• Blog - Crafts

    Soap Making

    So I took a drive today out to my friend Patty’s house so she could show me how to make soap.
    I’ve admired and used her awesome soap for quite a while,
    so when she said she’d show me…
    I knew I had to find a time to do it.
    That day was today…
    As I found out later what we made today was cold process soap. It used lye but wasn’t cooked on the stove as I thought it would be.
    She explained that this soap has a “curing time” of about a month which if I’m understanding correctly, hot process soap is ready pretty much
    right away.
    This photo is showing the mixing process after
    the lye dissolved in water has been added to the oils.
    She is using a deep pot and a stick blender.
    I was really shocked how quickly the saponification
    happened.
    This was actually the second batch we made but I had forgotten that I had my little pocket camera with me. I was too busy learning.
    For this batch, Patty wanted to try out some new pigments she had purchased. We decided on ultramarine blue and titanium white going for a marbled effect. The scent we used was called “rise and shine”. It smelled divine!!
    Her hubby stepped in to lend an extra hand while filling the mold.
    Now I have to wait for a month until I see the finished product!! AHH!! I’m not known for my patience. If it didn’t take the better part of an hour to drive to her house, I’d be there on Tuesday when she un-molds it. I’m pretty sure she cuts it at that time as well. Yet another question I’ll have to ask.

     

  • Blog - Crafts

    Making cards

    Ok…so the thumb still hurts but I can’t seem to
    not use it.
    No matter what it is in life…I use that thumb.
    So I might as well make some cards…right?
    I made a lot of cards…
    they are like chips…bet you can’t eat just one…er…make just one.

     

    I’ve had a couple people ask me lately about my photo cards for the holidays.  Gifts and such I’d assume.
    Which got me thinking…I should really sit down and make a bunch with all the photos I already have!

     

    I also made a few more fabric collage cards.
    I really enjoy making these.
    They are what you might call a labor of love.

     

  • Blog - Crafts

    Little bits of creativity

    I’ve been working on a few things over the last couple weeks.

    I made the cover for my ABC_alteredbookclub 8th Anniversary swap book. I’m waiting on the last page to arrive before binding.
    I used Citra Solv paper for the background then cut the flower from a photograph I took a few years ago.
    I added the paper flower and “Joy” brad for interest.

    Since we have a few September birthdays in our family I’ve been busy making cards. This one is for my mom. She loves butterflies and flowers.

    Lastly, I’ll share a little peek at a mixed-media painting I’ve been working on. It’s not finished…definitely a work in progress.