Family Resources Kid's Resources
Family Support
The Parlor Join us on our message boards for conversation, introductions, support, encouragement and chit chat. Stop by and introduce yourself Here!
Recipes
Tea
Crafts
Garden
Forums
Crafting With Lavender
By Brenda Hyde
Using lavender in
crafts is very easy because it dries so well. When projects call
for lavender buds they usually mean the dried buds of the plant.
Harvest the buds just as they are opening, before they fully open
after the morning dew has dried. Hang bunches upside down
that you've tied with twine, string or secured with a rubber band.
Hang them in a dry, fairly dark location such as a closet, attic or
shed. When they have dried hold the stems over a bowl or paper
sack and remove the buds. You can buy dried bulk lavender buds
from Glenbrook Farm
Lavender Balls or Shapes
You'll need:
Styrofoam balls in any size, or shapes such as hearts
Hot glue gun with glue sticks or craft/tacky glue
Lavender buds
Lavender essential oil (optional)
ribbon
Cover your work area with craft paper or newspaper. Warm the glue
gun if you are using one. Place a pile of lavender buds on your paper.
Cover half of your ball or shape with glue and gently roll and press
into the buds. When the area is covered, shake off the excess and
repeat with the other half. Repeat this with as many balls or shapes
as you are using and allow them to dry overnight.
Once you have this part done you can do many things with your
lavender shapes. The balls can be placed in a square of lace
or tulle, tied at the top with pretty ribbon and placed in bowls or
baskets. You can also use a stick pin to attach a piece of ribbon
as a hanger and decorate the shapes with dried flowers or a bow.
Dried rosebuds glued to the top with a raffia bow or hanger is
also pretty. To make the lavender scent strong you can drop
several drop of essential oil on to the shape as well.
Easy Lavender "Sticks"
You'll need:
8-10 stems of lavender with buds still attached
6" piece of purple tulle
About a yard of silk ribbon per "stick"
Lay the tulle down on a work surface that you've covered with paper.
Usually the braided lavender sticks must be freshly picked, but this
craft can be made with dried flowers and stems that you've picked
ahead of time. Lay your bunch of lavender on top of the tulle. Center
in the middle with about an inch left at the top of the material. Fold
the tulle over the top of the stems that have the buds, so the flowers
are covered but not the bottom of the stems. Carefully roll the lavender
up in the tulle, so it's sealed in. Use the ribbon to tie the bottom part
of the rolled tulle that is open. Tie a knot with the first third of ribbon,
then use the rest to wrap around the bottom of the tulle and stems
about 2-3 inches down until the ribbon is used and there is enough
to tie it off or glue the end if you prefer. These can be given as favors
or used as gift toppers.
Lavender Eye Pillow
You'll need:
two pieces of fabric 4.5"x9.5"
3 cups flax seed or uncooked rice (not instant)
2-3 tbsp. lavender flowers
lavender essential oil
thread
In a bowl mix the flax or rice, the lavender and the essential oil. Mix
well. Sew two sides and one end of the material for the bag using
1/4 inch seam. Turn the pillow right side out, fill with the mixture. You
want the pillow to lay fairly flat so you can place it over your eyes or on
the back of your neck. Once filled hand stitch the open side securely.
You can use plain muslin for the pillow, and then out of a printed cotton
material sew a small pillow case to use on it than can be taken out an
washed. Flannel is a nice material to use for this. The bag can be heated
for about 30 seconds in the microwave. I use mine often on my neck.
Lavender and Rose Potpourri
You'll need:
2 cups dried rose buds/petals
2 cups dried lavender buds
3 tbsp. orris root chips--or powder
10 drops lavender essential oil
Place the lavender and rose buds in a large glass jar. If you use orris root
chips add to the flowers, then the drops of essential oil-seal with the lid
and shake well. Shake daily for about 2 weeks, leaving the lid on, then
you can use as you would other potpourri. If you are using orris root
powder first add the essential oil to the powder, mix well, cover, and
let it sit for 2-3 days. Then, add the flowers and shake together in the
large jar as mentioned above. Follow the remaining instructions. This
is a simple but lovely potpourri.
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
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