questions about soap from a novice!

[rainbowdirt.livejournal.com]

hello gals
i know we have all seen the link to the martha stewart ice cube soap, yes? well if not, she says that to get nice hues, add a little bit of food colouring.... now my questions are:
♥does martha not know that food colouring stains your hands? im not sure if im just soap retarded, cause im planning on making my first batch of soap soon.... or if martha is retarded.
♥has anyone used food colouring in their soap and had it work?
♥does anyone know where i can get soap colours for cheap? (ex. NOT michaels or other pricey craft places)
♥and lastly in order to place charms and whatnot in my soap, i first do a layer, let it solidify then place them on-top and pour melted soap over it yes?

Im sorry if my questions are lame, but ive never made soap before, am quite poor and using them as my xmas presents, and really dont want to screw up too bad and waste my soap stuff. Thanks for your input!

meg :)