First up from the herb garden – my very own soap! I thought this would be a lovely homemade Mother’s Day or Teacher Appreciation gift. I picked up some plain, unscented glycerin soap and added herbs from the new garden and some citrus. I love the smell and bright green color of mint.
I diced up some rosemary to add with lemon zest.
I found some great napkins at Goodwill (where else) for 25 cents and some 50% off ribbon at Hobby Lobby for some easy gift wrapping.
I also thought about putting them on pretty antique plates found at Goodwill for $2. But does it look like I’m giving someone a slice of lemon cake? LOL
Herb and Citrus Soap
Recipe adapted from Martha
You’ll need:
Glycerin soap (sold at craft stores)
Assorted herbs & citrus – I used basil, mint, rosemary, orange and lemon
Food processor
Glass bowl or measuring cup
Plastic spoon or scraper
Soaps molds – any plastic or cardboard container will do
Cooking spray
1. Melt soap
Put the soap blocks in glass bowl & melt in the microwave for 30 second intervals until melted. Stir every so often to break up big chunks.
2. Prepare additives
While melting, puree the herbs and squeeze out excess water in a paper towel. For citrus, zest the peel. You’ll need about 1 tablespoon of additives for each cup.
FYI – Orange + basil = an unattractive muddy green brown color.
3. Get mould containers ready
You can buy cute moulds at the craft store, but any plastic container will work, even your Ziploc containers. Though you might want to use something you can just pitch in the recycle bin when finished rather than trying to clean. Use old milk cartons or even yogurt cups. Spray with cooking spray and wipe out excess.
4. Add purees
Once glycerin is melted, let it stand & cool for a few minutes. Before it sets too much, add the additives. Keep stirring to ensure they don’t all float to the bottom. When you have the color you want (more time stirring = darker color) pour into container.
5. Setting the mould
Let the soap sit on the counter for about an hour to completely set. Then put in the freezer for another hour or so. Then it should pop right out. Slice with knife, give to someone you love and use within 3 months.
46 Comments
Hi Stephanie,
Love these little soapy gifts.
Thanks for writing up the tutorial.
I have featured it…along with some other gifts for teachers here….
http://allysonadeney.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/17-handmade-gift-ideas-for-babies-teachers-with-tutorials/
….if you would like to take a look.
Thanks again for a super cute idea.
Ally on harrysdesk.
I am going to try & make for Christmas gifts for my girls.. Stumbled on this site thru Hooked on Houses!
A blog can never be questioned because you are free anything you want but I highly and positively questioned the blogger for posting this kind of blog. I am really impressed and amazed what a kind of knowledge the blogger has. The passion of blogging in this website shows a lot what kind of personality has the blogger. Congrats for a job well done. I salute your article content!
You are amazing. I am really bad at these homemade things : either I bake too much or I do not put the good quantity. lol.. But this recipe is so easy. I stumbled back !! thanks for visiting our blog
what a great gift idea! Thanks so much for linking up.
Crystal
Great post! I can't wait to try this, I love the smell of mint, it is so invigorating, but it is so hard to find mint products. I also love the idea of knowing exactly what is in mine and my littles bath time products. Thank you for the recipe!!
I stumbled this, and am also following in all ways available. :-) Enjoy your weekend!!
Angel
Chasing Serenity
Beautiful soaps and lovely presentation. You have been stumbled upon.
That is a great recipe. I wrote it down. Thanks! Stumbled this for the Stumble Through Thursday Hop also.
Book Review: Lady-Protector by L.E. Modesitt,Jr.
i wanted to let you know that i am featuring your post today at fridays unfolded!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
I have Stumbled this post before and still love it. Thank you so much for joining the hop. You have been stumbled! You can find my post here: Blog Hop Commenting
this looks and sounds heavenly – will love to try it!
Kathy
Hi there. These are BEAUTIFUL!
I “stumbled” the post you have at Makobi Scribes new hop, and I ask you to return the favor. I put up the following links on her “stumble hop”:
http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/blog-hop-for-… – a page listing hops for every day of the week http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/help-make-wor… – a list of charities which are highly rated for using your charitable donations for the purpose you intended http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/here-are-some… – a page for recipes – and there are some great ones here http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2010/11/taking-… – day one of a week-long series examining the death penalty http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2011/03/expleti… – one of my more popular posts: “Expletive deleted? THANK YOU VERY MUCH!”
Thank you, and have a great week!
I've always thought that presentation is a huge part…and, boy, are you doing it well!! I personally like it on the plate!!
I stumbled you…would love if you could stumble me back: http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/04/please-help-…
Thanks!
Kristin :)
Thank You!!!! Shared Twitter and FB, stumbled via the hop: http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%…
I'm visiting from Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. This looks great. What an easy and yummy gift this can make. Thank you for sharing.
My mint just appeared in my garden. I'm going to try my hand at soap making this summer.
Thanks for linking up to Creative Juice, Stephanie! Hope to see you back later tonight!
:)
I will have to try this! By the way, found you through the Alexa hop!
Your soap looks rather delicious!
I've always wondered how to make soap. They look beautiful. Thanks for linking up at DIY Thrifty Thursday @ <a href="http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”>www.thrifty101.blogspot.com.
Stephanie, this is a great tutorial! This can be a good personalized gift :) Really appreciate you sharing this great post with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.
Can't wait to try this! Thanks for the tutorial
I love this, what a great idea! Thanks so much for linking up!
Such a fantastic idea. I'm definitely saving the recipe… thanks for sharing!
Great idea! I love it, and I'm glad to be your newest follower. :) Hugs, Wendy
Wow!!! The soaps are just lovely. :) Neat gift ideas. :)
Thanks for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party. Hope you had a lovely Easter! :)
Love it, so fresh and earthy! thanks for the instructions! visiting from simply sweet home.
That looks so appetizing. And far easier then I would have imagined! Thanks for the post.
Stopping in from the Alex Hop. Here's a link to my post if you want to check it out: http://www.mapleleafmommy.com/2011/04/check-it-ou…
What a great idea!!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post on my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-wrap-up-4-23-… Happy Easter!
What a great idea!! I bet this smells so good! I have always been scared to make soap, but your tutorial makes it a little less scary – thanks for posting this!
I can't wait to try this. Love the fabric napkin for wrapping!
wow those look so pretty! looks like alot of work tho!
Wow! That would make such a great gift! I'll have to try that!
Visiting from the Alexa Hop!
<3
Rebecca
The Copper Brick Road
Bet you could make easter egg shaped soaps in your silicone easter egg tray!
Too cute! I need to do this!
Oh, those look fabulous! I've never attempted to make my own soap before. Thanks for sharing and for linking up to my Catch a Glimpse party! I'll be featuring this tomorrow! :)
I made orange essential oil from orange peels that's perfect for this project!
New follower from A hop, and I'd love it if you could swing through and follow me back. http://realadventuresfromamomof3.blogspot.com/
Oh what a great idea! I will definitely try to make my own soap! Thank you for sharing!
Wow! How cool! I love this!! And it's so pretty, too! Thanks for the tutorial!
fabulous idea! it looks so great i want some.
I love this idea, citrus soap is my favorite, but I love that I will know exactly what is in it!
Well my goodness! I never thought of using my herbs this way! I have SO much mint and basil each summer! Thanks for a great idea and instructions/recipes!
Hey sweets! I changed the domain name of my blog. All my current readers have to un~follow, then re~follow me. If you have a minute I would love if you re~followed me so we can stay in tune =)
Angel @ <a href="http://www.thislifeissweet.com” target=”_blank”>www.thislifeissweet.com
Wow!!! I love this idea!!! This is totally my style. I would make basil soap! Awesome. I just might try it!
following you now!
I love making glycerin soap and this looks fun! I like to let it partially cool after melting then roll into balls rather than using a mold….your soaps look so pretty
Wow…that is amazing! Thanks so much for linking up! You just have awesome and unique projects! :)
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[...] Glycerin soap (sold at craft stores) Assorted herbs & citrus – I used basil, mint, rosemary, orange and lemon You’ll need: Food processor Recipe adapted from Martha Glass bowl or measuring cup DIY Homemade Herb Soap Tutorial | henry happened [...]
[...] Herb Soap – Henry Happened [...]