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, February 16, 2011

Wednesday Wishlist - Hopeless Romantic

“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” Judy Garland

Hopelessly Romantic Vintage Lace and Zipper Necklace by londicreations

Hand Carved Hopeless Romantic Stones in Birds Nest by twofarmchicks

The Hopeless Romantic Ribbon Bracelet Trio by twillypop

Hopeless Romantic Card by MervAndDolores

Victorian Style Ivory Crocheted Lace Gloves Gift For Her Valentine's Day Love Sale Pearl Buttons by Kitty016

hopeless romantic - Hand Stamped Lumbar Pillow Cover by JoshuaByOak

The Hopeless Romantics Print by thelittlefox

Hand Croched Romantic Gray Capelet Ornamanted Black Button, Romantic Shrug by pasin

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day & Maddabling Facebook Giveaway Winner Announcement

"True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen" Francois De La Rochefoucauld


love banner by funkyshique

Happy Valentines Day to each and every one of my lovely Maddabling followers.

I adore this quote that John Lennon once said :

"Love is the flower you've got to let grow"

I hope your Valentines Day was wonderful. I got a bunch of beautiful white liliums from my husband - he is so thoughtful !



I have been running a little giveaway over on my facebook page for Valentines Day. This is the prize pack ........



and as promised the winner is to be announced, well about now I think !

Drumroll please .....................

And the winner, as determined by Random.Org


is Maddabling facebook liker 16 !


Congratulations Cam Harris !

Cam, I need you to contact me within 48 hours to claim your prize.

To finish of Valentines Day, a cheeky little quote - always remember, as Ingrid Bergman once said :

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

Til next time, love and best wishes from Maddabling xox


Red Lanterns by Leaflette

Friday, February 11, 2011

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED Sublime Saturday & Spincushions Giveaway

Hello to all of my lovely readers. I hope that you have the most Sublime of Saturdays. I have felt extremely blessed of late. Life has been kind to me. While others have been enduring hell on earth through bushfire's, floods and cyclones, I have been muddling along in my own little corner of the world.

As Summer draws to a close, I find myself enjoying those last few rays of sunshine as dusk falls, discovering beauty in the most simple things in our garden, which is a constant pleasure to me. I would love to share these photos taken recently





I must share this too - recently I won the most darling prize pack from the gorgeous Kim of Savage Kitten through The Hatchling Society comprising of a felt pin brooch, matching earrings, ring and hair slides. I have long been a fan of Savage Kitten and own many pieces that Kim has lovingly created. Whilst on the subject of Savage Kitten , I now own a special piece from Kim's new Hair Candy line -

Hair Candy in Austen - A soft luxurious hair accessory in honey, creme, peach and noir. The Savage Kitten signature flower, with a purpose covered button and stunning feathers. Topped off by pearls, what more could a girl want! seductive, pretty, burlesque inspired !

I have also been very fortunate in my quest to keep my new years resolution - to try new things. I won the opportunity to be a product tester for Shelley at Spincushions in trying out her new pincushions kits.

I am not an accomplished seamstress by any means - I can mend a hole in the underarm of a shirt for example but my attempts are quite primitive and clumsy. So imagine my absolute joy when I was able to create this gorgeous pincushion simply by following the instructions and taking the time and care required. I didn't rush through the project and was quite the perfectionist (in my eyes anyway).


This is a step - by - step photo collage of how I achieved this goal :

To celebrate the launch of her new line, Shelley of Spincushions is giving one lucky reader a chance to win a pincushion kit of their very own to create their very own pincushion !
There are five kits to choose from - Sunflower, Bonsai Tree, Penguin - Blue, Peacock and Penguin - Red. These amazing little kits come with almost everything you need to complete the project including :

~ Detailed instructions
~ Pre-cut recycled felt shapes
~ Felt for you to cut some pieces
~ Patterns
~ Embroidery thread
~ Embroidery needle

The only thing you will need to buy to complete the project is stuffing fibre
and plastic stuffing pellets or dry rice.

This giveaway is open to domestic and international readers - a HUGE thank you to Spincushions for allowing Maddabling to host this giveaway and wishing you all the very best with your new product line Shelley !

Rules of Giveaway Entry

Each of the questions listed below will qualify you for one entry into the random number draw.


1. Leave a comment below and tell me which pincushion kit you would like to win and why.

2. Visit Spincushions Etsy store : http://www.etsy.com/shop/spincushions and tell me what your favourite product is.

3. Share with me the most creative thing you have done of late.


Entries will close at 12pm Western Australian Time on Sunday the 20th February 2011, at which time the number of entries will be tallied and Random Org will be called upon to draw the winner ! The winner will then be announced on the Maddabling blog on the afternoon of Sunday, the 20th February.

Good luck and let the games begin !

Friday Friends - Australian Etsy Artisans - Faunfare and Hyde



Welcome dearest readers to the newest edition of Friday Friends. Firstly, I want to make special mention of those folk affected by the awful bushfires in the Perth surrounds this week - my thoughts are with you and your family & friends. It has been a terrible time for Australian communities of late with flood, fire and cyclones - an end to this torrent must surely be in sight.

This week has a bit of a focus on Valentines Day and scented things .... I am very excited to introduce the sweetest of Australian artisans - Helena

of Faunfare

and Hyde
Helena runs a small perfume atelier based in Sydney. Helena explains that she founded and wholly runs this enterprise, Helena is a researcher by day, and a devotee of natural fragrance by night.
I adore perfume, especially those that are natural scents, do you know any girl that doesn't ? I believe in & covet the scents that Helena blends and I have tried the Huntress Natural Perfume Oil

the Hoof and Horn Natural Perfume Oil

and Nyctanthous Natural Perfume Oil

also the sublime Seven Scent Sample Pack


and I can certainly recommend Helena's products- they really are gorgeous and so much nicer than commercial scents. Let me set the scene for you with this description of Initiation - the signature scent of Hyde (which sounds delicious - can't wait to try this one for myself)
"Italian red mandarin is the cool blade pressing against your throat, rich, smoky cardamom is the lace veil held across your eyes. The perimeter around you is scattered with petals of sweet Turkish rose and the night-flowering blossoms of jasmine from Egypt. You inhale the censers that overflow with the fragrant smoke of sandalwood and myrrh. Initiation is our signature fragrance that invites you into the circle where the mysteries of Hyde will be revealed."
I hope you enjoy reading about Helena's craft as much as I did - girls, I insist that you take some you time right now and indulge in this lovely story. Oh and PS Maddabling LOVES you - Happy Valentines Day - may Cupid be kind to you all xox


The Alluring Story of Helena, Faunfare and Hyde
I have always been drawn to the evocative yet elusive qualities of scent. I began studying perfumery seriously two years ago with a vision to create a niche perfume house that catered for those who stood outside the norm.

I'm fascinated by mythology and Western esotericism and it influences me to strive for scents that are complex and mysterious. I wanted to create fragrances that offered a tempting alternative from commercial perfumes, fragrances with an artistic vision and an aesthetic intent, with the sole purpose to provide immense sensual pleasure to its wearer.

I choose natural essences for my palette because I find their complexity, ephemerality, and temperament incredibly alluring. Natural perfumes are blended from pure essential oils, absolutes, concretes, and oleoresins (derived from trees, plants, flowers, fruits, resins, and spices) and occasionally animal essences, although my perfumes are vegan.

Most commercial perfumes today are synthetic, made from chemicals that approximate the scent of natural essences, but natural perfumery is experiencing a renaissance with other perfumers like me who are captivated by its enduring beauty and mystery.

I currently run two brands--Faunfare and Hyde. I began Faunfare last Autumn, surrounded by the cool, crisp air and the woodsy scent of falling leaves, wanting to capture the raw, earthly fragrance of nature.

I was stunned by the positive reception to my perfumes, met some kindred spirits along the way (like Samara, who was one of my first patrons!), and became inundated with sales by the winter. I took some time off in October to reflect on my business and came to the realisation that I needed to become independent if my dream to keep creating niche, artisanal natural perfumes was to be realised.

Recently, I've begun moving more and more of my business off Etsy, to my own websites and storefronts. I started Hyde, which is the "Mr Hyde" side to my perfumery that has allowed me to bring many of my darker fragrance concepts into fruition.

It houses some of my more avant-garde and experimental work, including de Sade, a dry, smoky leather perfume that has recently received some great reviews and is for some reason, unusually alluring for men.

One of my greatest victories happened just around the beginning of the new year. I was discovered by Merchants of Milton, a charming store in Milton, NSW, which specialises in organic and fair trade goods. They have become my first ever wholesale stockist, a milestone I never imagined I would meet in my first year of a part-time business.

Starting my perfume business has been one of my most fulfilling endeavours. Admittedly, it has recently become overwhelming as I juggle being in my final year of a full-time PhD while tutoring at university. However, I can never imagine a life without creativity and I hope to always find a way for my avocation and occupation to co-exist.

Do you want to try these beautiful fragrances for yourself ?

Visit Helena's online websites at :

http://www.faunfare.com/

http://www.hydonism.com/

Purchase through Etsy

http://faunfare.etsy.com/


And connect with Faunfare through Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/faunfare

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday Wishlist - He Loves Me.....Not

He loves me..........he loves me not...........I hope you love this Wednesday Wishlist inspired by Valentines Day for lovers and single folk everywhere

Sonnet 109 by William Shakespeare

O, never say that I was false of heart,
Though absence seemed my flame to qualify.
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie.
That is my home of love; if I have ranged,
Like him that travels I return again,
Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,
So that myself bring water for my stain.
Never believe though in my nature reigned
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
That it could so preposterously be stained
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good;
For nothing this wide universe I call
Save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all

O never say that I was false of heart


Me and You (True Love Always) by chloeandsofiasmom

MEND ... How Do You Mend A Broken Heart ... Valentine Sweetheart Crystal Heart Gypsy Boho Chic Charm Necklace by Talula

Pink 'Agnes' Silk and Velvet Ribbon Bralette by Hopeless

Valentine heart vintage inspired folk art by Trieste Prusso

Romantic Greeting Card - Juice Box by Able and Game

Be My Valentine Inspirational Banner Garland by inspirationalbanners

Art Print - He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not by
HarrietsImagination

Valentines Day Party Pop in Pink Cake Dress Inspired for Teaparty or Special Occasion by priscilladawn

TXT Message Hearts - Laser Engraved Wooden Hearts - (5) Set by TimberGreenWoods

Skully Heart Pirate Eye Patch - Limited Edition by gothfoxdesigns

Cupid Specimen Apothecary Bottle by EarlyBright

Hand Stamped Typography - Love Pillow by JoshuaByOak

Burlesque fascinator heart in ruby red and gold glitter - Cupids Heart by janinebasil

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not - ACEO Limited Edition by 4UrEyesOnly

thinking of you... scarlet Valentine corset... by labellefairy