Windowsill Flowers - Pink Roses and Sweet Peas...

What is not to love...

about a vase full of flowers? 

 With the brightness of the sun peeking through the frosted glass

Illuminating the flowers.

 Gorgeous blooms in shades of pink.

Roses and sweet peas,

 with a perfume that only nature can provide.

 It is amazing how one small vase of beauty

...can inspire a photoshoot!

 But the flowers are too beautiful...

Not to share with you all.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#sweetpeas #roses #flowersforpicking

Christmas Picture No.2: Glitter Stags Head...

The stag head decor craze is as popular still as ever...

and I have to admit to having a few stag head items in my home decor.

As it's Christmas craft time,

 I thought why not create a glitter stag head silhouette.

And that is what happened!

Christmas picture No.2 in the series of three,
 is a glitter stag head silhouette.

So here is how you make one...

Carnation LOVE...

 What's not to love about old fashioned carnations...

 With a fragrance that is reminiscent of Grandmas garden...

 And a pop of colour amongst the garden green.

They are easy to grow, too:

How to Grow Dianthus Carnations

Dianthus loves the sun! 

Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. They thrive in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Watering and Fertilizing

Keep your dianthus healthy with proper watering and fertilizing:

· Water deeply but infrequently; allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

· Use a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season to encourage blooming.

Pest and Disease Management

Dianthus can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for:

· Snails and Slugs: think they are delicious, so pet-friendly bait or beer traps are needed.

· Fungal diseases like powdery mildew; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Pruning and Deadheading

To encourage more blooms:

· Remove spent flowers, a process known as deadheading, to promote new growth.

· In late fall, cut back the plants to the ground to prepare for the next growing season.

This carnation is called:

Dianthus Passion

It offers the garden gorgeously scented, double red flowers

and attractive blue-green foliage that is compact in form

and fabulous for picking.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#carnations #dianthus #gardenpickingflowers

Christmas Crafting Ideas...

Here are the links all on one page 

of some previous 'Mia Bella Passions' Christmas DIY and Crafts:

*DIY Christmas Signs using Pallet wood 

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/diy-christmas-signs.html

*Joy Cushion

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/joy-cushion.html

*Willow Wreath

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

*Bookpage Butterflies

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/diy-book-paper-butterflies.html

* Felt Rose & Book Page Butterfly Wreath 

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/felt-rose-book-page-butterfly-wreath.html

Have fun Christmas crafting.

For the latest posts JOIN :)

#christmascrafts #christmascraftideas #diychristmasdecorations #diycristmas

Table Centrepiece - Aqua bowl and Flower Posy...

I am in love with bowls...

 And look at this one!

 What a beauty!!!

In all it's aqua embossed gorgeousness!!!

She fair yelled 'TAKE ME HOME'

from the shelf in the Hospice Shop...

And that is what happened.

Because it is perfect for a table centrepiece.

Perfect as it is...

or

Perfect filled with garden flowers!

For the simplest table centre piece that takes minutes to pull together,

 you will need 'a beautiful bowl' and

a bunch of garden flowers.

From 'Mia Bella Gardens' I gathered

 white statice, pink polyanthus, pink clematis, and soft pink cineraria.

 Then simply (woohoo - back to my favourite word!)...

Fill the bowl with an inch or two of water

(Enough so flower stems will be quenched)

Use the statice as a base, cutting the stems quite short and crossing them over in the bowl as you place them.

Then place more statice as the frame to place the other flowers in position.

Basically, you're creating a mound of statice BEFORE you add the other flowers.

 Pop your other shortened flower stems through the statice frame.

And that is it...

Simple.

To maintain, top up the water in the bowl a little everyday.

 Very effective...

 And complete eye candy!

 I know you are thinking...

Clematis...seriously?

That won't last!

 But believe me...

Clematis is an underrated flower for picking,as it lasts very well!

 As is Polyanthus.

Did you know that?

 Every tiny Poly bud will open,
which makes it a perfect posy flower!

 What a superbly stunning vignette!

 Just can't stop clicking!

 Have you seen enough photographs yet?

 Ok last one...

The Editor in Chief (Arabella) has just said enough...

Get this posted to the Blog!!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#simpleflowertablecentrepieces #easyflowerarrangingideas

Christmas Ideas for Mia Bella...

I ADORE Christmas decorations...

I ADORE crafting, creating and cooking for Christmas...
and planning is paramount.
Otherwise...
 the days just simply disappear, 
then before you know it...
Bells are jingling and... 
Christmas celebrations have begun!

I look forward to sharing these creations with ya 
all over the next few months...
So lets start 
with the Christmas picture.
Thank you to:
'The Cottage Market'
As this is where I found 
'Rudolph'
a fab Christmas chalkboard printable.

Go to this link to get it:
http://thecottagemarket.com/2013/11/free-printable-christmas-chalkboard-art.html
You can frame Christmas printables
but I wanted to use a canvas as a backing.
First, I printed the picture onto heavy card.
I painted a black background on the canvas using acrylic paint.
 Then when it was dry, 
glued the Rudolph Printable onto to that.

 I used  craft glue to create a border around the print...

 And covered it in gold glitter.

 And before you make noises about my heavy handed glittering,
The excess was tipped into my Stampin Up Glitter collecting tray.

 Which you then tip the excess back into the bottle.
Brilliant!!

And here is the finished piece!!
Visit again soon to see some more ideas for Christmas...
We'll be making:
*A Lidded glass jar filled with truffles
*Music sheet angel wing decorations
*Burlap ruffle and candy cane mantel decor
*A staghead Christmas picture
*Burlap tree bows 
*Birdcage fairy light display
*Tin can wreath for front door 
(Only option as it is 'George Proof' - WHY? - see post 
http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/painted-door-mat.html )
*A dining table centrepiece
AND
*repurposed black tree decorations

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#diychristmascrafts 

Mia Bella Gardens - Loving Spring!

 Gracie is loving Spring...

 Her favourite pastime is smelling flowers!

Deliciously warm Spring sunshine...

New growth, 

blossom and flowers in all shades and hues...

We're Loving Spring at 'Mia Bella Gardens'!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#Gardentour #springgardens #miabellapassionsblog