Step 9

“Create a 3x3 pattern so that each piece of soap contains a lemon slice. Spritz the surface with surgical spirit to remove any bubbles and leave until hard.”

Step 10

“Remove the soap from the mould and cut it with a knife into nine even squares. Wrap each square in cling film or greaseproof paper to prevent it attracting moisture.”

Handmade Gifts (Dorling Kindersley, £11.89) is out now in hardback (dk.com)

Soap recipe variations

“All of these combinations follow the same method as the lemon soap above – using 1kg of white melt-and-pour base – and make nine square bars.”

Bergamot Soap

¼-¾ tsp orange natural mineral colour
2½ tsps bergamot essential oil

Rose Soap

9 whole dried orange slices rose soap
2½ tsps rose absolute
diluted in 5% grapeseed oil
100g rose buds

Cinnamon Soap

¼-¾ tsp caramel natural mineral colour
2½ tsps cinnamon leaf essential oil
9 cinnamon sticks

Camomile Soap

¼-¾ tsp dark green natural mineral colour
2½ tsps camomile essential oil
35g camomile flowers

Lavender Soap

¼-¾ tsp purple natural mineral colour
2½ tsps lavender essential oil
10g dried lavender

Sandalwood Soap

¼-¾ tsp light brown natural mineral colour
2½ tsps sandalwood essential oil
50g blue poppy seeds

Vanilla Soap

¼-¾ tsp cream natural mineral colour
2½ tsps vanilla essential oil
30g vanilla pods

Juniper Soap

¼-¾ tsp pink natural mineral colour
2½ tsps juniper essential oil
100g juniper berries

Make your own Christmas crafts