Calendula Balm

Last year I planted Calendula in the garden as a companion plant and for a splash of colour.

In December I harvested some of the petals and steeped them in olive oil in a sunny spot for 6 months.

What evolved was a richly coloured oil concentrated with the medicinal qualities of this pretty flower.

The best use of this oil was to make a balm that could be used for cuts and grazes, nappy rash, chapped lips, dry skin etc.

Recipe:

Calendula oil - 1/4 cup of dried calendula petals steeped in 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Steep for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Balm - melt 1/8 cup of beeswax in a double boiler. Add the strained calendula oil to the mixture with 10-40 drops of lavender oil. Stir to combine then put into containers. Seal when cool.

Easy? Yes!
Messy? Potentially! Beeswax is like a waterproof casing on your pot so make sure you melt it in something set aside for making non-food items.

Calendula Balm

Made with love

So its true. Things do taste better if they were made with love.

Researchers found in this study that the person's physical experience of an event is affected by how they perceive the person that is administering the cake/medicine/pain/pleasure.

So if I make you a cake (because I am an endearing friend) then it will most definitely taste better than one bought from the shop (hmm unless its one from the Chocolate Cake Company or the lemon ricotta cake from Floriditas...). Ok maybe it won't be perfect but you will enjoy it more because you will know that I made it for you!


Same goes with things I sew, plants I grow.... I give these to people because I want them to be happy and it makes me happy to do something for them.

So I didn't really need someone to scientifically prove this for me but I'd like to thank them none the less.

Photo courtesy of Aubergine

Made with love

Homemade Gifts

This Christmas I decided that I would like to make some gifts for people.

Mum got this handmade gardeners scrub. Very easy to make and gets the dirt off making your hands feel moisturized afterwards.

Handmade Scrub

1. Mix equal parts rock salt, brown sugar and white sugar together in a container.
2. Drizzle over a small amount of Olive oil. Just enough to combine the ingredients. Mix together.
3. Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
4. Add essential oil if you wish. I added some lavender from my garden instead.

I spent some time sewing some dresses for my niece. The first dress (in blue) I made my own pattern for. The second (in red) I used the Sew La Tea Do pattern for the "Miss Adorable Frock". She sure looked adorable in them both!

And no gift would be complete without a homemade gift tag. Here's me and my little helper preparing our gift tags in preparation for some good ole hot glue gunning!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Giving!!

Homemade Gifts