Posts Tagged ‘flowers’

Violet Leaf

// September 4th, 2012 // Comments Off // Bath & Body

Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australasia. It is commonly known as wood violet, sweet violet, English violet, common violet, or garden violet. The plant is known as Banafsa, Banafsha or Banaksa in India, where it is commonly used as remedy for sore throat and tonsilitis. It is a hardy herbaceous flowering perennial.

The sweet scent of this flower has proved popular throughout the generations particularly in the late Victorian period, and has consequently been used in the production of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes.  The French are also known for their violet syrup, most commonly made from an extract of violets. In the United States, this French violet syrup is used to make violet scones and marshmallows. The scent of violet flowers is distinctive with only a few other flowers having a remotely similar odour. References to violets and the desirable nature of the fragrance go back to classical sources such as Pliny and Horace when the name ‘Ion’ was in use to describe this flower from which the name of the distinctive chemical constituents of the flower, the ionones – is derived. In 1923 Poucher writes that the flowers are widely cultivated both in Europe and the East for their fragrance, with both the flowers and leaves being separately collected and extracted for fragrance, and flowers also collected for use in confectionary and the production of a galenical syrup.

There is some doubt as to whether the true extract of the violet flower is still commercially available at all.  It certainly was in the early 20th Century, but by the time Steffen Arctander was writing in the late 1950s and early 1960s production had “almost disappeared”.

The violet leaf absolute however remains widely used in modern perfumery.

(Info and Pictures via Wikipedia)

Violet leaf absolute (Viola odorata) is a dark green liquid displaying a powerful, green leafy/herbaceous odor with a fine, delicate floral undertone possessing distinct aroma of violet flowers. It has good tenacity and diffusive power

In natural perfumery is used in herbaceous bouquets, floral bases, chypres, literary perfumes, culinary creations, new mown hay.

(info via White Lotus Aromatics Blog)

Chamomile

// April 25th, 2012 // Comments Off // Bath & Body

Anthemis nobilis, commonly known as Roman camomile, chamomile, garden camomile, ground apple, low chamomile, English chamomile, or whig plant, is a low perennial plant found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds. It has daisy-like white flowers that are found in Europe, North America, and Argentina. The stem is procumbent, the leaves alternate, bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous. The solitary, terminal flowerheads, rising 8 to twelve inches above the ground, consist of prominent yellow disk flowers and silver-white ray flowers. The flowering time is June and July, and its fragrance is sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous.

The plant is used to flavor foods, in tisanes, perfumes, and cosmetics.  It is used to make a rinse for blonde hair, and is popular in aromatherapy, whose practitioners believe it to be a calming agent to end stress and aid in sleep.[citation needed]

The word chamomile comes from Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon), “earth-apple”, from χαμαί (chamai), “on the ground” + μήλον (mēlon), “apple”, so called because of the applelike scent of the plant. (Note: The “ch-” spelling is used especially in science and pharmacology.)

Chamomile is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, part 1 ‘The Camomile; The more it is trodden on, the faster it grows’.

Mary Wesley’s novel The Camomile Lawn was also televised in Great Britain in the 1990s.

The lawns of Buckingham Palace, London use camomile instead of grass.

Use of chamomile dates back as far as ancient Egypt where it was dedicated to their gods.  Folk remedies using the plant include treatments for dropsy and jaundice. It was also believed to revive any wilting plant placed near it.  The flowers were also used as a dye to lighten hair.

Chamomile is considered to be an antiseptic, antibiotic, disinfectant, bactericidal & vermifuge.

(info and pictures from Wikipedia)

Blue chamomile oil (Matricaria chamomilla, M.recutita) is a blue to greenish blue liquid displaying a sweet, herbaceous, coumarinic bouquet with a warm fruity, balsamic undertone of good tenacity

In natural perfumery used in fruit accords, herbaceous bouquets, high class florals, apothecary blends

“True chamomile oil is usedin very small percentages in high-class perfumes to introduce a warm, rich undertone which lasts through all stages of evaporation.” Steffen Arctander

The essential oil of Wild chamomile (Ormenis multicaulis syn Ormenis mixta) is a pale yellow liquid displaying a sweet fruity, balsamic,, herbacoeus bouquet with a honeyed, ambery, powdery undertone of good duration

In natural perfumery would find use chypre, fougere, citrus cologne, herbaceous cologne, ambre bases, floral-herbaceous creations, geographical perfumes

“The oil finds application in citrus-colognes, ambre, chypre and fougere-bases, as well in in a multitude of other bases where a fresh modification of ambre-herbaceous notes are called for(lavender, pine, etc) Even trace amounts of this oil may introduce a delightful topnote in herbaceous or herbaceous-floral fragrance.”
Steffen Arctander

English chamomile essential oil is a clear to pale blue liquid displaying a delicate, fresh sweet, herbaceous bouquet with a fruity, balsamic undertone

In natural perfumery used in herbaceous notes, high class florals, apothecary blends, colognes, fougere, chypre

“It imparts a warm, yet fresh note and a natural depth which is difficult to obtain by other means” Steffen Arctander

(info from White Lotus Aromatics Blog)

Rosewood aka Bois de Rose

// April 17th, 2012 // Comments Off // Bath & Body

Aniba rosaeodora is a species of Magnoliid tree in the Lauraceae family. Its common names are Brazilian rosewood and rosewoodtree.  It grows in parts of the tropical rainforest of South America. It is an endangered species that sees exploitation for its essential oil.

A. rosaeodora grows in the tropical rainforests of South America. It is found in the Brazilian states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Pará.  It is also found in Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and French Guiana, where it was formerly more widespread.  It is massive, up to 30 meters in height and 2 meters in diameter, and evergreen. The entire tree is fragrant. Substances in the tree include linalool and rubranine.  The flowers are perfect, with temporal dioecy. The fruit is a purple drupe dispersed by toucans.

It has 24 chromosomes.  Gene flow is high between wild populations.

The plant is one of the commercially important sources of rosewood oil. The tree is collected in the wild. After felling, the trees are cut into one–meter long logs which are taken to the riverbank and stockpiled there. When river levels are high enough, the logs are floated downriver to a distillery. Because of the remoteness and difficulty of travel in the Amazon, distilleries are often mobile, movable by raft. When they arrive at the distillery, the logs are chipped and then steam distilled. Each tree yields about 1% oil by weight of wood. Most worldwide production comes from Brazil; since the 1960s, other areas produce only a minor, insignificant amount. Trees are taken from near the Amazon and its tributaries.

Rosewood oil is a valuable essential oil, especially in perfumery. It contains the substance linalool, which has a number of uses. The wood may be utilized by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin for the purposes of making canoes, but this is a minor use. In addition, old chips are used as fuel to run the distilleries. Since the name Rosewood can be used for very disttinctive kinds of timber, South American Rosewood, a different species, especially Brazilian (Dalbergia nigra), also known as Jacaranda, is the most desirable tonewood for acoustic guitars and other instruments. The Aniba rosaeodora is khown as Pau-Rosa in Brazil. The supply of this wood was greatly overused in the past and it now is as difficult to legally trade as elephant ivory.

A. rosaeodora is an endangered species. Populations have declined rapidly due to the destructive harvesting methods. Areas previously logged have not seen much regrowth.  It might even be critically endangered.  Wild populations exist in remote locations, which are hence unlikely to be exploited.

The Brazilian government has enacted regulations to help conserve the species. There have been difficulties with enforcement. Early experiments in artificial cultivation and propagation were failures. More recent attempts have been more successful.  It, or rather its wood and essential oil, is on Appendix II of CITES.  If the leaves could be used as a source, it would help conserve the species.  It has been suggested that production methods be altered to ensure a sustainable supply.  It is also listed on the Official list of endangered flora of Brazil.

(info and pictures via Wikipedia)

Rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora) is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a suave, sweet, woody-roseaceous odor with a spicy-floral undertone

In natural perfumery it is used in floral notes(muguet, neroli, lilac, sweet pea), precious woods bases, incense perfumes and as a general fixative due to its mild, suave, rounded character.

(info via White Lotus Aromatics Blog)

Book Review: Stitch Workshop – Peyote Stitch (basic technique, advanced results)

// March 1st, 2012 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Book Reviews

Click the book to purchase it from the publisher.

Stitch Workshop: Peyote Stitch

Peyote Stitch Workshop!

 

I. love. this. book. <3

I don’t normally gush over a book but I’m gushing, can you tell? ;)

Moreover, I am completely enamored of one particular design. I loved it so much after making the first blue cuff:

Monochromatic Blues

Monochromatic Blues

that I made a second for my daughter in rainbow colors with a matte white background.

Rainbow Cubes

Rainbow Cubes

 

 

Rainbow Cubes

Rainbow Cubes

 

I used my own 12mm lampwork rainbow orbs for the clasps on both bracelets.

You can use 4mm cubes! I love 4mm cubes and rarely get to use them.

There are other designs that use cubes as well as rivolis, pearls, tube beads, crystals, and anything else you can think of. The cuff pictured at the top left on the cover is perfect as a base for freeform peyote.

There are excellent step by step instructions at the front of the book for someone just starting out and the designs get progressively more complicated throughout so even experienced beadweavers will find designs to challenge them. Something for everyone!

The last two designs are an interlocking weave bracelet done with size 13 seed beads (or charlottes) and a wonderful pattern for vessels that will get you going down the road of sculptural peyote.

There are floral designs, abstracted butterfly wings which would make lovely earrings, several designs with a tribal feel and an exquisite jeweled bracelet with a plethora of rivolis.

If you’re thinking about learning peyote (and why wouldn’t you because it’s AWESOME) I would use this book as a jumping off point. It even explains clearly that starting row that gives us all fits in the beginning. :)

Happy stitching!

Astrid

http://www.etsy.com/shop/astridboyce

Let's go shopping!

Easy Flower Knitting Pattern for Knitters Only!

// January 15th, 2012 // Comments Off // Blog, Knitting

In my long search to find an easy flower knitting pattern I realized I had a a few requirements:

1. It  MUST be easy enough to knit up quickly.

2. It  Must be knit in one piece and seamless

3. It Must look elegant and not look like  a child’s craft project.

4. It  Must be a KNITTING PATTERN! (Not a crochet pattern…I cannot crochet!)

I discovered that there are a lot of patterns for crocheting.  This to me was frustrating, since I do not crochet and I refused to think that 2 knitting needles had more limits than 1 crocchet hook.

I fiddled around with my 2 needles and came u with this very very easy pattern to share with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What you will need for the Isabella Flower Pattern: 

Size US 6  4mm   11-inch Circular Needles

Stitch Marker

Button

Needle For Weaving

Yarn Used: Any leftover yarns from stash!

 

Isabella Flower Pattern:

Cast on 62 stitches

Round 1: k

Round 2: *p2, p2tog*, repeat until 2 stitches are left, p2  (47 stitches)

Round 3: *k1, ssk*, repeat until 2 stitches are left, k2 (32 stitches)

Round 4: *p2tog* repeat until end. (16 stitches)

Round 5: *ssk* repeat until end. (8 stitches)

Now cut yarn leaving about 16” and then weave (using a needle) yarn through remaining 8 stitches, then pull tightly. Loop yarn through to the WS (right side) of flower and use to sew on any cute button. Use remaining yarn on flower to sew into headband; weave in loose ends.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    ©  Mary Ann Hoth Designs

This flower is wonderful for embellishing headbands, sweaters, scarves, hats etc……

Happy Knitting!

Mary Ann Hoth         http://www.ravelry.com/designers/mary-ann-hoth

 

 

 

Bead stop for stringing, beadweaving, beadwork, or thread crochet

// October 12th, 2011 // Comments Off // Art Jewelry, Beads, & Glass, Blog

During one of my frequent trips to my local beadstore I came across these little tools called Mini Beadbugs.  I assume, judging from the name there is a larger size but I tend to work small so these suit me perfectly.

I have been in the habit for years of simply running the thread through a 2mm crimp bead as a bead stop because the other bead stop tool I had tried (just a little coil on it’s own) I found unwieldy.  I also had problems with tangles because the unprotected coil was catching on everything.  I’ve not had that problem with these and I think it is due to the slick white pads that are on opposite ends of the coil.

crimp bead stopThe beads pictured are 13.0 czech charlottes in eggshell ceylon, gold, and irid green.  These particular beads I purchased at monsterslayer (dot) com which is also an excellent place to go for your raw wire and metal needs.  Good prices (as good as sterling silver prices can be these days, lol) and fast service.  I highly recommend them as a supplier.

mini bead bugsAs you can see, these are simply coils with white plastic finger rests on either side.  The three bumps on the surface do help you to maintain your grip on the bead bug.

Opening the bead bugIt’s simply a matter of squeezing the bead bug open, inserting your thread, and letting go.

Clamped bead bugThese beads aren’t going anywhere.  :D

Since you receive 8 in the package you can have several projects going at once.  The price was $9.99, so a little over a buck a bead stop, I can certainly live with that.

Until next time, have fun creating!

Astrid