Money No Object Monday

The Best Loved Hubby and myself have been enjoying some wonderful visiting. He had to go to So Cal for business, so I tagged along and got to spend some time (not enough) with my parents and sister. We just came home and were blessed with the Best Loved Biggest and her kiddlets (who are determined to refute the kiddlet label).  Good times all around.

Even with all this fun I found some covetable dolls. Elizabeth Pongratz is a doll artist and manufacturer in Germany.  She and her husband make a few hand carved and painted wooden dolls each year.

Elizabeth Pongratz dolls/ private collector

 They are usually about 14" tall and their limbs are jointed with a unique spring joint unique to these dolls. Their hair is made of mohair or human hair. There are babies, too. They are usually soft bodied with painted hair.

Elizabeth Pongratz dolls/private collector

I am so in love with them. They are exquisitely designed to be played with but I doubt that any child is ever gifted with one as they cost more than a used pick up.

Blonde Girl in Light Blue

A site called "The Toy Shoppe" has several current ones for sale. This beauty in blue can be yours for $2750. They will make payment arrangements. Babies are less.

Awake Baby in Pink

The above baby is seven inches in length and has a body made of cloth filled with sand so she has some "heft". She's only $625. "The Toy Shoppe" will ship for free is your purchase is over $100.

Ebay has a few dolls listed.  The one below is sweet and can be had for under $1900. 

Ebay listing - starting bid $1700, Buy it Now $1900

The dolls often are dressed in hand knitted outfits, like the one above and usually have one piece knitted underwear that's so sweet. 

Ebay listing shown above

I am so torn by the fact that these beauties, built for play, are too desirable to be put in the hands of children. The Best Loved Baby Boy commented a while ago that in 20 years, no child would be allowed to play with my Noah's Arks due to their being valued too precious for kids. I would be so sad if that were so. One of my favorite buyers (who bought not just an Ark but a Three Pigs Set, also) wrote to let me know that she loved thinking of her son's grandchildren playing with them.  We got a chuckle when one of the Best Loved SIL's was so protective of the Grand girls American Girl Doll because it was so expensive. One of these would give him a heart attack. Would you let your child have one of these?

Money No Object Monday - Big Sleeping Grizzly Bear

Bean bag chairs are all over the place, again. They are better for younger bodies. Ones that can pull themselves up off the floor with ease. They're also a bit of a lump on the floor and more a dorm room accessory than high fashion.  However, I do love this version below and would love to see it in a nursery or a child's room.

Big Sleeping Grizzly Bear by Chic Sin Design on Etsy $189

A big bean bag that looks like a sleeping bear! The cover is knitted and can be removed for washing. I just want to hug this bear.

It's made in Hong Kong and in addition to the $189 cost it's $60 to ship to the USA. You can save $25 on shipping if you choose "Sea Mail" that can take up to 8 weeks to arrive. If that isn't cute enough, you can add some floor pillows that look like logs.

Long Cotton Wood Tree Log $83 via Chic Sin Design on Etsy

If you added an additional log, the shipping is only $15 extra, each. The bear needs some logs to feel at home.

Money No Object Monday - Band Geek Edition

I guess I'm guilty of being a Band Geek/Nerd/Whatever. I was in band years ago (oboe and percussion). We didn't march much but we were a mean pep band at Basketball games. Four of the six BLKids were Band Geeks. We did put an instrument in the hands of the other two but it didn't stick as well. When we moved to Arkansas with the two last band members we learned what it really meant to be part of a Marching Band. The Yellowjacket Marching Band won awards for their field show. Maybe it's a small town thing, or we were special, but the whole town loved the band. In Southern California, where our oldest girls were in band, at the half time of a football game there was a set amount of minutes that the band could be on filed. If they weren't completely clear of the field by the given time the team would be penalized, severely. In Arkansas, the band did it's complete show, and then the opposing team's band would perform. If the other team failed to bring their band the crowd would be disappointed. The BLMiddleboykid even carried on with band in college. (Our school loved to say that a student would be 50 times more likely to get a scholarship for band than for any sport.)  We continued our tradition of going to a football game to watch the band. There must be someone else that loves the band, maybe more than the team.  The Etsy Shop, Little Band Man, makes tiny marching bands.

LSU Miniature Marching Band $395

This little band set is made in the same tradition as the little metal or "tin" soldiers that were popular toys for boys a century of more ago and are now fine collectibles.  They are 1:32 scale, which makes the figures about 2 1/2 inches tall. He only sells them as sets, not individually. You get a Drum Major, two "Golden Girls" (LSU's dance team), two Flag Line girls and 12 musicians, each molded and painted in detail.  Not a LSU fan?

He has NotreDame's band and Texas A&M, all for the same price.

Each rendered to be true to the uniforms and type of Drum Major and instruments used.  I wonder if he would make other college bands?  I'd love to have the "Power of the Wasatch" in miniature. I can see how soldiers wouldn't be as popular now but a little band, genius. OK, so this may be more for grownups than kids, but it shouldn't be.

Money No Object Monday - Tree House Edition

It's been a while since I posted objects that I would love to own, or give, but would need to win the lottery to do so. There are a bunch of wonderful playhouses out on the great wide web but look at this.

Tree House/Play Structure by Tiny Town Studios $4650

A tree house where the tree is crafted of sculpted concrete. You don't need a real tree. It's hollow and the entry to the tree house is through the base. You climb to the shack through a stair inside. This makes me think I'm in a movie set.

Made by Tiny Town Studios who've been active on Etsy since just before Christmas. They are Houston based and will set these up anywhere within 150 miles of Houston without extra shipping charges. Beyond that area they will deliver for fuel charges only.

They have Pintrest Boards showing some highly imaginative home and commercial installations.  Their tag line is "the goal is to capture the imagination and ignite the heart".  I love the shaped and carved concrete.

Money No Object Monday - Fantsy Bedroom

In the handmade, over-the-top bed category I submit the H2 Hummer fantasy bed.

Bed by KidsCreationsBeds on Etsy

It looks life sized and so detailed.  They don't have anything on their shop information except that they are out of Edenburg, IN, but everything looks to be made rather well from wood.  It would take a big bedroom to accommodate this.

Here's a view from the back.  It's high up but I don't see that as a problem for any little boy.  It comes with a 7 in. TV/DVD entertainment center and a cup holder. There is even a version that's "girly".

Pink Zebra H2 Hummer Fantasy Twin Bed

They say they can make these in any color or design. So how much?  Boy version is $2695.00 plus $550.00 shipping. The Pink Zebra on is a bit more, $2895.00, but only $500 shipping.  They take layaway.  I wonder if these would make heirlooms? The are certainly well enough made but their size makes them a bit difficult to store away in the attic when Jr. outgrows it and wants a grown-up room.  Would a future child think a retro huge car bed was wonderful or just too strange?

Money No Object Monday - Life Size Lincoln Logs

I haven't found anything handmade that I thought was worthy of big bucks for a while, but this idea looks like it would be fun. 


Texas Sized Lincoln Logs by PRGDesign on Etsy

Years ago BLHubby found an enormous set of Lincoln Logs at a garage sale for $10.  It filled a 50 gallon tote.  It was a great set for the kids and then the grands to play with.  Gradually, the pieces got broken and lost and not too long ago I sorted and tossed the bad ones and we now have a shoe box full of pieces.  These life sized cedar building pieces could be handled by a kid and can be changed and rebuilt with maybe a little bit of help from the adults.  Unlike Lincoln Logs, they are flat.  I guess if you made round life sized logs it would be hard for a kid to lift and set the logs. 

 Price? Pretty steep. The price is dependent on what roof style you choose. The first one above has a flat roof made of cedar boards and is $1099.   Shipping will add another $250.

This set has a gabled roof with boards and is $1199.  You can also get the set with out a board roof that you can put a tarp or other roof system on it for $999.  Not much information on the makers. They opened their Etsy shop less than a month ago. 

This could be the ultimate back yard toy.

Money No Object - Best Frozen Pop Ever

Yes, I've been off line. In the last eight weeks Best Loved Hubby was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Said cancer was removed. Life is good. Hard to believe this has taken so little time from first diagnosis to recovery.  All pathology showed it had not progressed beyond the prostate and he's doing great.  Scary stuff that is always a lot better when you're looking at it in the rear view mirror.  Very grateful for annual physicals, diligent primary care Dr., top of the field specialist and all the tender mercies we've been blessed with.

In anticipation of a need for easy on the stomach post surgery treats I laid in a good supply of these frozen goodies.

In our California years our favorite summer treat was Big Sticks.  We would get them from the drive in dairy and the BLKids and Parents loved these yummy pops.  Not too sweet and a little tart, but the best part was that they are slushy, not icy. Even better, box of 12 cost only about $2.25.  When we moved to Arkansas we missed our favorite treat.  Every trip to So Cal necessitated a purchase of Big Sticks.   A few years ago we were thrilled to find Big Sticks (they were made by Popsicle) at our local grocery but tragically they were icy and hard, not slushy. Big Sticks became one of those treats that belonged to the past.  Last year we were visiting one of the BL Kids and they could get these Monster Pops from their Wal-Mart and they are a dead ringer for our long lost Big Sticks.  This year, we have them at our Wal-Mart, too.  You can get them in lemon-lime flavor and cherry-mango flavor (which looks just like the cherry-pineapple) but the only true Big Stick flavor is cherry-pineapple.  How much does this wonderful bit of goodness set you back? Less than $2.  Money is no object.

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.

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.

Money No Object - $800 Million

A couple of weeks ago the Atlanta Grands graced us with their presence and we decided this was a great time to visit our fine state's newest cultural prize - Crystal Bridges Art Museum.

Little Bit's favorite outdoor sculpture.

 There's been lots of controversy and talk about the "Museum the Wal-Mart Built" but after they all spent $800 Million US Dollars the least the Best Loved Household could do was visit, especially since Wal-Mart gave the museum an endowment that made admission free to all.  We found the Museum worth the trip. BLHubby was gaga over the Charles Wilson Peal portrait of George Washington and the Thomas Moran landscapes. I was thrilled to see they had two paintings by Andrew Wyeth. 

Did the kids get anything out of it?  When asked what they loved the most they all said "The Dinosaur Poop". (This was a large aluminum sculpture that looked like - dinosaur poop, sorry, I didn't remember the artist.)  They did seem to talk about and remember quite a few other exhibits.  That night on the news there was piece about the Museum director being changed and as they saw paintings flash by on the screen, they were saying "I saw that today!" and "I saw that, too".  Culture grows slowly.

The crew, minus the moms of these delightful kids. 

We met our Grands aunt at the museum and she brought her amazing little girl.  They live just 20 min away from the museum. We walked her around in hopes that little F's brother would decide to be born but we're still waiting.  The other great part of the day was that BLHubby wanted to be Grandpa of the year and he and the BLBiggest Grand drove themselves (not enough room in either of our cars for the whole crew so we took two) with the tall kid with a brand new driving permit driving every bit of the way! Grandpa reported that tall kid got quite confident and did very well.  Then tall kid consented to cut his hair.

Now he's way to handsome. 

My Children's Book Obsession

It's only fitting to have Money No Object Monday (MNOM) focus on things that I really drool over - and plot how I could fit these in the budget. Yes, it's shockingly expensive collectable vintage children's books. I have several bookmarked that I covet to a degree that I may need to repent of. Here's an example.

Vintage Book from WonderDiva on Etsy

This is a cloth book published by Volland.  Volland was a publishing house active for only about 25 years in  the early 1900's. It died in the great depression of the 1930's.  They did greeting cards, calendars and books for adults and children but the children's books are considered treasures.  Instead of copying high end European printers they followed their own path and used some wonderful artists for stories that are clearly aimed at American  children.

 

I'm so in love with this book.  It's all I can do to not click  "Add to Cart". What's stopping me?  Dollars, cash, scratch, etc.  This is priced fairly at $165.  Way over my "flinch point". 

I'm over the top over the Norwegian children illustration.  I love snow pictures and these children are way cute. At 12.25" x 9.25" the pages are pretty big.  It's good I won't be buying this as I would be so tempted to separate and frame the pages and I think it's a sacrilege to wreck a book in good shape.  I would so decorate with these in adult rooms.  

The Coolest Wagon Ever!

In the spirit of Money No Object Monday, I present the coolest wagon ever.

Custom Kids Hot Rod Wagon by FreddyG

Ok, it's $450, but - isn't it neat?  You can choose colors and he will size it so it fits your car seat.  It looks like it will last forever.  Freddy G is on Etsy, but doesn't have any info on his profile.  He must be from Canada, as shipping ($150 US) is more expensive than Canadian Shipping. 

Would I have to have insurance on this? Maybe a rider on my auto policy.  I would be seriously sad if this got a dent.

Money No Object Monday - Meet Raccoon Willy

This cute plush friend is one I wish I had made.

Raccoon Willy by Enottale

 I have a love/hate relationship with stuffed animals.  One or two wonderful ones can be favorite friends, a comfortable sleeping companion and lots of fun play.  Too many cheap ones are a problem.  They must breed like bunnies in a kids room. Next thing you know you have to exterminate some.

This sweet raccoon is a foot tall and comes not only dressed for play but with a coat, bag and a mouse friend.

Raccoon Willy $110

His Etsy maker is located in Switzerland so you can add $22 for shipping to the US.  I actually  find this not too extravagant considering how gorgeous he is.  I'm also in love with the fact that this is suitable for boys or girls. You know I'm always looking for some boy friendly items.  Are you a lover of the softies or hate them?

Money No Object Monday - Tuesday Edition

Traveling yesterday, good visit with family but no internet access.  Have you seen "Mother's" jewelery?  Usually a ring with the birthstone of each child.  I've never been a fan.  Maybe because the six BL Kids birthstones look a little wonky together.  I might go for this kind of jewelry keepsake from Etsy artist Mia Van Beek:

Gold Charm made from child's art

It's almost $700 to have a gold charm made, but how about silver?

Silver Pin $159 - $199

 She shows a bracelet made of several charms.  One for each kid or grandchild or a bunch of artwork for one child.

A Mothers Charm Bracelet

I'm so sad I don't have artwork saved for each of my babes. 

Money No Object Swing Sets - Cedarworks Play Sets

I found this website and pinned my favorite on Pintrest and my "hits" blew up.  Lots of us adore the idea of having this in our back yard.

Serendipity play set by CedarWorks

This is by a company called CedarWorks.  They have lots of outdoor and indoor fantastical creations that beg for a gaggle of kiddlets to invade them.

This version is even bigger.  The concept is that they are modular and you can pick the units and then add them together for you own specialized unit.  I sent for the catalog and they emailed me a price list.  It looks like this Serendipity line starts at about $11,000 and can run up to over $44,000. They do have a bargain line that starts at around $1,000. That doesn't include shipping - and some assembly is required.  They have some great customer stories.  Families that watched their children grow up on their set and then passed it on to others.

My Uncle John described putting up a big play set a few years ago at his Wisconsin home as "the set the kids would have liked but the one the grandkids got."  If money were no object I would so get one of these - but my practical soul says I should donate it to a school.  These were made to be played on by a crowd.

Money No Object Monday - Burberry Trench Coat

The Burberry Trench Coat is one of the great classics that never go out of style.  It's also a luxury.  An women's Trench Coat in this famous British brand starts at $1,300.  If you wear it for years, and you could - it never goes out of style, the price could just maybe be justified.  They also make variations of the famous trench for children.

Image from "Lovey Room" blog

Little fashionistas can be as classic as their older sisters, and for a lot less.  This is so stinking cute!

Burberry Pleated Back Trench for Girls - $375

Burberry Pleated Back Trench Back View

But. . .    $375  for a kids coat?

I've purchased some brands of kids clothes that I thought were expensive and justified them because I knew that the clothing would last through several kids.  BL Baby Boy had a Gymboree overall that I paid $18 (on sale it's my version of expensive).  It was printed with fishing lures and was so cute.  I was delighted when the outfit was passed to a Best Loved Nephew, and then sent to a BL Girl and used on both her sons - and it still looked wonderful and was passed on to a friend.  For all I know it's still in circulation.

Would you ever consider a quality famous designer coat as a heirloom piece?

Money Is No Object Monday

I love to search the interwebs for the loveliest children's items I can find. Often, these are so high priced that you have to be Will and Kate's future child or Boynce's baby to ever enjoy them.  I don't usually pine for the super lux, so why the love for high end kids stuff? I've decided not to worry about that but love away and share my lust here on Mondays.  Feast your eyes and soul on this exquisite Pirate Ship Bed.

Why do we love pirates?  We don't really want our kids to grow up to be pirates - at least not the east Africa, south sea types.  But we love, love pretending to be pirates. Maybe it's the Peter Pan connection.

This sweet piece of wood working could easily justify it's $12,400 price tag. He'll ship it for free.

It's made of pine and has full extension drawers underneath for toys. You don't have to put your clothes in the under bed area cause you have -

a full chest of drawers at the end.  Also, a crows nest (or a ship lookout area, thingy - I love pirates but I'm not nautical). This is made by Asa Conant in Rydal, Georga.  His Etsy Shop, shows he's pretty handy with tools.  It needs a better colored room and bedding.  While I'm dreaming, lets fill the barn loft with 3 of them.  What a perfect place for cousins.  They could stay there forever.