Directions For Creating Potpourri

1. Spread newspapers over your work area since oils can stain.

2. On your work area, layout your bags of filler. You may want to have your toolds laid out. Group all of your flowers together by color, arrange the fruits and repeat with spices, cones and other ingredients.

3. Line up your bottles of scents.

4. Choose a potpourri theme, either by scent or decorative aesthetics.

5. If your theme is a fragrance, choose a fixative that best represents your fragrance choice.

6. In a bowl, pour a handful of fixative.

7. Add 4 to 7 drops of fragrance, depending on your desired strength. Use a spoon to blend ingredients.

8. Add fillers that match your theme.

9. Use a spoon to blend the mixture together. Scoop into pitcher.

10. Pour ingredients into a covered jar of your choice.

11. Pack loosely at the top, cover with an airtight lid and shake.

12. Store in a warm, dry place and shake the jar every few days.

13. Allow the fixative, filler and fragrance cure for 2 to 4 weeks

14. After curing, pour potpourri into another bowl for display.

15. The potpourri scent will last from 6 months to 1 year or longer.

16. To refresh, simply add several drops to the mix.


Source: Calming Crafts, Dawn Frankfort, Bristol Publishing San Leandro, Ca, 1999, page 69.