Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Hop to Bed
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

This guy knows exactly how I feel today! With his nightcap and teddy bear and a frog sized yawn, he is ready to hop to bed. Nighty night little sprogz, don't let the bed bugs bite, but if they do - eat them!

This cute little Sprogz is called Hop to Bed and is number SG015.

Frog of the Day

Stone Critters
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Another rainy day here at Frog Central. I'd say I was in the middle of rain forest (which would be good for the frogs) with all the rain lately, but with a temperature in the mid-30's and daily threats of snow it is more like the Artic.

Love is the air and these two red eyed tree frogs have found each other. Now they check out the sunsets from the vantage point of their log sitting on cushions of leaves.

This is called Red Eyed Tree Frog Pair and is a Stone Critter from United Design. It is number SC-991 and is stamped year 1997. I love the realism in these pieces in the Stone Critter line and have quite a few in my collection.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Sprog Lake
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Ah, ballet season has started up again at the lake. And this little ballerina is so happy to have the lead in Sprog Lake, my favorite ballet. It looks like she's really been practicing because that's a difficult pose to hold.

This Sprogz is intitled Sprog Lake and is number SG039. I love the detail and color on this one.

Frog of the Day

Castagna - Frog Dad Reading
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

It's another rainy, rainy day here at Frog Central. So what's a frog to do with bored tadpoles. How about a little father and son time time while reading a book. And what better title than Frog Prince - there is even a big picture drawn on the facing page so the little tadpole can dream of growing up to rule the pond.

Today's frog comes from the wonderful Castagna Collection. These are made in Bagni de Lucca located in the foothills of Tuscany, Italy. This piece is entitled Frog Dad Reading and has some interesting details, including the fact that the book does have etched in it the title of Frog Prince and the facing page has a prince. This piece is dated 1998. These are wonderful little figures and I enjoy collecting them.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Toad Stool
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Life imitates art, or is it art imitates life? This is a question which this Sprogz ponders reminiscent of The Thinker. Well, sort of...

This cute Sprogz is entitled Toad Stool and is number SG057.

Frog of the Day

Frog - Lady of the Pond
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

This little frog that I call Lady of the Pond because of the pond scene painted on the stomach is looking to meet some of the handsome princes that were listed earlier!

I like all frog collectibles, even if they don't have a designer label. I'm not sure what type of material or company that made this little froggie. I still find it a cute little frog that I was glad to add to my collection.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Chicago Hop Nurse
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Imagine this nurse coming at you in your hospital bed. Yikes! She looks a little too pleased to be putting on those rubber gloves. No need to worry though, this nurse works at Chicago Hop.

Entitled Chicago Hop Nurse, this cute Sprogz is number SG033.

Frog of the Day

Tim Wolfe - Tee for Two
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Who let the frogs on the golf course? Or maybe the ball sliced was sliced into the woods and someone called a mulligan. (Hey, how's that for knowing nothing about golf?) Either way, this ball has found it's way under a mushroom and these two froggies have found each other.

This wonderful little piece is by Tim Wolfe and entitled Tee for Two, Item number 2002. This is a limited edition with only 541 pieces. This is piece number 1.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Frog Prince
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Well as you can see, a Sprogz can get a little jealous when other royalty appears. So Frog Prince has demanded that he get equal time today and then hams it up in front of the camera!

This Sprogz is numbered SG075 and is a bit bigger than those featured so far, but isn't that always the way with royalty - even in that woodland clearing, not so far away, where the tranquill little pond is the home of the Sprogz.

Frog of the Day

Harmony Kingdom - Garden Prince
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Taking a stroll through the garden I ran into The Garden Prince by Harmony Kindgom and we got so involved with environmental concerns I lost track of time this morning. (Hey, it's better than saying I overslept, isn't it?)

This cute little frog from Harmony Kingdom in England. The artist is Peter Calvesbert. It was released in January of 1996 and retired in November of 2001. The edition size was 13,033 pieces.

Harmony Kingdom pieces are what they call box figurines - in that there is a hidden little box. On this piece the head screws off to reveal a little space to stash something. It also comes with a piece of leather string which can be wound through the crown holes and either worn around the neck or used as an ornament on the tree.

I absolutely love the Harmony Kingdom pieces and will have several more for your enjoyment in the future.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz Top of the Hops
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Everyone impersonates Elvis sooner or later. This sprogz looks like he's hopping for the Vegas circuit. With a rhinestone studded cape, flashy ring, and over the top hairdo - he's got all the essentials covered.

Called Top of the Hops, and numbered SG085, it looks like the turkey and trimmings have been put away until left-over time and the entertainment is ready to start.

Enjoy the holiday!

Frog of the Day

Boyd's Bears Wee Folkstone
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Frogmorton decided to spend some of the day by taking Tad fly fishing. This wonderfully detailed piece is a limited edition from Boyds Bears & Friends Wee Folkstone Ribbit & Co. These guys are dated from 1998.

Enjoy the day!

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz - Sister Mary Croaker
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Keeping me in line here at Frog Central is Sister Mary Croaker. She's praying hard while keeping a watchful eye. I hope there's no ruler hidden under that habit somewhere!

Sister Mary Croaker is another of the new Sprogz for 2004 and is number SG247.

Frog of the Day

Jointed Frog Ornament
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Since my radio is blaring Christmas music all day long and today it's snowing, it made me think of the vast number of frog ornaments that I have. This little guy is a wooden ornament that is fully jointed - which means he also makes a great shelf sitter the rest of the year. He is hand made in Indonesia. Frogs naturally come in so many different colorations and markings and this little reminds me of that fact.

Afternoon with Sprogz

Sprogz Web Washer
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

Sprogz are a world all unto themselves. And as such, I decided to give them a spot all their own in which to show off their wacky ways. So Afternoon with Sprogz will become a regular feature. At least till they have all been featured - so we'll be here for some time.

Web Washer is a cutie taking time to be sure that she's washed the webbing between her toes. I mean you never know when a croaking prince charming is going to come a knocking!

New from the 2004 collection, Web Washer Sprogz is made of resin by Munro Enterprises. She is item number SG252. Like many of the sprogz, it was very reasonably priced.

Frog of the Day

Quarry Critter
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

This is Forest and he's a Quarry Critter. He is really huge at nearly 15 inches long and 9 inches tall! He watches over me and all the other frogs here at Frog Central. He's got that goofy smile that always keeps you in a good mood.

Frog of the Day

Annalee Frog
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino.

This is a cute little 8 inch country frog that likes playing the fiddle. He is an Annalee doll. He's having a hoppin' good time at the country jamboree!

This is one of my newest frogs that I received recently.

A Frog Collectibles Beginning

I have been collecting frog collectibles for about 20 years and have an extensive collection and thought I'd begin to share some of it here. What had begun as a joke has taken over every corner of my apartment (along with numerous boxes in my closets!). So I hope you enjoy!