Once upon a time…..
There was a girl/older lady who lived in a cold, rainy Country and could only dream about warm sunny days, walking on the beach and looking out to the great Mediterranean sea. Her dream came true when her and the hubby decided, enough was enough of the dreary wet days so they upped and moved to pastures new in the sun. 11 years later…. said hubby asked if he could take his wife away for the night, away from children, their home, constant chitter chatter to a quiet location that they could enjoy and have fun together. Oh boy!! did they have fun! Eating tapas by the Med, a few gins to make them merry, wine, good food, A great time was had for that 24 hours.
Now the girl/older lady in question, loves to make soap and finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. That night away had brought thoughts about how she could incorporate a wood grain soap into a beach themed soap and EUREKA! she had it. A boardwalk soap, inspired by the sun bleached planks that are walked on at the beach. Now just to put that plan into action……
TO BE CONTINUED…..
I stand by the Sea and what do I see? I see the sea, staring back at me.
The cool still waters that ebb away slow, but don’t underestimate that mighty flow.
A powerful force that tricks your mind, come on in, I will be kind.
But once you’re in, in its grip so tight! It won’t let you out without a fight.
But today that blue yonder was being kind, a calm, still, pool as far as the eyes could find.
It waves ever so sweetly, and I wave back. See you soon it calls as I turn to track,
My way along the sun bleached wood, the cool blue Med touching where I once stood…….
Now to get on with the task in hand. I used my 4lb slab mould that I won from Nurture Soap last month in the piping challenge. Perfect size.
My colours are Peacock, Black Oyster and Satin grey pillow from mad oils , also creme de la creme from Umakeitup. For fragrance I used patchouli and cedar essential oils.
My recipe is my go to slow mover which works for me.
10 ozs sweet almond oil
10 ozs coconut oil
10 ozs olive oil
10 ozs palm oil
15.20 ozs water
5.75 ozs lye
I used squeeze bottles which I alternately poured lines of soap back and forth. Once I had used up all the soap, I pulled a chopstick through from side to side and because my soap batter was still at thin trace, I gave the mould a few quick spins to try to get a wood knot type effect.
I placed it in the oven at 60 degrees c for an hour and left it in to do its magic while cooling down. I actually unfolded after 12 hours and cut it. Here are the cut pics.
I wouldn’t say it looks exactly like wood but I had fun with it and like the pattern anyway.
Thanks to Amy again for bringing these great challenges.
As always, Love from Spain.
Carolyn x
soapsbysly said:
Carolyn:
That Peacock blue is definitely your color! Looks lovely! It sounds like a really nice scent combo too!
Glad you had such nice inspiration!
Sly
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thankyou so much Sly. Yes, I think Peacock is my favourite. I pick all my colours and my hand automatically goes for that colour☺️ I enjoyed the inspiration part the best lol 💕
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Anne said:
BEAUTIFUL colors! I bet it smells amazing!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thankyou Anne. It does smell lovely but I do love Patchouli. I’m a secret hippie I think☺️💕
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Amy Warden said:
Just lovely. Your inspiration really drew me in!! I wanted to be that girl!! 🙂 Even if it doesn’t exactly look like wood grain, it has very lovely colors and lines.
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thanks so much Amy! Glad you liked the story. My wood grain is not the conventional type you see everyday, it is the kind seen in the eyes of the beholder lol
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7 Labyrinths said:
The peacock mica from Mad Oils has been one of my favorite colors to play with. Your color combination is just stunning!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thank you so much! Peacock is a beautiful color that goes with lots of other colors making it different every time. Glad you like it 🙂
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Belinda said:
Your soaps are always so beautiful, Carolyn! Loving your colour selection and the inspiration for your soap. Thanks so much for sharing your process too. I enjoyed the read. All the best! xo
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thanks so much Belinda. Glad you enjoyed the post too, I amuse myself with stories and poems lol Just trying to make the read a bit pleasant for the reader. Your comments are very much appreciated x
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Sara Golding said:
You have the best inspiration for your soaps! I think half the fun is hearing the story behind each batch you make. Beautiful colors, as always!!!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thank you so much Sara! I just try to make my posts a bit of fun to read as well as showing my soap. Thanks for your lovely comment x
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Renee said:
Very nice! Love the colors!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thankyou Renee💕
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Helene said:
I LOVE the peacock blue colour too! Blues are my favorite colours 🙂 I very much enjoyed reading about your inspiration for the soap. Great job!!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thanks so much Helene! I love all the different blues too and I am always looking out for the perfect turquoise 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post too x
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Debi O said:
My goodness, Carolyn! You create the most amazing soaps on this planet! These are absolutely stunning!
Oh, and I have to say I am so envious of your get-away! I think you might have to reconsider trading your amazing hubby for Brad Pitt after all 😉!
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thank you so much Debi! Always so kind!
My husband works away 2 weeks out of every month so when he is home we try to have a night out without children, last time it was a full night away lol
Oh, and I wasn’t going to trade, I was having them both heehee!! 🙂
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Debi said:
Carolyn, you little minx! I love your way of thinking! 😉
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Michelle Rogerson said:
Your presentation is as lovely as your soap – beautiful job, beautiful colors. 🙂
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thankyou so much Michelle💕 for your lovely comment x
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Nicole said:
Love your color choices and the story and poem with it!! Very creative 🙂
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siennalilysoaps said:
Thank you so much Nicole x
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