Roses, Lavender, Cloves...

When I last posted I shared how I dry my rose petals and save them.  Now I am showing you what I do with them.  I take a large zip bag and add dried lavender buds to the rose petals.  In another bag I add cloves...whole and crushed to rose petals.  My sister and her daughter are allergic to lavender so that is how I began using cloves and I love the smell.  I let those "marry" for a few weeks and get the scent incorporated throughout the rose petals.  I do not use oils as sometimes they can overpower and they can also stain other fabrics they may get in touch with.

Here is what I have been making with my delicious potpourri.  Sachets.  I like using tulle for the actual potpourri vessel.  It holds the contents really well.  For the clove mixture that I added more powdery cloves to I simply doubled the tulle.  After sewing three sides of the cut tulle together  I fill it with petals and then stitch the end closed.  After that I cover in lace which allows the potpourri to still show.

I have decorated the lace with small buttons that I hand sew on.  I have also used vintage pearls and beads on some but didn't photograph them.  Time dilemma you know...

For my bows I like to use seam binding.  My favorite is from Zipperstop.  Click on the link to visit their site and find amazing things you will want to add to your crafting and sewing supplies.  The seam binding is very easy to color and while it is damp you scrunch it all up and enclose very tightly in little baggies.  I let mine settle for a few days to get all happy.

Here are my little bundles of happy seam binding all colored and dry.  If you are in a hurry you can dry them with a blow dryer.  Just keep scrunching them to get the ruffled effect.  Or just use ribbon or flat seam binding as your embellishment.

Here is an assortment that I recently made.  I like giving them as gifts.  I was going to be part of a holiday boutique and sell some but that won't be happening for me this year.  Maybe next year if I plan ahead better.

Sachets made with roses from my garden and stitched with love.  Safe to add to your drawers or pretty enough to leave out and enjoy.  Hope you are inspired to make some for your holiday or birthday gift giving. Once all supplies are gathered they are a joy to make.
Our weather is still fairly nice.  No rain or snow yet we desperately need the water.  We had some clouds that merely teased us all day but never let any rain fall.  With darkness arriving so much earlier I feel like I can't get much done.  My body is very tired without sunshine.  I am a Summer girl and need that wonderful sunshine energy.  Lamp bulbs are not the same thing as real sunshine.
Days are sprinting past and I am wondering how my lists are coming along.  Maybe I should get off my computer and check them.  I could seriously spend all day blog hopping and catching up with creative peeps. Do you have to limit yourself computer wise?  Lately I must do chores or craft in order to earn time on my computer.  Sounds silly but I am such a child and my incentive "bribing" is working for me.
Lovely last days of Fall to all.  May you be happily creating to your heart's content.  Creative Bliss Dears...