Monday, January 28, 2008

some more soap

On Sunday, my girlfriend Laura (who went to the soap-making workshop with me) came over for the day to make soap.

She made two batches of Lavender/Rosemary oatmeal soap.



I made a batch of Vanilla Oatmeal soap and a batch of Chocolate Tangerine (the photo of the Chocolate Tangerine didn't turn out).



As a brand new soap-maker, I think I've been really fortunate. All of the batches I've made have turned out. I haven't had issues with the mixture separating, the soap being brittle or any of the other common problems that can occur. The thing I do have a problem with is the scenting. I chock it up to being a newbie and not knowing exactly what scents go together or how much to put in.

I'm done with soap-making for a while now (I'm sure you'll be pleased to read that!!!). I want to wait until the soaps I've made have completely cured so that I can try and figure out my mistakes.

Now I'm going to try to finish knitting the bag that I started BEFORE Christmas!! I thought it was going to take me a day or two to knit and I'm still not done! The bag is knit, half of one strap is knit, all I have to do is finish the strap I'm working on and make the other one. Once the knitting is done, it's time for the fun part, felting!!! I might try to finish that up tonight.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

the soap looks great! it's always fun to try something new and find out you're pretty good at it:)

Mary Sarah said...

It all looks and sounds great! It'll be fun to read what you think of the soap when it's ready to use. Can't wait to see your new bag too!

lera said...

The soap sure is pretty. I hope it starts to smell better!!

Felicia said...

Is that soap supposed to look tasty. Cause it sure looks tasty! Feels like a long time for the curing process. But I've heard that it'll melt way too fast if you rush it. Happy felting :)

Lisa Clarke said...

You must be awfully patient. I think I'd have a very hard time with a craft that takes three weeks to cure! I've made soap before, but I've used the blocks you buy at the craft store and added scents & colors to it. Those are done in an afternoon - just my speed ;-)

Good luck figuring out those scent recipes. I imagine it is something like color mixing. Some people have an innate sense and others need to go through some trial and error before getting the desired effect.

Sonja said...

You know it doesn't officially count as a knitting "project" unless it takes over 3 months to complete, right?! (Disclaimer: I may have made that rule up for myself.)

Elora said...

Hello been reading your blog for a while now and thought it was about time to stop lurking. Very impressed with your soap making skills having to stop myself ordering some equipment myself but have to many half finished projects to justify another.

Dee Light said...

I love handmade soaps! Your's look wonderful.

Anonymous said...

they look great, karyn!

atet said...

Those soaps sure do look good! The vanilla sounds yummy smelling, but it is hard to tell about scents :0). Have fun with your knitting -- and keep us posted about how the soap turns out after it cures!

Chara Michele said...

I have really enjoyed hearing about your soap making adventures:) (I so do not have the patience to wait weeks for soap to cure, so I think that is one crafting project I am never going to try! :)