Friday, June 25, 2010

Pink Saturday

Just the word, homemade, gives me a warm feeling inside. To me, homemade is synonymous with love. Thus, my never-ending quest to find more and more things that I can make myself...at home. Take my soap for instance...



... I have been making it for quite a few years now and use it exclusively for my face and body soap. My children have grown up using it. My oldest son even took some with him when he went off to college. I love using it because it has no dyes, perfumes or artificial additives. I make it from three simple ingredients; lye, lard, and water. And in the process, glycerin is naturally created and remains in my soap. Glycerin is a great healer for skin problems, but it is removed from most store-bought soaps and sold as a separate product.

I did a lot of research and had a few failures before being rewarded with a beautiful batch of homemade soap. But after having pooled info from many books, websites, and talks with my Aunt Edith, I feel like I have my craft down to an art. I have written up the instructions step-by-step so that I won't forget what to do. In fact, the last time soap was made at my home, my sweet Neil took a day off from work and made it using my instructions. He hadn't been around home when we made it and I think he just wanted to see what it was like. So, while homeschooling was going on inside, he was outside stirring up the lye. He was able to follow my five easy handwritten steps and came out with the beautiful soap you see in my picture above.

I know this may seem crazy to some, but maybe interesting to a few? Let me know if you want me to and I'll make a post with my scaled down, tried-and-true directions for Sherry's Homemade Lye Soap. Want to try a bar before making up a batch? If you have a Cracker Barrel restaurant near you, go into their country store and they sell lye soap that looks and smells just like mine. I was amazed that they sell it for $5.99 a bar! I make 42 bars for less than $10.

I am so excited! I have met a new friend and fellow-soap maker this week. She has a brand-new blog called Gerry's Soap N Stuff, and it is just beautiful! Hope you can go by and visit her and tell her that Sherry @ A Happy Valentine sent you, won't you please?

And while you're out visiting, please drop by Beverly's place and tell her how happy she makes us all with her hosting talents for our Pink Saturday.

40 comments:

  1. Hi Sherry Sweetie...
    Happy Pink Saturday and I am so adoring this post.

    That precious gift with the BIG pink bow is so elegant. Thank you for sharing. I am going to have to pick up a bar at the Cracker Barrel store when I can get out again and give it a try. I would love for you to make a post about how you make it. How fun would that be?

    Love your photo vignette too. It is so pretty. Lovin that little doll.

    I will go and check out your new friend. Hopefully this week, I too can meet some new friends to post about.

    Have a beautiful weekend sweetie. Country hugs and much love, Sherry

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  2. Hi Sherry, I am thrilled that you featured my blog, so excited! Thank you, Hugs...Gerry

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  3. I don't know what it is about soap, but I love it. I have a book right here on how to make soap, something I have always wanted to do. I just don't seem to have the time. Your post is lovely and I think the way you have displayed your treasures with the bow is just perfect. I wish we lived next to each other, what fun I could have. Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  4. Love your post on making soap. I remember watching my mother make it years ago. Would love to see hour HoW To.

    Happy Pink Saturday.

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  5. Looks like wonderful soap!

    Happy PS,
    Jacalyn

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  6. Hi Sherry,
    I love that your make your own soaps. I would like very much to do this, too. So, I'd love to have your recipe when you post it. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Pink Saturday, Mary

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  7. HAPPY PINK SATURDAY SHERRIE,
    YOUR SOAP IS BEAUTIFUL LOOKING...IT LOOKS JUST LIKE IVORY SOAP BUT PRETTIER
    I ADMIRE YOU FOR HOMESCHOOLING YOUR CHILDREN AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED FOR IT.
    I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU MAKE YOUR SOAP....I REALLY WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO IT.
    HAVE A LOVELY WEEKEND
    HUGS AND BLESSINGS
    SIMPLY DEBBIE

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  8. Hi Sherry! I am enjoying this post so much because I am a bar soap nut! I really am! I have a basket full of soap I have been collecting for Lord knows how long. Have a happy Pink saturday!

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  9. I enjoyed your post very much today. When I was growing up, my folks made all our soap. I am sure it was not like yours, as we did not use some of the things you did. Some memories are not too bad.

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  10. Happy Pink Saturday!
    I would love to read your directions for soap making. I promise I will not go into business and become rich and famous for it. Handmade soaps are a very welcome and thoughtful gift.

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  11. Sherry, I would love for you to share directions! I think that is wonderful that you make your own soap. I hate dyes and additives and am allergic to many. I will be sure and try the soap from CB and see if I like it. Thanks for that heads up.

    Wishing you a very Happy Pink Saturday!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  12. Hi Sherry,
    Happy Pink Saturday! What a pretty presentation you've made with your soap! We don't have a Cracker Barrel here so I would love for you to do a post on how you make it. Wishing you a beautiful pink weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  13. happy happy pink Saturday to you!

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  14. Your soap making sounds great! Enjoyed your post--Jacqueline

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  15. cherry! sorry I'm late..
    new pink post on line now :)

    but I'm soooooo happy you came by, so I could come straight back to you!!
    this post is so interesting, when you have the time
    please post the procedure.
    once I met a nice guy on a train (isn't it so interesting going by train? you always learn something new!)
    and he told me how his grand father made soap.
    the we drank a very nice Barbera (that is a red italian wine) and I forgot all about the soap. :(

    will stop by at Gerry's on my way back, and say hello from you! :))
    baciusss
    brii

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  16. Such a lovely creation Sherry.
    Happy Pink Saturday.
    xo
    " Regina "

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  17. I love handmade soaps...yours sound wonderful and I have a hubs that has sensitive skin so I am going up to our Cracker Barrel and treat him to one of your soaps....it will give me an excuse to have their chicken sesame salad I love so much!

    I would love the soap recipe, but doubt if it would turn out as well as yours....yours are so white and look so pretty all tied up in the pink ribbon...
    Once again, it is so nice to meet you and I will run over and meet y our new friend, too!
    Jil
    xo
    Happy Pink Saturday!

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  18. Sherry ~ Thanks for sharing your beautiful soap with us. I would love if you would post how you make it - I can't stand to have "scents" in my soap and it seems like that's about all you can find. Thanks for visiting me and Happy Pink Saturday.

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  19. You are so sweet to share with everyone Sherry! I'm your newest follower! Happy Pink Saturday! Have a great weekend, fondly, Roberta

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  20. Oh my Sherry,
    You're so very talented.. I loved your soap making..I think it would be great fun to make soap.. Happy Pinks and I wish a wonderful weekend for you. I will go now and visit your new friend...you're such a sweetie to introduce us to someone new...Hugs...CC

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  21. Happy Pink Saturday to you. I am glad that you came over!
    I mentioned eating in Georgia, but Blue Creek Home is in beautiful Alabama!

    I had a friend back in Jackson who made soap. She always kept me stocked with it - it was so nice!

    I would love to try my hand at it, but right now I have my hands full with baby Mason and making pillows.

    Blessings,
    Rhonda

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  22. A vingette with soap! Just beautiful pink-great post. I love Cracker Barrel-must pick some up too.

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  23. Yes, these Pink Saturdays are starting to make me dream in Pink--not kidding. I shut my eyes at night and see pink. I want pink stuff---it is brainwashing me! I need to do a post on this for some Saturday.! Your bars do look lovely --I am wondering what they smell like? Do you ever put herbs to scent them? It must give you a nice feeling to make your own!

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  24. The soap you make looks so beautiful in that pink ribbon. It's so satisfying I'm sure to come up with a successful product which is so useful to family and friends. I admire this. I still remember my Aunts soap from the 40's and 50's she made it saving bacon fat and all kinds of fats I guess. She lived to be 104. I'm sure you family will always have that soap memory of you in the distance future when they take up a bar of soap. Take Care
    ~Nan~

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  25. I would love if you would post how you make it.... I remember when my granny use to make it. Trish

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  26. Hi Sherry,
    I think it's awesome that you make so many things yourself. I scrolled down and read about your homemade antiperspirant, too! Wow I may try that! Your posts are really pretty too. Thanks for coming by so I could find you today! Kathi

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  27. Oh please, please post your soap recipe! My husband and I would really like to make some but have been really put off by some of the directions.

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  28. Hi Sherry,
    Your soaps sound wonderful and look wonderful.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  29. Happy Pink Saturday! I've always wanted to learn to make soap. Yours is beautiful!

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  30. So when are you going to open an Etsy store? You'd do well!. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  31. Happy Pink saturday! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. As promised - I'm here to return the favor. Homemade soaps! I knew someone who did that once and then she'd add herbs and oils to get different fragrances. And while I readily admit I've never looked... where would one purchase lye?
    Cool post!
    CailinMarie
    http://cailinyates.blogspot.com

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  32. I vote for interesting!!!!! And i'd love to try some- how awesome!

    Thanks for your visit earlier today. I'm late at usual. I feel like I should call my participation "Pink Weekend"!

    Happy PS!
    Maggie
    "Do these shoes match this purse?"

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  33. Please post how you make the homemade soap! I would love to try it sometime! Happy Pink Saturday!

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  34. Thank you for stopping by my blog too! :) You have a pretty post!
    Amy

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  35. Hi, Sherry,
    Very interesting post. Your soap looks so pure and beautiful. I am sure it is very good for the skin, too. Thanks for sharing your soap making process with us. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thank you for stopping by for a visit. Love and blessings always~ Vicki

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  36. what tender and precious post...
    love your blog.

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  37. Hi Sherry, oh your soap sounds wonderful.i have such dry skin living in the desert..do you sell it? I would be afraid to make it...no cracker barrell within about 500 miles of me:(

    Have a great week my friend..
    Barb

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  38. Sherry, I would be Very interested in your recipe! I love that you do this. You are an inspiration! Have a wonderful day! Twyla

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  39. I want to make my own soap! But whenever I read instructions on how to do it I find it very overwhelming, I even tried making liquid soap but it was a bit 'fail'. I'd appreciate seeing your simple recipe, yes please! <3

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  40. Hey again Sherry! My friend Mari and I just made our first batch of soap about a week ago.. wish I had read your blog before we did this. The molding was our problem. The soap turned out OK but not so pretty. It smells good though. Like lavender. Your blog will help us understand the process a lot better. Thanks! Happy New Year!! Love, Laura

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I'm so happy you're leaving me a comment! ~ Sherry