DIY Button Light Shade...

The office makeover was completed some time ago now...

 And it looked fabulous...

But one thing was missing.  A light shade on the lonesome bulb!

It has taken forever to decide on what was right for this tiny room.

Fractured light was not an option...so I chose a simple linen shade.

 I had used buttons in the officescape....

to make sweet little pin tacks.
Pop over here to learn how to create them:
http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2015/02/diy-cute-button-pin-tacks.html

So I thought...

why not embellish the plain linen shade with buttons. 

 I kept the colour scheme neutral, using white toned buttons.

 And with the trusty glue gun...
(next to my drop saw this would be one of my most vital tools!)

 Attached the buttons in rows around the bottom of the shade.

     Then randomly added a few to the third layer.

Buttons in various sizes...

Adding a little pizazz to an otherwise dull plain light shade...

It fits in perfectly with my button accented office space.

#lightshade #diy #buttons 

You might like to also visit:

My store at Redbubble

and designer collection at Vida
Or check out my creative antics on Instagram

Repurposed Bottle - Let's Paint It GOLD...

 The other day I was rinsing this empty Midori bottle to put out in the recycling...

And as I was washing it, 

thought - YOU really ARE quite a BEAUTIFUL bottle!

 And that's when I decided to repurpose this BEAUTIFUL bottle into a vase!

With the idea of painting the untextured glass top GOLD.

So off came the labels...

and all that icky sticky glue residue.

(Jiff cleaner is fabulous for this task.)

You can of course use any textured with plain glass bottle for this project.

 It was placed in a sunny spot to dry thoroughly.

 The textured glass was masked off like this...

The first of two coats of gold paint was applied.

 I used White Knight 'Super Gold paint'.

(Available at Bunnings in New Zealand).

But if gold is not your colour, you can use spray paint in a colour that suits your personal decor.

 So after two coats and being left to dry overnight, the masking tape was removed...

 To reveal a nice crisp line between the now smooth gold and textured glass.

I'm currently adding metallic accents in gold to the red sitting room,

and I LOVE how this accentuates the gold detail in the glaze on the vintage glass dish and on the DIY-painted gold frames.

#repurposed #bottle #diy #vase #paint #upcycling

Cranberry & Currant Loaf...

I am a sweet tooth, eat the dessert before the dinner kind of gal...

but if I ever have to be 'behave' then this loaf is my go to.

It's quick, easy and one pot.

And because it has no icing and contains no chocolate,

 you can pretend you are being good while you are eating it!  ;)

Perfect with  a cup of tea...

Or 

(Healthy foodies and nutritionists read no further!)

This loaf is a great grab and run breakfast...

add a piece of fruit and you're good to race out the door!

The original 'Bin Inn' recipe used raisins and no spices,

but over time it has been twigged Mia Bella style with different fruits, 

and the addition of almond meal.

Another variation is to use sultanas and spices.

Cranberry & Currant Loaf

In a large pot melt:
50 grams butter 
Add:
2 cups water, 2 cups caster sugar, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 
and
 1 cup each of dried fruit: diced cranberries & currants.
Stir over high heat for a few minutes to warm through.
Take off heat and add 2 beaten eggs and 3 1/2 cups of self-raising flour,
and 1/2 cup almond meal.
Pour mixture into two large baking paper lined loaf pans
Bake at 190 Celsius for 45 minutes. 
Cool and serve sliced and buttered.

Variation:

Sultana and Spice Loaf

Add two cups sultanas for the dried fruit
Omit the almond meal and use 4 cups of self-raising flour
Add 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
(= YUMMY!)