Let's Grow A Waterlily In A Pot...

The 'Let's grow a waterlily in a pot' project began in a few weeks into Spring... 

The temperatures in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 
range from -3 degrees Celsius in the winter to 27-32 degrees Celsius in the summer.

So the summer in my region is amply hot enough to grow water lilies.

The first thing to do is select a pot...
Plug the holes in the bottom with a waterproofing sealer.

As this pot was not glazed on the bottom, 

I used my gloved hands to spread the sealer covering the bottom in a thin layer.

Put aside for 24 hours to dry.

When completely dry seal the inside of the pot.

I used the same silicon sealer that I used on the bottom.
Leave for another 24 hours.

Fill the pot with water.

This is the cross-your-fingers bit.

Leave to stand for an hour to check there are no leaks!
If there is, locate the leak points and seal them again with sealer.
Leave to dry.

When the pot is watertight, 

move to the position where it will permanently live. Remember that the water lily will need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Refill the pot with water, 

Proceed to the next stage 

which is potting the waterlily.

I found a gorgeous tropical blue waterlily at a Garden Centre.

The tropical blue water lily is my absolute favourite!

So I potted it up into heavy loam soil, 

and sunk the potted lily into the bottom of the pot,

It sat 12 inches exactly below the surface.
Within 3 days, the first leaf was floating on the surface.
After three weeks of leaf growth,
a bud appeared .

That turned into a beautiful flower.
Then there was another bud.

It was amazing how fast it grew!

The buds are as gorgeous as the flowers.

This photograph fails to show the true blue of this lilly.

But this one is probably the truest blues you can get in a flower.

So PRETTY!

And did you know that water lilies are perfect picking flowers for the vase?

The bud colour hues are intense.

That colour fades into a gorgeous soft blue mauve.

 Growing a waterlily in a pot was such a success
and you guessed it - 
incredibly SIMPLE!
So much so,
next season I may grow another...
Maybe in a pot twice as large as this...
A miniature water lily might be nice!

The summer sun was so bright by the end of the photoshoot.
The last photograph was completely unaltered by Photoshop,
Snapped as is in the moment.
So here is a little water lily POP ART 
- just for you.

Since writing this blog post, I travelled to Rarotonga in the Pacific for a holiday, where these lilies grow in a perfect tropical environment.

 These photos show the divinity of that stunning blue colour!

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#waterlilies #growingwaterliliesinapot 

Vintage Chrysanthemum Printables...

In love with vintage?

In love with Chrysanthemums?

Here are some fabulously gorgeous vintage images from the 1890s just for you!

They are shabby old and gorgeous!

Simply click 'save as' to your computer,
print and use...
Note: These images are for personal use only.
If reshared on a blog, elsewhere on the Net, or privately. 
Please link back to:
 http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/vintage-chrysanthemum-printables.html 

I created a Porch sign using one.

Find out more about that HERE.

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by joining for free HERE.

#freeprintables #vintageflowerprintables

In love with Whiskers, and Macro Photography...

This is my very first attempt at macro photography.

And believe me, so much skill is required.

It is most definitely NOT as easy as one may think 

even with a specialty macro lens attached to the camera body.
But I am hooked!

My steadiness of hand is non-existent!

And to get a windless day where I live is nigh impossible!

(Wind and macro photography do not work well together.)
A tripod, aperture changes, a few online lessons and a whole lot of practice may be the next steps in my Macro photography journey.
The dewdrop and flower subjects were complete failures!
(Let's blame the wind!)

However, Shanti-Rose was the most forgiving model, 

as I photographed her beautiful cat face and whiskers.

 I'm in love with whiskers and Macro Photography.

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#miabellapassionsblog #burmesecats #macrophotography

In Love With Carnations...

What is your favourite flower?

I enjoy many, from lilies to roses...

but I have a deep love of carnations.

Perhaps it's because the clove like smell of the old fashioned carnation 

returns me in a moment of my Grandmothers garden.

They are wonderful to pick...

and last such a long time.

'Dianthus Passion' is one of my favourites,

 wearing a bold deep red colour and emitting its spicy clove scent.

Don't you think they look fab in this quirky pig teapot?

Tea pots make fabulous vases.

I have a selection of them to display posies of garden flowers.

Now, there's an idea for you all.

For more 'Flower Arranging Ideas' visit HERE.

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you can join for free HERE.

#carnations #teapots #teapotvaseidea

DIY Starburst can flowers...

What a quick and simple way to upcycle aluminum cans. 

These starburst can flowers are perfect 

for fun and funky fence art,

to adorn a letterbox,

or as I have used them,  

to decorate the side of a shed.

If you create these - remember to be safety conscious.

This one is an 'at your own risk' activity.

Here's what you do:

You will need two aluminium cans per flower.

Using a stanley knife cut the top off the can. 

 It will be a bit rough,

 but use scissors to straighten the edge.

With the scissors cut strips to bottom of the can. 

 Fold each strip down to create the starburst.

Cut the tips to a point.

Do the same with the second can, 

but cut five thicker strips.

Cut these into short petals as shown.

 Fold the petals back.

 Slot the short petal can into the starburst petal can.

 Attach with a bolt to the side of the shed or structure.

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#upcyclingcans #craftusingcans