DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork...

Pallet everything is so on trend at the moment!
 So here's my take on a pallet anchor picture...
It's a step by step photographic tutorial,
so gather your supplies and join in the fun!

You will need:
 Four pieces of pallet each cut to 45cm long,
plus two small offcuts to use as a backing.
The pallet pieces should be pre painted.  
I used white paint, but you can choose any colour you'd like.
Set the four pallet pieces tightly together, painted side face down,
 then place the backing wood as shown. 
 Nail the backing boards in place.  This stablilises the pallets and holds them in place.

 Print the free anchor template from here:

Use this as a guide to free hand draw the anchor onto the wood. Or enlarge the template slightly, cut out, and use as a template to draw the outline.

 Choose your paint colour (mines charcoal grey) and paint the anchor.
 I have seen this done with a coloured backing board and a white anchor, 
which is also really effective.
 Set aside to dry.
 When dry, add some highlights in silver or gold - whichever suits your colour choices.
When dry, seal with a coat of clear matt sealer.
 Attach a hanger.
I've used some rusty chain, but you could use chunky rope.
Hang and enjoy.
The DIY Anchor Pallet Artwork - a little rustic nautical fun!


#anchorcraft

Custard Lime Kisses...

I could call these biscuits, 
but kisses sound so much more deliciously romantic, don't you think?
Custard Kisses recipes
And as we are having a everything lime time at Mia Bella Passions,
I adapted a very old family recipe to create these...
Custard Kisses recipes
Custard Lime Kisses...
Oh yummo!!!!
Custard Kisses recipes
We are right back on the sweet treat radar with these, 
as the kisses are sweet flavoured with custard,
and the tangy lime flavour is in the custard icing.
Custard Kisses recipes

For The Kisses:

225 grams softened butter

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence

3 Tablespoons custard powder

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Prepare two trays - lined with baking paper.

Cream 225 grams softened butter and 1 1/2 cups caster sugar

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or essence and beat until pale and creamy.

Add 3 Tablespoons custard powder, 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk.

Mix to a dough.

Roll into small balls, and press lightly with a fork. Bake 12 - 15 minutes.

When cold, ice with custard/lime icing and join two biscuits together.

For The Icing:

50 grams of butter

1 tablespoon of lime juice.

1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 and 1/2 Tablespoon milk

1 and 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Melt 50 grams of butter and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.

Add 1 Tablespoon custard powder

1 1/2 Tablespoon milk

and 1 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Beat until creamy.

Makes 20 joined biscuits or 40 single biscuits.

 You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

Custard Kisses recipes
Custard Lime Kisses will disappear within hours of baking....
with a guarantee, there will be shouts for:
More kisses please!

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#custardrecipes  #limerecipes, #kissesrecipe #joinedbiscuits


How To Plant a Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid Bowl....

 Planted orchid bowls are pretty simple to create...
All you need is:
One large shallow bowl
Three orchid plants
A bag of premium orchid potting mix
Some orchid stakes and clips to hold the flower stems to the stakes.
 In the bowl, place about three cups of orchid mix.
Then arrange the orchid plants.
(I've used white Phalaenopsis Moth orchids)
Top with more orchid mix, stake and clip the flower stems,
 Until the roots establish themselves, 
you may need a few extra stakes to support the flower stems.
This bowl of orchids was planted in November last year,  it took about three months to stabilise before the extra stakes could be removed. 
 It also grew a new flower spike, having just finished flowering - 
an amazing 5 months later!!
The conditions in this room, are bright light with no direct drafts.  
No direct sunlight gets on the plant.
Though I did leave it in the bathroom where the light was much brighter (but still diffused) for a few hours when the plant was watered.

Moth Orchids are possibly my most favourite of the orchid species...
How can you not love these flowers?