lavender/rosemary ink
On our Williamsburg trip, my granny (that’s great granny to the little ladies), bought the girls each a white feather quill pen. The timing was great because I have been wanting to make a lavender/rosemary scented ink. This was a wonderful herbal activity leaving the house smelling great!
What you need:
sprigs of lavender (dry or fresh)
sprigs of rosemary (dry or fresh)
water
enamel pot
Directions:
1. Use enough herbs to cover the bottom of your pan. Use your nose to help get just the scent you want.
2. Add enough water to cover the tops of the herbs.
3. Bring to a boil and let simmer until the water has reduced to a generous tablespoon.
4. Strain and you’re left with a pretty light brown ink. You could always add a drop or two of black ink to darken the color.
The little ladies really enjoyed writing and drawing with wonderfully smelling ink and the gorgeous white feathers.
Thanks for the feathers Granny!
You could use any wonderful smelling herb for this activity. I think we will try a peppermint/lavender ink next time; it would be great for writing holiday cards. Who wouldn’t love a peppermint scented card for the holidays!?!?
Oooh, and a handmade gift of scented ink, a calligraphy pen, and homemade paper would be a lovely holiday gift idea! If you use the ink as a gift, you must add calligraphy ink to it or the herb solution will mold.
related post
- Nature Activities
- Herbs
- herbal honey candy/coughdrops
- About
- odd leaf out (card game using pressed leaves)
did you use any preservative,was any necessary? I have made some beet ink and black walnut ink, but am wondering about mold. I like the idea of herbs.
Yes, preservative is necessary, which we just discovered this weekend. there was mold. I would add 3 T calligraphy ink to the hebal solution to preserve it.
No way! Lily’s been asking about making ink. It must smell lovely!
Your girls are cuties. I absolutely love your site! Thanks for following as well…
I can just smell it now. My girls are gonna love this excellent idea.
sounds truly lovely…i would love to write (and receive) a letter written with scented ink. another inspiring idea
I. Love. This.
We were just using feathers we found to write with– but we were using finger paint! This is a much better idea:) And the homemade paper and ink as a holiday gift, oh yes!
We do have are share of cold days in the fall, but they are spread in between the warms days. We still haven’t put the shorts away. Though I think that will only last for maybe two more weeks. I can’t complain. I feel so blessed to live here after living three years in Michigan.
you never cease to amaze me! this is a lovely activity. just today donut was asking me about writing with feathers.
Hey big sis! Can I have some lavender and mint to do this with No Limits??? I love this!!!
Ha, Robin do you think I actually have enough to share with you????
What a fun idea! I was excited when I saw your pokeberry juice ink this summer, I used to make that when I was a girl. love, Beth
Wow. I had no idea you could make ink so easily! Awesome…and I have lavendar right out the front door.
It smells up the house so pretty! You’ll love it!
What a great idea! I can’t wait to give it a try!
I still have both herbs left in my garden. Hhmmm, maybe a craft day is in order if schoolwork is all finished by Friday morning?
Since it’s been so warm, my herbs are still growing and looking great! Great Friday activity!
Looks like fun. I’ve enjoyed your Williamsburg posts because I went to college there.
Wonderful, wonderful ideas, I love to visit your blog, thank you
I had never thought of scented ink before. What a fantastic idea!
Wow, what an awesome idea! I especially love the idea of peppermint scented holiday greeting cards
We are going to try the peppermint ink this week. I bet it will smell great!
Wow! Love this idea…thanks for sharing.
Princess says that she has always wanted to write with a feather pen. Perhaps this is something we need to work on.
Fun! I know Miah would like this.
Can I come live in your house?. . .you’re always doing such fun projects!
Jane, what fun we would have together!
If you do move to GA in the summer depending on which area you move to – give me a hollar(lol) and I can maybe show you around some interesting places.
Blessings
Diane
Thanks Diane! Will do!
That is so clever. Would never have thought it possible to make my own ink. Wow.
I love this idea!! I’m trying desperately to find inexpensive handmade gifts to give this year–I was considering gift baskets of herbal cleaning supplies. This is another idea!! Thank you…glad you had a wonderful time in Williamsburg, too!