How Tos-day Making Seeded Herbal Paper Bookmarks

Seeded paper bookmarks are not only lovely looking – you can reuse them by planting them into the ground and watching them grow into a plant or flower! This is a really fun project and makes a marvelous gift. One batch can make many bookmarks, so save a few for yourself!

What you'll need

• 8 jumbo craft sticks
• 12"x12" piece of window screen or cheesecloth
• White craft glue
• Black electrical tape
• Plain white copy paper or art paper
• Water
• Blender
• 13" x 9" baking pan
• Flower and herb seeds
• Dried herbs to match seeds
• Ground cinnamon
• Two old kitchen towels
• Hemp cord
• Spoon
• Sponge
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Helpful Tip:

Copy paper, construction paper, and even newspaper are all safe, compost materials. Avoid glossy papers such as magazines. Flower seeds, herb seeds, dried herbs, and even flower petals will look wonderful in your seeded paper. These bookmarks can be planted! Just tear into a few pieces and plant the whole thing right into the ground. Hemp is also a natural material, so it's not necessary to remove it. If you have extra seeded paper, tear it into a few pieces, wet a piece of paper towel, and put the paper towel and the seeded paper into a zipper sandwich bag until the seeds sprout!

How to make it

To make the frame for the screen you will need, glue together the corners of 4 jumbo craft sticks, and then lay the screen or cheesecloth over the frame, completely covering it. (See photo.) 

Glue a second layer of craft sticks to two opposite sides of the frame -- securing the cheesecloth between the bottom and top layers. Trim the ends off of the two remaining craft sticks and glue those along the remaining sides of the frame. Be sure to pull the cheesecloth tight as you glue the sticks in place. Let dry. (See photo.)  

Trim the edges, leaving a bit of cheesecloth hanging over the ends. Using black electrical tape, cover the craft stick frame, tucking the overlapping cheesecloth under the tape. Do not skip this step as it will help protect the craft sticks from the water. (See photo.)  

Tear pieces of paper into squares about 1-2" wide. Place squares into blender and cover with warm water. Turn the blender on and process until a thin paste is formed.  

Fill a 13x9 baking pan halfway with warm water. Pour the paper paste from the blender into the warm water in the pan. Stir gently. For flower bookmarks, add flower seeds, small bits of cut up hemp cord and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. For herb bookmarks, use some colored art or construction paper, herbs seeds, like basil, calendula, dill, lemon basil, greek oregano, or chamomile and sprinkle with a bit of dried herb too. Stir. (See photo.)  

Place a clean kitchen towel on a nearby counter and have a sponge and another towel waiting as well.  

Dip your screen frame into the mixture, going underneath the layer of paper and seeds. As if panning for gold, gently bring the frame to the surface and move back and forth to get a fairly even layer of pulp on your screen. Lift straight up out of the water and allow excess water to drip off. 

Carefully carry your screen to the towel on the counter and set the screen down on top of it. Place the second kitchen towel on top of the screen and flip everything upside down and place it back on the counter. Remove the towel that is now on the top.  

Use a kitchen sponge to press firmly down on top of the screen getting as much excess water out as you can.

Lift the frame up and gently loosen your seeded paper. You may need to clean off the edges of the frame and gently coax a corner loose, but the rest should fall out easily. Then repeat until all the pulp is used.

Place your sheets of seeded paper onto a wire rack to dry.  If it is humid, place under a light to speed up the process.

This method can cause the paper to curl. Once they begin to curl, fold a dry kitchen towel around the paper sheets and place several heavy books on top to help flatten your paper. Leave like this for a couple of hours. 

Cut each sheet into 3 pieces. You can cut them for a straight finished edge or place a ruler on the paper and make a damp line and then gently tear the paper.  This will leave an unfinished edge that looks very natural.

Use a hole punch to make a hole about ¾" from the top. Thread a string of hemp cord, ribbon or even raffia through the hole. Tie the cord in a knot and trim the ends.

To Use Bookmarks 

These bookmarks can be planted! Just tear into a few pieces and plant the whole thing right into the ground. Hemp is also a natural material, so it's not necessary to remove it. If you have extra seeded paper, tear it into a few pieces, wet a piece of paper towel, and put the paper towel and the seeded paper into a zipper sandwich bag until the seeds sprout!

 All info and images courtesy of FunFamilyCrafts 

8 Herbs That Symbolize Love and Romance

Herbs and other plants have a centuries-long history of symbolizing love and devotion. In ancient Athens, people wove mint and marigolds into bridal garlands and wreaths, and in classical Rome, brides carried wheat for fertility and rosemary to ensure the groom's fertility. In medieval times, European brides carried pungent herbs such as garlic and chives to keep spirits from disrupting their happiness. The pinnacle of romantic use of herbs may have come during Victorian times, when roses, lavender, pansies, and marjoram were carefully combined with one another and with other herbs to create formulas for romantic success and contentment.

Here are eight modern herbs you can use to communicate your love and romantic intentions.

Purple Basil

Basil -- Basil became a symbol of love in Italy. In the folklore of Moldavia, a young man who accepts basil from a young woman is destined to fall in love with her.

Calendula 

Calendula -- Early Christians often brought these flowers to adorn statues of the Virgin Mary, which may be the origin of its use in love charms. According to the modern language of herbs, calendula means "joy." What a lovely thing to say to your beloved. You can add calendula to your teas, but even more romantic, add it to your romantic bath by candlelight. For young valentines, a sweet calendula-flavored soap is a gentle and loving gesture.

Thyme -- Thyme has a long history during which it has symbolized many things. According to the modern language of herbs, thyme brings with it the meaning of affection, which is perfect for either young love or deep friendship. What better way to express your devotion to someone than to include a sprig of thyme in a bouquet.

patchouli

Patchouli -- The heady scent of patchouli is not surprisingly included in a list of romance herbs. According to the modern language of herbs, patchouli means "passion." To use patchouli to its fullest extent, tuck some dried patchouli into small sleep pillows or sachet. The rich, lusty scent can entice your love to feel romantic.

Yarrow -- In the modern language of herbs, yarrow means "everlasting love." Yarrow has a naturally spicy flavor, so use a light hand, and include it in your teas or baths.

                

               Lavender -- In the modern language of love,                                     Lavender means "devotion and undying love." It is                           no surprise that lavender has always been                                           considered a herb of love since its delicious and                                 romantic scent is adored by almost everyone. An                               increasingly popular modern tradition is to use 

               dried lavender petals as wedding confetti.

Oregano -- Although we think of oregano primarily as a cooking herb, the ancient Greeks believed that it was the herb of Aphrodite, goddess of love, who is said to have created it as the herb of joy for her garden.

Fennel -- With its soft, feathery, delicate growth habit, fennel seems perfect for a list of modern love herbs. In the language of herbs, this sweet, heady-scented herb means "flattery." Include its tall, shimmery fronds, in a bouquet of herbs and flowers to present to your loved one. Add fennel to your Valentine's Day meal, sprinkle it on your salad, or dessert dishes.

Southwest Scrub - Bath Blend of the Month

The main ingredients in this scrub is blue cornmeal.  Blue cornmeal is an ancient food that can also make a full-body treatment that is rejuvenating.  The Hopi Indians of New Mexico have used blue cornmeal ritually and to improve vitality and make their skin more youthful.  If you cannot find blue cornmeal you can substitute white or yellow.

Southwest Scrub (makes 12 oz.)

• ½ cup ground blue cornmeal
• ½ cup grated castile soap
• ¼ cup oatmeal
• 1 tsp dried calendula petals
• ½ tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp lavender buds

Place corn meal and soap in a large bowl.  Finely grind the oatmeal and herbs together using a spice grinder of a coffee grinder.  Add this mixture to the cornmeal mixture, stir well. Pour into a clean airtight container.

TO USE: Combine 2 Tablespoons to ¼ cup of mixture with enough water to make a paste and apply to damp face. Gently scrub and rinse off with warm water, then moisturize skin with a natural oil rich body lotion.  If you have sensitive skin you should avoid using this on your face.

 

Sweet Sleep Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

I have had several people asking me about sleep teas and although I have several, I went looking for some recipes from other sources as base for some new ideas.  I found this great recipe from Tina Sams in her book “Living with Lavender.”

Tina experiences the same problem I do which is the inability to stay asleep or getting back to sleep after waking up. She is the one who turned me onto Holy Basil (Tulsi) to help control that. This recipe has a wonderful combination of relaxing herbs and stress reducing herbs that can also help one to sleep.

For more information on Tina and her many herb books and publications, check out her website www.EssentialHerbal.com

Sweet Sleep Herbs

• 1 Tbls lemon balm
• 1 Tbls chamomile
• 1 Tbls passion flower (leaves, flowers and/or stems)
• 1 tsp hibiscus
• 1 tsp rose petals
• 1 tsp lavender buds

Chop the ingredients so they are a consistent size and mix together, storing in a tight sealing jar. 

TO USE: Place 1 tsp in  cup of boiling water and steep 10 to 15 minutes.  Sweeten with a bit of honey if needed.

Homemade Body Butter - Bath Blend of the Month

This will make a great gift, as well as a wonderful item for personal use during the drying winter months.  And your work will keep for up to 6 months.  That should last your through the winter. Like with all beauty items, you will have to weigh the ingredients to create the correct ratio. You will also need a hand mixer or an immersion blender.

Homemade Body Butter

• 6 oz Coconut Oil
  
• 2 oz Cocoa Butter
• 2 oz Essential Oil of Choice
• Food Coloring (Optional)

Directions:

Clean your container in warm soapy water and allow to dry. While your container is drying melt both your coconut oil and cocoa butter. You can melt them over a double boiler, or in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave in 20 second bursts, stirring in between each burst.

Once the oil and butter have melted, place them in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. Do not place in freezer. Once the oils and butter are opaque, using a stand or hand mixer or an immersion blender and beat on high for 4-5 minutes.

The mixture should become thick and creamy. If after 5 minutes of beating it doesn’t become thick, refrigerate for 5 more minutes and beat again.

Once the oils become creamy, refrigerate for 5 more minutes. After 5 minutes, add in your essential oil and food coloring and beat until well incorporated.

Once stiff peaks form, spoon into your clean container and seal. Will last up to 6 months in an airtight container.

Bath Ball Gift Jar

Need something class and special at the last minute.  Try this bath ball mix in a decorative jar. I have shared bath ball recipes in the past, but this recipe is minty and floral, curative, and makes a wonderful gift. Place a collection of bath balls, tied up in seasonal fabric in a quart canning jar, and present them to a teacher, pet sitter, or another person you want to reward with a little me time.

Bath Ball Blend

1 cup mint, dried
1 cup rosemary, dried
1 cup lavender, dried
1 cup rose petals, dried
1 cup comfrey leaves, dried and crumbled
1 cup lemon balm
4-inch squares of fabric
ribbon

Combine dried herbs. Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon of mixture into the center of the fabric and tie the ends up with ribbon. Place balls in a glass and tie on instructions

To use: Use one ball per relaxing bath. You can tie the ball under the tap and let the water run through it, or steep the ball in 1 cup of boiling water for 15 minutes and add the liquid to the bathwater.

Holiday Bath Salts - Bath Blend of the Month

We do not make many bath items at Backyard Patch Herbs anymore.  Twenty-five years ago, when I first started I made Dill Dip Mix, Italian Dressing Mix, 6 herbal teas and a Scented Bath Salt recipe.  As I learned more about herbs and experimented with my herbal harvests I crafted an explosion of items for cooking, tea and bath, numbering more than 250 products.

The variety of things you can create for the bath are massive.  The number of recipes I was maintaining and creating became a monster that I could not even display at a show because there was not enough room.  After serious consideration, I decided that those recipes would be retired from my catalog and I would instead share them here monthly instead.  If you have a favorite bath items you need me to make, you can always message me or speak to me at a show and I can make them special, but you will no longer find them on my websites once the current inventory is sold. We reserve the right to bring a few favorites back for the holidays, however.

This month's bath recipes of the month are two that I developed when my General Scented Bath Salts became "boring" to make.  Both of these are great for helping skin and soothing nerves during the winter season.

Restorative Bath Salts 

The combination of essential oils in the blend is designed to relax and restore, not only the skin and muscles, but the mind as well.  When days get shorter and stresses increase sometime the body just needs a bit of help with rejuvenation, These salts are perfect for that.

• ½ cup Epsom salts
• ½ cup sea salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 15 drops frankincense oil
• 15 drops lavender oil
• 10 drops bergamot oil
• 10 drops rose geranium oil

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and add essential oils by the drop.  Stir well to combine and remove the essential oils lumps so the scent is evenly distributed into the base salts.  Once they are combined transfer to a jar with a tight fitting lid.  

TO USE: Add 4 Tablespoons of salts while filling the tub.  You can also use 2 Tablespoons for a foot soak.

Warming Winter Bath Salts 

The combination of essential oils are scents that are good for men and women.  You can make it into a soaking salt or you can add grapeseed oil and make it into a salt scrub to use in both the shower and bath.  Just add enough grapeseed oil to cover the salts and the scoop out by the handful to use as a scrub.

•  1 cup Epsom
•   1 cup baking soda
•   30 drops sandalwood oil
•   10 drops sweet orange oil
•   5 drops ginger oil
•   3 drops patchouli oil

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and add essential oils by the drop.  Stir well to combine and remove the essential oils lumps so the scent is evenly distributed into the base salts.  Once they are combined transfer to a jar with a tight fitting lid.  

TO USE: Add 4 Tablespoons of salts while filling the tub.  You can also use 2 Tablespoons for a foot soak.

OPTIONAL: Add grapeseed oil to cover the salts once added to the jar and then scoop out one handful at a time in the bath or shower and use to scrub away the rough patches on elbows, knees and feet. Inhale the scents while you work to help soothe stress. Rinse thoroughly, both your and the shower to avoid falls.