sweet it smells! I made two loaves of it, one for me and one to trade a coworker for a guitar! It’s her favorite soap of mine and the kids have been wanting to learn to play the guitar...so why not!

 

[maryloucb]

@maryloucb I agree with KimW - that is a beeYOO-T-full white bar. How much sugar did you end up adding?

ETA: I recommend putting down some baking paper under the bars, so they aren't in direct contact with the metal. Even stainless racks can develop cracks and wear that will expose the soap to metals that can cause DOS. It would be awful to see any such spots on those gorgeous bars!

Ooh, thanks for the tip! I put down some parchment paper.

I didn’t end up adding any sugar-just bear fat, lye and a little bit of sandalwood EO.

 

[Sudds]

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.

Actually, real dirt! We didn't have any problems until about 2 weeks ago when I noticed a few fungus gnats that must have been in the topsoil, tossed some diatomaceous earth on top 3 days in a row and they are gone...I hate bugs! I got a little heavy-handed with the water around my carrots! I am going to try potatoes next winter, we don't eat them very often but the novelty has caught on. The carrots are great tasting. Radishes are super easy, have you ever tried cooking them? I use the dill in bread and in salads, very tasty!

 

[Sudds]

Now THAT’S an extruder! ♥

Is that the extruder from the Czech Republic? If not would you mind sharing the name of it?

 

[GemstonePony]

Finally made the Mango-butter soap loaf that I made a heart embed for last weekend. Also did another Taiwan swirl because I'm suspicious that part of a previous batch didn't reach emulsion. That's two loaves in the oven.

 

[Catscankim]

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.

I "bleeping" hate when I forget fragrance. I just want to throw the whole thing away before I see what a pretty soap I made FRAGRANCE FREE. Especially if I went through all the trouble to match fragrance with colors and design.

I've done one or two that I could add the smell to the rest and it turned out fine. But then I've done a few others that it screwed it all up.

I will pour and swirl and oogle and be so proud at the prettiness, then look over and see the stupid container of fragrance. I don't even want to cut it after that. So much time and effort, only to forget one very important thing....

 

[Babyshoes]

I got to look at the top of my third batch today, and I'm very happy with it. The swirled mica drizzle is just what I had hoped for. I hope it cuts nicely later...

I've learned loads already, and have lard coming today so I can try a different recipe...
The recipe I've been using was the one that came with the kit I used for my first batch. It seems that the recipe itself comes to trace very quickly, which makes sense for something you're sending out to folks who may or may not have a stick blender. It's too soon to use it, but I'm expecting it to be a bit drying as it's high in CO.
This time, I combined oils and lye at room temp and didn't sb at all, and it came to a light/medium trace in around 5 minutes of stirring. It was still liquid enough to do my swirling on top without leaving gouges like it did last time...