SHOW OF THE WEEK

I met Eddy Carroll once. She struck me as a very thoughtful person, very warm and considered in her responses. I remember someone asking her if she was 'making anything' and she said 'this and that'. I guess this absolutely beautiful show now on at Hand Held Gallery was what she was working on.

There is no doubt that hand craft can be therapeutic for the broken hearted. Something about one stitch in front of the other, the passage of time, the meditation that comes from doing the same thing over and over.
When seeking catharsis it can also create objects that come to represent that pain and as they stand removed from the maker a process of healing can begin.

This is a lovely lovely show. Very thoughtful and considered, just like Eddy Carroll. Not to be missed. RAMONA

'Something to Hold On To by Letting Go'
Until March 5

Handheld Gallery
Suite 18
Upstairs Paramount Arcade
108 Bourke Street
Melbourne City
Tues -Sat 12-5

Trend Alert: Electric Blue Dresses

I loved Sofia Vergara at the SAGs. Obvs. Cavalli. And she is soo who I want as my new BFF. Already told Sylvie I am trading her in for Sofia. And I adored Christina Hendricks (and her cute geek hubby) and her stunning shift she wore in Paris last week. Was super impressed with Jessica Alba's dress at the Baftas on Sunday. Versace. Still don't love her though. And then my young friend Blake Lively killed it in Pucci last night. What do they all have in common? Well it's that divine colour of course. Get your electric blue frock now!

Big Girls in Black Bring Style to Brits

The Brits are generally a big, tacky celebration of the most popular music in the UK. It is not a highbrow event and the skimpy outfits are usually a reflection of this. But somehow this year things changed up a bit. Watching the show on the telly last night in my hotel room, I was struck by how much more elegant and ernest it was in it's attempt to make it really about the music. And this paid off for the style too.
My big joy of the night was Adele. Singing my fave song of the year, Someone Like You. Looking beautifully elegant and dazzling in diamond earrings. Just sublime. If she isn't next year's big winner I will eat my hat (fedora obvs).
Another singer who looked lovely was Rumer, also a nominee. Also dressed in elegant black and looking natural and current. Well played ladies.

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

hot stuff

Like many craftspeople I have a dodgy back, and being deskbound in the office and increasingly pregnant is not helping in any way. Similarly like many other craftspeople i'm great at getting things made for other people but completely hopeless and getting anything made for myself. Especially if its something I actually need. Enter wheat pack. My old and shamefully dodgy pink whale cord original finally bit the dust around September last year... and it has literally taken until today to make a replacement. Embarrasing no?  But a combination of unexpected grandparenting of Maxwell and a very recent reaquaintence with my scrap fabric box during the craft studio to nursery transformation we're currently undertaking had me reaching for the scissors and trusty old Janome.

I cut pieces from an old skirt, vintage house dress, left over christmas ribbon, scrap of denim and one of the architects old chambray work shirts (don't mock him, it was a uniform) to make the front. Call my crazy but I felt compelled to try and make it a little fancy given it seems like an eternity since I made something, and I did have a spare hour up my sleeve.

I then very randomly and none too evenly stitched the peices together to form a 'patchwork' front...

and decided that hell, while I was at it, why not do a little stitching on the back. I cant fully explain where the little tree came from, although I suspect Ramona's avid christmas listing has rubbed off on me and this is either a christmas present prototype or a VERY early present to myself...

I then lined the patch front with one of the panels of chambray shirt and the other with some calico for extra strength and then stitched them together to form the back.

$2.25 worth of organic wheat from the Fruit Peddlers later and ...

Voila! Brand spanking new wheat bag, heating my stiff and aching back while I type. Brilliant.

 Now I just need to get started on the curtains, cushions and chair covers...

BECK

Bafta Red Carpet Winners Span the Ages

I watched the Baftas live last night from the comfort of my London hotel room. It was fun to be in the thick of it instead of waiting until the next day to see how it all went down. The mighty Tilda Swinton, in Haider Ackerman trouser suit wad my personal highlight as ever. I mean, it had a back-bow. Enough said.

And in general, the dresses were lovely, and totally in keeping with the spirit of the Baftas, which is more understated and sophisticated than the US versions of award shows. Lots of soft, flowing dresses basically.

But my three top picks span the ages from fifteen to fifty. Hailee Steinfeld, Julianne Moore (well how can you go wrong when squires by Mr Tom Ford himself) and Annette Benning were my picks. For different reasons, of course, but mostly just because they looked comfortable in their own skins and really, modern and lovely. Well played ladies.

By Royal Appointment: Victoria Beckham's New Collection

It was a big day for my mate Victoria Beckham yesterday. She presented her new collection at New York Fashion Week. It was announced that she would be submitting pieces of the collection to future Royal Kate Middleton who is very fond of her work. And she admitted she didn't know the sex of her baby, to be born later this year. The wires, the news, the Twitterverse, the Internet was all about Vicky B yesterday. And for all the right reasons.
In fact she started her presentation by saying that she was miked up but that we shouldn't worry, she wasn't going to sing. And that, right there is why I adore this woman.

That and that her collection was sophisticated, rather more designed for comfort, an evolution for a nascent and talented designer. And yet all the hallmarks of what we now know as VB were present.

A new addition were some separates. Some cowl necks and scarves. Some loser fits. And most significantly, a collaboration with Christian Louboutin. This was really intelligent work and development and I was very proud.

SHOW OF THE WEEK

cut and paste

Morning Everyone! The ladies of HML are loving some of the new shows that have finally started around our town. This week we are looking forward to see the the work of Sydney based artist Kate Scardfield at Kings ARI gallery

We always are interested in how artists incorporate craft practice into there work. The use of fabric, stitching, silhouette certainly has craft appeal but this pieces are a little sinister (felt pancreas cut out anyone?)

I'd you get a chance to look at her site make sure you look at the older work - very inspiring for textile lovers! The first time Beck and I went to Kings ARI we couldn't find it, got completely lost, had to ring for help - and (like all great ARI's) - it was right in front of us the whole time. Make the effort people, totally worth it. RAMONA

Kings Ari is up the stairs at 171 King Street.
it's open  Wed- Sat 12-6
The show runs til March 5 which is closer than you think!