Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Pumpkin Spice Handmade Soap

I purchased a new mold for making soap.  It is made with HDPE ( High-density polyethylene).  The bottom board has a lining made with silicone.   When I have purchased molds of this type in the past, the mold dividers were not long enough to reach the edge, allowing the possibility of a curve of the divider which would make odd shaped  bars of soap. These type of molds may also be harder to unmold.  I tried the new mold out this weekend.  After placing the batter into the mold, I grabbed the divider edge to lift the mold and give it a good tap to remove the air bubbles.  I wasn't thinking and I lifted the dividers off the base. Oh, sugar!  That was not a thing to do!  I had a major clean up to do on the table and the floor.  I was able to miraculously place the dividers right back into place and add more soap batter to fill up the bar spaces.  Whoosh!  It could have been much worse.  Next time I use this mold, I will place it on top of another board and give the bottom board the air bubble removal wacks. 

The soap took a little longer to set up enough to come out of this mold, in comparison to my silicone loaf molds.  The soap heated up a little too much and cracked the top of a few bars and a couple bars spewed out a little from a crack.  The soap bars remind me of pumpkin bread and how they crack down the center when baking.   I usually unmold my silicone molds in 8 hours or so.  With this mold, I unmolded it in  32 hours.  It really was pretty easy to remove the dividers.  I purchased the mold here:  https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1486020898









This is the pumpkin spice hand made soap.

Thank you for viewing my blog.  Dawnie


Friday, September 14, 2018

Using Nylon Buttonhole Thread in Spinning


I have been spinning some lace weight fiber.  I get bored easily and need to try something different.  That is why I vary the size of the wool, the breed of wool, and the color of wool I spin.  I also like to add to the wool some sparkle, silk, recycled sari silk, banana fiber, corn fiber, recycled denim, pineapple fiber, etc.  In the picture above on the bottom right side, the trivet is made from lace weight BFL fiber in mostly fall colors.  The skein of yarn on the top right is the same yarn as the trivet.  On the left side it is the same yarn, but it is auto wrapped with vintage nylon buttonhole thread as I was spinning the yarn.  The thread is allowed to do pretty much as it pleases and mostly dangles by the orifice.  There may be a lot of thread in one area and less in other areas.  It gives the yarn an interesting look. I loved the look of the yarn with the vintage cameo buttons.  I tried to give you a visual of them with the yarn.  The nylon thread will catch the light on occasion.  A brighter colored thread or a thicker thread would give the yarn more interest and zest.  I hope you have a great weekend!  Dawnie

More wool locks, etc.

I haven't made many things as of late.  I threw my back out and I spent several days in pain with a lot of Icy Hot patches and muscle cream along with some kind of muscle relaxer/pain pills.  I was a little out of touch.  I couldn't bend without major hurt in the lower of my back, especially on the right.  You just don't know all of the things you use those muscles for until you need them.

I finished one of the fireplace mantle cloths.  I made this one a little wider so it could be used on a buffet or a dresser.  If it is too wide, it can be easily folded on the back side.  This mantle cloth is for the fall.  It has tiny deer heads on it along with pastel leaves on a dark golden metallic brown background.  The reverse side has a burlap look alike fabric.  All along one side is long sheep wool locks.  They are kettle/rainbow dyed with primarily gold color.  There were also yellow, purple, brown, and orange colors in the dye pot.  I love the longer locks and the bling in the fabric!  I don't have a mantle, but my mom does, so I made use of it.


up close



This is a table runner I completed this summer.  I love the vivid colors.  It really makes a great mantle cloth too!









The harvest mantle cloth.  It has a blackboard-like background with vivid fruit and veggie pictures and canning jars.  The other side of the cloth has a coral fabric.  This is such a playful fun fabric.  I could see some canning jars on this the mantle or on a sideboard and this cloth used for a sideboard cover/cloth.



When making the mantle cloths, I needle felted the wool locks onto the fabric and then sewed the seams.  I think the locks will be less easy to pull off.

My grand-baby turned 2 and my mom turned 87 on 9/11.








I noticed all of the curls in my grand-daughter's hair.  All I can see is wool locks for spinning.  LOL


I hope you are all doing well.  Have a great weekend!  Dawnie