Simply cut off as much as you want, after the dew has dried but before they get too dried out if it's a really hot day. Be sure to cut the blooms while they still have color so that you can get them when they're the most fragrant. Wrap a rubber band around the stems (you want something that stretches because as the stems dry out they can shrink). Hang them upside down over a newspaper or a plastic lid as I have.
Since I just cut mine, I don't have a picture of the last step but it's easy to explain. Once they are completely dried out (after a few weeks) place the stems on a newspaper. Roll it up and roll the newspaper & stems back and forth. This will make the little blooms (pods, whatever they're called) fall off. I discard the stems but if you have a fireplace or fire pit, you can burn them and it will also release the fragrance. Then you can use the blooms as potpourri, sew some cute drawer sachets or whatever else you want!
I actually have some pods left from last year (above). When you squeeze the buds (whether they are in a sachet or a baggie) it will release the oil and that's how you get the fragrance. Surprisingly, my buds from last year still have fragrance!
Just make sure you're careful of these guys when you're harvesting. I had two that were not too happy with me for taking their pollen. :)
(p.s. all rings are on sale today!!)
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I love the way lavender smells. Too bad I don't have any to harvest :(
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