Greetings friends, happy Friday !  You all know I’m on a lavender kick lately as I’m harvesting my plants in my garden.   I’ve made plenty of bouquets this week to give to all my neighbors and friends.  My entire house is filled with the scent right now.

Lavender is one of the most soothing herbal remedies, so much so it helps you sleep better !   So this week, I put my dried lavender to good use by making some eye pillows with linen fabric and simple embroidery.  

Here’s my step-by-step how I made these lavender eye pillows:

Supplies:  Fabric of choice; fabric lining (optional); dried lavender (approx 1.5 cups for each pillow); organic rice or flax seed; sewing machine; embroidery hoop & thread (optional); ink jet printer; scissors; masking tape; cardstock. 

First, I cut my linen fabric to approximately 8” x 10”, then used masking tape to attach it to cardstock.  Make sure your fabric is perfectly flat to the cardstock or it will cause a paper jam.   

Next, I centered this image below in a Word document, then ran it through my computer printer !     Printing with black ink comes out dark brown on the linen. 

Note, the ink when dry is steadfast to the fabric and won’t run, but try not to get it wet, because it can bleed just a bit. 

I hand embroidered the details of the lavender sprig to the linen with a small hoop and some deep purple thread. 

Next, I cut some fabric lining to the same size as my linen, then sewed my lining and printed linen inside out on three sides.  The lining is optional, but I think it helps keep the outside fabric texture smoother to the touch, especially if using these on your eyes.   

To create lavender filling for pillows, combine 2 parts dried lavender to 1 part organic rice or flax seed.  You can use less lavender if necessary, but I have plenty so that’s my math and I’m sticking to it.   If you’re short on lavender, you can also use essential oils to enhance the scent of your flax seed or rice filling. 

Fill your pillow with the lavender mixture, then hand sew fourth side together.

That’s it, easy peasy !

Use them for relaxation, headache tension, or even tucked in your pillowcase or bureau drawer.   And did you know lavender is a natural moth deterrent ?  Place them in your closet as a repellant !  Or just leave them next to your bed as a soothing scent to drift away to slumber. 

Here’s the best part !  I’m giving FIVE of them away to you, my lovely readers, PLUS a bundle of fresh lavender, from my garden to your door. 

To be eligible, simply leave a comment – the FIVE winners will be chosen by Random.org.  Giveaway ends Monday June 21st at 8 p.m. 

******  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED  ******

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Thank goodness my boy is a patient little fellow when it comes to the makeover in his room – cause good golly, I’ve sure been dragging my feet on this one.  

Actually, being four, I’m not sure the critter is really aware of what’s going on, he’s just happy to have his toys scattered all around the room, much to the dismay of my toes when I step on mini Lego guys in the middle of the night – aaargh!   We’re working on that ‘clean up your toys before bed’ thing.

Anyway, we’ve managed to paint the room and closet doors a completely fantastic shade of slate blue with just a hint of turquoise called ‘La Fonda Villa Fountain’ by Valspar.   And last month, I revamped a chalkboard table and chairs for him, but then the makeover came to a halt as I ran into a design dilemma with wall decor and lighting. 

But yesterday, I was inspired again !  I was returning a mistake fixture to a Lamps Plus store, and as I meandered through the shop, I spotted the perfect light fixture for his room  – crisp, white, and modern !  So I ordered the fixture right there on the spot, and as soon as it arrives, will enlist the hub to help me install it.

I’m also awaiting this rug from Dash & Albert – I love its calming yet beachy blues and greens.  I’m simply smitten with this Annie Selke fabric – I’m thinking pillows, and perhaps a border along his white window panels.   Some ‘North Beach’ Nautica pillows from BCF, and this organic Cortland coverlet from Company Store also complete the slate blue/white/apple green medley.

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Lately, I’ve been crushing on the colors in seaglass – those watery, ethereal blues and greens that bring to mind the colors of the many oceans, and the relaxation that seems to accompany spaces decorated in these shades.   

I love to collect seaglass, and these days I find myself drawn to all sorts of decorative glass objects in these vivid greens and blues – they just mix so beautifully together and always look fresh. 

Here’s a few of my favorite designer spaces combining all the beautiful colors found in seaglass . . .     

 Traditional Home

Manny Rodriguez Photography

via House of Turquoise

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I love lemon.  I love lavender.  What better way to indulge my affections than to combine the flavors and bake a cake.  So I did.  And it’s absolutely scrumptious if I do say so myself.   This family of five devoured it in less than 24 hours – we couldn’t help ourselves.   

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Since I harvested some of my French lavender last weekend, one of my first inclinations was to use it in the kitchen.   Lavender has been used in cooking for centuries – you’ll often find it in the ‘Herbes de Provence’ seasoning blend or lately in lavender sugar blends available at specialty stores.  You have to be careful with lavender.  Just like truffles, all you need is a tiny bit, you definitely don’t want to overdo it.  But what a fantastic culinary flavor it brings to the table !

The addition of lemon pudding in this recipe was my mom’s idea.  She’s been adding it to her lemon cake for years, so I stole that idea from her. 

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Oh, goody goody, some lucky folks are going to get organized along with me !

The winners of the ‘Organize Your Paper Clutter’ giveaway, brought to you by Simplify 101, and chosen by Random.org are:

#76  Courtney M. who wrote:

“My biggest problem is paper clutter that doesn’t necessarily have a “home.” For example, I know where to file regular bills, tax docs, etc. But, when it comes to odd things that I may need to hold onto for a while like a receipt or manual, I handle it 15 times rather than just once.” 

# 256  Linda who wrote:

“Glad to see I am not the only one with this problem! Paper clutter everywhere. Bills, circulars, coupons, etc….. It is unmanageable! It seems like when I go through a pile to sort and clear, all I am doing is shuffling papers and then moving the same pile to another spot. I would love to be organized. Thanks!”

Congratulations ladies, you’ve won a free spot in the workshop – welcome to the club!

I’ve already had the chance to review Lesson One, and here’s just one quote that really hit home with me: 

“Paper clutter causes stress because our paper represents things we need to do (such as pay the bills) or things we may want to do (use this coupon to get a new pair of shoes) or things we think we should do (donate money to the Heart Association) or things we’d like to do (read about the plight of the honey bee and figure out what we can to help) or things we want to remember (this ticket stub because the circus was so much fun). 

Therefore, each piece of paper has a sense of obligation associated with it.  A stack of paper nags at you, “You should be doing something about me…” which makes it very difficult to relax or even work in focused manner when you’re in a room piled high with stacks of paper.”

Yes!  So true!  This is my biggest problem.  Lesson One goes on to give tips on how you can stop the inflow of paper clutter into your home, plus provides steps for beginning the process of organizing it all.  I’m looking forward to Lesson Two’s big issue:  how long should I keep this piece of paper?   This I need to know !  

I encourage you to sign up and organize your paper clutter along with me – it’s worth your time because it will buy you peace of mind.  But you only have until Friday, June 18th to register, so sign up here ! 

Oh, and here’s a friendly reminder, the Stars & Stripes Party is coming up on June 30th, so get your festive Fourth of July decorations, recipes, and crafts ready to post so you can link up on the big day.  I’ve got a great craft planned myself !

Cheers !

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