Official Bottega Veneta Chat Thread - Lets Chat!!!

[goldenflower]

blueiris, I've had that exact thing happen when adding extract to a hot mixture. For certain kinds of candy, you don't have much time before the mixture is too cool to form or drop or whatever, though, so waiting to add the extract might be risky. Not that you were contemplating that; I'm just musing aloud (so to speak ... errr, type!) :)

Originally Posted by jburgh

We have some talented members here! Wow, goldenflower, tell us about this soapmaking!

I started making soap when I had to give up torching glass. It's a lot safer than that hobby, but it does involve using lye, which can burn skin/eyes and the fumes can be quite harmful. All true soap is made with lye; there is no way to make true soap without it. When the soap is properly formulated, the lye has all reacted with the oils to form soap and glycerin and so there is no lye left in the soap.

I spent about a year working on various soap recipes, trying to find the right combination of oils (olive, almond, coconut, jojoba, rice bran, etc.) and butters (shea, cocoa, etc.) that made what I considered the best bars of soap. I also experimented a lot during that phase with colors and other additives like clays, lavender buds, and seeds (lemon poppy seed soap, strawberry soap with strawberry seeds). I probably made well over 1000 bars of soap. I also played around with making lotions and other body care items (lip balm, lotion bars, etc.), but I didn't find that as satisfying as making soap. I even contemplated starting a little business, and maybe selling soap via the internet and at the local farmer's market. Some things happened in my life at that point, and I took a long hiatus from soap making, but I'm planning to start up again after the holidays. But I won't be making as much soap as before or making it as often, since I know now that I won't be selling it.

[doreenjoy]

Wow, I'm impressed with all of the hobbies you talented ladies have!

My hobbies are reading, music (mostly classical these days), studying economics, and keeping tropical fish. At one time I'd have put writing on that list, but now writing is more of a job than a hobby (and I'm grateful for that; it's wonderful to be paid for my books).

[doloresmia]

doreenjoy - that is fantastic! tell us about what you write?

[LLANeedle]

LT, Our Sheep and Wool Festival is the first weekend in May every year in Howard County, Maryland. This November I attended Stitches East....it's third and last year to be in Baltimore. Next year it's moving to Hartford, Conn. There's a Stitches West every spring. jburgh, have you ever attended?

[LT bag lady]

Originally Posted by LLANeedle

LT, Our Sheep and Wool Festival is the first weekend in May every year in Howard County, Maryland. This November I attended Stitches East....it's third and last year to be in Baltimore. Next year it's moving to Hartford, Conn. There's a Stitches West every spring. jburgh, have you ever attended?

One of my GFs goes tot he show in Maryland every year. Hartford CT is only an hr away from me, I'll be going to that one for sure!
Cheers

[kroquet]

Plese forgive me, but I can't recall who loves frogs, but I saw this and thought it was lovely.

http://www.tracyporter.com/Gloriousl...g-p-18005.html

[LT bag lady]

That frog is Very very cute!

[LLANeedle]

Originally Posted by kroquet

Plese forgive me, but I can't recall who loves frogs, but I saw this and thought it was lovely. http://www.tracyporter.com/Gloriousl...g-p-18005.html

kroquet, you are so sweet! I'm the frog nut. Actually, he was a gift from a friend a while back. Thanks for posting the link!

[kroquet]

So, you already have this one? I ordered one of her Tea for One pots and love it.

[jane]

I am snowed in... this blows. We dont have tire chains and cant find any to buy anywhere, not even online except at a giant markup.

Not sure what we'll do tomorrow when my mother in law arrives, though there is a high probability her flight will be canceled anyway since michigan is getting snow too.

[doreenjoy]

jane, sorry to hear you are snowed in. I hope it doesn't ruin the holidays for you.

I am going to Pennsylvania in two weeks and I'm dreading the weather. San Francisco has spoiled me. Rain is inconvenient, but at least we can get around.

doloresmia, I mainly write historical romance these days, though I've written other genres in the past. You probably haven't heard of my pen name. Only one non-publishing/non-writer person in the whole course of my life has said, "Oh, I've read one of your books!"

[doreenjoy]

I'm in awe of all you knitters. One of my closest friends just gave me a gorgeous hand-knit cable sweater made from alpaca. I can't believe she sat there and knit the whole thing. I'm not very "crafty" so it's like a miracle to me that people can make things like sweaters.

[LT bag lady]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I'm in awe of all you knitters. One of my closest friends just gave me a gorgeous hand-knit cable sweater made from alpaca. I can't believe she sat there and knit the whole thing. I'm not very "crafty" so it's like a miracle to me that people can make things like sweaters.

You must be a very special friend to her! I love to knit, especially for those who appreciate the time and effort that goes into making something. I give knitted items as gifts often. My dd's & I also make felted handbags, eyeglass cases, ipod/cell phone holders. It is so fun to sit with my girls and knit, they are 8 & 10yrs old and have been knitting since they were 5! I recently made myself a scarf (i'll have to take a picture of it), I never make stuff for myself so I decided it was time! I'm finishing up a sweater I made my 3 yr old son too. I find the handwork very relaxing...
Show us the sweater, I'd love to see it!
Cheers,

[BookerMoose]

I feel so lazy... not that many years ago I used to sew many of my clothes (including tailoring most of my suits for work), knit (a lot), crochet and do needlepoint (a bit), read (for pleasure!), do logic puzzles and grow African Violets. The African Violets lost out when we moved from a northern exposure to a southern one (they couldn't take the more intense light/heat and basically burnt up). Not sure what happened to the sewing, knitting, reading and logic puzzles... other than that I started working at the job that ate my brain/spare time/social life (but I am not complaining - I do love what I do and especially right now even having a job is something to be very thankful for...). I do sometimes go on reading/logic puzzle binges when on vacation, but I haven't sewn anything or picked up knitting needles for years - and I do miss that. But any spare time I have now is spent with my beagles (or here...), which may not be as creative, but is still enjoyable...

[doloresmia]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

jane, sorry to hear you are snowed in. I hope it doesn't ruin the holidays for you. I am going to Pennsylvania in two weeks and I'm dreading the weather. San Francisco has spoiled me. Rain is inconvenient, but at least we can get around. doloresmia, I mainly write historical romance these days, though I've written other genres in the past. You probably haven't heard of my pen name. Only one non-publishing/non-writer person in the whole course of my life has said, "Oh, I've read one of your books!"

ok so maybe you aren't philippa gregory? but wouldn't it be fun if you were? let us know - i have a kindle.... would love to check you out!