DIY Chunky Rope Pot Plant Hanger...

Let's create a cool chunky rope uptake on the macrame style pot plant hanger...

I am seriously I'm loving this look!

I used this rope, which is available at Bunnings.

I was difficult to decide what colour to choose...

It comes in red, blue, yellow or the green.

The Moda brand pot is lightweight so perfect for the hanger.
It is 18cm round.

You will need a large carabiner clip to hold the rope hanger.

Hang your carabiner up on the ceiling or as in my case deck roof using another strong hook.

Cut four lengths of rope at 3600mm each.

Thread each length halfway through carabiner so you have 8 lengths each at 1800mm.

This is when Arabella decided the rope was a new cat toy!

Make a large knot at the base of the Carabiner.

Trim ends to same length.

Take two ropes and knot together at about 250mm from the top knot...

Do this again but at about 150mm down from the first row of knots.

You now have two rows of knots at shown.

Split the rope as shown...

By taking one rope from each of two knots next to each other. 

Then at about 200mm make four knots.

This is where the pot will sit.

Check how your unplanted pot will sit, and tie a bottom knot under the pot.

I chose a Scaevola for this hanger, 

as they are VERY hardy.  

(I am hoping this means I will not kill it!)

The flowers are so pretty.

Scaevola almost has an interesting succulent like foliage...

I may have to make a few more Chunky Rope Pot Plant hangers,

 because it really looks fabulous!

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#macrame #diy #planthanger

'Wings' - An Artistic Quote...

A quote for the artists and creatives...

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#artquotes #butterflyquotes

Microwave Lemon Honey...

What do you call it?

Lemon Butter?

Lemon Honey?

Or...

Lemon Curd?

These days the recipes are all very similar.

I call it Lemon Honey.
Some call it butter, others curd.

But did you know that Lemon curd originally dates back to England in the 1800's.

And it was NOTHING like our modern version.

In fact Lemon Curd was exactly that - a curd!

Lemon acid was added to cream and left to form curds.

The whey was then drained off through a cheesecloth.

EWWWWW....I bet that was so tart tasting.

Not at all tangy, creamy, sweet and delicious like this recipe is.

So matter what you call it,

(I'm calling it Lemon Honey, because that's what Grandma called it),

let's make an even more modern version of it by using a microwave to cook it.

This recipe makes about 4 cups of Lemon Honey. I used a 1100w microwave.

(Adjust the times to the power of your microwave.)

In a glass bowl, place:

1 cup lemon juice

150 grams cubed salted butter.

Microwave on high for 1 & 1/2 minutes.

Add 2 & 1/2 cups sugar.

Stir to dissolve sugar for a few minutes.

If desired - Add 2 teaspoons lemon rind that's finely grated.

Add 8 eggs that have been lightly beaten.  Whisk well.

Cook on high for 5 minutes.

Whisk for one minute.

Microwave on high again for 2 minutes.

Whisk for two or three minutes.

If you prefer a thicker consistency, microwave another 2 minutes.

Whisk again.

Place into sterilised jars and seal.

You'll find the printable recipe HERE.

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

GRAB A COFFEE AND POP OVER TO MY GIFT STORES AT

FINE ART AMERICA

SAATCHI ART

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#microwave #preserves #lemonhoney #homemade

HOW TO: STOP Hydrangeas Wilting As A Cut Flower...

Do you LOVE hydrangeas ?

Do you pick them for a cut flower, pop them in a vase and within a few hours or days, the flower heads wilt?

Today, I'm sharing a few simple florist secrets on how to prepare hydrangeas for a long vase life.

As you know, I have the KISS motto...

(It means 'Keep it simple, stupid'!)

I dislike complicated with a vengeance...

So when it comes to hydrangeas...

This is a simple way to ensure a longer vase life,

AND guess what?

It actually works!

What you do is:

Pick your flowers early in the morning. (cool time of day)

In fact, that is something to understand when picking flowers or foliage for the vase.

Always pick in the cool of the early morning.

Fill up your tub or sink with cold water.

Place the picked stems into the water.

Soak for two hours.

Then:

RE-CUT THE STEMS UNDER THE WATER!

Then:

Place EACH stem on a board and whack with a hammer.

TIP: If you do this with all woody stems - chrysanthemums, foliage, etc, they will last much longer in the vase.

Place immediately into a vase of water.

Arrange your flowers as desired.

I use an opaque cut-glass style vase which hides the crushed stems from sight.

 

Keep the vase OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT!

This Vase of hydrangeas is in my hallway with Mr Cat.

 

Have water level as high as possible to the top of the vase.

Change water every two or three days.

 DAY THREE: NO WILT!

DAY EIGHT: NO WILT!
YIPEE!!

DAY TEN:  NO WLIT!

And still smelling gorgeous.

 DAY TWENTY ONE!!!!
I'M YELLING THAT FOLKS- DAY TWENTY ONE!!!
I kid you not...The flowers have lost the purple hue...

And they are now very blue!
There is a little yellowing of the leaves.
And the tips of some of the flowers are spotted brown.
But they still look GREAT, and they still smell lovely!
More importantly, there is no wilt!!!
This 'KISS' Hydrangea picking technique is a forever keeper secret, for it sure beats the 2 hours or days vase life if picked and placed directly in a vase.
I simply ADORE HYDRANGEAS, don't you?

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#hydrangeas #stophydrangeawilting #hydrangeasascutflowers

Ocean blues...

I live by the sea...

I love the beach...

There is nothing more soothing to the soul - 

than the ocean, sand and the sound of waves.

I think that is why painting the ocean is a love of mine.

This painting is called 'Submersion'.

Painted in oils it is a gift for my son who is a free diver.

If you would like to see the beach on my doorstep, visit the link to  Ohope Beach.

DIY Pallet & Mason Jar Organiser...

So this is what happened...

 When one moves the hand towel hook in the bathroom to a new position (because you have found the perfect storage shelf for the teeny tiny little gap!)

This would not be a problem if:

You had spare wallpaper...spare paint for patch-ups...and the gloss anti-mould seal.

(Now that is a lesson if you pay someone else to do the painting -

 make sure they leave you the leftovers!!!)

This created a how will I cover that hole dilemma in the blue bathroom.

Soooo...(and thank goodness for Pinterest)

I found the perfect solution!

A DIY Mason Jar Organiser, which I attached to painted pallet wood for a super rustic look.

 They are really quite simple to make: 
Measure wood to desired size.

 Cut the wood.

  Paint wood or age it.

I used grey as a base colour.

 I wanted a rustic look that would match the concrete-look exposed stone linoleum floor in this bathroom.

 Then dry-brushed white paint over the top.

PVA glue the middle of the two pieces of wood.

Turn over and nail three builders staples to hold it together.

Using an electric drill with a small bit, drill the last slot on the clamp into a round big enough for your nail to go through.

 The hose clamps were $7.50 each (sourced from Bunnings  Hardware).

Measure and mark on the wood where the top of the clamps will sit.

Nail into position.

 The short mason jars were from Briscoes,

 and had 40% off this price.

Attach wood to wall and then add your jars.

These jars are fab storage for makeup brushes,

But you could use the jar organiser idea anywhere in the home decor, to hold all sorts of things. 

One idea is vases or fresh flowers, or hydroponic pot plants.

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#masonjar #bathroom #organiser #diy