'Reserved For The Cat' cushion...❥

Ever since I saw this cushion with words only on Etsy, I wanted one.

But cos I am a DIY'er, I had to create my own.

I found a stone coloured pure linen cushion reduced to $20 from $70!

I just love the simplicity of the fabric weave.

The first step was to design the wording, and I also added a crown image.

I printed this in black ink onto an A4 paper sheet.

You can copy, paste and print this design on your home computer to make your own 'Reserved For The Cat' cushion!

Then cut a piece of cotton fabric to the same size.

The Fabric was sellotaped to the paper.

On to a bright sunny window, this was taped.

Then I used a fabric marker pen, in black, to trace over the crown and wording.

Once it was dry, I removed it from the window and paper back.

Then I ironed the reverse side of the fabric to set the ink.

Fabric Marker Pens come in all colours, but I used black for this project.

With the iron, I pressed in place, 5cm edges to hem the fabric from fraying.

Next, I removed the cushion inner from the cover.

Measured the centre placement and pinned the fabric written wording onto the cushion cover.

It was just a matter of a quick double-stitched outline to keep it all in place, using a sewing machine.

Place the inner back into the cushion cover,

and...

voila - I now have my own 'Reserved For The Cat' Cushion.

Lovely little Lola the Rescue Kitty looks so tiny behind it...

The Lola story is yet to be told...

Another day.  :)

Until then, I am crushing on my cushion!

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#diy #cushion #design #reservedforthecat #sewing

Armeria - Potted Floral Balls of Pink!

Armeria flowers are the most delightful floral balls of bright pink!

The foliage is lush and grasslike.

The flowers grow on 20 cm stems and sit in all their floral ball delight above the grassy foilage.

I found an old terracotta squat pot and decided to add a painterly effect to the pot to before planting the Armeria...

  I used some old white paint.

And a dry brush

(Meaning no water is used at all)

Brush some paint onto the pot,

 and use a paper towel to spread it randomly.

Then I made crosshatch pattern

Brush this way...

Then the opposite way.

Do this all over the pot, softening the lines with the dry brush.

Once the pot was dry, the Armeria was planted into a quality potting mix.

Armeria are a perennial that produce masses of long lasting, rich pink flowers.

They are fabulous for planting in pots, a rockery, or as a front of garden border plant.

The flowering season is from Spring throughout summer.

The other thing to note about these cute little plants are they are exactly that...small and compact!

I can't wait till it is a mass of stemmed pink flowers.
My potted plant is on a sunny deck.
And Armeria are full sun lovers!
So it should be very happy here.  :)
Well - until it outgrows the pot,
Because one plant will grow into a clump of 30 to 40cm width.
I probably should have just planted one in the pot, 
but as I wanted an instant full effect, I used all six.
I'm not worried about it as I have a plan to then plant them into the front of the garden border.
I'm the kind of gardener that is constantly changing whats in pots.

You can buy Armeria in a punnet of six from the Garden Centre.
I purchased mine from Mitre 10 here in New Zealand.

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

You might like to also visit:
My store at Fine Art America 


#armeria #pereninal #gardenplants #plantsforpots

Be Sunshine Quote....

Isn't it nice to just brighten someones day...

with a little RANDOM KINDNESS.

We don't know what others are going through in their lives,

so that smile, compliment or a pay it forward moment might just be the gift they need. 

Today's quote is a reminder for us to:

Try to be SUNSHINE in someone's cloud...

You'll find more Mia Bella Quotes HERE

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#positivity #quote 

The PRETTY Easter Mantle...

My Easter Sideboard display became an Easter Mantel this year...
Mainly because the sideboard is currently home 
to a little fish in it's aquarium which is on holiday with me.
So I had to change a few Easter ideas and came up with:

 Painted pastel glassware...
(Click here to find out how)

A FREE watercolour rabbit printable which I framed...
(Click here to get it)

And some 'Pretty Paper Flowers'...These paper flowers are incredibly simply to make.
Use to decorate gifts.
Make a banner.
Or pop into a pretty bowl for a pop of pretty in the decor.

All you need is a scalloped flower template.
There's plenty to choose from on the internet...
but the one I used is the 8 petal flower 
Download and save to your computer.

Step One:  Select paper in your choice of colours


Step Two: Print directly onto your chosen papers
You need to print TWO templates per flower.
My paper size was 6 x 6.5 inch
My print size was 4 x 6 inch on Landscape setting.

Step three: Carefully cut out your scalloped flower templates.

Today I'm making three flowers.

Step Four: Hold two templates together and carefully use a the point of your craft scissors to put a hole in the centre.  Pop a brad into the hole.

Step Five:  Cut each of the petals to the brad. Pinch the top petals as shown.
I combined all the Easter created elements on the mantel with a ceramic rabbit, a Easter themed jar of mini eggs, the pastel painted glassware, and a little rabbit Easter glitter globe.
Then the last touch to the very pastel, pretty, but simple Easter Mantel display was some random-sized cut wood blocks. 
Painted in the same pastels as the glassware.

I modpodged reverse (mirror) image letters on to them.
(Click Here to find out how to do reversed image transfers using modpodge)

And here is the end result of all the pretty and fun creativity...

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#Easter #paperflowers #decorideas #papercraft #reversemirrorwords