scented potpourri

Potpourri is a blend of aromatic dried flowers gathered in season to fill the house with pleasant summer fragrances year-round. Recipes for these natural home perfumes abound, ranging from simple to sophisticated. Powdered orris root or drops of essential oil can be added to the flowers to reinforce the fragrance.

rose potpourri

Gather the following flowers as they bloom: lilac, scented roses, geraniums, peonies, clover, common selfheal, pot marigolds, lavender and thyme. Rose buds can be left whole. Let the flowers dry in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. Petals are sufficiently dry when they are brittle.

potpourri flowers

A typical blend includes a few scented roses, white or purple clover, spruce shoots, pink grapefruit zest and mint leaves.
You can add decorative touches such as small pine cones, pieces of moss and bark or fragrant sprigs of spruce.

decorative cardboard potpourri box

Print out the box template. Trace the two octagons onto thin cardboard, the side pieces onto thicker cardboard. In the example, the box from a package of cookies was used along with a thicker (1.5mm), grooveless cardboard from a box of drinking glasses. Cut out the shapes using scissors or a craft knife. Score the sections to be folded, then fold into shape using a ruler.

potpourri box

Assemble the box using masking tape or kraft paper tape. Decorate the box with paint, tissue paper decoupage, etc. The decorative button was made out of a piece of driftwood sewed on crosswise like a button, using natural string and a tapestry needle.

potpourri detail

To "reactivate" the fragrance, stir the potpourri occasionally. Add new dried flowers or a few drops of essential oil such as lavender, sweet orange or tea tree.

Another option is moist potpourri, which requires a different preparation technique. Visit this website.
© Pot marigold photo: le jardin de sophie.

Click on the template below to enlarge and print.
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June 2007 [handmade gifts]
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