Valentine's Day Soaps

I decided this year to make hand soaps for Dean's office staff for Valentine's Day. It really turned out to very easy. I followed the directions from Martha Stewart, and they turned out very cute. The only problem I ran into was with the heart-shaped cookie cutters. They were metal and would sometimes start to bend after a couple of cuts. So some of the soaps had a little different heart shape to them, which actually turned out pretty cute.

I bought all the supplies at Hobby and Lobby, but I couldn't find the little metal letters to stamp words on them, but I'm still looking. There's always next year.


HEART-SHAPE SOAP

Stamped soaps, inspired by candy conversation hearts, are great gifts for friends. Put in cellophane bags tied with tags; adorn with glitter.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS:
Nonstick 9-inch square pan
Heart-shape cookie cutter
Glass measuring cup
Glycerin soap
Bench scraper
Soap colorant or food coloring
Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol
Cutting board
Needlenose pliers
1/8-inch metal letter stamps
Masking tape

HEART-SHAPE SOAP HOW-TO:
We used a 2-inch cookie cutter (1 inch high) and 2 1/2 pounds of glycerin soap-sold at crafts stores-to make 16 hearts.

1. Depending on your equipment, yields may vary. To determine how much glycerin you'll need, fill pan with water to 1/4 inch below height of cookie cutter; pour water into measuring cup. Record amount; discard water.

2. Cut soap into small pieces with bench scraper; fill measuring cup. Microwave on medium heat until melted; stir. Add soap and heat until you've reached the water amount. Add colorant; stir. Pour liquid into pan. Spray with alcohol to eliminate bubbles.

3. Let harden at room temperature, 2 hours. Freeze 10 minutes.

4. Turn upside down onto cutting board. Create soaps with cookie cutter; pull cutter out with pliers if it sticks. Tape stamps together to form words, and imprint on soap, applying light, even pressure.