How To Make a No Sew Fabric Pumpkin...

In the Southern hemisphere it is autumn.
Or as the Northern side of the world knows it 'Fall'.
So it's time to put away all the Easter decor, 
and bring in a little rusticness with a Fall theme. 
I wanted some simple pieces for the sideboard display,
and created a cute fabric pumpkin.
Because I have deer antlers to include in the display,
I chose a deer printed fabric.
Size of the fabric depends on how big you want your pumpkin to be.
All you do is:
Make a ball shape with some soft wadding.
Pull a tuft in the centre for the stem.
Put  rubber band on it to help hold it.
Place in the centre of the fabric.
Bring up a corner.
Then the other corners.
Tuck in loose ends.
Put another band at the top to hold it together.
Poof, primp and tuck until you are happy with the pumpkin shape.
Wind twine around the top to make a stem.
Wrap twine around the fabric pumpkin.
And that is it.
You now have a cute fabric pumpkin for your home decor.
These are great fun to make in different sizes and look fab in groups. 
 Also very cool for Halloween decor.


#halloween #craft #pumpkin #fabric





The Little Things...

Inspirational Quotes

Today's photographic quote is a reminder to enjoy the little things...
Have you ever noticed how beautiful a dahlia flower really is?

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#flowerquotes #dahlias #dahliaflowers


Thyme In A Teapot...


Potted Kitchen Herbs
Fresh herbs in the kitchen are a must-have...
So convenient and so useful.
Thyme is a herb I use a lot of in my savoury cooking.
And as I was giving my indoor potted herbs 
(Visit that post here:  Potted fresh herbs in kitchen...)

Potted Kitchen Herbs
a break from being indoors and outside in the sun,
I thought a single thyme plant would suffice until the other herbs returned to the sunny kitchen corner.

 This is Grandma's teapot...
I LOVE it because it is shiny and black!
How funky is that?
Not used for tea as it is a notoriously bad pourer!

It is often used as a vase or in decor displays. 
But I thought, why not pop a thyme plant in it?

Potted Kitchen Herbs
 So that is exactly what I did.
And that thyme simply LOVES the sunny kitchen corner, 
for it is growing as fast as I can use it.
There is nothing like fresh herbs in the kitchen for adding to home cooking.
And I love the way they look in the kitchen decor too!

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#pottedherbs #indoorherbs #kitchenherbs

Make A Wish....



make a wish quotes

A new free printable inspirational...
(as always, for personal use only - save to your computer and print.)

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#quote #quotes #wishquote


How to Paint Robins Eggs...


Let's make Robin eggs using small plastic eggs
to put inside a found bird nest.
These eggs are from the $2 store.
 Poke a skewer through the hole in the bottom of the eggs,
 and then put this into a piece of florist foam.
This make's them much easier to paint.
 In a dish place a dob of white acrylic artists paint, 
and a dob of Cobalt Turquoise Light Artists paint.
 Mix together so that you have a lovely blue colour.
 Use a large brush like this...
 And paint the blue onto the eggs.
 Leave to dry and the give them a second coat.
Once dry, you can give them a very light sand with fine sanding paper to smooth.
 Place a dob of bronze acrylic paint on the dish.
 Mix with water like this.
You will need a firm bristle brush.
Dip into the paint...
Then flick onto the eggs.
I used mine to put into a bird nest that I found.
The nest is sitting in a pottery bowl which is also in the aqua hues.
I added a rabbit
and a candle, 
for a lovely Easter vignette on the white shabby sideboard.



#easter #paintedeggs



DIY ART - Super Easy Faux Solar Leaf print...


This is a DIY art piece that is reminiscent of Solar art.
DIY ART Ideas
Solar Art is created by using a special light sensitive paper
laying objects on it and leaving it in the sun to create an artistic image.
I've made my faux version using art paper, plastic leaves and spray paint!
DIY ART Ideas
Place and tape three large piece of art paper on a plastic sheet.
DIY ART Ideas
Separate the leaves from the stems using wire cutters.
DIY ART Ideas
Do the 2 to 3 minute shake it dance with your can of spray paint. 
This ensures the paint is well mixed.
DIY ART Ideas
Place your leaves onto the paper.
Spray with the paint.
You are not looking for perfect coverage.
It does not matter if the spray goes under the leaves a bit.
DIY ART Ideas
Because this is what you want.
As it gives that blurred solar art effect!
DIY ART Ideas
Leave the paintings to dry.
To frame:
I used a multi panel frame.
DIY ART Ideas
So I cut each leaf out and placed them at different angles on the grid mat from the frame.
DIY ART Ideas
Arrange as you desire and tape the mini paintings in place at the back.
Place back in the frame and hang.
You could also frame these in a set of matching frames
 to display as a set of three, four or six.
DIY ART Ideas
I have photoshopped this image so you can see what it would look like
 if using a darker grey or black paint.

DIY ART Ideas
But I prefer my pale grey version as it fits perfectly with the main bathroom colours.
Subtle and pretty.
I'm chuffed with how it turned out, 
and believe it is the quickest artwork I have ever created!


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#diy #artwork #create

EASY Choc Fleck Easter Layer Cake....

Don't you just LOVE a cake that: 
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
LOOKS GOOD...
 Tastes GOOD...
Easter Cake
 And is EASY to make.
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
This Easter cake is a stunner!
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
Because it ticks all the boxes - looks good, tastes good and is easy to make.

Here's what you do:
Make a basic vanilla cake recipe of your choice
(I used this recipe from the Chelsea website)
Divide the mixture between two round pans.
Bake.
Cool.
Cut each cake into two so that you have four layers.
Make a basic butter cream frosting.
Colour it egg blue or green...
Layer cakes with a thin spread of the icing, trim sides if necessary,
then frost the whole cake.
Mix one tablespoon of cocoa powder to a paste
 with one to two tablespoons hot water.
Use a stiff brush, dip and flick
(you run your finger over the end of the brush to create  the flecks.
(Beware this is quite a messy job!).
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
Then simply decorate with chocolate candy coated mini Easter eggs.
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
And place on a beautiful serving stand.
Easter Cake Ideas
Now isn't that an impressive Easter celebration cake?
Add an Easter themed decoration (or two, or three) to the table vignette.
Easter Cake Decorating Ideas
Cut, serve and enjoy!
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#easter #easterbaking #eastercake