Padraig Slippers... these are definitely one of our best new additions!

In December 2011, we added the gorgeous and functional Padraig handmade slippers to our storefront in Victoria, BC as well as our online store. I don't think I have ever had so many people come in with stories about one product. 

It seems everyday there is a new person in here saying how they have a pair for themselves and love them, or they were the best when their children or grandchildren were young, or how their 9 year old lives in them. 

What I really love is Padraig Slippers despite all their success have stayed true. They continue to be handmade in North Vancouver, BC using pure wool, sheepskin and leather- no synthetics or overseas production.

In addition to all these lovely stories, nearly our entire family received slippers for the holidays this year and they're all in love. These are quickly becoming one of my fave new mom gifts too. 

GIVEAWAY: Made in Canada, Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bag Set

These fabulous Snack & Sandwich bags are reusable, washable, BPA free, phlalate free and FDA approved food safe.

Made in Canada!

We think they're an awesome stocking stuffer too- kids and adults will get plenty of use out of these!

The Snack is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers- holds about a 1 cup of snacks. 

The Snack and Sandwich bags can be wiped out with a damp cloth or tossed in the washing machine. (dryer on low or medium heat!)

1 Winner will receive a snack and sandwich reusable bag set of their choice. 

Enter to Win: Tell us what you would fill yours with and what print or prints you would choose to buy or receive if you win!

Cute Newborn Cloth Diapers on the Cheap

Cloth Diapering a Newborn is really the best way to go because cloth diapering parents report far less blowouts than disposable diapering parents- who wants to clean liquid poop up at 4am? Of course, cloth diapers are better for the environment, baby's health and your wallet. 

Buying newborn cloth diapers at $20 or $25 each can add up quickly. 24 diapers * $20 = $480. Seems expensive but in the long run you'd still be coming out ahead of disposables when cloth diapering with a 2 size system for over 2 years for cost + health + the environment.

However, there's a way to do newborn cloth diapering less expensively and just as effective. 

Bummis recently came out with the ever popular Newborn pack- it's popular for a reason!

The Bummis Newborn Pack includes: 2 Super Brite Covers with leg gussets + 12 Organic Cotton Prefold Diapers (A Newborn Pack costs $43.95 and 2 packs will be all you need to get into one size diapers).

Another option- Rent your newborn diapers!

Right now, I'm working on putting together a Newborn Rental Kit- which I'm loving because it's like building my own ideal newborn stash without the labour or c-section!

The basics: 

I want to have 24 diapers or more to allow for less laundry 

A few different styles so families can get an idea of what works best for them

So far, my ideal newborn stash aka the rental will be:

A couple All in one cloth diapers for the diaper bag/grandma/sleepless nights

2 AMP All in one diapers for ease of use and good fit 

(I describe these as a cloth version of a disposable)

1 Tots Bots Tini Fit  (5-12 lbs)

Now some fitteds:

2 AMP Small Hemp Fitteds

1 Bamboozle (Size 1 6-18 lbs) Fitted Diaper 

Diaper Covers for the fitted cloth diapers:

1 Super Brite Size Small Diaper Cover

1 Super Whisper Wrap Diaper Cover Size Small

1 Super Snap (basically a 'Super Whisper Wrap' with snaps)

A Bummis Newborn pack:

12- Organic Cotton Prefolds (fit 4-9 lbs)

2- Super Brite Diaper Covers Newborn Size

Pocket Diapers:

3- AMP Small Duo Cloth Diapers

2- Fuzzibunz Perfect Fit Pocket Diaper Size Small

1- AMP All in 2 Cloth Diaper Cover

3- Bamboo Inserts (For use with AMP Duo diapers or All in 2)

4- Two Layer Hemp Inserts (For use with AMP Duo diapers or All in 2)

One-Size Diapers:

1- AMP One-Size Duo Cloth Diaper

1- Tots Bots Easy Fit All in one(8-35 lbs)

1- Fuzzibunz One-Size (8-35 lbs)

Essentials:

FuzziBunz Hanging Diaper Pail (for storing soiled diapers)

Bummis Medium Wet Bag (for storing soiled diapers out and about)

The cost will be about $19/week with a deposit refunded upon return of diapers.

Why is Buying Made in Canada important?

For me, buying Canadian products is important and I will gladly pay more for the quality. I am always actively searching out made in Canada brands for the shop and I'm happy to say many of our toys, cloth diapers, baby items and more are made in Canada. While not everything can easily be found I think it is important to support Canadian companies who have managed to produce products here.

This Stacking Wooden Toy Boat is proudly handmade in Ontario, Canada

I know we have all heard the consumers drive the demand comment but it is more than true. When I sell out of our made in Canada products, I'm thrilled and order more. The same goes for when I sell out of other items made in China like FuzziBunz. Your buying power is just that- power and believe it or not your purchase makes a difference. 

 Made in BC, Canada

I also hear many people who support local business first which is fantastic as well- I appreciate that! Myself, I feel better about a product that has been made overseas but comes from a Canadian company. 

Made in Manitoba, Canada

Buying Canadian keeps our dollars in our economy. It supports ethical working conditions and fair wage labour.

Made in New Brunswick, Canada

I love finding new made in Canada products! They are out there but you have to look for sure. Most Canadian companies are not running off of huge advertising budgets but with a little time you will seek them out.

Made in Quebec, Canada

Quality and price are always a deciding factor for families and most people when purchasing a new item. Made in Canada can sometimes cost more, not always, but buying less and buying high quality items will make buying Canadian made more affordable. Hopefully you will be sending less items to the landfill too. 

Made in Victoria, BC, Canada

Plus, don't you feel a little patriotic about supporting your local Canadian businesses and supporting the companies that have managed to continue to produce their products in Canada.

Happy Almost Canada Day and Happy Father's Day!

Little Late but Better than Never All Better Balm Update

Ok, so we're into Day 5 of applying the All Better Balm by Momma Goose and have seen improvement with her horrible rash. Yesterday it seems to flare up more I think because she had a sun dress on and wouldn't stop stretching but still looks better.

On another note is working wonders on relieving my ridiculously painful sun burn from yesterday too. I guess I should have had the Sun Defense on!

Hopefully I'll have one of a rash free baby soon!

Momma Goose All Better Balm Gets a Real Test!

I have tried many products to clear up the rash behind my daughter's knees and I'm yet to have any luck finding a product that will completely clear it and be safe and gentle on her skin. I did try the Lalabee baby butter but it really is only a moisturizer so just helped with the dryness but not the rash itself. It seems to have gone from bad to worse lately and it just looks so sore.

 Here's the blurb about Momma Goose All Better Balm, handmade in Victoria, BC, Canada! 

All Better Balm - A wonderful cure-all. Great to treat cradle cap,
rashes, burns, minor scrapes, eczema, and even diaper rash. Coconut
oil has natural anti-fungal properties to combat rashes, while
calendula, comfrey and St John's wort provide excellent healing
properties. This cream is a perfect bum cream for cloth diapers!

The photo of her rash is from today and I put the all better balm on about an hour ago now.  I figure the best way to see if it works well is to do a real time test. I'll post new photos tomorrow or the next day.

Government St. Sunday Market in Victoria, BC *First One April 18*

We just found out last night we'll be participating the the Sunday Market from 11am to 4:30pm in downtown Victoria, BC on the 1600 block of Government St. between Pandora and Fisgard.

We're so excited! I had the pleasure of meeting a few of the other participants last night and I think it's going to be a fabulous mix of products and people.

Abby Sprouts will be there to give cloth diaper demos, sell everything that's in stock!, giving exclusive market sales and booking cloth diaper or Abby Sprouts Parties in Victoria or around Vancouver Island too.

Hint Hint: ALL Melissa and Doug Toys are going to be on sale!

AMP Cloth Diapers and Accessories are our Newest Editions to Abby Sprouts

AMP Cloth Diapers arrived a few weeks at Abby Sprouts!

I've had the pleasure of testing out these diapers on Abby myself and what can I say, I love them!

So let's start from the beginning of how these ended up at Abby Sprouts. Another mom recommended them to me and boasted that they were made in Canada. Well I was mostly sold on that. Then I went to place an order with AMP and to my surprise the owner herself was the one I corresponded with. Annie as in AMP (Annie Marie Padorie) was I pleasure to talk to and even packed my order herself. I was in a bit of a rush to these in before one of our cloth diaper parties and they arrived with time to spare!

Did I mention there is a lifetime snap guarantee? The factory is also in their retail store in Winnipeg where Annie can watch over the production herself. Needless to say I was in love with these diapers before they even arrived. 

When the diapers arrived I was actually thrilled. The quality was apparent at first glance. The bamboo inserts are incredibly soft and super trim. The colour coding for inserts makes it easy to differentiate and customize the absorbency your little one needs. Blue for 2 layer hemp, Green for Bamboo, Red for 3 layer hemp and then the microfiber. My favourite so far is the sized pocket diapers and one-size pockets. Lavender is my favourite colour choice so far but we also have a lime and a couple others. I think apricot might be the next one. 

The waist and thigh snaps can be adjusted separately for a custom fit and the soft stretchy elastic gathers are all around the back, thighs and even the front. Inserts do not come with the diapers so you can customize the absorbency and choose your fibers. If you prefer a quick stuff, microfiber is usually your best choice and if you prefer natural fibers with antibacterial properties against your babies skin hemp or bamboo are your best bet. 

So What's an All in 2 and a pocket diaper? How is it a Duo and Why does it work so well?

 The above photo is an AMP Duo being used as an All in 2. The benefits to using an All in 2 style diaper is that you can just change the absorbent insert and reuse the outer cover. You can tuck the insert of your choice under the front pocket opening as well. AMP also makes a AI2 (All in 2) that's not a duo and only $15.50. 

The above photo shows an AMP Duo being stuffed with an insert as a pocket diaper. The pocket opening is at the front but does not slip out or bunch up because of the soft, elastic gathers that hold everything place. The front opening keeps you away from any solids when "un-stuffing" the pocket for washing. The soft fleece keeps baby feeling dry when used as a pocket too. 

The AMP Hemp Fitted Diapers are one of the best quality fitted I have seen. The rainbow coloured surging is adorable too. Made from durable thirsty hemp. They also come with a contoured hemp insert. Super soft, eco-friendly fabric that is far more durable than cotton. A great choice if you plan to cloth diaper more than one baby.

AMP also makes wet bags and pail liners in a wide assortment of colours too.

Leave a comment with your email address, tell us your favourite colour, and we'll send you an exclusive coupon code!

See the colours choices here