A Sensational Saturday in Melbourne–16 April

Saturday saw us re-visiting the quilt show.  Just in case we had missed something – wink, wink.
We managed to find some items we think we needed and Joan got some lovely Civil War fabric to add to her collection.  We caught up with our good friends from Toowoomba, Pam and Robyn.
Robyn’s quilt won “Best of Show” at the Queensland Quilters show and it was then entered into the “Best of the Best” in Melbourne competing with the “best of” from other states.

Here we are, L-R, Joan, Me, Robyn and Pam.

Robyn’s Quilt, “Silk Purses, Crazy Bags”  – It is a crazy patchwork quilt with the most amazing array of stitches and buttons you will ever see.  You can see a better picture of it here on the Queensland Quilters Site.
After we left the quilt show we hopped a tram to Toorak where we were going to meet the other two at 2.30pm after Robyn’s commitments at the quilt show.  We strolled around and looked at the fashion and sights and had a leisurely lunch.
Joan entering shop in Toorak Rd.  (It’s a bit up-market in Toorak!!)
Once the other gals arrived, we headed down Chapel Street on another tram and stopped off at the Pahran market.  It wasn’t quite the market we were hunting, but we did buy the most delicious ice creams.  I had a liquorice ice cream which I am still dreaming about.  It was soooooooo yummy.We strolled down another couple of blocks and there it was – the Chapel St Bazaar.  You have to see the antiques and vintage in this place to believe it.  There were some interesting stalls in there and Joan and Robyn got some nice glass buttons and I bought a few glass and vintage ones. 

Vintage and glass buttons purchased at Chapel St Bazaar and top left Elephant stamp and old pack of cards. (Don’t ask).
On Saturday night we were both hankering a good ol’ steak, so we ended up in the pub on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Street and enjoyed a big juicy rump with salad and fried kipfler potatoes.  Washed it down with a couple of glasses of cold delicious Australian Sauvignon Blanc. 
Perfect end to a perfect stay in old Melbourne town. 

Friday Frolics in Melbourne–15 April

 We woke up a little sluggish on the Friday morning but hauled ourselves out of bed for another excursion around Melbourne.  The architecture is so grand in Melbourne.  Our first stop was to 37 Swanston St to the Nicholas building. Some shops didn’t open til 10.00 am so we popped around the corner for a coffee.  Melbourne must truly be the home of the baristas.  Yummy coffee everywhere we went.(Joan’s Koala Coffee)

The Nicholas Building is such an antiquated building complete with old fashioned lift in which a man was stationed to open and close the doors and press the buttons for us.  Quaint.  Well……….. inside this labyrinth was a treasure trove indeed.

The wonderful L’ucello shop – a feast for the eyes and temptation abounding. (Hop onto their beautiful blog and check it out). Kim was very accommodating and chatted with us and told us all about her stock and a little on where she had sourced some of it.  Very interesting. This shop is a ‘must visit’ if ever you are in Melbourne.  Thank you to Teresa over at All Things Vintage for telling us about this beautiful shop.

Some purchases from L’ucello – barrette for Rebecca, Cards, trims and felt (gorgeous colours), Old spools and these ultra cool stamps from India.  You can see I have already put one to use. Close up of wonderful velvet trims and l’ucello’s cute packaging.
Also in the same building was Buttonmania which is the place you go if you are seeking that special button or buttons.  We also discovered next door, Kimono House where some damage to the wallet was done.  Beautiful fabrics, patterns, notions etc. 

Buttons from Buttonmania,     Fabric and gift from Kimono House
Down to Flinders lane for lunch at a French creperie with real French men serving us -  and enchanting us.
 After lunch,  we took a tram to Fitzroy and visited some lovely crafty shops.
We stopped first at Calico House looking for some muslin for Joan, but alas they didn’t have what she wanted.  We ventured upstairs to Precious Purl.  It was an Aladdin's cave with all sorts of textile stuff for sale.  I was very controlled.

Silk fibres and ric rac purchased from Precious Purl.
 A short walk away was  Jimmy Buttons – what can I say.  Holy Cow!  Don’t think Jimmy knows just what he has in the shop.  There was so much to see it all became a bit overwhelming.  Buttons, buttons everywhere.  Joan found some lovely big ones for her bags and I came away with a few little ones and some trims.  Talk about trims!  They were on rolls which were on rods and they went floor to ceiling.  An amazing shop, wish it was closer! We forgot to take a photo.
Trim and buttons from Jimmy’s.

After our excursion it was back to the hotel to rest up for our big night out at Her Majesty's Theatre to see Anthony Warlow in “Dr. Zhivago”- the musical.  The cast was incredible and the music just magical.   
Whew!
P>S>      Pre show meal at ‘”Stalactites”, (Lonsdale St)  THE BEST Greek Restaurant in Melbourne. IMHO.