Last year I saw a clip on HGTV where a lady poured a opaque soap in a mold, let it set, then used acrylic paint to stamp, or paint an image onto the soap and then toped it off with a little clear soap, and presto! The image was in the middle of the soap. I liked this idea so much I tried it myself... but guess what happend? The acrylic paint just bubbled up and floated to the top. I guess the heat of the second layer was just too much for it. The only thing I can think that I forgot to do was spray the first layer of soap down with alcohol after the paint dried, and then pour the second layer.
Help! Do you think my second layer of soap was just too hot? Did I not use enough paint? Should I try a different kind of paint? What did I do wrong?

I need as many chewing tobacco cans as I can get my hands on for an art project I am working on. (which will hang in a friends gallery this October) I will be painting them and making a large mosaic. Even a few cans is a worthy donation! I will be more than happy to credit any and everyone who contributes cans to my project on the byline. If you can donate please mail cans to 1333 Redbud Dr. Hurst, TX 76053
I cant wait to get enough cans so I can start posting pictures of my project.

[Divide for heel:]

I have started early on my xmas presents this year. Right now I am working on a christmas stocking that is knitted flat, not in the round. Im to the part where Im starting on the heel and this is what the pattern says:

Divide for heel: From (RS), Slip first 13 sts onto holder for right half of heel. Slip next 27 sts onto 2nd holder for instep. Slip remaining stiches to free needle for the left half of heel.
Left half of Heel: From WS join  secondary color if desired. Row 1 P, Row 2 Sl 1, k12 Repeat 8 times. Work short rows to turn heel as follows: p2, p2 tog, p1, turn ......theres a little more to the heel pattern from there.

But there are 2 places that I sort of got stuck. The first thing that was weird was that when I was transfering my stiches to the stich holder it told me to do so from the R side (my knit side) so to transfer my stiches to a needle for the left half of the heel the needle was pointing the wrong way. I had to take all those stiches off the needle and put the needle in backwards so Id be ready to purl the next row. I thought that was strange. So I got through rows 1 and 2 and then got stumped at the "work short rows part" My stiches arent decreasing..... and according to the pattern at the end of my 16 rows I should have, what 5 stiches, in order to do the p2, p2T, p1 turn?
I dont get it. Whats going on, and what have I done wrong if anything? If I need to post a pict of my work, or the picture of the stocking from the book let me know. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Im 2 skiens into a beautiful scarf and I ran out of the yarn Im using. I have thought about adding a different color to the ends so that the scarf will be long enough, but I really want just the solid color that I already started using. I was using Sensations brand, Whisper in pink. Apparently Joanns doesnt cary the yarn anymore, and I havent found any on ebay. To make matters worse the scarf is a gift Im knitting for someone who is moving in a month. Does anyone out there have an extra skien? Or heck, even half a skien? I can only hope against all odds. Thanks!