Easy Sew Lavender Pillows...❥

Easy Sew Lavender Pillows are something I sew every few years...
they are handy to have on hand for when you need that unexpected gift to give.
I use mine under my bed pillow because lavender not only has a wonderful aroma,
it is very calming and helps aid sleep.
There are about 450 different varieties of lavender.
It is very easy to grow and take cuttings from in Spring to create new plants.
I have Lavender growing in various parts of the garden.
The plants like a sunny position that's well drained.

The lavender I grow is English Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
I like this one because it has a strong scent and drys well.  
The scent actually lasts well over a year once dried.

To make  the 'Easy Sew Lavender Pillows' you will need:

Fabric 
Cotton
sewing machine
Needle and thread
Buttons and ribbon bows if embellishing the pillows

Step one:
Cut on fold - the fabric into into a rectangle measuring 16 x 14 centimetres.

Step two:
Sew edges together leaving a good size gap for putting lavender in.
Turn right side out.

Step three:
Poke corners out with a skewer.

Step four:
Press with iron.

Step five:
Stuff with dry lavender. 
Then stitch an outside edge around whole pillow to seal opening and give detail edging to pillow.

Step six:
Stitch a button or bow of ribbon on front if desired.


#lavender #lavenderpillows #sewing #crafts #homemade





WIN A FREE DESIGNER TOTE BAG!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

It's GIVEAWAY time...

All you need to do to go in the draw to WIN a fabulous designer tote bag from my collection is:

LIKE: MIA BELLA PASSIONS FACEBOOK PAGE

AND COMMENT ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE: 
which design you would like to WIN. 
Choose from the Koi, Rose, or Avocado.


Winner drawn in two weeks.
Anyone can enter to WIN!

Plus if you'd like to: you can sign up for 'whats the latest' on the blog via emails.
You'll find that on the top left of the sidebar.

#giveaway #win #totebag


DIY Upcycled Headboard and Beautiful Art!

I wanted to show y'all this upcycled headboard... 
Chalk paint
And this beautiful new artwork print.

My daughter was in need of a new headboard for a queen size bed,
I searched what was available from stores in my town.
The result was:
Don't like that...
Nice but won't suit the décor style...
or
perfect but too expensive!
Next was an online search...
and there was soooooooo many to choose from.
But most were way out of my price range,
or the freight charges to my tiny township were exorbitant!
SO that left the DIY upcycle option...
And that is exactly what happened.
I came across a damaged modern country style pine headboard.
With a little bartering I managed to acquire it for just $60.

 The broken end knobs were removed and wood sealed.
Then the entire headboard was sanded.


And then two coats of chalk paint in pure white was applied.
Once dry it was waxed.

And here it is attached to the queen size bed.

upcycled headboard
A string of battery operated fairy lights were twisted around it...
A gals just gotta have pretty!

 
And here is a closeup of a Tabatha Forbes print.
Isn't it beautiful?
This artwork is from Tabatha's 'Ei Katu' collection.
(You can read about this and her other projects HERE.)
This limited Edition print was chosen as a memorial piece to the 'Little White Dog - Gracie'
who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in October last year.
Beautiful flowers for a beautiful dog in lei form which in the Pacific Island of Rarotonga is worn to celebrate.
We celebrate our memories of Gracie.
Also Tabatha has connections to Rarotonga, as we also do, 
with many fond times spent there.
That is why this beautiful art seemed all the more perfect!

 As this artwork is the focal point of the room,
 the decor pieces were selected to compliment it.


Softs greys, whites, pastel pinks and sage greens.

With a pop of bright colours too.

And flowers...in brights,

 And soft pink hues.
This room with it's new artwork , decor pieces, and headboard 
is soft and welcoming...
everything my daughter wished for!


#diy #headboard #pastels #upcycled #pinks #bedroom #decor




Free Photographic Quote...

Free Photographic Quote

The smallest things can warm the heart...
Just like this tiny fern frond!
Isn't simply beautiful?

You'll find more of my 'Photographic Quotes' HERE.


#photography #photo #filter #fern #frond #nature #quote



Nutella Berry Tart...


I'm a Nutella lover...
I'm a berry lover...
And I'm a pastry lover.
And this very simple to make Nutella Berry Tart is a fabulous combination of all those taste bud tantalisers,
as well as being a fitting farewell to the end
 of our Southern Hemisphere summer berry season.
It's just so easy to make, I am not even going to create a printable recipe!

All you do is roll out  (or use ready-rolled) flaky pastry.
(400 gram block used here)
Roll into a rectangle about 23 by about 30cm in size.

Prick it all over with a fork.

Bake for 20 minutes in a hot 200 degree Celcius oven until golden.
It will be puffy.

So when you remove it from the oven cut a few slits and gently press the pastry flat using a paper towel.

Cool the pastry until just warm.
Remove the lid of a small 220 gram jar of Nutella spread.
Microwave for 30 seconds on high.

Mix with a knife in the jar and then spread over the pastry base.
Add chopped strawberries.

Top with raspberries.

Sprinkle over 70 grams of roasted chopped and shelled hazelnuts.

Then finally drizzle with 220 grams of melted white chocolate.
And a sprinkle of thyme leaves.

Nutella
Enjoy warm or eat cold.
Nutella, berries, nuts and pastry = Nom NOM Nom!



#nutella #dessert #homemade #berry #pastry




All You Ever Wanted To Know About Kaffir Limes... ❥

I was looking for a new 'something' to grow in my kitchen...
the herbs all had done their dash, so I thought what about a Kaffir lime tree.

Have you ever thought about growing a Kaffir Lime tree on your kitchen bench?
If your kitchen is generous with bright light and morning sun or afternoon sun then you can.
(Remember that a daystay outside in the sun every two weeks is beneficial too)
Kaffir Lime is available in a dwarf variety called Flying Dragon.
So this is the one to chose to grow in a pot.


I potted mine into a plastic pot that fits into my favourite French style painted pot, 
and added slow release fertilizer to help new growth.
(the plan is to use lower leaves first and then topiary this lime.)


Some decorative stones were added to the top of the soil.

The leaves are highly aromatic, and are used like a bay leaf in cooking.
In Thai and Asian Cuisine  - soups and curries  - it is included but whole leaves are removed just before before serving.
You can use the whole leaves to flavour jasmine rice by adding to the water when cooking.
The leaves can be stored frozen with no use by time limit.
Or you can sun dry the leaves.

But did you know Kaffir Lime is not just for culinary use?
You can:

💚Add zest of fruit to a hot bath for lime scented water.

💚make a Lime Tea from the leaves and/or zest.

💚Bruise some leaves or chop and add to the water of an aromatherapy diffuser.
The aroma is said to be stress reducing.

💚Use a bruised leaf and rub on skin for a natural lime scent.  (Always check for allergy in a small area of skin first).
The oil of kaffir is also said to be helpful to ease arthritic pain.

💚It is a great natural insect repellent.

 Kaffir Lime
So there you go...
I thought this story about my Kaffir Lime kitchen plant was going to be culinary.
But not so...
It is an incredible plant with many uses.



#kaffir #lime #potplant #kitchenplants 






'The Grid' DIY Tea Towel Cushion... ❥

Tea towels come in so many fun fabrics and designs...
Sometimes it seems a shame to use them for drying the dishes, 
as they are so pretty!
 'The Graphic Grid' comes and goes in interior decor and design...
and is usually found in minimal or modern style homes.
What is Graphic grid?
It means a graph like fine line or a thicker line on a plain background.
Designers suggest it is best to mix graphic grid decor accessories
 with pops of colour to a modern or minimal styling for best effect.
So of course I asked myself - how can I add a little graphic grid to my mixed French/DIY/Country style of decor?
The answer was to do a little stitchery magic 
and create a 'Grid' inspired cushion.


Using top quality cotton TEA TOWELS!
Purchased on sale for $7 each.


And then add a bit of whimsy with some crochet cotton lace and buttons.

All I did was find an easy envelope pillow pattern on the net.
I used this one from 'The Sewing Loft'.




It took just half an hour to whip up.



Because my insert cushion was a rectangle shape, it created a seam right on the front.


This is where I added the lace and buttons.
These were stitched on before the side seams were sewn.

I think adding lace to this Grid Pillow has broken all design rules...


Tea Towel upcycle
But for me the addition of the 'Graphic Grid' with whimsy
is a plus to my multi style decor!
I'm loving it!



#pillow #cushion #envelopepillow #sewing #homemade #diy #grid






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