DIY Coffee Table Succulent Bowl...

As y'all know it's winter here in the southern hemisphere,

so I'm always on the lookout for some greenery in the decor.

Succulents in a bowl are a much needed pop of nature during the cold, bleak wintery days.

I selected two baby succulent plants from the garden centre.

This fish bowl was in the blog bit's and pieces I might need one day cupboard.

I gathered some stones from the garden path...
and placed those in the base of the glass bowl

The next layer was a quality potting mix, 
into which the little succulents were planted.

This one is a baby plant off a succulent in the garden.

The next step once the plants were in the bowl was...

To add a layer of white decorative pot plant stones.
The bowl was placed on a wooden tray with a shabby green paper base.
(I got this from The Warehouse for $12 in a sale).
Just remember there is no drainage in a planter like this,
and the plants are succulents, so minimal watering is required.
These plants get afternoon sun for 5 hours, sited on this table.
You need to move them to a sunbath area regularly if sunlight is limited. 

Some wonderful living decor for the winter months.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#succulents #succulent planter #indoorgardening

Dream Then Do It!

Oh, am I totally crushing on yellow roses at the moment.
Especially the beautiful 'David Austin' varieties.
I admit they are my ultimate favourite in rose varieties.
Scented, multi-petaled gorgeousness!
And beautiful to photograph.

Dream it - then do it...
The latest mood board inspirational features a yellow Austin rose.

This rose has been in the garden for years, but I am not sure of its name.
You might find it here on Wairere Nurseries list:
http://www.wairere.co.nz/Roses/Austin
I have bought mail order roses from them for many years,
with the rose plants arriving cocooned in wrap, ready to plant.
I would highly recommend Wairere online service to New Zealand gardeners.

Dream it - then do it...
I might create another rose garden!

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#quotes #rosequote #quote #davidaustinroses

Posh Up A Pillow...

I saw this idea in one of those expensive interior shops...

You know the ones that have cushion covers for sale at $50, 

with the inner is another $40!

OUCH!

So I thought - I could make that.

My very good quality and stylish cushion was only $12.

 A navy blue marl fabric is on one side...

And a wool handknit on the other side.

$12 for the whole thing!

We are talking cover and inner.

(Found at 'The Warehouse'.)

I had some creamy white wool.

So I simply made the wool lengths into 4 ply chunky.

 And crocheted a simple chain.

Crochet 101 has a video tutorial HERE.

They make the chain quite loose because it is the base start for a crochet project.

But because you are making the chain to use as is, 

you need to do it quite tightly.

Once you have made the chain long enough to shape into a heart, knot the end.

Make a tassel for the bottom if desired.

Place the chain into the desired heart shape, and pin it in place.

Then handstitch it onto the cover.

Place the inner back into the cover, and there you go...

one posh pillow without the posh price tag.

I love the way it picks up the blues in this duvet cover!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#DIYhomedecor #crochetchain #DIYcushionideas

Your Own Kind Of Beautiful Inspirational...

A sweet macro shot of a daisy flower centre with a fabulous message:

Be your own kind of beautiful.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quotes #quote #flowerquote

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons...

And when I say 'super sweet'

that is what I mean!

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons are not for the savoury fans...they are especially for those with a 'SUPER SWEET TOOTH'!

All you do is cut your homemade 
(I used the New Zealand Edmonds Cookbook sponge cake recipe)

or store-bought rectangle sponge into ten pieces.

The caramel icing mixture uses a caramel topping in the ingredients.
I used Delmaine Caramel Topping.

All you do is make a runny icing:
25 grams melted butter, 1/4 cup caramel topping, 
4 tablespoons boiling water and 1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar.
Mix to smooth.
Dip your sponge portions quickly into this 
and coat each one in coconut (about 2 cups required).

Place on a baking paper lined plate, and chill for an hour.

Slice each portion in half and fill with whipped cream.
Drizzle with more caramel topping.

Or you can make mini fingers that have no cream filling.

Great party dessert treats.

Or simply to satisfy the sweet tooth craving.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#lamingtons #caramel

DIY Faux Cactus In A Pot...

Pinterest is overloaded with fabulous DIY and craft ideas,
and this one's interesting!
Faux cactus in a pot!

Initially, I couldn't decide whether I loved it or hated it,
but finally decided it was pretty darn funky and fun!
And so the plant-themed DIY on Mia Bella Passions continues with:
Faux cactus in a pot.

 I have always had a love of cactus in their many shapes and forms.
I remember as a child helping my Grandfather tend his vast collection.
Dangerous and ugly in my child mind, but when they flowered...
MY OH MY!  
I had a cactus garden as a young homemaker.
But it was removed after a puppy fell face first into a cactus!
Not a pretty sight, hours of spike removal,
 and no fun for the puppy either.
Maybe that is why this idea was so appealing.
A bit of funky cacti fun with no dangers attached!

It's really simple to create,

and a super craft with the kids activity.

Select as many flat shaped stones that you want to put in the pot.

I used four in varied shapes.

You could use a terracotta pot and distress paint it.

But I used a square ceramic one, 

because I have super skinny window sills in my house.

Find out more about them HERE and my kitchen sill mini planters.

I used a selection of green acrylic paint.

Because this project is not going outdoors,

I didn't seal the stones first.

 I mixed up greens to create a bright colour...
you could keep the colour more realistic if preferred.

Once the green paint had dried,

 I put some crosses and line detail on the stones in white paint.

Filled the pot with potting mix to an inch from the top.

 Planter stones were added.

 Silver stones to add a little contrast to the bright green and white.

Then the cacti stones were placed into the pot.

I don't think this project will be staying at my place,
because my son wants to take it when he moves into his new flat.
He can't wait to ask his flatmates to:
 'Make sure you water the cactus when I'm away!' 

This project is definitely in the ' A bit of FUN' basket!
And I'm sure the kids would love to make it too.

The Cactus could be painted all sorts of colours, not just green.

Happy cactus creating!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#paintedrocks #fauxpaintedcacti

'Between The Lines' The Mia Bella' Story...

It is an honour to be featured this week with other bloggers over 50.

on Katherine's (Of Katherine's Corner fame) 'Between The Lines Blog Series'.

To coincide with this, I thought it would be a great opportunity 

to share a little more with new readers and my wonderful followers.

When did 'Mia Bella Passions' blog begin?

It all began in September 2012.  

I managed to crash my blog twice in the first year, while learning about widgets, buttons and HTML.

I also learned very quickly how to resuscitate a crashed blog! 
Thank goodness for bloggers who write about blogging!!!

What does Mia Bella Passions' name mean?

Mia Bella is Italian for My Beautiful. (I have Italian heritage ). 

And Passions - well, I have so many passions for so many things. 
It was just the obvious choice!

Why did I start blogging?

For years, several of my friends commented, 'You should share what you do!'

Then, during a very low time in my life of multiple surgeries, when I thought 'I would never work again', I knew I could still create, craft and bake, that is when I decided to start the blog of sharing!

Who takes the photographs on your blog?

In the first few months, my daughter took the photos.

But she moved to a new town for work, so the inevitable happened.

I picked up a camera and have not stopped clicking!

Photography has become a huge passion for me.

I then discovered how to create inspirational quotes...

Yes - you guessed it....yet another passion!

How much time do I spend blogging a week? 

After once thinking I would never work again, I actually work 5 to 6 days a week now.  Blogging is only a small portion of what I do. I'm also an artist, do photography work, and have a multitude of hobbies. The biggest joy for me as a blogger is 'inspiring ' others by spreading love and positivity via art, crafts, DIY, baking, decor design, and beautiful things! 

How would I describe my blogger image?
It's real.  What you see is what you get. 
I am sharing the creative side of my life with my followers. I like to keep anything too personal away from my blog.

Apart from my personal health journey, I hope that may help someone else that may be struggling with arthritis.

Mia Bella Passions is all about sharing what I do day to day. 
It's all about the inspiration, positivity and creativity.

And just in case you were wondering - yes - the grey hair is real! I haven't dyed my hair since age of 45.
I love red lipstick!  I love 50s fashion! 
Being an individual is very important to me. 
And being 50 certainly does not stop me from rocking what I love!

That's the story of the Mia Bella Passions...

I hope you'll visit with Katherine's Corner  'Between The Line Series' to see the answers to this week's questions from me and the other fabulous 'over 50' bloggers featured.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#newzealandbloggers #nzblogs #over50bloggers

The Magic Of The Universe Inspirational...

                                                                   

Take time out to:

enjoy the universal beauty that is around us.

Breathe.

Look.

Meditate or Pray.

Resuscitate your soul.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quotes #quote #dandelion