soaps
Watermelon Soap and the July Soap Challenge
I decided to try the July Soap Challenge sponsored by Amy Warden at Great Cakes Soapworks . I had tried the May Soap Challenge which was to make a beautiful tear drop swirl in the middle of the soap bar. I tried three times to make a tear drop and ended up with a mountain one time and a space ship the next. It was fun trying and the fragrance I used smelled awesome ~ Bramble Berry’s Juniper Sage. So I have some interesting soaps to use and sell so all is good.
I was determined that for this challenge I would be successful. I studied the videos in the tutorial that Amy provided plus the ones that the original soapmaker had done. I went out and purchased my PVC couplings and planned out how I would be place in the mold. I was also determined to play and have as much fun as possible.
I chose Watermelon for my fragrance. My mind played with the design for a green and white base with splotches of pink and darker pink that would go inside the PVC couplings. I was so pleased that the soap did not thicken too quickly and remained fluid. I hit the right blend of oils with some cocoa butter. I separated my soap batter into 4 different colors~ green, white, darker and lighter shades of pink,
I was a bit nervous and trying to work quickly to get all poured into their appropriate areas. This was a bit of a race but I got it all done.
My granddaughter took some great pictures and her dog even photo bombed one of them. 🙂
I was so doing the happy soap dance afterwards ! I was so glad that I tried this challenge that at first seemed not possible to accomplish after what happened the last time. I was glad able to push through my uncertainty and also to just have fun with it!
Pushing the envelope outside your comfort zone can be a bit scary but so rewarding once you do it and it makes it easier to keep trying the next time.
What challenges or opportunities to push yourself have you tried lately?
19 Comments
Kathy Dannel Vitcak
Push that envelope…what the heck, push, shove and beat that envelope into submission! Your watermelon soap looks AMAZING!!! Yep, dogs are the BEST photo bombers!
mschendel
Kathy totally agree! LOVE your photos on your blog-truly blissful looking dogs! 🙂
Angela
Beautiful watermelon soap!
I agree it’s good to push out of your comfort zone. A few months ago I started doing skin care classes with elementary students. I was nervous and concerned I would have a problem keeping their attention. I prepped for that first class and didn’t sleep well the night before. I worried for nothing, they loved the class, and so did I. While we make a product for our skin, we talk about how to be beautiful on the inside. I’m adapting the class for middle school girls now, and getting ready to see if I can drum up interest in other places like local libraries.
mschendel
Angela that is so awesome and so happy for your success! Cool beans!
Amanda
I love it! Part of the fun of Amy’s challenges are to step outside your comfort level and try something new. I love participating when I’m able. I can’t wait to see this soap cut.
Donna DeRosa
The soap looks beautiful. Here’s to pushing the envelope!
mschendel
Donna thanks so much!
Ashleigh
Wow!! It turned out beautiful!!
mschendel
thanks so much! 🙂 it was allot of fun!
Omneya
You did a great job!!!!
The push showed a great reward. Love the color choice and theme you chose.
Beautiful soap in the end
mschendel
Thank you!
Ayieta Crawford
This came out really gorgeous! I bet the watermelon fragrance smells awesome! This was my first challenge and it took me a few tries to get it right, but it was a lot of fun and I look forward to next month’s challenge.
mschendel
It does smell awesome! Thank you! So happy you tried the challenge! It is great fun and you learn so much! I had tried the tear drop challenge three times but kept getting mountains/space ship images but was fun anyway. 🙂
Michelle Rogerson
I love the watermelon theme – and the way you’ve swirled them really came out nicely. Congrats!
mschendel
thanks so much!
Amy Warden
It’s so great to see you back at the challenges, Marilyn! You do great work!!! I’m so glad you didn’t let that silly teardrop keep you from trying again – the Watermelon soap is gorgeous!! Yay for your granddaughter to help take some fun photos! It’s great to see your face again. 🙂
mschendel
Thanks so much Amy and for all you do with the challenges!
Christine Bean
Your soap turned our really well. I second your opinion of granddaughters! They are awesome.
mschendel
thank you so much!