Welcome to Craft Time Thursday and todays post is all about Roses in time for Valentines Day. I grow 3 different colors that I use in crafts. Here some simple ideas for Valentines.

How to dry Roses:

Method 1 – Air drying

Drying Rose Petals using air is a natural approach that is both simple and effective. The catch is that this method requires ongoing effort as you will need to turn the petals daily to help them dry.

Step 1: Evenly place your petals in a single layer on a mesh surface, evenly spaced to avoid touching.

Step 2: Store your drying petals away from direct sunlight and breezes in a well-ventilated, low-moisture environment. Turn the petals twice a day to help each petal dry evenly and quickly. Continue this for at least one week.

Step 3: Once your petals feel crisp, store them in a clean, airtight jar until you are ready to use your beautiful, scented dried Rose Petals.

This batch is made with home grown lavender

Book pressing:

The ultimate set and forget solution, book pressing ensures flat dried rose petals. The drying time when using the book method is ‘wait and see’, so this approach is best reserved for leftover petals that you have no immediate plans for.

Step 1: Open a book with matte – not glossy – pages and line a page near the end with two paper towels. Use a heavy book to make flat petals.

Step 2: Evenly space your petals on the paper towel avoiding overlapping petals. Cover the petals with another layer of paper towel and close the book gently. Extra petals can be dried on other pages so long as the original petals are not disturbed.

Step 3: Leave the petals to dry in the book for at least two weeks before checking. If they are not dry yet, replace the paper towels and leave the petals to dry for another week or two. Once the rose petals are crisp store them in a clean, airtight jar.

Rose Satchet

Supp;ies

• dry roses, herbs, fillers
• powdered or chopped orris root or calamus root to help preserve the look and smell of the other ingredients.
• few drops of an essential oil of your choice.
• If you are going to make sachets, you will need small drawstring bags made from muslin, cotton, silk, or lace.

Directions:

Stir in 1 teaspoon of orris or calamus root per cup of dried herbal mixture. They can mix it together with their hands.

Add essential oils if you so desire. Add them sparingly so as not to completely cover the scents of the other herbs.

If making sachets, go ahead and transfer the herbs into the small bags.

Place your finished gifts into a sealed container and store in a warm, dry, dark place for a few weeks to cure.

Rose Water spray :

Supplies

• 2–3 cups of fresh rose petals, rinsed and cleaned
• a wide pot or saucepan
• strainer
• glass spray bottle or jar
• 1/2 gallon distilled water

1. Add your clean rose petals to your pot or saucepan.
2. Add enough distilled water to just cover the petals. Don’t add too much water, or you’ll dilute your rose water!
3. Place the pot on the stove on low heat.
4. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 30–45 minutes.
5. Simmer until the petals lose their color.
6. Leave your rose water to cool completely.
7. Strain the water into a spray bottle or jar.
8. Refrigerate and use for up to a month.