A stitch in time...

Saves nine!

But at a recent visit to the NGV to see their current exhibition Exquisite Threads: English Embroidery 1600s - 1900s (seems we don't need an apostrophe these days!) there was the most delicate and intricate Sampler completed by a 7 - repeat 7 year old. Can you imagine a 7 year old in this day and age sitting with a needle and thread working on a Sampler of such intricacy. For middle-class women embroidery was a matter of learning, discipline (lots of that!) and moral instruction.

Bottom line - Sarah Burch finish'd this samplar in the 7 year of her age

I was fascinated to hear a little dot of around 7 say to her father with her bell-like voice "Aren't they beautiful Dadda". Good for Dadda to bring the dot to the Gallery and to the Exhibition. After making such a wonderful statement she skipped off with pigtail bobbing to find another treasure. Heaven.  

A family register - completed by Susanna Gillmore 21 May 1814 (born 26 March 1802) - aged 12)

The needlework and the creativity of each piece was amazing. One could almost forget that much of what we saw was handmade - so used are we to everything being machine-made. I guess with no ipads, television, radio and the dreaded social media 'being ladylike' meant that those with 'means' sat and created by candlelight while those without means also created mostly for those more fortunate than they - that is until their eyesight failed. 

I loved the Stomacher (I wonder why I was drawn to that!) - lined with whalebone the decorative V shaped panel fastened to the centre of the bodice - to hold the stomach in!

Lace yourself into your Stomacher (no wonder they had tiny waists!)

One of the exhibits that caught my eye was a beautifully embroidered apron. The more beautifully embroidered the apron meant the less actual physical work was done by the wearer in the home. So it became a symbol of wealth. 

An apron - including gold and silver thread - not much 'downstairs' work done in this - and the waist was tiny!

The delicate early seventeenth century coif, worn both inside and outside and was considered important for modesty and health, was also a highlight. Again the more detailed - the more the symbol of wealth. Those 'downstairs' wouldn't have had a moment to be so creative - for themselves!

An 'upstairs' coif with once-sparkling sequins

One of the most fascinating pieces was a sample of embroidery designed by Norman Hartnell for the Coronation dress for Queen Elizabeth 11. Incorporated in the sample were the Tudor Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Shamrock of Ireland, the Leek of Wales (!) the Wattle of Australia, the Protea of South Africa, the Fern of New Zealand and the Maple Leaf of Canada - to name just a few. It was truly divine and this was just a small snippet. Imagine an entire 'frock'!  

E R at the bottom and a sprig of Australian Wattle top right

This waistcoat was made of silk - definitely an 'upstairs' outfit I suspect. I loved the detail and colour of the embroidery. Men were rather more flamboyant in those days! 

Gorgeous

Even the buttons are embroidered

I've always loved the quotation by designer William Morris - famed for his fabric designs and wallpapers (Morris & Co retailer 1861 - 1940). "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful".

Wall hanging - William Morris

The detail

Although there were just 60 works each one was so detailed that more would have been overwhelming. It gave a wonderful view of a world that has passed us by. I must say I would have hoped to live 'upstairs' rather than toiling 'downstairs' in those days. 

Tapestry slippers - perhaps I could do these!

It made the current tapestry I am working on (in front of the television!) pale into insignificance!

My own attempt - now I have to decide what to do with it/them! Slippers anyone?!

Gumnuts are back in fashion!

I read recently that gumnuts used for jewellery and other nickety-nackety-noos are back in fashion. I can't believe it. Oh how the wheel turns. Not long ago I was laughing with some friends about the shop they had in Toorak Road many years ago way back in the early 1980's (that's ancient history to so many).The shop was named Antipodes and it was where I sold my gumnut jewellery. Australiana was hot, hot, hot in those days. Remember fashion icon, Jenny Kee's, mad colourful knits - have a look at her site here - she's back with a vengeance.

The knits were so 'hot' even Lady Di had one

So back to the gumnuts. I had a surfeit of 'sewing machine' leather left over from another 'range' of jewellery (but that's another story) and so I decided to use some of it up by threading gumnuts onto the leather. Of course they were a triumph and sold like hotcakes until one day a client came into the shop and hung one of the well-reported necklaces around her - neck! She loved it until a family of 'animals' popped out of one of the gumnuts landing down her cleavage! Suffice to say that all orders for gumnut jewellery halted! 

The 80's personified - leopard skin, big hair and my gumnuts!

I leafed through my old and yellowing paper clippings until I found a few advertisements of the jewelery. It certainly took me back in time.

Tourism-with-taste shopping - the gumnut necklaces remind the writer of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie!

Not long ago a friend of mine had a 90th birthday (I have written about them here) - and if you tune into ABC Melbourne radio on a Sunday morning you will hear the birthday boy Chuck and his partner John talking about theatre. Well with such a milestone birthday I felt compelled to give Chuck a present even though he had put on his invitation 'No presents please. I don't have that much time left to enjoy them'. (don't you love it!) So I headed off to my local park and collected some Aussie gumnuts (Chuck is American!) And then armed with the glue gun (always such fun) I created this bit of nonsense (better than a card I say). 

I know you said no presents please

But I couldn't come 'alone'

So I've collected 90 gumnuts

To make you feel at 'home'

And just so John doesn't feel left out
I've added a 'double-header'
It's just a way for me to shout
And celebrate your life together

I think I'll put gumnut collecting back on the agenda - after all they're free! And I do so love a bargain!

One of my favourite 'instillations'

Arriving at the carpark at Victoria Gardens (in inner Melbourne) for my weekly supermarket shop I am always reminded of my favourite aboriginal art instillation at the National Gallery of Victoria - Australia (NGVA). So let's begin with the carpark entrance! 

Boom gates to the right! Just out of sight!

There is of course no explanation regarding the designer, maker, and any other useful bits and pieces. It's just there! And I wonder how many people even notice it! (Except me!)

But nothing can compare to the extraordinary creation that adorns the wall of the NGVA. It's a show-stopper.  It has an entire wall to itself.

Possum-skin cloak: Blackfella Road. 2011-13

It is made entirely of weathered iron, tin, fencing and barbed wire and wire ties. The artist Lorraine Connelly-Nortey is a Waradgeri and was born in 1962. I'll let her tell the story of the cloak. 

"It is my interpretation of a possum-skin cloak. The barbed wire signifies the desecration of Aboriginal skeletal remains, occasioned by the construction of an unsealed road near Swan Hill. The circular forms indicate the different modes of transport using this road. The fringe of the cloak represents hunters and gatherers whose remains were desecrated."

Now let's have a look at it up close.

My fingers ache just looking at the painstaking work of weaving barbed wire and cutting out the hands

The fringe 'hands' - cut from rusty iron

There is something haunting about it - the desecration of Aboriginal skeletal remains in order to make an unsealed road. Now they will not be forgotten. 

This is probably an opportune time to make note of the current RECOGNISE movement which is to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our Constitution. I was stunned to learn that when the Australian Constitution came into effect in 1901 that the founding document did not recognise the original peoples of this land. And prior to the 1967 referendum, they were excluded from being counted as citizens or voting in their own country! And did you know that our Constitution still includes the fact that people can be banned from voting based on race. Sadly. Unbelievable.

R = the RECOGNISE logo

So every time I pop into the shopping centre for a visit to the supermarket or Ikea I will be reminded of RECOGNISE and of the powerful story of a rusty iron instillation. This story is one that continues to be repeated again and again throughout this land of ours.

Phryne's Frocks

With a christian name like Phryne who needs a surname! Miss (Phryne) Fisher's Murder Mysteries is now into its 3rd season on ABC Television. Based on the mystery series by another Aussie, author and defence lawyer, Kerry Greenwood, they have taken much of the public by storm. I must say I find the production rather stilted - but the frocks. Now that's another matter! In fact I was fascinated to read that the French have also taken Phryne by storm and now the Americans have discovered her! (see the link here to a fun blog by Frances Shultz - I love her Sure-Cure for Post Downton Abbey) 

Much of the production is shot in the wonderful home and gardens of the National Trust's Ripponlea in Melbourne.

Home to Aunt Prudence - the inimitable Miriam Margolyes

And until 30 September 2015 you can visit the house and see the divine costumes. I took a Phryne fan along for a visit and an afternoon tea of scones and cream! What more could a girl want! And there were many 'girls' there - it seems that word has got out that this is an exhibition not to be missed by 'women of a certain age'! To see the outfits up-close-and-personal in such a wonderful setting was heavenly. All we needed were wafts of perfume to complete the picture. So let me take you for a walk through the rooms of outfits designed by the outstandingly talented Marion Boyce (see her link here) worn by the actress Essie Davis

The beautiful Essie, playing Phryne, with a gun for company!

Le salon

Anyone for tennis?

Beautiful fabrics, beautiful detail, beautiful finishes

Table top dancing at its best!

In the workroom, designs and weights (made out of old bottle tops - yes really!)

The finished design - no wonder Essie says once she is costumed up - she easily slips into the character

Series 3, episode 1. The original 1920's tabard with luminescent sequins and bugle beads. Purchased from a dealer in the USA. It was remounted to protect the fragile tule.

A 1920's 'leisure suit'??

I must replace my night attire!

Setting the scene - now who done it

From the personal collection of the designer Marion Boyce

The detail in each of the 'purses' - what a collection of 1920's/1930's memorabillia

And more of her collection - heaven

I'll take this delicate beaded shoulder warmer (these days called a shrug!!) and keep my gun handy just in case!

I commend the exhibition to you if you are in Melbourne. I also commend Marion Boyce for the divine designs and attention to detail. I also commend the ABC for investing in quality costumes - it makes all the difference. No wonder Essie says “As soon as I put on Phryne’s clothes I can adopt Phryne poses and promenade, and make an entry, feel confident and audacious… They just make me feel so good that I get away with things I could never pull off in my everyday life.”

The Three Bens

Over the last three weeks I have been fortunate to have been in the same room as three amazing men with the name of Ben! Each spoke about their passions. There's always something uplifting about being inspired by those who love what they do to the point that listening to their stories is rather humbling. So let's start at the Queenscliffe Literary Festival. 

But first a little background into this new 'event' which was held each weekend through the Merry Month of May and after the success of this first 4 weekends I do hope that it will be the beginning of more to come. It was initiated by the owner of The Bookshop at Queenscliff  - MaryLou Gilbert and her merry band of assistants and volunteers. Geraldine Doogue who seems to have been part of the Australian psyche (on ABC Radio and Television) for longer than most of us can remember, opened the Festival (followed by local cheeses and wines!) Just as an aside I was reading the local RIP News (the Rip being the waters between Queenscliff and Portsea at the Heads of Port Phillip Bay) I was stunned to read that the locals were looking forward to the festival being opened by Gerldine Doofgue (sic) (yes really - we got slightly hysterical reading it!) - so much for good editing! Anyway enough of that. 

We continued a few weekends ago with a wonderful session in which author (recent book Shy), reviewer, soprano, interviewer etc etc etc Sian Prior (known to many as an ABC reviewer) welcomed us with two wonderful baroque songs of love (I can't remember the titles - sorry!) 

And then it was onto the two Bens. We began with Ben Shaw who spoke with passion about finding his 'tribe' on the Bellarine Peninsula through permaculture. He has recently set up the garden at the divine Kiltynane Winery. We were so inspired that we rushed to see it the following day and were blown away by the location and beauty of the winery and the restaurant.

What a view - rolling lawns, past the vegetable gardens, past the vineyard, across Swan Bay to Queenscliff

Fabulous vegetable garden, looking back towards the old house - now a restaurant

We visited on a 'perfect' day but you can always sit inside and enjoy French food, Kiltynane Wines and eclectic art

And then it was onto Ben Shewry, the famed head chef/owner of the acclaimed Attica Restaurant (voted 2nd in Australia a week later and currently 32/50 in The Top 50 Restaurants in the World). He spoke about his journey at the restaurant and how he had also found his 'tribe' living on the Bellarine Peninsula - a 2 hour drive to work and 1.5 hours home - one he says is worth the journey. In fact it seems that since his move to Ocean Grove with his family (now 3 children) his restaurant has gone from strength to strength. He felt so welcomed and had 'come home' (he is a New Zealander but we are happy to claim him)

Ben Shewry (goodfood.com.au)

It was another uplifting talk about his restaurant journey (and his family journey - you can't have one without the other) and in conclusion he advised that he had made us each a gift to take with us (that's the type of person he is!). Now I might get this a little wrong (no notebook at the ready) He had made each of us an egg. He told the story of the fun he likes to have with his clients at the restaurant. At the conclusion of the meal the diners were presented with a nest of eggs. They were told that they were from an almost extinct bird in New Zealand. The diners were asked not to tell anyone that they were offered to them to eat. And then the waiters would leave the table and watch the diners hesitate - should they eat an egg of an almost extinct bird, should they leave them - oh why not - and so they colluded to eat the eggs - which turned out to be stunning white chocolate with a burst of delicious runny caramel inside. And there was one for each of us (150 people)! It is probably the closest I will get to eating at Attica! Heaven!

A nest of eggs - one for each of us

And they were 'lifesize'!

And finally there was the third Ben. I went to hear the Booker Prize winning author and poet, Nigerian-born, Ben Okri speak at the Malthouse Theatre. It was a humbling experience to be in the presence of such an articulate, thoughtful, intelligent man. I must say that I found his 1991 Booker Prize winning book The Famished Road not an easy read. The power of story telling began with his parents who wove story and mystery into their daily life. It was extraordinary. He was here to talk about his new book The Age of Magic but in the course of the conversation he mentioned that he had been asked to write a foreward to some of his earlier works. It entailed him re-reading them (something he wouldn't normally do) and along the way all the books he had written he felt could improve with some re-writing. That is except for one. It was Astonishing the Gods written in 1991.  So of course that is on my-to-read-list and it might now be on yours. 

Ben Okri (thesundaytimes.co.uk)

Melbournites may be interested to know that he felt he needed to take a few minutes to weave his magic for us - saying that in the 19 years since his last visit to Melbourne the city has changed - for the better. It is now sophisticated, stylish, literary (well after all we are the UNESCO City of Literature) confident, artistic - and well a joy to visit. Of course we all clapped him for this nod! 

To be in the presence of three such articulate and passionate Bens was an inspiration. What  synchronicity there was in their name.

The miracle of flight

Just recently I received an email about the development of technology including a link to 'jetman'. I was 'blown away' (not literally!) There seem to be no limits to what humans will do with technology. Just think the Wright Brothers launched their first powered flight in 1903 ... and now we have 'jetman' only 112 years later. Man has always wanted to fly. And now they can.

Jetman in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czy0pXRRZcs

Even though I could think of nothing worse than to 'fly through the air with the greatest of ease' (or parachute out of a plane which seems to be the new fashion for oldies celebrating a milestone) - I found it fascinating. I recalled the film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines - Or, How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes a 1965 British comedy film based on a fictional account of an air race. It is set in 1910. Did you see it - hilarious - in its day - but oh so dated now. 

As with so much these days things have changed even in the writing of the catchy theme song - the first two lines were written by Lorraine Williams (no relation!) the wife of Elmo Williams, who was then the European Managing Director of 20th Century Fox. In those days Mrs Williams was not credited on the sheet music which was written by the English composer Ron Goodwin. Just to take you back here are the words (thankyou Mrs Williams!)

Those magnificent men in their flying machines,
they go up tiddly up up,
they go down tiddly down down.

They enchant all the ladies and steal all the scenes,
with their up tiddly up up
and their down tiddly down down.

Up, down, flying around,
looping the loop and defying the ground.

They're all frightfully keen,
those magnificent men in their flying machines.

They can fly upside with their feet in the air,
They don"t think of danger, they really don"t care.
Newton would think he had made a mistake,
To see those young men and the chances they take.

Those magnificent men in their flying machines,
they go up tiddly up up,
they go down tiddly down down.

They enchant all the ladies and steal all the scenes,
with their up tiddly up up
and their down tiddly down down.

Up, down, flying around,
looping the loop and defying the ground.

They're all frightfully keen,
Those magnificent men in their flying machines.

You can listen to the song here if you want - it's fun!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPgS26ZhqZs

Well 'jetman' Yves Rossy has taken that song and made it his own. As he goes up, down, flying around, looping the loop and defying the ground. I loved his explanation of how it feels, how he 'drives' it, and more. Do take time to watch history being made. As he says "I am the fuselage". And do watch those lucky wide-eyed children listening to him (including one with a black jetman on his back - Batman is so passe!)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZRp6iRjnhQ

It won't be long before we are all flying around - they'll need traffic lights in the sky (now there's an idea!) Instead of bikie clubs there will be jetman clubs. The mind boggles. Just as it would have when the Wright Bros first flew - never would man have imagined that flying is available to much of the world's population or that we would land on the moon.

Superman here we come!

But until then I will leave you with this photo of 2 aircraft - the A380 and a Boeing 737 landing at Los Angeles airport (bet it takes you a while to see the smaller plane - hint - it is red and blue!). We've certainly come a long way since the Wright Brothers. 

The A380 is actually half a mile from the 737 (thank goodness!)

Now you see it - now you don't!

When I was re-organising my office recently I had an 'excess' old filing cabinet which a friend was happy to take off my hands. They really are the ugliest things. But oh so useful. She popped it in her study which is filled with treasures, fabrics for stitching, wool for knitting and the like. She has busy fingers! But oh the filing cabinet stood out like a sore thumb amongst all the paraphenalia. 

Sooo unattractive

So at my suggestion she shuffled through her enormous supply of fabric 'ends' and within the blink of an eye, the filing cabinet had 'disappeared'. 

Now that ugly thing is gone

If you have a cabinet that is in need of hiding then this might be the answer. The other alternative is to put a top on it (preferrably a round table top) and cover it with a 'frock' - and by that I mean a long tablecloth as I have suggested another friend do. Voila! It's gone!

Let's add a bit more colour!!

Of course all my special readers would already know these tricks - but just in case!