New at the Purple Pelican

Girl's Night Out Tonight

2008-11-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

A sudden update, for what it's worth! Tonight is Girl's Night Out in downtown Ellensburg, and many stores, us included, will be open until 9pm and have various specials going in their stores! As for us, we are going to have everything 25% off all day, whether you come in for Girl's Night Out or not! Come on down and do a little early Christmas Shopping...

Round and Round the Mulberry Bush

2008-10-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

By popular request, Jack in the Boxes! Our three styles feature a traditional Jester, a "Peek-a-Boo" blue monkey, and the seemingly ubiquitous Sock Monkey. In particular, Peek-a-boo Monkey has velcro on his hands, so he can assume a variety of poses that stay when he pops out.

Also pictured, we've got Rubber Duckies. These little guys come in a wide range of styles, sports, pirates, cowboys, etc, but we've got a traditional "plain" ducky too. And if little duckies don't float your boat, we've got a couple of really big ones, too...

Imported Soaps

2008-10-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today we've got something new in Bath & Beauty, imported soaps! These fancy soaps come from a number of European nations and Sandy tells me they aren't so easy to come by over here. There are a wide variety of scents, including Olive, Almond, Sandalwood, Pine, and many others. Lilac comes in soap, bath salt, and body mousse, and it's about time, Lilac is one of my favorite smells.

On the right, we have the "Ting Ting Head Tuner." I won't lie, it IS a little scary-looking, but we saw it at the trade show, and I tried it out in a selfless act of heroism--Sandy looked a little on the wary side. After earning the stamp of approval from both of us we decided to bring it in for the store. Once they arrived I brought one home for my girlfriend, and she loves it too. :)

Puppets named Marionette

2008-09-25T13:49:00.001-07:00

We've had a few requests for marionette puppets and we've wanted to get some ourselves, and so here they are! These fine fellas are hand-made by Fish River Crafts, a company operating out of Maine. Each is made of wood and leather, and spring to life with surprising ease. The tangle-wary among us will be pleased to know that these are virtually tangle-proof: if the strings get tangled up, they can be removed from the control handle and sorted, and then reattached, it's very easy! Unsurprisingly, my favorite is the T-Rex, lacking forelimbs of substance, he's all legs and easy to control, but they are all charming and attractive. Stands are included with each purchase.

We've also received some old back orders from Hape, and finally have the Pelican and VERY cute Hedgehog from their glove puppet line.

Honey, you're the Tops

2008-09-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Although we've had an assortment of wooden tops for a while, a popular request has been for the pump-driven tin tops, and we're pleased to say we've finally brought some in! The two larger tops have stands at the bottom for easy use, and all three have little holes in the side which produce sound as they spin. It's a really interesting effect, and the large rainbow one actually shifts pitch as it spins due to the layout of the holes. I wonder how it works!

A hit last year at Christmas, we've brought in more of the Life in Miniature series. In particular, we have the mini zen garden, which comes with tiny statues and a little rake for some deep, desk-bound meditation, a new tiny bonsai kit, and our mini sandcastle sculpting kit. Our birthday, casino, and Buddha Garden sets are here as well!

Reel Big Bathtoys

2008-09-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Our popular Alex bathtoys have been restocked, and we've got some new ones, too! Particularly striking are the Dinosaur and Pirate themed sets. These include a set of reusable bath stickers, and a floating "island" made of light foamy material, and don't worry mom and dad, a handy storage bag (with suction cups for the bath wall) is included as well. Additionally, the pirate set includes some cute pirate water squirters, while Dino fans will have to make do with other dinosaur toys (tip: we have a sea-going Elasmosaurus coming soon!) Also pictured is Fishing in the Tub, which I suppose is pretty self-explanatory. No real fish in the tub, though!

Hive, Romp

2008-09-16T13:38:00.001-07:00

Taking advantage of a momentary (and I mean momentary--here comes the UPS man now) in lull in unopened boxes to update on a few arrivals, specifically the return of two of my favorites, ROMP and Hive! Older boys are tough to shop for and being an older boy myself (I was talking about 12 year olds but..) I can personally vouch for these as being pretty darn neat. ROMP, the Randomly Oscillating Magnetic Pendulum, is a cool desk accessory that moves around in a seemingly random fashion according to the layout of magnets below it. Just set it up, give it a flick and it'll move about unpredictably for quite a while.

Hive is a great strategy game with a few similarities to chess in that each wooden piece has a different way of moving and strategies associated with it, but the big difference is that the pieces themselves, and the way they move, create the playing area itself, no board is needed. Also, the pieces are bugs. The game is also interesting in that no pieces are ever removed, only added, and the objective is to surround your opponent's queen with your pieces (and your opponent's pieces, if you're lucky!).

The elephants are from Safari toys and we've just barely started on that box...

Gun-Toting Maniacs

2008-09-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Whoa, did we really hire this guy?

Our American-made wooden rubber band guns are back! These are solidly built and feature quite a bit of detail etched into their bodies, and the larger ones, some of which include scopes and shoulder straps (also I have some extras, so any gun can be outfitted with such) are especially impressive. They can hold up to 12 rubber bands at once for rapid shooting, and we also carry rubber band ammunition specially sized for each gun. Our selection ranges from tiny handguns to the large monsters pictured above, and make great gifts for boys and dads... with mom's permission, of course!

Playing with Play Mais

2008-09-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Play Mais isn't new to the store, but I needed a break the other day and our previous demos were long reduced to scrap, so it was time to build a new one! Play Mais is made in Europe from corn starch and natural dyes, making it safe for kids of all ages (particularly the ones who'd like to eat it), and it sticks together easily and instantly when a small amount of water is applied to its surface. The result is a very flexible, lightweight, and easy-to-use building tool, and I highly recommend it. We sell it in sets of varying sizes, as well as special themed packs that give you instructions on building specific things.

For this guy, I started out just attaching the pieces together as they are, but for extra nuance and fitting pieces in smaller areas, I cut the pellets in half. For the eyes and spines, I cut very small pieces, got them wet, and rolled them up into little balls. For a nice pointed tail, I cut a bit off the end of a piece, moistened it, and twisted the whole thing. Those are just a few of the different techniques you can use!

My Shoo Foo is Stronger than Yours

2008-09-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

Shoo Foos have been restocked in a very large way, with a large selection in boys' and girls' designs, and now in small, medium, and by request, large sizes. For the uninitiated, Shoo Foos are small soft shoes for babies who aren't quite walking yet, comparable with "Robeez" but $10 cheaper, and highly recommended.

Also of note for shoes, our fall designs for See Kai Run are back out on the floor for your perusal. Drop on by and try on a pair!

Rody & Larry

2008-08-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

More new stuff to ride on in the form of Rody, the bouncy balloony pony. Like the Plasmacar last week, kids go right to this sort of thing in the store and know exactly what to do with it on some sort of instinctive level. Maybe they've seen 'em before? Anyway, we've got Rody and we have some colors for you to choose from, Orange, Red, Blue, and Purple (we are that Pelican, after all). They claim that Rody can hold safely support 400lbs which seems a bit unlikely to me, but regardless, I regret that he's simply much too small for anyone my size to bounce around on comfortably, and I don't even weigh half of that.

Also pictured is Transporter Larry, which is my kind of toy: a truck that carries other trucks. Larry's top platform is held up with a strong magnet, but can be easily unfolded for loading the included trucks and cars (or whoever else wants on board) to drive on up. Slight grooves in the platforms prevent cars who neglected to engage their parking brake from sliding around, and allow for other exciting possibilities in transport adventures, such as unstable loads of marbles?

2008-08-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

We did alright with our old Pull-Along Animal bags, but we fell in love with these new ones at the show. These are made by a little Australian company called Zebra Crossing, and they're a brand new product for the USA now. Besides being a pull-along that can be converted into a backpack, the animals actually come off of these ones for a little playing, and they have a little zipper in the back for a secret hiding place. The animals and bags alike are extremely well made and incredibly soft. Besides the Koala and Kangaroo, pictured, we also have an Elephant, Zebra, and Lion. Along with the Baby Bunch, we're especially recommending these as another high end baby shower item.

My personal favorite new arrival from the show is the Q-BA Maze (I'm a sucker for Marble Runs, I admit it!). This construction kit is made entirely out of transparent plastic cubes which can stack or hook together from the sides. Three simple styles of cube allow for the included steely marbles to go in whatever direction(s) you like, and it's quite a sight (and sound) when you drop several marbles down at once Q-Ba Maze comes in 20 or 50 piece sets, in "hot" or "cool" color schemes, and is a great gift for kids over 5, or college students who can't stop playing with marbles.

More new arrivals keep shipping in for Christmas, and we hope you'll be down to check them out soon.

Paper Parasols and Plastic Plasmacars at the Purple Pelican

2008-08-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

So, the plan was to resume blogging as soon as we got back from the trade show, but we got hit by so much stuff right off the bat that I didn't really find the time! But here we go! The big news is that we found the guys who sold us our wooden animals from Thailand and more importantly, the paper parasols we've had decorating the store since we opened. The bad news is that they were going out of business (apparently they'd had enough trips to Thailand), but we grabbed all the parasols we could (as well as some more animals) before moving on. So for all you folks who've been asking, we have more of those parasols and they are for sale this time!

Another exciting new arrival that we didn't expect to ship so quickly is the Plasmacar! It's an award-winning toy that you may have seen before, but if you haven't, here's the deal: it's powered by swinging the steering wheel back and forth. On flat surfaces or the pavement outside or even our slanty floor, the Plasmacar moves along at a pretty nice speed once you get it running. It holds up to 250 pounds, so even grownups can take a little spin on it.

Finally, a last-minute reminder about Gold Rush Day on Sunday! Randomly selected participating stores will have a gold nugget hidden inside them somewhere, and if you find it, you can bring it down to Pearl St. Books to exchange for a coupon you can use at any one of the stores who participated in the event, regardless of where you found the nugget. Whether you find a nugget or not, purchases over $10 here at the Purple Pelican will get you Pelican Dollars to spend on your next visit, and our red sticker sale is still going.

"Musical Band"

2008-08-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

How silly of me--I completely forgot to mention this last time! Although labeled the "Musical Band," Plan Toy's elaborate little drum kit is just that--a drum kit. And what a kit it is! It's well-built with two large drum pads, a little scrapy thing that makes buzzing noises, and of course a cymbal! This went fast last time, so come down and grab it while it's here. If we run out quickly, we can reorder before Christmas.

Speaking of reorders, just a reminder that we'll be closed tomorrow, from Sunday to Tuesday, at the Gift Show. Also worth mentioning: we're participating in an event the next Sunday (the 24th) called Ellensburg Gold Rush. Participating stores will have gold "nuggets" hidden in them, and those can be exchanged for gift certificates for use in a participating store of your choice! We'll hope to see you then..

Plan on new toys!

2008-08-13T11:36:00.001-07:00

It may be the case that I'm a poor salesman. We've had the Melissa & Doug Pull-Along toys for a long time, and they're great, and then we brought in these new ones from Plan. The Plan ones are a little smaller and a little cheaper, but the main thing is, whenever someone came to the counter with an M&D Frog or something, I'd say "oh, did you see the Snail?" And that is a cool Snail--it's motion is simple, but just fascinating to look at. And then suddenly I'm selling the cheaper toy. But I can't help it, the Snail is awesome!

Anyway, the snail is finally back in stock, along with a lot of other cool stuff from Plan. Among other things, we have the Dancing Alligator and two new Pull-Alongs, Helicopters and Airplanes are back, and there's new items in the Dollhouse and Preschool category. The Fire engine shown here is enormous and fully featured, with a working extension ladder, stabilizer struts, a rope "hose" that automatically retracts, and of course the whole thing is made from recycled rubber tree wood. Another cool one (on the left) is the Construction Set, a 60 piece assortment of wooden beams, screws, and wheels, ready for you to build whatever your imagination desires. Also shown is the Dollhouse Playground and Farm Animal sets.

Don't forget, we'll be closed this coming Sunday through Tuesday, and the 50% Off Sticker sale is still going!

Corolle Rolls In, Rolling Out for Gift Show

2008-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

More things from Corolle! I believe Bebe Armour is our biggest doll yet, and nearly two feet tall! We've also got more of the large Carriage in, and the doll bed/crib is back as well. We've also finally got a few clothes styles that will fit (properly) our 14" Les Classiques dolls--having so many dolls of different shapes and sizes makes keeping them dressed quite troublesome! We've restocked the stylish Les Dollies line, and along with a general restock of the very popular Tidoo and Calin, we finally got the Asian model, Yang, back in stock.

Just a head's up, we'll be going to the Gift Show in Seattle for a few days starting this Sunday, and we'll be closed from Sunday (8/17) to Tuesday (8/19). The 50% Off Sticker Sale is also still running, so if you haven't been down yet to take advantage then do so soon!

Spooooon!

2008-08-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

We've got spoons! We have Tea and Tablespoon sets in a variety of styles, and individual 2-Tablespoon scoops, also in a variety of styles. These are ornate little guys with some cool patterns and the occasional uplifting word or two (my favorite is the one that says "Instant Human, Just Add Coffee"). The scoops come with a hook for easy wall-mounting, but if you need a place to stash your measuring spoons, we've got you covered with an oak wall-mounted hanger. There's also an assortment of salt & pepper shakers and teabag holders in this series as well!

Every now and then when I'm out watering the flowers out front I'll see one of these guys, usually clinging to the tall grassy plants in our bigger pots. They don't seem to be eating the plants, just hanging out. I suppose if you're a little grasshopper blowing through the downtown, a spot like that is very attractive!

By the way, the red sticker sale is still going, so don't forget to drop by!

Red Tag Sale Continues

2008-07-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

We had a great Jazz in the Valley weekend, and the sale I mentioned last time rages on, claiming more and more products! All items in the store marked with a red tag are 50% off their original price, and those tags are everywhere. Pictured above is a small sample of effected items, including tin tea sets (originally $50!), roll-up Chess in a bag, roll-up Checkers, select Melissa & Doug puzzles, old-fashioned car banks, Life in Miniature sets (Laughing Buddha, Birthday, and Casino), and there's many more here at the store!

50% Off Select Items

2008-07-23T14:33:00.001-07:00

Did you visit the Saturday Sale? Don't go away yet, we have more items on sale already! All Springbok and SunsOut Puzzles (basically all the ones on our spinner rack) are on sale for 50% off. The flat-colored, waffle-textured tea towels and dishcloths are also down by 50%. All Thymes Wild Ginger products are also 50% off (are you seeing a pattern yet?), and so are our "Puzzled" 3D Wooden Puzzles, naturally 50%, and we'll throw in a free mini puzzle along with 'em (while supplies last). Take advantage while you can and we hope to see you soon!

Saturday Sidewalk Sale!

2008-07-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

All through the downtown today, businesses are putting out heavily discounted merchandise, and the Purple Pelican is no exception! Everything on our sale tables outside is a whopping 60% off, and in store, in honor of being approximately our 1-year anniversary, everything is 15% off! This sale is for today only, so tell your friends and come on down!

Cast Iron Pot Huggers

2008-07-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

For use in the garden or wherever you've got a potted plant, we've got some cool little bugs to decorate them with. These are made from cast iron and hang off the rim of the pot. The pot huggers are the latest arrival, but we also have some plant hooks with the insect theme, and smaller ones shaped like monkeys too. For when you're done in the garden, we've got cast iron boot brushes as well, shaped like a frog or turtle.

Don't forget the Sidewalk Sale special coming up on the 19th, we'll have specials outside the store and inside too, and there'll be many stores downtown participating. Be sure to check it out!

Wooden Vehicle Kits

2008-07-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

For ages 8 and up, we've got some cool new construction kits in. The Stunt Buggy, Air Trike, and Land Yacht are all made from flat wood and plastic parts that fit easily together, and in the case of the Buggy and Trike, have motorized parts that move the vehicle via two AA batteries. The Land Yacht, however, is powered entirely by the wind, and it's the one we decided to build for the store demo.

Each model comes with a set of decals, I skipped those and went with the natural wooden look. The land yacht's box states that it "speeds away at the slightest breeze," which is an exaggeration--I won't mislead you--we put it in front of the fan and it didn't do very much. However, I put it out on the bumpy pavement out in front with the wind blowing, and it shot away with unexpected speed! Definitely a good one for Ellensburg. Adjusting the strings at the base of the sail causes it to lean to one side or go straight, so even after construction, you can still do a bit of modification to learn how sails work.

By the way, we'll be participating in the Sidewalk Sale this coming Saturday (the 19th), along with several other businesses. We'll have items outside that are heavily discounted, and there'll be a special going inside, too. Be sure to come down and check it out!

Mighty Morphin'.. uhh.. Morphs!

2008-07-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

The toys formerly known as MagnaMorphs are back! These are poseable figures of animals made from durable plastic, but the real outstanding feature is that they can be taken apart and reassembled in whatever combination you desire, even wacky things like a creature that's all heads or something. The sets are themed, like Dinosaurs or African Animals, and include three different animals. Naturally, the sets are compatible with eachother, expanding your range of potential combinations.

Unfortunately, this line is not compatible with the previous MagnaMorphs line, which was discontinued due to the current scares from magnetic toys. The upside to this, however, is that the new line uses entirely new models for its figures, they are larger and more detailed, and the parts now simply "click" into place easily, and hold their positions better than the magnetic joints did.

Cribbage and Shoot the Moon!

2008-07-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

We got in another Cribbage set today, along with a restock of the classic Shoot the Moon game. We have a number of Cribbage boards at varying price ranges. Some are flat boards, some fold, and the ones pictured here have lids and card decks included. The light-colored one has a hinge, and the larger dark one has a lid that just lifts off. I read recently that Cribbage was originally played by sailors, the playing course was drilled into wooden rails on ships!

Shoot the Moon is quite the old bar game, and apparently it's surprising that I've heard of it (I'm a little surprised myself)! We found it at a gift show and I was all "What is this?" Pretty much instantly fell in love there. The object is to roll the ball as far up the rods as possible. You spread the rods apart to begin rolling the ball, and then gently pinch them back together to give an extra kick of momentum and keep the ball from dropping out early. Be sure to give it a try the next time you visit!

"Ballet" Slippers

2008-07-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

A consistently popular type of item we've been carrying is the dress-up ballet slipper. We've had a couple different brands but I guess they must be popular everywhere, because they end up back ordered and we end up only getting small ones, or only medium ones, or whatever size people aren't asking for us on a given day. Not this time! We have kids ballet slippers in three different sizes and they all came in at once--I just hope you wanted pink ones!

Sock Monkey Tins

2008-06-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we find surprising things, and they're surprising because we forgot we ordered them, and then when they arrive it's like, what? I was pretty sure we had all our tablecloths in before, but it turned out there were a couple hand towels still coming, and also, a Sock Monkey Tin from the same people. Why not? The Sock Monkey Tin is over sized, perfect for toting sewing supplies, a very large lunch, or, well, Sock Monkeys, and is decorated with a number of hand-made Sock Monkeys of various shapes, sizes, and manner of attire. So it must also be time to remind you that we have Sock Monkeys in a number of sizes and also Sock Elephants, Giraffes, etc.

Kid Trike, Dolly Swing

2008-06-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

A couple largish new items, our new Tiny Trike is perfect for scooting around the house (or, apparently, our store) as fast as your little legs can carry you. Hypnotic spirals on the wheels are certain to mesmerize on-lookers. Tiny Trike is recommended for ages 1 to 3, although sturdily built it will only hold so much weight. Also brand new for the store, is "My First Swing" from Corolle. Don't try to ride this one though, it's for baby dolls!

Desk Gifts

2008-06-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Purple Pelican has your gifts for the desk-bound everyman (or woman)! Everyone is familiar with the classic Newton's Cradle, also known as "That thing with the balls that go and clack," and we're pleased to have them back, they were a pretty good seller over Christmas, and we like it when people go in the back and set it off. It's pretty much irresistible. Magnetic Magic, better known as "Those little bits of metal that are on a big magnet and you can move them," and we have it with Stars and Moons, Dolphins, and (oddly) Dinosaurs for shape assortments. Finally (for today, anyway), we've got Wave Paperweights, which are filled with a bright blue watery goo that sloshes around, and has a couple floating guys in it that somehow always stay upright. These are available with Penguins, Dolphins, Clown fish, Sharks, and the Titanic (accompanied by a giant iceberg, naturally).

Solar Powered Amusement

2008-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

You'll find these tucked all the way back in the store--these amusement park ride replicas actually work, and even cooler, they're powered by solar energy. If you take them outside or set them in a sunny window, they'll go on their own. If the sun is being uncooperative (our windows don't get enough direct light) you can plug them in to power a light bulb that's aimed right at the solar panel, so even when powered by electricity, they're still powered by "light."

Animal Wave

2008-06-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

So we're still out of Melissa & Doug Giraffes (they sold out again fast!), but hey, we've got other options! Today Wild Republic came in and this heap is part of the result. We've got their giant floor animals in the giraffe, shark (he's awesome), deer, lion, and what I think is our biggest frog plush yet. We've got little chimps, a couple of dinosaurs, the elusive Red Lion Tamarin Monkey, a snail that tucks inside his shell, smaller sharks, baby elephants, baby zebras (by popular request), smaller giraffes, floppy horses... I'm sure I'm missing a couple..

We've also got more of those hanging monkeys with babies! Come on down and give 'em a snuggle.

Plant Science

2008-06-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Time for some sciencey learning projects for summer! On the left, we have two garden kits. These are self-contained gardens that can be kept inside out outside, and with the unique themes of insect-eating plants and plants traditionally "known" to attract fairies (perhaps its best that they be kept apart when in bloom). The carnivorous plant assortment contains seeds for Venus Flytraps, Honeypots, and a few others, while the fairy assortment contains lobelia, thyme, evening star, and clover (four leafed ones if you're lucky), and both include dirt, fertilizer, instructions, and a few fun accessories. Some of the carnivorous ones in particular require some special care in getting them planted, so best recommended for older kids who are patient or at least have a bit of adult help.

On the right we've got two new science experiment kits, one with some simple do-it-yourself flying devices, and another with a rubber band-powered engine that can be used to make a few different machines. In front there we've got the last of our "Kustom Metal" vehicle kits and they're just hanging out.

Get your hands off us, you dang dirty ape!

2008-06-19T10:54:00.001-07:00

So cried fashion dolls, Abby and Emma! He's not dirty though, just shaggy and huggable.. Anyway, more from Melissa & Doug yesterday! Truth be told I've been looking for a good Orangutan for the store for quite a while and this is our favorite so far. I don't know what it is exactly about them, we had some family friends when I was a kid and they had a pretty big one and it resonated with me. People need a big Orangutan! In real life, orangutans have darker skin, but just in terms of personality and body shape, this is the one that won us over.

Also pictured, Abby & Emma are the newest addition to the Magnetic Dress Up Doll line, these characters are a bit taller and more trendy than the ones we currently carry, and you get them both at once! For the younger crowd, we've also got a family of magnetic dress up Bears, with mom, dad, and baby (no Goldilocks, though!). Not pictured, we have a Do-it-Yourself photo jigsaw, and the new Fairy Castle huge floor puzzle.

Travelling back in Thymes

2008-06-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to say that our popular Thymes lines have been restocked, so those of you who have been waiting on that, please come on down! Goldleaf, Kimono Rose, and Gardener are all back in, and we've still got plenty of Eucalyptus and Lavender. Actually, some of our Lavender has found its way to the 25% off table in the back. Also, we've got a sample of a seasonal scent, Frasier Fir, which smells pleasantly of Christmas and Oranges, to my sniffer. Come in and let us know what you think, and we may stock it later this year.

Father's Day, King's Table

2008-06-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is swiftly drawing near this Sunday! Do you need a gift? Dads (and men generally) are hard to shop for--we're big geeks and we're picky about what we like! But the Purple Pelican has a number of possibilities for you to consider if you're still searching for that special something. We have an assortment of wooden games, some classic and some new, but all beautiful and fun to play. Some look great hung on a wall, or are just the thing to spice up the family room. We've got a lot of puzzles to choose from with imagery to suit every taste. Our Civil War and World War 2 books are here for the war buff, and it's hard for any man to resist at least a peak inside the Field & Forest Handbook. (And it's never too late to turn him into a proper gentleman! Do you have one of those dads who always has some bit of wisdom to spout (desired or not)? Get him back with a scrim paperweight with some old word-to-the-wise on it. Got a dad who likes to build? How about an ornate wooden airplane kit, or a catapult or trebuchet? (We have a demo of the trebuchet in the store!) Does Dad just like to play? How about a Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run?

While it's in the picture, I'd also like to point out King's Table: the Game of Vikings. This is one of the predecessors to Chess, and was developed by Vikings. Vikings didn't just stick around in the north, they actually sailed all over the world, and they brought their "table games" with them. In King's Table, every piece moves the same as the Rook from Chess (in straight lines) and the objective is to either protect or capture the king. As you can see from the starting layout in the picture, the playing pieces are not set up evenly, bringing about a totally different kind of strategy in play. Pieces can be captured by surrounding them on two sides, and the defending side can win by getting the king to one of the corners of the board, when he "escapes." There are several rule variations (the exact rules were actually lost over time) you can find with a little Internet research, so it doesn't have to be just one game, either. The pieces can be stored under the board, and the whole thing is really classy. We actually only have one of these right now, but I think it's awesome and want you to know about it!

Melissa & Doug Purse Fill n' Spill

2008-06-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

You probably remember the new Fill n' Spills we got from Melissa & Doug a while back, so it may be premature to do another "we have Fill n' Spills" reminder, but I'm just so excited about this one! The Pretty Purse is aimed at girls, and contains an assortment of cute little purse accessories. But the star is the cell phone rattle, which produces a sound remarkably similar to a cell phone ring tone when you shake it. Ok sure, maybe its just some kind of fancy bell in there or something, but I've never heard anything like it. It's.. fascinating..

We've also got more Touch & Feel Puzzles in. These puzzles have huge, grabable pieces, and each replicates the feel of some kind of touchable animal texture. Styles include pets, the farm, and zoo animals.

Maple Landmark Growth Sticks

2008-06-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

When it comes to seeing your kids grow up, there's nothing quite like the old "notches on the wall" measuring their height as they get older. We aren't all out living in the prairie so much these days and parents may be loath to carve chunks out of drywall, so what are we to do? The answer is Maple Landmark wooden Growth Sticks! Made in America, these are fashioned from thick wood, measure from 2 to 6 feet, and perfect for carving little notches the old fashioned way (using a Sharpie is also acceptable). Each stick comes with its own wooden "topper" and we've got a selection for what tickles your fancy, school buses, animals, sports, dinosaurs.. (of course dinosaurs!)

From the same guys, we've also got an assortment of rattles, made of select hardwoods and natural dyes, again, right here in the USA. Other arrivals include wooden Tic-Tac-Toe boards, Cribbage boards and supplies, an awesome train whistle (it has all the real "codes" trains use as they blast their own horns written on it), and an assortment of age-specific birthday card activity books for boys and girls.

Magnet Time Strikes Back

2008-06-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

It was just another day for Marbliana Jones. After grabbing the priceless artifact known only as the "Purple Pelican," naturally the entire tomb began to crumble all around him. The only way out was down a narrow chute leading into the ancient structure's aqueducts. Suddenly, he found himself looking down on a magnetic "Frigits" marble run. It would be a bumpy ride, but he knew he could make it. But then he saw the Triceratops Dino Bender, one of six collectible magnetic figures, blocking his path! Glancing above, he saw a jangly crab magnet, the kind with legs and claws that wiggle when you open or close the refrigerator door. Also available, octopus, beetle, and lobster (not pictured)! "At least there aren't any snakes!" thought Marbly, confidently.

Little did he know that the marble run terminated in a large Bolga Basket (only $20) filled to the brim with classic "Woody the Snake" toys.

Glove Puppets

2008-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

Glove puppets are awesome! These guys fit easily on a hand or two and have tremendous personality despite their simple design, eliciting delighted sounds from youngsters and oldsters alike. Most have a basic glove-like shape that fits on a right or left hand, but some (birds in particular) only take two or three fingers. For maximum cuteness, try having one hold a pencil. We just got these restocked, and besides some of our favorite old designs (the hedgehog is backordered!), new ones include the rabbit, squirrel, penguin, ladybug, and duck.

20% Off Items

2008-06-06T13:43:00.001-07:00

By the way, there's a little sale going on in the back for the time being! 20% everything on the table in the back (it's marked), and has our last lamp (for now at least), mugs, jewelry, necklace stands, and jewelry/trinket boxes. Come on in and check it out!

Magic Kits, Kid Boxers

2008-06-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

We've made it a point to carry Melissa & Doug's magic kits, and they've been pumping out some new ones lately! Our old ones are all available, but the new ones just came in, each one focused on Card Tricks, Thumb Tricks, and Rope Tricks. Each one comes with everything you need to pull off some convincing illusion (each set has 30 or more tricks), be it trick card decks, rope puzzles, or just a couple of fake thumbs.

Yes, the Purple Pelican is now selling fake thumbs. We never said we wouldn't!

Jumping off in a completely different direction, we've got boxer shorts for babies, something we never said we wouldn't have either (I didn't know there was such a thing). These come in two main styles, we've got the ones sold flat in plastic cases, themed with sports, and the ones in tubes, with a dinosaur, frog, or alligator design.

Balancing Pandas, Dancing Music Boxes

2008-06-05T11:08:00.001-07:00

This game is adorable! A bit of a take on the old Jenga-type balancing game, this one has a bit of extra technique thrown into it. Firstly, your tower is built on top of a wobbly wooden panda; secondly, the bits of wood come in different shapes; and thirdly, a roll of the die determines what piece (and how many!) pieces you have to put on top. This one is really challenging for grownups and kids alike. Like other games in this line (like the popular Bialo, which is back in stock) all the wooden parts are 100% natural bamboo.

We had a very good response to the Circus Time Dancing Music Boxes, but they never shipped us any of their other styles. Luckily, we just happened to come across another line that we like even better. Featuring spinning frogs or ladybugs as the music plays, these boxes are larger, more solidly built, and just really neat!

Pull-Along Animal Cases, Mismatched Socks

2008-06-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

For kids on trips, we've got a new line of cool animal-themed pull-along luggage, sized perfectly for little kids to pull along behind them. If you aren't interested in pulling, the trolleys detach and the animal becomes a little backpack. From left to right, we have a dog, bear, giraffe, and horse.

Also worthy of note, Sole Mate Mismatched Socks are back in stock in all sizes. We've also still got some of their similarly styled "Thinking Caps," and it turns out they make rugs as well (we have that, too).

Time for Tableclothes

2008-06-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hello! Sorry for the lack of updates last week, I caught a pretty good round of the crud and missed several days of work. Little did I know all the stuff that came in while I was away! To start off, we've got more great tableclothes from Moda in a wide variety of designs. Most of these are 52"x52", though there are a couple 60 inchers as well. There are also hot pads and kitchen towel sets, and aprons, including matching ones for mothers and daughters. And what's that little pink thing in the corner?

Egg Timers! These little guys are great for timing eggs or whatever you like. We use 'em for timing the Find It! "Find the Penny" contest. Find It!'s are back in stock too, by the way, with a new style (birdwatching, and sports will be coming soon) and a new "deluxe set" that includes a spinner, playing cards, and its own timer, for those who'd like a little more game structure with their Find It! experience.

Bearington Hugs & Snugglers

2008-05-24T11:12:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness! A full rack of these guys has been a missing sight here for a while now, and we're happy to finally have them back in stock (we're still missing the Cottontail Snuggler but it's on the way soon). Bearington Snugglers and Hugs are a combination of a plush toy and a soft baby blanket, super-soft, and make great first gifts for babies. We also got more of the Bearington animal-themed coats and blankets, and the frog, bunny, elephant, and sheep in plushes that play lullaby music and sway along with it.

We're Knights of the Round Table, we dance when e're we're able

2008-05-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

Be knight for a day with more dress up items from Creative Concepts! Joining the capes and crowns we got last time, we have a hood, a shield, and a foamy sword. The sword goes for $10.50, which initially struck me as a little high, but compared to a plastic one (like I had as a kid), they're much softer and won't hurt anyone no matter how hard you swing it, and they're sturdier (and larger) than the other foam ones I've seen--these'll hold up in the heat of battle, no problem!

We've also received medium size princess slippers, and a princess cape in a lighter pink than before.

Gimme a hand...print.

2008-05-22T11:18:00.001-07:00

Another restock we were overdue for, today we have more from Child to Cherish! First up are the "Block to Grow On" banks. Besides being rather spacious banks, these have spaces on the sides where parents can record their baby's growth at various ages and other important events (baby's first step, first word, etc). They are available in pink, blue, and yellow. We've got an assortment of baby hand and foot print items, as well as one for pets. Lastly, the Buttermilk Farms veggie rattles are back and as cute as soft veggie rattles could be.

Magnet Time

2008-05-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

So, someone handed you a Purple Pelican business card with our web address on it, what are you gonna do with it? Why, head back to the Purple Pelican to buy a magnet to stick it someplace with! Our new arrival is a whole set of Wild Indigo magnets, featuring old-timey photos with amusing (often biting) captions. We've also got Laini's Ladies in magnetic form, and if you need something a little more robust, our "Check L!st" and "Honey Do" clips are great as well. If you want something a little more fun, try our animal or ballerina magnets, their hands (or paws, or hooves) can be posed around just for fun, or to hold up an assortment of different things.

Just keep the magnets away from your computer, ok?

How Much is that Giraffe in the Window?

2008-05-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

The answer is $100! Yup, our Giraffes and a few of the other big 'uns from Melissa & Doug are back! Also arriving in this shipment, we've got the Elephant, Alligator, Pug, Standard Poodle, Boston Terrier, and the Penguin--affectionately known in the store as "Your Penguin Pal Who's Fun to Be With," I'm amazed we ran out before. We also restocked the Basic Skills Board (for training with zippers, buckles, and the like), and we have a new item, the Decorate-Your-Own Jigsaw Puzzle. It includes a set of paints, markers, stickers, and of course, one blank jigsaw puzzle.

Mor-ro-ro-ro-ringa!

2008-05-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this neat thing? Our Melissa & Doug lacing toys have always done pretty well, but the most elaborate and creative lacing toy we have is the German-made Moringa. It's a wooden tree filled with holes, and it includes two long laces, and a number of leaves, birds, bugs, and other little bits to decorate it with however you want. Also from the same maker are Panjettis, cute little animal figures with wooden "clothes" that lace onto their bodies. Their clothes, and even parts of their bodies can be switched around and laced onto each other, and each set includes two figures.

Lion and Tigers and..

2008-05-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Elephants? Or maybe a Monkey? These sturdy banks are made of wood and each one features a different animal attached to the back. Are they stoically guarding the box's contents, or is that greed in their beady little animal eyes as you plunk your spare change into the slot? At any rate, your savings will be safe until you pop the rubber stopper off the bottom--I'm afraid the days of smashing open your piggy bank with dad's hammer are long over!

Dragons

2008-05-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

Nothing says "I am serious about opening letters" like a stainless steel sword-shaped letter-opener in the clutches of a metal dragon. Or maybe it just says "Dragons are awesome."

Either way, we've got you covered, with a wide selection of cool dragon statues, many of which are indeed holding the steely bill-opening instrument described above. These guys come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While many are pretty hefty desk ornaments, some are designed to hang from a wall, and we've also got a selection of little swordless ones that only run $3.50 a piece. I think my favorite is this extravagant Red Dragon Box (pictured), perfect for guarding your secret treasures, or maybe just a place to stash dice and cards for game night.

I might also mention that we have a couple dragon puzzles, the "Dragonology" board game (Wizardology too, both based on the books), and some plush dragons as well!

Books for the Kids, Baby Naima

2008-05-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

After a long wait, our Innovative Kids book display is finally here! I know what you are thinking--"you had room for another display?!"--but we squeezed it in near the back. This thing has all kids of kids books, board books for babies, sound books, books that are actually cleverly disguised games or puzzles. Of particular interest (to me, I am a boy after all!) is the "Groovy Tube" series of books, which include an educational book, a board game, and a tube jam-packed with figures to use with the game. Themes include Dinosaurs (my favorite, naturally), Horses, Dogs, Mythological Monsters, and more. But what really puts the 8-year-old in my heart into a spin are the Code Master books. These are themed as Secret Agent and Treasure Hunter, and each one starts with a set of puzzles and codes for you to solve, and then you put those solutions together to crack open a safe that's built right into the book, and then the story and mysteries continue within. I haven't cracked the code yet, so I can't tell you more than that...

Also while I'm here, we've received more of Corolle's Calin Naima doll. I know we've had a request or two for Yang (the Asian version of Calin) and those ones are still no where to be seen, but the African-American dolls also go pretty fast, so you've been warned!

Do whatcha want 'cuz a pirate is free

2008-05-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Really, I just wanted to take a picture of our awesome pirate flags! But if you're looking for pirate stuff, we have other cool things too. Like replica gold and silver doubloons. Or a puzzle of a treasure map (stored in a bottle, naturally). Or maybe you'd just like the map? How about a pen shaped like a large bird feather? (Of course pirates use ball-point!) We've got wooden pirate ships for the kids, and kites with a skull n' cross bones, or what about a boomerang emblazoned with the Calico Jack? Yes, a boomerang's connection to high-seas piracy is pretty tenuous, but we really have them. I didn't make it up!

Candy Time

2008-05-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

I think if there's anything in the store that really adds to the "old ice cream/drug store" counter look it's this big rack of old-fashioned stick candy. But, we didn't have room for it on the counter, so it's over on a table someplace, but that's ok, it's still here and the candy is still delicious (and inexpensive!). We've also got some other cool novelties, like candy lip stick, Cinnamon-flavored toothpicks (don't eat them), Classic "1928 Flavor" Bubble Gum, lip gloss that tastes like cookies, and... Napoleon Dynamite band aids? At any rate, those are here and more! (Ah, don't forget our classic drinking birds, those are back too and make a great novelty gift!)

First Play Fill n' Spill Sets

2008-05-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today we have new additions to our First Play Fill n' Spill sets. Our new Sports design has the same features of our older sets, it's a fun case filled with themed toys that all have a different quality, one is a rattle, one crinkles, one is a bell, etc. We've also got Bugs, Flowers, Picnic, and Ocean-themed ones, and these are all recommended for 6 months and up. However, the new Tools set is aimed at 18-month olds--this one has a vibrating drill, and plush nails which can be driven into plush blocks with your plush hammer.

This adorable Bichon Frise has joined our existing supply of plush dogs, and we also finally restocked the Wooden Joey Dress Up Doll (for boys), and we've also got a new Wooden Animal Stamp Set.

The Game is Afoot

2008-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Longtime Purple Pelican customers may remember 221B Baker Street, "The Master Detective Game" featuring Sherlock Holmes. This is one of Sandy's childhood favorites; travel around the board picking up clues in an effort to solve the mystery before anyone else does. The game includes 20 cases, and we've got the first and second expansion packs for players who need more (each includes another 20 cases).

Twinkle Canopy

2008-05-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

We've had this Twinkle Canopy in the store before, but we just them back in again! It almost looks like it's just part of the store's decoration, but don't worry, it's for sale! These canopies come with everything you need to hang them from the ceiling and stretch to fit around the head (or foot) of most kids beds. We have ours over an entire crib of stuffed animals, but it ought to do ok on a twin, too. Twinkle Canopy is available in pink and purple. These went fast last time (and I just sold another one as I wrote this) so come down soon if you want to check them out!

Glassware, and a Calendar

2008-05-01T11:06:00.001-07:00

Need a fancy wine or martini glass? We have that! These attractive glasses are handpainted with beautiful floral designs by a local artist, Jeanette Stanly. She has also supplied us with similarly-decorated coasters, hot plates, and corked pitchers. I especially like the coasters, mayself, they have thick cork "feet" at the base, giving the coaster a bit of extra height, and just looking really neat. The hot plates have the same feature.

Speaking of features, if you scroll down and look to the right, you'll see the beginning of our Ellensburg Event calendar. We'll be keeping a month-by-month list of events in Ellensburg and the Downtown, so keep checking back as we expand it. Links to more detailed information will be provided whenever available.

Oh, and speaking of events, a last-minute reminder that we'll be part of the Girl's Night Out tonight, so be sure to drop by if you're participating in it!

Spring Shoes are Here

2008-04-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Our See Kai Run shoes are here for Spring! As with the previous bunch, these are durable shoes with flexible bottoms, great for walking, running, falling down, and hopefully getting back up without much fuss. These also come in sandals, to keep baby feet nicely cooled in summer. We have sizes 4 through 8, come on in and try on a pair!

Hey Ugly!

2008-04-25T11:57:00.001-07:00

Well, it finally happened. After a number of requests and finally bumping into a distributor at the Seattle Gift Show, Sandy caved and we've got Ugly Dolls now. And once she got them into her hands, Sandy even warmed up to them a bit! Their bodies are amazingly soft, and while the look of the creatures is a little edgy and appealing to older kids, Sandy says the simple designs and soft colors reflect Waldorf Doll principles, where you have a simple doll with a simple face made of quality material, and the kids use their imagination to bring the toy to life. Do the Ugly Doll makers think about Waldorf when they design these? At any rate, we have Ugly Dolls now and they're pretty cool.

Purple Pelican Ice Cream FAQ

2008-04-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

We get a lot of questions about the bar and stools here in the building.

Q. "Was this place an old soda fountain?"

A. Nope! The bar was brought in several years ago by one of the earlier tenants, it is not native to the building.

Q. (After sallying up to the bar) "I'll have an ice cream!"

A. We don't have any real ice cream, but we do have Melissa & Doug's Ice Cream Parlor Playset! These came in yesterday, and include two plastic scoops, two heavy-duty wooden cones, and four plastic ice cream "tops," for hours of frosty fun.

We also received the M&D Kitchen Playset, which goes for $200, but is considerably larger and has more feature than our Educo kitchen; the M&D Play Table, just like we have to play in at the front of the store; a Magnetic Monthly calendar, similar in design to the Magnetic Responsibility Chart we featured earlier; and finally, a Basset Hound joins our plush dog lineup.

A Lady or Gentleman Dresses Up

2008-04-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Still on our list of recently-arrived, we have a selection of dress up clothes for boys and girls, including knights, kings, princesses, fairies, and other fantasy characters. (There's a superhero cape too!) Yesterday we got an order of books in, including our popular How to be a Gentleman/Lady books, so if you needed to know if a cape and crown is acceptable dinner attire, the information is readily available.

We've also got our Civil War and US History books back in, along with a couple new ones, including the intriguingly-titled "Ghosts & Haunts of the Civil War."

By the way, our See Kai Run shoes for Spring/Summer will be arriving near the start of May. In the meantime, Fall/Winter shoes are still on sale at a whopping 45% off, so please come down and free up a little more shelf space for us!

Sandbox Accessories

2008-04-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

We've received a nice assortment of sturdy toys for outdoors in the sandbox, garden, or wherever a plastic shovel and bucket might be needed. We have a watering can, stacking buckets (great for molding castles!), a plastic tea set (we have high quality tin ones too, but those are better off out of the sandbox), and a couple of really cool funnel towers. The larger of these has an assortment of wheels and tilting slides as sand or water races down into a removeable bucket, but honestly I've got my eye on the smaller one. This guy (pictured at right) can be filled with water, sand, or--best of all--gravel or small rocks before the switch is flipped and it all pours down through a water wheel (a rock wheel?) and onto the base below. Sand will pile up nicely into a pyramid shape, but think of all the Important Business you could get done if there was a little dump truck down there waiting for a payload of gravel?

Baby Bunch

2008-04-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

At first glance this looks like a bouquet of artificial flowers, but nay! Look closer and you'll discover it is actually a set of cleverly disguised newborn baby clothes! Baby Bunch is available in the boxed version ($62, shown here), and includes two onesies, two sets of socks, a hat, t-shirt, and bib, and also "planted" in a metal bucket ($52), including the same items but a pair of leggings instead of the extra onesie. All the clothes are 100% cotton. They aren't cheap, but certainly one of the loveliest shower gifts we carry.

With great power comes great responsibility charts

2008-04-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

We just got a small shipment from Melissa & Doug (we have a rather impressive backorder that's been slowly making its way to us), and it includes our long out-of-stock Responsibility Charts. The charts have two parts, one with a weekly schedule where parents can assign responsibilities and award smiley faces for days when tasks were completed, and another magnetic surface that folds down to store unused magnets and looks to be a whiteboard as well.

We've also received Dry-Erase Markers (finally) for our Deluxe Art Easels and "Touch & Feel" fuzzy animal puzzles.

Playsets in a Box

2008-04-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here's some more cool new things! This fairy garden unfolds from a cardboard box, and stores everything you see here (and a few other things; the garden background, cardboard fairies, and reusable sticker clothes and decorations. We also have one themed for princesses in a castle.

Piles of Babies

2008-04-09T10:45:00.001-07:00

This certainly isn't the biggest shipment we've ever received but it's still pretty substantial. Yesterday a hefty assortment of Corolle dolls and accessories came in, including doctor and food sets, baby slings and carriers, and the small stroller is back in white (we have it in red, too). The thing that makes the dolls themselves special is their durability, they're machine-washable, and the Tidou line in particular floats in the bathtub and dries out quickly. Last winter we received a lot of requests from customers for the larger dolls in the line, so we're carrying an assortment of those, too.

We also got another shipment from the Sock Monkey company, but we STILL don't have any of your standard Sock Monkey. However, we do have the slippers now in a couple of larger kids' sizes (or for very small-footed grownups).

By the way, the 30% off sale is still going today. Come on down!

Big Sale Today & Tomorrow!

2008-04-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Surprise, I didn't even know about this one until today! For April 8th and 9th (Tuesday and Wednesday), everything in the store is 30% off, and See Kai Run shoes and jewelry are down by a whopping 45%. This sale is for a very limited time so come on down if you can!

Music Boxes and other additions

2008-04-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

I think the most exciting thing we received this week is more music boxes. We already had quite a few styles but now we've got even more. There's a couple with a sea-life theme (the orca whale and seahorse are pictured), the Bremen Musicians, and of course, more ballet. We've had a few requests for music boxes that would be appropriate for boys, and hopefully these (in addition to the horses and dragon we're already carrying) will fit that bill. Also worth noting is the ballet box pictured--all the other styles we've been carrying have drawers, but this one (as well as one of the Bremen styles) has two levels in the main compartment instead of drawers to hide your treasures in.

We've also got a few new kites in, and a few backorded items from Plan Toys have arrived as well. Also, it hasn't even been a whole week yet so the 10% off sale is still on! Just say you visited our website and 10% off any purchase is yours! We'll extend it a full two weeks, so this one's good all the way through April 14th.

Test Post!

2008-04-01T12:38:00.001-07:00

This is our first post on the Purple Pelican blog! Here we'll be showing pictures of new items, revealing store specials, or just talking about products that we think are really neat! For our first promotion, for as long as this remains the "top post," come on in and say you saw our blog and you'll get 10% off your purchase! How easy is that?