Maltesima

Nedra, I usually let them cure 4 weeks. The longer the cure, the milder and harder the bar will be. You did good!

I love creamy lather as opposed to big bubbles.

Hey Meridith! Do you want to use a whole luffa or ground luffa? I have used ground luffa. I made a two lb. batch and added 2 tbsp at medium trace. I thought it was okay. I have pretty sensitive skin and thought it was a bit too scratchy for me....but, the bottoms of my feet loved it. I am known in these parts as "The shoeless wonder.":laugh2: Another thing I was thinking is to make a layered soap. One layer would be smooth and one layer with luffa. Whaddya think? The smooth side to wash with and the ground luffa side to scrub with. Yep, that is on my "To Do List." LOL

I think they look wonderful!

My first batch I unmolded too soon. It was like a cream cheese consistancy. lol I have to warn you, though, once you get that stick blender......you won't be able to stop! Welcome to the addiction.

Nedra, if you are going to make soap (As I know you will:wink2: ) Get a stick blender. Walmart has them for $10-11. This will save you tons of time, and give you more time to think up your next recipe. I think you did well for your first try. Is the soap really soft? or is it hardening up now?

Wow, great looking soaps! Great job!

In Dr. Robert McDaniel's book, "Essentially Soap", it states that the INS values are used to determine the balance of the combination of oils used in a particular soap formula. It is suggested that you should aim for an INS value of about 160. This is just a guage of how balanced your oils are: the higher the number (above 160), the harder the bar with more lather and will tend be more drying; the lower (below 160), the softer the bar with less lather and will tend to be more moisturizing. so, if your figures are way above or below 160, you may want to adjust the recipe. Edited to add: The closest I have ever come to 160 is 151. HTH:cheesy2:

I have not used brown sugar in CP soaps, yet, but I do use white sugar (1 TBSP ppo). I add it to the water, dissolve and then add my lye. I would imagine it would work the same way. It will boost the lather some. But I wonder if the soap would end up being brown. Might be, but I am thinking that if it is scented with Vanilla, it would not matter. Hmmmm, I think I need to add this to my "To Do List". Would love to see pictures, please.

I usually swirl with the clay, as too much clay can be drying to the skin. If I make a soap with clay dispersed throughout, I use 1 tsp per batch. If I swirl, I use 1 tbsp.mixed with oul for the batch. Of course, after many experiments with clay, I found this to be good for my particular skin type. If your skin is oilier, you could use more clay. Here is a pic of using it for swirls (In the pot swirl). My mold was a half and half carton. HTH:cheesy2:

Great lookin' soaps!

Swirls added too? Your brave! But you did a wonderful job and now, I believe, you are hooked. Keep up the great work.

Well, Meridith, it is getting darker now. almost like a rust color now. Maybe I should just call it "Brick":wink2:

Congratulations! I was scared to death when I did my first batch! Now, I can't stop making it. Can't wait to see pictures!

Those are gorgeous! I love BNL's Peppercorn! Sexy man! Great job!

Halloween Haze is pretty cool.

What kind of olive oil did you use? I ask because darker olive oils will leave a more cream color than the lighter olive oils.

Thanks for letting us know!

My soap mentor told me this: length x depth x width x .4 gives you the total volume (liquid, lye and oils) HTH:cheesy2:

Perfect! Great job!

oops it is scented with Sandalwood/Vanilla.

My guess is that she is out of lye. I know a lot of soapers where buying off of her and word got out....email her, maybe she can let you know when it comes back in stock.

I agree....Awesome!

My Halloween soap. Any suggestions for a name? I ordered the Select Shades colorants and I am pretty please with them. The black swirl is Black Oxide. Thanks for lookin'

I'm liking them! Maybe it is the picture, but I think the type should be a bit more darker. I like the look....it looks clean. Good job!