I've always found great joy in making and giving, so it's no surprise that I have always enjoy wrapping the gifts too. I truly believe that heartfelt gift wrap makes the recipient feel appreciated and cherished before they've even seen what's inside. I'm sharing my process here in hopes of encouraging you to forgo the shiny metallic bag of bows and nylon ribbon and, instead, forage for natural materials to top your gifts this year. There is so much inspiration in nature just there for the taking to act as gentle subtleties of the season you're celebrating.
This slow and simple pine cone craft is inexpensive, eco-friendly and approachable, with many of the ingredients likely available in or around your home. The finished pine cones can be strung to create a wall art display, embellish a winter wreath or swag, decorate your tree, or top a gift.
I'm excited to announce that I am partnering with Fruit Wine Co. (Formerly Crunchy Red Fruit) to offer a holiday wreath-making workshop and wine tasting at their event space in Bellevue, Washington.
This is a fun and simple way to use dried herbs and edible flowers for a wide range of uses. Botanical confetti is not only beautiful, it is biodegradable and eco-friendly too.
With this autumn-inspired botanical craft, I decided to combine previous pressed flower and pumpkin vase projects into what I am called my pressed flower pumpkin vase! This is a great craft to share with little ones or fellow craft-loving mamas alike.
One of my favorite and a simple ways to use fresh chives is to make chive blossom compound butter. I grow common chives with delicate purple blossoms, but yours may be white, pink or even crimson. Any variety can be used for this recipe. Compound butter can be used to add a delicate buttery onion flavor and splash of color to fresh-baked bread, savory biscuits...
Chives are always among the first spikes of green to peek through the soil in my garden. It’s such a treat to see them because it means longer, warmer days are just around the bend. With these recipes, you can choose if you’d like a bold or delicate base flavor of vinegar.
In my first chive journal article, I shared all the benefits and uses for chive, along with tips for growing, caring for, harvesting and preserving chives. In this article, I'm excited to share two ways I've made chive finishing salts.
This is one of those slow, seasonal crafts to usher in autumn and put to use the beautiful strawflower heads you've grown and collected this summer. My favorite crafts are the ones I create with natural elements from my garden and supplies I already have on hand. Strawflower garland can add a whimsical touch to your greenhouse, chicken coop, and your next birthday celebration.
Being outdoors in my garden, surrounded by the botanicals I’ve chosen to grow balances my brain chemistry and has a beautiful way of pulling me away from the confines of modern technology and stresses of social media. Below are ten ways to be productive while spending time in your garden.
A member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, lavender is a perennial evergreen shrub best known for its sweet, calming, and uplifting fragrance. A staple in cottage gardens around the world, the lavender plant is easy to maintain, drought tolerant, and thrives in many climates.