Making Lavender Sticks

• 1). Gather about 20 fresh lavender stalks with 18- to 24-inch stems.
  
  
• 2). Select stems that have fully open lower blossoms and top blossoms that are just beginning to open.
  
  
• 3). Strip off the leaves and the lowest flowers on each stem so that you have 4 to 5 inches of blossoms on the stem.
  
  
• 4). Gather an uneven number of stems - 11, 13, 15 or 17 - in one hand.
  
  
• 5). Tie the bunch tightly with string just below the lowest flowers.
  
  
• 6). Bend the stems over the blossoms just below the string.
  
  
• 7). Start at the top of the fold, and tuck the end of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon, satin-side up, into the blossoms.
  
  
• 8). Weave the ribbon under and over each stem, enclosing the blossoms. The first two rows will be difficult until you have secured the stems with the ribbon.
  
  
• 9). Continue weaving, working your way down until the entire length of blossoms is enclosed within the ribbon and stems.
  
  
• 10
  
  Wind the ribbon around the bottom portion of the stems.
  
  
• 11
  
  Tie a bow at the bottom.
  
  
• 12
  
  Trim the ends of the stems.
  
  
• 13
  
  Place lavender sticks in drawers, hang them in closets, and use them for gift wrapping.