Beachy Tin Can Christmas Wreath....

It's time to think Christmas!
(well for some it is - LOL)

So I thought I would create a new tin can wreath.

Last years tin can Christmas wreath was the most imperfect creation EVER....but you all still LOVED it.
It was UNBELIEVABLE the said DISASTER Christmas Wreath went VIRAL!! 
But it did!

Find out all about that here: 

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/diy-tin-can-christmas-wreath.html   

I have been thinking for many, many months about a new design...
one that might actually be a round shape not an oval!

Meet the 2015 tin can wreath design...

To create the 'Beachy Tin Can Christmas Wreath':

You will need 9 tin cans.

Shanti-Rose decided she would help with can selection from the basket!
Leave cans as is or paint them with spray paint.

I wanted mine rustic looking, so have left them as is.

The cans are starting to develop a nice little rusty patina and I like that.

Using an old screwdriver, punch a hole in the end of each tin.

Thread rope through each hole and create a circle of tins.
I used rope not wire for the beachy look.

Now this is where I got into a whole lot of trouble last year, as try as I might, those cans created an oval, and no way were they staying in a circle.
Glue gun glue just wasn't strong enough for the weight of the cans.

Nails are secret weapon number 1...

Pop a thin nail through the cans where they connected as shown.

Then put a drop of Superglue (secret weapon number 2) on each nail head so it drips through the hole.

To make it even stronger, I dolloped a little more 'Glues anything' glue where each can connected. (Weldbond is the best glue EVER and is secret weapon number 3!)

Then I left it for 24 hours to dry.

I used small pieces of driftwood and pumice from my 'beachy bits' collection.

These were glued on using the glue's anything glue, 

and once more left 24 hours to dry.

 I decided it needed a focal point so added a dried starfish using a gluegun.

Finally the rope ends were looped and bound with thin wire to make the hanger.

And the end result is this very cool rustic Beachy Tin Can Christmas Wreath.
I think it will look even better once the cans get more of a rustic, rusty patina!

The Beachy Tin Can Christmas Wreath is PERFECT for my near the beach home!

Maybe, I should take the word 'Christmas' out of the title.
 Because this wreath is fabulous for any time of the year, don't you think?

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by joining for free HERE.

#diy #wreath #recycled #upcycled #can #driftwood

Live The Dream...

It is a glorious time of year for photography.

The springtime light is beautiful here in New Zealand!

This gorgeous geranium shot was simply shouting for a quote!

Free to print for personal use.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quote #quotes #flowerquote

Seascapes...

In love with the ocean...

That's why I live by the sea!

Right now I am enjoying painting seascapes... 

There's just something that is completely soul soothing about painting water.

The Grey French Bedroom...

The Grey French bedroom...

with grey and white floral wallpaper...

                           and a shabby white linen shaded bedside lamp...

The ornate chest of drawers has intricate handles...

Arabella thinks it is the perfect spot for a little cat sun worshipping...

Next to the little wooden owl.

And the potted orchid.

Here's a close up of the details on the chest.

This cushion is from Harvey Norman.

I wanted to bring in a pop of citrus and pink...

Which carries through  with the rose quartz rock, and the citrus coloured jar candle.

Loving the neutral jewellery box as contrast...

The throw (also from Harvey Norman) is a bright citrus handknit with knotted tassles...

Though it is very bright...

                                   it looks fabulous with the grey, neutrals and pink.

The bed linen is in crisp white with lace detailing...

                                      A shabby white painted metal heart hangs on a pink ribbon...              

There is a positive quote or two in the room too.    :)

The Grey French Bedroom is a calming pretty space.

The citrus can easily be changed to another colour later on, 

without to much expense when a zizz of new is desired.

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you can join for free HERE.

#greybedrooms #frenchcountrybedrooms #Bedroomstylingideas

A Little Personal Art History...

I thought I would share this fabulous and very old painting with you...

It is a fruit study painted in 1922.

 The artist Vera Edridge aged 14, 

won first prize at the Nelson Provincial Apple Show!

 Don't you just ADORE this gorgeous old gilt frame?

 Maybe a little tired just like the painting it frames...

 But gorgeous in it's aged shabbiness.

This painting has pride of place in my art studio...

It was painted by my Grandmother.

She went on to paint the glass advertising slides at a Nelson Cinema.
❀

Isn't it a funny thing...

I previously worked in advertising and I'm an artist!

DIY Crate Side Table...

 Take one old crate and paint it white

(or whatever colour takes your fancy!)

In a previous life this crate was purple and was a storage box for children's story books.

I inserted a new piece of wood to the table top.

Then painted it...

 You'll need a set of four swivel castors...

These quality mini industrial look castors are from Bunnings, 

and unbelievably were cheaper than the cheap looking  plastic model!

 Use a pen to mark the screw holes at each corner of your crate.

 Then hammer a slim nail a way into the marks.

This makes it easier to get the screw started and screwed on.

 Attach each caster this way.

Now your crate has four wheels.

How cool is that?

Use as a portable drinks table, a display table, in the home or on the porch

- you can tuck some magazines in the cubby.

Another idea is to use the crate table as a games table, using the cubby as a games storage shelf.  Perfect for the summer deck!

I've used mine as a lamp table/art book storage table in the art studio...



#crate #upcycle #diy #sidetable 

Kowhai Flowers....

This sprig of Kowhai flowers was left on the mantel above the last of the winter fires.

Even though the flowers have dried they are still beautiful...

 Beautiful enough to share with you all today.

♔

The latest In The Sia Series of Paintings...

This is painting number four in the Sia series.

Sia's album' '1000 Forms Of Fear' is the inspiration for this painting, 

of whose title has been taken from the lyric line - 'Ache For Love'.

This is painted in oils on canvas.

#art #oilpaintings #abstract #portrait