Something about this time of year just feels so magical to me. I get this spark that shakes me up a little bit and gives me the motivation to create things. Hurrying to get fun things done before the winter comes, reaping the harvest, and snuggling up to all things warm and cozy. I try to spend as much time on my little 5 X 9 foot balcony as I can while its this nice out. Because it is still warm here in North Carolina my potted plants are still flourishing even though the leaves are changing. My cat nip is just growing out of control. Last years winter was so mild that it was still able to be outside and just took off early early spring and hasn't stopped yet. Its over taken even other pots that it wasn't planted in. But more on Cat Nip later. I have so much of it that I needed to start harvesting it and ran out of room to dry it. I went searching for a fallen tree branch to be the base and picked out some quartz crystal points for the ends. I got this idea from pinterest on a year that we didn't have space for a Christmas tree and hung tree branches on the wall instead. (above pic before we decorated it) Supplies: tree branch and crystals, a glue gun, hammer and nails. I thought that I would have to wrap the crystal after gluing it, but I really like how it turned out without the string. So omit the string, unless you wanna use it. (I even dropped it after gluing it crystal side down and it still stayed...so I think its secure) I picked out crystals whose base would align well with the texture of the wood and found the best position before gluing it. These came out so much better then I expected and actually look as if they are growing right out of the wood. I hammered two nails into the wall level with each other and then simply rest the stick along them like a rung in a ladder. This allows you to take it down whenever you need or to rotate it as the plants dry to assure that there is enough air circulation . (the picture below doesn't give it justice, sorry for the bad lighting)
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I hope everyone survived the hurricane without too much damage. I was without power for a little over 24 hours and have to admit I rather enjoyed. I got a lot of use out of this candle as the vibrant colors were the brightest and provided the most light. This project will make good use of all the fallen leaves we'll be seeing soon. Start collecting now and then press them in a book so that they dry completely as well as flattened. I find that phone books are the best for this due to its pages, so if you're wondering what the heck to do with a phone book, save it for pressing leaves and flowers. Bibles are also really good. Its something to do with the type of paper that just works really well. Sometimes I'll press the leaves in between paper towels if I'm using a book I don't want to ruin. Supplies:
Paint the back of the leaves with mod podge and arrange them on your jar. you will have a little bit of movement with the leaves before it dries, so don't panick if you don't like the placement at first. Once your jar is completely covered let it dry. Then come back later and paint another layer of mod podge on the entire jar sealing it to finish. In Gail Faith Edwards book “Opening our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs” she says that “people with an affinity for maples are artistically inclined, with a love of freedom and the ability to give generously of themselves. They enjoy solitude, but make good mates, devoted to family.” Magically speaking Maple trees attract happiness, prosperity, and abundance. original post 11-27-14
Getting ready for spring, means its time to get organized. Clear out stuff you don’t use, or use it asap by freezing it or tincturing it to help preserve it longer. Its really important to make sure that everything is labeled and dated. My favorite DIY labels are very simple and can be used a variety of ways. The key to my labeling is scotch packing tape. It adheres to glass very well and usually survives a couple rounds in the dishwasher. You can also use it for blank labels and a dry erase marker for when you reuse it for something else. I used to dry erase everything, but as I typically use the same container for the same item, I’ve started making them more permanent. However, I still really love dry erase!!
I use every kind of jar. I really like pickle jars for their wide mouth. Mayo and tomato sauce jars are great too. We’re paying too much for food anyways, you may as well keep the glass containers, right?!
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AuthorI am an herbalist, massage therapist, childless, wife just trying to live a healthy, fun, magical life in this crazy beautiful world. Categories
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