Simple DIY Vintage Book Stack...

 Let's create a simple décor piece using books...

A book stack looks fabulous,

especially if made with vintage books!

 I adore old books...

Just look at the gorgeous cover design, and detail on this 'Anne of Ingleside' classic!

I  have the shabbiest old battered and torn books in my collection...

because they are oozing history,

and even in the most derelict state, I find them utterly beautiful.

 So to create a book stack,

all you need is a collection of old books.

The ones I chose are following the aqua and neutrals theme...

 Use a ribbon or jute string to tie around the books.

The ribbon I used was a white gauze.

 You can leave the vintage book stack just like that, 

or you can add an embellishment.

I had this sterling silver dragonfly, so decided to add that to the stack.

 Using a thread and needle, it was hand stitched to the ribbon.

 So pretty, and so cheap to create, 

as vintage books can be picked up for very little at garage sales, and op shops.

A simple vintage book stack...

lovely to keep or to gift!

#vintage #books #bookstack #diy

Unbaked Mango Lime Cheesecake...

Lime love!

Mango love!

Tropical flavours to LOVE.

And right now the lime tree in Mia Bella Gardens is full of green deliciousness!

What a great excuse to make a lime cheesecake....

Combine it with mangoes for extratropical tastiness.

For an island-style dessert treat, 
that's very quick and very easy to prepare too!

Visit HERE for the printable recipe.

The unbaked Mango Lime Cheesecake is a delicious go-to 
 when you want a treat that is not super sweet,
but tart with lime, and tangy with mangos.
Emmmmm.....a great dessert for those who do not have the tastebud delight of anything too sweet.

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Unbaked Mango Lime Cheesecake

Melt 120 grams (4.23 ounces) of butter.

Add 220 grams (2 1/4 cups) of crushed plain biscuits.

Press into the base of a prepared high-sided flan or cheesecake dish with a push-up type bottom.

Refrigerate until firm.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling:

In an electric cake mixer place 2 x 250 gram (2.08 cups) of cream cheese at room temperature.

Add 1/2 cup sugar.

1 Tablespoon fresh grated lime rind, and the juice of one lime.

Mix until creamy.

On low speed mix in 300ml (1.3 cups) of thickened or whipped cream and 1 tablespoon of gelatin that has been dissolved in 2 Tablespoons of boiling water.

Finally, fold in one 425-gram (14.99 ounce) can of diced mango slices.

Spoon into crumb base. Smooth top.

Refrigerate for 3 hours until firm.

Serve with more mango slices if desired.

#unbakedcheesecake #unbaked

Lets create a stag's head silhouette cushion...

It seems I am so last year!

Or was that the year before?

Never mind -

 I'm still loving all that is deer or stag.

And finally...

have created a stag head silhouette cushion for the TV room!

In or out of décor styling trends, it matters little, 

as this stags head cushion fits perfectly with the Mia Bella décor!

The cushion has a chevron textured weave in a chocolate brown fabric.

And the felt is white.

I'm LOVING it!

So lets create a stag's head silhouette cushion...

You will need:

*A cushion in in the colour of your choice.

*Felt in a contrasting colour.

*Printed silhouette template.

I used this one:

https://manmade-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/deerhead-final.jpg

*A sewing machine,  with contrasting cotton.

(Or if you prefer, you can use the hand stitch appliqué method.)

Cut out your paper silhouette template.

Pin to the felt...

and cut this out.

Take the inner out of the cushion case. 
 Pin the felt silhouette in position on the case.

 Stitch around the edges of the felt silhouette.

From start to finish, about half an hour to complete this project.

(That's if you machine stitch.)

Right now...I don't care what's in or out in home décor style...

The vote is my stag cushion is 'IN'!


#diy #cushion #staghead #silhouette #sewing 

The Miracle Of Dew drops On Roses....

On a recent cool autumn morning, the dew was exceptionally heavy, 

and the water droplets were floating in the air.  

Almost fog, but not quite.

Pure magic is the only way to describe the visual miracle of dewdrops.  

I captured a few on camera, and want to share their beauty with you...

 Preciously delicate dewdrops on cobwebs...

 Dewdrops on roses...

 Embracing each petal...

Leaf...

And bud!

A rainbow of precious dewdrops,

one of life's tiny miracles don't you think?

Blue & White LOVE + Meringue Kisses...

A new passion has evolved...

It all started with a vintage tea party sized tablecloth in crisp white linen.

On the linen someone had lovingly stitched tiny dark blue crosses in pretty designs.

There is nothing in my home that is dark blue and white,

because I've always thought of myself as an 'aqua blue kinda girl!'

But I stood and admired this table cloth, and thought: 

'OH YES - I think that I could love you!'.

And since that moment passed...

have acquired a few blue and white pieces of china.

Vintage of course!

To show you my new blue and white collectable treasures,
I made delicate wee meringues to complete the tea party.

When they had cooled I kissed them together with fresh vanilla flavoured cream.

Perfect with peach tea!

(Here's a little secret:  I have never ever made meringues before...

so the ones you see in the photographs are the second batch!

The first lesson was, to have the oven temperature on low as if it is too high, 
your meringues go brown in a blink of an eye!)

Delicious, sweet meringue kisses...

melt in your mouth delightfulness, 
looking like royalty with the blue and white table setting.

One must have flowers too...
and these miniature camellias in a tiny white jug brought a smile to the party.

Meringue Recipe

3 number 8 (large) egg whites.

1 cup fine caster sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

add a drop of colouring of your choice if using.

Separate the egg whites.

Beat until soft peaks form.

Then add the cup of fine white caster sugar

Plus 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

and 1 teaspoon vanilla paste

add a drop of colouring of your choice if using.

Beat on high speed using an electric mixer until the sugar has dissolved.

It takes about three minutes.

Place teaspoonfuls on baking paper-lined trays.

The mixture can be piped with a star tip if preferred.

Bake for 1 and a half hours in an oven preheated to 100 degrees Celsius.

(212 Fahrenheit)

Leave oven door ajar to cool.

When completely cool join the meringues with fresh whipped cream.

Serve.

Yield is about 20 meringues when joined with the cream.

.

For a printable meringue kiss recipe click HERE.

Crisp, sweet meringue kisses,

Peach tea,

camellias

and the beauty of vintage blue and white.

What a perfect treat for an Autumn afternoon!

 

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

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#meringues #dessert #baking #treat #delicious