Y is for.....

Hi all and welcome to all new tag Tuesdayers! Nearly there aren't we? I can actually do an oil for Y, it is Ylang Ylang. This is a beautiful oil, very good for treating anxiety, depression, hypertension, palpitations, stress and impotence. It has a very heady aroma and beware as it can cause headaches and nausea in some people if used a lot. There is a lovely ritual in Indonesia where Ylang Ylang petals are strewn on the bed on wedding nights. It was once a common ingredientof Macassar oil and the word 'anti -macassar' came from this as it originated from the embroidered cloths that were put on the backs of chairs to keep the oil from staining the upholstery. I remember my Grandmother using them because my Grandfather always used hair oil. I worked in a hospice during the last years of my nursing life before I changed direction and took my aromatherapy diploma then. I loved using the oils and when I became a Psycotherapist I carried on using complimentary therapies. Sadly I had to give up Massage in my 60's because of my back (an old nursing complaint, thank goodness they have different lifting policies now!) but I miss it. Ylang Ylang always sent me into another zone and I wasn't fit for much for a short while after treating with it! I had to sit down and return to earth. If you have never smelt it, I recommend you do it's heavenly.  



I found a picture of an actual flower and pasted it on my tag. Then I pondered on how to make a flower and in the end I bent some jewellery wire into shape and carefully glued tissue paper onto it. Then I painted the petals with yellow water-colour and added cosmic shimmer for golden high-lights. The green centre is a stained cotton wool bud. I die cut the first Ylang and then stencilled the bottom one.  I am loving all your clever tags, I wonder how we will all diplay them? It will be a relief to finish the alphabet for me, as the last letters have been a challenge - but hey, isn't that what it's all about?

Have a happY week everyone. x