Soap . . . and babies

I do make soap.  Although, it hasn't been a "hobby" for years.  About ten years ago I was totally smitten with it.  I made tallow (rendering fat - this stinks up your kitchen something awful) and collected Red Devil Lye and Olive Oil like it was going out of style.  I bought fragrances, preservatives and soap molds.  When you are looking for soap molds, everything has potential.  Bottoms of plastic water bottles, tart tins, ice cube trays... nothing was safe in my house.  I made one big block of basic soap that came out pretty well, and then spent a week grating it down with a cheese grater so I could "rebatch" it.  That's when you can add in all your neat fragrances and flower petals, etc. - after the lye has disappeared.  I made all kinds of pretty soaps and wrapped them all in plastic wrap with bows, and gave ALL of it away.  Yes, this is me.  I always give everything away.  Ask Paul.

Then, I made another block of basic soap which I cut into bars.  This is what Paul and I used.  We really liked it.  Apparently when commercial soap is made the "lanolin" is removed from it.  The lanolin is then introduced into expensive moisturizing soaps and lotions.  When you make homemade soap, you get to keep the lanolin.  Well, that was it for me.  I moved on to another hobby and put my 2,456 books on making soap away.  Done, finito....

Then.. we ran out of soap.  Nothing was as good as the homemade soap.  I was then FORCED to make more!  Now, we've run out again, and I've made another batch.  This time it didn't come out good.  It "set up" too fast, and I couldn't cut it into bars.  Plus, I think there was too much lye in it this time because it is kind of cakey...  I had a large piece of shea butter that wouldn't melt in there and I had to take it out, making my "oils to lye" ratio too far apart.  In any event, I have to grate it and "rebatch" it.  Remember . . .this is all against my will.  I would much rather be knitting!  Here is my effort so far:

 

Don't tell Paul I'm using the expensive cheese grater from Pampered Chef... I do not think he would be pleased.  ;)

I'm pretty well on my way with the first baby blanket.

 

What do you think?  Just a little touch of variegated throughout.  This one is for a boy.  I also ordered The Opinionated Knitter so I can make the Baby Surprise Jacket.  I'm really excited about that!!  I need to find my pattern for knitted cotton bibs.  They are really useful, I hear, during the first years.  Pauley will be 22 this year, and apparently he was raised by aliens since I have no memory of him growing up!  Early dementia, I guess.  :)

I'll leave you with a picture of another "find" from Swapper's Day.  My new chair, in an appropriate place:

 

Am I set up, or what?

Comments

[Monica]

Sorry your soap didn't set up right. My mom used to make soap, I don't remember ever using it though.

That baby blanket is gorgeous...what a lucky little guy.

Your chair looks like it is a perfect match for your wheel, I would say you are set.

[Toni]

Fabulous chair!

[Marion]

My sisters give me homemade soap. It's really nice. The baby blanket is making good progress. It is going to be beautiful. I know you will love your chair. It looks comfy and it matches!

[Opal]

Awesome chair! You're totally set to go!

I'm in awe of your soap making capabilities. I don't even stop to contemplate the whole process. It makes my tiny head hurt. :)

[Denise]

My grandmother used that pattern to make a blanket for my firstborn. Brings back memories. Love your spinning area.

[Jessica]

I would love to learn to make "real" soap, but I guess I'll just have to buy it for now. I heard a soap maker talk about the process and he said that it was the glycerin that was removed from commercial soap. Could you perhaps have sheepies on the brain? ;)

I love the flashes of color in the baby blanket! Way cute!

Your new chair matches your wheel perfectly! How cool!

[Ann in CT]

Thank you for the good explanation of what goes into making soap. You have cured me of my desire to learn as I know I wouldn't have the patience for it! :-)
The baby blanket is looking good, I like the flash of color.