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lavender/rosemary ink

2009 November 14
by 5 Orange Potatoes

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.

lavenderrosemary

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.

lavenderrosem. ink

The little ladies really enjoyed writing and drawing with wonderfully smelling ink and the gorgeous white feathers.

fauna and rain quill pins

Thanks for the feathers Granny!

lavenderrosemary ink 3

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.

ink and handmade paper

32 Responses
  1. liz s permalink
    November 24, 2009

    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.

    • November 24, 2009

      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.

  2. November 17, 2009

    No way! Lily’s been asking about making ink. It must smell lovely!

  3. November 17, 2009

    Your girls are cuties. I absolutely love your site! Thanks for following as well…

  4. November 17, 2009

    I can just smell it now. My girls are gonna love this excellent idea.

  5. November 16, 2009

    sounds truly lovely…i would love to write (and receive) a letter written with scented ink. another inspiring idea :)

  6. November 16, 2009

    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!

  7. November 15, 2009

    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.

  8. November 15, 2009

    you never cease to amaze me! this is a lovely activity. just today donut was asking me about writing with feathers. :)

  9. Robin permalink
    November 15, 2009

    Hey big sis! Can I have some lavender and mint to do this with No Limits??? I love this!!!

  10. November 15, 2009

    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

  11. November 15, 2009

    Wow. I had no idea you could make ink so easily! Awesome…and I have lavendar right out the front door.

  12. November 15, 2009

    What a great idea! I can’t wait to give it a try!

  13. November 15, 2009

    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?

    • November 15, 2009

      Since it’s been so warm, my herbs are still growing and looking great! Great Friday activity!

  14. November 15, 2009

    Looks like fun. I’ve enjoyed your Williamsburg posts because I went to college there.

  15. November 15, 2009

    Wonderful, wonderful ideas, I love to visit your blog, thank you :)

  16. November 14, 2009

    I had never thought of scented ink before. What a fantastic idea!

  17. November 14, 2009

    Wow, what an awesome idea! I especially love the idea of peppermint scented holiday greeting cards :D

  18. November 14, 2009

    Wow! Love this idea…thanks for sharing.

  19. November 14, 2009

    Princess says that she has always wanted to write with a feather pen. Perhaps this is something we need to work on.

  20. November 14, 2009

    Fun! I know Miah would like this.

  21. Jane permalink
    November 14, 2009

    Can I come live in your house?. . .you’re always doing such fun projects!

  22. November 14, 2009

    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

  23. November 14, 2009

    That is so clever. Would never have thought it possible to make my own ink. Wow.

  24. November 14, 2009

    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!

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