Making Soap

After a happy trip to Hobbycraft I came home with a soap kit

Comprising of Soap, botanicals for decoration, colouring, scent and moulds

I must admit I was a bit disappointed that to make soap you literally melt soap but I had the kit so thought I'd give it a go

So first you buy soap...

Then like maelting chocolate, you cut it into small blocks

Then melt it over hot water

until its liquid

Next you add a few drops of scent and a few drops of colour (I added a bit too much) then you pour it into the moulds

I made pink soap

The instructions said to leave it to cool for a little bit before adding the dried flowers

I did this but alot of the flowers didn't stick, so I tried again without the colouring

It's not so easy to pour though...

 and I did end up scraping some off the work surface but here is the finished product still in moulds

I'll definately make some more & I will play around with colours. Its a good thing to do with the children on a rainy weekend, although mine all got a bit bored after the first one. I will be making some for Christmas presents I think.

where have I been?

Hello hello, sorry its been a while. I have been very busy but couldn't tell you about it as it was all for my brothers wedding. But as the wedding was lst weekend I can show you what I have been up to. 

I have been making lots and lots of butterflys for table confetti

The cutter was easy to use and I only had to cut the body out to seperate it from the Ivory card

I made about 200 in the end

I also can finally show you the design the Bride chose for the name cards

Sorry, still haven't worked out how to turn these pictures.

I made over 70. The design was very simple and just involved me tying a bow but they worked really well and the colours matched the bridesmaids. Bride & Groom were very happy with them and my children insisted on bringing their name cards home.

I also made myself a little shrug to wear although I didn't end up wearing it. I shall however be wearing it to another wedding on the 16th

The pattern called for an Aran 10 ply and kidisilk. I used a rough cotton but when I knitted with the cotton and kidislik you couldn't see the silk yarn so I changed it to a irridescent 8 ply which really stood out

It was very easy to make as you basically knitted with both yarns together a ribbed scarf, crocheting along one edge

then when it was long enough you folded the ends over to meet at the back

I have a projects page on www.ravelry.com if you want to check the pattern or yarns, name of MrsWife

I have done a few other little things as well including finding a great Italian blogger and crocheter who publishes free patterns. This is her necklace

her website is well worth a visit

http://creativeyarn.blogspot.co.uk

Lastly I have been hanging out with my kids and dogs. We have been out in the sunshine and the rain enjoying the gorgeous countryside on our doorstep. Spring is a really gorgeous time and we have seen many nests and new life.

Recently we went to Basildon park with some friends and I managed to take a photo on my phone that I am very proud of 

I was able to enlarge it and I now have it framed in the hall for all to see

So I may have been quiet but I am still busy.

Next time I will be making soap after a fab trip to Hobbycraft. How I left with only 2 bags shows considerable self control. This was just the paper eisle

My kind of shop :o)

I did indulge my love of organisation though

and now everything has its place!!

However I must away and wash these grubby children (hence the need to make soap!)

See you soon

Sharon