Spirals and curls

In my last post, I had used pottery tools to dig out ridges in the loaf of soap. Those pieces of soap came out in fun spirals which made for pretty embeds.

I used the sugar hearts again, just because they're so cute.

You could say I'm getting ready for Valentine's, but I'm such a non-romantic, that's hardly what inspired these soaps.

Have a great week!

Trying things, new and old

As always, when I visit my sister, I come back with a fuller suitcase than I left with, even though I have the best intentions of having it the reverse. What does this have to do with today's post you wonder? Well, her gifts to me are partly what inspired this soap.

Fortunately, I didn't use the large loaf mould she gave me since the soaps didn't turn out quite as I was hoping, but it did allow me to play with some of my new acquisitions and try some new ideas.

I should've taken pictures of the steps because now that the soap is complete, it's hard to see the details, and at the time, it looked rather cool.

The middle layer, looks like I forgot something inside. In fact, it's sugar hearts, from King Arthur Flour, one of the things from my sister's pantry.

Don't they look yummy?

I was going to make grooves in the bottom layer using this pottery tool,

but it didn't work out that way. This tool, at least the flat side, is great for smoothing off the tops though. Still have to see what the other side can do.

This other pottery tool though, 

did a fabulous job in channeling out the soap. If only I had a steadier hand, it would've been great. The other bonus? It provided me with strips of soap to use in another project. 

So, how did it turn out? Like this.

It's hard to make out the little hearts, but I think they'll come through when the soap is being used. Scented with strawberry smoothie FO (yes, I'm that original, not!) it is not the best soap I've made, but at least it was a springboard for new ideas and something to improve upon.

Have a great week everyone!

Happy 2016!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, well rested and ready to soap again.

I spent the break visiting my sister, in other words, it meant I got to sit around, watch birds, eat lots and chat.

My sister and part of her family at IU Student Union Building.

It's so nice for me when I go visit, because I get fed fabulous meals, like this

Bratwurst, home grown salad, and corn and sundried tomato salad. Greens and sundried tomatoes are from their garden

and this

Stollen, with homemade candied peel and almond paste.

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the fried chicken or five spice duck because I was too busy scarfing them down like it was my last meal.

The birds are always so pretty and relaxing to watch

This visit, we also spent lots of time making jewellery.

As always, my sister sends me home with more goodies than I go there with.

Various FOs and micas, loaf pan, sprinkles and cinnamon to add into the soaps, a book on wholesaling and pottery tools to make different shapes in the soaps.

Wishing you all good health and a prosperous new year!