The Basic Potpourri
6 cups rose petals
2 cups mini rose buds
2 cups lavender
1 cup Rose leaves
2 Tablespoons powdered orris root
15 Drops rose oil
1. spread petals on mesh and allow to dry completely, stirring them each day
2. Add orris root (2 tablespoons for every 4 cups of dried material)
3. Add the rose oil and mix carefully
4. Place the mixture in a paper bag and shake lightly. Store in a cool dry place away from sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Shake the bag occasionally during this time.

Drying Flowers
Flowers and petals can be air dried, oven dried, microwaved or preserved in Silica Gel or sand. Below are instructions on how to preserve or dry flowers using the air dry and silica gel methods.

To air dry
Method 1 : Tie the flowers in bunches of several stems using rubber bands, twine or raffia and hang upside-down in a * cool dark place for several weeks. Keeping them upside-down prevents them from drooping and they will dry vertically. Keeping the flowers in an area with good air circulation will keep them from looking wilted as they dry. The colours will deepen in most cases and there will be a slight reduction in size with most flowers - eg : roses are reduced by almost half the size while hydrangea maintain almost their exact original size. You can wire the buds / blooms and bind them to the stem prior to drying, however I do not recommend this unless you intend to use the dried flowers in arrangements. Spray the dried flowers with hair spray to prevent shattering.
Method 2 : This method is not recommended for flowers. Lay the items (leaves, grasses, ferns ) on a flat bed of newspapers , mesh, cardboard or other absorbant material. Leave to dry for several weeks in a * cool dark place.
Method 3 : Suitable for drying large headed plants such as the Lotus Pod. Make a free standing shelf covered with chicken wire. Stand each flower individually in each slot, allowing enough space between items. Place in a *cool, dark place until completely dry.

To Preserve In Silica Gel
Place approximately one inch of gel in an air tight container, place the bud / bloom in the gel. Carefully cover the flower completely with the gel, while maintaining the shape of the flower. Place lid on the container and wait approximately one week, checking often. The gel will draw out all the moisture of the plant while retaining it's original shape and colour. The finished flowers should look papery when dry.

* Most people recommend air drying in a WARM area. Trial and error has shown me that a COOL area slows down the drying process and reduces the brittle effects. The slower drying time diminishes the original colour of the flower ( faster drying retains more of the vivid colours). You may choose the air temperature you feel makes the most sense.