Heat, fabric and wallpaper
Amelia spent the day with my Mum today so I met Dr. M to celebrate her birthday – lunch, movie and (mostly window) shopping in Prahran. I haven’t done this kind of thing for the longest time and if it wasn’t for the heat I would have been quite hysterical with the promise of such grown-up activities. We saw Mrs Henderson Presents at the Como Cinema which was a pleasant enough way to spend 99 minutes (and happened to be the only thing showing at the right time). We laughed more than most of the middle of the day audience of white haired ladies and I thought Judi Dench was totally brilliant as compared to how she was in Pride & Prejudice which I have seen recently enough to make a comparison.
But the highlight for me was going to the loo – which I had to do twice, being ‘with child’. There was Florence Broadhurst wallpaper in the toilet cubicles! The first time I have seen the paper apart from in magazines, and it was as lovely as I imagined. Gillian Armstrong’s documentary “Unfolding Florence: The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst” is showing at Sundance – I would love to see it when it makes an appearance back here.
After Dr M left to play a birthday game of petanque (yes indeed) I managed to stagger in to the fabric remnant store behind Chapel Street which faces the car park on Cato Street. They are having a 50% off sale, off everything. Christina had mentioned this sale to me, but it was far better than I could have hoped and I came out with two huge bags of stuff for just over $40. I found some great rough cotton in many colours for $4 a metre.
It will be perfect for funny little softies. The thing I can’t believe is that they had a lovely bright pink and I failed to buy any. I put it down to the heat. I couldn’t think straight with all that cheap fabric in 30°c+ heat. Here’s a map for all those in Melbourne, because if you are in the area you might like to take a peek. They may close any day though, and stuff seems to be getting thin on the ground:
I must find some cash and go to that store!! i went past it tonight but unfortunately it’s not open in the evening, damn!!
Hello! I have just had a quick holiday in Sydney (I live in London). Whilst there I was looking at an old copy of a country living magazine and saw FB’s prints and fell in love with them! I then came across the real thing in the Museum of Sydney shop, made in to a wonderful pyramid door stop. I would also like to thank you for pointing me towards the brand Cloth in an earlier post. I visited their shop in Randwick and there was no way I was leaving without spending money!!! I came away with some fabric and an apron but it was only suitcase restrictions which held me back.
Hope you are coping with the heat. Somehow I managed to take the English weather with me to Sydney last week and spent far too much time under an umbrella!
Hi Claire, The Como is my absolute favouite cinima ever (well the State Cinema in Hobart has charm too…). I haven’t been there since the redecorations but I read about it in Vouge Living. I’m keen to visit there next time I’m in the big smoke.
The heat is affecting me too, but that isn’t stopping us from attempting to go camping at Waratah Bay tommorow… I say attempting, because we are a bit unsure of the camping protocol around Wilsons Prom area.
Cheerio
Claire (in Traralgon)
Freaky. In that I just saw a copy of the Artist’s Way in a bookshop last week, leafed through it and wondered whether I should buy it. On one hand, I thought “do I really need to read something like this?”, and on the other hand I thought “if it has even an extra morsel’s worth of insight, then can I afford NOT to?”.
Glad to have found your blog (through Bloggies), will be coming back regularly and from what I’ve seen so far, I adore your art. 🙂
Great fabric find! Too bad I’m at the other end of the world and can’t visit the shop… Or maybe that’s a good thing (for my husband! 😉
I was almost ready to blame the “loo” comment on the heat as well (“that was the highlight of her theater experience?”) but then I saw the wallpaper. That is so lovely and so worth repeat trips! Here’s hoping I don’t sound too weird!
I was almost ready to blame the “loo” comment on the heat as well (“that was the highlight of her theater experience?”) but then I saw the wallpaper. That is so lovely and so worth repeat trips! Here’s hoping I don’t sound too weird!
Hi again Claire,Thanks for the tip, I’m so there. Evil Aunty knows the place very well, she also introduced me to Rathdown Remnants and Bargain Box over this side of the river – I can highly recommend.
Hallo,I have just spent half and hour researching Florence Broadbent! THANKYOU. I adore female Australian artists of that era. I want some of that wallpaper now!
I can’t believe they have FB paper in the loo !! What an extravagence. I have been meaning to get her biography which came out recently to read because her life (and death) is fascinating. I would also recommend http://www.signatureprints.com.au for any other FB fans. Which also reminds me that I think I am going to miss the Margaret Preston exhibition, my other favourite Australian artist. And that shop in Prahran, hmmm, can I get there? Will be trying very hard, but oh, the heat ….
here in argentina is terrible! im melting! even in the pool!