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Making Gifts with Herbs
Not only are herbs delicious, but they
are wonderful for making beautiful scented gifts. I have gathered some easy
herb crafts that can be given for hostess
gifts, birthday presents or used as decorations
in your own home. These would also be wonderful accents for a summer wedding or bridal shower.
An Herb Ball
This is also a traditional herb craft which is easy,
and beautiful any time of year.
You will need:
a small piece of thick wire
a Floral foam ball, 3" or bigger if desired
Selection of herbs
Satin or other ribbon, 1/2 inch wide
For a longer lasting herb ball these herbs seem to
work best:
bay
rosemary
sage
seed heads of dill, fennel or caraway
If you do not have these in your garden, visit a good
produce section or farmers market and you may find
what you need.
Bend the thick wire in half to make a staple and push
it into the foam ball. Hang the ball on a piece of string
while you work. Cut the stems of the herbs to almost
equal pieces; perfect lengths would look odd, so keep
them slightly different. Insert each herb stem into the
foam ball, making sure to mix the herbs as you place
them around the ball. Make sure you position the
seed heads of the dill, fennel or caraway more or
less evenly around the ball.
Remove the string and attach the ribbon; tie a bow
on top. I would suggest making this the day before giving
and do not wrap until the last minute. Be sure to place
gently in a gift bag, cushioned with tissue paper.
Herb and Spice Posy
This is both decorative and practical, as the herbs and
spices can be used for cooking. These should be kept
small to medium in size so they can be used before the
dust collects. If you wish, they may also be used strictly
for decoration in the kitchen.
You will need:
Garlic
Whole ginger
red and green chilies
Herbs: bay, rosemary, sage or thyme
Thin, but stiff wire
wire cutters
florists silver wire
Raffia
Set your items in front of you to take
notice of the contrasting colors and textures.
For each bundle you would need 2 of each
chili, a piece of fresh ginger, 2 or 3 heads
of garlic, and several stems of each herb.
Push a piece of wire, about 8 inches long,into
the ginger and folder the end like a hook to
keep the ginger attached, do the same with
the chilies, but use two or three to each wire.
The garlic heads can also be hooked in this
manner.
Begin to arrange the bunch in one hand. Gather
together two or three stems of one herb, then
add the others. Push the wires in among the
herbs stems to conceal. Bind all the stems
and wired with the florist wire, at the top.
Tie raffia to the top of the bunch so it
hangs among the herbs. You can also make
a bow if you wish.
Herb Wreaths
Country herb wreaths are beautiful, and are easy
and inexpensive to make. You can use many
of the materials we have already listed for the
other projects. You can also mix in other plant
leaves such as dusty miller or salvia. The
herbs you can use are endless.
You will need:
wire coat hanger
green floral tape
spool floral wire
Herbs such as:
sage
thyme
mints
basil
rosemary
oregano
feverfew flowers
Bend hanger into a heart or circle
shape; wrap with green tape, starting
at the base of the hook. Gather Herb
stems into small bunches. Attach
each bundle to frame with your spool
wire, overlapping the next bunch, so the
stems are hidden. Work down each side of
the frame. Be sure to mix colors and textures.
When you are finished, exam for any skimpy
spots. As the herbs dry they will become
a bit smaller, so you want the wreath very full.
You may also add extras if you wish, such as
small roses, which will dry nicely,the silver
dusty miller or a raffia bow.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing