Homemade Rosemary & Lavender Soap Makes a Perfect Gift
6:29 PM Posted by Jo Pedranti
Don't
you just love homemade gifts? They are so personal and thoughtful, and
it shows that you really care. Are you going to be making any homemade gifts this
season? Here is a recipe for a soothing and moisturizing lavender and
rosemary soap that is a favorite in our household. I like to make a
personal gift basket with a variety of homemade gifts, and I like to
include our favorite lavender and rosemary soap in our baskets.
This
recipe is inspired by Sandy Maine's Lavender and Rosemary Soap from her
book, "Soothing Soaps for Healthy Skin". I modified it some, and I used
2 tablespoons shea butter, 1 pound of solid glycerin, and 1/4 cup
infusion of lavender flower and rosemary leaves. I also added 1 teaspoon
dried, chopped rosemary and lavender, and 40 drops of lavender
essential oil. I normally add rosemary essential oil as well.
To
make the infusion I poured 1 cup of hot water over 3 tablespoons of
dried or fresh herbs. I let it steep for about 10 minutes.
The
infusions are very healing and they also add color to the soap. I like
to make it a little stronger than the standard recipe when I make an
infusion for soap.
The
shea butter and the soap base were melted separately. If you don't have
a double boiler, you can do what I do and put bowls on top of sauce
pans and let it slowly melt.
First I added the melted shea butter to the melted glycerin, then I added the herbal infusion.
I
pour it in various suitable molds. This time I tried this version for a
change. Once the mixture was poured into the mold and had cooled
slightly, I added the lavender essential oil. Last I added about a
teaspoon of chopped, dried, lavender and rosemary. I let it cool.
Doesn't it look wonderful?
Now
comes the fun part which is to create some memorable and healing gifts.
You could put the whole soap on a fancy platter and decorate it with
some dried herbs. Wonderful platters can often be found in antique or
thrift stores. Perhaps you already have one in the cabinet?
I
decided to make more than one gift out of this soap, so I cut and placed a few
pieces in a soap holder. I found this inexpensive soap holder at IKEA last year. You can be very creative and use beautiful glass bowls
from antique or thrift stores. I have used items that I've found at
estate sales and garage sales for gifts.
I like to add liquid soap to a matching container and include it in my gift baskets.
My
mother makes beautiful needle point tablecloths and place mats. They
make a nice addition to my homemade gift baskets. My children added a
little gift as well. Doesn't it look like wonderful gift?
This is post is linked to:
Weekend Bloggy Reading, The Mommy Club, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Your Green Resource , Sunday School
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Johanna is an aromatherapist and an independent distributor of Young Living Essential Oils She is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives. She also runs Naturally Sports & Wellness together with her husband.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.
This is post is linked to:
Weekend Bloggy Reading, The Mommy Club, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Your Green Resource , Sunday School
October 26, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Hello! Thanks for sharing this great gift idea with Wildcrafting Wed. I'll bet it smells wonderful!
October 27, 2011 at 8:13 AM
Mmm... I've been wanting to get into soapmaking for a while now, and your post was so inspiring! I'm in the process of creating my list for holiday gifts, so I'm definitely bookmarking this page for possible gift (and personal use, of course!) creation this year!
October 27, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Love this recipe! :)
October 28, 2011 at 3:23 PM
It does look wonderful! I love it in the bundt pan.
October 28, 2011 at 3:23 PM
I love it in the bundt pan. It does look wonderful!
October 28, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Thanks for all your comments. Have a wonderful weekend!
November 6, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures' Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
I love this idea!!
Check back later tonight when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! :)
November 6, 2011 at 9:17 PM
I'm adding this to my list of gifts to make for Christmas this year (if I can bring myself to noot keep it)! I would be delighted if you would link this to Spa{ahhh} Sundaze! (http://www.projectpossessed.com/spaahhh-sundaze/spaahhh-sundaze-116/)
Your newest facebook follower!
August 16, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Love this recipe that starts with your own herbs. Great for first time soapmakers too. I've added to my blog GreenerLivingBlog.com as well!