Mia Bella Passions

Mosaic Tray...

I saw a beautiful tray with French Country styling in the Garden centre, which I adored, but at that moment I had no spare dollars to purchase.

When I went back a few weeks later, it had sold.

My friend has a handled tray on her dining table, with a vase of flowers, a candle, and other bits, and bobs on it, and it looks very classy.

I had to come up with a plan.

How could I create a centre piece tray out of an old MDF one I already had?

Mosaic it, of course!

Then there was a quick visit to the Op shop to find a pile of old porcelain plates for a friendly price of $6, and a rummage around the shed to source the required white paint, tile fix, grout and tools.

Finally I was organised to restyle my old MDF tray into a stunning mosaic piece.

This old tray was painted purple so the first task was to recolour it white.

Only one of the porcelain plates had a chip,

so, it felt criminal to smash them with a hammer.

However, one has to do what one has to do!

I selected the striped, pattern and embossed plates.

(my daughter did receive a gift of the excess plates!)

Those plates were so hard to break!

The small bits were incredibly sharp!
So gloves are a must.

Use a tile glue to attach the pieces to the tray.
Leave to dry overnight.
Then Grout.
Polish off the excess.

The finished piece looked fabulous!

One little embossed plate lived to tell the tale,

and these Fleur de Lis balls looked fab sitting on it...

The jug of white Iceberg roses and bright blue hydrangeas gave it all a French Country feel....

I LOVE the contrasting patterns...

Iceberg rose buds...

Blue Hydrangeas...

A touch of French with Fleur de Lis...

A pretty white French Country jug...

End result is stunning...

and a perfect look for my table centre piece...

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#diymosaic #mosaicprojects

Can you ever get enough - of Poppies...

Gorgeous opium poppies in Mia Bella Gardens...

all have self-seeded...

This year there are several new varieties that have popped up...

Single and double...
Poppies in subtle soft lavenders and pinks...
Poppies in crisp bright colours...

without a doubt the poppy display has been stunning!

Roses and glass...

Gorgeous art glass and necklace from my collection of beautiful things...

Displayed with white Iceberg roses...

On a gorgeous beaded french inspired table runner....

Iceberg roses are superb for picking...

I have had this art glass swirl dish for many years...

I thought it was an absolute bargain at a mere $3 from the thrift store!

And I just had to share this stunning necklace with you...

made in the 1930's, it is bezel set coloured glass.

Horticultural Therapy And Bougainvillaea

New year's wishes to you all...

How many resolutions have you made?

I have kept mine very simple...to make changes to renew health.

But then I added to the simple by writing two very large 'To Do' lists before Christmas 2013!

Then another resolution to actually succeed in completing everything on the said lists!

I am a list person, you see, I'm sure that was because I homeschooled, and my children needed whiteboard instructions so they could see what was going to occur during the day.

That habit has stuck...and I still write up my whiteboard every day.

It feels so good to rub off everything I do off the list.

Anyway, I have handwritten two lists: one for things to do in the house, and another for things to do in the garden.

I have spent the past two months of ill-health deciding what to do next in various parts of Mia Bella Gardens.

What fun I have had!

There is nothing like horticultural therapy to make you feel better.

It started with researching gardening ideas on the internet and ended up with newfound energy to 'redo' a whole section of the garden. And boy, that felt good!

Digging, weeding, moving citrus trees to new homes, purchasing new plants (which involved visits to three garden centres), planting, watering...Ahhh, the best therapy is horticultural when you feel a bit down!

One thing I really want to do is create a garden room...and in that room will be a feature pot planted with bougainvillaea.

I have purchased the bouganvillea, and am now waiting patiently for the chosen pot to come on sale. Large pots are sooo expensive!

BUT

Bougainvillaea in pots makes such a statement...

I am in love with the idea of this?

I am thinking of purchasing a dwarf bougainvillaea.
There is one variety called 'Evita'...
That would be perfect to pot!

And I am always amazed by bonsai bouganvilleas...

And did you know that with regular pruning and care,

a bougainvillaea makes a stunning small tree.

Inspired yet?

So the moral of the story is....if you are feeling under the weather...there is nothing like a little 'Horticultural Therapy' to make you feel better!

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#horticulturetherapy #liveinthemoment

French Country Cottage Roses...

I had so much fun taking these photographs...

it took my mind off other things...

Roses in a wire basket...

David Austin Rose "Symphony"...

Beautiful pastel yellow roses....

Perhaps my next 'career' will be as a stylist...

Roses, wire, and French Country....

Roses with a perfume Heaven sent...

Pink Roses and Dewdrops...

Early morning sunlight...

Pink roses...

Dewdrops....

= Beautiful!

Crepuscule - Climbing Rose

Prolific flowering, Crepuscule is a captivating climbing rose that flowers almost non-stop!

Incorporating the Crepuscule climbing rose into your garden design can transform your outdoor space. Consider training the rose along trellises, arbours, or fences to create vertical interest. Pairing it with complementary flora can enhance its beauty; for instance, lavender or salvia can provide a lovely contrast while attracting pollinators.

Cultivation Tips

· Sunlight: Ensure the rose receives at least six hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth.

· Soil: Plant the Crepuscule in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.

· Watering: Regular watering is essential, particularly during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging, which can harm the roots.

· Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to promote healthy growth and to remove any dead or damaged wood.

The plus is that this rose is virtually thornless.

The Crepuscule has charming apricot and copper-colored blooms. The flowers typically bloom in clusters, showcasing a slight fragrance that adds to its allure. The petals exhibit a delightful blend of deeper shades that evolve into soft colors, creating a stunning visual effect as they mature.

A beautiful noisette rose, outstanding colour with soft peach tones, and it is very low-maintenance.

Embrace the allure of the Crepuscule, you won't regret it!