In love with Magnolias...

Magnolia 'Black Tulip'...

An outstanding performer in the garden.

New Zealand raised by Mark Jury,
 this stunning magnolia has large cup like blooms.

They are dark ruby red (mine has pink undertones).

Magnolia 'Black Tulip' will grow to a height of 6 metres by 4 metres...
The like acid soil and are deciduous.

Available via most New Zealand Garden Centres 
or through Wairere Nursery online 
http://www.wairere.co.nz/Trees-Deciduous/Magnolia-Deciduous

The magnolia centres are complete bee food...

not to mention incredibly interesting to look at.

And each year in Mia Bella Gardens the tree produces more and more flowers that last an incredible time.


#gardening #trees #magnolia

Red Rose Screensaver...

This red rose shot...

is a little blurred -

and a whole lot beautiful.

Free to use as a screensaver or desktop photo.

(save as to your own computer)

#free #screensaver

DIY Letter Painted Salad Servers and another upcycle!

I bought these bamboo salad servers at Briscoes for $8 in a 50% off sale.

And as I needed a gift for an upcoming housewarming, 

decided to zoosh them up a bit!

I used stick on letters to write salad on each utensil.

Then proceeded to paint them with acrylic paint.

(Orange was the colour of choice because the modern new build house has a bright orange front door and an orange kitchen splashback!)

Dry.

Then paint a second coat of your colour.
Dry.
Then varnish.

(Dry completely for at least a week before gifting/using.
Remember that these are hand wash only, 
so you need to add a little note to the gift.)

The other part of the housewarming gift is a fruit bowl.

This pottery piece was $5 at the Hospice Op Shop.

(I choose the copper to compliment the orange colour as the new kitchen has copper hanging pendant lights above the breakfast bar.)
First step - spray paint inside of bowl copper.

Then spray paint the bottom, middle and top rims.

Sooooo very cool!

Modern and funky and upcycled!

A perfect fit for their new modern home with the orange kitchen splashback and the bright orange front door.  :)

Mini Desert Gardens...

This is one of those 'oh so cute, 

but let's put up a 'danger' sign' kind of projects.

I'm a cactus and succulent lover, 

so this quirky desert style mini garden is just my thing.

To create you will need:

3 x small glass bowls 
(I used $1 bowls from the Necessities Warehouse brand)

sand

potting mix

3 x baby cactus plants
($4.47 each from Mitre 10)

Line each bowl with wet sand and press into place.

Add a layer of potting mix.

Put the baby cacti in the centre and backfill with potting mix.
Put a top layer of sand on top.


Hint: Make a paper collar to avoid the prickles and make for easier manoeuvring.

The Mini desert gardens require minimal watering.
Remember there is no drainage in the glass bowl so it is vital not to overwater them or they will rot.

I displayed each bowl in a little wooden box on the coffee table.
The cloth is vintage.
Oh so pretty don't you think?

I adore the passionflower design.
Right now I'm loving vintage fabric...
and
Mini Desert Gardens!

Courage Dear Heart....

What does the word courage mean to you?

Does it mean:

 Have courage to live the life true to yourself, and not one that others expect for you?

Have the courage to face life in adversity?

Have courage to make changes for personal growth?

Have courage to speak up or ask?

Have courage to take that first step for new beginnings?

Winston Churchill said:

"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts".

C.S Lewis reminded us:

 'Courage dear heart'

And that is today's photographic quote.

#quotes #inspiration #inspirationalquotes #cslewis

One pot Citrus Yoyo's...

Yoyo's = YUM!

These are just like Grandma used to bake, made with the custard taste.

But with the added flavour of zesty ORANGE...

One Pot mix  = EASY!

The butter is melted not creamed with the sugar as traditionally prepared.

You simply mix the ingredients in one pot, 

shape into small balls,

press with a fork and bake.

The yield is 54 single Yoyo biscuits.

You can serve them with a sprinkling of extra icing (powdered) sugar if you prefer.

OR

27 joined with the tangy orange icing.

I prefer them joined with icing.

So delectably good.

Pop over here for the printable recipe.

Yoyo's and orchids = LOVE!

One Pot Citrus YoYo's

In a large pot melt:

400 grams (14.11 ounces) of salted butter.

Then add:

The finely grated zest from one orange.

1/2 cup custard powder

1 cup sifted icing (powdered) sugar

3 and 1/2 cups plain flour.

Mix well.

Shape into small balls, then place on baking paper lined trays.

Press down with a fork.

Bake at 180 Celsius  ( 356 Fahrenheit) for 10 - 15 minutes until slightly golden.

Cool.

Join with Orange Icing:

Beat 150 grams (5.29 ounces) of soft butter with the juice of one fresh orange.

Add 1 and 3/4 cups icing sugar.

Beat until creamy.

Join biscuits.

Yield - 54 single biscuits or 27 joined.

The unjoined biscuit can be sprinkled with Icing (powdered) sugar for serving.

#yoyos #biscuits #kisses #homemade #baking

The Copper Upcycle No2...

I made this driftwood heart way back in February 2015 

for the Office makeover.

It was super easy to make,

but it has had it's time done as office wall decor.

let's do another quick and easy upcycle,

in oh so fabulous copper....

The copper spray paint created more magic

in MINUTES!

And I LOVE it!

This little corner of my art studio is already looking like a mini makeover has happened as I collect copper inspired pieces

for the upcoming BIG Spring art studio makeover...

To find out how to make the simple driftwood heart visit HERE.

#upcycle #spraypaint #diy

An Enthusiasm For Life...

Gerberas daisy flowers are incredibly fun to photograph.

With their many petals, vibrant colour,

 and centres of tightly packed stamens.

This one pink gerbera flower morphed into twenty photographs...

And from those photographs one was chosen to create
a digital artwork.

Vincent Van Goghs quote

'Colour in a picture is like enthusiasm in life'

was the perfect for the bright pink and orange painterly image.

For what would a painting be without colour?
For what would life be without enthusiasm?

Have a wonderful day my friends...

#quotes #quote