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Art and Craft - Posted on 5 Sep 2011


Art and Craft - Posted on 5 Sep 2011


Friday was a day well-spent, doing girl stuff, with a girl-friend,PL. It began with a wholesome breakfast of home-made quiche, (thanks, Freda) with Malacca kopi. Then to work, as PL whipped out her arsenal of lanolin, glycerine, vitamin E, essential oils, colourings, and other paraphernalia for soap-making in delightful mounds of roses, bumble bee, cameo victorian lady and hearts.

We measured with due diligence, chopped up the soap base and stirred the prepared brew till it morphed into a liquid of desirable consistency. Then the colours were added, with a squirt of glycerine to separate the layers, and the liquid soap carefully poured into the soap moulds. Half an hour later, the soap was ready to be separated from the moulds - in theory, that is.

 We realised, to our dismay, that the soaps remainly stubbornly lodged in their intricate moulds and refused to budge. Minutes of huffing, puffing, pressing, squeezing and painful finger joints later, the soaps surrendered to the pounding and yielded.

The results were rewarding enough to egg us on to make a second batch, but first, off to lunch at Shun Fu Market. We chose a humble fare of prawn noodles with lots of sambal chili and home-brewed iced lemon tea. Simple pleasures, relished and savoured.The ritual would not be complete without dessert, so two sponge sandwich with chocolate and apple-cinnamon flavours rounded up our trip, to be saved for tea break in the afternoon. 

We decided not to wrestle with the soap moulds for the second batch. PL took to consulting the internet for advice and came up with a painless solution. The soaps came out easily after spending some time in the freezer. As there was still time enough in the afternoon for more creative options, PL sat me down to teach me how to make beaded angel figurines. 

I did not trust my fumbling fingers too much to undertake such a task of concentration and patience. With some perseverance, the angel took shape and I felt a flush of pride for the endeavour. 

In this age of almost instant everything, there is still a place for creative licence in home-made items. Home-cooked food is simpler and healthier. Home-made soaps are rewarding for own consumption, but even more so to give away. PL graciously gave me two to take home for my efforts. I came home with the two bars and an angel, accompanied by a warm glow of satisfaction and delight. Thanks PL, for a wonderful time.
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