THE HERBAL HARVEST-CRAFTS FROM THE GARDEN

Lavender is one of the most versatile herbs. It can be used for many kinds of herbal crafts. Lavender wands are easy to make. Simply arrange the flower stems in a bundle, and tie them together with attractive ribbons. In the home, the wand can be displayed in numerous places. They often decorate bathrooms and other places where air fresheners might be needed.

Sachets are a common use for lavender. Unlike some commercial potpourri, this aromatic herb will retain its scent for a very long time. Traditionally, lavender sachets have been used in linen closets and drawers.

Lavender blooms are also used to make herbal heating pads or wraps. For this purpose, the flowers are often mixed with flax seed or rice. The mixture is sown up into fabric. The pad or wrap can then be heated in the microwave, and placed around the neck or on other spots where achy joints are a problem. At one time White Flower Farm even sold lavender spa booties with lavender. These could be heated in the microwave, and used to bring warm comfort to cold feet.

For instructions on making these herbal items and much more, I highly recommend a wonderful craft book, "Calming Crafts-Relaxing Crafts To Inspire Your Creativity." Written by Dawn Frankfort, it was published by Bristol Publishing Enterprises, Inc. The author provides recipes and color-illustrated, step-by-step instructions for making every kind of potpourri imaginable as well as herbal pillows, and soaps. Each chapter contains blank pages where you can make notes and write down additional recipes.

I collect and save my own lavender seed from my plants for planting the following year. The tiny seeds have to be separated from the petite seed capsules, which isn't hard to do. Once that's done, the remaining chaff is very fragrant. Rather than throw it away, I found an excellent use for it. It becomes the basis for scented lavender paper for fragrant drawer liners, note cards, and stationery. When I'm making a sheet of paper, I just throw in a handful of this chaff on top of the paper pulp before I do the pressing.

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