alphabet blocks
melt-and-pour soap recipe
by Cynthia Townley Ewer
Editor, OrganizedHome.Com

Splish-splash! A special child's name embedded in a bar of clear soap makes bath time fun for little ones. Pre-cut foam shapes make it easy.

More ideas? Add holiday messages to soaps for the guest room. For a "lady of the manor" touch, create personalized soaps with monograms or the family name for guest baths.

Makes 2 4-ounce bars.

Materials and Supplies:
8 oz clear glycerin soap base
16 drops soap fragrance
2 4-oz capacity soap molds
"fun foam" alphabet letters
microwave-safe measuring cup (2-cup size)
instant-read thermometer
spray bottle filled with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
bamboo skewers
vegetable oil in oil mister or vegetable oil
(do not use pan spray)
Instructions:
Prepare the soap molds by spritzing lightly with vegetable oil sprayer and wiping nearly dry.

Cut clear glycerin soap base in 1-inch chunks. Place four ounces soap in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat on High for 15 seconds, then for 5 second intervals until soap is melted. Do not allow soap to boil.

Remove measuring cup from microwave. Stir in 8 drops soap fragrance, mixing thoroughly.

Insert an instant-read thermometer to monitor soap temperature. When thermometer reads 120 degrees (or when soap forms a skin in the measuring cup), move skin aside and gently pour soap into prepared mold, filling the mold 1/4th to 1/3rd full.

While waiting, arrange letters to form the desired name. Reverse each letter (so it points backward) and reverse the order of the letters. Check with a mirror to make sure the name reads correctly when reversed.

Allow mold to stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until it has formed a skin strong enough to support the foam letter pieces. Spritz letters lightly with rubbing alcohol, and place letters in reverse gently on the cooled soap film. Use the bamboo skewers to make any tiny adjustments necessary. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

Place remaining 4 ounces soap in measuring cup and heat. Add 8 drops soap fragrance, stir thoroughly and cool to 120 degrees. Pour soap gently over alphabet pieces, adding only enough soap to barely cover. Allow soap in mold to cool and form a skin for 10 to 15 minutes.

When alphabet letters are firmly embedded in cooled soap, reheat the remaining soap in the measuring cup. Stir and cool to 120 degrees. Pour remaining soap into the mold, covering letters completely. Immediately spritz the soap surface with a light mist of rubbing alcohol to control any bubbles that have risen to the surface.

Cool soap completely before attempting to unmold. You may put the mold in the refrigerator to cool, but do not put it in the freezer. Press the mold gently with your thumb to unmold.

Allow soap to cure for 2 to 3 weeks before wrapping. Wrap completed soap with clear plastic food wrap, and attach a gift label with soap contents listed.

Makes 2 4-ounce bars.