Imp is still sick and Duke is in slow recovery from the "Coughing Disease From Hades". Mom prescribed lots of liquids, chicken bone broth, and cuddles with their favorite rat Oreo.
Yes, my kids cuddle with rats.
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So I have been stuck at home nursing my sick boys for two weeks and counting. I could have cleaned the house and caught up with laundry, but instead I used the time to work on my August tutorial for the Graphic's Fairy site and also I made more soap!
Quite a bit of soap in fact. I had made several batches months ago and I didn't want to make any more until I was running low. We really aren't that dirty and don't need that much soap. However, I always make extra for gifts. But finally the soap pile was getting low and I gave myself permission to make more.
I purchased the "Pure Soapmaking" book and it really encouraged me to try cold process soap-making. The book is very beautiful and easy to read, and I love the tips for creating pretty swirls and fancy soaps. Some of the examples use specialized soap-making equipment I don't own, but I can modify them quite easily. This book is very inspirational.
Cold process soap can be prettier than hot process, but it takes weeks to cure. I am impatient so this drives me crazy. But look at these gorgeous flower soaps! I used this flower silicon mold.
When I started making soap one of my favorite soap-making blogs was The Nerdy Farm Wife. I love that she only uses natural products in her soaps. And she is about to publish a soap-making book called "Simple & Natural Soapmaking". I preordered it just to be able to watch her free video soap-making class. Here is the link to read all about it (I am not a Nerdy Farm Wife affiliate, I just love her stuff!).
If you preorder the book (before Aug. 8th) you get the classes for free. I have already watched all of the available ones and they are amazing. The videos and printables contain soap recipes, step-by-step instructions, tips/tricks, etc. I wish I had watched these before I started making soap, but they are also great for the more experienced soap-maker. I learned so many new things!
I also ordered her previous book "101 Easy Homemade Products". I kept on checking it out from the library and decided it was time to give back to The Nerdy Farm Wife. ;-) This book is full of amazing natural products you can make for your body, home, pets, etc. Again, I love that Jan only uses natural products and most of her recipes use inexpensive ingredients.
So what to do with all of this new soap? I have to use it/get rid of it so I can make more. Luckily I have friends and family that will take some of it off my hands.
Today I worked on some new packaging prototypes. Previously I made these adorable gift bags, but I was ready for a new challenge. I decided I needed a company name (I am not going to sell soap, I just love to make logos) so "Dogwood Trail Naturals" was born, named after a favorite street from my childhood. I will probably have a new company name for the next batch. ;-)
I wrapped the soaps in some pretty paper from Hobby Lobby (the 12x12 scrapbooking paper packs, 40% off with coupon!) and then designed my labels in Photoshop. I am cheap and didn't want to buy sticker paper, so I printed them out on printer paper and then cut them out and pasted them on with a glue stick. I think they turned out great!!! I might add some twine or ribbon to really fancy them up.
These soaps are for my friend Gina, then I have to make a set for my mother and sisters. By then I will have received my new soap-making book and I can make more soap!!!
Yes, I might be a bit addicted.
Have a great weekend. I have a new beautiful action coming out Monday. :-)
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