Idle Crafty Happiness: 40th Retreat Day Three- Part Three

THURSDAY 5TH APRIL, 2012
Today I have found myself a few child-free hours on the Easter School Holidays and I have a huge list of things I would love to accomplish and one of them is this blog!

FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER, 2011
2PM

To catch up you may need to go back to Day Three-Part Two as we found ourselves at the Art Studio Market in Merricks in need of sustainance and the promise of 'Great Food' had us in the mood for yummies.

The journey to this out-of-the-way paddock was such a great part of the adventure. Along roads less travelled we arrived to find a paddock full of cars parked and people everywhere, it was fabulous. There was a beautiful mud brick studio shared by 3 artists. A glass artist, a painter and a jeweller. Check it out here . Gorgeous class objects dangling from long shiny threads, silver rings and bracelets galore and paintings touched by paperworks and text all looking lovely together and it was packed. Here we are grinning our heads off in the mirror.

No time for detailed photos, FOOD!!!!! We went in search for the 'Great Food' and, (this is the part I'd been eluding too the previous post) all we came across was a small table offering a 'spit burger', a 'kids sausage in bread' and one sweaty plastic container of 'pasta salad' (bllaahh)!!! Totally NOT NOT NOT Em's idea of good food and clearly not mine either. The best option was the 'burger' and at $15!! Yikes $15, well we paid and ate and tried not be grumbly about it. That's difficult for me 'cause I am into food. I love food. I love everything about it. I love growing it, I love looking at it, I love cooking it, I love sharing it and I love, love, love eating it Let it go, Le. Let it go!!

So we continue around the market and it is GORGEOUS! Lots of lovingly handmade items. The likes of colourful resin bangles, cute dollies with corduroy hair, citrusy smelling soy candles, plump little woollen apliqued pillows, stunning skirts and 50's style dresses, beautiful framed 3d paper pictures which Santa, if you're listening could you please make one for Little 1. $200 later I was outta cash (probably a blessing, if only I hadn't paid $15 for that 'burger'!!)

We didn't just get 1 we got 2, that's 1 each. We paid $30 for 2 crappy supermarket white bread rolls, the chewy bits of spit roast and, admittedly, a really nice homey red tomato relish but REALLY!!

I wish I could recite Em's expletives in the car which had me in stitches, totally breathless and almost unable to drive! She's a funny girl, I love her dearly. Before we leave the market, let me show you a gallery of photos.

so cute ice cream truck

50's, 50's, 50's

here we are with our purchases

Just have to say, ................ were the nicest women who thought our retreat was just legendary. They were so genuinely excited for us that they gave us a little momento each. 'A wish for you'. A dandelion faerie in a tinsy, tiny message bottle.................

They made very pretty little ceramic tags with lovely sayings or words embossed into the surface, embossed ceramic earrings, gorgeous prints on card and linen and colourful paper bunting......oohhh how I want to make bunting.

......and just for the shear joy of colour, these great old school style red chairs

4.00 PM - Hi Ho, Hi Ho, an op shop we go! Time to leave, time to oppy, Hi Ho, Hi Ho. We have boundless energy for marketing and op shopping don't you think? Keep in mind we only left 'home' at 12.45!! Vinnies in Rosebud, we are here!! Oh, yes ATM first! Yes Vinnies here we are and what a treasure trove for us. Woollen blankets, I'm a bit addicted to, retro towels (bit addicted to those too at the moment), water glasses (severly low at home), a bright yellow wicker double basket fruit hanger, a cute story book for making bunting(yeah!!). That was about it oh, and those all to familiar words we've heard everyday, ' sorry ladies but we're closed, NOW!! We giggle and exit quickly, to the very well stocked Italian deli, stuff for dinner in our basket, browsing cheeses and what not- 'sorry but we are closed!!' This is becoming a pattern don't you think? Hee, hee, hee. We giggle and exit quickly again and finally troddle off home for gorgonzola, goat cheese,smoked salmon, dip, olives, bread, rose pink moscato, a sunset to match and some idle crafty happiness!!