I have been quite busy with a few WIPs over the last couple of weeks. I've been trying to get them out of the way before I start Miss A's dress and a new corsetty outfit for me.
First of all there's this bag which I have been mending for a friend. This is the "before" shot where you can see that the handle has become detached ...
We both thought this would look better with a black lining. Et voila!
Why has it got snaps on the handles I hear you ask? ....
Decidedly less glamorous than the bag, and a bit less "Time Team" than my last knitted effort, I have completed another knitted cotton washcloth.
This time I think i've figured out tension and got to grips with my yarn, needle, finger positional ratios. As you can see from the vague "triangular" shape that is trying to occur here.. (the picture is upside down I think).
And from washcloths, to my new favourite obsession.
Remember I said I had lots of parcels and boxes lying around .. well this is the first one. Just before Bath (ha ha), this enormous box arrived, causing much hysterical excitement and almost making me want to forgoe my long awaited weekend treat!
It contained lovely raw soap making supplies from The Soap Kitchen. Lots of butters, waxes, oils and essential oils, plus caustic soda and thermometers. Now all I need to find is a large saucepan, and a blending stick. Having made my own soap with Jane (who is a bit of a soapy guru in the UK) a few months ago, I'm telling you, I never ever want to buy the commercial stuff ever again! Here are some soapy links for you:
The Soap Kitchen - for supplies, recipies, hints and tips
Armomantic - organic supplies and scents
Soap Basics - more supplies
TeachSoap.com - recipies, techniques, hints and tips
Technobillies - Natural recipies including chocolate soap, Jane is a genius expert soapmaker
Soap Tutorial - from the Down to Earth Blog
The Naked Soap Company - this is where you can buy natural soap if you don't want to make it, or they offer soap making courses, taught by Jane.
9 comments:
Soap supplies!! I've been trying to source a good supplier for ages so your links are much appreciated. Think I'll have to get some of my other crafts out of the way before I add more boxes to my ever expanding collection though.
Now then I forgot to tell you, you know the block of soap you kindly sent to me? Well young Twiglet has taken quite a fancy to it and will only wash his hands with your soap. He calls it old fashioned soap - think because it's not in a bottle :) a young man with great taste. So when you've made up your next batch, please may we buy some or Twiglet will have very grimy paws.
Twiggy x
Wow - you made a brilliant job of that bag, Mrs Marmalade. I love it.
Looking forward to seeing the soap that results from that boxful of goodness too.
x
Oooooooooh so exciting... I love getting parcels from the soap kitchen... and then planning soapy days full of soap making (btw I may be able to help re the soap pot... but we will talk). x
Gorgeous beaded bag, there. Oooh, and soap supplies? I still have to give that a go, it does sound like it has the potential to be horribly addictive though ...
Wow cant wait to see how it turns out! I'm thinking you should use lots of herbs and oils mmmm...
Clare
Looking forward to seeing what you make with your box of tricks.
Making soap? Fantastic idea, especially with some lovely essential oils. You're very clever to have mended that bag, and what a great design too. Emma x
I love the little purse! Have fun making soap :)
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