tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54585395075568761762024-03-12T16:19:16.416-07:00Cheeky Little MonstersCraft, cloth dolls, design, fashion, country living, sustainable livingTania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-91214228403091062502010-09-27T22:53:00.001-07:002010-09-27T22:53:26.378-07:00Moved over to...<div style="text-align: center;">I have moved the content of this blog over to my other blog, <a href="http://www.imaginelovely.blogspot.com/">Imagine Lovely</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">There is now a children's clothing company called Cheeky Little Monsters, so I want to stop using that name.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will continue to make kids toys, dolls and clothes along with whole bunch of other stuff including my handmade wedding and the upcoming building of our strawbale house <i>and</i> baby number 3.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So come on over there stay in touch! </div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-35173894933805986092010-08-31T15:51:00.000-07:002010-08-31T15:51:08.597-07:00Time to say goodbye...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TH2FSAqqGOI/AAAAAAAABcY/82WNQkImC-o/s1600/goodbye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TH2FSAqqGOI/AAAAAAAABcY/82WNQkImC-o/s320/goodbye.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time for me to say goodbye to Cheeky Little Monsters. It's been swell :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Actually, it's been a really amazing time. Discovering the world of craft blogging and being to inspired, so amazed by peoples creativity, by their generosity, by their honesty. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've learned so much! grown so much. So thank lovely blog of mine...</div><div style="text-align: center;">But we've out grown each other. I barely have time for one blog let alone two, so I will concentrate on my adventures over at imagine lovely. So if you wanna come along for the ride, I'll see ya there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to every one who has commented, shared and supported this journey. You rock!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-16102542211264008042010-08-16T15:45:00.000-07:002010-08-16T15:46:24.730-07:00The next Glenlyon Village Market... August 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TGm-oCg8BTI/AAAAAAAABaU/2UM-qFIZoaQ/s1600/Augustmarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TGm-oCg8BTI/AAAAAAAABaU/2UM-qFIZoaQ/s400/Augustmarket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It's time again for the Glenlyon Village Market! This Saturday- Election Day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So come along and visit- hopefully we will have some sparkling country winter weather...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be there, with my alpaca goodies, toys, vintage buttons and other random cuties. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The market also has a new blog...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.glenlyonmarket.blogspot.com/">www.glenlyonmarket.blogspot.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check it out! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-29089387667091212992010-06-27T23:25:00.000-07:002010-06-27T23:28:20.001-07:00More Alpaca Wool Goodness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TCg_qFuE6qI/AAAAAAAABSU/CaHv-9SwegY/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TCg_qFuE6qI/AAAAAAAABSU/CaHv-9SwegY/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've just put some new scarves up in my store.... they are selling like hotcakes! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And with good reason...they are soooo soft and really really warm!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TCg_nagjbBI/AAAAAAAABSM/BbtuQrn3sxE/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TCg_nagjbBI/AAAAAAAABSM/BbtuQrn3sxE/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are new gloves too...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Better be quick friends! :)<br />
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Shop <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=168">here</a>. </div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-48046955457417109092010-06-08T20:56:00.000-07:002010-06-08T21:03:27.094-07:00Alpaca Wool Scarves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8PONToE4I/AAAAAAAABMs/17cCW_nAyls/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8PONToE4I/AAAAAAAABMs/17cCW_nAyls/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brrrrrr.... let me tell you, it is COLD in Daylesford! Wowee!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels like it's going to snow any minute and I'm actually loving it! I'm loving the toasty fires, the yummy hearty winter food and I'm especially loving this super soft luxurious Alpaca wool. We are so lucky to have this amazing wool mill near by.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8P9kv_x0I/AAAAAAAABM0/dsibaXe4BJo/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8P9kv_x0I/AAAAAAAABM0/dsibaXe4BJo/s320/DSC_0159.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made myself a scarf and so many people have asked about that I've made few for my shop. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8QZY-anlI/AAAAAAAABM8/WZcGssJk66o/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/TA8QZY-anlI/AAAAAAAABM8/WZcGssJk66o/s320/DSC_0137.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see more <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=168">here</a> :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay warm chickens! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-8786420590623399202010-05-19T21:33:00.000-07:002010-05-19T21:33:58.838-07:00My Creative Space...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_S488o_jrI/AAAAAAAABJ8/U44revOpha0/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_S488o_jrI/AAAAAAAABJ8/U44revOpha0/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my creative space today is this little birdie I stitched up for Charlies doll, Daisy. It's made from the most beautiful vintage wool I cut from a coat I got at the oppie the other day. It is the most glorious shade of blue. I put on some wool felt wings and stuffed it with the scrappy offcuts of alpaca wool I've been saving. I have grand plans for other wonderful goodies from this coat....hopefully my plans are within my ability, I'm not so sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also in my creative space is my beautiful street... this is what I can see from my front verandah at the moment...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_S4_CRVgXI/AAAAAAAABKE/NoGtzsGTwso/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_S4_CRVgXI/AAAAAAAABKE/NoGtzsGTwso/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is absolutely divine :) It's really Autumn here and I am loving it. Sitting out on the couch stitching my birdie and eating Tim Tams whilst sipping rooibos while Charlie naps.... heaven!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">see more <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">here</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-82537865918758212992010-05-19T19:25:00.000-07:002010-05-19T19:25:00.155-07:00Alpaca Hottie Cover- Mushrooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_SceYamXiI/AAAAAAAABJU/6R3Ln4B-HKQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S_SceYamXiI/AAAAAAAABJU/6R3Ln4B-HKQ/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My little alpaca wool hot water bottle cover made it on to the Made It mail out! Isn't that lovely. I only have two left now... so I'd better make some more hey?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone needs on of <a href="http://madeit.com.au/detail.asp?id=86760">these</a> for winter, so get in quick people!</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-43148693880324181222010-05-15T20:52:00.000-07:002010-05-15T20:53:51.890-07:00Flea Market Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9mn_3l5_I/AAAAAAAABG0/Lb-DODstkcM/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9mn_3l5_I/AAAAAAAABG0/Lb-DODstkcM/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've a had such fantastic week of fabulous finds this week. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The suitcase pictured above was give to me on Mothers Day upon Adam's return from the Sunday Market. It also came with friends, a beautiful red one and a very old brown number. The beautiful wool coat I got this morning from the Daylesford Market. I've been searching for so long for a plaid wool coat such as this, but they are always too big and heavy. This one is perfecto so I was <i>very </i>happy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9nqe10fSI/AAAAAAAABG8/f_aiDfJjvJQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9nqe10fSI/AAAAAAAABG8/f_aiDfJjvJQ/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But not as happy as Adam was when he purchased this awesome 1930's light box for an absolute steal! It was difficult to photograph, but it's for eye testing and is set in the most beautiful dark wood box. It has an amazing adjustable aperture on the bottom right, with a light behind it. We are going to build it into our house plans somehow! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9omh1VRVI/AAAAAAAABHE/O297jIUG6gY/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9omh1VRVI/AAAAAAAABHE/O297jIUG6gY/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">During the week we went on a driving adventure and hit some great country oppies. We bought way too much to photograph, but I got this sweet shelf and all it's lovely contents. A selection of tins for the wedding, two lovely jugs and some french jars.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pY3AZdFI/AAAAAAAABHM/8TVR4n-iLoA/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pY3AZdFI/AAAAAAAABHM/8TVR4n-iLoA/s320/DSC_0056.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am obsessed with this duck egg blue colour , especially when it's combined with red and I adore the circus vibe of this tin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9paeoIbuI/AAAAAAAABHU/47POgDpzWSE/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9paeoIbuI/AAAAAAAABHU/47POgDpzWSE/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Duck egg blue again! I love the shape of the Bessemer jug and the pattern on the little Japanese jug is so lovely. At $1 and $1.50, who could say no?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pd6v0yMI/AAAAAAAABHc/sz3ItjUbd1I/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pd6v0yMI/AAAAAAAABHc/sz3ItjUbd1I/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some great vintage kids books, which will be used for cards and tags and bunting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pgc3_bsI/AAAAAAAABHk/QNkcXVT1f90/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pgc3_bsI/AAAAAAAABHk/QNkcXVT1f90/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My personal favourite is 'Honey without money' which has the most adorable illustrations. So sweet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pjztggTI/AAAAAAAABHs/p7zlv6jyR7E/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-9pjztggTI/AAAAAAAABHs/p7zlv6jyR7E/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this set of vintage memory cards, which I almost passed up, but I'm SO glad I didn't! I have all sorts of ideas of these little guys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also got an unused Polaroid camera, with a flash and film for just $15-! I'm so thrilled with this because I really want to be able to take some Polaroids at the wedding. All in all it's been a fantastic week of thrifting!! I hope yours was too ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can check out more Flea Market Finds <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/">here</a>....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-64554952154567438162010-05-15T02:31:00.000-07:002010-06-28T01:07:02.211-07:00Pic's from the Glenlyon Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sun came out and we had such a lovely day at the gorgeous Glenlyon market today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-5nppkA5CI/AAAAAAAABGU/zfsLw0c_g5E/s1600/Glenlyon+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-5nppkA5CI/AAAAAAAABGU/zfsLw0c_g5E/s320/Glenlyon+Market.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Magnificent fresh produce, amazing pasties that sold out too quickly, <a href="http://lisoire.com/">sweet scented candles</a>, yummy preserves, fabulous clothes, second hand books, divine goats cheese....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and great company! ah... heaven! I do love a good community market! I finished up a perfect morning by getting my hand dirty in then garden then we drank a beautiful bottle of Veuve Clicquot we got for our engagement... thanks Biddy, Djad and GT! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do hope your Saturday was just as fabulous! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the Glenlyon Market now has a blog too.... you can see it <a href="http://glenlyonmarket.blogspot.com/">here </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-41137509403306897342010-05-13T18:03:00.000-07:002010-05-14T02:58:15.237-07:00Custom Doll Orders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-y04mjsweI/AAAAAAAABFc/l9-ldWJRsAs/s1600/MAYA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-y04mjsweI/AAAAAAAABFc/l9-ldWJRsAs/s320/MAYA1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've just put a custom doll listing up on Made It to make it easier for you to order your very own Ruby Doll.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just click on the shop link over on the right :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ive also added a Flikr set (over on the right too) so you can check out other dolls with ease.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-y0lU_TumI/AAAAAAAABFU/iSyHaqmuTDk/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-y0lU_TumI/AAAAAAAABFU/iSyHaqmuTDk/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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There is also a few other goodies on there, including the alpaca hot water bottle covers. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-yhBhhVUEI/AAAAAAAABEc/crge2JMGmWw/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-yhBhhVUEI/AAAAAAAABEc/crge2JMGmWw/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-19009884913007453882010-05-11T19:04:00.000-07:002010-05-11T19:05:15.308-07:00Grossgrain Fabulous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-oJ9KbXTUI/AAAAAAAABB8/brNqR2pa0YY/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-oJ9KbXTUI/AAAAAAAABB8/brNqR2pa0YY/s400/dress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is this not the most divine frock you have ever seen? I'm totally in love! Sigh...</div><div style="text-align: center;">You too can be in to win it here.... <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/04/state-fair-frock-grosgrain-giveaway.html">The State Fair Frock Grosgrain Giveaway</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Or this one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-oMH6CiodI/AAAAAAAABCE/fEce9qvhf9Y/s1600/ohdeardress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S-oMH6CiodI/AAAAAAAABCE/fEce9qvhf9Y/s320/ohdeardress.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>**Ah...Swoon**</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">here... </span><a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/05/oh-dear-frock-grosgrain-giveaway_10.html">The 'Oh Dear' Frock Grosgrain Giveaway</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-84345828281143462762010-04-28T22:20:00.000-07:002010-04-28T22:20:49.652-07:00Ruby doll in action!<div style="text-align: center;">Charlie found herself the proud owner of a polka dot tea set this morning... </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was outta control cuteness all round. Gosh I'm glad I had a little girl. I think I enjoy these things more than she does!! Te he he.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S9kWVudhE3I/AAAAAAAAA-c/NndVCSyHlXM/s1600/Recently+Updated6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S9kWVudhE3I/AAAAAAAAA-c/NndVCSyHlXM/s320/Recently+Updated6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love seeing my dolls in action, it makes all that hard work worthwhile :)</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-6852019433084239312010-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:002010-04-25T23:56:46.254-07:00My NEW Wedding blog...<div style="text-align: center;">For those of you who are interested in following my progress with the Challenge and the planning and creating of this handmade wedding...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please do join me over at:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imaginelovely.blogspot.com/">http://imaginelovely.blogspot.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S9TgDxpgkgI/AAAAAAAAA7E/okoCQuw3Su0/s1600/Ayearinthelife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S9TgDxpgkgI/AAAAAAAAA7E/okoCQuw3Su0/s320/Ayearinthelife.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-15822906994386937902010-04-19T21:13:00.000-07:002010-04-25T15:56:23.904-07:00Challenger of the utmost kind...<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes out there in blogland you stumble across something that really speaks to you. It's timely and moving, beautiful and thought provoking- it might be just what you need in that moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80jBisVbuI/AAAAAAAAA4o/WkttubzYq5s/s1600/dottieangel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80jBisVbuI/AAAAAAAAA4o/WkttubzYq5s/s320/dottieangel2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is what happened when I came across the beautiful blog of <a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/">Dottie Angel.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apart from being gorgeous and full of wonderful things (including the photos above) Dottie Angel has started a movement of sorts, a <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3935309072_fc172cfd6d_b.jpg">challenge of the utmost kind.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80im035BLI/AAAAAAAAA4g/XavYGXeUom4/s1600/dottieangel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80im035BLI/AAAAAAAAA4g/XavYGXeUom4/s400/dottieangel.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I <i>love</i> a challenge. I thrive on challenge! I thought to myself... I'm in! So for 365 days starting today I swear I will only buy secondhand or handmade for my wardrobe and for my home. Sounds fairly easy right? I mean most of the stuff I purchase already fits into those categories. Well we better step it up a notch...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Included in <i>my</i> personal challenge will be my wedding!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well our wedding... we vow that everything from this moment on for our wedding will be either second-hand or handmade. EVERYTHING. Invites, decor, dress, flowers, cups, plates, saucers... everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's going to be a <b>super </b>challenge of the utmost kind and I'm going to blog about the adventure right here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80iSHxY2HI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/BmzPTMu2agg/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S80iSHxY2HI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/BmzPTMu2agg/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't he a wonderful man he is to agree to this challenge.. thank you Adam.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Why would I want to do this?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well firstly, weddings are an environmental disaster. Check it..</div><div style="text-align: center;"> -The average wedding produces 63 tons of CO2 and 400-600 pounds of trash. With 2.5 million weddings a year in the United States alone, the impact is huge. I want no part in that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Secondly, cost: </div><div style="text-align: center;">-The average wedding costs almost $40,000 and weddings are a $60+ billion industry. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Apart from that seeming to me like a hideous waste.. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Adam and I are saving to buy a small acreage here in the pretty country town of Daylesford. On that land we will build the dream house we are designing (made from strawbale) and we will grow veges and milk goats be sustainable and self sufficient. (sigh...) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">$40,000 would buy a lot of strawbales! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But most of all, I want to get creative. I love that instead of popping out to buy something instantly, every detail will require thought, creativity, inspiration and effort. The outcome <i>has</i> to be something amazing. It will also require us to involve our wonderful friends and family, use their skills and have them feel part of the process and share in the joy of what we create.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I do hope you will join me on this adventure!<br />
<br />
(This post has been repeated on the my new <a href="http://imaginelovely.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, which is devoted to the challenge!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-3669195714077181482010-04-18T20:51:00.000-07:002010-04-18T20:51:57.447-07:00Autumn Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8vQfovCQiI/AAAAAAAAA3I/OFcMKFQAruw/s1600/Recently+Updated4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8vQfovCQiI/AAAAAAAAA3I/OFcMKFQAruw/s400/Recently+Updated4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have recently been starting my mornings with a brisk stroll around the lake in Daylesford. I started doing it for fitness, but the peace & incredible beauty of it has had a wonderfully joyous effect on me too! It really is stunningly gorgeous, especially with all those glowing autumn tones and fairy tale mushrooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It reminds me every morning what a beautiful world we live in and how lucky I am to reside within such a stunning landscape. I really LOVE living here!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you love about where you live?</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-54595980089354695992010-04-18T20:25:00.000-07:002010-04-18T20:25:03.792-07:00Make your own... Yoghurt.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8u2-kM7akI/AAAAAAAAA24/iG5n-BsZx-Q/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8u2-kM7akI/AAAAAAAAA24/iG5n-BsZx-Q/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you know you can make yoghurt in a thermos or a polystyrene container or a small esky?</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't actually need a fancy yoghurt maker, and it's <i>so</i> easy! Plus it's cheaper and way better for our environment. This is how I do it, though there are may different recipes / methods.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will need:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Milk- 1litre. Can be cow, sheep or goat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Easyo yoghurt starter culture from the supermarket (I use the greek yoghurt one).</div><div style="text-align: center;">A thermos, small esky or polystyrene box with lid. If using an esky or box you will need a 1 litre glass jar with a lid.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thermometer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If using a thermos heat the milk to 48 degrees using a thermometer. Mix in the 2 dessert spoons of the yoghurt starter making sure all the lumps are gone. Pour into a thermos which has been well cleaned & pre-heated with boiling water. Wrap in a towel and leave over night- in the morning fresh yummy yoghurt!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8vLEy5sRiI/AAAAAAAAA3A/uIerfEfn8KQ/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8vLEy5sRiI/AAAAAAAAA3A/uIerfEfn8KQ/s200/DSC_0006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If using an esky or similar half fill your glass jar with milk, add 2 dessert spoons of the yoghurt starter (not the whole sachet as the packet says!) and mix well. Top up with the rest of the milk. Place jar with lid on in the esky. Almost fill with hot water from the tap and top up with boiling water to bring teh temperature up to 50 degrees. Place lid on and n 1 hours time top up again with boiling water to bring it up to 50 again. Leave over night. Easy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want your yoghurt thicker you can also add a couple of spoons of milk powder. You could also use 2 spoons of fresh yoghurt as a starter- just be sure it's a good one with the right cultures. I find this much easier though and when you only use 2 spoons instead a whole packet it's quite cost effective and basically fool proof.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yummy, easy & good for both you & the environment! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-78538342707852018502010-04-17T22:43:00.000-07:002010-04-17T22:43:52.452-07:00Weekend collage...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qY-atGANI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/lJj48M48hzw/s1600/Recently+Updated3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qY-atGANI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/lJj48M48hzw/s400/Recently+Updated3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Photos are from the Glenlyon Market and the Guildford Vintage Engine Rally.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had gorgeous weather for the market on Saturday and a really great turnout. It really is the most fun I've ever had at a market! I came home with just picked veges, amazing goats cheese and some really nice organic wine from the good folk at <a href="http://www.redcentrewines.com.au/">Red Centre Wines</a> in Hepburn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Vintage Engine Rally was interesting- watching a 2 year old drive a tractor was kinda scary and I felt really sorry for the wife of the man who was completely obsessed with his antique axe collection, if indeed he had a wife. My favourite thing was the lovely man who was singing with Wacca the drumming koala. He had a bunch of instruments for the kids to play and he kindly played Johnny Cash so I could rock out with the ukelele. Great times!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qbbeSHqDI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Dw_lKP_ffbY/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qbbeSHqDI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Dw_lKP_ffbY/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-86151317472642715562010-04-17T21:21:00.000-07:002010-04-17T21:21:12.399-07:00Flea Market Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qGJ-4Z99I/AAAAAAAAA1g/gKdxE6viGU8/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qGrZ69jfI/AAAAAAAAA1w/jfSc2qP6B9k/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qGrZ69jfI/AAAAAAAAA1w/jfSc2qP6B9k/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this little beauty this morning at the Dayleford Sunday Market.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A sweet 1960's folding dolls highchair, in near perfect condition. I've not seen one of these before, and it was a mere $10-! It will make a great display for my dolls at the market and I'm sure Charlie will enjoy it in the interim.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qGMP4e-OI/AAAAAAAAA1o/hdnnFgVvox4/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8qGMP4e-OI/AAAAAAAAA1o/hdnnFgVvox4/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also found a few tins and doilies to add to the wedding collection. I'm going to use the tins as flower receptacles on the tables. The outback tin was free and the other two were $2-. I then walked on and saw the bird tin in a different colour at another stall for $35-! I love it when that happens!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You check out more flea market finds <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2010/04/flea-market-finds_18.html">here</a> :)</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-50278625683556011842010-04-15T21:10:00.000-07:002010-04-15T21:10:00.219-07:00Wedding inspiration..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fYx0aOxJI/AAAAAAAAA0A/E8sljfKM0jg/s1600/savethedate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fYx0aOxJI/AAAAAAAAA0A/E8sljfKM0jg/s320/savethedate.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a year away I know, but things are all about wedding planning around here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've cleared most of my usual commitments (except the children, the garden, the animals and personal craft projects!) to make way for a year of planning and crafting for the big day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8ffRcybGsI/AAAAAAAAA0o/BpdRJ49ir-o/s1600/grass+on+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8ffRcybGsI/AAAAAAAAA0o/BpdRJ49ir-o/s320/grass+on+table.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> via project wedding</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So just a warning, my blog is likely to include lots of wedding stuff from now on. My visual diary of ideas and inspirations. as you can see i finally found a use for one of those patterns I blogged about <a href="http://cheekylittlemonsters.blogspot.com/2010/03/pretty-patterns.html">here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fa_cVQkGI/AAAAAAAAA0I/iDYJBXQpDBQ/s1600/terrariums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fa_cVQkGI/AAAAAAAAA0I/iDYJBXQpDBQ/s320/terrariums.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Via Poppytalk</span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please don't be put off if you don't like weddings, it's not going to be traditional, soppy, cheesy or frou-frou.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fcTa32zwI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/YkvlVz3ZRgQ/s1600/ringpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fcTa32zwI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/YkvlVz3ZRgQ/s320/ringpillow.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">via Designsponge </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything, hopefully down to the marquee (which we are planning to make from recycled truck tarpaulins), will be handmade, vintage or recycled. It's going to be a hands on, team effort and it will include lots of amazing local Daylesford produce and crafts people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fdY6RyxMI/AAAAAAAAA0g/HPbxvlZSVgw/s1600/bridesmaids+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fdY6RyxMI/AAAAAAAAA0g/HPbxvlZSVgw/s320/bridesmaids+dress.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahseven"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">via sarahseven on etsy</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our mission is to create a wildly fun and beautiful wedding, that is as environmentally gentle as possible, all within a very modest budget. So stay tuned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fimJoUlPI/AAAAAAAAA0w/aDhGDX6JO2g/s1600/misspickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8fimJoUlPI/AAAAAAAAA0w/aDhGDX6JO2g/s320/misspickles.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.misspicklespress.com/" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">via Miss Pickles Press </span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Included in this post are just a few of the gorgeous images I have been inspired by so far, there are so many more to come! </div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-88855763718450122742010-04-15T18:17:00.000-07:002010-04-15T18:17:51.728-07:00The Glenlyon Village Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8e4lJ6u4iI/AAAAAAAAAz4/kHMFcNLzp_Q/s1600/glenlyonmarketcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S8e4lJ6u4iI/AAAAAAAAAz4/kHMFcNLzp_Q/s400/glenlyonmarketcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's that time of the month...yes the Glenlyon Market is on tomorrow! </div><div style="text-align: center;">The weather today is absolutely glorious and we will hopefully have more of the same for tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you would like to have a stall, it's not too late. Just turn up, and ask around for me, Tania or Dan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's just $5- and is such a gorgeous and fun community market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope to see you there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</a></div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-19579653588001877442010-04-05T14:55:00.000-07:002010-04-05T14:55:29.637-07:00Scrumping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY3w9h5xI/AAAAAAAAAys/zQfEfOAB9-E/s1600/IMGP3771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY3w9h5xI/AAAAAAAAAys/zQfEfOAB9-E/s320/IMGP3771.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all had a lovely Easter! We spent most of ours scrumping for apples and making cider. Inspired by the adventures of the lovely Hugh from <a href="http://www.rivercottage.net/">River Cottage</a> we took to the highway and collected apples from roadside fruit trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY2p7vNlI/AAAAAAAAAyk/mwqUrCfsPaQ/s1600/IMGP3769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY2p7vNlI/AAAAAAAAAyk/mwqUrCfsPaQ/s320/IMGP3769.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apple trees were everywhere once we started looking, it was amazing. Here's a pic of Adam doing some particularly risky foraging, but mostly they were just all over the ground, waiting to be collected. There were so many scrumptious apples to be had! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pYzeYob7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/JHgC1CjTZ2c/s1600/IMGP3760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pYzeYob7I/AAAAAAAAAyc/JHgC1CjTZ2c/s320/IMGP3760.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie enjoyed tasting all the different varieties we came across! We ended up picking so many apples that we just filled up the back of the van! We got more than enough for the cider so we also gave apples to our friends, made stewed apples, apple juice to drink and sliced a whole heap to be dried.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY7FYZX4I/AAAAAAAAAy0/30Fe_kL-oBs/s1600/IMGP3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY7FYZX4I/AAAAAAAAAy0/30Fe_kL-oBs/s320/IMGP3781.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Adam, chief executive cider maker got into pressing the apples.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY8lsqyII/AAAAAAAAAy8/RaI0jD6kDmM/s1600/IMGP3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7pY8lsqyII/AAAAAAAAAy8/RaI0jD6kDmM/s320/IMGP3786.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now the cider is bubbling away in our little cellar. Hopefully in about eight months time, just in time for Christmas, we will have wonderful tasting summer cider to enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are just so excited by the concept of foraging for wild food. There are so many possibilities of wonderful things to make and share. Next weekend, it's chestnuts! And after that, maybe mushrooms?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is there a wild food that you enjoy?</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-71212246118345413892010-03-30T20:35:00.000-07:002010-03-30T20:41:44.023-07:00My place and yours... collections<div style="text-align: center;">I stumbled across this lovely <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">blog</a> last night and just had to take part in this weeks 'My place and yours' which is all about collections. I am a chronic bargain hunter and as such I have amassed a good many collections. I am constantly buying, selling and reselling stuff... lucky my beautiful fiance is an vintage lover also.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few of the things I collect are....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAQhCJcxI/AAAAAAAAAxU/TOZYtoSQjSM/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAQhCJcxI/AAAAAAAAAxU/TOZYtoSQjSM/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kitch ceramics... and cheesy jesus stuff. My favourite is the dodo gravy jug which my MIL bought me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAOg1_9BI/AAAAAAAAAxM/p80fe1SOG7s/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAOg1_9BI/AAAAAAAAAxM/p80fe1SOG7s/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Brooches.. I always want more brooches!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAUwyWoiI/AAAAAAAAAxk/rFFBEqasA48/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S7LAUwyWoiI/AAAAAAAAAxk/rFFBEqasA48/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Vintage Sideboards. I have four and I love them all SO much. This one I got whilst working at Indigo Junction- for some reason it didn't sell, so I worked in exchange for it! It makes me happy every time I look at it. It's so sexy, in a 60's teak veneer kind of way!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also collect chairs (I LOVE chairs), vintage frocks & handbags, old tins, vintage lamps, enameled things, tea cups, old stamps (the kind you ink, not postage stamps), old bottles, vintage games and fisher price toys, vintage books with cool covers and of course... golden books.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you collect & why? You can see more fabulous collections over at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">Hello Owl</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-54883759317934074852010-03-24T19:47:00.000-07:002010-03-24T19:47:20.265-07:00My Creative Space..<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6rNk92w1KI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FIja3oIQhi0/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6rNk92w1KI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FIja3oIQhi0/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">..at the moment is all about wooly winter snugness. I am completely obsessed with this lovely alpaca wool from the Creswick Wool Mill, which lucky for me is very near by. <div style="text-align: center;">I'm having so much fun dreaming up uses for it and preparing for winter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>I have a pile of hot water bottle covers, finished and unfinished for the Daylesford Makers Market.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6rNnYA5FhI/AAAAAAAAAwo/vgzXHcD17Ec/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6rNnYA5FhI/AAAAAAAAAwo/vgzXHcD17Ec/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And some prototype fingerless gloves. Do you think they need adorning? I kinda like them plain and simple. What do you think? They feel lovely on...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out some more creative spaces <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">here</a> :)</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-2387101795833343122010-03-22T20:47:00.000-07:002010-03-23T02:24:13.943-07:00Relishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6g1WPiJfKI/AAAAAAAAAwA/GwzvFfu90u0/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6g1WPiJfKI/AAAAAAAAAwA/GwzvFfu90u0/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've just finished making a wee batch of tomato relish with the gorgeous tomatoes I picked yesterday. Every year I make a batch to give away to my special friends. I like to make this first, before I make any for myself. It's my little tradition.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6g1U9N1BQI/AAAAAAAAAv4/iFwT8JCm_Ec/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6g1U9N1BQI/AAAAAAAAAv4/iFwT8JCm_Ec/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think they look very sweet!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just adore making preserves! This weekend we will make tomato sauce too. The kids absolutely love it! Hopefully we can make enough to last the whole year. Then next week I shall make green tomato chutney from my remaining unripe tomatoes. It was pretty frosty this morning, so I think their days are numbered!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is my recipe for Spicy Tomato Relish in case you feel inspired :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div id="column-2"><div id="ingredient-text-overlay"></div><div id="ingredients-list"><ul><li> 1.5 kg ripe tomatoes, chopped</li>
<li>4 onions, chopped roughly</li>
<li>2 tablespoons salt</li>
<li> 2 cups brown sugar</li>
<li>3 red chillies (I use cayenne) </li>
<li> 2 1/4 cups malt vinegar</li>
<li> 2 tbsp plain flour</li>
<li> 1 tbsp curry powder</li>
<li> 1 tbsp dry mustard</li>
<li> 1 tbsp salt</li>
<li> 1 tsp ground ginger</li>
<li> 1/4 cup malt vinegar</li>
</ul></div><b>Method:</b><br />
<b> </b>Put tomatoes and onions in a non-metallic bowl and sprinkle over the salt. Leave for 12 hours. Drain the liquid that has formed. Put vegetables in a preserving pan or large saucepan and add the sugar, chillies and first measure of vinegar. Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring frequently for about 1hr 20 minutes or until mixture is reduced and thickens slightly. <br />
Combine remaining ingredients to make a thick paste. <br />
Stir paste into the tomato mixture and simmer, stirring for 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens.<br />
Pack into sterilised jars and seal.<br />
Makes about 4 x 350ml jars. <br />
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</div><div id="column-2">Yummy x x</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5458539507556876176.post-46998341999579565262010-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:002010-03-21T20:48:42.234-07:00Autumn in my garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6bnAPAdc2I/AAAAAAAAAvY/f2a07xuVmw8/s1600-h/Recently+Updated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XMVBL26r8TA/S6bnAPAdc2I/AAAAAAAAAvY/f2a07xuVmw8/s400/Recently+Updated2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's nap time here & I really should be sewing for the next Daylesford Makers Market, but it's such a stunningly gorgeous day! I've been out picking tomatoes- of which there are so many. All different colours shapes and sizes. I also photographed a few of the lovely things around my garden. Veges flowers and animals! I hope you are enjoying the weather and some nature where you are?</div>Tania Verdezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09981092775236178182noreply@blogger.com1