Monday Morning Things

I have been thinking about buying a new pram – one that I can lift this time. So this got me gaffawing – imagine getting that into the back of your car. IMAGINE! The photos of Eugenio Recuenco are some of the most bizarre, beautiful, creepy and amazing images I have seen in ages. It is worth patiently clicking through all the thumbnails. (via Liquid Blog).
Did you know I Love Katamari is available in Australia? Roll on Christmas!

Plans for baking tomorrow – unfortunately I don’t have a foot cookie cutter. Stars it will have to be. Did I mention that Amelia refuses to eat those Anzac Biscuits?

Theresa’s wonderful rubber stamps. Talk about inspiring. Does anyone know if Staedtler Mastercarve Artist Carving Blocks are available in Australia?

Things vying for attention because I have an amazon gift certificate in my hot little hands:

My So Called Life
I have never seen this but it’s been on my Amazon wishlist since the dawn of time so perhaps it’s time to take the plunge now that I prefer to watch DVDs over commercial tv.

The House of Elliot
I completely loved this series when it was on television back in the early 90s. I am not sure if it will have dated and seem to be a limp production now that we have seen so many other wonderful BBC period dramas — but doesn’t the synopsis still sound enticing?
“Evangeline and Beatrice Eliott, daughters of a prominent doctor who must support themselves after their profligate father dies and leaves them penniless. They have no education or training, just a passion for fashion design. As suitors try to woo them and scoundrels try to trip them up, they make independent, exciting lives for themselves and the women they employ in their house of haute couture”

Ed Emberley’s Fingerprint Drawing Book

We have been having so much fun with the Ed Emberley drawing books that I think that one that also includes the use of finger prints will be a big hit around here.

Babies’ Rooms: From Zero to Three (lately recommended on Apartment Therapy). I am always on the look out for fresh inspiration and I have a heap of interior design books which do just this. This one looks like I will love it to pieces.

Wonderfalls – The Complete Series. I don’t know a thing about this series except that it was recommended to me because we liked Freaks and Geeks – and the description and reviews sound great.

Artists’ Houses More inspiration – what i hope will be a total flight of fantasy. Anyone seen inside this book? There is only one review, and no excerpt photos so I am left wondering if it’s worth the risk.

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47 Responses

  1. xenap72@hotmail.com says:

    Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Apartment Therapy, what a fantastic site. What’s it all about?

  2. The model in the stroller(pram) made me snort out a laugh! ; )

  3. Cor, House Of Elliot is addictive !
    I have the whole first series on DVD and I got through the whole series in 3 days! I was a huge fan as a girl back in England(n when it was first screened) so I was delighted when they released it on DVD!

    Apparently series 2 will be released soon can’t wait. Not cheap though πŸ™

    As a fashion designer I love all the historical references to the designers of the day Like Madeline Vionnet and Worth. It’s such a treat to see the fashions of the day.

    The plots are fabulous they’re rich and layered and they do not centre just around fashion. There’s some great social commentary and relationship dramas in the series, can’t reccomend it enough!

  4. want to know something funny? when my so called life was on, everyonee and their mom proclaimed that i looked like claire danes. but honestly, i dont think i do! anyway, i think it was because she dyed her hair red for that show.
    and yay again for ed emberley! πŸ˜‰

  5. Lol B – you have just convinced me to ask for The House of Elliot for Mother’s Day! How can I resist?

  6. Yay, you won’t regret it !
    I’ve started quite the fan club with all my friends who’ve borrowed it!

  7. cathy_millward@hotmail.com says:

    I bought a foot cookie cutter from a lovely shop in Launceston: The Mill Providore & Gallery, ph 03 6331 0777. They had the best selection of cutters I’ve seen πŸ™‚

  8. kimrees72@hotmail.com says:

    Claire, how do you do it? You must be quite pregnant now, and posting regularly and still thinking of/doing lots of inspiring things. I’m feeling quite exhausted just reading your blog!

  9. ajohnson@stratem.com.au says:

    we bought the Graco Citisport Plus stroller when we were expecting our 2nd and it’s been super! Very lightweight, can be pushed through the narrowest nooks and crannies in my favourite bookstore, has a good sunshade, a basket and a water bottle holder that I swore I’d never use but have become completely addicted to. I’d definitely recommend it!http://tinyurl.com/ma64w

  10. I have both seasons of House of Eliott and they’re brilliant–not the least bit dated.
    I can’t wait until they come out with season 3, because there are some interiors in that season which are breathtaking. As well as great clothes.

    (I watched it when it was on television.)

  11. I got the Artist’s Houses book out of the library and it is truly lovely. The photographs are amazing, but my own feeling was that it was a book to look over once and enjoy, not a keeper.

  12. beezler@earthlink.net says:

    Wonderfalls is soooo fab. I was so sad when it was canceled and just recently rented all of them from Netflix.

  13. Hello Claire! About prams, I had a carry pack until my baby was about 4 months. I then got a Graco CitiSport Plus stroller, which is great for folding up & getting on a bus. Dunno how I’d go with 2 kids on a bus ‘tho ;D

  14. Hello,Sorry I can’t help you out with anything, but I too am keen to find the Mastercarve blocks here in Australia. I’ll refer back to your comments to see if anyone comes up with a source. If you do find out from someone else, it would be great if you could post it on your blog.
    Oh and about that thing that if you get kids to help with the cooking it makes them more compliant in the eating department. I don’t think it is true – my daughter still turns her nose up at the stuff we make together.

  15. Claire, I LOVED The House of Elliot!
    But I think I love The Forsyte Saga even more (the drama, the costumes, not to mention the dashing men!).

  16. Oh those Mastercarve blocks look like a fantastic idea! I can totally sympathise – Dick Blick stock so many amazing things that you just can’t seem to find anywhere over here – like maplewood art boards and little wooden shadow box frames! But the shipping is just so expensive πŸ™ They should open up a store over here and we’d all be happy chappies πŸ™‚

  17. Ah! Graco’s are the most brilliant lightweight strollers. I have one aswell. I love the one hand close and then one handed lift into the car.Also, I have been using Speedball speedy-cut for hand carving with good results (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20147585@N00/122902821/). I get it in Sydney at Oxford Art Supplies. They do mail-order from this address (mailorder@oxfordart.com.au)
    Hope this helps!

  18. In our house it’s called Stinky Bread just toast, butter, sprinkle with parmesan cheese then grill … yum, I think it may be a boy thing!*LOL*
    Do you know if the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is available here in Australia, I hear itβ€šΓ„Γ΄s the best version? House Of Elliot sounds great too.

  19. aye aye aye that pram, looks like if a brisk wind swept up the pram might be the only thing holding that girl on the ground! forget about lifting it into the car, i don’t think she’d be lifting it anywhere!

  20. I was pushed around in one of those prams…really!!! My mum still claims that it was so easy to handle and push around. Much better than every pram I have ever had she says….and I have had 4 different kinds…prams that is.
    Oh and I worked for the florist who did all the flower arrangments for The House of Elliot. Sadly they were not filming when I was working there.

  21. I loved the House of Elliot. To me it was the epitome of elegance and sophisticated “adult” television. I’d be interested to know what you think watching it after many years, and other good BBC miniseries.

  22. hi Claire – I have investigated the Staedtler Mastercarve and as far as I know it is not available in Australia, apparently because Staedtler think it is too heavy to ship in. This from my friendly art store person who contacted the company for me about it. I do however have a lead on something similar and apparently great, though I haven’t tried it yet. Dani from Pyglet Whispers recommended it to me and she loves it. It is called Speedball Speedy Cut and is available from http://www.mes.net.au which I think are in Melbourne. Good luck and let me know how it is! πŸ™‚ Jen

  23. Thanks Jen! I will have to go and check them out. πŸ˜€

  24. claire,
    freaks and geeks is on my amazon wishlist because it was recommended to us when we bought wonderfalls. we’d watched the first four episodes of wonderfalls before it was cancelled — an act of television idiocy that had us waggling our fists in the air for weeks. now that we’ve watched the entire first and only season on dvd, we’ve recommended it highly to friends and family, loaning our own copy out to folks we know will get it.

    it’s a smart and sassy show, blessed with touches of the surreal and lots of niagara falls cheesiness. and, fortunately, the arc of the storyline through the first season follows through to a richly satisfying ending. no second season needed…although it could have been interesting.

    be sure to let us know what you decide to spend that gift certificate on!

  25. I’m gonna have to vote for My So-Called Life, but I was Angela’s (the Claire Danes character) exact age when the show aired, and I dyed my hair orange in a fit of “I can do whatever I want!” so I could relate. Just a little πŸ™‚

  26. I just got series 2 of House of Eliot last week from amazon! I gave it to my mother (along with series 1) for Christmas.
    I have a book from the series, too. We loved it when it came out and I was so thrilled to be able to give it to my mom in DVD form.

    My So-Called Life was phenomenal and I have every episode on videotape, but I’ll need that on DVD, too. I loved Felicity almost as much.

    Great minds, I guess. πŸ˜‰

  27. The Speedball stuff works really well! I’ve seen both the Staedtler and the Speedball blocks at my local art store, and there is very little _apparent_ difference between the two, in my opinion. Best of luck to you! Juliana

  28. I’d highly recommend “My So-Called Life.” I had a roommate in college who bought the series as soon as it came out on DVD, and this was before we knew anyone who had a DVD player. Somehow we tracked one down and our whole house spent a day watching Claire Danes non-stop.
    “Are you…. brain?” My favourite line.

  29. willotree@shaw.ca says:

    Wonderfalls is my favourite ever – it’s clever and fun, deep and odd. If you loved Northern Exposure, Wonderfalls has similarly strange stories in an unusual setting. Brilliant. My bf bought me the dvd set for my birthday. πŸ™‚

  30. Oh, I’m going to feel like the boring old aunty in the corner now – but if you’re thinking of splashing out on Amazon, I’d recommend “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin for preparing yourself for a natural birth (seeing as you were talking about it in your last post). It’s full of positive birth stories that are worth reading over and over to get your confidence up and prepare yourself (I’m one of those who had a grizzly first labour, but my second was born at home, drug-free, partly thanks to this book.) Also “Birthing from Within” by Pam England which is chock-full of artistic ideas to help explore your feelings and anxieties about giving birth. Not that I’ve got anything against watching DVD’s, or buying more fun books, just thought you might be interested! Also, I found a sling more useful than a pram. The Maya Wrap is brilliant, and I found it so much easier to pop the baby into a sling and have the older child in the stroller if necessary. Especially on buses!

  31. I have the Ed Emberley fingerprint book! It’s adorable, and the little stuff is so cute.. I haven’t gotten it out for years.. maybe I should..

  32. House of Elliot = Brilliant!!
    By the way…GREAT SITE!!

    –Kaitlyn πŸ™‚

  33. I absolutely LOVED the house of Elliot as well. I feel warm and fuzzy to know others share my passion.

  34. nicolem@objectif.org says:

    I also LOVE KATAMARI! have you seen any of the Katamari knit caps floating around? Can’t find the link, but they are so cute! I am desparately ISO Katamari swag. I want a little Prince doll for my unborn boy! PS congrats on the new little one…

  35. kyliealysha@yahoo.com.au says:

    I have also heard of people carving stamps out of firm erasers. Doesn’t cost much to try at least. πŸ˜€

  36. Speedball Rubber Blocks (interchangeable with the staedtler mastercarve ones)
    http://www.mes.net.au/products/subcat-34-52.html

    Stamp Making Kit and blocks:

    http://www.stampit.com.au/upload/pdfs/plrtlapr06.pdf

    Rubber Carving Sheets

    http://www.silverlab.com.au/products/tool.php

    These people have classes…so would probably sell supplies:

    http://www.silverlab.com.au/products/tool.php

    These guys sell “Soft Cut” Carving Blocks, which appear to be quite inexpensive.

    http://www.speedyart.com.au/school_catalogue_3.php?search=carving&x=0&y=0

    I have ordered from them, ‘cos they’re in QLD and so am I.

    Hope it’s a help.

  37. Do you have “Dollar Stores” there? Everything in it is all one low price (it’s probably just an American consumeristic thing, though). Anyway, ours usually has an eraser (rubber?–that you use to remove pencil marks) set with one or two large white erasers and a few smallish ones.
    Also, this company in WA has some: http://www.stampmania-australia.com.au/eraser.html

  38. jaspersmama78@aol.com says:

    Oh my God! Ed Emberley! I have his Drawing Book of Animals from at least 15-20 years ago! I loved that book when I was a kid (ok so I still do).

  39. I made the feet cookies but not cheesy -as sugar cookies and we decorated them with icing sandals and painted toenails. Very fun!(pic in Feb archives of my blog)You will probably like My So Called Life. A House of Elliott has been rerun here and I loved it just as much the second time. I would love to check out any of the Artist Home books at amazon. How to choose?

  40. Forgot to mention: I tried your mom’s anzac biscuit recipe and we loved them!

  41. Not like you need any more comments on this post, but here goes!
    I have the Peg Perego Venezia pram which is lightweight (9kgs) and compact-ish. It’s easy to operate and pretty hardy. Also has a great basket underneath and folds down flat to newborn position. Highly recommended. I have a Steelcraft Terrain three-wheeler for the dreadful footpaths around here, so I keep the Peg in my car and it’s great for shopping expeditions (and you can nestle a Safeway/Coles basket into the top hood – fits perfectly πŸ™‚ )

    Good luck!

  42. a1ross@ucsd.edu says:

    Wonderfalls is such an awesome show! Also, if you like it, Dead Like Me is another great show of a similar style and quality (and their lead characters bear a freakish resemblance to each other). Dead Like Me also lasted two seasons, rather than just a part of one, so it would be good after you finish Wonderfalls and are looking for a fix.

  43. Thank you for all the wonderous links!!

  44. monica@greenfairy.com.au says:

    I saw that book, Artists Houses at Borders about a year ago. Sadly the only thing I remember is the cover but hopefully they still stock it so you could always drop in for a sneak peak!

  45. Hm…. the cheesy feet looks kinda cute (adorable but ugly). I’ll try that tho.

  46. I ADORE House of Elliot!!!! When it first aired, I was taping it on TV because I usually wasn’t home when it came on, but something monumentally bad happened and a whole huge chunk of it got erased (a chunk I hadn’t seen), so I couldn’t watch it anymore because I didn’t want to find out the ends to strylines I hadn’t seen. When I saw that it was out on DVD, I flipped! Haven’t bought it yet, but I flipped anyway!

  47. I ADORE House of Elliot!!!! When it first aired, I was taping it on TV because I usually wasn’t home when it came on, but something monumentally bad happened and a whole huge chunk of it got erased (a chunk I hadn’t seen), so I couldn’t watch it anymore because I didn’t want to find out the ends to strylines I hadn’t seen. When I saw that it was out on DVD, I flipped! Haven’t bought it yet, but I flipped anyway!