Friday, March 29, 2013

Great Cakes Soapworks Challenge 2013 - Week 1 - Tiger Stripe

A Big Thanks to Amy Warden of Great Cakes Soapworks for pulling together this years challenge.
Be sure to check out the challenge information and videos. 

There are still three weeks left to join in if you weren't able to this week!

This week's challenge was the "Tiger Stripe",  a technique that was on my "gotta try this" list. 
This was my first time making soap since October, so I hoped it was like riding a bike. I have to admit, I was nervous!  Lye into water...not water into lye...volcano...bad.  Goggles, apron, gloves.  My oils and supplies are all still sitting in packing boxes in the basement of my new townhome since my divorce and move in December, so I had to do some digging. I must have gone up and down the stairs at least five times because I kept forgetting things - measuring cups, lye pitcher, lye spoon, wrong fragrance, changed my mind on fragrance, no....going with the first fragrance.  I managed to find everything except my digital thermometer, but did dig out the old thermometer I'd originally used when I first learned to make soap, so all was good.  Choosing colors really stumped me this time.  I decided to steer away from the traditional tiger colors of black/brown and orange.  The store that sells my soaps had requested something with Spring colors, so I finally decided this would be their batch.  I used "Breath of Spring" from TKB Trading and "Peacock Blue Mica" from The Conservatorie in my base batter of cream with some titanium dioxide added.  Both these micas in the mixing oil just don't get any prettier.  I wish there was a way to hold that shimmer and bright intense color in my cured soap.  Oh, my final fragrance decision was Morning Sunrise from Moonworks Collection.  Their fragrances are always unique and have depth to them.

Creating the tiger stripes....blue, green and cream. 

Mold filled and top swirled, although it's subtle


Out of the mold and ready to be cut...the house smells sooooo good ! Morning Sunshine says it all. Fresh, clean but not a chemical or artificial smelling clean.  

The cut bars - cool technique !!  I like this look better than the faux funnel I think.

I really need to get a good camera and stop using my phone,  but here's a close up of a bar.  I can't wait to try this again!  Next time, more contrast and maybe three or more colors.  I'd like to figure out how to eliminate the dip in the bottom layer.  Any ideas ?

Thanks for visiting ~ please leave a link to your blog or website so I can follow your soaping adventures !!

Until next week......

~Suzy @ Spoonbridge Soaps    Minneapolis, Minnesota



22 comments:

LatherBeSoaping said...

Gorgeous, Suzy! I haven't tried the tiger stripe technique yet, but it's on my list. I love the blue and green together!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Jenny ! I think I like the technique better than the faux funnel...and you can make thin lines, thick lines, partial lines...with different results. Just make sure you have a slow trace recipe but your first pour (bottom) isn't too thin or you'll get the dip like mine has.
Lesson learned !!

Pam said...

Very pretty and the color combo is my favorite!

Simple Pleasures Handmade Soap said...

I love these colours, too. Looks great!

Cris said...

Really like the mica colorants!

Lindalu said...

That is so pretty. I love the colours you chose...

lwal50 said...

Suzy, this is soooo pretty. I love the colours, and the size of the soap, everything is just perfect xx Linda

Carol-Soaplicity said...

Really love the pattern you got, Suzy and the colors too- great job! I want to smell that scent, it sounds wonderful! :-)

Unknown said...

Thank you, Pam !! I thought it might be too subtle, but I like it. I want to try this technique again.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Lindalu!! Now that I know how to get rid of the dip in the bottom, I want to try it again.

Unknown said...

I'm a huge mica fan...so many great color choices and vendors.

Unknown said...

Thanks !! :-D

Unknown said...

Aw, you're always so kind, Linda. Thank you - that means a lot. xx

Unknown said...

Thank you, Carol ! I've been really happy with the Moonworks Collection scents. I picked up a bunch of their samples and several full sizes and there was only one I wasn't thrilled with. I really love eo's, but sometimes it's fun to play with a fragrance. I seem to turn to the Moonworks Collection fragrances more than others - they're unique hold so well in cp.

Lisa Rohan said...

Wow that came out so pretty. The colours are beautiful,brings to mind soft spring rain

NadaLottaRanch said...

I really like your "anti tiger" color choice ;) To me, it reminds me of waves on the water when the seas are choppy and a tad bit rough - VERY pretty! May try it with your color combo sometime and a "watery" type scent :)

Anne-Marie said...

Your stripes remind me of ocean waves! These are just so cool :)

Unknown said...

Thanks, Lisa! I struggle with color, but get lucky sometimes. Overall, I'm pretty happy with this batch.

Unknown said...

Thank you!! I love your description and wish I'd thought of it :-D So many colors to choose from, that's always my dilemma when soaping!

Diva Prirodna Kozmetika said...

It's so beautiful soap, Suzy!Love it!

Unknown said...

Aw, thank you Anne-Marie !! I appreciate your ongoing support - you keep me motivated.

Unknown said...

Thank you, so much !!! :-D I'm always happy when a batch turns out - even if it's not exactly what I'd hoped for. Always a surprise.