beau's mama

That's the exact one I was looking at. I went to order it and something told me to check the specs again. When I did, I discovered that the darn thing reads every card but a compact flash! Yeah, I'm a little slow . I still use compact flash.

Top, you are so right. I measure, turrn to drop my scoop in the sink, turn back and the reading is different. DH thinks hanging some dry packs will help with that, but I don't think anything will help that basement. I was looking at that one. I have a couple of small scales and a postal scale from OWK. I looked at this one also. But I'm afraid to order from SS because I know that, somehow, FO's will mysteriously find their way into my cart with the scale! Thanks everyone for your help. If anyone had told me a year ago that I'd be obsessing over scales and soaping, I would have definitely called them a liar!

Chiptooth, I think the L7580 is discontinued. What is that 71.99 print head thingy that goes with it? But I did look at the L7590. Very nice! Until I gat a Samsung laser, I've always had HP. I never had a problem printing w/ different paper thickness. Not even with the very old deskjet 722c...wiich my Mom is still using! That's what I like about some of the office jets, single cartridges like a laser.

I saw that one, but it doesn't have a card reader. DH travels on his bike a lot and is constantly printing pics so he would need to have a card reader. I'm trying to get him COMPLETELY out of my hair! But this would be a nice gift for my baby niece to take to school in the fall. Thanks bunches

DH has discovered the world of computers and printing he is working my reserved nerve w/ his copying and printing, so I think it's time to get him his own toy to play with. I've always used HP (except for my Samsung laser) so I'm not worried about the quality because I've always been happy with them. I'm researching and checking reviews but it's always nice to hear from some "real" people that I know actually exist LOL I'm looking at this one, mainly because it has individual and AFFORDABLE seperate color cartridges http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/CB815A%2523B1H Any advice or suggestions? TIA Sha

I'm ready to play with the big girls now and I need a new scale. I've been up 1/2 the night looking but I'm really not having any luck. I need a scale that will read something like this: 387.82 or 387.822 grams. Every scale I own and every one I've looked at either reads in whole grams or 0.1 or the silly 0.05 grams. Normally I can work around this, but I'm making much larger batches now and I want my lye measurements as accurate as possible. I don't want to guesstimate by rounding up or down, but if any of you more experienced soapers have any suggestions, I will gladly take them. Am I asking for the (nearly) impossible?

It's not unusual for people to use the same bowls, especially if it's SS or glass...eo's or fo's. You'll find that many people do. I think it's just a matter of preference. And like Luci said, SB's are different. I have a few for soaping, 2 for lotion only and 1 for the house For me it's just easier to have seperate things...and several of them. I cook and bake quite a bit and sometimes I don't feel like cleaning my stuff right away, especially my CP stuff. So it's just easier for me.

Hmmm...is this really about m&p additives? :rolleyes2 I'm just saying.... :whistle:

Yeah, I also like the "cleaner" and brighter look, but I also don't like going to another page to see my recipe. But I REALLY like the Wikipedia links. So I guess I like it more than I don't. I just downloaded this calc last week and thought the graphs were cool and played around with it a little. http://home.earthlink.net/~skinesscentuals/SoapCalc.html I needed something on my computer in case I ever lost my net connection. I've been thinking about getting the SoapMaker program. I've only used soap calc since I started soaping b/c it seemed the easiest for me. MMS calc confuses my brain!

For those of you who use soapcalc, just wondering what you think. Like it? Don't like it?

Would these work? http://www.freundcontainer.com/product.asp?pn=34925&SAUCE%20AND%20DRESSING%20BOTTLES%20-%20PET&bhcd2=1241275476 If you Google "plastic sauce bottles" you'll come up with quite a few options. I'm surprised that you couldn't find anything less than a pallat of those bottles at SKS. They usually have smaller quantities available. Anyway, HTH

Well, since most here use (or want) a laser to print color LABELS I don't think printing pics is really an issue. A 4x6 or 8x10 pic would look awfully tacky wrapped around a bar of soap or a jar of body butter. Most usually have a perfectly fine and working inkjet before making the move to laser...just ready to step it up a bit. Chances are, they aren't going to just throw it out if it works. They'll probably keep it (like I did)...along with the variety of injet-only paper sitting in the cabinet...and they'll use it to print the pics as necessary. And, there's always overnight prints for those rare, super high quality print jobs See, not really an issue

Islandgirl Whatever you do STAY AWAY FROM BROTHER! You'll be broke before you print 50 labels! I am a die-hard HP fan. Everything I own has always been HP...until I discovered Samsung. After doing some serious comparison shopping in 24 hours, I settled on the Samsung. My decision was influenced by the fact that outside of the toner, the only other consumable is the transfer belt after 50,000 pages. No drum to deal with! And they have 2 types of toner to choose from: standard and high yield. About a $20-$25 difference in prices, but if all you have is 80 bucks you can get a standard toner that will hold you. The footprint is a little big for home use (it's really an office printer), but for me it's well worth the space. The print quality on draft (black and color) is beautiful, crisp and clear. I discovered that if I spend a little bit more for 96/24 paper I can save on toner in the long-run. The Staples laser printing paper works perfectly. I use labels from labels by the sheet and they print fine. I had a print job to do for an alternative health care group: 100 seminar booklets w/ 13 double sided pages each including 4 double sided pages with 4 graphics on each page. I was able to complete the job with the standard toners included with the printer. I still have toner left. And that was including the 200+ pages I accidently printed in duplicate! Everything was printed on draft and I couldn't believe the clarity and sharpness. Apparently they couldn't either: They contracted me to do all of their seminar booklets and flyers I'm still working out some kinks because I don't like to read instruction manuals for electronics, I'd rather just do it. OK, enough free advertising for Samsung. You can read about it here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3566396&CatId=21

Congratulations! The addictions just go on and on don't they?

I have this sudden interest in floral waters. Have any of you used it? Did you like the results? Did the natural fragrance come through or did the lye just suck it all up? TIA Sharon

Are the paper-backed foils like the foil you get from fast food joints that NEVER stay wrapped and never attached to itself?

Congrats on your first! Did you get that sucker to come out of the mold yet?

I don't have a different mixer (can't afford it!). I just have different ss bowls and attachments for food and for b & b.

1. Oregon Trails 2. Southern Soapers Can't comment on Day-Star or Brambleberry...haven't used any of their fo's. I just ordered about 20 samples from SS and threw them in some lotion. I'm loving all but 2!

Ahhhh...the wonderfully addictive world of soaping! If you haven't already, take a look-see at this thread. Very helpful info from the soapers here. http://craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63074 Do you have your lye? Measuring & mixing equipment? Mask? Gloves? Eye protection? Have you familarized yourself with the various soaping calculators and decided which one you feel most comfy with? I've only been cp soaping a little over a year so I'm in no way an expert, but the above are some of the things I make sure of before I start. And of course, a recipe is always helpful LOL There maybe some simple (beginner) soap recipes in the recipe section if you're unsure about what you want to do. But whether you go with your own or someone else's recipe, run it through a soap calculator. Good luck w/ your first batch. I guarantee you, when you cut that first bar you will be hooked for life! ETA: Oh yes, this is VERY helpful http://craftserver.com/forums/showpost.php?p=600226&postcount=11

I had some LouAna Co from Walmart that I purchased when the prices made sense. Anyway, I pulled it out to soap today and my goodness...what a funky, rancid smell. And it's a weird off-white color and looks like white pieces are mixed in and frozen. I ran and pulled out the others, opened them, and they are fine. Everything is kept in the fridge or stored in the basement where it's always pretty cool I have never had funky, rancid CO. I know nothing lasts forever, but CO going rancid in a few months? Maybe that was just part of a bad batch :undecided Have any of you ever had CO turn on you in a few months? Sharon

I just wanted to bump this up. There has to be more than 26 small businesses here!

I guess I should have mentioned that I use edible vegetable glycerine.

No, keep it. In addition to adding it to your soap, you can play w/ it in making other products. I've been fooling around off & on w/ an adult product using glycerine...rub it on and...well...um...the glycerine heats up :rolleyes2 Plus, it taste sweet!

Those are cute! What about a label or cardstock band on the bag w/ matching rafia? I had some material left from a project, made a few little bags out of it, printed up some cardstock bands and they came out really cute.