Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book Winner!!

Congratulations Jenn!

You've won the Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book.

Emailing you now.

Thank you everyone for entering!!

Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book Giveaway & Local Love!

 

Your chance to win Family Focused- Local Savings in the form of The Awesome Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book!

The Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book is all about supporting local business!

So in the spirit of supporting local- let's check out some locally made goodies

You'll find a coupon inside from Momma Goose Baby Care, a locally made line up of skin care for expecting mom and baby too. Also, available at Abby Sprouts!

How about some locally made, wooden toddler keys for teething and play?!

We love these- so does Abby!

New! Locally Made, Organic Cloth Balls

These balls are filled with lamb's wool- perfect for baby and toddlers. Much more appealing than the (potentially toxic!) plastic ones too. 

Tabitha and Lale are the two fantastic moms behind Savvy Squirrel- you can check out their website and buy your own coupon book there too.

I love supporting small local companies just like myself and when you spend your dollars locally you are truly supporting us little guys for which I'm sure we're all thankful for- I know I am!

I've recently entered a contest from a local web design company to win a new website and logo etc which would be such an amazing opportunity for my little business (and something I likely will never be able to afford!). So I'm asking for your vote, please, if you have a minute- I would appreciate it so much! Please show your support and vote here. I would be so grateful!

i have a handful of coupon books left for sale if you're interested too.

 How to Enter:

Comment below and let us know your fave locally made product at Abby Sprouts!

Be sure to leave an email address or way to contact you if you win.

The Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book is Victoria, BC focused but there is a 20% off coupon to Abby Sprouts so we'll leave the contest open to all.

Good Luck!

Can Funk Rock Save These?

So, we left for Ottawa on the 9th of March.. left a bunch of Abby's diapers in the washer that I wasn't bringing (I'd already resigned myself to having to do a load every day while we were away) and had planned to get my sister (who took care of all your orders while I was away) to toss them in the dryer. No big deal right? Well, I crammed the washer so full that my spin cycle didn't work- actually it's still not working! I told my mom about the diapers but not Jenn, the one with the key- not so smart. 

So fast forward to the 21st when we return after a long day traveling with Abby (she's almost 2) after 2 flights and we come home to no power and a washer full of some seriously stinky diapers- yep it was pretty gross. After I panicked and called hydro to see what was going on with the power and then starting wondering if I'd paid my bill- it turned out the main switch got tripped off. Flick and we had power- phew! 

Now the diapers, I tried washing on hot with extra Rockin Green and then no soap but something just didn't seem right. Then I finally figured out that I crammed it too full and it wasn't spinning. So tried taking half out and washing again but that still didn't work. Now, it was off to the bath tub with Funk Rock in hopes of getting rid of the smell. I used 4ish tablespoons.

Now I just need to get my washer to spin and see if it's worked! (Then repeat for the other half of my huge load)

Part 2:

It worked!

Wish I could say the same for my washer- had to go to make use of the grandparents! 

I used another 3 tbsp of Rockin Green Classic Rockin a 'heavy duty' hot cycle and everything came out smelling clean- with the exception of  couple all in ones I had to soak a second time. Even the AIO's are back in use now- smell free. 

 So glad it worked!

Sometimes being eco-conscious is all about remebering..

Once you've gotten reusable grocery bags, your fave coffee travel mug, a sippy cup, a wet bag, cloth dapers, your wipes and face cloths, your awesome glass water bottle, reusable food containers and snack bags- you're set up for for success eliminating a large portion of what you could be sending to the landfill.

Now your only barrier left is to remember to bring along all your reusable gear

 image source

Cloth Diaper Check List

When you're shopping for cloth diapers it can be overwhelming at first but quickly becomes fun to dress your baby in adorable diapers.

Here's what you need to get started:

• 18-24 Cloth Diapers

• 6 Boosters for overnight or outings

• 24-36 Cloth Wipes (you can't really have enough of these!)

• Cloth Diaper Safe Laundry Detergent (Save yourself time, do it right from the start)
• 1-2 Wet Bags for keeping soiled diapers in while you're out 

• 1-2 Pail Liners (1 for sure, 2 if you want one while the other is washing)

 Items that you may find really helpful when cloth diapering but not everyone uses all of these. I suggest keeping some cloth diaper safe diaper cream on hand so you won't be tempted to use something else and later have to scrub it out of your diapers (that's not fun!).

• Cloth Diaper Safe All Better Balm or Bottom Balm

• Fleece Liners to use with Diaper cream or for stay dry feeling

• Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer (to combat smelly diapers)

• Bummis Bio-Soft Flushable Liners (for easy clean up)

• Wipe Cubes for making reusable wipes

If you need a hand getting started, send me an email.

It's our first Anniversary!! A Giveaway, Some Reflection, Making Plans & SALES!

Our first year of business!

 :: Hundreds of New Customers

:: New Friendships

:: Midnight Oil Burnt

:: 1000's of cloth diapers

:: Plenty of Fun Shopping

:: 2 Baby Fairs

:: 7 Community Events

:: Survived

:: 1 Holiday Location 

:: Many Boxes Shipped

:: Abby's another year older!

:: Wooden Toys Rediscovered

:: Local Artisans Supported

:: A little Media Coverage

::  Made in Canada Products Promoted

:: Love the support of our customers

:: Hard Work

:: Thankful

:: Baby Slings Tried On

:: Blocks Stacked

:: Unexpected Turns

Now Let's Celebrate with a GIVEAWAY!!

The Prize is THREE $25 Gift Certificates!

How to enter: Find your favourite product we sell at Abby Sprouts and leave review, so you can help other parents and customers decide if it's right for them. When reviewing a product please consider the build of your child (for cloth diapers) etc and any other details that you think would be helpful. 

Scroll to the bottom of the product listing page and if there is no other reviews click the link that says 'be the first to write a review'.

Once you've left your review come back here and leave a comment.

Thanks for Entering and All your support!

Time for the Sales! 

5% off All Cloth Diapers & Laundry! 

Coupon Code: CD5

10% Off All Baby Carriers 

Coupon Code: BC10

 

 

Eco Friendly Play at 15% Off

 Coupon Code: Toys15

20% Off Nursing Section

Coupon Code: N20

Organic BellaBands on Sale too!

15% Off Natural & Organic Skin Care

Coupon Code: SC15

 Giveaway and Sale End January 27, 2011!

I'm so thankful to have made it through the first year because this was merely a dream before Christmas of '09 when my brother bought me the domain name abbysprouts.com and then it was onwards and upwards. Now I'm loving the online business and most of all the new people and customers I have met and befriended over the last year.

There is still dreaming though- new dreams! A location was never in the stars before but we are quickly out growing our space for storage of all our fantastic products and I really love chatting with customers in person. I'm slowly warming up to the idea of opening up shop, brick and mortar style. I've been having fun perusing real estate listings for now and I have a few dream locations but I'm not sure the rent price tag will cooperate. Abby is getting older way too fast and she'll be begging to go to preschool before I know it I'm sure (seriously where is the pause button?).When the right spot comes up though, I think I'll be ready to jump in just like the online jump!

Don't forget to enjoy the sales and leave a comment after you review your fave product so you have a chance at winning!

 

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.