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Bring the sweet scent of lavender into your home by making decorative, magical lavender wands! Step by step photos make this simple project even easier.
When my niece visited me last week for "Camp Aunt Jill," the lavender hedge by the driveway was in full, glorious bloom. We cut a bucket of blooms for bouquets, dodging the drunken bees. But we wanted to do something special with the lavender this year. Somewhere I'd heard of "lavender wands," and she is a big "Harry Potter"[1] fan, so wand-making definitely sounded appealing. I didn't know just what lavender wands were, however, so we went to the computer and did a search.[2] Oh, yes! We'd found a very do-able project that also involves the use of pretty ribbon! We couldn't wait to get started.
To make a wand, you'll need 7 stems of lavender, with nice buds or blooms at the top. You can use more stems (9 or 11 or 15, always an odd number), but it's easiest to start with just 7. One set of instructions we found said to let the lavender wilt a bit, but with our sturdy ‘Fat Spike' variety, that didn't seem to make much difference. You'll also need a length of narrow ribbon (we used ¼ inch satin ribbon, probably at least 3 feet, although I didn't measure since we just used it from the spool).
Gather the stems together, and tie one end of the ribbon just below the lowest flower buds. You can leave a shorter (3-4 inch) end to just tuck into the end of your wand with the flowers, or you can leave a longer end (12-15 inches) to use in making a bow at the end. For your first wand, cut the end shorter, so it doesn't get tangled in your stems as you weave.
Now you start bending the stems down over your ribbon knot, down toward the blooms. Try to arrange them as symmetrically as possible. It'll start out looking like a strange, stiff-legged octopus, and then when you gather the bent-over stems in your hand you'll see that you've enclosed the blooms in a "cage" of stems. You're going to weave the ribbon in and out of the bars of this "cage" to further enclose the flowers. Not only does the ribbon make the wand look pretty, but as the lavender blooms dry the ribbon will keep them from scattering all over the place.
The weaving is simple, but it takes a little time and patience, especially with the first row or two until you work out a system. Gently lifting a stem from the bundle allows you to slip the ribbon under it, then the ribbon goes over the next stem, under the one after that, and so on. The rows of ribbon alternate, so that if the ribbon went over the stem the last time, it will go under the stem on the next row. Try to keep your stems spaced out fairly evenly, and try to keep your ribbon rows somewhat horizontal. As you go along, you can tuck in any lavender buds and flowers that try to escape, as well as tucking in that short end of the ribbon.
When you get to the end of the flower buds, you could simply secure the ribbon with a knot around the stems and then add a ribbon bow. We wanted a finished look for our "magic wands," so we wrapped the ribbon in a tight spiral down the stems to the bottom. Then we reversed the direction of our spiral and went back up, securing it with a knot at the base of the woven section. A butterfly decoration provided the perfect final touch!
Once you've got the basics down, you can try wands with more stems and can experiment with different ribbons and weaving patterns. Our first wands had a more rustic look, and our later attempts were more polished in appearance.
But remember, this isn't meant to be a precise craft. With botanicals, a handmade look is part of the charm. In the end, your goal is to enclose most of the lavender buds and blooms inside a wand-shaped cage of stems and ribbons. The tightness and precision of the wand's shape is really not important. I asked my niece what advice she would give to somebody making their first lavender wand, and she said, "The first one you make is probably not going to come out perfect." And that's OK.
[1] I'm referring of course to the stunningly popular series of books by J.K. Rowling, published in the US by Scholastic Press beginning in 1988.
[2] We read several sets of directions online when we were looking for information. This is the one we found most useful: Lavender Wands and Lavender Bottles. Thanks, Jane Lake!
About Jill M. Nicolaus
Better known as "Critter" on DG, Jill gardens in Frederick, MD. This week, I've been picking luscious heirloom tomatoes (finally!). I'm trying to focus on the beauty in my garden rather than seeing all the projects that didn't happen this summer. It's important to stop & enjoy the fruits of our labors! (Images in my articles are from my photos, unless otherwise credited.)
Posted by Bookerc1 (from Mackinaw, IL) on July 27, 2008 at 6:13 PM:
I am very fortunate to live quite close to a wonderful place called Lavender Creek Farm, where I can get all sorts of lavender products, as well as lavender plants.
They usually have U-Pick seasons, too, which would be ideal for this project, but this year the wet spring and bee problems combined have really messed with their lavender plants. Would you mind if I sent the owner the link to your article? Wouldn't it be fun to set up a table with all sorts of different ribbons, and allow people to pick their own lavender to make into wands? I wanted to ask your permission first, though!
I have two lavender plants in my butterfly garden, so guess what my little Harry Potter fans and I will be doing tomorrow? :o)
Angie
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 28, 2008 at 5:48 PM:
Wonderful! I visited a lavender farm in Washington State over the weekend, and that was fabulous. A lavender wand craft table would be nifty.
Other sites are welcome to include links to DG articles... If the owner wants to print out a bunch of copies as hand-outs, I think it might be a good idea to ask Dave for permission. (I can't give permission -- the article belongs to DG, not to me. :-)
I hope your wand-making went well today!
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Posted by Bookerc1 (from Mackinaw, IL) on July 28, 2008 at 8:50 PM:
Well, we got so busy battling Japanese beetles that we never got to the wand-making (though the boys like the idea!). The darn critters are just demolishing the roses. Poor Justin. . .he has a pretty rose (Mardi Gras) that he got while we were at the Iowa RU, and when we went out this afternoon, each bloom was coated in about 50 Japanese beetles. You couldn't even see the blossoms--looked like shiny green disco balls on stems. I hate spraying or using chemicals, but we've picked beetles constantly, tried soap sprays, tried knocking them into cups of soapy water, tried everything organic I've heard about, and they just keep breeding!!! I finally resorted to Sevin, and felt guilty the entire time. We had a lovely crop of baby praying mantis in that front bed a month ago, and I kept looking for them, hoping they were far, far away when I sprayed. I even carefully removed the ladybugs before spraying. Sigh. Does everyone feel this guilty when they resort to pesticides? I just hate to think of harming the bees especially, and also butterflies, ladybugs, praying mantis. . .
Angie
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM:
I've used Sevin on occasion when the JBs get really bad. I figure if I use it only on the most badly swarmed plants, they become "trap crops," killing lots of beetles that would otherwise be harming other plants in my garden, too. The plants that are that covered in beetles don't even seem to have many other insects on them (no room, LOL), so I don't think there's all that much collateral damage... certainly, spraying a few targeted plants as you did isn't the same sort of thing as blanketing your yard and garden in a pesticide fog. I try to reduce pesticide use as much as possible, reserving the "big guns" like Sevin for truly big problems, but I haven't sworn off them altogether. You'll still see your "friendly" bugs in the yard after your careful, targeted spraying.
For more information on limiting pesticide use, google "integrated pest management." Tamara wrote a couple of good DG articles on this topic, also. :-) See [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
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Subject: YOU ARE RIGHT AGAIN :)
Posted by docgipe (from NORTH CENTRAL PENNSY, PA) on July 22, 2008 at 10:40 AM:
Thanks...........the second one will be better for sure.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 22, 2008 at 10:43 AM:
:-)
My niece was spot on with that advice, wasn't she? I think the more "rustic" ones have their own charm, though.
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Subject: Love it!!!
Posted by Bettypauze (from Victoria Harbour, ON) on July 22, 2008 at 9:38 AM:
How creative...maybe a project for this weekend...thanks for sharing such detailed photo's...
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 22, 2008 at 9:45 AM:
I hope you have half as much fun making them as we did! I keep stopping to admire -- and sniff -- mine. :-)
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Subject: lavender lei making
Posted by ulupaina (from Colville, WA) on July 22, 2008 at 12:19 AM:
I taught haku lei making at a Lavender festival recently. We braided stems together, starting several inches down on lavender ribbon. We used lots of lavender, blooming oregano, soft short fronds of cedar, ferns, and other miscellaneous materials. The ribbon allowed the lei to be tied around the head, neck, or hat whether or not it was "pau", or finished. They dry and smell good, of course! My lavender is in full bloom now, a couple weeks later! I grew up in Hawaii and now live in the "forgotten" corner of Washington state.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM:
Oh, I'd love to learn to do that! My niece did braid some stems together (they looked really cute in a little vase), but I'd have no idea how to make a continuous braid like that... I'll bet they were lovely!
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Posted by ulupaina (from Colville, WA) on August 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM:
To make a continuous lei of braided stems, add a new flower/fern frond to the center strand regularly, almost at every turn of the braid. Bringing the right or the left side over the center will secure it. Keep track of each the strands with your fingers. If you lose track, unbraid a little bit and check which strand is higher, the right or the left. The highest one is the one that braids over the center next. If you have trouble starting the lei, just go ahead and tie the stems together inconspicuously. Raffia, ribbon, thread, or? The ends can be informally wrapped around each other and put on a hat or a head. Enjoy!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on August 4, 2008 at 12:50 PM:
Thanks! I've got another round of "Camp Aunt Jill" coming up. With a little practice on my part ahead of time, this is something we might have to try... I've got black-eyed susans and other lovelies blooming now! I'm thinking including a few ribbons might help me secure everything, especially if the stems aren't being real cooperative, LOL.
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Subject: Thanks!
Posted by lauriegayle (from San Diego, CA) on July 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM:
Thanks for these great instructions. I can see giving these as a gift or putting them on top of a gift as a decoration. I'll be trying these soon!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 6:50 PM:
LOL... that's a bit more elaborate than my usual stick-on bow... nice idea!
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Subject: Additional Tips for Lavender Wands
Posted by Glamourpuss007 (from Laurel, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 5:36 PM:
One thing happens when you have the critterologist as your best friend -- she knows how to get you hooked! And I don't mean my knitting or crochet either. I have two additional tips to more easily make the lavender wands: 1) After first tying on the ribbon, take the end to be used later and put it in in the middle of all of the blooms, then 2) with some sewing weight thread either a sage color or the color of the ribbon, wrap the thread around the blooms encasing them. If you do these two things, you will minimize the loss of your blooms and minimize any aggravation in trying to weave the ribbon over and under the stems because the encased blooms and the other end of the ribbon now will be mostly out of your way. Attached is a picture of my latest attempt. Unfortunately I didn't follow my first tip above (hadn't figured it out yet) and was constantly moving that dangling piece of ribbon out of the way! If you do lose blooms, just sweep them up and gather them in a muslin "sack" and you'll have a quick piece of sachet. Happy crafting. -Leslie
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 6:27 PM:
Good golly, Leslie, I could tell you're an accomplished knitter (even if I didn't already know) -- look how even your ribbon rows are! Beautiful!
That's a GREAT tip about wrapping up the blooms with some thread. I guess you'd do it even before you started bending the stems down over the blooms. I know one of the most aggravating parts for me, especially near the start of the weaving, was the way the long stems I was working with would keep tangling up with the shorter bloom ends of the stems... a few wraps of thread would sure solve that problem!
:-)
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Subject: Lavender info
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on July 21, 2008 at 12:34 PM:
Jill, I loved the article and wish my lavender (grosso) was big enough to harvest a few branches to make a wand, but he's still just a baby! I'm printing this out for future reference though. Your lavender looks great!! I hope mine grows that pretty in the coming years!
We also have a fantastic local herb farm, Beagle Ridge, that grows many varieties of lavender successfully in what they call 'dirty rock' (gravel). I've installed a rock bed in an attempt to grow lavender, and other herbs, as beautiful as theirs. Here's a link to the site with the lavender info and uses (about 1/3 of the way down the page): [HYPERLINK@www.beagleridgeherbfarm.com]
I've never asked if they ship... kinda doubt it.
Thanks again,
Bev
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM:
The lavender by my driveway is growing on top of a lot of gravel, because they brought in way more than they needed for under the driveway... it was almost impossible to dig out with all those big chunks, but I sweet talked a construction guy into scooping out a trench for me when they were working on another house... then he brought me a big scoop of nice topsoil, and now I have very happy lavender growing in good soil with excellent drainage!
Thanks for the link!
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Subject: De baggios
Posted by carbing (from Herndon, VA) on July 21, 2008 at 7:38 AM:
With all that new development surrounding DeBaggios, I'm hoping they will not be forced to sell out. It is such a great place!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 8:14 AM:
My fingers are sure crossed, too! Francesco's commitment to the business seems very solid, to me... he grew up among those herbs, and I think he's inherited all his father's enthusiasm for them and then some. I've noticed an increasing selection of other perennials for sale there in recent years, also. It's also one of the best places around to find a great selection of tomatoes and peppers, including many heirloom varieties.
They've only been in Chantilly for 10 or so years, and I hope they remain there for decades to come!
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Posted by Shirley1md (from Ellicott City, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM:
Loved your article on lavender!
DeBaggios is a fabulous local resource for not only various types of lavenders, but other herbs, vegetables and flowers too. Also, I love that they have a wonderful gift shop with lots of herbal soaps and lotions. It's a real treasure trove!
I think DeBaggios would be a wonderful place for gardeners to visit in the early Spring through early Summer (hint, hint....big GRIN)!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM:
:-)
There's a good Tex-Mex restaurant nearby, too! (Anita's)
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Posted by Shirley1md (from Ellicott City, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 1:06 PM:
Sounds like a plan to me! :~)
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Subject: Lavender Wands!
Posted by plantgirl1 (from Raleigh, NC) on July 21, 2008 at 5:29 AM:
"Critter" thank you for a wonderful article. I too, have precious nieces and this would make a wonderful project for us. Great photos and text instructions! Awesome, Thanks...
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 6:26 AM:
You're welcome! I know you and your nieces will have fun making wands together... :-)
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Subject: Love the final product!
Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on July 20, 2008 at 9:37 PM:
How creative and fun to do. Thanks for the idea.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 12:14 AM:
:-)
The house still smells of lavender...
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Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on July 21, 2008 at 9:20 AM:
It is so humid here, I have not tried lavender but will do so in the future just to have lavender in my house! I love that fragrance.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 9:27 AM:
Try using lavender essential oil.. A friend & I order oils from Lorann, [HYPERLINK@www.lorannoils.com] but you can find lavender oil a lot of places. I like to use the real thing, not "fragrance" or an artificial one. You can use almost anything that's a little porous as a diffuser... a clay pot saucer, a pine cone, a piece of driftwood, even just a cotton ball tucked away on a shelf.. and just a drop or two will scent the room. :-)
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Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on July 21, 2008 at 9:48 AM:
Thanks.......right now I have bars of lavender soap in all my dresser drawers (LOL)
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM:
Yum! I used to spend a lot on lavender scented candles, bath bubbles, room fragrances, etc... then I figured out how far I could stretch a $3 bottle of essential oil, 1 drop at a time. Of course, it's not quite the same as having the actual soap or the dried flowers, but for times when all you're really after is the scent... :-)
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Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on July 21, 2008 at 1:14 PM:
I am known as a product junkie. My oldest daughter was here and really laughed at me. Every room in the house has something like the essential oil that I burn over heat.
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Posted by dovey (from Columbus, OH) on July 21, 2008 at 2:14 PM:
Jill
That was fab and the photos made so simple to follow
Thanks
Dove
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 2:20 PM:
I'm glad you liked the project! :-)
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Posted by dovey (from Columbus, OH) on July 23, 2008 at 7:07 AM:
I can't wait to try it, although my lavender is about the size of a bowling ball right now...(and no flowers) so unless I find some elsewhere wait is what I'll do. *S*
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM:
It'll grow, dovey! :-)
For anybody traveling through DC, I seem to remember huge plantings of lavender in the Dulles airport parking lots... surely they'd never miss 7 stems... but don't tell them I sent you, LOL.
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Posted by dovey (from Columbus, OH) on July 24, 2008 at 4:05 PM:
*LOL*
well it's a long way to go for 7 stems, but I've always wanted to visit the capitol
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Subject: … the hedge
Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on July 20, 2008 at 3:05 PM:
Jill,
How long did it take for that hedge to get nice and full like that. Did you start with mature plants or seedlings, etc.
thanks!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 4:11 PM:
It was probably 4 years old before it really started hitting its stride. I started out with 8 or 9 plants in 4 inch pots. The first couple of years, I did a lot of pinching tips on the plants so they'd get bushy. It also helps that 'Grosso' (aka "Fat Spike") Lavendin is a large and sturdy variety!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on July 20, 2008 at 6:55 PM:
okee dokee then! I want to do a row along the front walk…
thanks
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Subject: Please share your wand-making tips here!
Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 12:29 PM:
This is definitely a learn-by-doing sort of craft. Please share any tips and tricks you pick up along the way... you never know what tip will end up making all the difference for somebody having trouble with a particular detail of this project.
Thanks!
My wands definitely got better with practice. I think I like the look of the one with the bare stems, too (white ribbon with just a bow under the woven portion).
A friend visited yesterday and tested out these directions for me, making a wand without any input from me other than pulling up the article on the computer. She had a couple of comments...
She noted that a lot of little blooms get shed in the process (my lavender was pretty well bloomed out by this time -- with tightly budded stems this would probably be less of an issue), so she suggested making sure you do this where a bit of a mess isn't an issue. Actually, I think it smells wonderful every time I vacuum since I've made some of these and vacuumed up the lavender bits afterwards!
She also mentioned that you have to be somewhat delicate with the stems, and that it sometimes feels like they're cracking when you're lifting them to slip the ribbon around them... but not to worry, because weaving the ribbon over and under seems to stabilize them, and she didn't actually manage to break any of them as she went along.
Thanks, Leslie!
OK... who else has a comment or tip to share about making these?
:-)
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on July 20, 2008 at 5:06 PM:
Jill, Who doesn't love lavender? Your wands are beautiful, precise and yet delicate. It's been several years since I made one and I had so little lavender, there was not much room for practicing. Your lavender plants look wonderful. I have this dream of having so much lavender, I don't know what to do with it all. I always enjoy your articles.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 5:39 PM:
One of the things I liked best about this craft is that it takes only SEVEN stems of lavender to make a wand! That's a lot less than it takes to make a tidy bundle or to fill a vase with dried blooms...
Pam, come up to see me next summer when the lavender is in bloom. I'll share! :-)
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Posted by Pamgarden (from Central, VA) on July 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM:
For sure Jill. Thank you.
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Posted by docgipe (from NORTH CENTRAL PENNSY, PA) on July 22, 2008 at 10:44 AM:
My bloom heads which I chose were a bit past their prime. Don't do that or don't make it while sitting on the living room couch. At my age another mess is just one more line in a book of many boo boos.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 22, 2008 at 10:46 AM:
Fortunately, you can pass it off as a little potpourri spill... it's not like you splashed grape kool-aid around!
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Subject: Type of lavender
Posted by plantmover (from Newport News, VA) on July 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM:
I'd love to plant some lavender but am uncertain what type will tolerate our humidity. Yours are beautiful! Can you tell me what variety and how old your plants are? Thanks so much!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 10:17 AM:
My plants are about 6 years old and pretty well established now. They're "Fat Spike" L. intermedia 'Grosso' -- a "lavandin" I believe rather than an English type lavender. If you ever get out to the area near Dulles airport (especially around May), stop in at DeBaggio's nursery... they don't do mail order, but they have one of the best selections of lavenders and other herbs around. Their web site is also an excellent source of information. [HYPERLINK@www.debaggioherbs.com]
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Posted by plantmover (from Newport News, VA) on July 20, 2008 at 10:45 AM:
I pass through the DC area several times a year, so I will keep this place in mind. Thank you!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 12:12 PM:
You're welcome! Tom DeBaggio, who started the business, taught me so much about growing herbs and plants in general... we're fortunate that his son shared his passion for plants and has continued the business after Tom was sidelined with Alzheimer's, and we're even more fortunate that Tom wrote down so much of what he knows in several great books. :-)
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Posted by plantmover (from Newport News, VA) on July 21, 2008 at 9:02 PM:
What a great legacy!
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Subject: These are Lovely!
Posted by mametcalf (from Genesee Twp, MI) on July 20, 2008 at 12:55 AM:
Thank you for a wonderful project to share with my daughter. My younger kids both love the Harry Potter books. My son's make dozens of wands from various sticks he's found in the woods. These will be far more pleasant to pick up when left around the house - and they will actually serve a purpose by "magically" keeping our home smelling fresh.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on July 20, 2008 at 1:43 AM:
Really fun article, Jill.....I think I am going to have to try it for myself!
Thanks.
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Posted by kniphofia (from Ashington
(United Kingdom)) on July 20, 2008 at 3:06 AM:
These really are magical! What a lovely idea :)
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 8:53 AM:
Thanks! We made several, because I knew when the rest of the kids visited at the end of the week, there would be a lot of leaping about and wand-waving and spell-casting!
The scent is a little less intense as the lavender dries but can be easily renewed with a drop of lavender oil on the stems.
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on July 20, 2008 at 10:40 AM:
i just wish i could grow lavender! mine looks terrible and on its last breath and the last time i tried i had bad luck too--maybe i should try and trade for some lavender branches from some nice dave's gardener with better lavender growing skills!
those are very pretty jill!! thanks
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Posted by mametcalf (from Genesee Twp, MI) on July 20, 2008 at 11:07 AM:
Don't give up, Linda! Maybe do some research on different varieties?
My husband and son both want me to grow lavender next year (I taught them well!) for homemade bath sachets. I just talked to my mother about it and she told me that her plants kept dying off for years - she never did figure out why. She did keep trying, however, and now has one that is thriving!
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on July 20, 2008 at 11:18 AM:
thanks for the encouragement--i have read how easy it is to grow them but then i fail! but lavender is so special it is worth trying till you get it--like your mother did--
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 12:15 PM:
Excellent drainage is key, I think. Mulching with sand or pea gravel, to reflect light/heat back up into the plant and help keep the branches dry (especially in areas with high humidity). There are some good growing tips on DeBaggio's site, [HYPERLINK@www.debaggioherbs.com] (sorry but they don't ship).
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Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on July 20, 2008 at 2:12 PM:
you know i think of them growing in england tho--with all their rain! anyhow-as you can imagine mine get plenty of sun! and you would think not much water but they are in a spot that ido water kind of often--i don't know--so many different kinds i will just one day find the right one
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Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on July 20, 2008 at 3:49 PM:
hi Critter :)
What a great article! Such a cute and fun idea. I really want to try again to grow some lavender. I love the l.grosso you have along your driveway, it looks beautiful.
I know someone who does a feature of things made just with lavender at her garden center. I'm going to bring her a copy of your article next time I see her ~ thanks!
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Posted by mametcalf (from Genesee Twp, MI) on July 20, 2008 at 4:06 PM:
I like the idea of making different things using lavender. It is a material that is so enjoyable to work with due to the wonderful scent!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 20, 2008 at 4:09 PM:
Thanks!
Oh, you're so right about that wonderful scent... I think that's what we loved most about this project... I'll take just about any excuse to work with lavender!
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on July 20, 2008 at 9:32 PM:
Really charming! and very well explained.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 12:13 AM:
Thanks! We found several web sites with directions, but none with step by step photos... we thought photos like this might have been really useful when we were trying to figure it out initially.
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Posted by mametcalf (from Genesee Twp, MI) on July 21, 2008 at 12:21 AM:
I loved the photos! They looked very professional and will be invaluable for those of us who learn by seeing and doing. I am always frustrated by strictly written or verbal instructions - they just don't work for me. To be honest, I would not be planning to actually do this project in the absence of the photos. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 12:24 AM:
*pats self on back* LOL I'm getting better at holding something with one hand while taking a photo with the other. Yesterday, I took a photo while actually pouring wet ingredients into the "well" in the middle of the dry ingredients to make muffins! :-)
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Posted by mametcalf (from Genesee Twp, MI) on July 21, 2008 at 12:41 AM:
Congrats, Jill! You seem to be doing great. I just joined a photo-sharing site and am finding that a whole lot more intimidating than gardening. I used to be good, but that was back in high school. To me, gardening is about survival. Just couldn't live without my garden fresh and home-preserved goodies. Photography - not so much. But I give you kudos for being good at both - photography can certainly nourish the soul!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 21, 2008 at 12:53 AM:
Ha! I think a lot of the credit goes to my nifty little point & shoot camera. :-) I'm using a Sony T-200, and it really does a nice job of focusing on those macro shots!
I really am enjoying the photography, though. I also find it helps to take photos at a high resolution so I can crop them as needed for my purposes. You can tell I'm having fun when I start playing with colored borders for the photos... lavender (of course) for this article!
When my niece visited me last week for "Camp Aunt Jill," the lavender hedge by the driveway was in full, glorious bloom. We cut a bucket of blooms for bouquets, dodging the drunken bees. But we wanted to do something special with the lavender this year. Somewhere I'd heard of "lavender wands," and she is a big "Harry Potter"[1] fan, so wand-making definitely sounded appealing. I didn't know just what lavender wands were, however, so we went to the computer and did a search.[2] Oh, yes! We'd found a very do-able project that also involves the use of pretty ribbon! We couldn't wait to get started.
To make a wand, you'll need 7 stems of lavender, with nice buds or blooms at the top. You can use more stems (9 or 11 or 15, always an odd number), but it's easiest to start with just 7. One set of instructions we found said to let the lavender wilt a bit, but with our sturdy ‘Fat Spike' variety, that didn't seem to make much difference. You'll also need a length of narrow ribbon (we used ¼ inch satin ribbon, probably at least 3 feet, although I didn't measure since we just used it from the spool).
