DIY Willow Wreath...

The countdown to Christmas is truly underway, have you been doing any planning?
I thought I had better get a move on with that,
 so I sat down with pen and notepad, and planned away!
Every year I have a colour theme,
and this year it will be the traditional red, dark green and white.
I'm going to make book page butterflies, Scotty dog decorations in white felt, and a decorated wreath.
Those bits will go nicely with the felt reindeer made last year,
and all the other Christmasy things, I have made or collected over the years.
Don't you just LOVE Christmas?
When do you decorate your house?
Are you like me and decorate in the first week of December?
The large willow wreath was today's creation.
 It should be dry enough to decorate in a few weeks.
Here is how you make a willow wreath...
There is a little willow tree in the house paddock at Mia Bella Gardens, so I gathered some of it.
You will need to pick the more flexible new growth.
How to make a willow wreath
As well as some thin wire and secateurs.
How to make a willow wreath
The next task was to strip the leaves and tips from the willow...
How to make a willow wreath
 Then cut some small pieces of wire...
How to make a willow wreath
 Choosing some of the longer lengths of willow bend into a circle.
How to make a willow wreath
 Using the wire, bind it together in three of four places.
How to make a willow wreath
 Don't worry if it's not perfectly round, 
for you will shape it as you weave more willow into it.
How to make a willow wreath
 Keep weaving and twisting, poking the willow into the circle.
Give it a squish and help it shape into a circle.
How to make a willow wreath
If you have access to willow, have a go at making a wreath...
It is lovely to work with as it is so supple.
It took me about 3/4 of an hour to make this....
Quite therapeutic actually, all that weaving.
How to make a willow wreath
 And here it is...ready to hang and dry...
Don't the poppies look pretty framed by my DIY willow wreath?
NZ Lifestyle Bloggers
For updates about the latest blog posts,
you can join for free HERE.

#howtomakeawillowwreath  #wreathmakingtips #wreaths

In LOVE with old china....

It's a terrible addiction I seem to have for anything old...
And old china is something that I do enjoy very much.
The other day when I went to visit a friend,
she was having a sort out of some bit's and pieces
 that belonged to her mother...
it was all going in a yard sale...
 I was so lucky to have first pick!
And my oh my, did I enjoy looking through her boxes
 of newspaper wrapped china and glassware.
I really did have to curb my desire to buy the whole lot...
but one has to be realistic...
so I bought the pieces that I knew would fit the décor of my home,
And the pieces I knew I would actually use!
And here they are...
Pretty don't you think?
Now I have to rearrange 'everything' to find a home for it all!
 I have always admired this design...
It is 'Foxglove' by Carltonware...
I adore the wee sugar bowl and the jugs!
New trios of cups, saucers and plates are always a great excuse to have a tea party!
There is a lovely thistle design by Adderly which is English bone china...
The other set is also bone china, 
and that's Colclough with the most dainty violets on it!
I seem to have so many passions...
If I was asked "What is your most favourite thing?"
That my friends is a question that would be impossible to answer...

Mod Podge Creation Reveal...

Yesterday a French look DIY pot was created...
Find the 'how do do it' info here:

How to mod Podge Transfer on pots
24 hours of drying time later, with my bowl of water and cloth in hand...
I start to wet the label...
AND THEN...
SHOCK, 
HORROR...
 realised I had modpodged over it yesterday 
when that is NOT what you do!
NOTE TO SELF (for future craft sessions)
PRINT the instructions.
Don't just read online and then think you will remember how to do it.
So here is what I should have done...
Brushed the modpodge onto the label....
How to mod Podge Transfer on pots
Smoothed it onto the pot... 
Then left it to dry for 24 hours.
Thank you 'Heavens Walk' for those instructions.
How to mod Podge Transfer on pots
So because of my mistake,
The removal of the label was a painstaking event!
It took quite a while to soak the top paper layer off.
But get it off, I did!
One coat of clear sealer later...
How to mod Podge Transfer on pots
It was complete.
In the end, it worked,
even though I thought I was heading for a DIY craft disaster!
Yay!  The final result is one super cool French look pot. 
That will look fabulous in my laundry revamp (= ongoing project!)
Now that I actually know how to do this correctly,
I will definitely be creating some more!
DIY Tin Can Vase Crafts
The vase was a great success...
DIY Tin Can Vase Crafts
 and looks fab on the mantel. 
French Country Decor
 It sits next to the fleurs basket...
Mia Bella Passions Blog
Filled with 
snowball tree flowers, roses...
and pretty purple blue Japanese irises.
DIY Tin Can Vase
 I am loving this wee bit of BLING
as the colours complement the violet fabric perfectly.

NZ Lifestyle Blogs
Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.


#