The Vintage Garden

....An Ending and A New Beginning....

2010-10-19T21:27:00.005+11:00

A couple of months ago, The Vintage Garden & Cupcake Cafe closed it's doors in Buninyong for the final time. I won't go into the details of why ~ suffice it to say lease problems!!!!It was a difficult time for everyone ~ Geoff, me, the girls who worked with us and our very loyal customers - there were tears all round.

We had been in Buninyong for six years and had run the Cafe for three of these

so customers had become friends and staff were like family.

But it is no good looking back ~ we must all move forward. Hopefully by now, all the girls will have new and exciting jobs and Geoff and I have moved to a new venture. As before, I have been lucky enough to be able to "Follow my Bliss" and have opened a new shop, just as gorgeous, actually, even more so than the old one :))))) For those who haven't already found us, it is called The Vintage China Company and you can visit us at 451 Doveton Street North, Soldier's Hill, Ballarat. We are situated on the corner of Doveton and Macarthur Streets.

I will conclude this Blog here as the new venture deserves a Blog of its own and it, along with the web site will be up and running very soon. You can check us out at

http://vintage-china.blogspot.com/

Thank you again to the girls who worked for us and the customers who not only visited us time and time again, but became our friends ~ you made The Vintage Garden & Cupcake Cafe the special place it was.

Sue xo

...A Daisy for Mother's Day...

2010-05-09T12:26:00.006+10:00

...Miss Daisy wishes a Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums, whether a human baby Mum or a fur baby Mum.......

She is wishing you all a "Chill- Out" sort of Day :)))))

Happy Mother's Day,

Love,

Sue & Daisy xo

....Congratulations Kate and Brad....

2010-05-08T13:05:00.027+10:00

....One hundred cupcakes and a top cutting cake is a daunting task when you don't have a commercial oven and you work full-time, so Kate's Mum was relieved when I said I was more than happy to take on the task.

Kate and Brad were having an elegant cocktail party, for their engagement, so the six-tiered cupcake stand full of cupcakes was certainly a show-stopper. Unfortunately I don't have photos of the finished product as Kate put it together herself.

The designated colours were stunning - black, silver, cream and pearl, so we decided on chocolate-mocha cupcakes in silver cases, with vanilla buttercream frosting.

The cupcakes were dusted with shimmering Pearl sugar and decorated with silver cachous and silver hearts. The piece-de-resistance? The hearts had Kate and Brad printed on each one. This was my surprise for Kate :))))

The cutting cake was the same chocolate cake with Belgian chocolate ganache between the layers and covering the entire cake.

Piped vanilla buttercream decorated the edges and a piped chocolate plaque

congratulated the happy couple.

I didn't see the cakestand completely put together but Kate and her Mum

assured me it was stunning and they will send me a photo :))))))

Kate is now busily planning her wedding.......

Love is in the Air.....

2010-04-08T12:49:00.013+10:00

Considering one of my New Year's resolutions was to blog more,

I haven't started off very well :))))

Yes, I have been Missing in Action for ages ~ but I haven't been idle :)))))

Christmas faded into a blur of pink and silver and I was thrown headlong into

the Season of Love ~ one of my favourite times of the year. The way this year is going, the Season of Love is going to last all year ~ YAYYYY!!!!

Lately everything seems to have revolved around Love, Brides and Weddings. Our first event at the Cafe was a Bridal Shower High Tea - TOO MUCH FUN!!!!

We set the High Tea Room up in pinks, whites and mauves. Bridal Shower helium balloons bounced from the ceiling.....

A gorgeous banner was hung from the wall announcing the occasion.....

a very cute garland of honeycomb bridal gowns and hearts was strung above the banner between two pastel paper rose hearts.....

and the tables were set for our guests.

We used cute Wedding Cake serviettes and the cupcakes were topped with Bridal toppers featuring diamond rings, wedding cakes, hearts, bridal gowns and bouquets....

Mmmmm, strawberry tarts, French macarons, mini lemon meringues, petits-fours, and choc-strawberry cucpcakes.....

......Too Cute and so much Fun.....

Stay tuned for the next Post, when I will share Kate's very cute Cupcake Engagement Cake...

See You Soon.

Sue xo

....My Garden of Eden.....

2009-11-01T12:34:00.021+11:00

YAYYYY!! A bit of rain and sunshine and the garden breathes a sigh of relief. Running several businesses doesn't give me much time for gardening but I love getting out there when I can....

With this in mind I took an early morning ramble, camera in hand around the garden.

The pictures pretty much speak for themselves....

Fragile "Cistus" Rock Roses whose petals resemble pink parchment.......

The fragrance of lavender....EVERYWHERE!!!

Terraces of olive trees, lavender, and Carpet Roses, yet to bloom......

Rockeries of Iris and Carpet Roses, Wisteria and Lilacs.....

David Austin English Roses are my Passion........

The beautiful "Mary Rose"whose blooms were so heavy

I had to hold one for the photo.....

The fragrant "Charles Austin"...........

"Abraham Darby" - gorgeous blooms, perfect fragrance.....

The clear pink of the Old-Fashioned Climber, "Zephirine Drouhin"......

I just wish you could enjoy the fragrance and bird song that accompanied my walk.......the garden after rain is a wondrous place to be......

Have a Lovely Day,

Sue

...A Change is as Good as a Holiday...well, nearly!!!...

2009-10-25T21:28:00.020+11:00

....Long Time, No Post....

BUT

I haven't been idle :)))) Being a natural Arian, and getting bored with things..... probably too quickly...... I decided it was time for a Cafe revamp. So I channelled the inner French girl and Bonjour, we have gone to Paris.
Well, if I can't REALLY go there I can at least do the next best thing :)))))

....Some new Wall Art....

One of our new Eiffel Towers.... Ooh La La....

...Antoine and Antoinette ~ my two French Mice...Tres Chic

Just a few bits and pieces at the moment......it's a work in progress :)))

...Some new prints...

I want to be the lady in this picture...

...Or this one...

Maybe one day I will REALLY get there....Until then, I'll continue to Dream....

a bientot,

Sue xo

...No Room for a Princess...

2009-09-03T09:56:00.012+10:00

What's a dog to do when every pink frou-frou bed in the house is taken????

Bonnie in one.

Tashi in another.

Sleep on the Computer case, that's what. At least it gets your dilemna noticed!!!!!!!

*

PHEW!!! I FINALLY got one!!!!!

Miss Daisy has just placed a request for a "PINK" computer case on her Santa list!!!!!

Have a Great Weekend,

Love,

Sue and The Princess

PS. Don't feel TOO sorry for Miss Daisy - her usual spot is on one of Glenda's raggy cushions on the sofa!!!!!

.....Cupcake Day for the RSPCA......

2009-08-16T11:53:00.015+10:00

Hey Girls,

Tomorrow is "Cupcake Day for the RSPCA", but as we are closed on Mondays, we are celebrating today. So last night, off to the mixing bowls and oven and "Abracadabra" a whole lot of mini cupcakes.

This tower is a tribute to "All animals, Great and Small". Mini chocolate cuppies, with pink, white and mint buttercream frosting and of course, decorated with all manner of furred , feathered and scaly critters :)))) Topped off with two cute little puppies, looking for new homes. They are from the new Pet Adoption Centre in the Bear Shoppe.
For those who want a more substantial cuppie, we have regular size chocolate and vanilla, still decorated with four-leggeds.And of course, all proceeds from sales of today's cupcakes is being donated to the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I can't think of a better cause so I hope people eat up BIG!!!!!
Have a Great Day and spare a thought for the many "unwanted" dogs and cats and hope that one day they too will have a happy home like SOMEONE I know.....

Love Sue and Miss Daisy

....Thoughtful Gestures Mean a Lot.....

2009-08-16T10:45:00.012+10:00

Hi Everyone,

Anyone who has worked in the "hospitality" industry, knows the ups and downs of dealing with customers and food. It is difficult to please some of them, no matter how hard we try. I sometimes go home and ask myself, "Why am I doing this?"

And then something happens that makes me realise why :)))))

Look what arrived the other day..........

Aren't they stunning? This beautiful arrangement was from Mary, whose High Tea Birthday Party we hosted last week(see previous post).
I was surprised and touched. We loved hosting Mary's Tea Party.....it was a real Buzz.....the girls are still talking about it. And then this......

Thank you Mary, your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.....

Love,

Sue

...Of Pink Boas and Tiaras...

2009-08-09T12:00:00.010+10:00

Hi Girls,

When I turn sixty (if I ever do!!!) I am going to do it in style like Mary :))))) Yesterday we hosted a Birthday Afternoon Tea for Mary and her friends and boy, did they do it in style!!!!! We set up the Tea in our (and their) favourite colour - pink, pink and more pink).

Mary's daughter arrived with balloons in guess what colour? You got it - PINK!!!

We added the yummy food - well some of the food. We could only fit so much on the stands and this was one big High Tea - tea sandwiches, cold savouries, hot savouries by the plate load, scones with jam and cream, gorgeous petit fours and of course, mini birthday butterfly cupcakes. I should have taken more photos of the food - it looked scrumptious - but it's hard to cook and take photos!!!!
Then the guests arrived and what a hoot that was. These gorgeous ladies had decked themselves out in all tones of pink - from the tips of their toes to the tops of their heads. The "piece de resistance" was the Birthday Girl herself resplendent in hot pink and black with pink party hat enclosed in a tiara and a hot pink feather boa. One of her "older" friends had the BEST pink and white striped stockings - think of the witches in Practical Magic, when they stepped off the roof. They all looked "FANTASTIC" and having already had a glass of champers at home, they were ready to party!!!

They had a ball and so did we serving them - the best group we have ever had. Two quotes of the day:
One..... a lady looked under her cup to see which piece of Royal Albert she had and exclaimed to her friend, "Oh, I'm Lady Carlyle!" Only to be told by her friend (in the striped stockings). "Well, I"M QUEEN ANNE!!!"
And the second...."This is better than The Windsor"!!!!!! That made my day:)))))

Have a Great Week,

Love,

Sue

.....New Pretties......

2009-07-27T21:00:00.006+10:00

Hey Girls.......

.....Just a quick post to share some new "pretties".... for my home ..... not the Shop. YAYYYYY stuff for me :)))))

The first is a gorgeous, new lamp from Mandii. You may have seen it on her ebay listings....well now it's in one of my guest bedrooms. It's a milk glass base with a gorgeous Rachel Ashwell shade and matching bow. Thanks Mandii, it looks stunning by day..........

And by night........

The other pretties are the strawberries I bought from Kathryn. I have hung them all over the place but my favourites are on a shabby tin hanger in my bathroom with my "lovee-dovees". Thanks Kathryn....they look beautiful and smell great too.

You gotta LOVE these talented bloggers :))))))))

Have a Lovely Week Everyone,

Sue

"Earth laughs in Flowers" ~ Emerson~

2009-07-19T12:49:00.012+10:00

All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.

~ Indian Proverb

.....Spring is my favourite season ..... The Earth begins to warm a little.....the birds start nesting.....the first of the butterflies appears and all seems right with the World.

So halfway through Winter I am thinking of Spring. The first glimpse of sun and my thoughts turn towards the garden......Nature never fails to amaze me..... a little caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly, a tiny tuft of grey, skin with a gaping mouth turns into a swallow and a small point of red will turn into a gorgeous peony. At least that is my Hope!!!!
I adore peonies..... they are right up there with the Rose ~ the so-called Queen of Flowers. But can I grow them.... not yet....but I have decided this year is going to be THE ONE. My tiny little red points peeking through the soil are going to blossom into stunning bushes and eventually reward me with frilly blooms in the palest of pinks, the brightest of magentas and the purest of whites.
I spoke to the Nurseyman.....begging for ideas as to what I did wrong when my last peonies grew into beautiful bushes and that was it.....No flowers.....they faded, returned to winter in the soil and never reappeared. He gave me tips....I had done them all..... and then went on to say he had just come back from China where stunning peonies were growing by the wayside in the poorest of conditions. Now, how does THAT work???? Did I give them too much care? Did I smother them with attention instead of letting Mother Nature nurture them? Who knows????

This time I am going to tread gently.....watch them quietly from a distance......and hope sometime soon I am gathering baskets of their beautiful bounty. Until then, I guess I will have to make do with the silks. Not the real thing but stunning anyway........

Are not flowers the stars of the earth, and are not our stars the flowers of the heaven.

- A.J. Balfour

Wishing you arms full of Blossoms,

Sue

Let's Play Ladies ..............

2009-07-11T12:50:00.000+10:00

Hi Girls,

We had a photo shoot this week of one of our Vintage Garden Afternoon Tea Parties, so I thought I'd share some photos with you..........

Angel lights in the background, and a table scattered with rose petals and decorated with pots of roses...........

A three tiered stand full of delicious treats ~ sandwiches, savouries & sweets ...............

Dainty Tea Sandwiches, fit for a Princess ......................

A tempting array of delicious desserts ...... all fat free ...... of course!!!!!!!

Each place complemented with rose strewn Royal Albert china .........

The Duchess of Bedford certainly got it right when she decided an afternoon tea was the call of the day. Nothing beats getting the Girls together for an Afternoon Tea Party, whether out, or at home.

Now, who wants to come and play Ladies ????

'Til next Time,

Sue

Cushions to Die For........

2009-07-05T19:10:00.000+10:00

Hi Girls,

Just had to quickly share with you, these GORGEOUS cushions I received today from the lovely and very talented Kathryn.

Aren't they "scrumdiddlyumptious" :)))) Kathryn very kindly delivered them along with some lavender strawberries I also bought from her. I hope nobody else wanted any as I think I bought them all........Sorry, girls......you were just too late :)))))))

You'll know from one of Kathryn's previous posts about the blood(and I really mean it), sweat and tears that went into these cushions and I know it was difficult to part with them.

So thank you so much Kathryn for sharing them.....they have gone to a good home...... I LOVE them and they have pride of place on our bed :)))))

Catch you all Soon,

Gotta go and watch Masterchef!!!!!!!

Sue

...My Home, My Sanctuary...

2009-07-02T12:16:00.000+10:00

Hi Girls.......

Customers are always asking me if my Home is like my Shop ...... Guess What......

Of Course, it is :))))) So...... here are a few photos to give you a quick peek........

....Our Bedroom.....

......Lavender Strawberry, courtesy of Natasha........

....Dressing Table....courtesy of Mandii...

....Shabby seat with Antique and Artist teddies....

....Hall table filled with Favourite Photos....

.....Mosaic Table, Royal Albert, Roses & one of my Birdhouses.....

.....Cute bench seat, courtesy of Mandii, Cushions by Glenda & Marilyn.....

.....The Bay window which looks across the lawn and down to the llama paddocks......
.....My Favourite place to sit with a cuppa and my latest copy of "Romantic Country".....

.....My mantel with some of my "pretties".....

.....Vintage china, birdhouse, vintage koala and peonies - Just Perfect.....

.....A Favourite lamp, by Mandii....too too frou-frou:))))).....
.....Another Favourite lamp, with mosaic table insert......

So, yes, my house is just like my Shop and I wouldn't have it any other way :))))

"Til next Time,
Love

Sue xoxo

Welcome to The Vintage Garden..........

2009-06-18T13:49:00.000+10:00

Hi Girls,

Welcome to my first post from my shop The Vintage Garden & Cupcake Cafe. For those who haven't visited....we are a Vintage/Shabby Chic shop located in the tiny town of Buninyong, near Ballarat, in Central Victoria.

I thought I would share a few photos of the shop to give you an idea of what we are all about......

.........Well......

.......Lots of pink and white, "girly" stuff......

.......Things to dream about......

.......Very cute Cupcakes.....

.......Gorgeous silk flowers and bouquets........

.......Pretty pieces for High Teas.......

........And lots more "pretties" for your home.......

Please come and visit often to see what is new.....

Bye for Now,

Sue