Lavender Love - Top Tips for Using Lavender

I can still remember picking long stems of lavender from my grandmothers garden, using it to make scented lavender bags or potions in bottles and buckets. The scent of it now sends me back to those carefree days in the fresh outdoors when we'd come home with pockets full of lavender buds, knees covered in mud and grass stains and we'd fall asleep with bunches of stems in jam jars next to our beds.

I still love its graceful colour, its gentle herby floral scent and use lavender all the time. Though I'm no longer ripping up plants from my grandmothers garden I do dream of growing masses of it one day, in a garden I don't yet have but one day..... well I can dream.

With a recent bout of colds and restless nights with my daughters I've once again called upon lavender essential oil to come to the rescue. It is my rescue remedy for restless nights, for stings and bites; luxurious facials and even my laundry.

So, I thought I'd share some tips on using lavender that I've picked up and adopted since my days of picking it from Grandmas garden:

1. Slumber. Use a few drops of lavender essential oil in a vapouriser at bedtime to sooth and calm babies and children. If you don't have a vapouriser put a few drops in a bowl of warm water and place on a radiator. 
2. Pillow. Put two drops of lavender essential oil on both sides of your or your child's pillow. It will help relax and calm a busy mind as you all fall asleep. 
3. Bathtime. So many baby bath bubbles and shampoos have added lavender to their ingredients because its known for its soothing calming properties. I add 6-8 drops of lavender in the bath and it fills the room with a delicious smell and not only will its antiseptic properties help with any of my daughters cuts and scrapes it also helps them wind down at the end of the day. 
4. First aid. Mix a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to some vegetable oil and use it where needed. Don't use it on broken skin though.
5. Coughs and colds. Mix two drops in a base oil or olive oil and massage onto the soles of your or children's feet. It will help battle the cold as well as relaxing an aching body. 
6. Massage. Sometimes if me or my children are achy I'll mix several drops of lavender with two tablespoons of sweet almond oil and gently massage aching limbs. I used to do this ritually when they were babies to calm and sooth them at the end of the day and to help them fall asleep. 
7. Laundry. I'm laundry obsessed and of all domestic chores this is heaven. I never use fabric softeners but I do occasionally add a couple of drops of lavender oil into the washing detergent. The laundry smells fresher and it helps to keep moths away too.
8. Moths monsters. Dab 1-2 drops of lavender onto a cotton ball and place into wardrobes and linen cupboards to help keep the pesty jumper eating beasts away, they hate the smell! Replace with new ones every few months.
9. Bug Off! Mosquito's and bugs don't like the lavender so rather than using over the counter creams and lotions on the skin add a few drops of lavender into a water spray and spritz over bare legs and arms.  
10. Sun burn. Take some lavender essential oil with you on your next holiday and use it as a cooling aftersun lotion by adding it to a tepid bath or using in a water spray to calm after sun exposure.
11. Headaches. Add a drop of lavender oil to a tablespoon of a base oil, almond oil or as natural an oil as you have and sweep across the forehead. It's a better option than immediately reaching for the paracetamol and more often than not will be all that's needed to send the headache away.
12. Face it. This is heaven at the end of the day once the kids are asleep and you need a little love and rejevenation.... Add a few drops of lavender oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and let the steam from the bowl warm and cleanse you skin. It's especially good if you have a runny nose or a heady cold.

Lavender, with its healing, cleansing, calming, and antisceptic properties has so many uses its worthwhile keeping a little bottle of it (out of reach of the children) in your bathroom, If you have space to grow your own lavender there are further benefits you could have from adding some with honey into hot water for tea, to adding some to salads or cupcake recipes as well as making your own lavender sugar, or even perhaps making your own lavender crown just as my sister did here.

Grab a bottle of Lavender essential oil from our favourite shop Tisserand. here.  

This is not a sponsored blog we just love the stuff!

pics top pictures via national geographic, bottom pic via big sis!

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This is part of 'The Art of Living' collection. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' and our weekly 'Wednesday Woo'. . If you want to see our latest loves take a look here.

Want to take a look behind the scenes of Sisters Guild? Our A-Z is here where we share a sentimental journey through family life.

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Wednesday Woo - Wild & Free

Sometimes childhood adventures take us into the the wild sometimes its the wilds of our own bedrooms where beds become ships and rugs are islands, kitchen tables become treehouses and chairs lined up in row become trains that will take us to places beyond our own walls beyond our everyday boundaries and into our imaginations. 

Waddler's collections are reminiscent of all these wild adventures with its soft comfortable hand knitted 100% alpaca wool and a comfortable cosy fit its a clothing collection for the wild and free as well as their eco conscious parents.

take a look at the collection here

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This is part of our Wednesday Woo blog series. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' and 'The art of living'.

www.sistersguild.co.uk

Around the World with You: Faith of Damselfy

Today we welcome someone who has expressed much enthusiasm for Sisters Guild and who shares a passion for things made with beauty and integrity.  Faith Tilleray of Damselfly creates the most enchanting and ethereal hand-finished clothes. She designs dresses that takes us back a century, with detail that makes us think of magical and historical places.  Faith shares her favourite place, which, quite pertinently, is very pure and stirring:

by Jonathan Rich courtesy of Natural England

Faith says:
Here is my favourite place. It's been in my mind as we did a photoshoot up there last weekend. I go up there at all times of the year- it's called Stiperstones and is very near to where we live and run the business in Shropshire. It has a very special atmosphere - slightly strange and very wild. One of the outcrops is called the Devil's Chair but the name doesn't really suit it. It feels powerful yes, but benevolent. The name comes from old times when women used to gather herbs there and celebrate the solstices - women who were named witches because they had powerful knowledge, but were not the evil hags of fairy tales.

By Michael Martin courtesy of Natural England

The other reason that I love it up there at this time of year is that it's covered in winberriers (the Shropshire word for bilberries). They are delicious little bursts of vitamin C. An old lady in the village here tells a story from her girlhood - the local landowner would pay children who picked enough winberries with a pair of shoes to wear to school. If they didn't pick enough berries they had to wear worn out hand me downs that may or may not be the right size and had been patched with whatever material were available. Another world!

The two photos here were entries in a competition to capture the power of the Stiperstones and I think they got it!  You  can see the little winberry bushes between the rocks. 

Wow, Faith, thank you for showing us this place.  I can imagine it's somewhere to sit and feel the history beneath you. With a feeling that is earthly yet intangible too. What a wonderful story of the winberries - truly something of fairy tales. 

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Where's YOUR place of joy, of wonder, of family adventure, day or weekend trip, of childhood memories or grown up romance?

Where's YOUR favourite place?  Perhaps it's a local nature spot, a far-flung island, a museum, or cafe. A building in your city, a shop window, a park bench, a glorious view.

•    Send us a picture of your favourite place
•    Tell us where it is. If you'd like to tell us why even better.
•    Email it to : carla@sistersguild.com

Each place will be presented on the blog here and entered into a draw for a £60 Sisters Guild voucher
The draw will take place on 6th November 2012

Take a look Around the World  here

Monday Makery - Tick Tock

If you want to teach your children to tell the time this makery is a great way to get them started. With a basic wall clock and some coloured card your child will be able to read the time learning both the analogue and digital time.

Here's what you'll need: 

• A clock * if your clock is going to be placed in a bedroom I'd recommend not to get one with a second hand in case the ticking of the clock keeps them awake!
• coloured card
• gluestick
• sticky tape
• pencil
• scissors

Here's how:

1. Begin by drawing a circle. The circle needs to be a little smaller than the face of the clock so that once the centre is cut out the ring will sit on the edge of the clock.  Use a compass if you have one if not a plate or bowl will suffice.
2. Now, draw 12 petals around the edge of your circle. We made a template for these by measuring the distance between the numbers on the clock to give us the width of the base of the petals. So, if there's a 6cm distance between the 12 and the 1 then that's the measurement to the base of each petal. 
3. Once all the 12 petals are drawn on cut out your flower and then cut out the centre to create the window for the clock face.
4. Using another template create 12 more petals longer than the previous ones.
5. Cut out and stick each one behind the smaller petals on your flower.
6. Now for marking on the time. Leave the top petals blank. Then on the central petals write the time of the minute hands in words; five past,  ten past, quarter past, twenty past, twenty five past, half past, twenty five to, twenty to, quarter to, ten to, and finally five to. 
7. On the larger outer petals write the digital time. 5, 10 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 00.
8. Attach the flower to the clock, lining up the petals to the numbers on the face, we used a glue stick to do this and it seems to be holding so far. Of course you can use double sided sticky tape or a stronger glue if needs be.

To teach the children the different hands on the clock and their role you can add a long green stem for your flower with 2 leaves branching off. Draw one hand bigger than the other. The larger leaf can be used to remind them of the minute hand whilst the smaller leaf can be used as a reminder as to which the hour hand is. Write 'minute' and 'hour' on the leaves too so that they can have a reference.

You could also cut out little butterflies or ladybugs to stick onto the leaves to mark out important times of the day; 5.30 is dinner time, lunch time, and 7 o'clock bedtime! Of course if you wanted to teach the children the 24 hour clock you could add a further row of petals showing the time from 13.00 through to 24.00.  Perhaps on darker petals with silver pen like the night sky so children know those times are for the evening.

Here we've kept ours simple, as we already know the role of the hands on the clock we've not added a stalk or leaves to help us and I've not added the 24 hour numbers either but when my younger daughter begins to learn I'll add the leaves and perhaps at the same time add the 24 hour numbers too to make it more challenging for my older daughter.

Happy Making

We'd love to see pictures of your clocks too. You can send them to info@sistersguild.com

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This is part of our weekly Monday Makery where we bring you a recipe to bake or a craft to create. Visit our Monday Makery when you're in need of inspiration for something to do on a rainy day or to use as interception of the words 'I'm bored', or just because being creative with your children is something you all love to do. Our other popular blogposts include 'The story behind our collections', 'Tell us its Tuesday' , An A-Z of Sisters Guild, The Art of Living posts bring you all the things we are passionate about and the things we discover in our lives as mamas, and our 'Once upon a week' gives you a glimpse into life behind the scenes at Sisters Guild. 

www.sistersguild.co.uk

Sign up for future news and offers:

Wednesday Woo: Colourful Cooking

Cooking can be a creative and colourful affair with children. We have a wonderful collections of pieces for mixing, measuring, shaping, displaying and storing. All complimented by some bright bowls, platters, spoons, cups, and plates.  Rice DK do playful product design for the home like no other.

Belle & Boo add whimsy and wonder with their illustrated aprons, melamine and tinware, along with a Boo Rabbit Cookie Cutter as featured below:
 

Discover the kitchen and dining collection here

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This is part of our Wednesday Woo blog series. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' and 'The art of living'.

www.sistersguild.co.uk

Around the World with YOU: Ellie Hothersall

Today we welcome a member of Sisters Guild who takes us towards the top of this beautiful British Isle and gives us a view we've never seen before:

Ellie says: This is coming down the hill towards Loch Sheil in Western Scotland. I've been coming to this area for nearly 30 years and still feel the magic every time we come over this hill and look out. 

Thank you for showing us your favourite place Ellie.  It must be quite a breathtaking moment on a journey.

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Where's YOUR place of joy, of wonder, of family adventure, day or weekend trip, of childhood memories or grown up romance?

Where's YOUR favourite place?  Perhaps it's a local nature spot, a far-flung island, a museum, or cafe. A building in your city, a shop window, a park bench, a glorious view.

•    Send us a picture of your favourite place
•    Tell us where it is. If you'd like to tell us why even better.
•    Email it to : carla@sistersguild.com

Each place will be presented on the blog here and entered into a draw for a £60 Sisters Guild voucher
The draw will take place on 6th November 2012

Take a look Around the World  here

Once upon a week - No Ordinary Day

As I fall asleep on what seems like an ordinary day, I realise our days are not so ordinary at all. The girls are learning so much at school that I cannot keep up. They change, they blossom, they grow every day. Sometimes the change is so fast they're a different person as they fall asleep from when they woke that morning. My own work teaches me new things every day and every day is different. No day is ever ordinary. No day is ever the same despite it following a vague routine. Every day is extraordinary. Sometimes I wonder if we have to be grateful not for what we have but for the fact that we can see it. 

ordinary day pictures top to bottom: Oona splashing in the bath, cuddles with daddy, Oona discovering numbers, breakfast in bed, and yes even my laundry basket makes me happy, seeing all those colours all those days of fun piled up ready for another.  

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This is part of our 'once upon a week' collection. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' , 'The Art of Living', and our weekly 'Wednesday Woo'.
If you'd like to receive our weekly newsletter to receive offers and news and find out the about our new collections sign up below.

Wednesday Woo: Illumination

Illuminate your life with a bit of RICE.  

The Ostrich, Rhino and Swan lamps are designed to add quirk and colour to your home.

With floral patchwork and applique lampshades for added eclecticism.

The mango wood table lamps and candle holders feel so solid they sit tall and strong on the dinner table.

There's many ways with illumination. Choose yours from the lighting collection

Find interior inspiration in Sisters Guild  - Decor

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This is part of our Wednesday Woo blog series. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' and 'The art of living'.

www.sistersguild.co.uk

Around the World with You: Nissa Redmond

Today we welcome a member of Sisters Guild who shares our enthusiasm for all that is Maileg....along with a passion for a particular city.

Nissa writes:

Even though our family travels extensively (I am Australian & my husband is Irish) we are fortunate to live in our favourite place....London.  With all the sites to see & the wonderful buzz of this most magical summer it truly is a great place to raise children.  Here is a picture of our girls favourite spot in London: The woods of Wimbledon Common.  

This is our favourite picnic spot.  The girls pack their favourite Maileg bunnies in a small suitcase and we create little homes for them in the long grass & heather.  Other times we pretend to be Wombles and try and make something useful from the things that we find on our adventures.  

We are truly blessed to live in such an amazing city rich in culture but also combined with wonderful access to nature in its many parks & commons.

Thank You Nissa.  We wholeheartedly agree - London is full of joy and surprise, and there's so much green space to discover.

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Where's YOUR place of joy, of wonder, of family adventure, day or weekend trip, of childhood memories or grown up romance?

Where's YOUR favourite place?  Perhaps it's a local nature spot, a far-flung island, a museum, or cafe. A building in your city, a shop window, a park bench, a glorious view.

•    Send us a picture of your favourite place
•    Tell us where it is. If you'd like to tell us why even better.
•    Email it to : carla@sistersguild.com

Each place will be presented on the blog here and entered into a draw for a £60 Sisters Guild voucher
The draw will take place on 6th November 2012

Take a look Around the World  here

Monday Makery - Printed Clay Bowls

Me: What do you think daddy would like for his birthday?
O: Mmmmm. I think he might like a new car.
S: I think he'd like a pink t-shirt.
Me: Well, I don't have enough money to buy him a car and I think he has a few pink t-shirts already. What do you think daddy might like that he could use, that he might find useful.
O: A scooter!
S: He's always losing things, like his phone and his keys and then you have to find them for him. So maybe something that helps him not forget where they are.
Me: Ok, so, he has a scooter.... only I use it all the time so it only seems like mine. He does always lose things how about we make something for him to keep his phone and keys in and then he will always know where they are?
O: I want to make him something for his keys and Sessi can make something for his phone.
Me: What can we use to make them.
O: A bag!
S: Don't be silly Oona. We could use a box but it might be too big. I know, lets make a pot with clay.
Me. If it has a lid on it he might not be able to see whats inside. How about we make him a clay bowl.
O. No. Two clay bowls. One for his keys and one for his phone.

So, that's what we did and here's how.

You'll need:

• clay: we used air drying but oven baked or even salt dough would work too (see salt dough recipe here)
• Items to make an imprint in the clay, try lace, thick woolly socks, leaves or flowers.  Look around and see what might leave an interesting pattern
• rolling pin
• small bowl and knife to create the template
• larger bowl to dry in.

Here's how:

1. roll out your clay onto a large chopping board or greaseproof paper. 
2. use your imagination to make a pattern from the things you've found. Place them on top of the clay and roll over them with your rolling pin.
3. take a small bowl and lay it upside down on top of your clay and using a knife cut the clay around the edge of the bowl.
4. Place your piece flat clay into a larger bowl to give its shape or turn a bowl upside and place on top.
5. Leave to  dry.
6. Paint with acrylic paint.

Nothing beats a handmade gift and the girls were so proud to give them to daddy on his birthday morning complete with the full how to too. Though Oona nearly gave the surprise away while they were drying.
They would make a wonderful gift as a set with a theme running through them and they look so pretty. Our's sit on the hall table and, though daddy has only had them a day, he knew where his keys and phone were this  morning. Oh, and I made one for myself too, I used little sprigs of basil, mint, and parsley from my kitchen garden. The bowl sits proudly in the kitchen and I know every time I see it i'll remember a beautiful afternoon  spent with my girls chatting at the table with the feel of clay on our hands.

Happy making

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This is part of our weekly Monday Makery where we bring you a recipe to bake or a craft to create. Visit our Monday Makery when you're in need of inspiration for something to do on a rainy day or to use as interception of the words 'I'm bored', or just because being creative with your children is something you all love to do. Our other popular blogposts include 'The story behind our collections', 'Tell us its Tuesday' , An A-Z of Sisters Guild, The Art of Living posts bring you all the things we are passionate about and the things we discover in our lives as mamas, and our 'Once upon a week' gives you a glimpse into life behind the scenes at Sisters Guild. 

www.sistersguild.co.uk

Sign up for future news and offers:

Wednesday Woo - Monday's Child

1. Treasure chest cape - tutu du monde 

2. Ruffle my feathers headband in vintage - tutu du monde

3. Cashmere and merino dress - Hucklebones 

4.Crystal petal cap - tutu du monde

5. Cashmere and merino cardigan - Hucklebones

6. Candy string - Lucky Boy Sunday 

7. Vanilla petti skirt - Angel Face 

8. Lovely Jane dress - ilovegorgeous 

9. Large bow band in metallic gold - Hucklebones

10. Swallows wall sticker (part of a set) - love Mae

We have so many new collections in the girls dressing room and the boys dressing room as well as decor you'll discover beautiful pieces for every child and your home too.

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To make sure you stay in the loop for future news and offers, be sure to sign up here:

This is part of our Wednesday Woo collection. We also have other stories and features including our 'Monday Makery', 'I Spy' and 'The art of living'.

www.sistersguild.co.uk