Another way of bringing the delights of your garden into the house and
enjoying them the year round is to make 'Door Bouquets'. I hang new door
bouquets on the outside entrance door every other month, I hang them over
mirrors....even on the bed post, and even on the inside of the bathroom door
or wall. When you take a bath or shower the scents are intensified.
Unlike the more structured tussie-mussie, a door bouquet is an informal
massing of dried flowers, leaves, herbs, and grasses, all tied together with
a length of twine or string. The effect is spontaneous and random-looking.
If you don't have a garden, you can use wild flowers and grasses for this
type of arrangement, or purchase drieds at a craft store.
The important thing is to select a nice variety of textures and colors that
work well against each other. One example of such a combination might
include flowers you have dried in silica gel, on their stems, such as
peonies and lilacs. Another choice might be the herbs and the greens in a
southernwood/lavender bouquet. (These are excellent on closet doors.)
Here are some instructions for a Closet Door Bouquet; This particular
closet door bouquet contains herbs that deters moths and insects.
Take one full, long-stemmed sprig each of tansy, wormwood, southernwood,
lavender, Silver King artemisia and rosemary.
Air dry them first.
Arrange the dried sprigs in a bunch with the shortest stems on top. Fasten
them tightly together with a rubber band.
Knot a length of twine over the rubber band and wind the twine around the
stems for about 1 1/2 inches to hide the rubber band. Knot twine a second
time and make a bow or loop.
About the author:
Karen is an avid gardener and crafter. She and her husband have a Backyard Wildlife Habitat,
plus 'Fairy Gardens' where the children can learn about different herbs and hear Karen
read a story about the Garden Fairies and Flowers. For more information about Karen's
herb, aromatherapy and nature related discussion lists visit Karen's
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