cozyaromas

I didn't post pics, but I did cut it. And in my opinion they look okay, but certain bars have small white powdery circles on them, that I think may be lye spots according to the soapmaker's companion and may have to be thrown away. My swirls can only be seen on the end cuts, and they look nice...the middle ones are yellowish cream color, it looks just like plain soap that is not colored. On the plain ones I can also see small orange spots which I've read either in the companion or one of the links Mags posted. But overall it looks as if I may have to try a 3rd time this week to get the perfect batch of soap. Well they say practice makes perfect, so I hope 3 times is the charm. :undecided Until then, I'm going to let this cure, and tongue test it in 4 weeks to monitor the lye content in the soap.

Now back to the soaping table.....:rolleyes2

Those are super cool....They look so real!!! Did you happen to participate in the children's swap...any kid would love those cool rocket pops. Can I buy a couple for my 5 and 6 year old boys....because I know if I made them they wouldn't come out as perfect as yours.

I'm trying not to look, but it's so hard...I want to cut it so bad, is it okay now?? Should the top be fully solid and not any gel-like spots anywhere?? The mold is no longer hot but room temp, and the top is solid.

Kris, great job on the baskets I'm sure your daughter's teacher will love it!!! My children only have 2 weeks of school and I've been busy trying to put something together. Last week was teacher appreciation week and I decided to forgo that and give them something at the end of the year. Keep up the good work!!!!

Lucid dreamer, I think you did an awesome job on you first swirl. Just keep practicing and before you know it, it will come second nature.

Thanks everyone, I couldn't have done it without you guys. I've had this kit since Christmas, and never pulled it out until the Challenge,thanks again.

Scented: I did get a chance to swirl in the pot, so hopefully something will come out of it. I'm just so anxious...I'm ready to unmold right now, (ugggh, why must I wait so long ....I must remember that patience is a virtue!!!

Wow Michi I think you've been a very busy bee this weekend. Wow you've conquered cp soap, and they look great. As always your mp has always been my favorite. I think I'm going to have to try those oriental characters out, they look really nice. Keep it up girl!!!

Okay I finally did it...I did my 2nd batch and I must say this time I was more aware of what I was putting in my batch. It even looks better, I have a pic in the gallery that you are more than welcome to view. I used a camera phone as I don't have a digital camera, as yet...which sucks. I'm glad I was able to mess up on the first because now I was aware of what to do and what not to do....and the lye doesn't even scare me as it did before I first started. I didn't even bother to use my electric blender instead I used a wire whisk which wasn't bad with a 2lb batch.

Thanks 4 everyone who has posted their pics and decided to take this challenge.

Okay here's my 2nd try at CP but first time posting a pic. Please excuse pic as this was taken with my camera phone, I really need to get a digital camera, because this pic doesn't do my pic justice.:undecided I tried to do a swirl but I don't think I was quite succesful at that, maybe next time.

I used Peaks Cuccumber Melon, and a green liquid dye. I think the green is a little to dark for what I was going for, but it's going to be interesting to see what it looks like cut. If you notice the green are more on the ends and not in the middle. But I am very excited that I was able to work with the lye and finish my 1st successful batch.

Thank you Scented and Magsglass for giving me the courage and the extra push!!! Now I'm ready to do another one.....

You did a great job on your first batch...nice swirls!!!

WTG PA, you should be very proud of yourself !!!! I know I would've been so excited if I saw my candles on the front page of an ad. I probably would be bouncing off the walls:bump: !!! I am sure your sales are about to soar, so be prepared!!!

Oh I feel so many positive vibes coming through the screen that I think this might be the one:yay:!!!

Suzie: You're soap looks awesome...job well done!!!:highfive:

Thanks Scented...I'll try to remember pancake batter consistency instead of school paste consistency!! I'm off to try again....(trying to get a mental pic of pancake batter)

I don't think the castor oil would have thickened your batch up so much, but maybe you stirred it to a thick trace? I'm no expert, just was curious.

You know I got so excited with the stick blender that I believe that when I got to trace I just decided to keep on going instead of stopping. Therefore I had a thick goop. I started mixing with a whisk then I moved to the stick blender and I believe I just lost it!! I'll never do that again. :embarasse

I thought I was on a roll, I had my goggles on, my face mask, my gloves on and Robin's Tutorial in hand. I proceeded with each step carefully from mixing my lye to waiting for my soap to trace. Well as the soap was setting up, I thought I grabbed my fo but instead I grabbed some castor oil.

Now before you can say how that happened, I'll tell ya. I was working out of my Soap Kit I bought, well this particular company have their fo's and castor oil in the same bottle and instead of picking up my fo I picked up the castor oil up (without knowing). So as I'm using my blender, my trace is starting to set up really thick (which I don't think is normal, because at this point it is as thick as paste) as I start to pour I don't smell any fo. I looked at the bottle I threw away and it was darn castor oil.

I went on ahead and threw it away , because it was way too thick...I'm a trooper so I'll try again tomorrow. This time I will prepare my products ahead of time so there will not be any mistakes. I'll try posting tomorrow, wish me luck!!!

Lesson is, Although you're careful with the lye make sure to read your bottles and labels before mixing into the pot!!!

Pick TallBabydoll's, I like her's....she wins!!!!!

Bitter Creek South has some tin cases, here's the link...

http://www.bittercreeksouth.com/accessories.htm

FriendlyMom, it took me a while to create a catch phrase, but once you hear it, and it sticks then you know you have a winner.

For example my company is CozyAromas...."Where the comforts of home are just a scent away"

If you are located in the South you could say: Country Girl Candles.....Where southern hospitality is experienced one scent at a time. (corny??):undecided

If you like alternatives to the regular lavender vanilla.. Go Planet Earth has a Downy Lavender Vanilla version that smells just like the real thing. I've tried it in Ecosoya PB, and I love it. I have had several compliments about this fo in my votives. It smells great in GL's 70/30 container wax as well.

Those look very nice, I really like those bottles...keep up the good work!!!:highfive:

I can't wait to see your soap Mag, I'm sure it's going to look great. I have some Mica and oxides from BB, hopefully I'll get a nice shade of green for my cuccumber melon.

I have Robin's tutorial in one hand and my blender in the other hand so I'm ready to go...wish me luck as well. I'll make sure to post pics tomorrow!!!

I thought so too, I would love to sample everyone's soap!!!

Country Apple is BBW dupe from JS and the Cuccumber Melon is a dupe from Peaks.

Scented: I was going to go with the CLV but I saw that you were doing that so I changed my mind.

BTW can't you tell that I love BBW dupes!!!

1. CozyAromas- Cuccumber Melon or Country Apple

2. Scented - Amber Romance or Coconut Lime Verbena or ... (I'm not sure cuz there are too many FOs to pick from lol!)

3. Honey Coco Mango or Jade-type, or ???

I may have to doctor up the Jade a bit to use it. I think it needs something, but I'm not sure what. Could just be that I've got a cold so my smeller's not working the best. I'll wait a few days before making this major decision!

Cozy: Both of those sound really good for soap. Yum!!

Scented: I've never smelled Amber Romance before, so I'm curious. I see it mentioned fairly often on the boards, so it must be good. Just to let you know, CLV is my *very favorite* BBW scent, so if you make that I'll be like all over it!

Do you know if the FO you have is a close dupe? I'm looking for a good one.

Let's see I'm going to finally dip into making my first batch of cp for the Newbie Soap Challenge. :whistle: I also need to do a couple of m&p, votives and pillars for a mother's day basket I'm working on. So my weekend is pretty much filled.

Fire and Ice: I would like to volunteer myself to test read your first novel when you're done, if you need someone. I'm always up and ready for a good read.

I'll start first

1. CozyAromas- Cuccumber Melon or Country Apple