Butterfly Fabric Table Runner...

Because I had soooo much butterfly fabric, 

I made up a couple of table runners for the dining table...

I just adore this fabric...

with the black butterflies and butterfly word in different languages.
I kept it a simple long rectangle to fit the table...
no embellishing needed, as I think the fabric says it all!

Don't you think it is gorgeous?

 The making of this runner

then called for a walk around Mia Bella Gardens 

to pick beautiful flowers to put on the table...

Put them all in a cute French style vintage basket...

 White cinerarias, double scented stock, and Irises...
with a touch of mauve and lemon yellow...

This iris is of the Dutch variety...

 Add a few French Country accessories...

And the tablescape is perfect!

Butterfly fabric...

Oh my!

I have found the most gorgeous French looking butterfly fabric!

The craziest thing is I was actually shopping for some fabric 
to make a new summer skirt...

and then I saw it...

AND I just had to HAVE it!

Sweet Butterflies...

 With the word butterfly... in different languages...

 I purchased 4 metres 

with absolutely no idea what I was to do with it.

Madness I know..
But that is what crazy crafters do!

This stool could do with a little makeover...

And I do need a new table runner...emmm...

So a sewing and reupholstering we will go!

 The little stool was first...

This darling piano stool belonged to my mother in law...

She used it as her dressing table stool.  

It's well and truly 'antique'!

 First I had to pull out a million staples and nails 

to get the original and second fabric covers off...

 Wasn't that old type of wadding revolting stuff!

On went new wadding...

 and the gorgeous butterfly fabric...

Arabella is checking my workwomanship!

Mia Bella Garden cats are big on quality control!

 Add a few more new staples...

Did I mention I am forever grateful to whomever invented the staple gun!

Staple gun = best invention EVER!

 And this is the end result...

 After this do-up, I sewed a lovely table runner to match....

Check out tomorrows post for the end result...

Until then, have a fabulously 'HAPPY' day.

Linaria at Mia Bella Gardens...

Don't you just LOVE the colours of these sweet flowers...

It's early summer and day by day 

 Mia Bella Gardens is changing as the plants begin to bloom.

These darling flowers are called Linaria

and they are wonderful self-seeders...

They just flower, and flower for such a long time,

with dainty little snap-dragon like flowers. 

So lovely to pick for posies too...

                                                          

An Iris picture just for you...

Here's a bit of photo shop fun for you...

This is a photograph of a pretty iris in Mia Bella Gardens...

I have made the print look like artwork using photoshop.

Enjoy!

KNOBS & a wee bit of shopping..

 My most favourite shop is 'Bed, Bath and Beyond' 

And that is because

I find a bargain EVERY time I visit...

  And look what I found!

Gorgeous knobs to up do a side table and a small chest of drawers...

and the prettiest aqua blue jar.

Love the French Country tone to it...

Love even more the bird on the lid!

So the jar went on the white shelf with the other aqua pieces...

 And the aqua knobs went on the the little chest of drawers.

 Here's a before and after pic...

The bedroom is styled in lavender and white, 

so the aqua just gives it an extra pop of pretty colour!

 I thought the Paris knob would look perfect on this little side table...

so I sawed the old wooden knob off, and attached the new knob...

What do you think? 

Mia Bella Gardens is full of gorgeous spring flowers...

There's scented stock in pinks, mauves and white...

Single and double blooms...

 Clea (Burmese cats are another Mia Bella Passion!)

decided she'd join the photo shoot...

Maybe Clea was after the birds...

No, she just wanted to smell the beautiful flowers!

Isn't she just the sweetest?

Wishing you all a beautiful day today...

First Daffodil Flowers...

The first daffodils are a joy to behold...

 What a gorgeous contrast of colours in the garden.

With the yellow of the daffodils, 
the shocking pink stock flowers and the green leaves.

 This daffodil is a sweetie...with soft lemon double blooms...

 It is such a shame I have misplaced the name tag 

so I can't tell you what this one it is!

Pretty pot of daffodils....now on the deck table for all to enjoy.

A truly beautiful moment...

White primroses at dusk...

The early evening light created gorgeous ombre shading...

The wonderfulness of nature...

It was a truly beautiful moment...

The secret to having it all is
believing you already do...

Decadent Chocolate Mousse...

Super rich and decadent is the only way to describe this mousse...

It was so delicious...but next time I would serve  in a different way...

To counteract the richness, 

I would layer the mousse alternately in tall parfait glass 

with fresh strawberries and raspberries.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream,

 and grated chocolate.

Or if you want to get super fancy for a special occasion:

Make a chocolate crafted topper.

Oh my, my mind is in overdrive...

What a fab idea for a Christmas dessert...

top with a Christmas themed topper made from white or dark chocolate!

 A tree would look fabulous....

Here's a free outline...

From http://printable-cards.s3.amazonaws.com/free-christmas-tree-template.jpg

Or how about an angel, a bell, a star or snowflake....

From http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/images/xmasshapes.gif

All you have to do to is put print the image, 

place under wax paper, 

melt chocolate and pipe the outline, 

solid fill with chocolate (like colouring in!), 

or do squiggly lines to fill for a filigree look.

Oh my!  I have completely gone off track here...

back to that delicious chocolate mousse.

Here's the recipe:

Combine in a pot... 

227 grams chopped dark chocolate (60% cacao)

5 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder.

Stir over hot water until melted.

Set aside.

In another bowl whisk 2 egg yolks with 1/2 tablespoon caster sugar until pale and add to the chocolate mixture. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Whip the two egg whites with 1/2 Tablespoon caster sugar until soft peaks form.

Use a spatula to fold the whites into the chocolate mixture.

Then whip one cup heavy cream until thick, 

Fold into chocolate mixture with spatula...

Spoon into individual serving dishes.

Or as suggested:  layer between layers of fresh or stewed fruit.

Refrigerate until firm - at least 2 hours.