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Dried flowers can be beautiful all around the year. They can be used for crafts, in arrangements, and as decorations. Dried herbs and spices have even more uses and can be taken from the garden and used in food preparation, bath and body products, and in arrangements. The process is simple and can make for an easy craft all on its own.
Step 1:

Collect your flowers and herbs. This should be done in the mid morning after the dew has dried off, but before the plants have had a good chance to get hot and wilted in the heat of the sun. It is also best to choose the freshest flowers and herbs. Ones that aren't wilted or bruised. Carefully cut them and place them in a place so they can be carried to the location where you will dry them. Often times a wicker basket is a great way to collect cut flowers and herbs.

Step 2:

Gather into a small bunch and tie together. Gather your flowers into bunches that comfortably fit in the palm of your hand. Next tie them together using string or yarn. Tie them tight so that they will all stay together when hung upside down.

Step 3:

Hang in a well ventilated area. You should hang them upside down by the string. This can be done around a bedroom, dining room, living room, covered patio, or shed. It is not a good idea to hang them in kitchens or bathrooms because of moisture in these rooms.

Step 4:

Let dry. The drying process for this method takes 2-6 weeks. As a rule of thumb check your flowers after four weeks and if they still aren't dry then give them another two weeks. After that time you can take them down.

Step 5:

Untie and prepare for use in other areas. Untie your bunch of flowers and carefully separate them. If you are making food, soap, bath products, or other projects where your flowers will go into them you can simply bag them now.

If you are going to make potpourri you can choose to use hairspray to make the flowers or herbs hold their shape (though it isn't necessary). Simply spray the hair spray on the flower until it is lightly covered in the mist. This can be used for other flower projects as well and these flowers will last about 8-10 months. If you want a flower that lasts longer then lightly spray them with spray acrylic which will help them to last for 12-14 months.

Now your flowers are ready to be used in whatever craft that you have in mind. Get creative and add these flowers to decorations around the house, fill vases with them, and such. Enjoy them and their beauty!

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