Wow, I feel like I have not blogged in like....forever!
and I must admit it felt pretty good to take a break
I need to catch up....quick
so
here are my quick tips for harvesting your lavender buds
for potpourri and sachets
Once your stems are air dried and turning grey you simply
grab a clean good sized bucket
Turn your bundles upside down and gently rub the stems back and forth in the palms of your hands
You will feel the buds easily drop off
I had 5 tied bundles and the yield was about 3 cups of dried buds
But a little goes a long way
I like to mix the buds with a custom blended mix of
other herbs and dried flowers for a beautiful potpourri
The dried stems are a great addition to a gift basket
This is a gift basket that I did for someone to send as a gift to her Aunt
She bought the baguette basket from the Polished Pebble Shop and then
picked a few other little items to make it really special
3 lavender sachets
and some wonderful bath salts and a scrubby
We added a gift card
and tied it all up with beautiful bright ribbon
So now I have a gift for you!
Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a gift bag full of goodies
just like the things I just sent
I will pick TWO winners at random next Friday
Thank you all so much for being so supportive of the blog
and for always leaving such great and kind comments
By the way....if you emailed me with a question and I have not responded,
I really apologize for the delay! I will try to get to all of the emails as quickly as I can
Thanks for stopping by....can't wait to pick a winner
kelley
oh my word - how completely lovely! what a treat it would be to receive! happy day to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back! I have missed your posts. The gift basket you made is beautiful. Such a nice present!
ReplyDeleteIs there a better smell than lavender? Would love a basket like this!
ReplyDeleteHi!! I am a new reader to your blog and I LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteI use lavender oil spray in my home for a refresh every once in awhile, however I have never had fresh Lavender!! I would be so pleased to win this!!
I would more than likely share it with my Mom!!
Sure have missed your posts. You are such an inspiration to me and my garden! Thanks!
ReplyDeletePenny
Hi Kelley, I just sent a friend who is new to bloglalnd over to your blog as one of my favorites, I know she will thoroughly enjoy your post as I do. Delores from Vignette designs was my friend that sent me your way and I am so glad she did. What a lovely giveaway, Would love a touch of Kelley in my home.
ReplyDeleteKathysue
http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/
Kelly, what a wonderful gift. I love lavender.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! You have been missed! I love lavender, and have a few plants in my yard. However, due to the draught and a water ban in our area my lavender didn't produce many blooms this year. I would love to have some of your Ojai lavender to fill the void. Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBecky D-Indiana
I would love to have one of those beautiful gift bags! thanks!
ReplyDeleteEleanor
Oh...I didn't know there was a Polished Pebble Shop! How Fun! Love all the stuff you come up with. I'm sure your shop will be a big success.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Kelley! The basket of goodies you created would be such a lovely gift for someone, I'm sure the recipient was thrilled to get it. Because I already have some of your wonderful potpourri I won't enter the giveaway...but for those who might be wondering...it smells heavenly and looks just as beautiful as it smells!
ReplyDeleteKat
Always enjoy your blog. Love seeing the transformation of the ranch home...it's awesome inside and out! Great giveaway idea too!
ReplyDeleteI love lavender-I would love to win this!
ReplyDeletelove your blog! please enter me in drawing.
ReplyDeleteCarole in OC
I love reading your blog and browsing all the lovely photos of your home. My aunt has a house in Ojai, and I always dream that I'll end up moving there someday. You're lucky to live in such a lovely & peaceful place!
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled I opened up your post today. I have been wanting to learn what to do with lavendar plants {once I have them} so timing is perfect. The only thing that would make it better ...I win!
ReplyDeleteJan @ BellaCasa
What a lovley gift. I love lavender.
ReplyDeleteReally miss seeing you in blogland Kelley. I would love to win a special gift from The Polished Pebble.
ReplyDeleteHope you share more of your new home soon!
I love reading your blog. Your lavender is lovely....Lavender is one of my favorites....Is your lavender edible? I make lavender shortbread that I recently shared on my blog....
ReplyDeletePlease count me in your sweet giveaway.
Thanks!
I would LOVE to win your giveaway! Very generous Kelley!
ReplyDeleteRondee
Oh Oh Oh OH.... I would be thrilled to win! Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift basket! That "Jane" is one lucky lady!!! I know "this Jane" would love a Polished Pebble gift...
ReplyDeleteJane
hello, love reading your blog. I do have a question, did you ever post pictures of your finished kitchen, I was watching the progress but can't find finished pictures. The sachets look wonderful. I would enjoy a nice gift surprise from you. Mickey cybulski1@windstream.net
ReplyDeleteThe lavender is so beautiful I can almost smell it's incredible aroma. It reminds me of starched white linens and happy, lazy summer days on the porch. I always look so forward to your posts and this is no exception, Kelley......
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! ~Barb
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog....your gardens are beautiful...love the gift basket that you put togetheri
ReplyDeleteI love what you can do with a home - you are truly talented!
ReplyDeleteEveryone deserves a break......I don't at all mind waiting! Gives me more time to revisit your previous posts....which I do often...over and over and over again! Lol! Though I love my iPad....it doesn't support a flash player so I can't get to your shop WHICH IM SURE IS AS DELIGHTFUL AS YOUR BLOG!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your time off! I love lavender, and all the products you have in your store! I especially love your posts on your fabulous garden! Heather
ReplyDeleteYou put lovely things together so pleasingly Kelley.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, lovely treat! Thanks for the opportunity! I love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Danielle
loveandlookpretty@gmail.com
Glad to see you're back, too, Kelley! I've been away because of computer probs. Sure missed everyone! What a beautifully sweet giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
I just love lavender but I definitely missed mine this year. Too much going on. I'm so sad as now we're selling our house. It'll have to be one of the first purchases for the new garden.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift! I would love to be the lucky winner. Nothing like lavender and I love how you packaged it all together. ~Delores
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of fresh lavender and would love to have some of yours!
ReplyDeleteamy
Love love love the everlasting fragrance of dried Lavender. I have a little online clothing botique and I like to add a sprig of dried lavender tied to a pretty Tuille ribbon on the package presentation. Kelly, my daughter is renting an adorable Tudor cottage just behind your place ( you probably walk by her place every day) please stop by and say Hi someday! Mo
ReplyDeleteWow that is so pretty and looking good a gift or a present is the transfer of something without the expectation of payment.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. The gift basket is beautiful!! Great giveaway. chedeb5353@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift basket... so original, yet classic. Love your blog/imagining that I have a back yard like yours :) :) Best!
ReplyDeleteFoxRandi1980@gmail.com
Beautiful basket and gifts! Thank you for sharing on the lavender harvesting!
ReplyDeleteYay, what a great prize! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe French baguette basket filled with goodies is a wonderful gift idea. I have enjoyed every item I have purchased from your shop and would love to be included in your giveaway. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteBest...Victoria
Thank you Kelly for such a beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteKimberly
Thank you for offering this lovely giveaway, would love to win !
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, what a lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Would lavender do well in hot dry Oklahoma? I'm itching to plant some!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog...the garden is lovely!
ReplyDeletejenna
i absolutely love the scent of lavender...
ReplyDeleteOh pick me! Beautiful lavendar and packaging! Love your blog too!
ReplyDeleteThat would be so cool to win. Thank you! Love the lavender. Trying to grow in Houston but not having much success!
ReplyDeleteI can smell the wonderful scent now!!!!! Thank you!!!! Blessings,Sara
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog! You are such a inspiraton!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat it would be to win such a wonderful gift. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteOH I love Lavender! For some odd reason we can not keep lavender alive here. Maybe I do not have good dirt:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this chance to win this wonderful giveaway!!!!
YOu know I adore your goods....and lavender is one of my fave...thx for sharing the drying process too!
ReplyDeleteI haven't blogged in 4ever either but hope to catch up within the next 2 wks....today we're about to move out of our temporary lease house and into the new "farmhouse"....alot of reno has been going on and I can't find the time to capture each detail...but hope to catch up and blog more about it all soon.
Thx for a great giveaway!!
Lavender has definitely become my favorite! I'm looking for a gift to send to the darling photographer from my son's recent wedding!
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired! I'm heading out to cut my lavender now! What beautiful ideas!
ReplyDeleteSo sad that my lavender didn't make it through the drought this year. Especially since I just learned from you what to do with it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win.
Diana
www.dianabrandmeyer.com
Hello Kelley,
ReplyDeleteThank you for making it such a beautiful gift to my sister n law Jane...She just loved it! She sent me a picture and it looked so lovely. Love your blog and shop. So inspirational! I am enjoying my new french bread basket. It's sitting on our outdoor patio table along side some gorgeous flowers. We have used it a couple of times now. The weather has been beautiful here in New England. Looking forward to more shopping and blog posts. Take care and have a fabulous Labor Day weekend! Claudia
We don't see a lot of growing lavender here in Florida but I sure would love to win some sachets! The gift is absolutely beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and read it daily!
ReplyDeleteI've ordered from you before and love your packaging. Curious to see what's inside the goody bag!
ReplyDeleteI've really missed your posts. You are one of the few I have go directly to my inbox! I adore Lavender, the color, the herb, in bundles, in buds, in lotion, soap or any other form. I think I have it in every room of my house. I find it soothes me, relaxes me and even helps me go to sleep! I'd love to win some and your packages are amazing. I will be stopping by your shop. I'm doing Christmas shopping early this year. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to be entered in your giveaway. How sweet of you. And what a beautiful gift to give someone else. Blessings to you!!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't that long ago that I found your blog via 'fortheloveofahouse' and have really enjoyed reading it. Glad you're back and thanks for offering this giveaway.
ReplyDelete~JackieVB
Beautiful assembly of lovely items! I'd love to win that bag!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity!
Such a lovely gift basket. Beautiful post, hope I am one of the lucky winners:) Thank you for the chance:)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
How fun! I would love to win. Also curious what your ideas are on how to use popouri around the house. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! I wish I had more than a few lavender plants! ;-( I just love the clay dish you displayed the buds in...
ReplyDeletegreat goodie bag!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a divine gift basket and a fabulous give away. I'm glad you're back.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Lavender is one thing I can't get enough of
ReplyDeleteGreat post and a wonderful giveaway. Count me in!!!
ReplyDeletesally.puckett@yahoo.com
Love this post....I could smell the lavender. Thanks for the giveaway....I love surprise goodies!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE lavender!! I keep a bottle of lavender essential oil at work during those stressful moments!!!
ReplyDeleteLynn
Kelley,
ReplyDeleteThe basket is wonderful, then you add the lovely lavender and goodies and it's a treasure.
I hope to have my question about the willow planter items answered when you get a chance...enjoy your break and Labor Day weekend.
Karen
I enjoy your blog so much. What a fun giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteI live is Southeast Texas so getting lavender to survive is a challenge...we both have a hard time coping with the excess humidity. Your blog is an inspiration...thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAll of those things are so lovely, and each would be a treat to receive!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your blog. Thanks for a chance to win!
ReplyDeletecamorrison5@gmail.com
I love your blog. Check it daily, I too would love a chance to win a goodie bag!
ReplyDeletehi new reader here. thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemwong241 (at) gmail (dot) com
Such a lovely and thoughtful gift. I would love to win one. Best regards!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to win the gift bag! I love your blog. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteevafalletta@yahoo.com
Every time I visit your blog...it makes me miss CA. I love all that lavender...makes me wonder why I never did anything with mine. Who wouldn't love to get that bag of goodies wrapped up like that for a gift?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift! Love your blog and would love to win the give-away! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your giveaway. It is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteSheree
shereepo@sbcglobal.net
Wow - Wonderful post and pictures! And you make it all look so easy!
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell it from here. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous goody basket....and I think I can smell the lavendar all the way from here!!
ReplyDeleteI'd always just dried my lavender, left it hanging and eventually...it didn't look so great, so thanks for the tips!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, love lavender and your packaging is very pretty!
Have a fabulous extended weekend!!
Lavender is my very favorite scent. I can't grow it here in my NYC apt., so would love to win a beautiful bunch of yours! Love reading your posts. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!! I am smitten for lavendar-have a great holiday weekend!! Smiles, Jackie
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful giveaway! Please enter me. I can smell the lavendar on my kitchen table already! Thank you for sponsoring, Kelley!
ReplyDeleteWow I remember well the gift basket I won from you a couple of year ago.. now crossing fingers again, does lightening strike twice in the same place :)
ReplyDeleteGood to see you again, I have been away a good bit too, love this post about lavender!
xoxo
Kit
Lovely Lavendar. Thanks for the chance to win. I love how you put the gift baskets together. Simply beautiful. Enjoy your blog very much.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly inspiring! I wish we had scratch-n-sniff internet! I can almost smell it from Oregon!
ReplyDeleteI WOULD L.O.V.E. TO WIN XOXOXOX
ReplyDeleteI love lavender!! I am a new reader to your blog and I so enjoy your posts & taste! Thanks for the Giveaway, Cathy
ReplyDeleteI miss the lavender of California. Houston's a bit too soggy to make it work it here!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely it would be to win this! Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! I love your blog & your decorating style! You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteLove CG's new living room. The sofa is VERY restoration hardware! Is it comfortable?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to winning your lovely giveaway! Thanks!
I adore lavender in any form. One of my favorites are the lavender dryer sheets from Trader Joe's. They are more like a little sachet really and can be used for many, many, dryer loads. Umm, lavender scented clothes, warm, straight from the dryer - Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI adore your blog...and you! Thanks so much for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win a bagful of your wonderful goodies!
ReplyDeleteSome year I'm going to try to grow some lavender but until then, I'll just pretend I can smell yours.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me so sad I didn’t save any of the lavender when we pruned back the bush this year!! :( At least I'll have some ideas for next year. :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteMichelle Tomy (Talansmomma)
What an awesome giveaway. I grew up with a fun family garden and loved harvesting the lavender b/c it smells so good!
ReplyDeletemermont84 at yahoo.com
lavender refreshes, relaxes and renews the spirit! what a delightful giveaway! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoy all of your posts. Wish I could invite you over to give me some ideas. I found you when I was looking for pics of Karin Blake's work. Love your house, the condo, and the house in Ojai. I,too, have a love affair with signs, so it is very nice to see someone else's take.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering what you do to keep the lavender attached to the stem once you pick it, dry it, and then bundle it? I have tried but it seems that the buds fall off all over the place. Great advice though, as always.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back. I rarely-if ever comment, but truly love your blog. I am sending my niece here to look at the beautiful and fun things you have picked up at the world market. She recently purchased a table and chairs from there.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to win your give away!
Mary
From Virginia
Bonjour!
ReplyDeleteLove, love lavender! Thanks so much for offering this giveaway!
Merci,
Cathy
Count me in for sure! Thanks Kelley!! xo nancy elizabeth
ReplyDeleteLOVE Lavender! Thanks for the drying tips.
ReplyDeleteI am crazy for lavender! Would love to win....thanks for the give-away!
ReplyDeleteFirst time on your blog and what a surprise. I love lavendar and can't get enough of it. Even have a huge bouquet of it hanging in my bathroom. Yummy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky young lady to have you designing her first place! It looks beautiful!
ReplyDeletewhat a great Blog, i check it all the time. Thanks for sharing this special gift with a lucky winner.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and inspired design style. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have someone as talented as you, design my first place. I'm still working to get it right all these years later!
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic giveaway......love love lavender!
I have been looking for the perfect gift for my friend who loaned us her vacation home last week. I must shop The Polished Pebble. I love where you are going with CG's new digs !! Hope I'm a winner.
ReplyDeletefourms@mchsi.com
Love lavender....we especially enjoy lemon lavender scones made with culinary lavender!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and love it!!! I'm a little late for the drawing, maybe next time, :-) Lavender is my favorite .
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and love it!!! I'm a little late for the drawing, maybe next time, :-) Lavender is my favorite .
ReplyDeleteWow. I wish I had more than a few lavender plants.
ReplyDeleteInkmonk