ruba

looks beautiful and bet it smells delish!!

Sounds YUMMY!! I can't wait to see the cut pics!

I suck at this but these came to mind... Lovey Dove Fly Free Yeah I know I suck...but you never know...it's just like naming your kids...some love the names and others...well, not so much!! GL

What do you gals mean by polish? How the heck do you do that?? I know its not with "polish" but what do you do to make them so pretty??

:highfive: So far it looks good, just a little light ripple on the top where the wrap was...no biggie. It also gelled!!! I did a 2# batch in a rectangle rubbermaid drawer organizer, all the batches I have done in these haven't gelled...I think the difference was I put a towel under my mold so that my Silestone countertop wouldn't soak out all the heat...it kinda like marble/granite very cold! And then I covered it al up with the towels. Yeah!! Maybe this batch will not have ash like all the others (4 batches) Thanks again for the quick help last night, I really appreciate it!

WOW!! That was fast Carrie...Thank you so much. I will just let it sit there all wrapped up in its towels for an hour and check on it then. Thank you so much for the fast response... I REALLY appreciate it:D

I have just finished pouring a batch of soap and it is only about 1/3 inch below the top of the mold. The saran wrap is touching the top...I have tried putting on a few different pieces on it and everythime I think it is not going to touch it falls onto the soap. Is this ok?? Will I just have to plane the soap if I want it smooth?? Please help.. TIA!!

Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't know if there was a "best"/"correct" time to do it and it looks like it is a matter of the recipe and your preference. Thanks again, you guys (gals) rock!!

Thank you Bunny. I think my hardness (according to soap-calc.) is 39 so I guess I am the softer side. I only have 4 batches under my belt and am making one today for the swap #2...I am almost up to counting them with 2 hands LOL!! Thanks again Bunny!!

Bevel or plane the soap? Is it right after you are able to cut it, a few days later, a few weeks later?? Just wondering when is the best time. I have done several searches and have not found what I want to know...but all sorts of other good info:wink2: . TIA for any adive you guys and gals can give me...as always, I really appreciate it.

I would contact the supplier and tell them what % you are using and ask them where it should go. they will be able to tell you that without giving their "secret" recipe away in the process. I tried out BCN's base and call their tech support and Jen was SO helpful on where it should be placed. I am still searching for the "perect" balm...the base dried my lips and serveral of my testers lips out (and I did not use more than the recommended % of Flav Oil). Just didn't work out for me or my people. Good luck and HTH!!

I notice the "faded" look on my clear labels that I print with my laser printer too (Okidata 3200). I tought it was just mine. I have no advice but wanted to let you know you are not alone:wink2: . Interested to see what others might have to say too.

That is BEAUTIFUL... looks like the swirls went through it well too. The fairy must be at your house:wink2: .

When people use the term FO when talking about lip balm they mean Flavor Oil not Fragrance Oil:D

People love my juicy peach...it is from BCN.

I am not sure how tall the bottom part is, but what abouth those small return address label (Avery 8167 for injet and 5267 for laser) 1/2" (tall) by 1 3/4" (wide). Just a thought. HTH

Thanks gals for the tip about the funnel, it is a good idea. I guess I will just have to play some more, maybe leave the mix in the zip-lock over night so the bubbles are gone before putting into the bottles and fill them by weight not volume. Thanks again and if anyone else has tips, hints, etc...bring 'em on!!

For those of you that use it, how do you prepare yours and how the heck do you get it into the bottles?? I made a small batch last night for the first time and wasn't sure what to do because all the directions say on their website is to add water and fragrance. Well I did this and stirred it gently, getting tons of air bubbles in it, then put it in zip-locks to squeeze it into the bottles. The air bubbles were gone this morning... is this the way any of you do it?? Is there and easier and better way?? I have seen quite a few of you that use this and hope that someone can steer me in the right direction. TIA, you know you all rock and I say it all the time.

When mine flares up (crossing fingers it won't be anytime soon:D ) I end up getting a perscription for Protopic, it is non-steroid and I love it...when I have to use it. I hope you find something that will calm it down, it is such a drag to have:awww: .

Nice cabinet. OMG you have a lot of scents... no wonder you call yourself the FO HO:D . Did you re-label all of those...the labels all look the same?? Congrats on getting an organized, neat and DARK place to store them...you lucky ducky.

They came out great! I know what you mean about the lye. In Chemistry class we use it all the time and now there is no fear here!! Hopfully I on't get to comfortable with it and get complacent:wink2: . I guess I need to get in there and make a round batch...they look so great!! Congrats!!

I do have to say that I LOVE their FO's in my lotions, srcubs, milk baths, etc. I did soap their Oatmeal. Milk & Honey and it discolored to a nice light tan... no problems with accelerating either. They are here in Reno (I live 45 miles away, but am in Reno several times a week for school) and I love to go in an smell the FO's before I buy. Guess I will just try and stick to the "Scents That Rock in CP" list until I get more $ for testing soap FO's out. I am just bummed because this was for my friend to give as C-mas gifts and I had to dig thru my FO's for something non-sweets smelling. She wanted something clean. I found a sample of JS White Barn- Raindrops Type and surprisingly I thought that it wasn't enough FO for 2.5# batch, but it smells nice, so we'll see what happens to it during curing. I agree that they probably don't test for CP, but they do show their colorants for CP. I will still use them for FO's probably not for soap though. Thanks for letting me vent.

I know that FO's can discolor your soap, I have heard of all sorts of tans, and browns...but BRIGHT FREAKIN' ORANGE!! I had planned on doing a purple in the pot swirl and thought even if it turned out brown it would look fine. I used Cierra Candles "Cashmere Bliss" "DESCRIPTION: Cashmere Bliss fragrance oil for candles, soap, and potpourri. A beautiful, sensual, feminine fragrance. Soft and pretty. Suggested color: pastel pink" How the heck can you get pastel pink if your soap is bright pumpkin orange??:undecided Not only did it discolor the batch it almost completely siezed up on me the moment I put it in. It was a sight to see me stirring, dumping the purple in and trying to get the lumps in the mold all at the same time:laugh2: It has pockets of FO close to the top and whenever I cut a slice it came oozing out. OK, now my rant is done and here is a pic of it still in the mold...I haven't taken any of the slices. I am still trying to decide what to do with it. It really did look (and act) like pumpkin filling:wink2: . Thanks

I LOVE it. But I know how it goes when you have something in mind and it doesnt' turn out that way. But they are beautiful as always:bow:

Thank you Mag...I kinda had a feeling that would be the answer...didn't think that Crisco would give out their "scerect recipe"...LOL. I just want to be able to let them know what is in them. Thanks for the quick response, I realy appreciate it!!