Butterfly fabric...

Oh my!

I have found the most gorgeous French looking butterfly fabric!

The craziest thing is I was actually shopping for some fabric 
to make a new summer skirt...

and then I saw it...

AND I just had to HAVE it!

Sweet Butterflies...

 With the word butterfly... in different languages...

 I purchased 4 metres 

with absolutely no idea what I was to do with it.

Madness I know..
But that is what crazy crafters do!

This stool could do with a little makeover...

And I do need a new table runner...emmm...

So a sewing and reupholstering we will go!

 The little stool was first...

This darling piano stool belonged to my mother in law...

She used it as her dressing table stool.  

It's well and truly 'antique'!

 First I had to pull out a million staples and nails 

to get the original and second fabric covers off...

 Wasn't that old type of wadding revolting stuff!

On went new wadding...

 and the gorgeous butterfly fabric...

Arabella is checking my workwomanship!

Mia Bella Garden cats are big on quality control!

 Add a few more new staples...

Did I mention I am forever grateful to whomever invented the staple gun!

Staple gun = best invention EVER!

 And this is the end result...

 After this do-up, I sewed a lovely table runner to match....

Check out tomorrows post for the end result...

Until then, have a fabulously 'HAPPY' day.

Linaria at Mia Bella Gardens...

Don't you just LOVE the colours of these sweet flowers...

It's early summer and day by day 

 Mia Bella Gardens is changing as the plants begin to bloom.

These darling flowers are called Linaria

and they are wonderful self-seeders...

They just flower, and flower for such a long time,

with dainty little snap-dragon like flowers. 

So lovely to pick for posies too...

                                                          

Coconut Pavlovas...

Do you know what a pavlova is?

Well here is a history lesson on this most delicious dessert...

Pavlova is a dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova.

Source: http://www.russianballethistory.com/annapavlovathelegend.htm

It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and marshmallow inside.

The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer during one of her tours to New Zealand and Australia in the 1920's...

It has been a source of argument as to which country was the first to create it ever since!

The pavlova is an important part of the national cuisine of both countries and is often served at Christmas.

This is what a traditional pavlova looks like:

Source: http://www.theinternetchef.biz/2009/04/how-to-make-pavlova-new-zealand-style/

But today I am sharing a recipe with you that has a twist...

but is equally delicious.

This recipe is from the cookbook of 'Annabel Langbein'
which you can purchase here:
http://www.annabel-langbein.com/

COCONUT PAVLOVAS....

Preheat oven to 160 Celsius

Line a tray with baking paper.

Beat in bowl with electric mixer:

6 egg whites (room Temperature)

a pinch of salt 

When thick and fluffy, add 1 1/2 cups caster sugar.

Beat 10 ,minutes until glossy and thick.

Add 2 teaspoons cornflour and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar

Beat a few seconds. Then very quickly fold in:

1 teaspoon vanilla essence and 1 cup coarse thread coconut.

Drop big spoonfuls onto prepared tray.

The thicker you make them, the more marshmallowy they will be.

Bake 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 130 Celsius.

Bake a further 1 hour until shell is crisp.

Turn off oven and leave to cool.

If you don't use the same day, they store up to a week in an airtight container.

Serve with whipped cream and tropical fruit salad.

Crisp, crunchy outside...

 Soft marshmallow inside...

Topped with whipped cream, 

peaches  and passion-fruit syrup.

YUM!!!

An Iris picture just for you...

Here's a bit of photo shop fun for you...

This is a photograph of a pretty iris in Mia Bella Gardens...

I have made the print look like artwork using photoshop.

Enjoy!

DIY Strawberry Planter Stand....

What a great idea this Strawberry planter stand is....

found this idea on Pinterest 

and whipped it up last weekend!

What do you think?

I'm very happy with it....

 and I can't wait 

to start picking those delicious red strawberries!

KNOBS & a wee bit of shopping..

 My most favourite shop is 'Bed, Bath and Beyond' 

And that is because

I find a bargain EVERY time I visit...

  And look what I found!

Gorgeous knobs to up do a side table and a small chest of drawers...

and the prettiest aqua blue jar.

Love the French Country tone to it...

Love even more the bird on the lid!

So the jar went on the white shelf with the other aqua pieces...

 And the aqua knobs went on the the little chest of drawers.

 Here's a before and after pic...

The bedroom is styled in lavender and white, 

so the aqua just gives it an extra pop of pretty colour!

 I thought the Paris knob would look perfect on this little side table...

so I sawed the old wooden knob off, and attached the new knob...

What do you think? 

Mia Bella Gardens is full of gorgeous spring flowers...

There's scented stock in pinks, mauves and white...

Single and double blooms...

 Clea (Burmese cats are another Mia Bella Passion!)

decided she'd join the photo shoot...

Maybe Clea was after the birds...

No, she just wanted to smell the beautiful flowers!

Isn't she just the sweetest?

Wishing you all a beautiful day today...

First Daffodil Flowers...

The first daffodils are a joy to behold...

 What a gorgeous contrast of colours in the garden.

With the yellow of the daffodils, 
the shocking pink stock flowers and the green leaves.

 This daffodil is a sweetie...with soft lemon double blooms...

 It is such a shame I have misplaced the name tag 

so I can't tell you what this one it is!

Pretty pot of daffodils....now on the deck table for all to enjoy.

A truly beautiful moment...

White primroses at dusk...

The early evening light created gorgeous ombre shading...

The wonderfulness of nature...

It was a truly beautiful moment...

The secret to having it all is
believing you already do...

Decadent Chocolate Mousse...

Super rich and decadent is the only way to describe this mousse...

It was so delicious...but next time I would serve  in a different way...

To counteract the richness, 

I would layer the mousse alternately in tall parfait glass 

with fresh strawberries and raspberries.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream,

 and grated chocolate.

Or if you want to get super fancy for a special occasion:

Make a chocolate crafted topper.

Oh my, my mind is in overdrive...

What a fab idea for a Christmas dessert...

top with a Christmas themed topper made from white or dark chocolate!

 A tree would look fabulous....

Here's a free outline...

From http://printable-cards.s3.amazonaws.com/free-christmas-tree-template.jpg

Or how about an angel, a bell, a star or snowflake....

From http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/images/xmasshapes.gif

All you have to do to is put print the image, 

place under wax paper, 

melt chocolate and pipe the outline, 

solid fill with chocolate (like colouring in!), 

or do squiggly lines to fill for a filigree look.

Oh my!  I have completely gone off track here...

back to that delicious chocolate mousse.

Here's the recipe:

Combine in a pot... 

227 grams chopped dark chocolate (60% cacao)

5 Tablespoons water

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder.

Stir over hot water until melted.

Set aside.

In another bowl whisk 2 egg yolks with 1/2 tablespoon caster sugar until pale and add to the chocolate mixture. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Whip the two egg whites with 1/2 Tablespoon caster sugar until soft peaks form.

Use a spatula to fold the whites into the chocolate mixture.

Then whip one cup heavy cream until thick, 

Fold into chocolate mixture with spatula...

Spoon into individual serving dishes.

Or as suggested:  layer between layers of fresh or stewed fruit.

Refrigerate until firm - at least 2 hours.

Lillies and French Country...

Fabulous white Belladonna lilies with orange toned throats...

Photographed in the morning sunlight...

The sunlight shows the gorgeous colours 

of soft lemon coloured buds...

Lilies and shabby chic...

or do you call it French country style?

There is nothing like the addition of fresh flowers to any vignette...

Just adds something special I think.

Patterns on metal vase...

and a white stick heart...

Metal flower with a delicate pearl centre on a simple corked bottle...

My heart jumps with pure shabby delight!

What joy beautiful things can bring to your day...

#frenchcountry