A lavender wand sachet DIY

July is a perfect time to gather some aromatic lavender and make some sachets to refresh your linen closet. You can make then in different ways, like traditional cute mini pillows, poaches and linen ornaments or you can make a lavender wand. 

The photographs below belongs to our team member, Irina from Belarus (JewelryFloren*). She got so many blooms in her garden this year that she was able to make 25 pretty lavender wands  from just 2 lavender bushes.

Here is what you need to make 1 lavender wand like hers:

25 to 30 fresh cut lavender stems

2 1/2 yards of 1/4" wide satin ribbon in color of your choice

sewing thread.

Сlean your lavender stems from the leaves and bottom flowers. Gather them together and tie the stems tight right under the flower heads with a sewing thread. Now, bend the stems to the sides to cage the flower heads inside. Run one end of the ribbon along side the flowers to poke out of the bottom of the flower cage.

Tie your pretty satin ribbon on top of sewing thread and start weaving the other loose end of the ribbon around the top of flower cage using basic under-and-over basket weaving technique. Push the sticking-out flowers back to cage with a toothpick. Keep weaving tightly (very important since the lavender will shrink as it dries) to get a bottle shape.

Tie both ribbon ends tight around the base a few times and make a pretty bow. Isn't it pretty?

Let it dry and it is ready to be used!

*Have you seen Irina's shop? It is full of pretty flowers made of cold porcelain or polymer clay. Bloom which will never fade!

Here you will find a very pretty floral jewelry, hair accessories and decoration pieces. My personal favorite is this gentle winter snowdrops caged in a sphere. What a sweet Christmas ornament!

Best wishes to you, our readers. Enjoy your summer!

By socksandmittens

My Lavender Kingdom

I'd like to invite you to my Lavender Kingdom today. It is called "La bottega della lavanda " or a "Lavender shop".

By the way, this bicycle by the entrance works just fine!

Everything here (including me) is either lavender colored or has lavender fragrance. Even our cash register is purple! According to psychologists, lavender color works to relax you. It calms your down and even improves your vision!

The beneficial effects of lavender were known a long time ago, even to the ancient Romans. Now you can find blooming lavender in almost every Italian garden or on balconies or patios. It is a beautiful plant that is loved by many and it also works as a mosquito repellent.

Do you know that 1 drop of lavender oil will ease the discomfort of mosquito bite? Not many people know this natural remedy, but now you do.

If you will get a chance, try to see the glorious lavender fields of the Friuli region in Italy. Once you see it you will almost instantly fall in love with this simple purple flower!

Lavender will help calm down your nerves and will help you think clearly. You can also use it in the kitchen as a food supplement or you can drink it as a tea.

Oh, beautiful lavender, here it is:

I have everything right here in my Lavender Kingdom: cosmetics, perfumes, air fresheners, lovely sachets, bath products, candles and also house decor items and ceramics.

Lavender sachets placed in the closet will absorb odor and also will disinfect the air. It is said that if you will place a lavender-based natural air freshener in your bedroom or place a lavender sachet right on your pillow during day, you will never have a bad dream. You will wake up refreshed and full of energy!

I hope you enjoyed your short trip to my Lavender Kingdom. If you are ever in Italy please stop by!

Story by Katrin Katrinshine

Translated by Tanya AGardenCottage

Tutorial How to make homemade cold process soap

Today, our team mate Alecia who runs Arctida shop on Etsy is sharing a DIY tutorial how to make cold process soap scented with Lavender and Patchouli at home. This 100% essential oils is especially good for dry skin.

 Equipment:
· 2 mixing bowls, preferably stainless steel or tempered glass
· A cake mixer or a blender.
· A thermometer, scale and a rubber spatula
· Several measuring cups and spoons
· A microwave or a stove top (clean is good, sterile not necessary)
· Container/mold with cover
· Lots of paper towels
· Rubber gloves and safety glasses

Ingridients:
Olive Oil ~ 7.9 oz (225 g)
Coconut Oil ~ 4.4 oz (125 g)
Rice Bran Oil ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Cocoa Butter ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Shea Butter ~ 1.8 oz (50 g)
Alkanet root powder 1 ¼ tbs

Lye (3% superfatted) ~ 2.51 oz (71.2 g)
Water ~ 5.3 oz (150 g)

Additives:
Jojoba Oil ~ 0.53 oz (15 g)
Lavender and Patchouli essential oils ~ 0.4 oz (12 g)

Directions:
1. Suit up in safety goggles, gloves and long sleeves.

2. Add the lye to the water. Stir well taking precautions to not breathe in the fumes. Set the mixture to the side and allow it to cool to approximately 110F (~45°C ). You can put the lye water mixture outside if you are not in a well ventilated area.

3. Add all your fats and oils together and melt. Allow them to cool to approximately 110F, or within 5 degrees of the lye water.

Since I only use natural colorants, I had to prepare my Olive oil with Alkanet root powder in advance, hence the deep purple color of my oil mix.

4. Add the lye water mixture to the melted oils, carefully. Stir vigorously until trace occurs. Trace looks like a thin pudding. A stick blender will help speed trace along.

5. At the end of your trace, add extra oils (superfat your soap) and essential oils of your choice.

6. Pour your traced soap mixture into your molds.

7. Pop out after 3 to 5 days, cut it in bars and allow to sit for a full 4 to 6 weeks to cure and finish the saponification process. Recipe yields approximately 4 bars of soap, 4.5 oz (~ 125 g) each.

 

A day in a lavender paradise

It is so nice to take a country road trip in the middle of summer, warm sun, rolling hills and a fragrant air. What else can you wish for? Just the great easy summer living feeling! There are endless farm fields that are full of juicy berries but in some parts of country there is also a time for a lavender paradise.

Straight purple rows and purple flower cloud right in front of you are worth a picture. The fragrance is just wonderful.

You will not be able to resist stopping by a lavender farm to take a closer look.

Go ahead, stop and enjoy yourself. Take some photos, cut some flowers and get a special little treat at the farm cafe. Fresh baked cookie with lavender buds or a cup of a warm steaming lavender tea will add some flavor to your day in lavender paradise.

Lavender has a special way to make you feel about it.

People are inspired by this simple purple flower to create, me included. While in Washington we stopped by many lavender farms, I took lots of pictures. Later I made some sketches and watercolors and during cold winter days created some simple charts of a lavender stems to cross stitch.

My special way to remember the fragrant summer.

Story by Tanya (AGardenCottage)

Here is some of our team members lavender inspired creations:

1. Herbolution 2. YanArt 3. Lasunka 4. StudioElenus 5. Svetkar 6. Yevgenia

7. CityCrochet 8. BelleCoccinelle 9. Visart

Inspired by Lavender

People have appreciated lavender since ancient times. The fragrant, pale purple flowers have a calming and soothing scent for which they are famous. Lavender buds are often used in potpourris or are made into sachets to be placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths. Dried lavender flowers have become recently popular for wedding confetti. Lavender is also great in scented waters and other organic cosmetic products.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The wonderful fragrance of lavender is not the only inspiring aspect of these unpretentious flowers. Many artists are inspired by the old romantic feel that lavender brings with it. We instantly think of peaceful countryside when we see lavender.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The beautiful color of lavender has also inspired many crafters to replicate it in jewelry and accessories. Isn’t it hard to resist?

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Lavender is a great source of inspiration - whether it’s the beautiful color, the wonderful fragrance, or the romantic feel of these ancient flowers. So plant some in your back yard or buy a pot of lavender for your window sill – and get inspired!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Story by Yana (WineCountryLife)

Amethyst, the mineral of the month for February

In Greek mythology a beautiful maiden Amethystos was pursued by the god of wine Dionysus, and was turned into a white stone so she would remain chaste. Dionysus then poured wine over the white stone as an offering dyeing it purple, and this is where the Amethyst stone got its name.

Amethyst is the most precious variety of quartz and the color of it can vary greatly, from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple, blood-red, and green.



Amethyst is believed to develop his owner's inner strengths, sharpen his wit, turn away evil thoughts, and give knowledge of the future in dreams.



Many believe that amethyst is a symbol of friendliness, open-heartiness and candor. A person wearing amethyst can be sure that his partner is true to him.


Amethyst should be worn every day and only then it's magical qualities will help his owner. However, one needs to keep in mind that amethyst changes its mood easily. So, if the owner has it on during any quarrel or confrontation, the stone can pick up the negative energy and reflect it back onto the owner. In such cases it is recommended to hold the amethyst under the running water for 5-7 minutes to calm it down.



Please take a look at the amethyst collection from Rusteam.



Story by Irene (Beautyland)
Translated by Alla (FleetingStillness)