PattyZB

THANK YOU! That's exactly what I was looking for!! :)

So basically most of the oils I bought I can't really even use for soaping. Great...I should have just stuck with the coconut oil, lard/shortening and olive oil. Thanks!

So months ago I bought lye from a very generous crafter...I later joined in on a co-op to get some oils...now I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. I have - Palm Kernel Flakes Beeswax Shea Butter Babassu Oil Apricot Oil Avocado Oil Caster Oil I used a soap calc to come up with the following: Avocado Oil 20% Babassu Oil 15% Castor Oil 5% Coconut Oil, 76 deg 20% Olive Oil 25% Palm Kernel Oil/Flakes 15% I'd have to get some Coconut Oil as well as Olive Oil. I was trying to balance out the numbers and cleansing still comes out kinda high. Hardness 29 - 54 48 Cleansing 12 - 22 33 Conditioning44 - 69 46 Bubbly 14 - 46 38 Creamy 16 - 48 19 Iodine 41 - 70 50 INS 136 - 165 164 Any suggestions from the more experienced soapers out there?

Up until now I've used log molds lined with wax paper for my CP soaps. I bought some silicon molds to use with my M&P soaps and I'm curious if I can use them for my CP as well. Anyone have any experience in this area? I have oils enroute so I'm plotting.

Did it absorb anymore?

Same here with 2 lb batches...I'm sad that I don't have more of the good ones but I'm thankful that the bad ones were on the small side. lol @Miadrianel Candles - as long as you plug everything into a soaping calculator to find out how much lye and water you need you should be fine.

That's good information to know! I've yet to have a problem with my filtered/well water though I also have my rain barrel outside that I can use for soaping as well. I wonder which would be better - filtered well or rain. @thecandlespastore - I didn't use any fragrance and the soap is pure white! It's really creamy too with only a slight scent from the tea leaves. Once I get more oils I can't wait to try another batch with some coconut FO like you mentioned!

No prob Dust. . .i learned as well. lol I'm guessing i've never had issues using tap water because we have well water with a filter.

My hubby's cat used to get stuck in plastic bags after we'd unload from a shopping trip...he's run around like a freak then once he was out of the bag do a strut like that. lol

I read somewhere on here about people adding milk at trace so I'm thinking that may not require you to freeze the milk.

I like that....they're not a 'mistake' they're 'unique'.

I read somewhere about having the glass container with the milk in a sinkful of ice as you pour the lye in. I just mixed the water in then added the frozen millk. I actually was able to unmold it the next day and it's been a week almost and it's drying nicely. Not sure about using it too soon...I'm guessing you'd get the typical burns associated with using any soap too soon?Anyone else have any insight?

Whoo hoo! I think I may just put that on my blog to promote handmade soaps!

This is my fan page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allentown-PA/The-Artful-Mommy/61778588390?ref=ts I never got as far as a group page though.

Just had a thought.... champagne soap for New Year's! I've heard of beer so this could work...with a little strawberry FO and maybe strawberry puree?