Coming Clean!

Hey everyone!  I hope this is the start of a really great week!  I did something a few weeks ago that was so much fun and turned out just as I'd hoped it would.  I made some soap -- not laundry-type, but "luxuriating in a tub" kind of soap!  I had some of the things I needed already but had to make a stop at Hob Lob (coupon in hand, of course) for Shea Butter Soap.  So this is what I did!

I wanted to make two different kinds of soap.  My first batch is Lavender. 

I simply melted the Shea Butter Soap in a microwave safe bowl.

I already had dried lavender, lavender essential oil & coloring that I mixed to get the shade of color I wanted.  I thought it would be pretty to add the fresh pansy blossoms, but they didn't show -- guess they will be a surprise as the soap gets used!

Once everything was melted and mixed well, I poured the mixture into a soap mold that I had.

The second batch I made was lemon-rosemary.  That just sounded like a great combo to me.  I already had some lemons in the fridge and rosemary growing in my herb pot.  I zested the lemon and then chopped it and the rosemary fairly fine.  I added lemon essential oil to this batch plus some yellow coloring.  The yellow with the green of the rosemary looks so pretty.

It's kind of hard to see the plastic mold, but it worked fine and the little soaps popped out easily.

Some of these were being given as a gift, so I wrapped them in some parchment paper,

tied them with baker's twine, and added fresh sprigs of rosemary and lavender.

All ready to be wrapped in tissue paper and popped into a gift bag for someone special.   I think she   

will really enjoy these very fragrant soaps!

I love to party with these fine bloggers:

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 

Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading