Mia Bella Passions

DIY Bird Wall Decor...❥

This bird wall decor piece is a fun activity to create with the children.

We used a free swallow template from the internet,

which you will find many bird templates in varied shapes and sizes.

I made a slight modification to this design as I wanted the tail to be a little thicker.

You will need airdry clay.

Airdry clay is available at most craft and art stores in New Zealand.

Press your paper cutout template onto the rolled clay.
Don't make it to thin.
Like any clay - the thinner it is the more fragile it will be when dry.

Use a bread and butter knife (safer for the kids) to cut around the outline of the template.
My grandson aged 5 managed to do this pretty well alone.

To make patterns, use any object you already have that will imprint.
This is a metal heart which was perfect for the task.

Then attach a hanger with more clay onto back side of bird - I used a metal bead label tag.
Carefully place onto a baking paper lined card.
Put aside to dry.

After about four days the bird was dry.
You can keep it in its natural clay colour or paint it.
If you were to place on a covered porch I would seal it with clear sealer.

But because it was decided to put this into the bathroom, which is blue and grey, we decided to paint it with grey chalk paint.

Once dry it was hung.

A wonderful 'Grandson and Nonna' craft memory.

And it looks wonderful with the other DIY art piece in this room too.

Faux solar leaf print

#airdryclay #birdcraft #claycraft #homedecor #diy

Aqua Guest Bedroom Reveal....❥

The guest bedroom makeover was much needed.

And although a walls and ceiling upgrade were not in the budget,

I freshened up the whole room by painting out the golden woodwork using white on the trims,

and grey chalk paint on the built in dresser that was also golden wood.

I'm totally AQUA crazy so there was no question what colours to use in this room.

The duvet is one I already had (moved in here from the lavender bedroom),
and I bought one new velvet cushion. (on sale of course!)

Old furniture finds were upcycled.
A new curtain rod and drapes put up. (Bought on Sale)

Then the room was dressed with my collected aqua bits and pieces.

Here are the furniture before photos:

I picked up an older lowboy dresser,

and a side table for $120 at the second hand shop.

They received a much needed makeover with grey chalk paint.

Here are some after photos:

You can see how the grey chalkpaint has brought out the beautiful detailing on the lowboy dresser.

An old oak chair was painted white, and the seat recovered with pretty fabric.

I found the gorgeous soft aqua coloured velvet cushion in a sale.
The painting is one of my own.

The 'Doily' cushion that I had previously made was added to the bed vignette.
Find out how to DIY a doily cushion HERE.

The furniture and accessories are all French Country inspired...

This old oak bed I have had for many years, and was once black.

It's now painted in white and distressed.

This tray is a wood one that was painted white and then has had 'old plates' mosaic detailing added.

Find out how to do this HERE.

Curtains are from Briscoes standard range.

I waited until they had a 60% off sale to purchase.

And from my 'AQUA' collection I added some favourite pieces.

The guest room is now visitor-ready,

and is prossibly now one of my favourite rooms in the house!

#nzbloggers, #diy #furnitureupcycle #aqua #interiors #decor #budgetmakeover #frenchcountry

Chunky Knit Blanket 'Bling' Fixer Upper....

Don't you just love it when you stumble across a major BARGAIN!!!

And that is exactly what I found with this throw at Briscoes a few months back.

It was everything I love in a throw....

It looked like a hand knit in its heavy chunky gorgeousness.

It was creamy white.

(Even though I LOVE colour - I also LOVE neutrals)

And the price was outstanding -

$159.95 - marked down to 59.95!!!

But there was just one little problem with it...

The bling metallic stripe was rose gold and my living space has gold accessories!

But I bought it anyway.

So you can see the problem here...

Gold and rose gold.

So I foraged in the lace store box and found this pretty crochet style lace.

How perfect was that.

I stitched it on via the sewing machine...

And now have the perfect throw

- with a little bling still showing through the lace.

Just enough to avoid the Rose gold and gold clash problem I had before.

#nzbloggers #crochetlace #blanket #throw #homedecor #upcycle #fixerupper

Trolley Table Upcycle with Reverse Image Transfer...

Meet my 'Trolley' table rescue turned French Country Upcycle.

Here's the before photo.

It was destined for the rubbish pile...

But I just loved the circular design.

And I knew I could upcycle it to fit my decor...

The top level detail bars were missing.

So I used a filler to plug the holes.

Squeeze filler into holes...

Then scrape over with a knife.

Once dry sand lightly.

Then using chalk paint (I chose 'Pure White')...

give the table two coats.

After a few days drying time,

we are ready to transfer a reverse image onto the top of the table.

Use scissors to cut around the image.

To apply the transfer using Mod Podge.

1: Brush the mod podge onto the printed side of the reversed image label....

(there are plenty of these available free via Pinterest - just search 'reversed images')
2: Smooth it onto the surface gently pushing out air pockets.

3: Then leave it to dry for 24 hours.

4: After 24 hours, wet the paper of the transfer with a sponge or cloth.

Then 'carefully' rub to roll the paper layers off.

Note: Mod Podge is available from most craft and stationery stores in New Zealand.
Or you can buy via Amazon.

To brighten the chrome - gently rub down with a steelwool pad.
The final step to the Trolley Table Upcycle is to coat the table with a coat of wax.

Viola! I'm loving this transformation.

This table is movable and the perfect size for a side table.

It has created a new favourite spot to sit in my chair
and journal in the winter sun.

You may also like to visit me at Fine Art America for fabulous home decor and gifting ideas: