Welcome to my blog. I work full time and creating is my sanity. I like to use many different mediums and was a finalist in the Fire Mountain Beading Contest in 2008. I am a passionate blogger, and a promoter of handmade goodness.

I love : my husband, my fur kids, family, music, sunshine, creating, chocolate, handmade soaps, the DUST Team, gardening, friends, Triple J Radio and photography. Comments welcome, I hope you enjoy the adventure with me.

Please respect my copyright and that the original ©photographs and ©text published on this blog remain the property of ©Maddabling (Samara). Please do not reproduce, crop or alter my original photographs.

made with love.........................maddabling xox




proud member of the down under street team

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 31 - Spooky Wednesday Wishes

Welcome lovely readers to a super spooky Wednesday Wishes blogpost!
Today marks the final day in the 31 Day Blogtoberfest Challenge. 
Have you ever wondered about the origins of Halloween? I found this information answered a few thoughts that I had about Halloween.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/halloween/a/History-Of-Halloween.htm

"What is Halloween?
Halloween is a secular holiday combining vestiges of traditionalharvest festival celebrations with customs more peculiar to the occasion such as costume wearing, trick-or-treating, pranksterism, and decorative imagery based on seasonal change, death, and the supernatural. It takes place on October 31. 
What does the name 'Halloween' mean?
The name Halloween (originally spelled Hallowe'en) is a contraction of All Hallows Even, meaning the day before All Hallows Day (better known as All Saints Day), a Catholic holiday commemorating Christian saints and martyrs observed since the early Middle Ages on November 1. 
How and when did Halloween originate?
The best available evidence indicates that Halloween originated in the early Middle Ages as a Catholic vigil observed on the eve of All Saints Day, November 1. It has become commonplace to trace its roots even further back in time to a pagan festival of ancient Ireland known as Samhain (pronounced sow'-en or sow'-een), about which little is actually known. The prehistoric observance is said to have marked the end of summer and the onset of winter, and was celebrated with feasting, bonfires, sacrificial offerings, and homage to the dead."

I hope you enjoy the pretty and unusual costume pieces I have chosen to feature today. Thank you so much for completing the Blogtoberfest 2012 Journey with me and I hope you continue to enjoy following my blog. 
BIG Blogtoberfest love to you all xox
Cat Ears, Lace Ears, Bat Ears, Halloween Costume, Headband, 

hair accessory, by Batcakes Couture

Voodoo Doll Costume by Trapped In Time Designs      
  Vegan Stage and Halloween Costume 

Makeup Base and 4 Colors -Your Choice by Quartz Minerals

steampunk ballerina tutu by A Tout Le Monde

Nouveau Antler Headdress - Halloween Costume 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 30 - Things Fall Apart

Welcome to Day 30 of Blogtoberfest lovely readers! The Blogtoberfest finish line is almost within grasp................a personal blogging challenge complete.
I am currently working through a photo challenge being hosted by my dear friend Starry of Staryzia. My post today shows a series of photographs I took for the theme "Things Fall Apart" based on the book of the same name.
I explored an industrial wasteland and found a strange angular beauty in the concrete blocks that are falling apart. I hope you love them too. See you all tomorrow for Blogtoberfest Day 31. 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 29 - Fabulous Fabric and Spoonflower Sale


Happy Monday and hello Day 29 of Blogtoberfest. Lovely Maddabling blog followers - today I want to share with you some beautiful fabric designed by my dear friend Melanie of Wiccked. These designs are available on Spoonflower


Haven't heard of Spoonflower ? 
This is how Spoonflower describe this wonderful place 
"we make it possible for individuals to design, print and sell 
their own fabric designs." 
By the way, Spoonflower are having a sale this week from 
the 25th October to the 31st October where you can get 
2 fat quarters for the price of one! 
Melanie also wanted to share this lovely calender from Emma at 
Ben Conservato too - isn't it just too cute ?
See you all tomorrow for Day 30 in Blogtoberfest. 


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 28 - 2013 *bespoke* Calendar and 12 Emerging Australian Artists

Happy Sunday everyone and hello Day 28 of BlogtoberfestDear readers, I have a little bit of a treat to share with you. Jess of *bespoke* and Epheriell Designs has a super new project underway 
The 2013 *bespoke* Calendar 
The 2013 *bespoke* Calendar features 12 emerging Australian artists:
Ali J
Tiffany Atkin
Felicity Gardner
Jo Dyer
Lara Carbone (Curmilla)
Karli Aliza
Tali Gal-on (Milk and Cookies)
Sophia Vinten (Sophiamonique)
Rachael Smith (Penelope & Pip)
Samantha Battersby (Matou en Peluche)
Ollie Searle
Jo Barby
Jess is currently in the fundraising stages which will help her to cover the printing and postage costs to get the calendar out into the world. Any additional funds raised over the goal will be used to print additional calendars. Any calendars that are printed that are not accounted for through a pledge will be sold online and sent to *bespoke* stockists around Australia. And some will be used for giveaways, too! {N.B. International shipping is included in the pledge price!}The calender is A4 in size, wire bound, professionally printed and includes all major Australian dates of importance. 
If you would like to see more about the calender you can check out the video here: 
This will also give you lots of information on the different pledges that can be made and the rewards associated with making a pledge. 

And if you feel so inclined, spread the word using hashtag #bespokecalendar 
on twitter and Instagram, or tag @bespokezine on Facebook!

See you all tomorrow for Day 29 of Blogtoberfest xo 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 27 - Photo Challenges and Halloween Costumes

Hello everyone - it's Day 27 of Blogtoberfest 2012. Did you have an interesting day ? Do anything exciting ? I went on an outing to thrift shops with my other half in search of items to make into a Halloween costume. We are going as a famous couple - but that's all I shall share for now :) We now have everything we need, I just have to do some practice on the makeup front. 
Last weekend I helped out my dear friend Del from DELicious Designz with some Rock Chic Eye Makeup and coloured her hair with hair chalk - you can read more about it here deliciousdesignz.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/rock-tober-party I had so much fun and am really grateful to Del for trusting me! 
The Maddabling 14 Day Photo Challenge finished yesterday but today marks the first day in the 21 Day Photo Challenge being held by Starry of Starzyia
Starry says this about her photo challenge: 

"Take a photograph each day for 21 days, following the designated theme for each day - the themes are titles of my favourite novels. Please do not use photographs taken before the date of the theme, this is a challenge to see whether you can think creatively with what you have on hand each day - that is what makes it fun and interesting." 

This is the list for participants : 
Does this list inspire you like it did me? You can join in the photo challenge fun here : http://www.facebook.com/events/297759963662448/

The theme for today was A Room With a View - I took a snap from the cafe where we ate this morning :) 
See you all tomorrow for Day 28 in Blogtoberfest xo




Friday, October 26, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 26 - Maddabling 14 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

day 14 - immersion

Blogtoberfest Day 26 - Friday Friends - DUSTy Divas - Lorikart


Happy Friday dear readers - as one thing finishes, another begins. Today marks the last day of the Maddabling 14 Day Blogtoberfest Photo Challenge. I hope you have enjoyed the daily blog posts with all of the wonderful imagery being created by the participants. My dear friend Starry of Starzyia has created a photo challenge which will be heaps of fun as well as challenging!
The challenge starts on Saturday 27th October 2012 and you can find out the finer details here: http://www.facebook.com/events/297759963662448/

Ok, I digress. This week it is my great pleasure to introduce a fabulous Friday Friend and DUSTy Diva - meet Lori from LorikArt and and LorikArt Cat Jewellery.

I have mentioned before that part of the fun of doing Friday Friends Features is that I get to explore the lovely things that my Friday Friends create, so that I can share some of my favourites with you. Here are three pieces I just HAD to share. 

With all of the stunning wildflowers in bloom at the moment, this Red Flower Brooch - Australian Waratah Altered Art Jewellery definitely caught my eye......
as did this summery Psychedelic Necklace Art Jewellery with Bright Blue Beads
and speaking of summer, early mornings at the beach..... then these are for you! The Orange Art Earrings are one of a kind, hand made jewellery which show an ocean sunrise and are set on lightweight wooden tiles which have been hand cut and smoothed.
I must also mention that every Monday Lori hosts a meme "Mandarin Orange Monday". It is for all forms of art, photo art, photography (must be edited/processed), painting, sculpture......etc . Lori invites people to add their link to the linky list on the blog, but also on Mandarin Orange Monday facebook (this is in the early stages) and Twitter

It is now time for me to let you all see the all the glorious colour and to read Lori's story as you enjoy you time, Looking through the LorikArt Kaleidoscope. See you all this evening for the final post in the Maddabling 14 Day Blogtoberfest Photo Challenge. 

Looking through the Lorikart Kaleidoscope
Who is LorikArt
LorikArt is the name I give my artwork - my name is Lori and  last name is Kennett. Art is because the kind of art I do changes -drawing, painting, sculpture, jewellery making and photo art. Years ago I also enjoyed batik. I dabbled in ceramics and did a little etching as a student.  One art form that I never really enjoyed was silk screen printing - on fabric  or painting.
How and When did my artist journey begin
I suppose we all begin making art when we are quite tiny. I remember drawing a lot as a child and I also remember "helping Daddy in the shed" - making things with wood. I loved doing both. I  painted using  boxes of water paint - showing my age here!  I used to soak the paint squares in water to make thicker paint. I bet they didn't last long!

At primary school I loved to paint and was very excited and proud about having my paintings exhibited at the local  bank. I wonder if banks still do that? I don't think so. 
Art was my favourite subject at high school but, because of an under equipped art department, painting and drawing was all that was available. Once we made little clay pendants which we embedded with glass beads. When I was 15 my artwork was exhibited at  the bank Head Office in Sydney.  And what was that artwork? It was a textured, baroque-like style painting - the subject being the Rolling Stones performing on stage! I had actually seen them perform live at a matinee concert in Sydney. My final high school major work was a portrait of a very good friend - a friend that I also had a secret crush on. Years later he admitted to having had a similar crush. Just thought I would add a little bit of romance there…. The style of the painting was baroque again - lots of orange and tonal contrast.

I gained a scholarship to study art and art teaching. We had two campuses - one was the National Art School at East Sydney (the art component) and the other at what is now called KOFA (for the teaching method).  I specialised in 2D (we could choose 3D or 2D) and did some etching (which I loved) and lots of painting  and drawing. I loved life drawing, but it was so hard!  And yes, silk screen printing, both on fabric and paper.
I taught art for many years in high schools and most of the time enjoyed it. Those of you who are/were teachers will know about the many "ups" and "downs" you experience as a teacher. While I was teaching I discovered batik and did lots of that with children. I also enjoyed teaching drawing - big, bold, fast figure drawings was very rewarding to teach. The children would stand up on the table and I would count and then they would quickly have to change pose…and so on. Fun.  I enjoyed teaching design too. At school I also discovered Photo shop and  ran the student newspaper and also did a parent newsletter.  I learnt a lot then about desktop publishing and Photo shop - and so did the students. Besides Visual Art, I also found myself teaching other subjects, namely Computer Studies and Photography. Now I combine  these every day.
When I first retired the only art I made was photo art. I got well-and-truly addicted to computers and photo shop. A friend of mine started making beaded jewellery and decided to give her local market a go. Her local market was in the picturesque Blue Mountains. I went along to give her moral support. It wasn't long before I too was making and selling - not jewellery at first, but greeting cards using my photo art. I specialised in cat cards. Eventually I started making jewellery which incorporated my photo art - most cats, but not just cats. I made jewellery using photos of peoples' pets. Of course I "photo shopped" their photos first.  I enjoyed selling my cards and jewellery at markets for about 5 years - mostly in the Blue Mountains and at Windsor.

Sculpture - miniature sculpture - is something enjoy, but not the cuts on my hands that often result! My father has provided me with lots of nice wood,  including Huon pine from Tasmania. Some of this has become pendants.
I still do lots of photo art, I still make photo art jewellery and I have long periods when I just paint for myself. I usually just stick to one thing and do it for ages - then switch to another medium. Lately I have been hand painting my pendants. I only wish that I painted more consistently. I had to stop when I injured my back but now I am ready to start  painting on canvas again. I will use my photos and photo art as inspiration.

Favourite piece? One of my canvas paintings. I would never sell it. Years ago - in the 80's, we visited Dalgety, which is near the Snowy Mountains region of southern NSW. The landscape is covered with huge round boulders. I photographed them. There was one photograph I particularly liked and I did a series of digital variations. Twenty years later I found the same boulders and photographed them again. It was so interesting to see  how time and weathering had changed them. I did a big, square, orange-ish painting based on them. It hangs in my dining room. There are some pieces of jewellery I can't part with too - mostly hand painted pieces.
Aspirations?
More painting, more photo art and an exhibition with my friend Ann.  I am obsessed with rocks. Ann, at the moment, is obsessed with the Australian Outback so a joint exhibition would be interesting. Ann and her husband Chris have a blog - roadworkink.com.  And I want to keep making jewellery using my photo art - and wear it more often!

Dear Maddabling readers, would you like to explore the Art of LorikArt some more ? Or perhaps do a spot of shopping ? Here are some links for you to browse:

Buy lovely things on Etsy here : 


and on Madeit here:


Read the inspirations Blogs here:



follow pretty pins on pinterest here:


become a fan on Facebook here: 



and follow sweet tweets on Twitter here:

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Blogtoberfest Day 24 - Maddabling 14 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

day 12 - three 

Blogtoberfest Day 24 - Fresh Greens - Wednesday Wishes

Welcome to Day 24 of Blogtoberfest - the inspiration for the Wednesday Wishes blogpost today are some lovely fresh spring greens from fabulous DUST team members. See you all tonight for the Day 12 - the next installment in the Maddabling Photo Challenge. Thanks for stopping by my blog x
 "Chartreuse leaves" Handmade lampwork glass head pins by feyglass 

Dew drop messenger satchel by missy mao mao

Notebox eco friendly elephant dung paper green funky flowers by littledeercreations


Bracelet bright green handmade lampwork beads Lime Orchard by planettreasures

Spring Green Chiffon Scarf Red Flowers + Green Pearls by laloon