Whipped Body Butter Tutorial with pictures

 WHIPPED BODY BUTTER TUTORIAL

• 300g Shea Butter
• 2 tablespoons of Coconut Oil 

Melt Shea Butter and Coconut Oil

• 1oz Jojoba 
• 1oz Meadowfoam Seed Oil
• 2oz Sweet Almond Oil
• 12 Vitamin E capsules (popped and liquid added to soft/liquid oils)

Measure soft/liquid oils in Pyrex measuring cup and add to the cool melted Shea Butter and Coconut Oil concoction

• 15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil 

Add Lavender Essential Oil to whipped mixture

 I had to melt the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil because the last time it blended all grainy and lumpy.

I don't know how Soap Queen does it but hers blended so smoothly!

Note the doubler boiler system instead of heating it directly over the fire.

While waiting for the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil concoction to cool to paste-like consistency, I measured out the soft/liquid oils into the pyrex cup.

I added the soft/liquid oils to the Shea Butter and Coconut Oil concoction when it cooled to about 30C/Cool to the touch.

I didn't have to wait almost 2 hours to cool for the last batch. I didn't put this in the fridge but just waited for it to cool at room temperature. As you could see, the paste-like consistency traced the whip when I lift/tilt the Kitchenaid mixer.

 Whip back into the bowl!

That's how I determine when to start whipping. There's no point whipping while it's still in liquid state because it will take as long as the cooling period to whip and increase in volume.

Start whipping from medium for 5 minutes and then fast until the concoction looks whipped and increased in volume.

After much whipping, there's a volume increase. 

Add the Lavender Essential Oil and whip on fast again.

Beautiful whip consistency!!

Looks yummy enough to eat!

Scoop into washed clean and dry containers.

I filled 2x 500ml and a little bit into another container of Whipped Body Butter that I'm still using.

There's roughly 430grams of ingredients when it is unwhipped.

Freshly Whipped Body Butter!!

ENJOY!!

Kitchenaid Platinum Collection or Artisan Mixer vs Breville BEM800

Here are some links to compare the Kitchenaid Platinum Collection mixer, Kitchenaid Artisan mixer and the Breville BEM800.

Kitchenaid Platinum Collection KSM156 - Candy Apple Red + Information
Kitchenaid Platinum Collection KSM156 - Other colours (Metallic Colours in this collection)

Kitchenaid Artisan Range KSM150 - Empire Red + Information
Kitchenaid Artisan Range KSM150 - Other colours

Breville Scraper Pro BEM800 - Silver
Breville Scraper Pro BEM800CB - Cranberry Red

Basically, the Breville is more technologically advanced with the LED light to indicate the power range, timer, load sensing technology, lift assist handles and includes a spatula.

It all comes down to personal preference with me as I'd prefer the retro, metallic red colour and manual-manner of the Kitchenaid mixer.

Candy Apple Red Kitchenaid Platinum Collection

I am happy to announce that my husband and I are proud parents to a Candy Apple Red Kitchenaid Platinum Collection mixer!!!

I have been researching for the past few weeks about which mixer I want to purchase. Here's my simplest prduct comparisons (from the Kitchenaid and Breville websites) minus reviews. Kitchenaid always gets the FIRST preference but because it is so damn expensive here in Australia AUD$799, I thought I'd go for the alternative, Breville BEM800 AUD$440~$479. After lots of research and indecisiveness, I thought I'd go for the Breville BEM800 because of the raving reviews, which is as great as the Kitchenaid mixer. Then I couldn't make up my mind again...

After speaking to my colleagues and a friend, whose mum has a red Kitchenaid Artisan mixer, I've then decided that I will put the Candy Apple Red Kitchenaid mixer on layby since I don't have the moolah to pay it upfront. Instead, my dear wonderfulest and bestest husband said he will contribute to our Candy Apple Red Kitchenaid mixer so we can take her home on the same day. WOOHOO! HEAVEN!!! It did put a huge dent in our bank account BUT we are very happy with Scarlet. Even my manly husband reckons she is an awesome machine! I have not made anything as yet. Just admiring how beautiful, sexy and sturdy Scarlet is! Even the attachments are sturdy!

If I have decided to go ahead with the Breville BEM800 instead, I wouldn't have been as happy because in my heart and soul, Kitchenaid would always be the one and only! You know, that nagging feeling when you get the next best alternative but your heart is on your very first choice...

Anyway, enough blabbing! Here are some more pictures.

Comes with a glass bowl

 Speed 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10

 Defaults to Lock all the time

I'm not too sure if the Artisan models have this feature

Contents:

Glass Bowl

Flex Edge Flat Beater

 Flat Beater

Whisk

Dough Hook

(All accessories are made of stainless steel except for the glassbowl)

NOT pictured: Warranty paperwork, Instructions booklet, Care leaflet for the glassbowl and Kitchenaid DVD (How to use and includes some recipes)

I am not too sure if the 'cap' is in the Artisan models but Scarlet comes with the 'cap' already attached

From what I could see in a Youtube video, the Artisan model uses a 'washer' instead of the 'cap' 

(Please do correct me if I'm wrong!)


SoapQueen TV uses the same Candy Apple Red Kitchenaid Mixer!

YAY!!!

Diced rainbow coloured soaps in Goatsmilk & Oatmeal soap Tutorial!

I was shattered when I couldn't find the magic tool, the butter curler (the one that Eden's Secret used to make the pretty soap curls with), here in the stores in Australia?? Potato/Apple peelers and cheese slicers just won't work for me!!! Kept "almost" sliced my fingers off! :o( I was inspired by her soap curls design that I wanted to try for myself but tough titties for me!

By the way, Karen from Eden's Secret is one of the best soapers that I know of! Her soap designs are absolutely beautiful! She also makes cupcake soaps, soap cakes, massage bars, bath bombs, men soap, etc. I get a lot of inspiration from her! :D She also has a youtube channel filled videos of her making and designing her products!

Here's my first little tutorial that I will share with the world! Or whoever decides to look at my blog...

I get my supplies/goodies from Aussie Soap Supplies!

DICED RAINBOW SOAPS IN GOATSMILK & OATMEAL MELT & POUR SOAP TUTORIAL (MOSAIC DESIGN)

I made up layers of the rainbow spectrum (minus orange) in a container. Good thing about not spraying rubbing alcohol is the layers do not adhere and can be easily "peeled" off. I used clear soap and made red, missed orange, yellow, green, blue and purple layers. Once each coloured layer is almost solid, I pour another layer of coloured soap on top of it. Leave it overnight to fully solidify.

Unmould from the container and slowly pull apart the layers. I am extremely annoyed with myself for not taking pictures of that process!!!!

As I mentioned before, I initially wanted to make the pretty soap curls like Eden's Secret's but because I can't find the right tool, I decided to dice the coloured soap. My last post about improvising? Here's improvising!!

My untidy work bench! 

For now. :D

 This Lock and Lock mould holds 2 litres.

Measurements roughly: 9cm x 9cm x 25cm

First Goatsmilk & Oatmeal layer, I melted 200ml (or grams) for the bottom layer and added Bramble Berry's Oatmeal, Milk & Honey fragrance oil.

Once the bottom layer is almost solidified, I scattered a layer of the diced colour soaps.

I initially wanted it to stay in the middle BUT because the diced coloured soaps are not stuck to the bottom, it decided to do some floaty movements as shown below after I poured another layer on top of it.

REMEMBER TO SPRITZ THE TOP OF EACH LAYER BEFORE POURING THE NEXT LAYER!!

 That's the second layer with diced coloured soap.

Once the layer is almost solidified, spray rubbing alcohol for the little diced coloured cubes to momentarily adhere to the bottom layer. 

For the next layer remember to spritz rubbing alcohol before pouring!!

 

Just keep adding the layers of diced coloured soap.

As you can see, the 2nd layer is scattered because I don't want the coloured soap sitting on top of each other, if that makes sense!

I think it was up to 4 layers of diced coloured soap before I cover the top completely.

Remember the base was 200ml (or grams) of just the plain Goatsmilk & Oatmeal soap?

After the last layer of cubed coloured soaps are laid out, I poured 400ml of the Goatsmilk & Oatmeal soap. 

200ml to fill the layer of diced coloured soaps 

200ml to completely cover the top layer (to mirror the bottom layer)

This is now a waiting game. I will have to wait till tomorrow to ensure that the soap is fully solidified in the mould then I will cut it! EXCITEMENT!!!

***DRUM ROLLS***

...until tomorrow!!...

GOOD MORNING!!!

Lesson learned from last night?
1) REMEMBER TO SPRAY EVERY LAYER WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL BEFORE POURING ANOTHER LAYER ON TOP!!!
The bottom plain layer detached because I forgot to spray some rubbing alcohol...

2) Dice the coloured soaps bigger

I think that's it.
VOILA! Smells like baby powder. :o)

Needle felted teeth or molar with a heart!

I promised my friend, a dentist, that I'd needle felt something for him and here it is! A needle felted teeth/molar. Love your teeth!!

Now I just have to get this squishy hearted molar to him! :-)

(Wool tools & supplies from Felt Alive)

Origami addiction!!

As usual, been super slack at updating my blog BUT that's because I didn't have much to offer/show...

Seeing that I have dipped my hands on using different materials and making different things, I have gone back to paper! I absolutely LOVE IT! I've gotten myself into origami now and have folded a couple of complex origami designs. I learned how to make them from Youtube. Both tutorials are taught by Sara Adams, Youtube name AdamsSara.

Snowflake!

(Designer: Dennis Walker)

 Tracing paper Snowflake

 Tracing paper Snowflake

 Backside of tracing paper Snowflake

Silver pearly paper Snowflake

Tessellation: Star Puff!

(Designer: Ralf Konrad)

Backside of Star Puff Tessellation

I should update my blog more often and will soon when I start making cards again! :)

Enjoy crafting!!

Needle felted Ice cream!!

Last Saturday, I was minding my own business and needle felting sushi rolls for my nephew. The boys were watching tv, chatting and knocking back a few Vodka shots then they saunter over to where I was needle felting at the kitchen bench. One of the boys said, "Hey, why don't you make an ice cream for my girlfriend?" And I did! :D

Apologies for the bad photo. It's the only one I've got. It was fun needle felting it on the spot!

I've also received 3 of 5 packages from Dream Felt/Kay Petal's Needle Felting Supplies. Hoping for 1 to arrive this week and the last package next week!! Pictures coming soon! :D