Herbal and Floral Craft Projects
By Karen Hegre
A favorite housewarming gifts is a simple sheaf of twisted wheat tied
with a
braid of raffia. Wheat has long been the symbol of abundance and having
a
sheaf of wheat in your home meant that you would never go hungry.
Wheat has become a favorite plant for many floral designers and can be
used
in a variety of ways. "Planted" with dried roses it makes a simple but
elegant arrangement. In stores and through the mail order catalogs,
these
wheat arrangements are very expensive. Yet they are not difficult to
make.
Even if you don't grow wheat, you can buy dried bundles of wheat
inexpensively.
You'll Need:
ten inch clay pot
Styrofoam
About 50 stalks of wheat
24 dried roses with stems and some leaves
Spanish or green sheet moss.
9The Spanish moss placed loosely gives it a fuller look at
the
bottom)
raffia
Cut the Styrofoam to fit into the bottom of the clay pot snugly and
stick the wheat stalks into the center of the Styrofoam so that the
stems
stand about sixteen to 18 inches above the pot rim. Arrange the wheat
evenly but in an open, airy fashion.
After the wheat has been arranged in the center, place the dried roses
around the wheat...place them randomly, toward the center.
Then all you do is cover the top with the moss.
Another way of using wheat is to just place the 50 stalks of wheat in a
terracotta vase or solid colored vase and tying a raffia bow around it.
I have seen many arrangements of wheat in the finer furniture display
stores
around here. They look lovely setting in a corner or on a side table!
Rosebud Necklaces
I make rosebud 'necklaces' and garlands from my dried roses, or you can
buy
bags of dried rosebuds at most craft stores. All I do is string the
rosebuds on fishing line with a thin needle. I hang the 'necklaces' on
chair back or door knobs, and the garlands I use for the tree, or
....drape
them in amongst the ivy vines in our sunroom!
You could also vine them through wreaths, etc.
I get more compliments on these! And it is so easy to do!
Tussie Mussies
You will need:
Dried flowers and herbs
Floral Tape
Paper doily with an x cut out of the center.....or a tussie mussie
holder
Rubber Band
Ribbon
Scissors
Paper, pen, gold thread (symbolizing love), and a pin.
Try to keep the tussie mussie simple. Place the flower or herb
representing
the most important message in the center, and surround it with your
other
herbs or flowers, working in threes to give it symmetry. Because of the
delicate nature of the dried materials, you may find it easier to make
many
(15 or so) bunches of flowers and herbs, each wrapped with floral tape,
which can then be combined into a larger tussie mussie.
Make an encircling frame with fragrant leaves or ferns.
I usually work holding the flowers in my nondominant hand, while adding
and
rearranging with my dominant hand. Some people prefer using a glass as
a
holder while they work.
When complete, secure the stems with a rubber band, and slip the bouquet
into your paper doily or tussie mussie holder.
Wrap the stems with floral tape and then ribbon. You may also addax
small
bow.
Using a pin and gold thread, attach the card, with the message and
meanings.
Tip: If the dried materials should ever droop, just hand the whole
thing
upside down to re-dry.
Floral and Herbal Waters
I make rose and lavender waters , pour them into
heart shaped bottles(any pretty bottle), decorate the bottle and sell
them in my shop! These would make excellent gifts. They have many
uses...less heavily scented than colognes, they can be used as splashes
or toilet waters for a refreshing pick-me-up or as perfumed additions to
baths. I use them to perfume the house. Left uncovered in pretty glass
bottles, they subtly scent a bathroom or dressing area. You can use them
in finger bowls at the table, or boiled in a saucepan for a few minutes,
they can beautifully perfume several connecting rooms of your home.
When
mixing the recipes, measure out the distilled water, then pour into a
mixing bottle. Add the vodka, (rubbing alcohol will not work). Mix in
the herbs(or flowers) so that they are thoroughly wet. Let the mixture
stand in a covered bottle in a cool, dark place for one week to allow
the scent to age. You can leave the peals or herbs in the mixture for a
pretty visual effect.....however, some petals don't fare as well as
others...so if that's the case, just strain them out.
You can use this recipe for making any herb-scented water you prefer. I
made it using dried chamomile flowers, and the result was marvelous.
You will need:
3
cups distilled water
1/4 cup vodka
1 ounce dried chamomile flowers
Follow the directions above.
Lavender Water is not only a delicious
bath additive, it's also a terrific way to pick up your spirits on a
warm day....just dip a handkerchief into a batch that you've kept
cooling in the refrigerator and pat some onto your face and neck as the
Victorians used to do.
You will need:
2 cups distilled water
1/4 cup vodka
8 drops
lavender fragrance or essential oil(I use the essential oil)
Follow the
directions above.
Rose Water In ancient times, rose water was
sprinkled onto visitors as they entered the house. While I wouldn't
advise doing this for your guests, you might consider putting rose water
into finger bowls the next time you give a dinner party.....or, do as I
do....uncap it and let it sweetly fragrance the bathroom, or guest room.
You will need:
2 cups distilled water
1/4 cup vodka
10 drops rose oil
1/2 cup fresh deep-red rose petals
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
and her herb discussion lists, WindowsillGarden, visit http://www.egroups.com/group/windowsillgarden.
or NatureCrafts at http://www.egroups.com/group/NatureCrafts.
