Do you have potpourri and essential oils coming out your ears? If so, you may want to consider using them to make simple sachets as gifts. Sachets are great for tucking into bureau drawers to make your clothing smell wonderful and also can be used in closets.
To make a sachet, you will need muslin, ribbon, and some potpourri. Cut a four inch by eight inch piece of muslin. Fold it in half with the right sides together so that you make a four inch by four inch piece. Sew the two side edges and turn the muslin sack right side out.
Next, fill the sack two thirds of the way with your potpourri. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Then, gather the top edges of your sack and tie them off with the ribbon. If you will be giving the sachets to people who will be hanging them in closets, make a hanging loop in the ribbon. Otherwise, make a pretty bow. Add decorative elements such as fabric flowers, buttons, or bits of lace to dress up your sachets.
If you want to make the sachets a bit fancier, you can use decorative cotton fabrics or even lace to make your sacks instead of using simple muslin.
For a fun variation on the sachet, make scented kitchen hot pads as gifts. You can use store bought hot pads or make your own. If you use store bought hot pads, open a few inches on one seam and add a few drops of essential oil or herbs and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Then, sew the seam back up. When a hot plate of food or a cup of tea sits on the hot pad, the warmth will release the scent.
Whether you make sachets or hot pads as gifts, you will be able to give useful presents that smell fabulous.
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Birthstone Gemstones Are Filled With Symbolism
The argument that we have a predestined fate, and that we make our destiny is an age old one, being the object of discussion in many a philosophical conversation. It is also an argument that can never have a proven conclusion, only believers in either, by choice as a result of experience. Birthstone gemstones are closely related to the astral powers that be, according to the believers.
Every sun sign has a birthstone gemstone associated with it, which is supposed to be lucky for the person born during that period. This is the simplest of explanations of birthstones. People use various stones hoping for various affects that the stone will have on their lives. At the same time, people avoid contact with certain stones that will bring them bad luck and misery. Although this may seem like something out of a fairy tale to westernized society, these things are practiced extravagantly in countries like India, where people go to the ‘learned man’ (probably a palm reader), who looks at the palm and foresees an event about to go wrong, and provides the means to avoid that event by wearing one gem stone, removing one, and things like that.
Some may laugh at the idea, while others follow their birthstone gemstones related issues with religious belief. Psychology says if you believe you are doing something to help solve a problem, that is half the battle won, call it psychology, call it faith, but if you wear a gemstone in the belief that it will help you, then it will! If you don’t wear a stone knowing well that you need to, you are probably going to make some mistakes! Anyway this was the original idea behind gemstones and why people wore them.
Today, many women choose birthstone gemstones as ornaments with jewel value, if nothing more. Many people wear their birthstone as a symbol of their identity. Whatever the reason, gemstones are very beautiful objects that ignite a spark in your emotions, and make you stare at them in awe.
Birthstone gemstones have various divisions like mystical stones, ayurvedic (Indian) stones, modern, traditional, astrological, planetary, talismanic and ancient cultural birthstones. Each category has a story and a reasoning behind it, each stone is believed to be special, and is great fun if nothing else, to hear why a stone is special and how it will help your life, and how it is meant specially for the particular individual in question.
In western society, gemstones and birthstones reached heights of popularity during the hippie days, when people began experimenting with eastern philosophies, and today offer a sweet reminder of those times to many a person who lived their youth during that period. Gemstones come in every imaginable color (including black by the way), which provide an opportunity to wear a stone with practically any color theme.
Birthstone gemstones come in a variety of sizes as well, and like any other jewelry, the bigger they are, the more rare , and thereby more expensive they are. As far as the fashion oriented use of gemstones and birthstone goes, smaller ones are used on rings and earrings and somewhat larger on necklaces and pendants. Gemstones vary in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars!
Every sun sign has a birthstone gemstone associated with it, which is supposed to be lucky for the person born during that period. This is the simplest of explanations of birthstones. People use various stones hoping for various affects that the stone will have on their lives. At the same time, people avoid contact with certain stones that will bring them bad luck and misery. Although this may seem like something out of a fairy tale to westernized society, these things are practiced extravagantly in countries like India, where people go to the ‘learned man’ (probably a palm reader), who looks at the palm and foresees an event about to go wrong, and provides the means to avoid that event by wearing one gem stone, removing one, and things like that.
Some may laugh at the idea, while others follow their birthstone gemstones related issues with religious belief. Psychology says if you believe you are doing something to help solve a problem, that is half the battle won, call it psychology, call it faith, but if you wear a gemstone in the belief that it will help you, then it will! If you don’t wear a stone knowing well that you need to, you are probably going to make some mistakes! Anyway this was the original idea behind gemstones and why people wore them.
Today, many women choose birthstone gemstones as ornaments with jewel value, if nothing more. Many people wear their birthstone as a symbol of their identity. Whatever the reason, gemstones are very beautiful objects that ignite a spark in your emotions, and make you stare at them in awe.
Birthstone gemstones have various divisions like mystical stones, ayurvedic (Indian) stones, modern, traditional, astrological, planetary, talismanic and ancient cultural birthstones. Each category has a story and a reasoning behind it, each stone is believed to be special, and is great fun if nothing else, to hear why a stone is special and how it will help your life, and how it is meant specially for the particular individual in question.
In western society, gemstones and birthstones reached heights of popularity during the hippie days, when people began experimenting with eastern philosophies, and today offer a sweet reminder of those times to many a person who lived their youth during that period. Gemstones come in every imaginable color (including black by the way), which provide an opportunity to wear a stone with practically any color theme.
Birthstone gemstones come in a variety of sizes as well, and like any other jewelry, the bigger they are, the more rare , and thereby more expensive they are. As far as the fashion oriented use of gemstones and birthstone goes, smaller ones are used on rings and earrings and somewhat larger on necklaces and pendants. Gemstones vary in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Beautifying Your Life With Scented Candles
Scented Candles are a great way to decorate, scent, or just add warmth to any area. Scented candles are a favorite of most people because they create a clean smell, the smell of home, or even the smell of the season with scented Christmas candles and such. Candles are so universal that they are used just about everywhere, such as work, home, and there are even wedding candles that are a great addition to any wedding decorating scheme. Highly scented candles are quite popular because with just one candle you can make the whole home or office smell great!
If you like your candles scented you’ll find that there are an almost unlimited number of scents for you to try. Online scented candle offers will often offer new scents that you can get in your local stores, or just great deals on the scents that you know you already love! Everything can be found online from scented Christmas candles to your typical tapers and pillars that you like for every day use. You can even find homemade scented candles online, or kits to help you learn how to make them yourself so you can customize colors and scents.
Candles are simply a great addition to any setting as they can add beauty along with wonderful scents that can make a new house feel like home, a decorated home feel like Christmas, or a just give the home a very clean scent. Because candles come in so many varieties and scents, there is a candle out there that is for everyone.
Grand Illusions was created by Nick Ronald and David Roberts in December 1987, initially with just one small store in St Margaret's, Twickenham. The mission was to promote gifts, cards and accessories of good design and taste at an affordable price - still very much the core business ethic to this day.
Shortly afterwards, they discovered and developed a paint range that was to transform their lives. In those days, painted furniture was something of a rarity, and a twenty two drawer chest painted in one of the new paints caught the eye of 'Homes & Gardens' magazine - the small feature resulted in over a thousand telephone calls and the seeds of the highly acclaimed furniture collection were sewn.
This also led to the publication of three Grand Illusions books on decorating techniques and design inspiration, published in five countries by Ebury Press and accompanied by guest appearances on BBC2's Home Front and various local BBC radio stations.
They published their first mail-order catalogue in 1990 which was immediately voted as one of the top 200 catalogues in a new worldwide review and several issues later, they were awarded the contract to operate 'Country Living by Post' on behalf of the magazine, in addition to their own unique programme.
Today, the company's activities are currently concentrated on their two stores in St Margarets and Shaftesbury, with mail-order, paint studio, trade-sales and distribution also located in Dorset. The team regularly exhibit at quality retail and trade fairs like Country Living, Top Drawer and the RHS Flower Shows at Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park. Their products are now available at quality retail outlets across the UK and some stores in Japan, USA and Germany.
The publication of this web-site sees the return to mainstream mail-order for the accessory collection, which is just one of the exciting developments planned for the near future - so watch this space.
If you like your candles scented you’ll find that there are an almost unlimited number of scents for you to try. Online scented candle offers will often offer new scents that you can get in your local stores, or just great deals on the scents that you know you already love! Everything can be found online from scented Christmas candles to your typical tapers and pillars that you like for every day use. You can even find homemade scented candles online, or kits to help you learn how to make them yourself so you can customize colors and scents.
Candles are simply a great addition to any setting as they can add beauty along with wonderful scents that can make a new house feel like home, a decorated home feel like Christmas, or a just give the home a very clean scent. Because candles come in so many varieties and scents, there is a candle out there that is for everyone.
Grand Illusions was created by Nick Ronald and David Roberts in December 1987, initially with just one small store in St Margaret's, Twickenham. The mission was to promote gifts, cards and accessories of good design and taste at an affordable price - still very much the core business ethic to this day.
Shortly afterwards, they discovered and developed a paint range that was to transform their lives. In those days, painted furniture was something of a rarity, and a twenty two drawer chest painted in one of the new paints caught the eye of 'Homes & Gardens' magazine - the small feature resulted in over a thousand telephone calls and the seeds of the highly acclaimed furniture collection were sewn.
This also led to the publication of three Grand Illusions books on decorating techniques and design inspiration, published in five countries by Ebury Press and accompanied by guest appearances on BBC2's Home Front and various local BBC radio stations.
They published their first mail-order catalogue in 1990 which was immediately voted as one of the top 200 catalogues in a new worldwide review and several issues later, they were awarded the contract to operate 'Country Living by Post' on behalf of the magazine, in addition to their own unique programme.
Today, the company's activities are currently concentrated on their two stores in St Margarets and Shaftesbury, with mail-order, paint studio, trade-sales and distribution also located in Dorset. The team regularly exhibit at quality retail and trade fairs like Country Living, Top Drawer and the RHS Flower Shows at Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park. Their products are now available at quality retail outlets across the UK and some stores in Japan, USA and Germany.
The publication of this web-site sees the return to mainstream mail-order for the accessory collection, which is just one of the exciting developments planned for the near future - so watch this space.
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