Lavender Crafts and Projects

Lavender Wands
Lavender Wreath
Lavender Bath Salts
Lavender Bath Bomz
Easy Lavender Body Powder

Lavender Wands

Lavender favours, or faggots, were originally used to scent linen and other stored fabric and clothes. They were often used to mark the dozens, and the half-dozens, in piles of linen in a bride's dowry chest, and it was usually the children who were set to work to make them. Nowadays, they make nice small gifts, either individually or in a "bunch" to put in a vase. YOU WILL NEED: Freshly gathered lavender stems, about 30cm. (12") long and 1 metre of narrow ribbon.

METHOD:
Take an uneven number of stems of lavender, 15 is about right. Tie these together tightly, with the end of the ribbon, just below the flower heads. Turn the bunch upside down and carefully bend the stems back over the flower heads, one by one. Start to weave the long end of the ribbon in and out of the stems, as there is an odd number it will have a basket effect. Shape the head as you go, pulling the weaving tight as you get to the bottom of the flower heads. Wind the ribbon round a couple of times, and slip knot the end. Use any remaining ribbon to make a bow. Trim the ends of the stems level. You can bind these with the ribbon too, and make a loop to hang up the "favour".

Lavender Wreath

Supplies: (Cost Approx. $75-$100)
Count on approximately $50 on Lavender alone;
then you will have the cost of a base + raffia + ribbon.

• 8 bundles of Fresh Spike or Lavandin (tall) Lavender @ $6 a bundle
  OR 10 bundles of Sweet Lavender @ $5 a bundle.
  (These will give you 75-100 mini bundles)
• 1 X 10" bare frame of willow or grapevine wreath base
• 1 package medium elastics
• 1 spool of ribbon or a dozen skeins of raffia for wrapping bundles
• 1 spool of pretty ribbon for a decorative bow
• Optional: extra sprigs of fresh Statice latifolia, German Statice or Babies Breath to create a lacy "halo" on Lavender Wreath

For a fuller wreath count on up to $75 for the Lavender alone for a decadent but gorgeous finished project!

Method:

1. Each fresh bundle of Lavender needs to be wrapped into about 10 mini-bundles. Place elastic close to the flower head & trim stems very short, about 3-4 in.
2. Lay wreath base flat, attach your ribbon or raffia to the base securely.
3. Lay 3 mini-bundles at a time in a row across the base to lay 1st layer of Lavender. Bundles need to all face the same direction.
4. Pull raffia over the mini-bundles just above the elastic area. Tighten as you wrap around the girth of the base.
5. Lay the next layer of mini-bundles overlapping the previous layer covering the ends up to the wrap ribbon or raffia area.
6. Proceed around the base layering each successive layer of mini-bundles until you meet the original wrap.
7. Leave the ribbon or raffia in one long continuous length, tightening at each layer to keep an even tension. Wrap snugly as the bundles shrink as they dry & it can leave the ribbon or raffia loose…and bundles can "escape"!
8. Tuck the ends of the wrap under the tips of the first wrap tidily as possible. Make an off center loop for hanging on the reverse side or backside of wreath.
9. Tuck in wisps of decorative statice or babies breath around outer edge like a "halo". Add a ribbon bow.
10. Lay flat to dry or wreath will sag as it dries. Freshen with Lavender essential oil as needed. Lasts 2-3 years!

Printable Version (.pdf)

Lavender Bath Salts

• 3 cups epsome salts
• 3 cups of quick oatmeal
• 1 cup of dried Lavender flowers.

Basically measure and grind together lightly and package 1/2 cup per bath...Makes 14 baths.....For fancy bath salts check your dried botanical supplies and toss in one or two of the following; Rose petals or blue Cornflowers, bright Orange Calendula petals, Red Bergamot blooms...dried Mint, Lemon Verbena, Rosemary, Sage...even Seaweed for a "Mermaid's Bath"! PLAY.

For a quick & easy gift for Valentines ~ make fancy Lavender bath salts & package in pretty heart stamped silky sachets from Mathews.

Lavender Bath Bomz

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/3 cup citric acid
• 1/4 tsp borax
• witch hazel in a fine mist sprayer
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 1/2 tsp dried, powered lavender flowers
• spray tin of cooking oil eg. Pam
• small jello or individual soap making molds, even two piece plastic eater eggs will work or even used muffin tins.
  

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix baking soda and borax plus powdered herbs or flowers, sift 2-3 times.
2. Spritz with witch hazel ; mix well, spritz and stir until mix is consistency of wet sand and will retain it's shape if squeezed in a clenched hand.
3. Add citric acid and essential oil (usually available in health food stores). Mix well again.
4. Spray or wipe mold lightly with cooking oil. Pack firmly with your mix.
5. Let set five minutes then gently turn over and tap on top of paper towel surface.
6. Let air dry 24 hours before wrapping or packaging, store moisture free.

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Easy Lavender Body Powder

• 2/3 cup arrowroot powder
• 2/3 cup corn starch
• 6 tbsp. white clay*
• 3 tbsp. dried lavender

*Clay available at most health food stores

Grind whole Lavender flowers in a clean coffee grinder to desired fineness. Use a glass bowl, mix arrowroot powder, cornstarch and Lavender. Optional to add a few drops of essential oil to boost scent. Stir.

Store in a glass sealed container. Nice as a gift in a shaker bottle with holes in the top.

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