DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork...

Pallet everything is so on trend at the moment!
 So here's my take on a pallet anchor picture...
DIY Pallet ART
It's a step-by-step photographic tutorial,
so gather your supplies and join in the fun!
.
You will need:
DIY Pallet ART
 Four pieces of pallet each cut to 45cm long,
plus two small offcuts to use as a backing.
The pallet pieces should be pre painted.  
I used white paint, but you can choose any colour you'd like.
DIY Pallet ART
Set the four pallet pieces tightly together, painted side face down,
 then place the backing wood as shown. 
DIY Pallet ART
 Nail the backing boards in place.  This stablilises the pallets and holds them in place.
DIY Pallet ART
 Print the free anchor template from here:
Use this as a guide to freehand draw the anchor onto the wood. Or enlarge the template slightly, cut out, and use it as a template to draw the outline.
DIY Pallet ART
 Choose your paint colour (mines charcoal grey) and paint the anchor.
DIY Pallet ART
 I have seen this done with a coloured backing board and a white anchor, 
which is also really effective.
DIY Pallet ART
 Set aside to dry.
DIY Pallet ART
 When dry, add some highlights in silver or gold - whichever suits your colour choices.
When dry, seal with a coat of clear matt sealer.
DIY Pallet ART
 Attach a hanger.
I've used some rusty chain, but you could use chunky rope.
DIY Pallet ART
Hang and enjoy.
The DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork - a little rustic nautical fun!
NZ Lifestyle Bloggers
For updates about the latest blog posts,
you can join for free HERE.

#anchorcraft #diyart #porchart #palletupcycle #palletart

Custard Lime Kisses...

I could call these biscuits, 
but kisses sound so much more deliciously romantic, don't you think?
Custard Kisses recipes
And as we are having a everything lime time at Mia Bella Passions,
I adapted a very old family recipe to create these...
Custard Kisses recipes
Custard Lime Kisses...
Oh yummo!!!!
Custard Kisses recipes
We are right back on the sweet treat radar with these, 
as the kisses are sweet flavoured with custard,
and the tangy lime flavour is in the custard icing.
Custard Kisses recipes

For The Kisses:

225 grams softened butter

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence

3 Tablespoons custard powder

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Prepare two trays - lined with baking paper.

Cream 225 grams softened butter and 1 1/2 cups caster sugar

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence and beat until pale and creamy.

Add 3 Tablespoons custard powder, 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Mix to a dough.

Roll into small balls, and press lightly with a fork. Bake 12 - 15 minutes.

When cold, ice with custard/lime icing and join two biscuits together.

For The Icing:

50 grams of butter

1 tablespoon of lime juice.

1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 and 1/2 Tablespoon milk

1 and 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Melt 50 grams of butter and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

Add 1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 1/2 Tablespoon milk

and 1 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Beat until creamy.

Makes 20 joined biscuits or 40 single biscuits.

 You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

Custard Kisses recipes
Custard Lime Kisses will disappear within hours of baking....
with a guarantee, there will be shouts for:
More kisses please!

Get updates about the latest blog posts,
by joining for free HERE.


#custardrecipes  #limerecipes, #kissesrecipe #joinedbiscuits


How To Plant a Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid Bowl....

 Planted orchid bowls are pretty simple to create...
All you need is:
One large shallow bowl
Three orchid plants
A bag of premium orchid potting mix
Some orchid stakes and clips to hold the flower stems to the stakes.
 In the bowl, place about three cups of orchid mix.
Then arrange the orchid plants.
(I've used white Phalaenopsis Moth orchids)
Top with more orchid mix, stake and clip the flower stems,
 Until the roots establish themselves, 
you may need a few extra stakes to support the flower stems.
This bowl of orchids was planted in November last year,  it took about three months to stabilise before the extra stakes could be removed. 
 It also grew a new flower spike, having just finished flowering - 
an amazing 5 months later!!
The conditions in this room, are bright light with no direct drafts.  
No direct sunlight gets on the plant.
Though I did leave it in the bathroom where the light was much brighter (but still diffused) for a few hours when the plant was watered.

Moth Orchids are possibly my most favourite of the orchid species...
How can you not love these flowers?






DIY Rope and Brass Curtain Tie Backs...

I have been searching for quite some time 
for the perfect tie back for the Masculine French Bedroom to no avail.
A few years back I saw somewhere on the internet a DIY rope tieback.  
 I thought rope is quite masculine = perfect....
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
so this is my version...
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
For four curtain tie-backs, you will need:
(all materials for this project were found at Bunnings Warehouse in New Zealand, but elsewhere in the world your building supply store should stock everything)

4 x 20mm snap hooks
4 metres rope (thickness of your choice)
4 x brass olives (in the plumbing section) or brass rings
1 roll of 1 ply Sisal Lashing.
A glue gun & glue
Cup hooks 

(note chain is in the photo as I was going to use this, but didn't.  :))DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
Cut rope into 4  pieces.
I wanted a nice drape effect on the tie back,
so I cut my rope to 4 pieces measuring 90cm each.
If you want a tighter tieback shorten the length, 
making sure you allow for the turn-backs.
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
Put the snap hook through the rope... 
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
 Use the sisal lashing and the hot glue to fold back and bind the rope as shown.
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
 Do the same with the brass olive or ring.
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
 Trim the excess hairy bits of the rope to tidy it.
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
 Follow these instructions for the four tie-backs.
 Use the cup-hooks to attach at the back to the window frame or door jamb...
Make sure you measure the height from floor for each hook,
 so that the tiebacks hang at the same level.
DIY Curtain Tieback ideas
Rope and brass curtain tiebacks are a whole lot more masculine...
The French masculine bedroom now has a hint of nautical...
French meets nautical?
Yes - I LOVE it!
Visit my 'Saatchi Art & Photography' store HERE
NZ Lifestyle Bloggers
For updates about the latest blog posts,
you can join for free HERE.

#curtaintiebacks #rope #diy #brass #nautical

Quick & Easy Ginger Oat Slice...

Don't be fooled by this healthy-looking slice....
because the icing is completely off the healthy radar!
Ginger Slice Recipes
 Oaty coconut goodness...
topped with an insanely sweet and creamy ginger icing.
Ginger Slice Recipes
This recipe makes a good-sized slice, which is a perfect treat for the kids' or adults' lunch boxes...
It is quick and easy to make because it is a one-pot recipe.

                         Quick & Easy Ginger Oat Slice

             Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius

           Line a pan with baking paper ( I used a slice pan that is open to 33cm by 25cm).
             In a large pot melt:

             300 grams butter
             4 Tablespoons golden Syrup
             1 cup sugar
             1 teaspoon vanilla essence or paste
               Add:
               1 1/2 cups rolled oats
               1/2 cups coconut 
               1 heaped teaspoon ground ginger
               2 cups plain flour
               4 teaspoons baking powder.

               Mix well and press into slice pan.
               Bake for 25 minutes until pale golden.

              When just warm, ice with ginger icing:
              Melt: 
              50 grams butter
              1 tablespoon golden syrup
              and 2 Tablespoons milk.
              Mix in:
              1 1/2 cups icing sugar 
              and 1 teaspoon ground ginger

              When smooth and creamy, ice the warm slice.
              Cut into large slices when cold.
              Store in an airtight container.
Ginger Slice Recipes
ENJOY!
Get updates about the latest blog posts,
by joining for free HERE.

#Oatslice #gingerslice #slicerecipes

Mia Bella Passions House Tour Continues - The TV Room...

Cosy TV Room Styling Ideas
The TV Room is a small wing off the dining room.
   Even though it's snug, it is a great space to watch television, 
play games, listen to music or chat over tea and cakes.
How to make a diy book stack
 There is a French hall table under the window...
and on the bottom shelf sits a simple vintage book stack.
To create this DIY, pop over to the tutorial here:
Home decor ideas
This table is an antique hospital table.
And the chair is a 100 year old family heirloom. 
French Country Styling
 Atop which sit French-themed bits and pieces.
French Country
I love the detailing on this candle holder.
NZ Contemporary artists
The art is original.
Irises in oil.
NZ Contemporary artists
And an abstract in acrylics.
Home decor Styling ideas
This chair is my favourite.
I love the textured fabric and the mahogany wood detail on the arms.
There is a lot of texture in this room, 
from cable knitted throws and pillows, to linen and smooth tactile leather.
Home decor Styling ideas
 This room is home to two stags head cushions.
This one was only $12.50 from The Warehouse.
The tutorial on how to make the DIY mosaic tray can be found here:
and the mirror tray makeover is here:
Home decor Styling ideas
The bottle holder is so cute.
Home decor Styling ideas
The TV Room has French doors that open on to a covered deck.
TV Room
There is a built in wall unit  for the TV, storage and displays of treasures.
French Country Styling Ideas
 Birdcages and birds...
French Country Styling Ideas
 A jug collection...
Tracey Lee Spijkerbosch
 This artwork on tin was painted by my Grandmother in the 1930s...
(perhaps a clue as to where I have inherited my love of aqua!)
French Country Decor ideas
A framed 1950's vintage postcard 
Vintage Postcards
of the Eiffel Tower.
Home Decor Styling ideas
The recently made stag head silhouette cushion is placed on couch.
Tutorial  on how to make this is here:
Home Decor Styling ideas
 The couches are worn old leather, in a rich burgundy colour.
Home Decor Styling ideas
Then afternoon sun streams into the TV Room.
Perfect as a lazy day book nook too.

New Zealand Lifestyle Blogs
Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#Decorideas #homestyling #cosyrooms