This year I was excited by the idea of freezing some of my garden flowers, leaves and greenery intentionally, rather than having them freeze and die outside. I made ice luminaries to preserve the blooms and brighten up the dark season. They can be used as a table centrepiece, a wine bottle cooler or an outdoor luminary. I made some floral ones (a good way to use up bouquets that are starting to wilt), others with garden leaves, and some with cranberries and spruce prunings to represent all the seasons so I have several to pull out of the freezer for winter interest in the garden this year.
I bought a mould with a center hole so that light can be placed in the middle. I added my floral materials and topped it up with water, leaving a little space for ice expansion on the top.
This one is layers of cranberries and spruce.
To remove the ice from the mould, put the mould in warm water for a short time.
The one above is made with begonia flowers from my garden and is illuminated with a tea light.
Garden flowers with no light.
Fall leaves, with tea light
Fall luminary in first snow… You can see by the dense, dark top, that less is more, so the light shines out better.
Everyday Cheer 