Homemade Potpourri
Dear Creatives, As I mentioned yesterday I would share some potpourri ideas, tips & recipes so you could make some hostess gifts or even just make your home feel a bit more like fall by bringing in some fresh scents that bring back wonderful memories & are pretty to look at on a coffee table or other area. Some potpourri items you can find on your woodsy nature walks, such as acorns, pine cones, pine needles, twigs & leaves such as eucalyptus. Then there are the items you can dry yourself such as apple, orange rind & lemon rind and if you are lucky enough to own a bay leaf tree that can be dried too.
Here is a tip I found via Women’s Day for drying orange peel: Set several paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Place orange peels on the paper towels. Cover the orange peels with three or four layers of paper towels. Microwave at fifty percent for five minutes, rotating half-way through if your microwave does not have a carousel. Remove peels and store in a cool, dry place for two to three days, until completely dry. I believe it would work for lemon peel too, but haven’t tried it yet.
They also recommend that you keep the mixture stored in a jar for two weeks prior to putting in a bowl. From a book I have in the dry method they say you can drop essential oils 1 drop at a time, add to the mixture & stir. Then place in a jar for storage, it recommends six weeks in a warm, dry, dark place to cure. Make sure to lid to help prolong its scented life. What I like about making my own potpourri is you can vary a recipe & exclude items that you might not enjoy of certain scents.
In this little teacup is a bounty of fall pine cones, acorns, star anise, small sprays of berry beads, a waxed leaf from sugar maple, a little round faux orange studded with real cloves and a star anise crown. This idea is from StoneGable who has many beautiful tables-capes.
Now for some recipes:
Woodland Blend 2 cups wild strawberry leaves, 1 cup pine needles, 1/2 cup violets, 1/2 cup rosemary, 1/4 cup cedarwood chippings, 1/4 patchouli, 1/4 rosewood, 2tbsp sweet violet root, 3 drops cypress oil, 2 drops pine oil, 1 oz. oakmoss
For more recipes like the one above check out The Complete Book of Herbs a practical guide to growing & using herbs by Lesley Bremmness. Viking Penguin 1988
Spicy Blend *image with the book Womens Day
Citrus Potpourri * recipe & supplies
Autumn Annie’s *recipe / purchase premade
Have you ever made your own potpourri? If not will you try making it?
Do you have a favorite potpourri recipe?
