DIY Silver Tray and Button Heart Art...

Isn't it so much fun re-purposing things?

At the moment I am enjoying being creative with old silver trays.

Combine silver,
and...

some glorious old buttons...

With a little creativity, you can create a new artwork!

I needed a little something for the wall above the washing machine,

which is for the Laundry revamp (ongoing project).

If you want to know why that is an ongoing project,

It is because I am the sort of person who is easily distracted.

The laundry revamp is fairly minor, 

as there is only a wee bit of touch-up painting required,

no major wall painting...
and a little bit of décor changing.

Very difficult to complete when life is so full of distractions like

photography, other craft projects, my grandchildren and tea parties!

'Never mind, I say, 'I LOVE distractions. 

There is another day tomorrow!'

So to create this:

DIY Button Heart Art

You will need:

An old silver tray (mine is just a small one)

A heart template (Many shapes to choose from on the net)

Marker pen.

Scissors

Paint in a colour of your choice.

Paintbrush

A selection of buttons in chosen colours

Glue.

-----

Simply cut out your heart template with the scissors.

Place it in position on the tray.

Draw around the outline of it with the marker pen.

Select the buttons to fit in the heart outline...

Paint the heart in your desired colour.

When it is dry,

Glue the buttons on it.

Dry overnight...

and hang it on the wall.
(I used those fabulous velcro 'easy to remove' picture strips)

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#heart #craft #buttons #upcycled #repurposed

 

New Cookbook & Blueberry Tarts....

My beautiful daughter gave me this gorgeous cookbook...

(Yet another one of her frequent random acts of kindness!)

'The Ladies Book of Baking'

A Collection of Elegant recipes.

And oh my... 

it is full of simply delicious recipes...

The first one I baked was:

Blueberry Tarts. 

YUM - Baked morsels of berry delight!

Served with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream...

They were very easy to make,
(because you cheat by using ready-rolled pastry!)

and

VERY scrumptious to eat!

Here's the recipe:

Blueberry Tarts
Heat oven to 190 Celsius
Grease a muffin tray or 6 small pie/tart dishes.
Ingredients:
300 grams blueberries (I used frozen)
2 teaspoon cornflour
55 grams caster sugar
4 teaspoons water
55 grams plain flour
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
40 grams diced butter
ready made sweet shortcrust pastry

Make filling:
In a small saucepan put the water, half the blueberries, the cornflour and half the sugar.
Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.
Take pan off the heat and add rest of the blueberries.

Make Struesel:
Put the flour, lemon rind, butter and rest of sugar in a bowl 
and combine until like fine crumbs.

Then:
Line muffin tray or dishes with pastry.
Spoon blueberry filling into each case.
Sprinkle tops with struesel mixture.
Bake for 15 minutes until topping is pale gold.
When warm, remove from tins,
plate, and add a dollop of vanilla ice-cream.

EAT!

Dutch Irises...

The colour of this Dutch Iris is AMAZING!

Every year it pops up in Mia Bella Passions Garden with its incredible purple colour and a bold yellow stripe!

The History Of The Dutch Iris.

Dutch irises, asIris hollandica, are celebrated for their striking colours and elegant shape. Despite their name, Dutch irises do not actually originate from Holland itself. The journey of Dutch irises begins in the Mediterranean.  From the 17th century, plant breeders in the Netherlands began to enhance the beauty and robustness of irises. By the 20th century, these hybrids were being exported worldwide, with the 'Dutch Iris' label as a nod to the Netherlands breeding skill.

They are easy to grow but need a rich, well-drained soil. 

Average plant height: 60 cm

Planting depth to base of bulb: 15 cm

Spacing between bulbs: 10cm

Light requirement: full sun

Landscape uses: beds, borders and pots. 

They are easy to grow but need a rich, well-drained soil. 

Dutch Iris is a fabulous cut flower for the vase.

Purple Varieties

The rich hues of purple in Dutch Irises symbolise royalty and elegance, making them a popular choice for many occasions. Here are some notable purple varieties:

· Iris x hollandica 'Blue Magic': This variety flaunts deep blue-purple flowers with a striking yellow throat, creating a beautiful contrast that catches the eye.

· Iris x hollandica 'Purple Prince': True to its name, Purple Prince offers large flowers with a majestic royal purple colour, ideal for adding a touch of luxury to any garden.

· Iris x hollandica 'Hollandica': A classic choice, this variety features elegant violet blooms that exude charm and sophistication, making them perfect for both contemporary and traditional gardens.

White Varieties

If you're looking to add a touch of purity and simplicity to your floral displays, consider these gorgeous white varieties:

· Iris x hollandica 'White Excelsior': This variety is renowned for its pure white petals and striking yellow markings, bringing a sense of grace to any floral arrangement.

· Iris x hollandica 'Alba': Alba offers pristine white blooms with a slight hint of cream, making it a versatile choice for weddings and other elegant occasions.

· Iris x hollandica 'Snow Queen': True to its name, this variety stands out with its dazzling white flowers, perfect for brightening up any space in the garden or home.

Whether you prefer the regal shades of purple or the elegance of white, Dutch Irises are sure to mesmerise you with their beauty.

They are a favourite in Mia Bella Passions Gardens!

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#dutchirises #floweringbulbs