Indigo splashes

Some results or so to speak by-products of the leaf shoot. Indigo water colour works very well with autumn leaf shades.

Leaf necklaces

Another motif of my latest autumn photo production: A very simple but effective way of using leafs is to make prints into modeling clay. I love this diy project because it actually emphasises the fragile and delicate structure of leafs.

Autumn Leafs

Although there are only a few leafs left trembling in the bare trees I am working on a leaf story. It is amazing how the last warm autumnal sun beams seam to be captured in the shiny yellow birch leafs. Just a single branch can make us feel less gloomy.  

Go vertical!

For those who do not want to cut and carve: a hanging version of pumpkin decoration.

Curvy Beauties

I was commissioned to create some additional decorative pumpkin ideas - may be you still remember the mixed food and diy pumpkin feature which I have posted a few month ago.

I am happy to see some of these pics in the current issue (number 21) of the BRIGITTE magazine.

Fancy a look inside? Enjoy autumn season. 

Gentle Hermione and Iceberg

Every now and then I am still editing the results of the rose theme. Actually there lies a lot of work ahead because I could not stop taking pictures and finding motifs. These are two pics featuring one of my favorite roses which is a David Austin rose variety called 'Gentle Hermione'. It is so delicate, fragrant, perfectly build and elegant - one of the best things I can imagine to cast a first morning glimpse of.

The other variety is called 'Iceberg' (english), 'Schneewittchen' (german) or 'Fée de Neiges' (french). Its petals use to get these pink patterns after rainy and cool summer days.

Self made rosewater

As you may have realized I am a Rose lover! Especially fragrant breeds win over my heart instantly. Every year when the Rose season comes to an end I use to start several attempts to substitute the lack of natural sources by purchasing several sorts of Rose oils. Admittedly yet I have not found the one that met my expectations. Most oils are too intensive, too sweet, unbalanced in a way. Therefor I tried to manufacture my own Rose water. The recipe is rather simple and the result is worth a try. Nothing really compares to a deep breath taken in the fresh morning air from a Rose bud in full bloom. But the gentle DIY rosewater scent lingers slightly on pillowcases or refreshes your skin on hot summer days. 

Make your own rosewater

You will need:

150 g fresh picked rose petals, 

1 l distilled water,

 medicinal alcohol (optional)

***

Use strong fragrant rose breeds. 

Avoid pesticide treated roses. Even though you will wash them several times you can’t make sure

 that you rinse all chemicals off completely.

Rinse the petals well to get rid of any dirt and place them into a bowl. 

Bring the water to the boil and pour slowly over the first 50-g-portion of your rose petals. 

Let all rest for about an hour. Place a strainer over your cooking pan to catch the petals and drain the water. 

Heat the rose brew again gently (do not boil anymore) and pour over the next 50 g of the Rose petals.

 Repeat the process using the remaining petals.

Fill the rosewater into a glas bottle or a fragrance diffuser. Consider adding up to one teaspoon of medicinal alcohol. This will not effect the smell, but it will help preserve the rosewater and make it last longer.

The alcohol free rosewater will keep about one week in the fridge. 

MerkenMerken

Saffron Rose water Guglhupf and Rose sugar

Little by little: 

a couple of further results

 of figuring out the marvel of roses.