This post was going to be about how smart I am but then I had to change the theme because, it turns out, I am not that smart, after all. I thought I had conquered this fragrance but it tricked me, again. Oh, well, next time.
Those who read this blog will remember I have had a bit of trouble with Bramble Berry’s Lilac Fragrance Oil. It smells divine but … The first time I used it, my batter both seized and riced. Continue reading
I have been making soap again and, slowly, I am getting better at it. After my disaster with Bramble Berry lilac fragrance oil, I have decided to only make very small batches until I really know what I am doing. That way, if my plan goes astray, I only have a small batch of wayward soap to use. Continue reading
I have said it before, and I will say it again, “Making soap is so much fun.” It is just like cooking, but better! It is a great hobby for you can start without having to go out and buy lots of stuff. I made my first batch on a whim when I was in Bridgetown and was able to buy everything I needed locally. And, even on your first try, if you the follow instructions carefully, you are sure to end up with some perfectly usable soap.
Your first effort should be plain, with no colour and no fragrance so you understand how the batter should work but, before long, you are sure to want to add colour and fragrance to your soap. This is where things get exciting. Continue reading
Soap making is so much fun – nearly as much fun as making bread, but not quite. As I have said before, there is no greater delight than sitting on the floor in front of your oven with a glass of red wine, watching your bread rise.
But we are talking about soap today. When you start out, you think it is going to be a cheap hobby… but then you want colours and perfumes and, oh, some glitter would be nice, as would some different shaped moulds and a cutter and… Luckily, Aussie Soap Supplies is not too far away. Continue reading
How cool do these look?
I used exactly the same recipe and technique as my first foray into soap making except just before it was ready to pour into the mould I added one teaspoon of cinnamon and three 15mil tablespoons of ground rolled oats and mixed them in with a few whizzes of the stick blender. The cinnamon produced the wonderful colour and the rolled oats are supposed to act as a mild scrubbing agent that helps exfoliate dry skin. I figure it will be perfect for my gardener’s hands. Continue reading
I retired a bit later than originally anticipated. About 9 months before I actually retired, my contract was coming to an end and I had no intention of trying to renew it. I was psyching myself up for retirement and deciding what activities I would like to do. Soap making was high on the list. Of course, I went out and bought several books on the topic. Little did I know that I would not be needing additional activities. Quite the contrary. There is no-where near enough time to do all the things I want to do. Continue reading
Passion Fruit Garden 