This is one of those ideas I wish I had come up with when my kids were little. A simple healing mobile combines the healing energy of the five elements and freshly picked plants. Imagine waking up from a nap to this sweet surprise hanging on your bedroom wall while recovering from some childhood illness. Possible herb bundle choices are-lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, sage, rosemary, juniper, mint, hyssop, echinacea, catnip, clary sage, feverfew, and thyme. Chose herbs for their beauty, smell, energetics, or therapeutic qualities. This is also a fun project to make with your children as well. They can also help to pick the herbs as you describe their medicinal properties. It is never too early to plant those “seeds” and create memorable educational moments with your child.
To make the gnomes
1)Bend a white pipe cleaner in half. Slide a medium size wooded bead onto the end and glue in place.
2)Slide two small wooden beads onto a section of tan pipe cleaner. Slip this between the two halves of the white pipe cleaner, just beneath the bead, and twist to hold in place. Fold and twist the ends of the tan pipe cleaner to keep the beads in place. I added some tiny mushrooms to the “hands” by threading the wire through the beads and twisting. You could add other objects as well with a bit of glue etc.
3)Use a paper template, pins and fabric scissors to create the following shapes from piece of felt-large circle, small circle , “cone”/semi circle
4) Make your “cone” for the hat and sew the ends together with a blanket or running stitch. Glue to the top of the head.
5)Cut a small slit in the middle of the small felt circle and slide it over the “head” bead. Fold in half and add a small stitch or two to create the sleeves on the tunic. I sewed a small star/flower on the tunic with embroidery thread before folding.
6)Make a pouch with the large circle. Place some dried lavender flowers and stuffing into the center of the pouch. Fold/bring the edges of the pouch together to create a “ball”. Slip the end of the white pipe cleaner in, pleat, and stitch closed. Add a bit of glue if needed to keep the pipe cleaner from slipping out. You can also just sew it in place too.
Repeat steps to create as many gnomes as you want. Sew the tips of their hats onto colored ribbon for hanging.
Once you are finished with the gnomes. You can tie them onto an embroidery hoop along with pretty ribbons, fresh herb bundles, crystals, shells, beads, messages on paper etc. Anything lovely, natural, symbolic or meaningful will work. Traditional healing modalities worldwide have always utilized all of the senses which can be used for inspiration to make this mobile special.
Latin name: Lavandula (there are lots of species). Family: Laminacea (mint family). Lavender is an evergreen perennial shrub that can grow 1-4 ft high. Typically it appears as a smaller singular plant but in the right conditions it will spread and expand to fill a larger space. The entire herb is covered in a grayish down. At this time of year the plant shoots up a flowers in the form of a terminal spikes. The highly scented purple flowers form a group on the tip of their personal stalk. The narrow leaves are sparsely arranged oppositely on the square stem, often clustered at the base of the plant when not in bloom. Lavender can be very easy to grow in many climates especially when given well drained, poor, sandy soil and full sun. Lavender is not native to the United States. It is very popular with bees and butterflies. The smell is the best way to remember this herb. Rub any part of it between your hands and smell your palms.
Lavender’s pure essential oil is a great remedy for burns, cuts, tight muscles, rheumatism, edema, eczema, hair loss, acne, fungal infections, earache, cold sores, and insect bites/stings. This plant contains numerous volatile oils, many of which are powerful anti-microbials. It was used in WW 2 for wounds and parasites. It was burned for bubonic plague to prevent the spread of the disease. Steam inhalations, baths, and infusions have been used to treat chest infections, asthma, dizziness, insomnia, digestive issues, colic, fever, colds, flu, strep, yeast, vaginal infections, bad breath, muscle spasms, headaches, fear, earaches, eczema, acne, burns, cold sores, edema, rheumatism, hair lossatigue, stress and anxiety. Lavender has a history of being present at birth and death because of its calming nature. The flowers are edible and can be used in baked goods, and other sweets. You will find this herb in many gifts and beauty products.
Energetics:bitter, pungent, sweet, cooling, dry
Element:air
Parts used:flowers. Leaves and stalks can be used for incense
Contraindications: During pregnancy. Do not use the essential oil internally. Do your research on using the pure EO on a frequent basis externally (including in creams and shampoos).
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