Leonie2
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Idea for moulds (n)n
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Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 334
Posted: 22 Apr 2006 08:08 pm Post subject: idea for moulds
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I was looking around the kitchen for some new moulds and realised that the triangular yogurt sections on a Muller Corner yogurt might work.
Asked OH if he could possibly eat one so I could try it out, and he managed to help out.
It seems to have worked okay. I'll turn it out tomorrow.
Has anyone got any other ideas for unusual shaped (and free) moulds?
n
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alison
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Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 303
Location: North Devon
Posted: 22 Apr 2006 09:55 pm Post subject:
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I use pringle packets.
Lots of the camping barn people seem to eat them, so I fish them out of the rubbish. You get a good tube and can cut it up after 24 hours.
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Lottie
Evergreen
Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 740
Posted: 22 Apr 2006 11:14 pm Post subject:
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The grandchildren's Easter egg boxes the plastic moulding supports looked interesting.
Apart from the egg shaped bits (which DIL said that I could now use to make all the eggs next year!) There were some shapes that held packets of sweets, so I might try those.
I still have Jesse's soap moulds by the way.
I will post them off next week if noone asks for them before hand. (It was OK with Jesse when I checked before, this is just a reminder).
I would like to pass them on, as don't like hanging onto anything too long in case it disappears under the pile of craft stuff - but I will not let it.
Just got to do a birthday card this week, then will post you card book back Jesse with the moulds if no takers.
Many thanks
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Jesse
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Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 2188
Location: West Sussex
Posted: 23 Apr 2006 01:06 pm Post subject:
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Thanks Lottie, no rush
I'm afraid I'm pretty boring when it comes to moulds. I've used the bought moulds that Lottie has and they're quite nice but I still prefer the chunky hand cut bars. I use a big red square biscuit tin (well it's plastic actually) I think it was from a Fox's biscuit selection. It holds just the right amount and makes about 12 bars of soap. The plastic is slightly flexible so it's easy to unmould the soap.
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n
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Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 334
Posted: 23 Apr 2006 01:22 pm Post subject:
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I made the green minty soap in Ikea plastic tubs, a 2 pound quantitiy made 7 bars so they are pretty chunky. I don't really want a delicate bar, more a lump of soap.
n
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Aqui
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Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 316
Location: my desk, Londonish
Posted: 02 May 2006 09:30 am Post subject:
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I used two ecover 1-litre washing liquid bottles. I chopped off the top (from the widest point) and poured the soap in. THe amount from the soap kitchen recipe filled two bottles very neatly. I reckon I can get 6 chunky bars from each bottle.
Only trouble is, I think turning it out may be tricky. I may have to (or get Mr Aqui to) cut through the whole bottle. But then I can turn it into plant labels.
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Pilsbury
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if anyone wants a big red plastic biscit box from said fox's selection PM me as i have about 150, no i didn't eat all the biscuits but i do have the tubs if anyone wants.
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lottie
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Wow lucky you. So I guess that is good for a soap mould then - never even thought of that.
Would make an pretty impressive candle mould too! Think of one that big with lots of wicks in 
pilsbury - you have given me an idea for soap making, from your candle post.
I want to make soap of a rope and without buy expensive moulds I couldn't work out how to do it.
So I just need to get something to use as a mould and block the bottom up with blu tack and use a stick for the rope on the other end. Brilliant
- think the foxes box might be a tad bit to big 
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Leonie2
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excellent for soap moulds Lottie, it's what I use and takes the quantities in MCoss book perfectly, you end up with a nice thickeness of soap bars and I get about 12 bars to the mould. no good for soap on a rope though.
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Haize
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Lottie, when I read your soap on a rope post, I was going to suggest just the bottom of an appropriate sized tub, with blocked up hole in the bottom and rope held up through the top, but thought I probably missed something obvious about soap making, and didn't say it due to a fit of potential embarrasment! 
Does the rope want to come out of both sides of the soap, or just one end?
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Pilsbury
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If its only to come out one side it is even easier, just take the rope and tie the 2 ends together to make a loop then suspend the loop 1/2 way into the mould then pour the soap in, the soap will set with the tied ends in the middle and a loop of rope out the top so you can loop it over the shower head to dry.
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Haize
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That is what I was thinking. Also, if you only have a bigger mould, that you would normally then chop into slices to get the right sized bar, you could suspend multiple loops of rope into the box, from a bar propped lengthways above the box.
I asked my OH what he thought of the idea of the coffee soap someone made (for the soap swap, I believe), and he thought it was great. This christmas I'll try making him one on a rope.
You could also thread one of those suckers onto the rope, so that you can just stick the soap up on any flat surface.
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lottie
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| Haize wrote: |
You could also thread one of those suckers onto the rope, so that you can just stick the soap up on any flat surface. |
Not sure I want mrutty stuck up in my bathroom, even if he has got the body of a greek god - he is enough of a handful on here!
They are all great suggestions -pilsbury you are a mine of information.
n made the coffee soap and it is in the MC book - could write up the recipe ifyou need it Haize
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Haize
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I'd love the recipe, though there is definately no rush...
Mind you, I'm going to be needing some kind of nice thing for the bath quite soon, which doesn't froth...
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Libby
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Is it too late to make soap for Chritsmas pressies? and what is the MC Book that everyone keeps talking about???
Libby
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lottie
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Not too late Libby, it takes about 6 weeks to cure, sometimes it might take a bit longer depending on the soap you make.
Melinda Coss the MC a great book. You can get it or order it at a library buy it online. I got mine second hand online.
It really is a good book to start with
Keep us posted if you have a go
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Libby
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there are 2 on amazon by her?
Gourmet Soaps made easy and the hand made soap book which one please?
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lottie
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I got the basic hand made soap one - but the book is in my studio down the end of the garden and it is dark and raining cats and dogs. I can tell you in the morning, if Leonie or n don't do so sooner.
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Kathy
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Its the hand made soap book Libby, I got mine on Ebay, £4, a bargain!
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lottie
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Thanks for that Kathy - I was almost certain it was that book but I didn't know how many she had written and didn't want to risk Libby ordering the wrong one
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Aqui
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we made another batch at the weekend (although I don't think this lot'll be ready before we run out). We used clean seed trays as moulds. Greased and lined with greaseproof paper - the soap hasn't leaked out the holes. I'm hoping it'll be easier to turn out than from the ecover bottles - will let you know tomorrow.
Libby - not too late for christmas. You need a month for it to cure, so any time up to the end of November is fine. The MC book is Melinda Coss "The handmade soap book". Very yummy it is too!
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Libby
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Brilliant, thanks for that will take a look
Libby
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Libby
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Got one for £5.01 plus postage. Unfortunately the lady wanted a cheque so I suppose it will have to clear before she will post it to me. Just candles to sort out now!!! OOOOooo what a busy little bee I'm going to be!
Libby
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Libby
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Its come, my book, oh my goodness, I can't wait to start. They are soooooooooooo scrummy! Now the problem I'm going to have is which one, or two or three or four or five or six etc etc etc to make off for another read and to write a shopping list 
Libby
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lottie
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You must have picked up my telepathic message to you Libby
I read a post that you mentioned you were bored or something similar, and whilst working in the rain up the lottie, today, I vowed that I would get in touch, and say that every time you feel that way - to get in touch, and I would set you something to do - and do the same with you to motivate you.
The first task, was to choose which soap you want to make, get the materials together, and we will both have a go at the same time.
Set a day and we can both do it and compare notes.
My sons were banned from saying they were bored. Every time they said it I would give them something to do - washing up, tidying their bedrooms, 
So if ever you need some motivation, and we all do at times, please feel free to get in touch, and we can have some fun.
So making soap is first then huh? You choose one and I will choose one - or we can both make the same one.
If we get our skates on we can get some made for Christmas pressies.
What do you say - up for it? Anyone else want to join in just say.
T'was rare they got bored again, and never get bored now
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Cabbagepatch
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I have that book but haven't got around to soapmaking yet.
I would be up for the challenge.....hmm....but have I got time 
What is "boredom" exactly?
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lottie
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| cabbagepatch wrote: | I have that book but haven't got around to soapmaking yet.
I would be up for the challenge.....hmm....but have I got time
What is "boredom" exactly? |
I am not sure - but I think it must be a feeling that you do not have the energy or motivation to something - for all sorts of reasons, often physical - but probably want to do something, but don't know what.
Getting stuck in a bit of a lack lustre loop perhaps. I put it down to lack of energy with my children during their fast growing period All their energy went into shooting up tall. Or maybe it was not knowing what to do with so many or so few options.
I just think that it is so nice to have someone to do things at the same time as you. Gives you a purpose to get on and do it - well it does for me anyway.
Maybe we would start a new topic - for any of us who want to try out something, but need a bit of support to do it.
I certainly need a nudge to get on and do things - especially now the darker days are here and often the weather prevents out door activities.
I can envisage a list of things I need to do. Often in life we have deadlines to meet, especially if and when we used to work, but if you don't work, and do not have any definite deadlines - it is harder to actually do something.
For instance. I really want to start drawing or painting, but can't get motivated to do that. So if someone else felt the same, we could agree on a day, a theme each, (not necessarily the same) and have a go in our respective homes, then post a picture when we have done it. If not a picture then we could say what we did.
It is at this point I shrivel with embarassment at even suggesting it. Off for a shower and then a well earned hot milk and slice of cake
Libby's apple cake by the way She motivate me to finally get off my rear and cook it!
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Haize
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Boredom... I decided that was what got to me when I'd spent too long being studenty and doing nothing but lectures and playing computer games, and I just couldn't do it any more! I realised I was so frustrated because playing comp. games never produced anything, so every now and then my mind would decide it was utterly pointless. Not having any transport, money, or anything else to do in the house, I was not happy
I never had that problem before I went to uni (did loads of random craft stuff or outings with my mum), and have had no further problems since I made sure there was something creative around to do, e.g. ingredients for baking, a bit of sewing, and some card making bits.
Right now I'm having problems in that I've not enough energy to do what I want, and feel guilty about doing something fun and crafty when there are important jobs to be done around the house.
I'll join the challenge club  after Christmas though, happily!
Sounds like it might be quite in line with the "pacing" I need to do to get myself back to normal, with deciding beforehand how many hours to do something for, and so on.
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Libby
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Ok then, I fancy doing the camomile tea bar one on page 47 ............ but ...and there always is one.... I don't have any camomile teabags but I do have peppermint ones and I thought they would be rather nice so I would have to change the essential oils to peppermint and what???
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Libby
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PS
I totally agree with you my mum used to say 'bored, theres no such thing' I am struggling to keep going at the mo and sometimes I get so tired I can't think straight let alone do anything hence I get bored. So am knitting which I can do sitting down
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lottie
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| Libby wrote: | PS
I totally agree with you my mum used to say 'bored, theres no such thing' I am struggling to keep going at the mo and sometimes I get so tired I can't think straight let alone do anything hence I get bored. So am knitting which I can do sitting down |
I totally agree and feel that way to myself at times - so set my self a task each day, to do something that gives me a sense of achievement no matter how small - I just get up and think ermmm - right I will do this today
Back on topic. Peppermint tea bag soap - I reckon that will be fine. I know leonie did a mint soap. As far as the essential oils are concerned you can use whichever 'combinations or flavours' for want of a better word, you like, so long as you stick religiously to the quantities.
It is tipping it down big time and black outside so I can't go out in that to my studio/shed at the end of the garden to get my book.
But if I don't make that one I will make another. So we just need to set a date.
I can't start until after the weekend due to the Charity Stall which is taking up a lot of my time at the moment. After that there will be one or two days when I need to see my son, wife, and baby who are coming home from Japan - but sometime next week I will fit it in if you can.
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Libby
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Can I use any kitchen pan or is it better to have a seperate pan for soap making?
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Libby
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My shopping list
Decent kitchen scales
Soap pot (if can't use a kitchen one saw a good one in Wilkinsons)
Old towels (charity shop)
Plastic Spatulas (don't have any of these)
Sugar thermometers x 2
Coconut Oil
Olive oil
Aweet Almond Oil
Sodium Hydroxide
Essential oils
Any good places to get these oils please???
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Becki
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I wish I had time to give it a go.
Maybe when we move......
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Leonie2
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sainsburys do the basic/value range of cooking utensils, their spatulas are good and cost just pennies.
if you're buying all those oils then look at the soap kitchen for them and the essential oils, that's where I've bought lots from.
make sure you have eye protection and a pair of rubber gloves, these are more important than anything else when soapmaking.
they say you can use any stainless steel kitchen pan provided you wash it well after use, but personally I keep a pan separate for soapmaking.
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lottie
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I got sweet almond oil in Sainsburys, coconut oil which is in a tub and not oil as in runny, I got from the chemist and superdrug (where the hair stuff was), olive oil - not virgin olive oil as that has a different saponification value.
Have fun shopping. The first time I made soap I felt like a mad professor in goggles and gloves, and was a bit apprehensive but it was just common sense really.
Banned husband from the home - which gave me uninterupted peace.
I made a batch of cream before I plucked up courage to make soap
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