When Petals fall

Gather them.

And make an old fashioned Moist Potpourri.

Loved by Gertrude Jekyll: "The dry is much the easier and quicker to make, but is neither so sweet nor so enduring".



So, don't waste those lovely petals.  Making moist Potpourri is very easy, it is the oldest way of making Potpourri. 

You will need partially dried rose petals and coarse, non-iodized salt.

Layer rose petals and salt in a non-porous container.

Ratio of 3 to1, petals to salt.

Keep adding rose petals as they are available. 

Keep in dark splace, tightly closed.  As you add more petals and salt over time, stir with a wooden spoon. 

 This is my moist potpourri, more than 20 years old.

Still has the most divine and mysterious perfume. 

I know, it's not very pretty.

It is meant to be hidden in a beautiful and perforated container. 

You may want to add the following: Lavender Flowers, Rose Geranium Leaves, Essential Oils, Lemon Peel, Orange Peel, powdered orris root.

Your moist potpourri is ready to use in about 6 months.

Have a lovely week my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Pomanders and much more...

Pomanders are pretty and  fill the home with fragrances of Christmas.

Pierce oranges with knitting needles first, then insert cloves.  Makes for quick and easy work.

Look what pretty dried roses. They will keep you happy all winter long.

 Roses are the easiest flowers to dry.  To ensure that they keep their vibrant colors place roses in a little water (only the stems not the rose heads) the night before.  The next day is when they go into a container. Slowly pour sand over the flowers until they are fully covered.  Place in dry and warm place for a week.  Pour sand off slowly. 

Our friends Christine and Steven drying Hollyhocks for the first time using sand from the Home Improvement store.  It is less expensive than the white silica type and actually gives better results. 

Can you tell which Hollyhocks have been dried?  It's those in the top left corner. Make sure that the sand is also dry or flowers will turn brown.

Dried Hollyhocks look fragile, they are actually quite sturdy.  You can glue them into Christmas wreaths.  But remember that they must be kept inside.

Pansies dry quickly and easily in sand.  However, these pansies, along with all the other little flowers, have been pressed in old books.  No need for a fancy flower press.

Think of all the special Christmas decorations you can make yourself. 

For a little extra inspiration you might want to order (Amazon) this very special book by Barbara Milo Ohrbach entitled "The Scented Room".  It contains easy-to-follow instructions.  Ms. Ohrbach has written several other fine books but this one remains my favorite.

You will find easy instructions and recipes for Floral Water, Wet and Dry Potpourri, Lavender Bottles, Scented Pillows, Pomanders, Wreaths and much more.  My personal favorites are the sachets made from antique floral ribbons. 

Happy creating, my dear Blogging Friends

Gina

They are out!

Out of the sand and looking great

Three days ago, I placed a few hollyhock blossoms into dry sand

  You only need a few dried flowers to enhance a potpourri

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, my dear blogging friends.

Gina