Filling the blog gap

It's been a while since I've written. That last batch of CP soap is really nice though it did frustrate me at the time. It's a good bar. Too bad they are so ugly from seizing. Since then I've made many batches. My house is over run with soaps! I may sell a few just to keep my numbers down and buy supplies to make more. I really enjoy soap but still haven't found the perfect recipe.
After seeing how nice the CP soap came out I'm thinking of trying again. I really want a pretty bar so it will be unscented until I figure it out. I need to do some research on mixing lye. I'm wondering if I can change the ratio to stop my soap from setting up so fast so I can try some nice swirls. I'll update when I decide what to do!

I'm so done!

Hot process all the way for me. I tried CP again. I decided to try the in the oven method. Before I even got it in the mold it was a big mess! It went to thick trace too fast, I was trying for a light trace. Then it has nearly destroyed my brand new molds. The soap didn 't set up right somehow. It's got a clear something running through it. I'll rebatch it and make it a HP.

On the upside I made a batch of lavender HP last night. I marbled it and it is beautiful! It came out just perfect! My mold is intact, my soap is intact. All is well.

cold process soap

I'm really not in love with cp soaps. I just made a batch and it was so frustrating! I don't like wondering how my soap will behave with FO. I don't like needing more FO to scent it. I don't like the globs of soap with active lye that I have to transport from bowl to mold. I don't like waiting a month and a half to use it. I really hate sitting around wonderong if the soap will be soap while it's in the mold. I have none of these issues with HP soap. I'm even thinking I could probably get it into my round mold as long as it doesn't get too cool. Hmmm, I need to figure out how to make CP easier or just give up and stick to HP.

Apple pie!

I got an order from bramble berry and couldn't wait to make soap! I made a wonderfully scented apple pie soap. It's in two layers, kind of a pink and a tan(with cinnamon flecks) on top. It smells so yummy. I really need a real apple pie now. I used my new recipe and I hope I love it so I can keep it for a while. I also bought molds. I know I love making soap so I thought it was a safe purchase. I ordered some that I know I will tire of because they are wood and I really want silicone. One step at a time. There was a buy 2 get one free deal so I took advantage. I will soon have 2 four pound molds and a 2 pound mold.

Batch 5, update batches 1 and 4

I made a batch yesterday. I added mango butters and played around with something new on soapcalc. I really like this one! It was HP so I tried a little of it this morning. I think I will keep adding butters. I bought some shae butter to mess around with as well as some fragrance oils, titanium dioxide and mica. My first batch is really nice. It's firmed up and smells wonderfully. I can't wait until the end of the month so I can use it. I was so disappointed with my 4th batch. I really need a mold and some practice. I could have been pretty but I colored too little and the little box I molded it in made it too short.

One second thought...

Maybe it's just me. I just noticed my daughter's legs. She is the ashiest kid ever. No ash! I noticed yesterday but didn't get why. No lotion, just my soap and no ashy legs. Hmmm...

Batches 2 and 3.

I have been able to use these two batches and as suspected, they are pretty drying to the skin. The recipe was wonderful for learning but will no longer be what I'm using. Batch two had honey and both were made with milk. My first batch is CP so won't be ready until later this month. It was made with water, I doubt it will be any better but we shall see! I hope this new batch of mine is better. I think I will buy a nice two pound mold and make batches of that size for a while until my recipe and method is the way I want it.