Mia Bella Passions

Bird House Gourd...

When the rats decided my gourds were delicious, a lot ended up a bit holey!

So I used the ones with bird sized holes to make birdhouses.

First I painted the inside of the gourd white, then the outside a lovely yellow.

I love butterflies, so there was no question what to decorate the outside with...

a pretty blue butterfly on a leafy branch.

#Gourdart #Gourds

Morning Star...

The prettiest little star flowers....

and would you believe growing in the top of a large rock.

All I did was get the chisel and hammer out,

and chipped away at the rock until there was a small pot size indent.

'Morning Star' is a Rhodohypoxis....

and has been happily growing in the rock for the past two years!

#rockplants #morningstar

DIY Joy Cushion

I LOVE Christmas, and I am starting to think about what creations need creating for this year's display.

I'm not sure where I first saw this cushion idea (may have been on Pinterest).

but here is my version.

I love how this cushion fits into the red and white colour scheme of my sitting room. You could use a red cushion with white felt if you prefer.

I went to the local homeware store and bought an off-white cushion (sale price $8), and some red felt from the fabric store (cost $2). The word joy letter template is off the web.

Cut out the template letters. Pin to felt, cut out felt letters.

Lay out double-sided iron-on fusing, and draw around the outline of the letters using a pencil. Do a mirror image of the J.
Use a hot iron to bond the fusing to the felt letters. Trim edges.

Peel off the backing paper from the double-sided fusing. Remove the cushion inner from the cushion and place felt letters in the centre overlapping the letters slightly. Hot iron and fuse in place.

Top stitch with white cotton (red if your felt is white) around the letters using a sewing machine. Embellish (sequins, buttons, etc if you desire), but I chose to leave mine plain.

And there you have it...a joyous Christmas cushion, that's quick and easy to make.