I just finished making my third batch of soap today (for holiday presents)

[kayell]

Patchouli - requested by my daughter, sandalwood, and lavender. I have enough oils left to make one more batch. What should it be?

oatmeal/honey
rosemary
coriander/orange
bay rum/lime

Any other crazed soap makers here?
Anyone else obsessedly making presents and avoiding the stores?

[Catch22Dem]

1. That sounds like a cool idea

Would you be willing to share your recipe? I'd really like to have my daughter make some patchouli soap for my mom & sister.

As far as your's goes, I vote for bay rum/lime.

[kayell]

3. Have you ever made lye soap before?

If you haven't, I recommend you start with the directions here - http://millersoap.com/index.html Make sure you follow all the safety instructions. Don't make soap by the info below if you've never made it before. It's really easy once you try it out, and you really know what is in your soap. Homemade soap is very gentle to the skin.

If you have made cold process lye soap before - I made a 3 lb batch with 2 lbs of olive oil and 1 pound of palm oil. (my family likes really HARD bars.) 6.10 ounces of lye added to 18 ounces of cold water. Combined at about 115F. Added 1/2 ounce patchouli oil at trace. Pretty basic recipe - very simple. I usually make 3 lb batches, cause I don't sell, just make for family and friend.

[kodi]

2. funny, i'm making my 2nd batch of soup today from the thankgiving turkeys

dogs are going crazy from the smell too.

and at the moment, i am also burning incense... patchouli too.

[kayell]

4. OMG, for a second I thought you were making turkey SOAP

:puke:

Thank goodness I just read it wrong.

[kodi]

5. by the time i get done it might well taste that way

.

[nuxvomica]

6. Make the oatmeal soap

Oatmeal is really good for the skin, especially sensitive skin.

[Red State Rebel]

7. Do you make from scratch or melt and pour?

I have made my own from scratch for years. I use an all vegetable recipe with Olive Oil, Vegetable Shortening and Coconut Oil. My favorite (and the families) is Peppermint (essential oil)it is great for waking you up in the morning!

[kayell]

9. I make from scratch with lye too

I like peppermint too, but I'm out of peppermint oil, and broke, so whatever gets made will be with something on hand. Lately I've been using olive, palm and coconut oils. Sometimes when I'm flush I use almond oil and cocoa butter for superfatting.

I'm a vegetarian, so it's important to me to know what is in my soap. Plus, once you get used to the feel of homemade soap, there's no going back.

I made some ginger soap once that was quite good for beating back the winter chill. Great for the circulation!

[Red State Rebel]

8. P.S. Rosemary is great if you add some blenderized rosemary and

dill...let me know if you want the measurements.