I'd like to start this post with a quick "thank you" to all those who made such kind comments on my blog post and through emails when they requested my Crossbody Owl Purse Pattern & Tutorial. On Saturday my little girl owly purse was featured on the blog "Sew Can She", which has resulted in hundreds of requests of that pattern. I haven't been able to respond to every comment or every email {other than sending the requested pattern}, but I'd like you to know that I appreciated your kind words. Thank you! Your encouragement fuels my creativity!
Now for today's post... The holidays are definitely a treat for the senses. We indulge in deletable sweets, we listen to meaningful Christmas carols, and, of course, we enjoy the twinkling lights and decorations that are a feast for our eyes. However, if you haven't considered filling your home with the sweet scent of fresh citrus and spices, you might be missing out.
This year my daughter inspired me to make gift bags of Stove Top Potpourri to give to friends. She is "great with child" this Christmas, so this was the perfect {simple} gift for her to make for her friends. I borrowed her idea because I think it's going to be an ideal treat for my friends too.
I began by making a simple tag with brief instructions for the recipient. {The source for this free downloadable laurel frame is Star Sunflower Studio.} Feel free to go here to view and make copies of the document I created.
After making some copies of the document on card-stock paper, I used a fine-tipped red felt pen to add a little color and make little berries around the leaf frame.
Place this potpourri on your stove in a saucepan, heat to boiling and then turn the stove way down and simmer for a short period of time. Never leave the potpourri on the stove unattended. A good time to heat it up is while you are in the kitchen preparing meals. It can be reheated over and over again. Just add water to refresh as needed. The ingredients below are merely suggestions. For my home use, I often add an apple or pineapple to the mix. If I don't have any ginger or nutmeg -- no problem. I just make a potpourri of what I've got on hand and it always works!
Now it's time to build your Potpourri Gift Bags...
Items Needed
- approximately 11.5 inch x 5 inch open-end cellophane bags {craft stores carry cellophane bags}
- approximately 3 x 4.5 inch seal-lock cellophane bags
Ingredients
- 1 orange, 2 tangerines, or 2 Clementines (Cuties)
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 1 or 2 handfuls of fresh cranberries
- about 1 tsp. of whole cloves
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Put granulated sugar and ground spices in the 3 x 4.5 inch seal lock cellophane bag. Add orange to large bag, along with cinnamon stick, fresh cranberries and whole cloves, then include the smaller sugar and spice bag to the ingredients in the larger bag.
Attach the label to the cellophane bag with twine or ribbon...
And... you're done.
Not exactly exhausting, was it?
