In love with Magnolias...

Magnolia 'Black Tulip'...

An outstanding performer in the garden.

New Zealand raised by Mark Jury,
 this stunning magnolia has large cup-like blooms.

They are dark ruby red (mine has pink undertones).

Magnolia 'Black Tulip' will grow to a height of 6 metres by 4 metres.
They like acidic soil and are deciduous.

Available via most New Zealand Garden Centres 
or through Wairere Nursery online 
http://www.wairere.co.nz/Trees-Deciduous/Magnolia-Deciduous

The magnolia centres are complete bee food...

not to mention incredibly interesting to look at.

And each year in Mia Bella Gardens, the tree produces more and more flowers that last an incredibly long time.

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Red Rose Screensaver...

This red rose shot...

is a little blurred -

and a whole lot beautiful.

Free to use as a screensaver or desktop photo.

(save to your own computer)

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you can join for free HERE.

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DIY Letter Painted Salad Servers and another upcycle!

I bought these bamboo salad servers at Briscoes for $8 in a 50% off sale.

And as I needed a gift for an upcoming housewarming, 

decided to zoosh them up a bit!

I used stick on letters to write salad on each utensil.

Then proceeded to paint them with acrylic paint.

(Orange was the colour of choice because the modern new build house has a bright orange front door and an orange kitchen splashback!)

Dry.

Then paint a second coat of your colour.
Dry.
Then varnish.

(Dry completely for at least a week before gifting/using.
Remember that these are hand wash only, 
so you need to add a little note to the gift.)

The other part of the housewarming gift is a fruit bowl.

This pottery piece was $5 at the Hospice Op Shop.

(I choose the copper to compliment the orange colour as the new kitchen has copper hanging pendant lights above the breakfast bar.)
First step - spray paint inside of bowl copper.

Then spray paint the bottom, middle and top rims.

Sooooo very cool!

Modern and funky and upcycled!

A perfect fit for their new modern home with the orange kitchen splashback and the bright orange front door.  :)

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