Saturday, January 16, 2016

Soap, Delightful Soap ~ A Few Simple Ideas


Remember how I told you we finally attempted soap making after so many years of dreaming about it, dear friends…?

Well, I thought I would share some pictures of our little soaps with you, and also some sweet and simple ideas for wrapping them beautifully…

  

 Soaps make such wonderful presents, particularly as hostess gifts!

Don’t you just love the smell of all natural soap…?


I will let you in on a little secret…we found some wonderful natural soap base from a local soap company (The Soap Barn), and thus our soap making experience was simple and very enjoyable!

 


Although I would very much like to try making soap from start to finish someday, I am quite happy to potter about with nothing but essential oils, some dried herbs/flowers and ready-made soap base – yes, in this instance, I am happy to “cheat’’ a little – for now, anyway!  {{smiles}}


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I have included our recipe for you should you wish to make your own sweet soaps…I found it in the lovely Ideas magazine, November 2015...I did ''tweak'' a few things, though...

~ Simple Soap ~

You will need...
  
white soap base (the 'melt and pour' variety)
dried rose buds
rose essential oil
red food colouring
mould
spraying alcohol

To make...

Cut the soap base into 1 x 1 cm cubes and place in a thick-based pot over a very low heat, stirring constantly till melted.  
Use a metal spoon or spatula to stir, placing it in a jug of warm water when not using to prevent the soap residue from hardening.
Mix a few drops of the essential oil into the soap base and stir to combine.
Dip the tip of a wooden skewer or toothpick in the food colouring and then into the soap.  
Stir again and repeat to add more colour, if you prefer.
Transfer the coloured soap mixture to your mould, and spray with alcohol to prevent bubbles from forming on the top.
Leave to stand for a few hours until set.  
Before the soap sets completely, make holes in the surface using a wooden skewer and insert rosebuds into the holes.
Leave the soap to stand overnight to harden completely. 
Turn the soap out of the mould the next day and cut up.

~ A Few Wrapping Ideas ~  



One of my favourite ways to wrap soaps is to use fabric and ribbon or lace…   
I shared this idea a few years ago, so do hop over to this post to see how to wrap your soaps with fabric…



Beautiful paper is of course lovely for wrapping soaps in, and I like to use good quality scrapbook paper…  
Wrap your soaps as you would a gift, and add ribbon or lace if you wish… 


A little strip of patterned paper is also lovely around soap, and is handy as recipients can see straight away what it looks (and smells!) like!  
This is our coffee soap, which is scented with vanilla essential oil and contains fresh coffee grounds…




 Broad lace…ah, just gorgeous for wrapping soaps!
Secure lace at the bottom of the soap with double-sided tape...

 


A white doily and some narrow pink ribbon…a pretty and simple way to wrap a soap!  


Or simply decorate with dried flowers such as rose buds which we placed on top of our rose scented soap…

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Do you have any lovely ideas for decorating and wrapping handmade soaps…?

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May each of you have a truly blessed weekend further!
 

 ~

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25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kelly-Anne the ideas are just wonderful. I know that when I see beautiful things, I gravitate towards them :0) your soaps look delightful :D mari

Anonymous said...

I really do enjoy homemade soap of all scents and colors and shapes! These are so pretty! I do not really have time or space for another hobby, but I can enjoy through you! <3 Lovely post. ~Lisa

Linda Walker said...

So pretty! I love making pretty little soaps. Packaging them is such fun too!
I'd like to try your recipe soon! Hope all is well!
xo
Linda

Esther Asbury said...

How very beautiful!! I think my favorite would be either the fabric wrapped or the one with rosebuds on top -- though they are all so very pretty!

Visits With Mary said...

Your wrappings are just precious, what wonderful little home made gifts. Home made is always best!

Cecilia said...

Ooo, love the rosebud soap... I can just smell it now. Ahhh. I made some soap about a year ago. It was fun. Like your ideas.
Hugs,
Cecilia

Paige said...

What absolutely beautiful soaps and wrappings! :) I'm sure they smell as good as they look...coffee soap...sounds like a fun idea for coffee-lovers. ;) Hurray for getting to try something you've wanted to do for a while.

Stephanie said...

Lovely Kelly-Anne, I can almost smell the sweet scent of your soap :) Dear friend, it's ever so pretty and the wrapping ideas are stunning. Of course I love the lace {{smiles}}

You are so clever and creative, dear one. Thank you for sharing your sweetness with us. Hugs and much love to you!

Daniela said...

First of all, to realize a project, bigger or not, it's such a great joy, isn't it, and I'm so very glad for you, my darling !
And then let me say that your littel soaps are so wonderful to see, they seem small party-favors and I wonder their smell, my amazing friend, bless you Kelly-Anne !

May your Sunday evening be the most glad and with a big hug I'd love to wish you a wonderful start of your new week,
sending love and smiles to you
Dany

Cheryl said...

Oh, how beautiful! Zach and I make lye soap sometimes, and oh, my, it is a laborious, time-consuming endeavor, but oh, so rewarding! I LOVE the softness of the soap and how it makes my hands feel. I have never tried this kind of soap-making, so you have peaked my interest, and I may have to try it! I LOVE the lovely, creative ways you have wrapped the soaps, and your photos are just outstanding. Have a beautiful Sunday, sweet friend. :)

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Ooh, I can almost smell the yummy rose scent from just looking at the screen, your soaps look absolutely delightful! I have made homemade soap with the soap base as well, and it is a lot easier than making it with lye. I loved your decorating ideas, and the soap with the rosebuds on it is just gorgeous! What a fun endeavor, and as always, your decorating talents are amazing!

Hope you are having a blessed and wonderful day, dear friend! :)

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Kelly-Anne, what a delightful idea for gifts, and I can imagine the sweet fragrance having had scented hand-made soap from a friend. And I love how you've gif wrapped them and also added the rose buds on the top. What beautiful gifts each one is! You are so amazing, and what a special blessing you are, dear friend! Hugs and love!

Faye Henry said...

Oh, those are so pretty and I can just imagine how nice they smell.. That is how I make soap, too, although I would like to try it from scratch some day..
God bless, dear.. xo

Anonymous said...

I have never tried to make soap. Yours are so lovely! I know the coffee scented must be wonderful! I adore your wrapping ideas. The rose buds are so sweet. If you grow violas, they would be nice to dry and adorn one of the soaps!
Have a lovely week.

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Friend, So nice to catch up with you this morning. Love how darling your little soaps turned out. I would love to try this. Thank you for sharing the recipe and steps. I have not tried making soaps but my grandmother did and I was always intrigued with the process. Love the delightful wraps you made around them too. Really a wonderful project and so glad you enjoy this fun.

Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. Hope the new year is off to a great start for you and your sweet family.
Have a great week dear one. Blessings and love to you. xo

God's Grace Overflows said...

Good morning! I just love your soaps and all the pretty ways to wrap them.
I have made the simple soap with the melt and pour method and I love it! I have also made homemade start to finish goat milk soap and it's wonderful too. Personally, I like something that is a little less difficult to make and doesn't require a lot of stuff and prep time. But, it is fun to know how to make it from scratch. :)

Enjoy your week, Kelly-Anne!
Hugs, Amy

Hamlette (Rachel) said...

What fun! I don't have a real interest in making my own soap, but I love buying homemade soap on Etsy! Your wrapping ideas are a treat :-)

Amy M said...

Very pretty! I've never tried making my own soap, but these look lovely. I really liked how you all decorated them with the wrappings.

Danielle Carlson said...

How lovely! Making soap is something I have wanted to try for a long time but simply have not had the time. This is such a wonderful gift idea though. I might have to try it this year when the holidays come around or simply make a batch and give it to friends for birthdays and special occasions. Thanks so much for sharing!

Dani xoxo
a vapor in the wind

JES said...

So, so pretty my friend! Thank you for sharing your lovely posts with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! :)

Mimi said...

Kelly-Anne, these are just lovely! I adore hand crafted soap too, and really do make my own 'from scratch'. It's not hard once you get the hang of it! Mimi xxx

Conniecrafter said...

such a beautiful gift to give, your presentation of the soups are beautiful, such lovely ideas!

Ana Love Craft said...

Those ideas are just adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

quakerhillfarm said...

These are so sweet! Anyone would love to receive one of these! Have a happy day!

Sheryl said...

Gorgeous gift, I can just smell the soap,