My latest cushion...

My latest cushion is this one...

Gorgeous don't you think?

'Mouse' adores cushions too!

I love the embroidery motifs of butterflies and birds...

and the french twist...
well French I thought, until I read the stamp.
It says 'Liechtenstein'...
Now this is the incredible bit,
as my family has a past connection with this country.
Hubby's father was a prisoner of war in Liechtenstein, and became connected to the Royal family through the toils of war.
His father revisited the Prince and his family in the 1970s...
Hubby's brother visited on his OE.
My youngest daughter also wishes to one day visit this small principality.
Amazing how a small post stamp on a cushion bought in 2013 can revive memories from many, many years ago!

Can you ever get enough - of Poppies...

 Gorgeous opium poppies in Mia Bella Gardens... 

 all have self-seeded...

This year there are several new varieties that have popped up...

Single and double...
Poppies in subtle soft lavenders and pinks...
Poppies in crisp bright colours...

without a doubt the poppy display has been stunning!

Roses and glass...

 Gorgeous art glass and necklace from my collection of beautiful things...

 Displayed with white Iceberg roses...

 On a gorgeous beaded french inspired table runner....

 Iceberg roses are superb for picking...

I have had this art glass swirl dish for many years...

I thought it was an absolute bargain at a mere $3 from the thrift store!

And I just had to share this stunning necklace with you...

made in the 1930's, it is bezel set coloured glass.

Horticultural therapy and bougainvillea...

New years wishes to you all...

how many resolutions have you made? 

I have kept mine very simple...make changes to renew health.  Oh and I've also written two very large 'To Do' before Christmas 2013' lists!
The other resoulution is to actually succeed in completing everything on the said lists!
I am a list person you see, I guess that was because I homeschooled, and my children needed whiteboard instructions, so they could see what was going to occur during the day.
That habit has stuck...and I still write up my whiteboard every day.  
It feels so good to rub off everything I do off the list. 
Anyway, I have written on A4 paper,  a things to do in the house list, and things to do in the garden list.
I have spent the past two months of ill-health deciding what to do next in various parts of Mia Bella Gardens.  What fun I have had!
Nothing like horticultural therapy to make you feel better.
It started with researching gardening ideas on the internet and ended up with newfound energy to 'redo' a whole section of garden.  And boy that felt good!
 Digging, weeding, moving citrus trees to new homes, purchasing new plants, (which involved visits to three garden centres), planting, watering...Ahhh, the best therapy is horticultural when you feel like crud!

One thing I really want to do is create a garden room...and in that room will be a feature pot planted with bougainvillea. 
 I have purchased the bouganvillea, and am now waiting paitently for the chosen pot to come on sale. Large pots are sooo expensive!

BUT

 Bougainvillea in pots make such a statement...

 I am in love with the idea of this? 

I am thinking of purchasing a dwarf bougainvillea, 
there is one is called 'Evita'...
That would be perfect to pot!

And I am always amazed by bonsai bouganvilleas...

And did you know with regular pruning and care,

a bouganvillia makes a stunning small tree?

Inspired yet?

So the moral of the story is....if you are feeling under the weather...there is nothing like a little 'Horticultural Therapy' to make you feel better!

Love Hearts...

Here's an idea for a Christmas gift....

Love Heart hangers are great small gifts or stocking fillers.

Cut out heart shape in thin MDF wood. Drill hole for ribbon.

Paint back and sides of heart in colour that will contrast to the paper you will use.

Cut paper to heart shape and glue onto heart.

Modpodge or Clearcoat over paper.

When dry, add a ribbon for hanging, and a brad through the hole.

 Easy and fun to make...

French Country Cottage Roses...

 I had so much fun taking these photographs...

it took my mind off other things...

Roses in a wire basket...

David Austin Rose "Symphony"...

 Beautiful pastel yellow roses....

 Perhaps my next 'career' will be as a stylist...

 Roses, wire, and French Country....

Roses with a perfume Heaven sent...

Pink Roses and Dewdrops...

 Early morning sunlight...

 Pink roses...

 Dewdrops....

= Beautiful!

Stamped Art Canvas

Here's an easy fun gift idea. 

Paint a small canvas desired colour. 

Stamp desired stamps on paper and colour. 

Glue on to canvas.

Put on a coating of modpodge or clear coat varnish

and there you have it. 

Blue Cornflowers...

 Nothing short of beautiful...

The intensity of the blue makes a statement amongst the other flowers....

Sunday Craft Session...

From a collection of bits and bobs - 

a jar, fabric ribbon, a small canvas, hessian (burlap), glue, Modpodge and some divine vintage printables from 'The Graphics Fairy' this is what was created.

A French theme butterfly picture which looks stunning in the lavender bedroom...

 Ella Cat thought the vase of flowers was very pretty...

 David Austin roses smell delicious...

 This is the David Austin rose - 'Symphony'

which is has recurrent and profuse flowers.

Hessian glued to jar, pinked edged ribbon bow and French theme label mod podged on to the Hessian (Burlap).

MY NEW FAVOURITE PLACE !



Now here's a handy place for all you arty craft folk to visit...

There are over 3000 FREE vintage images here, and you are forewarned to put aside plenty of time for looking...

The images are gorgeous...

And there are so many craft ideas and tutorials....



http://thegraphicsfairy.com/

I will post tomorrow what I created from some images I fell in love with...

Crepuscule - Climbing Rose

 Prolific flowering, Crepuscule is an amazing rose that flowers all most non-stop!

 The plus is this rose is virtually thornless...

A beautiful noisette rose, outstanding colour with soft peach tones and it is very low care...

Craft Room update...

The Craft room restyle progress is at snails pace...

with every good intention my days seem to be complicated with 'Stuff'.

Don't you just hate days like that...

I have a list of all the wonderful things I want to complete 
and create for the Craft Room,
 but seem to be getting absolutely no where!

Painting the create word black was as good as it got.

Though I did find an old shelf that will be perfect for extra storage for all those sewing bits and bobs...
needs a bit of TLC 
and of course, a dash of white paint!

Feeling the need to go shopping....
I am thinking some lovely glass jars to keep all those pretty buttons in.

Now that would look great on the shelf, 
as well as being functional.

Currently my buttons are unsorted in mixed colours 
and I like the idea of a jar for each colour.