from there to here

I just realized that I haven't written a blog post since January!  Wow!  Where have I been?  I've been right here hardly making soap or anything.  I think I got obsessed with making bath fizzes, lotions and then that went away.  It didn't help that we had to put our dog to sleep in November.  I'm a huge dog lover and it was sad to say goodbye to Milla.  My husband and I have been married 18 years and we pretty much had two dogs and then one dog the whole time.  Throw in winter and minimal sunshine and it just didn't make for a fun half of the year.  Spring is here, which means sun and warmer weather.  Yay!

This break from soap making gave me some time to actually use my soaps almost as if I didn't make them.  It was kind of fun to just grab a bar of soap without thinking about what was in it and use it.  I realized I prefer softer and creamier soaps.  I knew that and yet I didn't know that.  I was using a harder bar of soap and then I grabbed one of my palm free soaps and loved it.  I dug out the recipe and saw all of the lovely oils in it (avocado, shea butter, and cocoa butter) and thought that I really need to make this one again.  Sure, I use it up a little faster than a harder bar of soap, but the creaminess and lather really make up for it.  It's luxurious.  I feel motivated again to make more.  I think I might go back to simple soaps.  In fact, I did make a simple soap scented with Chamomile from Natures Garden and I really enjoyed making it.  This was the harder soap I made and while I enjoy it, I would make it using my palm free recipe next.  I just wish I had more of this fragrance oil!


So what else have I been doing with my life?  I had the urge to start sewing again.  This time I decided to make skirts out of old shirts.  It's amazing the tutorials you can find on the internet!  This one was made out of my husband's old polo shirt and a t-shirt of mine that I didn't like anymore.


The second one was from a simple black t-shirt and an old white t-shirt of mine.  I love making new out of old!  Plus, I didn't realize how comfortable skirts were for summer!  I made this one with more of an A-line shape to it with less gathering at the waste.  My next goal is making more of a yoga style skirt.  I may just have to buy a pattern for that however.  I just hope I don't need to use a serger, because I don't have one!


What else have I been up to?  Oh yes, hubs and I have started to go bikepacking.  That's where you throw all of your camping gear on your bike and go exploring!  I love it.  It's a two wheel adventure!  We can go places that would take too long to backpack to.


Sometimes we call them gravel grinders because we're suffering on the gravel.  But then a beautiful view comes into focus and it makes it worth it.


That's about it for now.  Happy soap making and happy adventures!

Comments

  1. Good to see you back! I am sorry to hear about Milla. I know how difficult that is. But I'm glad that you are getting back into soaping and that you've discovered bikepacking! I hadn't heard of bikepacking, but it sounds fun. I've been playing with palm-free soap recipes lately, too, and having fun with them. Your Chamomile soap is beautiful - I love the flowers on top. And you can sew, too?! Very cool idea to turn shirts into skirts! Happy adventures to you, too!

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  2. Awww, thank you for the wonderful comment! I hope I'm back! Maybe I just need someone to measure out my oils and lye for me and then I can actually make soap! Somehow I started back up on my jewelry making habit yesterday! Too many hobbies! I made a watch and fixed a bunch of necklaces. fun fun!

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  3. Welcome back! Condolences to you about your dog, I know how they can be so much part of the family, it's hard to see them pass.

    Your soap looks great, it's so pretty with the flower buds on top. And the sewing projects are great ideas!

    Happy trails!

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  4. Welcome back Milla! I am so impressed with your sewing skills, those skirts are adorable and what a great way to recycle your clothing. I haven't heard of bikepacking, but what a great way to spend time together.
    Your chamomile soap is so beautiful. It's nice you were able to take a step back and look at your soaps in that different light. Sometimes as the creators, we are too invested in what we've put into the soap to judge it objectively. I too think the simpler and basic soaps can be just as nice :) Looking forward to seeing you back more!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I guess I'm still taking a step back from soaping as I haven't made any yet! I even joined Amy's soap challenge, but just did not get the time to make soap. Summer here is short and I feel like I need to take advantage of it, especially when my husband has vacation. One thing I miss in my soap is cocoa butter or some kind of butter like mango. Anyway, I'm still on a sewing kick so I see more of that in my future.

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  5. I like your new hobby, Milla! I also use to sew and my present dream is to 'decorate' t-shirts... I haven't made any soap for several months too. it seems strange in the beginning, but I enjoyed this time consuming and analyzing each soap and comparing their recipes...and I learn of it...
    I am sorry to hear about your dog, Milla. I wish you a lot of courage to pass easier through this period!
    The soap is so elegant, love the dried flowers on top. Simple soaps are always beautiful!

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    1. Thank you! Sewing is so much fun. I guess I'm still analyzing my soaps. I traveled and used my soap and realized I need cocoa butter back in my soap. My skin is so sensitive. I still love comparing recipes and maybe that's why I can't make soap yet. It's been 7 months since Milla passed and I'm doing okay now. Although, it's still hard to go on a walk where we used to walk her. She's in a better place with our other dog. Good luck on your t-shirts! It sounds like so much fun!

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