Cranberry Fig Redux

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The more I smell this fragrance, the more it grows on me. I'm not a huge fan of fig by itself, but when it's blended with cranberry or brown sugar, it's a lot more tolerable. I sold out of the last batch of cranberry fig, and I tried to duplicate the look of it: MAJOR FAIL, but all is well! I had to work quickly as I forgot how this particular fragrance accelerates trace. (Note to self: Start taking notes on the outcome of my batches...) This time it's more brick red than blue-red, but only has minute traces of purple. I still like it though. These bars are heavier than the previous batch, and oh well, I'm jabbering, I LIKE IT!!! heehee

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Funneled Soap-A Botched Soap Tale

If you're a soap maker or a fan of handmade soaps then you've probably heard of the funneling technique. I'm not sure who created it, but it's the perfect way to make swirls for the swirl-challenged like myself. I got the original tutorial here from Lomond Soap. It's a very simple concept, but realistically, you need two people to do this neatly. You should have seen me trying to tie these wooden skewers all criss-crossed so I could get my funnel to stay in place. I'm still laughing my ass off at the mess I made.

Anyway, the scent I used was Cranberry Fig from Sweet Cakes, and I'm not a huge fan of cranberry or fig (but I love cranberry juice and Fig Newtons-go figure!) I mixed a little Blackberry Grapefruit in to try to take the edge off the fig, but it didn't work. The brick color is red oxide and the violet is ultramarine violet. I went a little too heavy on the red, but getting back to the story, I only added my fragrance to the red batter. While I had my funnel nice and centered, I began to pour both mixtures simultaneously. I had a good flow going (literally) til the dang red batter seized on me mid pour. Can you believe this sh$%!? It clogged my funnel all up, so I had to move with the quickness! The bottom and middle parts look okay, but the top is botch-y. I had to spread it like cake icing, but it's not bad. It smells really wonderful-if you're a cranberry and/or fig fan. I used the last of my palm oil (from Columbus Foods whom I've learned uses sustainable palm oil. Thanks, Joanna for the knowledge) to make this one. It also has avocado, castor, and soybean oils. I think it's a keeper. Tomorrow I'll post yet another new soap!