The Underground Review: Bijou Wear Roxy Austin

The heat in Texas can be humid. It can be stuffy. It can be overwhelming. So it is important to me as a babywearer to have a wrap in my stash for those hot days that is thin, breathable, and comfortable. Lucky for me, Jaime Gassmann loves to make what I need. 

Roxy Austin stole my heart from the first hint of burnt orange. As an Austin girl myself, I love this color that pops during the summer but also blends into the fall. And the Roxy design has always been a favorite of mine since it provides contemporary beauty as the rails of my wraps overlap across each other to create new art with every pass. 

But my favorite part of this wrap is how thin and breathable it is. I'm amazed that it doesn't take away from the support it offers. It simply gives me the solid carry I need without overwhelming me with thickness or density. Yet it's still incredibly soft and comfortable. It's great for everyday weather here in Texas, but it will shine in summer weather everywhere. 

If you love the words thin, breathable, glide, support, and soft when describing a wrap, then you better be ready on Friday to snag one of these beauties!

#austinreview

The Underground Review: Bijou Wear Roxy Alexandrite By Night

Wrap: Bijou Wear Roxy Alexandrite By Night (Alex), exclusive for Koala Bear Square
Size: 6
Wrappee: 10 months old

There are some wraps you buy for aesthetics, wraps you may not love for their wrapping qualities but need to own for their looks. Then there are some wraps that are blanket soft, like your favorite old sweatshirt, whose looks you could care less about because it feels so comfortable. Rarest of all is the wrap that somehow encompasses the best of both worlds: comfort and design, looks and feel. Roxy Alexandrite By Night is that wrap.

Roxy Alexandrite, or Alex for short, is a deep plum hue with black diamond accents. Many women find themselves looking for a wrap that works for any occasion, and Alex does not disappoint. The design is modern and gorgeous, adding an exciting look to a t-shirt and jeans or jazzing up your little black dress for an evening out. Whether you plans for the weekend include a wedding, hike, or shopping the boutiques, Alex shines in a contemporary style.

However, its eye-catching appeal still does not compare to its unbelievably comfortable feel. My first time wrapping with Alex was on a cold rainy day, one of those days you don't even want to change out of your flannel pj's or leave the house. In fact, I didn't even wait to get dressed before wrapping my little one close in the softness of this wrap. While many people speak of various wraps as being blanket or sweatshirt soft, the truth is that kind of true comfort is difficult to find in the wrap world. So, believe me when I say I found a wrap that snuggles you and your baby whether you're babywearing out and about or snuggling together on the couch.

You'll find this wrap to be very supportive with a good amount of cush. There is not a lot of texture with this design, which lends to a nice glide when you wrap. There is no horizontal or vertical stretch, but there's just enough diagonal stretch to make sure this wrap hugs you and your baby nicely in a carry. It's a thinner wrap but not too airy, and it's not so dense that you'll feel heavy when you wear.

One thing to note: this wrap came to me well washed and worn. I immediately noticed a light layer of fuzziness, almost pilling. After talking to both Koala Bear Square and Bijou Wear, it has been stated that although this is a cotton and tencel wrap, it is best to hang dry this beauty if you wish to avoid that fuzzy look. It in no way affects the safety of the wrap, but is the best way to help your wrap stay in excellent condition.

Babywearing Art: Parenthood Art Designs

The time available to us as babywearers often seems fleeting. There are days we wish we could pause time to keep this special memory of holding our little ones close with us forever. Though our babywearing days will end, having your own babywearing artwork created of you and your little one makes it possible to enjoy a keepsake of this time long after these days have passed.

But where do we go for these keepsakes? Which artists are out there and how does it work? And how do I know which artist is for me? This series is all about Babywearing Art: who does it, how they approach it, and how to find the one that is right for you! Today we will begin our series with...

Parenthood Art Designs

Medium: Digital Art
Cost: $33.71
Wait time: average one week
Discount: WILLWRITEFORWRAPS makes price $23.00!
GIVEAWAY: https://www.facebook.com/Willwriteforwraps/posts/984402528306788


Sue, of Parenthood Art Designs, is from Puerto Rico and currently lives in Jerusalem. She is a stay at home mom who is still relatively new to the business of babywearing art, which means a short wait time and inexpensive cost for you! Sue's process includes discussion with the client to better understand what babywearing means to them, multiple drafts to ensure her client has opportunities to give input to help guide the design, and once it's finished she offers a high resolution image (and if you want, a print, tote bag, canvas, etc. at extra cost). She tries to complete her work within a week of receiving a client's photo, but what is most important to her is capturing the beauty of babywearing as the parent sees it. Sue offered to design a babywearing piece for me so I could walk you all through the process, and this is how it went...

Day 1

Sue was incredibly friendly and walked me through the process with great communication. She asked me for a babywearing picture I loved, preferably not at odd angles, and also a word/phrase/theme that I feel represents our journey in babywearing or resonates with me as a mother. I sent her two pictures, one taken of me which I felt was our best babywearing photo, and one of us in my favorite wrap, which I hoped could be incorporated into the piece. I also told her that we have a love for the Beatles in my family, and though I wasn't sure if that was a "theme" it definitely was important to us. At this point I already worried about being a high-maintenance client, but Sue assured me that "it is important [the client] really feels the design encompasses what babywearing means to them".

Photo #1 sent to Sue

Photo #2 sent to Sue

Day 5

Sue told me she likes to have a first draft sent to the client within three days of receiving the photos. With me, I received my first draft in four days. But what amazed me was how little it looked like a draft and how much it looked like a work of art already! She reminded me that this was just a first draft, and at this point I should tell her what I liked and didn't like so we could move forward toward a final piece of art. Remember, in my initial email to her I mentioned how much we loved the Beatles, and she didn't disappoint in incorporating them! The bright colors and Beatles silhouette with "all you need is love" in the background really impressed me. However, one thing definitely needed to be tweaked. The X's and O's on my wrap looked nothing like the wrap's actual design (XOXO by Pavo Textiles). I didn't fault Sue in this at all, since she obviously didn't have a clear image of the wrap to work with, so I sent her a photo of the wrap laid flat so she could better recreate the design. She immediately replied with thanks and got to work!

Sue's First Draft

The photo I sent of the wrap laid flat

Day 6

Believe me when I saw I wasn't expecting another draft within 24 hours, but Sue is amazing! When she sent me her second draft, I was impressed by how well she was able to recreate the X's and O's to match the gorgeous design of Pavo Textiles. I didn't even hesitate before saying this was exactly what I wanted, and Sue then sent me the high resolution image to keep. Doesn't it look wonderful?

Final Artwork

Sue was a great communicator, created beautiful work while always seeking my input and approval, and her turn around was only six days! I was more than satisfied as a client and felt very comfortable being guided through the process and asked for my thoughts. She created a beautiful piece that reflects the colorful, joy-filled world that is babywearing to me. My recommendation is to book her for your own piece of art before word gets out and she gets busier!

Conversion Corner: Bibetts

As Taxmas approaches (i.e. the time when we get our taxes back and treat ourselves to a little wrappers' delights!), and we consider how to spice up our stashes, it's important to have a strong converter in your back pocket for the perfect ring sling conversion. Enter, Bibetts Baby Carriers. This conversion company known for being "affordable, beautiful, and safe" provides gorgeous ring sling conversions that are for a cost that allows anyone to get the ring sling they desire without breaking the bank. 

Recently, I was offered the chance to play with a Little Frog Carnelian converted ring sling with a pleated shoulder. Not only was it comfortable as all get out, the shoulder was pleated to perfection and I felt gorgeous every time I wore it. Also, Millie loved snuggling against me in the comfort of this ring sling. It was perfect for quick ups to the grocery store, but also withstood the test of a long Catholic mass with my family of six. Bibetts has definitely become my go-to for ring sling conversions, so I got in contact with Ashley (owner and seamstress of Bibetts) to learn more about how Bibetts began and how to get started with your own ring sling conversion...

What is your favorite part of converting an item?

Getting to work with new items and hearing the backstory about the wrap and its meanings.

Does your husband babywear?

Oh yes! Sometimes I think he enjoys it more than the kids and I do.

How long have you been in the ring sling business?

We just reached the 3 year mark in January!

What inspired you to get started?

Children are our most precious gift and when I became a mommy I wanted to keep my babe close always. I struggled to find a carrier that was both affordable and comfortable for us. I needed something versatile and beautiful as well. Many ring slings were overpriced and with my seamstress background I decided to try my hand at making a DYI ring sling. After a lot of research and careful planning, I created a ring sling that was not only beautiful, safe and comfortable, it was super affordable! I wanted to use my skills to pass this wonderful product on to other mommas with a budget in mind and so, in 2012, Bibetts Baby Carriers was born.

So, let's move on to some more general questions about Bibetts...

How big is your company? Is everyone in your company compliant?

The company consists of me and my fabulously devoted office assistant Sara. 

Yes, we are CPSIA compliant. (And soon to be ASTM compliant once the sling standard of testing is finalized this year).

What sets you apart from other converters?

I believe my good reputation along with the great prices and quick turnaround time is what attracts most people to my products.

What is your sizing chart?

We have 3 sizes available.

o   S/M (70 inches) recommended for shirt sizes XXS-M

o   M/L (80 inches) recommended for shirt sizes XXS-XL

o   L/XL (90 inches) recommended for shirt sizes S-XXL

*Custom sizes are also available on request.

What size rings do you use?

We use only SlingRings brand rings in sizes Large and Medium.

What color rings do you offer?

We offer every color available from SlingRings.com

Where do I go to get started on a custom conversion?

You can read instructions on how to get started here.

What is the cost for a custom conversion?

$20 per sling and this includes the cost of the rings. Shipping is additional. (Any unused fabric is always returned to the customer.)

What options can you get from chopping different sizes?

There are so many options available that I always encourage the customer to contact me to discuss all the possibilities for their specific wrap.

For the brand new babywearer, do you help walk them through the conversion process?

Yes, we are always available to help in whatever way needed. We also have a list of questions posted on our Custom Conversion Listing that goes over all the details we need to know before the conversion begins.

-          Email: Bibetts@Bibetts.com

-          Phone: 512/660-BABY

-          Etsy messaging

-          Video Chat too!

How much length is required for ____ size or ____shoulder style?

We need at least 5 inches to create most any shoulder so, for example, if you want an 80 inch sling your fabric should be 85 inches long. (If the sling is tapered, we take the measurement down the shortest side.)

Are you willing to hem the extra piece once the ring sling is made?

Yes! Rehemming/tapering and moving the middle marker back to center is just $10.

What types of shoulder styles do you offer?

Currently we offer Pleated, Gathered & Hybrid. If you are unsure what will work best for you, just contact us and we can provide some guidance.

Are you willing to take a photograph of ring colors with wrap?

Of course! Since the rings from SlingRings.com can vary in color tone we are very happy to send pics before we begin the conversion so you can make sure it will be perfect.

How do you choose which side of wrap to face outward on the sling?

We let the customer tell us which side they prefer but are always happy to provide some assistance too.

What is the anticipated timeline once the wrap is received?

In most cases, our conversion will be ready to ship back to you one week from the time we receive the wrap.

How do you ship the converted ring sling back to its owner? Do you provide insurance for high market value wraps?

All items are shipped back via USPS Priority mail. Insurance always is available upon request.

WANNA WIN A BIBETTS CONVERTED RING SLING? ENTER HERE!

Win this Little Frog Carnelian Ring Sling!

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Top 5 Reasons Mommy Con is for Every Mom!

Mommy Con 2016 is upon us, and for the first time this mama is considering going! Why haven't I considered before, you ask? Well, Mommy Con promotes itself as a "celebration of natural parenting". Frankly, I couldn't even tell you how natural the chicken nuggets were that my kids ate for lunch! The truth is, even though I breastfeed and babywear, I've never really considered myself a "natural" parent, and I kind of assumed this event wasn't meant for me. But after researching a little bit more, let me explain 5 reasons why it totally is...

1) The Gentle and Positive Approach

Mommy Con is an event geared toward educating parents in a "gentle and positive" way. As a mom of four who has been judged more times than the diapers she's changed today, let me tell you: gentle and positive sounds pretty nice right now. I may have a lot of kids, but sometimes I don't have a lot of answers, and I am excited to go to an event that will offer some in an upbeat and helpful way! The Mommy Con mission is "to create a community of support, acceptance, and non-judgment for women". Sign me up!

2) The Babywearing Lounge and Sessions

As a huge fan of babywearing, I would go for this reason alone. How many opportunities do we as parents get the chance to try out various carriers? In most stores they come in boxes and you just have to hope for the best with your purchase. Also, I love that they have a "try-no-need-to-buy" philosophy. No pressure on me to make a big budget purchase, just a chance to see what I like (and love!) in the babywearing world! If you are babywearing-curious but need to learn the ropes, they even have sessions filled with how-to tutorials just for you!

3) Baby Safe Play Spaces

If you are a new mom like me then let's face it--we're not getting out of the house alone for this event. Since I am my baby's nutrition, I need to find events where both my baby and I are welcomed which isn't always easy. Mommy Con, recognizing the need to be family friendly, provides Baby Safe Play Spaces throughout the venue, offering you an opportunity to let your little one get out some energy without worrying about what they might be getting into. This is definitely a plus for me!

4) Sleep Consultation Area

Raise your hand if you like sleep! Now raise your hand if you don't remember what sleep is! Yeah, these days I feel like sleep is a hit or miss event in our home, and I need all the help I can get to make it a reoccurring theme once again. Enter, the Sleep Consultation Area. Nothing excites me more than the chance to talk with someone who has a clue to help my little one and I find restful nights again.

5) Vagina Village

Oh yes, I went there, and Mommy Con is going there too. Good parenting includes good self-care, and Mommy Con has sessions available to help encourage positive self-care and self-love throughout mama's life. Topics include that time of the month, intimacy, tata's and more! So let's take pride in US and remember, "Happy mama, happy baby!"


Now that I've reached my 5 reasons to go to Mommy Con, I'm realizing that I haven't even gotten to cloth diapering, baby-led weaning, sessions for dad, and more! So, how about we just agree that Mommy Con is a must-see event and it's time to go buy your ticket, eh? Good. Use the code below to get $5 off your ticket, and share this post with your friends to encourage them to go with you!

The Underground Review: Bijou Wear Royal Blast

Wrap: Bijou Wear Royal Blast
Size: 3
Wrappee: 6 month old, 22 month old, 3 year old, & 4.5 year old!

Our first uppies in Royal Blast were by accident. I had checked the mail to find it had arrived just before arriving at the pediatrician to realize I had forgotten a wrap! So, I quickly thanked my lucky stars for good timing and pulled the mystery wrap from its packaging. Immediately realizing it was a shortie, I tied a quick rebozo and plopped by six month old in it for her check up. I was instantly amazed by how comfortable this carry was, how content my daughter felt (despite her shots that day), and how unwavering the slipknot was throughout the visit. If you've tried slipknots before, then you know how often wraps can fail at holding a solid slipknot, despite re-tightening and re-tightening. This was a whole new level of wrap. Solid from the start, it stood strong throughout the 2 hour event. This was the beginning of getting to know the Slipknot Tester.

I nicknamed Royal Blast as such because it has the perfect amount of grip to hold a solid slip knot. In fact, I loved it so much, rebozo become my favorite carry! (You know a wrap is good when it causes you to rethink your favorite carries.) The strength of this wrap makes it a true workhorse. Comfortable for your baby, as it feels lighter than its density would suggest, but solid enough to handle any test you give it. If you are in need of a wrap that can handle a slip knot like a boss, then this is a must have. It has the grip you need with some of the glide that forgives. But alas, I am getting ahead of myself. Because I haven't begun to discuss my favorite part of any wrap: the design.

Royal Blast is named for the gorgeous icy blue coloring and the design that mimics blasting fireworks. If you are like me, and desire wraps that are unique and beautiful, this is definitely a wrap to add to your stash. In darker lights, it boasts of a true royal blue. It sunlight, it shines like a winter ice. And the design allows for beautiful right or wrong side wearing (which is my favorite part of any wrap!). My daughters loved this design so much that even my 37 lb, 4 year old begged to be carried before I sent it away.

So, what do I think? Is this a wrap everyone should have in their stash? If you are like me and have an older baby or toddler in your wrappee group, then YES! Snatch this wrap up! I am already missing my tester greatly, and might have to snatch this up myself when it goes on sale this morning. So don't miss it! Grab your Royal Blast today!

The Woman Behind Twirleez

When Twirleez partnered up with Colorful Baby, I found myself giddy to see the creations that awaited us. I was not disappointed. The blankets, scarves, and-oh my!-the hippo are absolutely perfect. They speak to the beautiful wrap designs of Miranda Kay and the talented sewing fingers of Kelly Pfau Borsman. I couldn't help but speak to Kelly about how she came to this wonderful collaboration, and I learned quite a bit about this awesome woman. Kelly, wife of 12 years with five beautiful babies, has been sewing since childhood. Learn more about her in our conversation below...

Why team up with Miranda Kay of Colorful Baby?

Teaming up with Miranda is super cool. She is already an established online business, people love her wraps, and it gives me the opportunity to create stuff without as much overhead. Plus she lived in my town and is super sweet and kind.

When is the first time you touched a sewing machine? What was it like?

Oh gosh.... My mom taught me. I think I was like 9 or 10. My first 'big' project was an apron for 4-H. My mom had an old vintage black metal Singer machine that was my great grandma's. It was ancient but created so many things.

What is your favorite thing it has ever created?

Hmm that's a hard one.... I've made my baby's blankets, and clothes and toys. That WcMT (Wrap Conversion Mei Tai)! That was fun. Some super fun costumes for the kiddos. I can't really come up with one thing, the list grows as I think of what I've made over the years.

So you still use that same machine?

No, it finally got retired about 5 years ago.

Did your mom, grandma, or great grandma sew for a living?

No, it was just for household use. My mom made us clothes and curtains and bedding.

Do you consider this to be a job for you?

I guess I haven't sold enough to really consider it a job. I just enjoy sewing! So to be able to sell is a fun bonus.

How does it make you feel to imagine that your creation could become a baby's first toy or dedicated blankie?

Oh I love that part! I love thinking about people using them! And hopefully enjoying them.

Miranda gave me this quote about you: "Her work and sewing abilities are impeccable."

Oh wow!!!!! That totally made my day!!!!!

If you want to purchase some of the Twirleez goodies, please check out http://www.mycolorfulbaby.com/twirleez/.