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

How a Floral Display Impacts The Decor....

What do Flowers bring to the home decor?

A painterly elegance...
Sometimes a floral perfume... 
Instant mood lifting appeal...

And most definitely - visual joy.

What is in this arrangement of flowers?

 Bright yellow roses...
(The perfect colour choice for cheering up a winters day).

Yellow and burgundy pinky mauve toned tulips...

And an unusual variegated chrysanthemum.

How was this display created?

A simple hand tied posy 

Strip all the lower leaves...

Arrange in one hand crossing the stems...
Put an elastic band on to hold in place.
Then trim stems to place in the vase.

How was it displayed?

On the Table, a cloth with a french themed pattern was placed.
(This is actually a piece of curtain remnant that was the perfect table size, that I hemmed the edges. Cost $4 from the curtain shop remnant bin).

The flowers are in a glass vase that sits in a white French inspired pot.

The pot was then put into a wire basket. 

In the front of the basket is a long sausage dog ornament.

Just look at that face - isn't it the cutest?


After a few days:

The rose buds and tulips opened up to let their beauty shine!

#posies #flowers #floralarrangement 

Four Joys - Inspirational Quote...

Enjoy the things that make you happy?

#inspirationalquotes #quote #quotes

Let's Copper it!

At the moment I'm prepping for an Art Studio makeover.
It's long overdue...
I have my leather couch and french coffee table in storage,
and  I'm gathering bits and pieces to pretty up the space.
I picked up this pottery vase at the 2nd hand shop for $3.

Love the texture of it, but not the colour.
Because I am having a little crush on copper at the moment, 
there was no question what to do with it.
Let's copper it!
Oh my gosh let me loose with the spray paint!
At the same time I painted a plastic light shade too.

For as much as I would love a chandelier in my studio,
practicality and light requirement means that is not such a good idea.

The copper spray paint is fabulously easy to use
with instant coverage.
The brand I used is 'Plastikote'.

And the vase looks gorgeous in the studio... 

I cannot wait for Spring when I can complete the Art Studio makeover!

Carpe Diem Quote.

Carpe Diem

The meaning of this is thought to be:
'Seize the day'.
After all today will be yesterday before you know it.

This Latin saying is originated from the Odes Book 1 by lyric poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus,
 (65 BC - 8 BC)

(Did you know 'Carpe Diem' are the most Googled words)

So I am going to:
Carpe Diem today and every other day.
Will you join me?

#quotes #quote #carpediem

Growing Rhododendrons In Pots...

I have always enjoyed rhododendrons.

I love the garden varieties that grow into beautiful large shrubs and trees.

Fabulous if you have a large garden!

But then I discovered they are incredibly easy to grow in pots.

There are many varieties available now with dwarf or small shrub status which are the best for using in pots.

Vireya rhododendrons can become waterlogged planted  in the garden,

and I have found these do particularly well in pots too.

I give my plants a spray using a general insecticide once in the spring,

and two or three times over summer to treat and prevent bug infestations like spider mite and mealy bug.

The beauty of growing Rhododendrons in pots is you can easily move them.

If you think it's not liking a certain position, 

move somewhere new, until the plants happy condition and growth let's you know you've got right!



Rhododendron and Azalea Care List:
* Use a good quality potting mix
*Use a long life fertiliser pellet
*Water regularly
*Spray with an insecticide in Spring and summer.
*Repot every two years.

And to thank you,

you will have a profuse blooming season.

Azaleas also grow exceptionally well in pots too.

I treat them the same as the rhododendrons,
with a spring and summer insecticide spray.

They need a lot more watering in the summer months,
but once they bloom you will be so happy.

Follow Your Soul...

I have told y'all before I am a quote addict!
Why?

Because they are such wonderful nuggets of wisdom.
In a few words, a quote can inspire, motivate, touch your heart, build positivity or simply make you feel good on a bad day!

Enjoy today's newest addition to the quote collection.
XOX




#quotes #quote