We survived Christmas and Boxing Week- Phew! So What's Next?

Our kiosk space at University Heights is now packed up and we're back to online based sales and free cloth diaper demos from home for now. It was so wonderful to meet so many local customers in person and to bring more awareness to eco-friendly products.

 My sister Jenn, worked many hours at the booth too so I'm sure many of you had a chance to meet her as well. 

The Green Toys Tug Boats were super popular along with our fantastic wooden stacking rainbows (which we're currently sold out of!). All be it a very small space it was a great chance to get my feet wet with a little brick and mortar reality before making any big decisions on that front. While I really love the online business, it's growing steadily and Abby will be in school before I know it I'm sure so I'm beginning to take a look around at possible locations for Abby Sprouts. I have a feeling it will be along road to find the right space at the right price and terms etc but it's fun to look and dream of course. 

Our Clementine Art Crayons were constantly admired by passer by's too.

So What's Next? For now, I'm considering all the extra's that come with a a 'real' location and how that will all play out. I'm also wondering about the importance of parking, accessible buildings, windows and corners, displays, signs and all the other fun stuff that comes with setting down roots for Abby Sprouts in Victoria. Of course, the online shop will continue and probably grow to include more variety as time goes by. I'm always open to new products, requests and special orders.  All what ifs and possibilities are fun and exhausting! 

Our Ever Popular and Awesome Priced ($17.95) Chef Set made from Recycled Milk Jugs!

So I believe a Thank you is in order to all our fabulous customers new, old and loyal because we've had a fantastic first year and are hopeful for many more to come. It's such a great feeling to be supported and encourage to continue with an ethical family style business and I of course could not have done it with out all of you fantastic customers and the huge help from my family up front and behind the scenes.

I hope you have all had a wonderful 2010 and let's go for even better 2011.

The Baby Fair is this Weekend!

Are you going? Want to Win a Pair of Weekend Passes?

Abby Sprouts has 2 Pairs of Weekend Passes for the Vancouver Island Baby Fair to Giveaway!

So Let's talk about the Fair first, before we get to the good, free stuff.

The Vancouver Island Baby Fair is different in a good way. 

Highlights for me:

• Photo Contest, but it's not about the contest (for me anyway) as much as getting a professional picture for only $10 that is donated directly to the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society
• The Shopping is incredible and all in one place, go ahead and compare prices within walking distance
• You get to get your hands on cloth diapers!
• It's incredibly baby, child friendly with fully stock change area with diapers, helpful staff and clean changing station!
• Oh-- Bobs & LoLo are coming and playing 4 shows!
• Completely Breast Feeding friendly with a baby feeding area in private with couches or pit stops all around. 
• Shirley, the woman who puts this fair on, is amazing and you might get to meet her.
• Stroller Parking by donation if you want to wear your baby or let your toddler walk while keeping the stroller near
• Baby Races
• We'll be there! Booth 80/81 en route to the photo contest and next to the baby bistro!
• Some fabulous prize packages to be won including a little something for Abby Sprouts! 

We will have an awesome promo going on for those who come visit us at the baby fair this weekend as well. 

So, how to win, just leave a comment, (make sure to include an email address or means of reaching you!) and tell us what item you are most looking forward to seeing, buying, trying or that we just can't leave behind!

Make sure you come see us at booth 80/81!

 

Giveaway Winners!!

Our 2 Winners for a $10 Gift Certificate each and a Mine Don't Mess Onesie are.......

Jaclyn with this comment:

I am beyond excited that I've just started my stash and my fluff is slowly arriving in the mail!! My hubby thinks I'm nuts, but honestly I'm SO happy I've made this change because 1. I will be saving money and 2. I will have less garbage! Yay!!

 and 

jaliv with the comment:

I liked you long ago :)

Congratulations and Enjoy!

Thank You Everyone for taking the time to enter and sharing a tid bit about your green lifestyle choices!

New Soft Toys from Organic Cotton In Stock Now!!

These four pals made from Organic Cotton and rubberwood have joined the Family!

Introducing...

 

The Dangle Monkey

Buy Us Here

My personal fave, the Pop Up Lion

and the adorable poseable neck giraffe

The Planet Pixies are Here!!

Meet Maia in red, She's a Tree Pixie from the Amazon Rainforest.

Kayla, in green, is a Marsh Pixie from the Florida Everglades.

Anyu, in brown,  is the Ice Pixie from the North Pole.

The Planet Pixies are made from Organic Cotton too.

Enjoy and add these to your wish list!

2 Vancouver Island Baby Fair Tickets to Giveaway!

This weekend Abby Sprouts will be up in Nanaimo at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Booth #28!!

On Saturday June 5th, I'll be giving a cloth diaper demo for everyone interested!

Here's the blurb from the Vancouver Island Baby Fair Website:

3:00pm - Modern cloth diapering: Benefits & myths plus simple guidelines to help you get started
Considering Cloth Diapers? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Stephanie will show you modern cloth diaper options (no pins!), how to use cloth, how to wash your diapers (it's easy!), and let you try cloth diapers out yourself. Learn answers to common questions, why more parents are choosing cloth, what you need to get started, and some helpful tips and tricks. Come and get the answers you need to make the right diaper choice for your family.

Our last pair of tickets needs be given away before Friday so hurry up and Enter!!

For your First Entry tell me what you are doing to tread a little lighter on the planet. It can be using cloth diapers, composting, going solar... A wise women told me it's all about being on the path to sustainability. So let's hear where you are on the path!

Tickets at the door are Cash only FYI but we will be accepting Visa and MasterCard as well as Cash at our booth #28!

Additional Entries:

Like Abby Sprouts on Facebook 

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Join Our Newsletter

Follow this Abby Sprouts Blog

Subscribe to the Abby Sprouts Blog 

Tweet this Giveaway Once per day

In order to keep the blog family friendly I moderate all comments so if there is a delay in seeing your comment posted it's just because I haven't checked it yet :)

Leave One Comment for your first mandatory entry and then one for Each Additional Entry!

See you at the Baby Fair this Weekend!

Good Luck!

Support Smoke Free Playgrounds in Victoria's CRD

One local mom who's the host of CFAX 1070 Real Parenting Show has taken the initiative to go to the CRD and ask for a CRD Wide Ban on smoking on Victoria's public playgrounds.

Find more info on the Real Parenting Blog: http://www.realparentingradio.blogspot.com 

Support this important causes by joining the Facebook group and inviting your friends too. Join now!

FuzziBunz Just Arrived Today!

 

Our FuzziBunz have arrived! 

I just love this lime green one.

 

I love FuzziBunz Truthful advertising too. The one-size is great for your wallet and works well on baby but will be bulkier when they're smaller.

 

 The perfect size fit (most babes only need small and  medium) is more fitted with less bulk but you'll need to buy two sets one of small size and one of medium. 

The adorable prints are too shabby either.

 

Simple sizing chart for snap placement courtesy of FuzziBunz

We're thrilled to be stocking these in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada but we'll ship worldwide too!

Making Easy Organic Apple Sauce

 

 Some days it's easy to forget the simple things in life. Homemade organic apple sauce is by far one of the easiest kid-friendly foods to make from scratch. I just can't bring myself to pay for the jarred stuff when this tastes better, costs less and gets eaten warm off the stove. Yum! 

We go through numerous apples weekly but I always find some Organic BC ones on sale and stuff the fruit drawer. I have a sale addiction- I'll admit it. Once the best and the good apples are gone the bruised, beaten and dropped ones get peeled, cut and tossed into some boiling water. Simple.

Depending on the kind of apple you're using you might have to mash it up a bit with your stirring spoon. My mom always used one of those old fashioned hand potato mashers. I don't have one but they work perfectly! Macintosh just falls apart into perfect sauce. Galas are more prone to keeping their shape. Makes great baby food too and no question about what's in it!

 

Kids+Paint=Creativity, Messes and Laughs