Welcome! December’s challenge was to use an impression mat to create a textured and detailed top to our soaps. I was excited to try this December Challenge because I usually don’t do a very detailed top on my soaps. We had the choice of using a purchased impression mat or making our own. I purchased a couple of mats with the intention of making my own, but that didn’t happen! 
I made three batches. My first came out really nice. I used the lacy looking mat in my 2.5# mold and did a high/low water combination. I used a divider and pour a high water base on one side and a low water base on the other. I did a drop swirl with 2 more colors and did a low water drop in the high water side and vice versa. Then I did a hanger swirl once I removed the divider. I didn’t pre pour the mat as I wanted the color variations in the lace. Here is a photo of that batch…
The next two batches weren’t what I was looking for. For the second batch I decided to do a dry mica on the “grapevine” mat. I loved the pop of color that gives and proceeded to make my soap. I decided to switch molds right before I started but forgot to adjust my batch. So, I ended up with wide bars that are only about an inch and a half high. Too bad, I liked the colors in this one. 
I wanted to see what a contrasting lace top would look like so I decided to do a coffee soap with a creamy top. I used an FO that was new to me and it strangely colored the soap a decidedly not coffee color!
RA Soapworks 