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, April 10, 2013

Deliciously Metal - Wednesday Wishes

Grey skies and turning autumn leaves are the inspiration behind this Wednesday Wishes blog post, Deliciously Metal. Filled with beautiful bright silvers and sultry sublime coppers - enjoy x 

The Precious Metals Dress by ArmoursansAnguish

Sterling Silver Large Oval Link Bracelet by RiverGumJewellery

Punk Rock Penny Nail Polish by BlackSheepLacquer

Grey wool wrist warmers with silver seed beads by craftasta

Metal wall art - Wire mesh sculpture - Contemporary art by nuntchi

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Art in the Park 2013

Hey lovely Maddabling blog readers, I hope you are having the most excellent weekend. I want to share with you another of the fine exhibitions we had the pleasure to visit over the Easter weekend. It was a beautiful clear Autumn day, the perfect opportunity to go for a drive through the countryside, and to meander through Art in the Park. 
Art in the Park is set in the day use area of Castle Rock, in the ancient Porongurup National Park. There were lots of sculptures to discover and admire. 

I particulary loved these entries from the Youth Section - Ebony Taylor with her "Lasting Lilies' made from recyc. plastic and wire 
and Kieran Taylor with his "There was a redback on the toilet seat" made from Recycled Metal and Plastic.
Here are some other pieces that caught my attention, how amazing are they?
There was even several thoughtfully placed "park benches" to sit on and enjoy the surroundings from. 
This fellow was spotted on the way back to the carpark and posed long enough for a happy snap. 
We really did see some lovely scenery on the drive, picture perfect in fact. 
A small indulgence on the way home with a stop at the Porogurup Shop and Tearooms, such a gorgeous spot to sit and have a coffee. 
Well, coffee and a delicious devonshire tea complete with lashings of apricot jam and cream AND still warm scones. Oh my! 
All in all it was a perfect way to spend the day and enjoy everything our corner of the world has to offer.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Friends - Local Makers - Tanaza Soy Candles

Happy Friday lovely Maddabling readers - did you have a nice Easter Break? We were fortunate that there were a couple of fantastic sculpture exhibitions in our local area over the Easter Weekend - I blogged about one earlier this week called "Sculpture in the Harbour - Tidelines" and we also caught "Art in the Park" which I will share in a separate blog post this weekend. 

This week it is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you today's Friday Friend - meet Tania - a local maker and the face behind Tanaza Soy Candles! 
I first had the pleasure of "sampling" one of the Tanaza candles at Cloud Nine Spa Chalets last year - they are really really lovely products! I love to support local makers and crafty folk and I can promise you that there are Tanaza candles in the Maddabling household, and that they smell simply delicious! This one in the frosted jar is "Mojito" (what's not to love?)
and these two little travel tins of Lime Cilantra and Lemon Myrtle freshened up our hotel room beautifully on a recent trip away. 
Ok lovely readers, time for you to sit back, relax and take a virtual whiff of all the loveliness contained in The  Tale of Tanaza Soy Candles. Have a lovely relaxing weekend and have fun doing whatever it is you are doing xo

The Tale of Tanaza Soy Candles

Who is Tanaza Soy Candles?
Tanaza Soy Candles started out as a hobby which is slowly becoming more of a business.

I started making candles back in 2011 I have a friend in SA that makes them and I really enjoyed getting her products after a while I decided to start to make them myself to save some money and I loved it so I started to sell them and started a small home business
What inspires you? 
The satisfaction I get when people say that they love my products
What mediums do you work with - do you have a favourite?
I work with natural soy wax, assorted fragrances and oils, and dye colours
What kind of things do you make/create ?
Soy candles, Soy Melts,  Pillar Candles, Reed Diffusers. I also get products in such as Electric Oil Burners,  Salt Lamps and other gift ideas.
Do you have a favourite piece that you have made/created ?
My favorite pieces  that I enjoy making are the Jar Candles
What are your future plans/dreams/aspirations ?
To be able to quit full time work and make my candles a full time business
Dear readers, want to see more ? Here is how you can connect:

Find Tanaza Soy Candles on Facebook here:

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Fade Into You - Wednesday Wishes

one of my favourite Mazzy Star songs - "Fade Into You" is the inspiration behind the Wednesday Wishes list today. Enjoy x 
Small Fade Bowl from lawrencemcrae

Faded forest miniature hand carved stand of trees from 2of2

Cheers to Love. 5x7 Print on Linen Textured Matboard from DianaKayPhotography

8 Vintage Yellow Linen Satin Dinner Napkins from ElizabethsHome
Boho Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet from EllieRooDesigns

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Sculpture in the Harbour - Tidelines

Dear Maddabling Blog Readers, firstly let me start by wishing you all a very Happy and Safe Easter! 
Secondly, I want to share something quite special and artistically unique with you in this special edition blog post.

Art Lovers - if you are in the Albany area this Easter Long Weekend you are in for a real treat! 
Artist: Sandy O'Doherty (Albany) 'Incoming Tide'
In a top secret location...well it's not really top secret I guess...there is a visual treat...an exhibition with a difference....
Sculpture in the Harbour "Tidelines"
The exhibition is situated in the shallow waters between the Anzac Peace Park and the Albany Entertainment Centre on the Albany Foreshore. 
Here's a little more about the background to this exhibition: 
"NewArts in partnership with the Vancouver Arts Centre present a unique and innovative approach to displaying sculpture in the waterscape of Albany Sculpture in the Harbour - Tidelines. The exhibition runs from  March 29 - April 1, 2013."
Artist: Dave TAYLOR (South Stirlings) 'Breach'
I really enjoyed looking at the beautiful pieces on show, and capturing the reflections of the sculpture in the water early on Friday morning, sometimes almost in a mirror image. I would love to share a few of my favourites snaps with you now. 
Artist: John Farrington (Needilup South) 'Diva Diver'
Artist: James McLEAN (Albany) 'Turbines or Toilet'
Artists: Kevin DRAPER and Indra GEIDANS (Torbay) 'Study for Neither Here nor There'
Artist: Kerry Argent (Lake Grace) 'Resting monument to the lowly seagull'
Artist: David Stockdale (Kendenup) 'Joy'
I hope you have enjoyed this short visual journey with me. Dear readers, you can connect or find out more about Sculpture in the Harbour at this link: http://www.facebook.com/SculptureintheHarbour
Artist: John FARRINGTON (Needilup South) 'Diva Diver'