Brick Garden Plant Labels...

I saw this idea on Pinterest, and I thought it was a goodie!

Brick garden plant labels.

How simple!

How sturdy...

Won't break in hurry!

Won't blow away in the wind!

So I set about making a few.

First stop - the builders supply store to purchase some bricks...

 All you do is write your plant names on the bricks using a pencil...

The pencil just rubs off if you make a mistake.

Then simply outline over it with a marker pen.

 Calligraphy is not one of my finer skills... 

but even with my atrocious attempt at lettering,

 the outcome was pretty darn cool!

 My font was a little bit gothic....

 But the beetroot didn't mind!

 Basil is my favourite one, as it turned out the best!

 I think I'll definitely be making some more of these...

Rustic DIY brick garden plant labels...

welcome to your new home in the glasshouse at Mia Bella Gardens.

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#diyplant labels #brickplantlabels #gardenlabels

Felt Rose & Book Page Butterfly Wreath...

What's your colour theme for Christmas this year?

Every year I plan my decorating around a colour theme...

and this year I have decided to keep it more traditional 

with red, white and green.

Christmas wreaths are so much fun to create,

so using the willow wreath previously made

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/diy-willow-wreath.html

I made a ton of gorgeous wee felt roses to decorate it with.

All you do it cut strips of felt using the adage...the thinner the strip, the smaller the rose.

Roll a centre, 

 

then twist the felt as you tightly wind it around.

Hot glue the end and hold until the glue firms.

I made green, red and white ones... 

Which will be perfect for this years Christmas colour theme.

 I LOVE Christmas creating...
don't you?

 Once you have made your roses,
simply hotglue them around the wreath.
For the focal bow,
I made a bow out of red satin ribbon, but this was not quite right.
So I made another bow from green felt.
And it was perfect!

The book paper butterflies made the other day
were added...
If you want to know how to make these follow this link...
http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/diy-book-paper-butterflies.html

And it was finished!

A rather large but beautiful Christmas wreath.

Next on the list of 'Christmas Things To Do' is...
A porch sign.
What super fun Christmas is!

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#christmaswreaths #diywreaths #howtomakefeltroses #diychristmascrafts

DIY Book Paper Butterflies...

Such a simple idea...

And simple to do!

Butterflies made from old book pages.

First:  find a butterfly template you like on the net.

Print it on your home computer in the sizes you want.

Pulling pages from the book was extremely difficult for me to do.

As a book lover, there is no such thing as an 'old' book'!
And I think my Mama taught me well as a small child to respect books.
You see,

I had rushed into the op shop 
and grabbed this book without a second glance, 

so on the day of the butterfly-making project 
I actually stopped to look at it...

Sigh!

An hour or so later,

the book page butterflies began...
(because I just had to have a little read first,

great book it was too...
 about Scotland,

full of history, short stories and poems.)

I 'saved' pages of poetry for future use.
(A way to compensate my destructive behaviour!)

and then proceeded to pull pages.
I used four book pages for each butterfly.

Next cut out your butterfly templates.

Using it as a stencil,

With a pen draw around the outline.
You can have the print running vertically or horizontally,
it is up to you.

 Gather together some brads and string.

 I used Christmas brads.

Large red stars

red jewel sparkles

and little gold stars

 So all you do is:

Holding your pages book pages tightly, 

use craft scissors to cut around the drawn outline of the butterfly.

 Pop a brad in the centre to hold it all together...

 Or use string...

Leave a length of the string from the knot when you cut it for the antennae.

Then fold the butterfly wings up so you get a 3D effect.

I've made these in two different sizes to use for Christmas decorating.

But, you could use them for anything and for any occasion.

Just use your wonderful imagination!

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#christmas #craft #papercraft #bookpage #butterfly #ornament

DIY Silver Tray and Button Heart Art...

Isn't it so much fun re-purposing things?

At the moment I am enjoying being creative with old silver trays.

Combine silver,
and...

some glorious old buttons...

With a little creativity, you can create a new artwork!

I needed a little something for the wall above the washing machine,

which is for the Laundry revamp (ongoing project).

If you want to know why that is an ongoing project,

It is because I am the sort of person who is easily distracted.

The laundry revamp is fairly minor, 

as there is only a wee bit of touch-up painting required,

no major wall painting...
and a little bit of décor changing.

Very difficult to complete when life is so full of distractions like

photography, other craft projects, my grandchildren and tea parties!

'Never mind, I say, 'I LOVE distractions. 

There is another day tomorrow!'

So to create this:

DIY Button Heart Art

You will need:

An old silver tray (mine is just a small one)

A heart template (Many shapes to choose from on the net)

Marker pen.

Scissors

Paint in a colour of your choice.

Paintbrush

A selection of buttons in chosen colours

Glue.

-----

Simply cut out your heart template with the scissors.

Place it in position on the tray.

Draw around the outline of it with the marker pen.

Select the buttons to fit in the heart outline...

Paint the heart in your desired colour.

When it is dry,

Glue the buttons on it.

Dry overnight...

and hang it on the wall.
(I used those fabulous velcro 'easy to remove' picture strips)

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#heart #craft #buttons #upcycled #repurposed 

Dutch Irises...

The colour of this Dutch Iris is AMAZING!

Every year it pops up in Mia Bella Passions Garden with its incredible purple colour and a bold yellow stripe!

The History Of The Dutch Iris.

Dutch irises, asIris hollandica, are celebrated for their striking colours and elegant shape. Despite their name, Dutch irises do not actually originate from Holland itself. The journey of Dutch irises begins in the Mediterranean.  From the 17th century, plant breeders in the Netherlands began to enhance the beauty and robustness of irises. By the 20th century, these hybrids were being exported worldwide, with the 'Dutch Iris' label as a nod to the Netherlands breeding skill.

They are easy to grow but need a rich, well-drained soil. 

Average plant height: 60 cm

Planting depth to base of bulb: 15 cm

Spacing between bulbs: 10cm

Light requirement: full sun

Landscape uses: beds, borders and pots. 

They are easy to grow but need a rich, well-drained soil. 

Dutch Iris is a fabulous cut flower for the vase.

Purple Varieties

The rich hues of purple in Dutch Irises symbolise royalty and elegance, making them a popular choice for many occasions. Here are some notable purple varieties:

· Iris x hollandica 'Blue Magic': This variety flaunts deep blue-purple flowers with a striking yellow throat, creating a beautiful contrast that catches the eye.

· Iris x hollandica 'Purple Prince': True to its name, Purple Prince offers large flowers with a majestic royal purple colour, ideal for adding a touch of luxury to any garden.

· Iris x hollandica 'Hollandica': A classic choice, this variety features elegant violet blooms that exude charm and sophistication, making them perfect for both contemporary and traditional gardens.

White Varieties

If you're looking to add a touch of purity and simplicity to your floral displays, consider these gorgeous white varieties:

· Iris x hollandica 'White Excelsior': This variety is renowned for its pure white petals and striking yellow markings, bringing a sense of grace to any floral arrangement.

· Iris x hollandica 'Alba': Alba offers pristine white blooms with a slight hint of cream, making it a versatile choice for weddings and other elegant occasions.

· Iris x hollandica 'Snow Queen': True to its name, this variety stands out with its dazzling white flowers, perfect for brightening up any space in the garden or home.

Whether you prefer the regal shades of purple or the elegance of white, Dutch Irises are sure to mesmerise you with their beauty.

They are a favourite in Mia Bella Passions Gardens!

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#dutchirises #floweringbulbs