All You Ever Wanted To Know About Kaffir Limes... ❥

I was looking for a new 'something' to grow in my kitchen...
the herbs all had done their dash, so I thought what about a Kaffir lime tree.

Have you ever thought about growing a Kaffir Lime tree on your kitchen bench?
If your kitchen is generous with bright light and morning sun or afternoon sun then you can.
(Remember that a daystay outside in the sun every two weeks is beneficial too)

Kaffir Lime is available in a dwarf variety called Flying Dragon.
So this is the one to chose to grow in a pot.

I potted mine into a plastic pot that fits into my favourite French style painted pot, 
and added slow release fertilizer to help new growth.
(the plan is to use lower leaves first and then topiary this lime.)

Some decorative stones were added to the top of the soil.

The leaves are highly aromatic, and are used like a bay leaf in cooking.

In Thai and Asian Cuisine  - soups and curries  - it is included but whole leaves are removed just before before serving.
You can use the whole leaves to flavour jasmine rice by adding to the water when cooking.
The leaves can be stored frozen with no use by time limit.
Or you can sun dry the leaves.

But did you know Kaffir Lime is not just for culinary use?
You can:

💚Add zest of fruit to a hot bath for lime scented water.

💚make a Lime Tea from the leaves and/or zest.

💚Bruise some leaves or chop and add to the water of an aromatherapy diffuser.
The aroma is said to be stress reducing.

💚Use a bruised leaf and rub on skin for a natural lime scent.  (Always check for allergy in a small area of skin first).
The oil of kaffir is also said to be helpful to ease arthritic pain.

💚It is a great natural insect repellent.


So there you go...
I thought this story about my Kaffir Lime kitchen plant was going to be culinary.
But not so...
It is an incredible plant with many uses.

#kaffir #lime #potplant #kitchenplants 

'The Grid' DIY Tea Towel Cushion... ❥

Tea towels come in so many fun fabrics and designs...

Sometimes it seems a shame to use them for drying the dishes, 
as they are so pretty!

 'The Graphic Grid' comes and goes in interior decor and design...
and is usually found in minimal or modern style homes.
What is Graphic grid?
It means a graph like fine line or a thicker line on a plain background.
Designers suggest it is best to mix graphic grid decor accessories
 with pops of colour to a modern or minimal styling for best effect.
So of course I asked myself - how can I add a little graphic grid to my mixed French/DIY/Country style of decor?
The answer was to do a little stitchery magic 

and create a 'Grid' inspired cushion.

Using top quality cotton TEA TOWELS!
Purchased on sale for $7 each.

And then add a bit of whimsy with some crochet cotton lace and buttons.

All I did was find an easy envelope pillow pattern on the net.
I used this one from 'The Sewing Loft'.

It took just half an hour to whip up.



Because my insert cushion was a rectangle shape, it created a seam right on the front.


This is where I added the lace and buttons.
These were stitched on before the side seams were sewn.

I think adding lace to this Grid Pillow has broken all design rules...

But for me the addition of the 'Graphic Grid' with whimsy
is a plus to my multi-style decor!
I'm loving it!

#pillow #cushion #envelopepillow #sewing #homemade #diy #grid

Table Decor: Succulents Of Course!

After all the Christmas and New Year Bling was packed away my coffee table was left empty...

What does one do about that?

Create an indoor decor succulent bowl of course!

I had an old bonsai planter in the garden shed.
Don't you just love the shape of this planter?

Even though the carpet in the room this succulent planter is going is green,
I decided to freshen it up and paint it white.

I used Rust-Oleum spray paint because it is my favourite.
For coverage , easy use and of course the long lasting wear factor.

If you make this decor succulent planter for outdoors,
DON'T plug the holes as I have done here.
Leave them open for drainage.
Because I did not want water leakage on to my indoor coffee table,
I blocked the holes.
The other way is to simply place the planter with unblocked holes onto a small tray to protect the table and runner on it.

I potted up my cute selection of succulents.

 Then placed tiny aquarium stones around the plant.

To the table top I placed the decor succulent bowl and contrasting pieces 
- a vintage book stack and a beach found shell.
This table gets full afternoon sun, 
but I will still pop the succulents outside in direct sun once a week to help maintain their health.

The vintage book stack picks up all the colours in the succulents and stones,
 the shell, and the white of the planter.
Fresh, gorgeous, vintage, nature and beachy -
which completely ticks all the boxes for me!

You'll find the instructions on how to create the vintage book stack HERE.

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by joining for free HERE.

#succulents #homedecor #decor #home #indoorplants

Love Notes For Your Valentine...

This Valentine project is simple to do, 

but does take a little bit of time to create if you make a lot of love notes.

Stamp using red ink and letters - 'Open when you first  get these' on  the first envelope.

Put a word box sticker on each envelope.

Use a chalk paint pen to write  'Love Notes' on the word box.

Decorate with stick-ons of your choice.

On each envelope thereafter Stamp a message.

Get the idea?

Then inside each envelope write on a slip of paper a little Love Note that is relevant to what you have stamped on the front.

Next create a little tag to your Valentine...

Bind the Love Notes with a ribbon and add the tag.

A gift that is truly 

something personal for your Valentine.

 One that is full of your heartfelt love.

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you can join for free HERE.

#valentine #giftidea #love #lovenotes #valentineslovenotes

#homemadevalentinesgift

'NUTS about YOU' Valentine Gift Idea.

Want a CUTE and ROMANTIC gift idea for Valentines Day?

This 'I'm just NUTS about YOU' design was the inspiration.

It can be printed on plain paper for labels,

or on adhesive paper to be used as a sticker.

To Make:

Upcycle a jar, or buy one in the desired size.

Then print the label.

I'm printing on plain white card for this project and the 'Nuts' printable will be used as a tag around the neck of the jar.

Paint the jar lid with red paint if is from a recycled jar with labelling on it.
My jar lid was wood, so I left it unpainted.

Fill your jar with chocolate covered nuts..
I layed dark and milk chocolate covered scorched almonds.
Add ribbon to neck of the jar using roller glue to hold in place.

Then add the label to the jar.
I used roller glue to attach it.

How simple to create...

Ready to gift to your Valentine nut and chocolate lover! 

Save As - the FREE NUTS ABOUT YOU Printable' to your

computer, then print in the required size.

I used 5x7 size for this project.

Use this image for stickers.
Save As - then copy and paste and size for as many stickers as you require.

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#Valentine #giftideas #diy #createathome

Romantic Repurposed Poetry...

Repurposed Poetry is usually done with the words blocked out with ink pen scribbles...

But today I'll show you a different technique using watercolour paint.

Why not add your sweet repurposed poem to your Valentine's Gift...

Or use your creation as decor decoration.

Here's how to create one:

This poem is one of many free ones found on the internet.

Have a search and find a love poem that you like.

Print it on A4-size paper.

Read through the poem and black out the words you no longer want with watercolour paint.

I used black paint, but you can use any colour you like.

 Then add a flower.
And some hearts around the entire poem...
If you need more confidence to paint, just find flowers and hearts to print off the internet to collage with glue onto the paper.

 Even with the adaption, it is still a beautiful poem.

It now reads:

The Passion Flower

The hour Love lies down
with folded wings;
His fatal arrows flings.
Not a word is heard,
only from the bridal bird
in darkness sings.
Sweet music,
soft and clear -
'Love is here!'
The moon,
bright spells and hope
gone to dream of pleasures - asleep.
Now smile;
forgetting grief,
to stars or pale moonlight.
'What beauty can the day bestow?'
Turn and tell me - for the day.
And now comes back,
Love - 
sighing like the winds 'mongst evening flowers.

Roll and tie with a ribbon to gift,

or frame and use it in your Valentine's decor.

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you can join for free HERE.

#valentine #valentinecrafts