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Soap Challenge--Dandelion Swirl

This Great Cakes challenge started off, well, challenging for me.  I had internet problems (a lack of it) and something went rather tragic in my attempt to cobble together a recipe without access to my online lye calculator crutch or a good saponification chart.  Obviously, I need to work on this skill, since my first batch of soap is still not firm enough to cut.  I've seen firmer marshmallow cream.  I'm estimating that I'll be able to cut it in a week or two or maybe three.

The top came out pretty, though, didn't it?
Sigh.  I wonder what the inside looks like.

On to batch number 2.  I went for a winter/snowy theme this time, scented with BB's Fresh Snow fragrance.
I made a small 6-bar batch.  I kept noticing that my divider (a dollar store cutting mat) didn't stay in the center but kept migrating toward the edge with every pour.  I was concerned that it would ruin the design, but it held well enough.

I know this challenge was all about the inside, but I had to add this picture.  I think it's my favorite soap top ever.

And the cut soap....


It's been a long time since I made soap using the full water amount and that 24 hour wait was almost more than I could handle.  But I held in there and was happy that I did.  I'll be doing it more often from now on because I intend to pull out my newly learned skill frequently in the future.  I even have a variation on this technique running around in my head that I hope to try soon.
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Comments

  1. Donna OShaughnessyOctober 18, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    Those are stunning! Like large cocnch (conch ? Cocnh?) Shells from the deep blue ocean. Very very artistic

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:46 AM

      Yes! I know exactly what you mean--a conk shell. ;) I thought the batch looked a little more marine than winter too, but I'm happy either way. Thanks, Donna!

      Delete
  2. Janet SchreinerOctober 18, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Absolutely Beautiul!!!

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  3. Simple Pleasures Handmade SoapOctober 18, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    WoW! Those look so neat. I hope you'll post pictures of your first batch when you finally get to cut it. I love the tops as well!

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 18, 2013 at 10:47 AM

      Thanks--batch number 1 is still sooo soft. I hope it eventually gets hard enough!

      Delete
  4. LisaOctober 18, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    Beautiful!!! I absolutely love how you did the top of the soap. :)

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  5. Anne-MarieOctober 18, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Wow! The top is swirl just pops right out at you with those colors. =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jessie YOctober 18, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    Love already by seeing these pictures. They are definitely stunning lines and colors. Especially the dot design on the 2nd batch, flash in the pan. Also so curious in the 1st one when it gets cut.

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 19, 2013 at 2:08 PM

      This technique is stunning, isn't it? I never would have thought of it myself. I'm interested in seeing my first attempt, too!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousOctober 18, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    Beautiful, Amy! Love the denim blue, the perfect swirls, and the gorgeous top! Can't wait to see the first one cut! It looks great!

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 19, 2013 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks, SoapJam! I'll update this post with pictures of the first batch when I cut it, even if it's a mess....

      Delete
  8. NataliaOctober 19, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    Wow,stunning, Amy! This is for sure my favourite! Congratulations!

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 19, 2013 at 2:13 PM

      Oh my. Thank you, Natalia! There are so many outstanding soaps in this challenge.

      Delete
  9. MayrenOctober 19, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    As a huge fan of Blue, I'm a little biased... Your colors are great with nice defined stripes. I'm more than impressed with the top as well. Very up-scale.

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 19, 2013 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you, Mayren! The top IS kind of fancy-pants, isn't it?? hee hee...

      Delete
  10. Amy WOctober 19, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    So beautiful, Amy!! I'm loving the inside swirl AND the tops for sure. Definitely looking forward to seeing the inside of the first one too... Great job on your first challenge club!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amy@10th Ave.October 19, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    Thanks, Amy! And thanks especially for putting this whole challenge club together--it has to be a big job, but we all appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownOctober 20, 2013 at 2:01 AM

    The second soap is really special. The top is unique but I am also impressed with different variations of blue colors you achieved. You did really grate job! Best regards, Gordana

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 22, 2013 at 4:53 AM

      Thanks, Gordana! I generally underestimate how much colorant to add, so I was thrilled to actually get a really dark blue this time.

      Delete
  13. UnknownOctober 21, 2013 at 1:22 AM

    Love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. LatherBeSoapingOctober 21, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    Wow, I love your Dandelion Zebra Swirl, Amy! And the top is gorgeous! The blue and black are so nice together. And I love the top of the first soap, too. The colors are so vivid. Can't wait to see the cut photos of it!

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 22, 2013 at 5:03 AM

      Thanks, Jenny! Well....I cut the soap. It's not so pretty. I'm glad the recipe didn't work for me so I made the second batch. I'll post a picture today.

      Delete
  15. CrisOctober 21, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    Love both of the tops! and a very pretty swirl too!

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    Replies
    1. Amy@10th Ave.October 22, 2013 at 5:06 AM

      Thank you--I was thrilled by the way they came out, too. (Why does it always surprise me when I get a batch turn out the way I planned?!)

      Delete
  16. Amy@10th Ave.October 22, 2013 at 5:10 AM

    Thanks, Maitri! And thanks for the link to your blog--I love finding new ones. And you have some gorgeous creations, too!

    ReplyDelete

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