27 February 2008

Organic Leaf Bib

For your Little Woodsprite, this darling bib is made from two absorbent layers of the most gorgeous waffle organic cotton. Nothing could be finer to tuck under new Little chins.



Sized for the very youngest set to serve selflessly in the drooling phase, the Organic Leaf Bib suits Newborns to 5 months, give or take - depending on the size of your Pixie's neck (mine wore hers until 11 months).



Available directly through me in Grass Green or Moss Green Stitching. You'll find Velcro closures instead of snaps – a quick and easy system when the little one is squirming about.



Paired with an Organic Teething Bonbon and Organic Burp Cloth Cloth Set, the Organic Leaf Bib makes the most thoughtful, delightful and practical baby shower or new babe gift set, ever.

Coming Soon! The Organic Toddler Bib
Made from the same incredible organic waffle cotton, the Organic Toddler Bib embraces a more traditional bib design - narrow at the top to sit well on Little shoulders and wide at the base to provide as much coverage as bib-ly possible.


The Leaf Bib is based on a design by fellow crafty mama Melimade who graciously gives permission for folks to purchase and use her patterns for personal or business use. I usually stick to my own designs, but I simply could not resist the Leaf! How could I? How can you!

25 February 2008

Everyday, all Play

I am listening to CBC's "Q" as I upload the product photographs to share with you today. A past interview with Woody Allen has just aired, now followed with some sweet swingin' jazz featuring a lot of clarinet because, of course, Woody plays the clarinet. I, myself, play(ed) the clarinet; I haven't had one in my hands in a number of years, but I still consider myself capable on this versatile B flat instrument. I'm not as practiced as I once was - I did occupy First Chair for much of my high school band career - but I always get pleasure from hearing the clarinet a-rootin' and a-tootin'.

I'm trying to think of some interesting link to share with you here about the wonders of fine clarinet playing, but nothing immediately comes to mind and I don't have the time to schmoogle one out ... and truly, that's not really why you're here, right? You're probably looking for something like this instead:

Introducing the
Organic Everyday Play Apron


Today, busy in the kitchen. Tomorrow ... ?

I have always had a thing for aprons. Always. On my pantry door, right now, I have 6 aprons hanging waiting for a creative, though not necessarily culinary, session. There is something about the intentional action of putting on an apron in preparation for a hands-on event that I find dignified and practical, and loaded with anticipation and promise.

As a child I remember standing next to Grandma J and together - clad in 1960s apron finery, mine probably much to large for my 9 year old frame - baking bread, preparing fruit salads, and licking the beaters clean of cookie dough.

As an mama, all sorts of alter egos emerge when I don an apron. The most re-occurring: Make way, for I am a ze famous French chef complete wiz ze poorly attempted accent, preparing ze delicate souffle. Again, craaack! (What was that Audrey Hepburn movie ... hmmm. I digress.)

My Little R. loves Ze French Chef. With her giggles in mind and imagining the many creative projects to come, I designed this Organic Everday Apron for Children to cover it all. It's got the stuff of sweet memory making, fictional character playing, and tidy home/workshop/studio keeping, because this Everyday Apron is perfect for each and every kind of play. And in its own little way, does it's part to make a difference in our world.


Five aprons tied and stacked and ready for the trip to your home.

A practical design for a timeless covering, this apron boasts refreshingly gender neutral fabric pairings that will have any child wanting to cover up. The organic prints and organic naturals are beautiful and durable - a healthier material for production, and on your Little One.


I worked with my my stepmom and sewing mentor extraordinare, Lorraine, to develop this adjustable neck system. It's soft, flexible and easy for little fingers to use while providing a sure hold.


Design features inc
lude:
- A unique adjustable neck strap
- Full front double pocket with wooden button accent
- Ample coverage without restricting movement
- A simple tie at the waist


Large front double pocket with a wooden button accent.


Easy to care for: Machine wash/dry at any temperature - though washing cold and hanging to dry is a great way to use less energy.
Suits children Ages 3-5

Available through me, or from my lovely friends at Natural Pod. And while there, you really should check out all of their creative house and toddler play products. I love the iron. And the jam pot. And the tool box. And the cardboard house. What can't one do with a cardboard house!


ps Thanks Little N.S., for modelling our apron and for sharing your fine Lentil Soup receipe!

20 February 2008

Back to Nature

I have so much to catch you up on! I'm going to do it bit by bit to keep things fresh and exciting. The Tea Festival was a great event and proved the perfect place to hear folks response to some of my new products like the Organic Leaf Bib and Organic Everyday Apron - product features both to come another day. I saw some familiar faces, now becoming favourite customers (thanks D.!) and met tons of new folks all keen on healthier and inspiring gear for their Little Ones. All in all, a delightfully full day.

Tonight's little tidbit is of pics I snapped of an order that I sent off in mail at the beginning of this week.


The Whole Kit and Kaboodle for Back to Nature Baby Store, based out of Port Moody BC



Comprised of ... Three Upcycled Soft Blocks Sets from Vintage Fabrics stuffed with Wooly Innards ...



A handful of Organic Teething Bonbons, a pair of Upcycled Knotty Caps and a few Upcycled Drooly Bibs ...



A stack of Organic Cotton Flannel Receiving Blankets and Burp Cloths sweetly stitched in blues and purples, with the tips of five Organic Knotty Caps poking up from the bottom ...



And three sets of Squishy Squashy Cloth Ball Sets from Vintage Fabrics stuffed with Wooly Innards!

15 February 2008

Tea for Two, Tea for You - on Sunday!


I lifted this beautiful picture from Stelladanza. I hope she doesn't mind.


Come see me on Sunday at the
Victoria Tea Festival

11-5pm at the Victoria Conference Centre
17 Feb 2008

You'll find new products as well as our popular favourites:

Organic Soft Blocks and Cloth Balls, Organic Burp Cloth Sets & Receiving Blankets, Organic & Upcycled Knotty Caps, Upcycled Drooly Bibs, Vintage Linen Burp Cloth Sets (which also make fantastic hand towels in the Guest Bathroom and Kitchen), Organic Lavender Eye Pillows - and more!

This Event is a fundraiser for Camosun College Childcare Services. Details on the Tea Fest site.

If you're unable to join us at the Tea Festival and need to stock up for Baby Showers, Birthday Parties and New Mamas, drop me line. We can set up a studio visit or posting on Etsy just for you!

11 February 2008

Colour Theory is Child's Play

Apologies for my absence: I've been working on a number of new products, building on the success of customer favourites like the Nature Inspired Soft Blocks and the Organic Teething Bonbons. I've also been busy readying a new phase of Dress Me Up's relationship with Natural Pod that includes a wider product line, product promotion and some distribution. Woot woot!

Today, I'd like to introduce you to
the Organic Heirloom Rainbow Soft Block Set
available through Natural Pod, or by contacting me directly.



Organic
These soft blocks are constructed from natural, certified organic cottons that are woven with exciting textures meant to stimulate your Little One's curiosity. Each block is individually made and stuffed with clean, carded wool. Wool possesses naturally anti-bacterial and flame-retardant properties, and is a perfect, natural stuffing.


Waiting for stuffing

Heirloom
Reminiscent of a time when toys were simpler and safer, these soft blocks are meant to endure. Each block in each set is made with care and attention, and adorned with one-of-a-kind embroidery making each a timeless work of art. When cared for properly, you'll be delighted to find these soft blocks in the toy chest of your Little One's little one.


Free-Style Machine Embroidery


The Reds.
Each square is unique, completely one of a kind - a work of art


Rainbow
I am a Visual Arts honours graduate and completely smitten with colour and colour theory! I love thinking about the way the human eye works to see and transform light into the spectrum on which all our visual experience (and tactile, and emotional, and physical, and ... it's limitless!) is based.


Colour inspiration

Young children know this best - playing with, exploring and using colour often before relying on words to express their experiences of the world.

When designing this new set of soft blocks made from neutral coloured fabric, I wanted to bring colour to the blocks in a gentle yet formal way. I wanted to work with the natural lines and hues of the cotton, inviting Little eyes to discover colour and Little hands to play with texture.


The thread, the squares, the machine - all ready to go

In each set of 3 blocks, 6 of the panels are free-style machine embroidered with one of the 6 colours from the rainbow - also known as the Primary and Secondary colours from the Colour Wheel. On each block you'll find a pair of Complimentary Colours - Red opposite Green, Blue opposite Orange, and Yellow opposite Purple.

The Organic Heirloom Rainbow Soft Blocks invite you to begin exploring colour with your child beyond the classic rainbow. Line up the blocks so that all of the Primary colours are facing you. Arrange them again to see all of the Secondary colours. Arrange them again to notice the Cool colours, and then again to explore the Warm colours - or ...


Ready to play at your house! Set of 3 with Draw String Bag

Simply cuddle and squish and stack and stuff and pile and tuck and count and hide and laugh and play with this darling set of quiet, safe and gentle toys!


01 February 2008

Sweet Treats

Valentine's Day is drawing near and while you won't find me in the local H*llmark shop, you will find me in the sewing studio, busy as Cupid, dreaming up all sorts of creative expressions of love. This February I am absolutely delighted to introduce two new darling toys for your Little Loved Ones. Sustainable and Organic, these Cloth Balls make the perfect gift - for Valentine's, and any time.



I am so pleased with these cloth ball creations, based on a simple and classic design that has inspired and occupied young children for generations. The Dress Me Up Cloth Ball line is brought to life with creative fabric pairings and beautiful, organic materials. Quiet, gentle and safe, these are toys that will be treasured and passed on and on, round and round.


Organic 'Heirloom' and 'Nature Inspired' Cloth Balls
Made from lovely organic cottons and stuffed with clean, carded wool - the perfect squishy squashy snuggly. In Large and Small.



Upcycled Cloth Balls
Made from vintage cottons and wools, stuffed with clean, carded wool and stitched up with a whole lot of love. In Large and Small.