Posh Up A Pillow...

I saw this idea in one of those posh interior shops...

you know the ones that have cushion covers for sale at $40, 

and then the inner is another $50!

OUCH!

So I thought - I could make that.

My very good quality and stylish cushion was $12.

 A navy blue marl fabric is on one side...

And a wool handknit on the other side.

$12 for the whole thing!

We are talking cover and inner.

(Found at 'The Warehouse'.)

I had some creamy white wool.

So I simply made the wool lengths into 4 ply chunky.

 And crocheted a simple chain.

Crochet 101 have a video tutorial HERE.

They make the chain quite loose because it is the base start for a crochet project.

But because you are making the chain to use as is, 

you need to do it quite tight.

Once you have made the chain long enough to shape into a heart,

finish end.

Make a tassel for the bottom if desired.

Place the chain into the desired heart shape, and pin in place.

Hand stitch onto cover.

And there you go...

one posh pillow without the posh price tag.

I love the way it picks up the blues in this duvet cover

(sourced from Bed Bath & Beyond sale for $20!)

Your Own Kind Of Beautiful Inspirational...

A sweet macro shot of a daisy flower centre with a fabulous message:

Be your own kind of beautiful.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quotes #quote #flowerquote

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons...

And when I say 'super sweet'

that is what I mean!

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons are not for the savoury fans...they are especially for those with a 'SUPER SWEET TOOTH'!

All you do is cut your homemade 
(I used the New Zealand Edmonds Cookbook sponge cake recipe)

or store-bought rectangle sponge into ten pieces.

The caramel icing mixture uses a caramel topping in the ingredients.
I used Delmaine Caramel Topping.

All you do is make a runny icing:
25 grams melted butter, 1/4 cup caramel topping, 
4 tablespoons boiling water and 1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar.
Mix to smooth.
Dip your sponge portions quickly into this 
and coat each one in coconut (about 2 cups required).

Place on a baking paper lined plate, and chill for an hour.

Slice each portion in half and fill with whipped cream.
Drizzle with more caramel topping.

Or you can make mini fingers that have no cream filling.

Great party dessert treats.

Or simply to satisfy the sweet tooth craving.

#lamingtons #caramel

DIY Faux Cactus In A Pot...

Pinterest is overloaded with fabulous DIY and craft ideas,
and this one's interesting!
Faux cactus in a pot!

Initially, I couldn't decide whether I loved it or hated it,
but finally decided it was pretty darn funky and fun!
And so the plant-themed DIY on Mia Bella Passions continues with:
Faux cactus in a pot.

 I have always had a love of cactus in their many shapes and forms.
I remember as a child helping my Grandfather tend his vast collection.
Dangerous and ugly in my child mind, but when they flowered...
MY OH MY!  
I had a cactus garden as a young homemaker.
But it was removed after a puppy fell face first into a cactus!
Not a pretty sight, hours of spike removal,
 and no fun for the puppy either.
Maybe that is why this idea was so appealing.
A bit of funky cacti fun with no dangers attached!

It's really simple to create,

and a super craft with the kids activity.

Select as many flat shaped stones that you want to put in the pot.

I used four in varied shapes.

You could use a terracotta pot and distress paint it.

But I used a square ceramic one, 

because I have super skinny window sills in my house.

Find out more about them HERE and my kitchen sill mini planters.

I used a selection of green acrylic paint.

Because this project is not going outdoors,

I didn't seal the stones first.

 I mixed up greens to create a bright colour...
you could keep the colour more realistic if preferred.

Once the green paint had dried,

 I put some crosses and line detail on the stones in white paint.

Filled the pot with potting mix to an inch from the top.

 Planter stones were added.

 Silver stones to add a little contrast to the bright green and white.

Then the cacti stones were placed into the pot.

I don't think this project will be staying at my place,
because my son wants to take it when he moves into his new flat.
He can't wait to ask his flatmates to:
 'Make sure you water the cactus when I'm away!' 

This project is definitely in the ' A bit of FUN' basket!
And I'm sure the kids would love to make it too.

The Cactus could be painted all sorts of colours, not just green.

Happy cactus creating!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

'Between The Lines' The Mia Bella' Story...

It is an honour to be featured this week with other bloggers over 50.

on Katherine's (Of Katherine's Corner fame) 'Between The Lines Blog Series'.

To coincide with this, I thought it would be a great opportunity 

to share a little more with new readers and my wonderful followers.

When did 'Mia Bella Passions' blog begin?

It all began in September 2012.  

I managed to crash my blog twice in the first year, while learning about widgets, buttons and HTML.

I also learned very quickly how to resuscitate a crashed blog! 
Thank goodness for bloggers who write about blogging!!!

What does Mia Bella Passions' name mean?

Mia Bella is Italian for My Beautiful. (I have Italian heritage ). 

And Passions - well, I have so many passions for so many things. 
It was just the obvious choice!

Why did I start blogging?

For years, several of my friends commented, 'You should share what you do!'

Then, during a very low time in my life of multiple surgeries, when I thought 'I would never work again', I knew I could still create, craft and bake, that is when I decided to start the blog of sharing!

Who takes the photographs on your blog?

In the first few months, my daughter took the photos.

But she moved to a new town for work, so the inevitable happened.

I picked up a camera and have not stopped clicking!

Photography has become a huge passion for me.

I then discovered how to create inspirational quotes...

Yes - you guessed it....yet another passion!

How much time do I spend blogging a week? 

After once thinking I would never work again, I actually work 5 to 6 days a week now.  Blogging is only a small portion of what I do. I'm also an artist, do photography work, and have a multitude of hobbies. The biggest joy for me as a blogger is 'inspiring ' others by spreading love and positivity via art, crafts, DIY, baking, decor design, and beautiful things! 

How would I describe my blogger image?
It's real.  What you see is what you get. 
I am sharing the creative side of my life with my followers. I like to keep anything too personal away from my blog.

Apart from my personal health journey, I hope that may help someone else that may be struggling with arthritis.

Mia Bella Passions is all about sharing what I do day to day. 
It's all about the inspiration, positivity and creativity.

And just in case you were wondering - yes - the grey hair is real! I haven't dyed my hair since age of 45.
I love red lipstick!  I love 50s fashion! 
Being an individual is very important to me. 
And being 50 certainly does not stop me rocking what I love!

That's a little of the Mia Bella Passions story...

I hope you'll visit with Katherine's Corner  'Between The Line Series' to see the answers to this week's questions from me and the other fabulous 'over 50' bloggers featured.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#newzealandbloggers #nzblogs #over50bloggers

The Magic Of The Universe Inspirational...

                                                                     

Take time out to:

enjoy the universal beauty that is around us.

Breathe.

Look.

Meditate or Pray.

Resuscitate your soul.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quotes #quote #dandelion

A Pallet Box Of Pretty Pansies...

Here is a super easy way to pretty up an outdoor table.

Whip up a pallet box.

Paint it.

Attach some plaited rope handle accents.

Upcycle some plastic pots

By spray painting in the colour of your choice.

 Then pop into the painted pots some pretty pansies.

Just the look I adore...

Simple...

Rustic...

and a little bit pretty!

To make the box you, will need to cut the pallet wood into the following lengths:

Base = 2 x wood lengths at 400mm
Sides = 2 x wood lengths at 395mm
Ends = 2 x wood lengths at 175mm
(to convert to inches use an online measurement calculator)

It is a basic build:
Nail one side to each base piece.
Nail the ends in place attaching to side wood
Then nail the base pieces to the end pieces to hold it in shape.
Plait some rope to create a handle for each end.
Staple gun in place.
I haven't ever made a box before and it was simple to do.  
;)

Fabulous for the covered deck mosaic table!

Love Is...Inspirational Quote....

Love is the beauty of the soul!

Yes it is...

I have so many favourite quotes.

Yip - you guessed it...this is one of them!

Use on the mood board,

frame for the home decor,

on a homemade card...

or as a screensaver.

Enjoy in black and white or in purple with a hint of pink....

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#quotes #quote #flowerquote