Welcome Door Sign...

I found this cute little silver platter in the thrift store the other day 
and thought wow I can do something with this!
It has the most beautiful detailing around the edge.
DIY Home Decor Projects
So out came the paint!
DIY Home Decor Projects
I wasn't feeling too bad about painting over it because I don't think it 'real' as it doesn't have any makers marks on it.
DIY Home Decor Projects
Using a gorgeous yellow colour, I applied two
coats to the middle, leaving the  detailing around the edge as is.
DIY Home Decor Projects
While it was drying I went on the net and found some free printables. 
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ is a great place to look.
I couldn't decide on one so I printed three.  It took me a while to choose,
 but I opted for the bee.
Plus printed out a Welcome word using a pretty font.

The clever reasoning of this is hubby is learning all about bee keeping at the moment, 
so I thought he'd approve of my new piece of clutter!  (My plan worked!)
DIY Home Decor Projects
 Mod podge the graphics on to the platter.  
When dry, mod podge over the entire painted area.
DIY Home Decor Projects
 Then I made a wire hanger using contrasting coloured beads.
DIY Home Decor Projects
And here it is - the first part of my front entrance upgrade.
 It is so cute!
Bonus is - it is completely George proof!
Check in tomorrow and find out what I mean....
until then, have a fabulous day.

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Winter at Mia Bella Gardens...

Oh my, how incredibly warm this winter has been!

And I am enjoying it immensely!
Not only for the fact that the arthritic bones are not so sore, 
but for the enormous amount of colour that there is...

Bromeliads... 

Even the butterfly flower 'asclepias',

and an iris,
neither of which should actually be in flower right now!




Red Bottle brush trees...



Paper whites with a delicious perfume...

Purple Hebe...

'Correa Pullchela' with pretty pink tubular flowers...

 There are camellias in fabulous colours...



Nicotiana which a flowering tobacco.
This one is the hybrid called 'Ondra's Green Mix'.


Fushias, fushias...

and more fushias...

 Begonias...




A touch of purple...

 Colourful leaves....



  Banksia Tree...


 The Gordonia tree is in full bloom...

And even a passionflower!
If nature is so kind as to let Mia Bella Gardens escape any severe frosts,
 she is going to look AMAZING come spring...
And I can't wait!



Gouldian Finches...

Mia Bella Gardens aviaries have new additions...
two breeding pairs of Lady Gouldian Finches.

They are amazing colours don't you think?
The male has a gorgeous dark purple breast...
And the female has a pale lavender breast.
Don't you think those wings look angelic?

For more information on these finches visit:
http://www.efinch.com/species/gould.htm

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