Post by ellise on Nov 8, 2005 1:09:05 GMT 10
* To fill your living room with a spicy aroma, throw orange or tangerine peels, pinecones or potpourri into your fire.
* Or make fragrant fire starters (nice presents for homeowners). Tie 6- to 8-inch pieces of pine and balsa branches, dried heather and lavender, small bunches of rosemary and thyme, and several cinnamon sticks together with raffia. As a finishing touch, glue small pinecones to the raffia bow with craft glue or a hot glue gun.
*Old-fashioned pomanders add fragrance and make lovely decorations. To create your own clove-studded fruit, first choose an orange, lemon or lime; then poke holes in the surface with a pin and insert whole cloves into the holes. You can opt for a traditional look (surface entirely covered with cloves) or create your own unique design. To preserve a pomander, place it in a paper bag with powdered orrisroot, seal the bag, shake the contents and store the bag in a warm, dark spot for three weeks before use.
* Scent a room or doorway with a potpourri wreath! To make one, brush white glue over the surface of a green Styrofoam wreath form, cover each and every inch with potpourri (don't leave bare spots!), and let your wreath dry overnight. Make a bow with wide, wire-edged ribbon and add it to your wreath. Voila ‑- it's ready to display!
* Another way to enjoy your favorite potpourri all day? Simmer it in a slow cooker.
* To fill each room with a sweet scent, fill a length of panty hose loosely with your favorite spice blend, tie it at both ends and place it inside a hot air vent.