Wonderlandia's partial relocation... and new DOLLS!!!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that we've now moved to Sydney (from Coffs Harbour) so now we won't be at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club markets each Sunday anymore (sad face) We still plan to visit Coffs from time to time to say hi to all the fantastic stall holders and customers we've enjoyed spending time with - of course we'll be bringing all our wears with us too! However if you don't want to wait for a visit you can check out our Etsy store at www.wonderlandia.etsy.com and anyone in the Coffs Harbour area will recieve free postage on all items until 1st Jan next year.

As for our new permanent Sydney market locations we are going to try out a bunch of different ones until we fall in love with a location or two and set up shop for good. We'll keep you updated but in the mean time you can find us at Windsor Market on the 21st of November - we've been before and loved all the friendly stallholders there so if you are around stop in and say hi!

Lookout for a new range of sweet ponytailed darlings ready to venture out into the world very soon. I just need to sew up their little heads, paint their little faces, and add a few other secret magical ingredients and they'll be ready to seek out thier destinies... you never know one of them could be entering your life very soon... 

Manda x

Tie Dye Snobs?





We've really fallen for tie dye in our new summer collection it's so fun and vibrant and really has such a nice genuinely handmade feel to it, especially since no two ever come out the same.

I have noticed in the shops lately, lots of "tie dye" is finding it's way into the commercial stores, but it's not real tie dye, (as it takes too long to do, to be commercially viable), so it's just digitally printed onto the fabrics. I actually do conceed that some of the digital printed clothing ends up looking pretty nice but i must admit we do feel slightly superior knowing that ours is the real thing... could we be turning into a tie dye snobs? lol   

The pictures with this post are a sneek peek of the new dresses Mum dyed today, I have some really cool boys tees coming soon which I am hoping to post some pics up of very soon.

Hope you are all having a great weekend and Mum will see you tomorrow if your coming down to our Coffs Market! By the way - if you have your eye on any of the dresses you see in the pics they should be at the market too!

Summer lovin' in Wonderlandia

Despite a few annoyingly cold days I have definitely been noticing spring is here, my plants are growing, the lawn needs mowing and I have had a sudden urge to get a flatter stomach?

One unfortunate thing I've noticed is that as soon as the weather starts warming up, my calendar starts getting very full - between weddings, barbeques, christenings and birthdays it's pretty crazy - then December comes along... let's just say I understand why they call it the silly season now!

That got me to thinking about what Summer used to mean to me when I was a kid...

I really wish I could have one of those summers back! It was just heaven... longer days, later bedtimes, the beach, the pool, the sprinkler, a blow up pool at the end of a slippery slide - any water would do! And after swimming for sooooo long my lips were purple - eating hot chips with tomato sauce and wearing towels Dad used to roll into crowns on his leg... oh I could go on forever... I bet you all have some great summer memories too!

So this summer I am determined to get a little lazier, make a few less engagements, so I can take a little time to ditch the iphone, throw away my to do list and make some new Summer memories with my family!

P.S - While you're out making your memories, don't forget to take lots of pics - especially if your little surfer girl happens to be wearing an adorable Wonderlandian handmade skirt! Oh and if she is - send it in to us, we LOVE seeing your pics! It's so nice to see where our creations end up!

Bianka & Daniella wearing some new Wonderlandian summer skirts!

New Spring/Summer Range

Yes, it's taken us some time but we are back and feeling all glistening and new with our tropical bird inspired Spring/Summer range for girls and our Urban Surfer range for boys...

For the girls think Vivid Violet, Indian Yellow, Kingfisher Blue & Flamingo Pink, light, bright and cool with uniquely textured hand dyed fabrics. We are doing skirts, dresses, tees, kaftans and everything she might need for a tropical getaway, (or playing in the sandpit out the back)...

For the boys think dark greys and blues of a stormy sea and the concrete in the local skatepark, then add some of the glassy bright blues and foamy whites of that perfect wave... We are doing shorts, boardies, tees and everything he needs to showcase his innate coolness...

Keep an eye out for some pics coming very shortly!
     

$50 voucher giveaway winners announced!!!

Yes it's July 1st and our brand new shop has been launched - check out our new store here - we'll be doing an official blog post on this later today but now it's time to announce the winners of our June Giveaway!!!

According to the Random numbers provided by Random.org our $50 voucher giveaway winners are:

• Earth Angel Mumma (no.5) - $50 voucher Winner! 
  
• Renny’s Little Things (no.32) - $50 voucher Winner!

 As we genuinely wish everyone could be a winner we’ve decided to give out a secret code to any participant that emails us within 14 days for a strictly VIP 20% store discount, valid until 31st August 2010!

To claim your prize please contact me within 14 days at wonderlandia@ymail.com and I will provide you with your secret voucher code!

 

YAY – I feel a tiny bit like Oprah right now!

  

Have a great day everyone and thanks again for participating :)

P.s - Keep an eye out for our official store launch post coming later today, also our fantastic July competition soon to be announced; and the first look at some adorable new dolls that I am finishing at the moment; oh, and the coloured version of Kendra part 2, oh, and a sneak peek at the loveliness that is our spring/summer collection... oh I could go on forever but I may hyperventilate from all the excitement - lol

Manda x

 

Tangerine Dreams...

Everyone knows Retro cool is back and I suppose it's because it reminds us of a time when things seemed to be so much simpler, the days were longer, the crowds were smaller, the streets were safer - and we didn't have to carry the whole world around with us on our mobiles, yep, back in the "Wonder Years"...

Mum was reminiscing of exactly these times when she whipped up this great new reversible dress - it's her nod to the times when your Mum sewed your clothes, you could buy things with 1 & 2c pieces and eating out was only for special occasions.


One side is made from the softest brushed tangerine cord and features a cotton pocket and elephant applique going right round the base ; the reverse is 100% cotton, with a fresh & fun little elephant print. Like all our reversibles; it's cut for comfort and fully overlocked.

As mothers ourselves - we love these dresses; you can add clothes underneath and over the top to make them as warm or as cool as you desire and if your little "angel" gets a little messy - just flip it over and she's good as new (who has to know?) lol

Think marbles, corner stores and writing letters to Grandma on Mum's "special paper"... 

Oh and if this post got you thinking about getting the marbles out of the back shed like it did me then click here to check out the rules to some super fun marble games - Enjoy!!

Manda x

What's wrong with Kendra? *Part 2*

For those of you that don't remember the first part of Kendra's story you might want to check it out before continuing to read this blog post... (you can find part 1 in the "Tales" section of this blog).

Also, I have actually not long ago been in contact with Kendra's mother and now have enough amazing news to begin part 3 of Kendra's tale, so keep a look out for that and also keep an eye out for the coloured version of my part 2 sketch!

What's wrong with Kendra Part 2

Well, unfortunately for quite a while Kendra's saga carried on much the same as in the last half of this story, with her growing more and more detached by the day and the stress levels of those around her increasing at the same rate.

"It's all a part of growing up", "she's getting ready to fly the nest" one friend lectured Kendra's mother. But seriously, it was a little hard to believe that a normal 12 year old girl would be thinking of flying the nest before she was even a teenager, it just didn't make sense.

We had hoped that with her 13th birthday only days away Kendra would perk up even if just for the presents - but nothing seemed to be able to stir more than the vaguest emotion withn her.

Then it happened.

Queen of Hearts...

Mum woke up this morning feeling that a new winter skirt was in order and I just love what she has come up with... it's a queen of hearts themed skirt in a lovely thick herringbone patterned fabric with gorgeous deep red cord hearts perfectly appliqued all along the bottom - so adorable!

I can just see it with some white tights underneath and black mary janes - or why not some bright red gumboots! I think this is one for special occasions like tea parties with Mad Hatters or perhaps playing Croquet with the queen...

It's hot off the sewing table right now - so be sure to keep a look out in our Etsy store and our markets for this sweet new addition which will come in a variety of wonderful colours and rich warm fabrics (and with some better pics of course)!

Manda x

P.S - If you would like to get this skirt for free don't forget to enter this months blog giveaway to win vouchers to spend in our Wonderlandia store!!!

It's giveaway time again in Wonderlandia!!!

Hi Everyone!

There's so much happening behind the scenes at the moment - not the least of these being the new online shop we are building for Wonderlandia, which opens on the 1st of July, 2010!

Note: Our Etsy store will remain open for the foreseeable future so fans of Etsy can still shop in the normal way.

JUNE BLOG GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate this news we are giving away two $50 vouchers to spend in our new store the moment it opens on the 1st of July!!

To be in the running to win one of these fantastic prizes simply sign up to this blog, or our facebook fan page and then comment on this post to let us know you are an active follower!

The competition will be drawn using the good old random number generator on the 30th of June at 5pm AEST and winners will be posted up on our blog very shortly after!

Speaking of winners - I noticed one of our winners from last months competition Adelle from Delicious Designs featured the Wonderlandian earrings she won on her blog, hanging off a very scary looking fork tree she made for them - you can check it out here. Thanks Adelle, we think your fork tree is lovely as it is, but would look even cooler with mini spoons (the kind you get for doll houses) attached to the branches for leaves! This way any children climbing it could have a lovely desert by simply pulling off a slice of cake fruit and a leaf spoon to eat it with! Heaven!

Good luck everyone!

Manda x

Wonderlandia.com.au is alive!

We apologise for the fact that our blog has been down for the last 12 hours but it hasn't been for naught...

Now instead of typing http://tales-from-wonderlandia.blogspot.com to get to our blog, you can find us at our new shortened address: www.wonderlandia.com.au YAY!

Don't worry if you forget though, as our old address will still work with no problem :)

Also, if you haven't joined it already - we have a brand new facebook fan page here which is just another way you can show us some love and keep up to date with all the latest...

Manda x

Isn't she lovely...

So here she is, a new Custom doll made for a lovely lady I met at our recent Cronulla Allies Attic Market named Melissa. Melissa was happy to leave all the styling up to me but simply requested that I used blues or greens instead of pinky colours for the clothing and that the hair was an unruly mass of brilliant red as she herself is a redhead (currently in disguise as a blonde)...

I love her sweet little freckled nose and her bright hazel green eyes but most of all I adore her shoes, I wish I had a pair for myself, but alas - a shoemaker I am not... although you just never know what I may turn my hand too in future.

She is currently unnamed *though I do have a secret name in my head for her* but I thought it might be nice for her to be officially named when she arrives at her new home. I really hope Melissa loves her as much as I do!

Manda x

And the winners are...

Using the powers of the random number generator from random.org I have determined the winners of our first ever blog giveaway!

Congratulations to Elisa Brown, Delicious Designz and Pennie!

The lucky winners can now choose the art print you would most like from Wonderlandia's Etsy store and also select a desert from today's Patisserie Menu for your earrings:

Orange & Honey Glazed Cheesecake
Lemon Meringue Pie
Very Cherry Cheesecake
Sticky Strawberry Tart
or
Victorian Chocolate Sponge...

When you have made your selections simply email them to me (Manda) at wonderlandia@ymail.com along with your postal address and they will be on their merry way to you very soon!

Thanks everyone who entered and look out for our June competition which will be coming shortly!!! June's giveaway will include a clothing item - hooray!!!

How are winners determined?

I counted 29 comments in total by the cutoff time and used the random number generator to give me three random numbers between 1 and 29... The numbers were: 17 (Elisa.Brown) 2 (Me) & 1 (DELiciousDesignz) obviously I can't win so I generated a fourth number which was 12 (Pennie).

Wonderlandia BLOG Giveaway - free Art & Jewellery!!!

To celebrate the launch of our new Wonderlandia Patisserie Jewellery we are excited to giveaway 3 prize packs including an art print of your choice and a set of our yummy new earrings... the best guilt free treat we know of!

HOW TO ENTER

Simply sign up to follow Wonderlandia's Blog and leave a comment under this post (so I know you are an active follower) and you will be in the running.

The prizes will all be drawn using the random number generator on the 1st of June 2010 and winners will be announced the same day.

Good luck to everyone and if you are in Sydney don't forget Allie's Attic at Cronulla this Saturday it should be a great day out!

She' finished!

I am just on my way out to send a lovely package off to Melbourne for a beautiful custom doll, two art prints & some of my brand new Wonderlandia Patisserie earrings! I am very sad to see my little ballerina friend leave but I know she is definitely going to a great home! I hope you like her!

Ken Duncan in Wonderlandia?

Just a quick blog about our new blog and etsy shop banner - I hope you like them as it took me ages to draw a really wide scene of one of my favourite spots in Wonderlandia (mostly because it's right near the home of one of my dearest friends), but it's also the spot where Brandysnap Forest meets Everspring Wood and it's just such a lovely place to be. Full of woodland creatures and flooded with echoes of distant bird calls... it's just so serene.

When I was finished it kind of reminded me of a Ken Duncan photograph because of it's panoramic quality...

Crafting like crazy!!!! (SNEAK PEEK)

I've been a little light on the blogging front lately as I have been creating up a storm so I thought I would do a big blog with a sneak peek of some of the cool stuff I've been making - let me know what you think....

NEW DOLLS!!!!

Yay! I have some brand new Wonderlandian friends waiting to be adopted! These art dolls are all one-offs made by me and range in price from $45-$55 AUD. To meet any of these darlings come along to our Coffs Harbour Market this weekend or our Cronulla Allie's Attic Market the following Saturday...

I am in the process of creating a custom doll for a little girls named Lily's 4th birthday - it's so adorable it has a pink sparkly tutu that I just love so much I might make it in adult size - I'll post up a pic as soon as I am done!


DON'T EAT ME...
Le Wonderlandian Patisserie Treats.... bon appetit!!! I have been loving the polymer clay of late, it's just so fun creating little deserts I can wear, in Wonderlandia the deserts are always plentiful and simply divine I am going to have to get some recipies to share with you all - I try not too cook too many deserts at home as I find my gluttony is obscene - but when travelling I tend to let my guard down, which usually leads to having to let the waistband out on my pants...

RED WOOLLEN TREES WITH SPOTTY LEAVES?

Only in Wonderlandia of course...

Wonderlandian dolls for all...

As you may know from my previous blogs I have been experimenting with the idea of Wonderlandian dolls for a while, however my fear of sewing failure meant all dolls would have to be a joint effort between my mum and I which made things very hard considering mum is in coffs and I am in Sydney.

It finally occured to me a few weeks ago that I should just learn to sew, so I bought a machine and Mum taught me how to sew that afternoon. Honestly I don't know why I put it off for so long it's SO fun and another fantastic creative outlet to add to my repotoire.

So... what have I been making - well you guessed it. Dolls!! They take me quite a while to make but I really enjoy every minute of it. I consider them as 3D portraits of ordinary Wonderlandians that you would see playing in the park on any given afternoon and as Wonderlandians come in lots of different colours and with many different faces my dolls reflect that.

I design,sew, stuff and decorate all the dolls myself, including painting the faces, sewing any additional clothing, shoes and accessories - I even crochet scarves for some of them. Dolls are such a great way of combining lots of my favourite things. Look out for the newest dolls that I am working on now, instead of felt hair I am using beautiful angora and mohair yarn - I came up with a way of making wigs out of it and I just love the effect.

I am going to create a doll gallery on my blog to keep a record of all the dolls I make because I really do create them with love and It's sad to see them fly the nest - keep a look out for this soon.

Above is my first ever batch of dolls, if you came along to Allies Attic at Cronulla or Coffs Harbour Yacht Club market last weekend you may have seen them - or possibly even taken one home! The sweet dark haired doll in the picture by itself was the very first to sell - I was so happy that she went to a great home.

If you would like your very own Wonderlandian friend I think all the dolls above are sold now but I am working on some at the moment which should be finished in time for the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club market this Sunday and I'll also be adding a few to our Etsy store later this week.

I'd love to hear what you think of my girls and I'd also like to know if you think I should tell you thier names? I loved naming my dolls as a child so I didn't want to take that away from anyone but I can't help but have secret names for them all...

Manda xxx

Mini Me

Whilst I was in Sydney a friend of my daughters asked if I could sew a dress for her 4mth old niece. She wanted the dress to be a mini version of a party dress she was wearing to an upcoming event.

I agreed and so we met up and went looking for the matching fabrics and colours. Sadly, we couldn’t find the matching colour, but she decided to go ahead any way and have the dress in white.

It was a real change from what I normally sew and consequently I spent quite a lot of time unpicking errors, but what a sense of achievement when I finally finished - and it looks just like mums, so cute!

They are going to look so cute in photos - and they will always have the dress as a treasured memory, you never know it could be the start of a family tradition...

Watch out wonderlandia followers and customers - you may see some Chiffon clothing popping up in our store in future ...

Wonderlandia out and about!

We have had so much fun doing markets over the last few weeks, starting with the very successful Allies Attic at Cronulla, then continuing with Narrabeen market at Berry Reserve the next day and just last weekend I found myself back in Sydney again for the Allies Attic Easter Market at Mosman Art Gallery.

We had an overwhelming response to our clothes and art, particularly at the Cronulla markets and we'd really like to thank everyone that took the time to come out to visit us - it's just so lovely to meet people that appreciate what we do, it really keeps us going.

I'll be back at the Coffs Harbour markets outside the Yacht Club as usual from this weekend coming. As I have been down in Sydney so often lately I haven't been around as often as normal. Can't wait to catch up with everyone again! The next Allie's attic isn't till the 22nd of May so I'll be staying put for a bit!

Oh and how cute is the above pic - it was taken by Chantelle from Forever Bliss Photography as a part of a photo shoot for Allies Attic, how cute, we just love it! We can't wait until we win lotto and get to do our own Wonderlandia photo shoot with a professional photographer - LOL :)

Whats wrong with Kendra?

On my travels through Wonderlandia I find it so brimming with fantastical creatures, places and stories that i often forget about all the amazing "ordinary" people I meet there. Infact, should you ever read through my travel journals - you could be forgiven for thinking that there were no ordinary people residing in Wonderlandia at all!

However, on my last visit one such ordinary Wonderlandian surprised me by becoming one of the most fascinating creatures I have ever met...

This was, of course, the uber-sweet Kendra, the 12 year old daughter of a friend of mine with whom I often visit when my travels take me through the picturesque villiage of Lapis, on Wonderlandia's Velvet coast.

On my last visit, I arrived to find my friend rather worried, for Kendra seemed to have changed suddenly and in place of the happy little daughter she once had, was now what could only be described as an empty shell of a girl. Almost as if Kendra's spirit now resided somewhere else entirely.

She would often wander now, and would be found in the strangest of places, sometimes at the end of the little wharf down the street silently staring out to sea, or sitting out in the rain, completely saturated, watching the puddles gather water.

This behaviour had been going on for months, gradually getting worse as Kendra became more and more withdrawn. After carting her from doctor to specialist to councillor and back again, still there was no difinitive diagnosis and no solution at all. Only a constant question asked by everyone she came across "What's wrong with Kendra?". When I think back to this worrying time it's so hard to believe something truly incredible was about to happen...

I hope you enjoy my portrait of Kendra above, I will have a second portait of Kendra coming shortly, in the meantime I won't say anymore though, because I don't want to give her secret away - think you can guess what is wrong with Kendra?

Manda xxx

The elephants go marching out!

I am so happy with the response to my mummy and baby elephant denim pinafores, so much so I keep running out of the fabric for the lining, we sell out of them at each market and have had plenty of orders too. So if you have come to visit us and weren't able to find the elephant pinafore in the size you were after make sure you come back soon as I have sourced some really great new great fabrics that I am going to experiment with which I think will be just as cute (if not cuter), so look out for lots of different coloured elephants coming up!

If you have any ideas for cute applique you'd like to see me create on a pinafore I'd love to hear them - so far I've created a few different owls, a giraffe, two types of whales and of course the mummy and baby elephants... Liz

New cord & cotton Easter skirts

Yesterday, after making up some new reversible dresses, I found myself with a big bag full leftover fabric that I couldn't bear to waste. So I set about making a few hair clips - but there was still so much fabric left...

Working around the akwardly shaped offcuts, I came up with an idea for some bright and fun skirts that would be just perfect for Easter. To begin with, I cut the fabric into strips, came up with some fun colour combos and hit the sewing machine running - before I knew it, I was testing out all the embroidery stitches on my machine, sooooo fun!

I shirred the skirts at the top for stretch to allow them to fit for longer and increase comfort (both so important for growing kids) But, still not ready to stop embellishing - I went super frilly with a fourth layer of ribbon!

You can see some of the finished products in the pics above, they are all one offs and will be available in our Etsy shop shortly and also of course at our market stalls - the next market is on at Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club this weekend (sat 20/03) and then Sunday at Narrabeen Market Berry Reserve.

Hope I did ok for my first blog post - as a Grandmother I am proud to say I'm feeling very "with the times" right now...lol

Liz

My Mum is blogging!

Yes it's true - my uber talented Mum (Liz) who designs and handmakes all Wonderlandia's adorable clothing has decided she wants to blog about her upcoming clothing, successes and failures, inspirations and even some sewing how-to's!

So keep a look out for her posts - the first of which is coming right after this one!

Manda

Secrets revealed...

On meeting Gwen I have to admit I was taken aback - I mean she's strange even by Wonderlandian standards, my mind was flooded with questions; is she a girl? a bird? where did she come from? Are there others? Why haven't I seen any of her kind on any of my travels through Wonderlandia before?

But if I was intruiged by the mere sight of Gwen, that's nothing compared to how I felt when I heard her story...

When she was just a young girl of nine Gwendolen was playing hide and seek in Brandysnap forest when she realised she had been separated from her friends and become lost. Gwen scrambled through the darkening forest, stumbling over tree roots and fallen branches - callling out to her friends, unknowingly running deeper into the forest instead of out of it.

Not looking where she was going Gwen slipped down a muddy bank and fell into a small puddle of water. However, this puddle was far deeper than it looked and Gwen found herself submerged right up to her neck. The water was bitterly cold and Gwen launched herself out immediately - however there was no relief to be had, for once out of the water she was suddenly overcome by the strangest senstation she'd ever felt...

Injecting life into Veronica...

So happy - I got my new Wacom drawing tablet on Monday afternoon and it's amazing! The feel of the pen and the drawing surface is sooo much more pleasurable and realistic than my previous model (graphire4). The increased accuracy and additional sensitivity are definitely noticeable and I am really looking forward to working more with this tool!

In my excitement I decided to play around with my drawing of Veronica and I found that I could actually make her look much closer to the Veronica in my memory by using my tablet and alot of dodging, burning, cloning etc... in photoshop.

I am so pleased with Veronica that I've decided to add digital work as a permanent part of my creative process from now on! There is only one negative - all my artwork will now take twice as long, but I really think it's worth it - I have put both versions of Veronica below so you can see the difference - let me know what you think :)

Pencil and Photoshop

Pencil only

Also, in a previous post I mentioned that I would be adding Veronica to my Etsy store on the 1st of March to celebrate the arrival of Autumn - but I actually ended up deciding to hold off until I had the new version instead, so I'll be adding her tomorrow - sorry about that - hope she's worth the wait!

Manda :)

Would you pay over $1000 for one tablet?

I was so devastated when my son Jet decided to do a little teething on my Wacom tablet pen which I use instead of a mouse. So, for the last week I have actually been back to a normal mouse which for some horrible reason always makes my hand cramp up like some kind of rigamortis attack...

Yesterday I finally decided not to get a replacement pen but to get a whole new tablet instead! See below!

I am so excited as my current tablet was designed for home photo editing, it's not really a professional model or anything and was a little clumsy - but my new one - well that's a different story! I am getting the Wacom Intuos4 Large which has all the specs I need, I mean the pen registers pressure from 1 gram and with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity apparently it's a dream to draw with - the pen even comes with 10 changeable nibs!

I briefly considered the tablets with inbuilt LCD screens, they are incredible - just imagine drawing straight onto your artwork with a pen whilst having the screen in your lap or on a desk, but these were way out of my budget... still - I can dream right?

So, back to the real world - I researched the Intuos4 thoroughly on the internet and the cheapest store by far was gizmomart.com.au, I got the tablet for $499 from them and postage was $15, whereas most other stores were in excess of $600, some even over $1000. I found it surprising that one of the most expensive sites was the Wacom Australia wholesale store where you have to pay over $700 plus postage - weird hey? Anyhow - Gizmomart says that this offer is only till 1st of March 2010 so if you are in the market for a tablet I'd get in quick.

So now I begin my tortuous wait for the mail man - the site didn't say how long it would be but I am hoping I'll get it on Friday, (wishful thinking I know) I really can't wait to put this tablet to the test - I'll post my findings asap!

Fresh from the sketchbook

On my most recent trip to Wonderlandia I was fortunate enough to meet up again with the faeries of brandysnap forest, they really are the most generous and hospitable of all the faeries but despite this, I still found myself shocked when they chose to make me privy to one of thier most important secrets...

No, Gwendolen isn't the secret, but unfortunately she is burdened with keeping it; which means she hasn't been able to leave the forest in more than 10 years, thankfully she has the faeries to tend to her needs and provide company but it's just not the same as the loving arms of the family and friends she had to leave behind all those years ago.

Meeting Gwendolen was a unique experience, and not just for the obvious reasons - this softly spoken creature has the thoughtful composure an ancient philosopher, but despite all her manners and refinement, nothing can hide the overwhelming melancholy and longing that seems to lie just beneath her surface.

I'll fill you guys in on Gwen's full story when I post the completed pic, hope you like my sketch so far!

Up and coming market dates!

Why not break out your most adorable tote and come check out our Wonderlandia store live and in person!
Oh and if you don't have the adorable tote (or you want another for your collection) - SashaSews has you covered with her adorable Metro Chic tote pictured above - you can check out her etsy store here.

Wonderlandia's February/March market dates are as follows:

• Saturday 13th February 2010
  Allies Attic Baby and Kids Market Mosman Art Gallery & Community Centre Cnr Art Gallery Way & Myahgah Rd Mosman visit www.alliesattic.com.au for more information
  
• Sunday 21st February 2010
  Coffs Harbour Beachfront Market Outdoor market located at Coffs Harbour Jetty opposite the Yacht Club Selling handmade goods of all types
  
• Saturday 28th February 2010
  Coffs Harbour Beachfront Market Outdoor market located at Coffs Harbour Jetty opposite the Yacht Club Selling handmade goods of all types
• Saturday 7th March 2010
  Coffs Harbour Beachfront Market Outdoor market located at Coffs Harbour Jetty opposite the Yacht Club Selling handmade goods of all types
• Saturday 14th March 2010
  Coffs Harbour Beachfront Market Outdoor market located at Coffs Harbour Jetty opposite the Yacht Club Selling handmade goods of all types
  
• Saturday 20th March 2010 Allies Attic Baby and Kids Market Sharkies - Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club 461 Captain Cook Drive Cronulla - Parking on site visit www.alliesattic.com.au for more information
• Sunday 21st March 2010
  Narrabeen Villiage Market Outdoor market directly opposite the Narrabeen Shopping Centre on Pittwater Road, Narrabeen Selling a variety of items including handmade items and plenty of food
  
• Sunday 28th March 2010
  Coffs Harbour Beachfront Market Outdoor market located at Coffs Harbour Jetty opposite the Yacht Club Selling handmade goods of all types

If you do happen to come along - be sure to stop in and say hi!
Manda :)

Look who the wind blew in...

Does anyone still remember this post?

http://tales-from-wonderlandia.blogspot.com/2009/08/still-waiting.html

Yes I know it's a little overdue but I am pleased to finally present Veronica – in all her Polychromo splendour!

Now she certainly did take a long time to come to life but I think she was well worth the wait. I am so pleased to have captured almost every detail as it is in my memory – except of course it was very hard to show all the dust and debris that had been whipped up into the air, making me wonder if I shouldn’t be wearing some sort of mask to avoid ingesting foreign objects...

Veronica will be available at Wonderlandia’s Etsy store from 1^st March to celebrate the arrival of Autumn, or at least commiserate the departure of Summer... (for me it’s the latter).

Let me know what you think!

Manda :)