Mia Bella Passions

Upcycled Clock to Photo Frame

Take one old clock that no longer works, and make it into a funky photo frame!

This clock has a wide plastic edge that my clever hubby painted in acrylic paints to resemble wood.

It was a loved clock!

So instead of binning it, I decided to upcycle it!

The first step was to unscrew it, removing the back, the middle, and then carefully, the glass.

Then I removed the clock mechanism.

I home printed a special photograph to fit the size of the clock frame.

A patterned paper was cut to fit the sides of the inside of the clock.

The paper and photograph was then glued into place using a PVA paper glue.

Next some detail embellisments.

You could use whatever you like to accessorise your photo, but because this was a tropical island wedding scene, I chose a plaited twine rope.

I used hot glue to secure it into place around the photograph.

Then it was a matter of placing the glass on the front, placing back into the frame, and re-screwing the backing onto the clock.

Hung on the wall, I'm thrilled with how this upcycling project turned out.

Inspired?

If you don't have an old clock, you can source them from thrift stores, or buy a cheap one from the dollar store.

Paint the clock frame, place a favourite photograph in it, then add embellishments for a funky photo display.

Abstract Butterfly Mug

You might also like to visit my store at Fine Art America for more fabulous gift ideas!

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#upcyclingoldclocks #clockcraftideas #diyclockphotoframes

6 Free Art Inspired Mothers Day Gift Tags

Mothers Day is very near, so I've created some gift tag labels for you.

These were created using some of my original artworks.

Save to your device and print to the size you desire.

Print on card, or photo paper.

Write your Mother's Day message on the back.

Punch a small hole in the corner and attach with twine or ribbon to your gift.

You could also use these images to make your own Mother's Day Cards.

Or enlarge and pop in a frame for your Mother's Day morning tea, brunch, lunch, or dinner decor.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them for you. :)

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#mothersdaygiftags #freemothersdayprintables #cardmaking

Rich Chocolate Coffee Mini Cakes

These rich, dark chocolate coffee–infused mini cakes deliver a surprisingly bold taste experience. From the first bite, the richness of the dark chocolate with the coffee acts as a quiet amplifier, enhancing the cocoa’s intensity.

The texture of the cake is dense enough to feel indulgent, yet soft and moist without tipping into heaviness. The coffee icing on top pushes the delectability even further.

'Chocolate Coffee Mini Cakes' are best appreciated slowly, and ideally when you’re in the mood for something that doesn’t hold back. Or serve as a dessert, as suggested at the end of the recipe, and you will enjoy an absolute chocolate, coffee-lover experience that is pure decadence with added caramel!

Rich Chocolate Coffee Mini Cakes

Preheat the oven to 190°C /374°F.

Oil 2 x 6-hole large muffin pans

Ingredients:

1 & 3/4 cups plain high-grade flour

1 & 1/4 teaspoons of Bicarbonate Soda

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup darkest cocoa powder

3 Tablespoons hot water

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

1 Tablespoon strong instant coffee

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

3/4 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt

Method:

Sift flour and soda into a large bowl.

Add brown sugar and mix with a wooden spoon until combined.

Heat the milk until hot, add the coffee and vanilla, stir together and set aside.

In a small cup, mix the cocoa powder to a medium paste with the hot water, and set aside.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Add the oil, egg, milk mixture, and coffee mixture.

Beat together with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Pour the cake batter into the muffin pans.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool.

Coffee Icing:

3 Tablespoons of melted butter

1 teaspoon instant coffee mixed into 2 tablespoons of hot water

1 cup of confectioners' powdered icing sugar

Mix all together and beat until creamy.

Ice the top of each mini cake.

Press a few dark chocolate balls onto the icing.

Best eaten within 2 days of making.

Note: If you like, you can double the icing ingredients for an extra-large amount of icing on the cakes.

Yield: 12 mini cakes

To Serve:

As is, a companion treat with your favourite hot coffee.

Or as a dessert. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then drizzle store-bought caramel topping over the top of the cakes and ice cream.

Excessively delectable!!!

You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

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#chocolatecoffeecakerecipes #minicakerecipes

DIY A Fun Little Silver Jug Bird Feeder!

Do you go through phases in Home decor and style as I do?

I've had a few phases, like bright colours, all shades of white, neutrals, French Country, and aqua!

And then there was the silverware phase...

There were clusters of vintage silverware throughout the decor.

I loved it.

But I did not love the polishing job.

So I gifted my little collection away, bar a few pieces.

But what to do with this wee milk jug?

A bird water and food feeder, of course!

I decided to leave the patina unpolished, as the clean shine would possibly deter small birds visiting.

With a pretty glass bead wire hanger, it's a fun and pretty addition to the garden.

To Create, You Will Need:

A small, wide-top silver milk jug

A piece of pliable, thin silver wire about 60cm (24 inches) long

Plier wirecutters

About 40 coloured glass beads (size complementary to the jug size)

To Make:

Attach the wire to the handle of the jug, twisting the end to secure.

Thread the beads onto the wire.

Like this.

Wind the wire around the spout twice.

Bring the wire down from the spout and then across the base of the jug to the handle.

Then thread it through twice, and pull it tight.

From the handle bend wire under the jug to the front of the spout. Pull it up and thread it through the spout wire as shown.

Then across the jug to the handle, twist around the handle, then across the top of the jug to the spout.

The last step is to thread the wire through the spout wire, then twist to secure.

Trim the end of the wire with wire cutters.

It's a bit of a process, also tricky to explain, but wiring it this way gives security that the spout wire won't slip off.

Hopefully, the photographs will guide you.

I didn't want to drill holes through the metal in case I change up what this little jug is used for in the future.

Adaptation:

A simpler silverware piece to use for this project is a silver sugar bowl with two handles, because you only need to wire and bead the hanger, then attach/twist the wire ends to each handle.