Blanket Chest 'No Sew' Cushion Topper...

Don't you just love simplicity?
I do!
And right now I am in love with 'No Sew' projects.
The simple, quick way to update decor in a jiffy!!
All with the help of a box of tiny gold safety pins.
 Place your cushion filling onto the previously ironed fabric, and wrap it up.
Just as if you are wrapping a gift.
 Then bind the seams using the little gold safety pins...
 Place down the centre back seam, 
and on the neatly enveloped corners.
From start to finish this wee project took a total of 20 minutes!
 Just remove the safety pins to wash it,
 or to change the fabric... 
 Arabella approves, 
she thinks the bird design is chirpy!
 This gorgeous fabric is vintage English...
And perfect for the red sitting room!

I'm In The Garden...

What have you got planned for today?
The weather here is suddenly Spring-like.
There is certainly a little gardening inspiration going on at Mia Bella,
and what a delicious warm fuzzy feeling that is!
 And that makes me feel so happy!
There is an eagerness to don those garden gloves,
so guess where I will be today?    :)  



French Country Chest...

Did I tell you...
I am in LoVe...
With anything shabby, chic or upcycled!
I wish my house was bigger, 
so I could fill it up with more gorgeous pieces.
I thought you all might like a peek 
at the tallboy bought for my daughter....

I simply Adore -
.....details!

And this is a chest with the utmost gorgeous details.
I saw this chest before it's makeover, 
and it most definitely was not as beautiful then, as it is now.
It never ceases to amaze me how paint can transform tired old furniture.

 We decided to keep the original hardware,
 which was given a spruce up...

and don't they look divine?

The chalk paint finish is in Annie Sloan 'Pure White'
 which emphasises all that fab detail.
The distressing was kept to a minimum,
 because it really just didn't need a lot!
Are you in LoVe yet?
I am totally in LoVe with upcycled furniture!


#upcycled #diy #furniture #chalkpaint




DIY Table Runner...

A great way to update the decor is to add a table runner to a table.
They are incredibly simple to make.
Here is one I have just made...
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
It's got a beach theme going on, 
but also has a little French Country feel too, with the linen look.
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
It's is gorgeous, from the Spotlight range of upholstery fabrics.
This one really appealed, as where I live is coastal.
It compliments the stunning painting of one of the Bays in my area.
I also fancy this fabric as it is a bit kiwi 
(Kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand,
 but also a term used to describe a New Zealand National).
It's kiwi because of the lovely shells depicted on the fabric. 
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
All of which can be found in New Zealand.
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
To make:
All you need is fabric the length of the dining or coffee table.
Heavier fabric types are best.
If you like an overhang as I do, allow a bit more fabric.
Then allow another 5 cm for hemming on one end.
So all you do is iron your fabric to remove creases.
Fold the fabric lengthways in half with right sides together.
Press with iron again making sure edges are together.
Pin edges and across one end together.
Sew around pinned edges.
(At this stage it is like a huge pillowcase. )
Then turn right way.  Use a knitting needle to push corners of sewn end out.
Press with iron again.
On unhemmed end, fold cut end under and press to seams together with iron.
Sew together.  
Top stitch other end to look the same.
You can leave the table runner plain, 
or stitch beads that have been strung in a row on ends of each corner.
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
To finish the table, 
I added a large glass vessel (from Freedom Furniture) 
into which a coffee scented candle resides.  
DIY Easy To Sew Table Runner
A delicious aroma when lit!
A simple table runner, but visually pleasing.
Half an hour is all you need to complete this sewing project.
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Mia Bella Winter Garden...

A peek at
Mia Bella Gardens
in Winter…
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
I Love the gorgeousness of this Solanaceae, 
from the dainty purple flowers to the cute furry leaves!
(which I have now found out is actually a plant called Woolly Nightshade...so must be removed as it is a problem pest plant in New Zealand!)- for more information about this plant and it's toxicity go to:
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Green fern fronds glow in the winter sunlight...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
This variety of fern is a called a birds nest fern.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
Pot's of orchids brighten dull corners...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
This one is a mini cymbidium,
called ' Melanie Sulphur Valley'.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
Pops of pink standard cymbidium orchids
 cheer those who visit on cold winter days...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 In the warmth of winter sun, 
pretty camelias...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Attract a few brave bees...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers

Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 As does this deliciously scented small shrub 
called 'Heaven Scent'.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Another winter bee attraction is the Jade tree,
which flowers two months long during the season.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Standing tall like a sentinel at the pool gate.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
And yes, if you are wondering it is ' impressively huge'!
Once a pot plant, and now a statement garden plant,
this Jade tree is 30 years old. 
He stands a handsome 1.4 metres tall
by 2.4 metres wide.
The trunk has a circumference of 84cm at the base.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
The bird bath is shrouded by potted orchids in bud and variegated grasses...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
There is a sea of orange...
I know it's wrong that marigolds are blooming mid winter,
but they self seed and love Mia Bella Gardens glasshouse!
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Ella cat is quite happy 
soaking up the heat from the stone paths...
Mia Bella Passions Blog
 Or relaxing on an outdoor chair.
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 There are stems of stock, for winter vase picking...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
 Pots of lobelia for blue pretties...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
Beautiful, and fragrant cane-stemmed begonias...
Southern Hemisphere Winter garden flowers
And ablutions (Chinese Lanterns) too.
There is no riot of colour apart from the marigolds!
Just pops and hints of colour here and there amongst the shades of greens, browns and gold.
Mia Bella's winter garden is still beautiful, don't you agree?
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