Money No Object Handmade Baby Cradle

What do you think about using a special cradle or bassinette for a newborn?  Some think a newborn needs a smaller bed than the standard crib, and a smaller cradle or bassinette can fit beside parents bed or be moved from room to room as needed.  We had a rocking cradle that was passed around the family that my babes slept in before going to a full size crib. The BL Bebes were for the most part, hefty things, and quickly out grew the cradle.  They would wiggle so the bed would tip precariously and we would have to move them to the crib to prevent them from falling out on their heads.  Still, a cradle or bassinette makes me all week in the knees - and wanting a newborn in the family.  Here's a fancy handcrafted one.

Handmade Pilgrim Baby Cradle $1200

Beautiful Interior

This lovelyness is made by a cabnet maker in New York State who works on the 2nd level of a 150 year old barn. Check out his Etsy shop Sunrise Woodworking.  If you love traditional style furniture this would be the ticket.  It would also be worth passing down through a family.

Badger is the New Owl

If you could care less about current trends you may not know that owls and birds of all kinds have been extreamly popular motifs in decorating for children and even adults.  You know the fashion is bound to fade when folks start to make fun of "putting a bird on it".  Check out this video.  So what animal/figure will be the "hot" new trend?  I have to confess - I'm in love with badgers.  Not just any badger.  Robert Ingpen's Badger from "The Wind in the Willows".  Ingpen is a famous illustrator from Australia who, now in his 70's, has really hit his stride.  He has been illustrating a series of classic children's books for Sterling Illustrated Classics.  The books are unabridged and full of the most wonderful new art.  The pages are thick and they have a ribbon bookmark that delights me.  I've found them at Sam's Club and I own "Peter Pan" and "Alice in Wonderland" but just aquired "Wind in the Willows".

It's been more than one hundred years since Kenneth Grahame published the sweet tale he first started telling his son as a bed time story.  I always loved Toad and his motorcars but these illustrations made me fall in love with the wise old Badger.

Isn't he magnificent?  Wearing wellies and a "B" letter sweater.  Did he go to Badger U? These scans don't even do justice to Ingpen's art.

Robert Ingpen uses mixed media - mostly pencil (colored and graphite), pastels and watercolors to make his soft focus but finely detailed illustrations.  He says he is influenced by the greats of old like Maxfield Parrish.  He won the  Hans Christian Anderson Medal for Illustration. 

Don't you think that Badger should be the new owl?

Sister Dresses

I remember being about 6 years old and going off to the Utah State Fair one summer day dressed in a red calico print dress with short sleeves, full skirt and rick rack trim.  It was identical to the dresses worn by my two little sisters.  Sister dresses!  I think my parents thought it was a bit kitchy at the time but that didn't stop them.  I remember a comment my Dad made about how it would be hard to lose us.  I can't believe they didn't get a photo of the event. 

Evidence that matching sister dresses at the fair aren't the worst thing that can happen

I've been guilty of indulging in dressing my oldest daughters alike when they were small.  Usually I would sew different outfits out of the same fabric. The girls were only 14 1/2 months apart in age (I know) so they were "almost twins".   I loved this summer garb I made for them. 

I wasn't the only one that couldn't resist.  They were gifted often with Sister Outfits by grandparents and other doting relatives.  Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your outlook, the first born BestLovedDaughter developed a strong self identity early in life.  She was only three and I had made matching pajamas for her and her sister that were opened Christmas Eve.  The object was to have cute, cute Christmas morn pictures.  First Born BLD kept removing her pretty pj's and donning a thrift store nighty she bought herself for a quarter at the thrift shop around the corner from Nanny's house.  When she was asleep I dressed her in the new pj's and. . ta da. .  she was wearing the thrift store nighty when we filed into the living room to see what Santa had brought.  They never wore Sister Outfits again.

Fast forward a generation. One of the BestLoved Grandaughters got a baby sister a few weeks before Christmas.  Big sis was seven and was so excited to have a sibling and even more excited that the baby was a sister.  She really wanted Sister Dresses for Christmas.  Go figure. I guess 7 years of individuality were enough. 

 It's pretty hard to do matching outfits for a babe in preme sizes and one that is almost as tall as I am.  After Christmas I did come up with these dresses.

Mom reported that they wore them for Easter. Tiny sister grew big enough to wear her matchy matchy Sister Dress.  Tall Girl got her wish - A Sister Dress.   Maybe I should have made a  grown up one for Mom as well?

Money No Object Monday, Hobbit Holes

Let me confess that I'm a fan of  "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" books.  I like Peter Jackson's movie but I loved the books since they were published in the US (yes, I am that old).  Lots of folks must love them as well for Etsy has a couple of playhouses designed for your own hobbits.

Hobbit Hut Playhouse by SuGaBuG - $2,100

This beauty above is constructed of painted plywood.  The description says it will sleep 2 adults and 1 or 2 children and the door locks with a key.  The shop owner lists their location as Zip Code 34428 which is Florida.  No shipping is listed.  Will they ship for free?

Wooden Hobbit Hole Playhouse SALE - $1,995

Another version (above) comes from Maine.  They will not ship.  You have to go pick it up. This one is on sale, they have some others to choose from.  I found their website and they do some sweet instalations:

Playhouse installed by Wooden Wonders

They suggest these can be not only playhouses but chicken coops, garden sheds and they make a bigger version finished inside for a cottage. A cottage is quite a bit more than $2,000.  I want one of these in the back yard so the BLgrands can stay in it when they visit.  Go ahead, call me nerdy.