Vintage Chrysanthemum Printables...

In love with vintage?

In love with Chrysanthemums?

Here are some fabulously gorgeous vintage images from the 1890s just for you!

They are shabby old and gorgeous!

Simply click 'save as' to your computer,
print and use...
Note: These images are for personal use only.
If reshared on a blog, elsewhere on the Net, or privately. 
Please link back to:
 http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/vintage-chrysanthemum-printables.html 

I created a Porch sign using one.

Find out more about that HERE.

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by joining for free HERE.

#freeprintables #vintageflowerprintables

In love with Whiskers, and Macro Photography...

This is my very first attempt at macro photography.

And believe me, so much skill is required.

It is most definitely NOT as easy as one may think 

even with a specialty macro lens attached to the camera body.
But I am hooked!

My steadiness of hand is non-existent!

And to get a windless day where I live is nigh impossible!

(Wind and macro photography do not work well together.)
A tripod, aperture changes, a few online lessons and a whole lot of practice may be the next steps in my Macro photography journey.
The dewdrop and flower subjects were complete failures!
(Let's blame the wind!)

However, Shanti-Rose was the most forgiving model, 

as I photographed her beautiful cat face and whiskers.

 I'm in love with whiskers and Macro Photography.

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#miabellapassionsblog #burmesecats #macrophotography

In Love With Carnations...

What is your favourite flower?

I enjoy many, from lilies to roses...

but I have a deep love of carnations.

Perhaps it's because the clove like smell of the old fashioned carnation 

returns me in a moment of my Grandmothers garden.

They are wonderful to pick...

and last such a long time.

'Dianthus Passion' is one of my favourites,

 wearing a bold deep red colour and emitting its spicy clove scent.

Don't you think they look fab in this quirky pig teapot?

Tea pots make fabulous vases.

I have a selection of them to display posies of garden flowers.

Now, there's an idea for you all.

For more 'Flower Arranging Ideas' visit HERE.

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#carnations #teapots #teapotvaseidea

DIY Starburst can flowers...

What a quick and simple way to upcycle aluminum cans. 

These starburst can flowers are perfect 

for fun and funky fence art,

to adorn a letterbox,

or as I have used them,  

to decorate the side of a shed.

If you create these - remember to be safety conscious.

This one is an 'at your own risk' activity.

Here's what you do:

You will need two aluminium cans per flower.

Using a stanley knife cut the top off the can. 

 It will be a bit rough,

 but use scissors to straighten the edge.

With the scissors cut strips to bottom of the can. 

 Fold each strip down to create the starburst.

Cut the tips to a point.

Do the same with the second can, 

but cut five thicker strips.

Cut these into short petals as shown.

 Fold the petals back.

 Slot the short petal can into the starburst petal can.

 Attach with a bolt to the side of the shed or structure.

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#upcyclingcans #craftusingcans

EASY TO MAKE - Themed birthday cake...

Have you ever had one of those moments of panic 

when you need to create a fabulous Birthday Cake,

and you have NO TIME?

Well here is a great idea for a themed cake using

(dare I admit it)

Packets of cake mix, 

the trusty home printer 

and shop bought accessories!

Step one - make the packet cake according to the instructions.

I used two packets and a large baking pan to bake it in, 

as I needed extra cake, 

and the length to place my toys on.

Prepare your themed accessories:

mine were; 

The little yellow digger...

the yellow truck...

and construction printables found free on the internet

 that were printed and cut out.

(Don't stress about the printer ink running into the cake icing,

as the printables were on thick grade card, 

and the cake was put together, delivered, 

printables removed before cake cutting, and eaten within a few hours,

so there was no leaching of ink.)

This is how I cut the cake before icing...

Icing done.

Printables placed,

Some printables were taped on skewers for height...

Toys on...

Candles placed...

The three year old Birthday boy loved his cake!

Everyone raved about the 'Construction Cake'!

Just think about what you could create for future birthdays...

You could make a farm animal cake,

sea themed...

Train...

Mermaid...

Frozen or other movie themes...

Rainforest...

Fishing...

Shell...

Beach...

Barbie...

My little pony...

Pokemon...

Dollshouse...

The possibilities are simply endless!!!!

SIMPLE - oh how I LOVE that word...

And this EASY TO MAKE birthday cake was exactly that!

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by joining for free HERE.

#Themedbirthdaycakes #childrensbirthdaycakes

 #easybirthdaycakes

Create a simple Driftwood Heart...

What a cutie this driftwood heart is...

And it is so easy to make.

Plus a great excuse to go to the beach.

Driftwood collecting is so much fun,

and the sea air is revitalising!

It's also the perfect holiday activity for the kids, as it is complete in a few hours.

What you need to create a simple driftwood heart is:

A heart template.

Sturdy cardboard (from a box)

Scissors.

Paint in a colour of your choice

Glue

and

small driftwood pieces.

Tape and a piece of jute rope to hang.

....

Cut out your heart template if it is printed on paper.

I used an elongated heart design.

There are many free heart printables online to choose from.

Use the template to transfer the shape using a marker pen on to the cardboard.

Cut it out.

Paint the heart shape in a seagreen colour and set aside to dry.

Glue the driftwood pieces on to the heart.

Once again leave to dry.

Tape a piece of jute rope to the back of the heart

Hang on your wall and enjoy!

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#heartcrafts #driftwoodcrafts 

2014's Most Popular Mia Bella Passions post!

2014's  most popular post was...

the DIY tin can wreath.

 It was imperfectly wonky and completely wrong!
It was almost a DIY disaster!
But... 
You Loved it...

You hated it...
It was pinned...
It was Shared...

It was featured...
It went viral...
with 34k hits!!!

So here it is again

Mia Bella Passions 
most popular post for 2014!
http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/diy-tin-can-christmas-wreath.html

#cancrafts 

Flax Flower Love...

It's not just about pretty flowers...

Can you see the beauty in the more unusual forms and shapes

 of the soon-to-be seed bearers of some plants?

I am particularly fond of flax flowers and seed heads.

So today's Mia Bella Gardens Photograph is of a flax seedhead.

These photographs were shot just before dusk.

I adore the way the light orbs dance in the background,

and how you can see the delicate strands of spider silk..

 Beautiful!

Can you see where the raindrop is hiding?
Found on a smaller variety of variegated flax, these flowers dressed in lime green, yellow, red and orange, are very dainty, compared to the size and shape of those on the large standard flax bush.

I think they are simply beautiful!

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#Flaxflowers

In Love with Roses...

Today's flower photograph is of a rose called 'Just Joey'.

Apricot and  peachy 

with a lovely scent = pure loveliness!
The blooms fade to a soft buff colour as they age.

One of my favourites,

it is a hybrid tea rose

with huge five inch blooms that have an unusual ruffled edge.

The bush is small to medium in size.

The bonus about this rose is that it is free-flowering!

In Mia Bella Gardens it blooms all summer long right through to early winter.

Christmas wishes...

 On the eve of Christmas,

I wish you all 

a fabulous fun holiday 

filled with happiness,

wishes, love, hugs 

and beautiful memories...

It's holiday time...
and 'Mia Bella Passions'
will be enjoying a short vacation
to return in the early New Year 
with NEW, EXCITING, FUN  
and BEAUTIFUL things 
to share with you all.
Until then,

'Merry Christmas'
and
'Happy New Year'
my fabulous friends...