Monday 1 October 2018

Soap Making

I am feeling so much better today, I have got up feeling so much more refreshed and rejuvenated after taking time out to rest.  Unfortunately I or should I say "we" have had a tummy bug which laid us both low.  Thankfully it didn't last long and some normality can resume.

I was asked about the herbs that I dry.  I haven't any special equipment for this I just cut the herb such as mint into bunches, tie with string and hang in the kitchen to dry.  This usually takes about 4 - 6 weeks.  I then using forefinger and thumb rub the dried leaf until it crumbles, taking out the stems.  I also use a ice cube tray for freezing fresh herbs adding a little water to pre-cut herbs.  All ready to add to stews and casseroles.  Hope that helps.

Prior to having the tummy upset I did have some fun in the kitchen making soap.  Actually, I used melt and pour so I didn't technically make it.    I did have so much fun, adding colour and scent.  Dried cranberries, oats and lavender buds added to the fun too.





It was a slow process building up the layers, using an alcohol rub to ensure they stuck together.  It was fun adding colour and making swirls down the middle.



I even used some of the dried mint in one.



My kitchen was a feast for the senses for several hours.  It was left overnight to dry and the I had more fun wrapping the soaps in cellophane.





Raffia, a tag and finished with a button.  I really enjoyed going through the buttons choosing each one to match the colour scheme.



Five different varieties, thirty soaps in all.  All ready for stockings and gifts for Christmas.

Thank you for all your comments and emails.  Gerard managed to drive to town and back on his own but it stressed me out a little and he was tired when he returned.  We are going back to the old routine for little while longer and I will do the food shop while he is in rehab and then I can drive back.

See you soon.

PS Can you spot the deliberate spelling mistake?  I have just noticed I have spelt lavender wrong...

32 comments:

  1. Very pretty. This Gmail sign up robot is an absolute pain in the butt! Have you thought of drying your herbs in brown paper bags, it might keep their colour a little longer?

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  2. Oh my word....those soaps look amazing and I love the way you have wrapped them.
    I'm sorry that you and Gerard have been poorly. The season for sickness and colds seems to have started already as Ruby and Marlowe are just recovering from their first colds of the Autumn.

    Hugs-x-

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  3. Thankyou Re the herbs.
    Those soaps look amazing, you do make some wonderful things.

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  4. I'm relieved to read you're both feeling much better now. The soaps look lovely. X

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  5. Glad you’re over your bug, nasty things that they are. What beautiful soaps and presented in such a pretty way, you are so creative xx

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  6. What a wonderful post. Those cut soaps look as tempting as a box of expensive chocolates. My imagination readily supplied the scents! The lucky recipients, will be thrilled and delighted.
    Good to hear that you are feeling better.

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  7. Glad the old gippy tummy bug has gone... mine has too. I love the look of those soaps and am trying very hard not to go and look at 'soap making ingredients' on tinternet. I could be very tempted to make some Christmas soaps

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  8. I can smell the soap from here! The recipients of those gifts will be pleased I am sure.

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  9. I am so glad that the tummy bug is gone from both of you and sorry that Gerard is still not completely well, but it’s good that you have each other for helping over the rough spots of life.
    Lorraine your soap is fabulous. Oh my goodness! And the care that you took with the wrapping and labeling and buttons is amazing. There are going to be some very happy and lucky people out there come Christmas morning. Thank you for sharing the process with us. Blessings, Betsy

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  10. Love those soaps. We have just ditched the plastic bottles of soap. Wonder if there is anyone round here makes such soaps. Beautiful.

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  11. Glad your tummies are better. Your soaps look fab, I have no experience with melt and pour but it looks really interesting. What supplier do you use? I love your beautifully wrapped soaps, such pretty gifts to have ready for the not too far off Christmas season. x

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  12. The soaps are lovely and the way you have wrapped them makes them even prettier.

    I always have to think twice about the spelling of 'lavender'.

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  13. Glad that you are back to good health. Stomach bugs are so unpleasant. Making soap sounds like a lot of fun!

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  14. Wow, your soap looks amazing and it's oh-so-pretty! I bet the lavender and lemon smells heavenly.

    I am glad you are feeling better, dear friend. Enjoy your week! Hugs!

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  15. Glad to hear you both are feeling better. You are always so productive! I really like seeing your soaps. They are decorated so prettily with the darling buttons. ♥

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  16. I've never heard of melt and pour soap. Yours are so pretty and sound so good -smelling. I've made soap from scratch and it's a lot of work. Adding color and scents as you did sounds a lot more fun. Yours are packaged so nicely, too.

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  17. Wow that looks great! I used to do some melt and pour soap back when I had a lot of extra gifts to make but not as elaborate as you've managed! Looks fantastic! I did think about making soap from scratch but a lot of chemicals were involved and I never got around to it (like a lot else lol)

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  18. Wow.. I'm impressed with your soap-making operation! And so beautifully wrapped and decorated too.. lucky are those who receive these special gifts from you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. You did a beautiful job on the soaps. The packaging is very impressive. I love the pink and white ones. The embeds look so nice. I started out with melt and pour soaps, but yours are much more elaborate than the ones I made.

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  20. What wonderfully useful gifts you have made, once again, Lorraine. Anyone who receives your soaps will surely enjoy it. Glad to read that you are both feeling better too.

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  21. Such beautiful soaps you made! I love the different things you added to the soaps to give them a fun look! What delight to have them already made for Christmas gifts :) Hope you both get over the tummy bug soon, those are no fun! Blessings and hugs :)

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  22. i love your soaps! the came out beautiful.
    i started off making soaps with the melt n pour method - its so much fun!
    keep feeling better xxx

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  23. So wonderful to make your own soap and adding in your own colours and fragrance. They make lovely gifts!

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  24. Wonderful, your kitchen must smell gorgeous.

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  25. I love how you matched the soaps up with matching buttons. Very creative idea.

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  26. I've just sat down with a mug of tea and had a great big catch-up. I can't believe I missed all of your September posts, I'm sorry. I do love your tours around the island. I'm very sorry to read that Gerard has been in hospital again, and that you've both been unwell since, but glad that you are both on the mend. I'm quite sure I can smell that soap and I'm excited for you about the chickens! x

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  27. Your soaps look so pretty and can just bet they smell like heaven! That is something I have never tried, making soap. Glad you are feeling better...stomach bugs are NOT fun!

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  28. So sorry you both were ill, but glad you are feeling better now and are giving special care as Gerard continues to heal. You are in my prayers. I admire your soap making and have never yet tried to make soap, but have have some interest in doing so since I discovered my maternal great grandfather was a part of the soap making business in Danvers, Massachusetts in the 1800's. Using oatmeal and mint in the soap especially appeals to me. Thanks for posting, Lorraine xx

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  29. glad you are feeling a bit better and your soaps are pretty!! I bet they smell great too :)

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  30. These little herb bags are just gorgeous ! You are a real artist ! That's bad to have a stomach bug, one feels so weak then.

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  31. Thank you for sharing with everyone. I know everything about you. It's great and it's great.
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