Can we not bottle the Autumn air?

I want to start off by saying the Autumn has got to be the most wonderful season. Each has its own charm, but there is something about when the air gets a tad bit cooler here in Canada that just makes me feel all warm and cuddley inside.
Its a time where you are not sweating your buns off or freezing your toes off. Its comfortable, its beautiful, the leaves are changing colours and everything smells so good!!!

I made a wrap back in the summer in honour of this beautiful season. I call it "Crunchy Leaves". It is a beautiful 55% linen, 45% cotton blend I picked up at our local Fabric Land here in London Ontario, and dyed it using Dylon Cold Water Dyes. I to be honest, wasnt sure I liked how it turned out. But as the days went by it really started to grow on me. My son who gets to be wrapped up in it on these beautiful days of Autumn really seems to get excited when it comes out of the closet to be worn.

The one tricky thing with anything linen though it seems is that it is, really a bit more crunchy than material that is only cotton for instance.

It wasnt as soft to start and required "breaking in" .

This required some knotting, ironing, sleeping on, sitting on, using it as a tug of war toy between children (they did really enjoy this).

Now I find it is a lot more soft. And linen is really supportive as well! Its a very comfortable wrap! Dyes up quite nicely as well. Its like a rock, its sturdy. We like it!!

First Fabric Pickin' Day - September 22nd 2010

I am very excited to be having my first fabric picking day for people interested in a hands on experience in a fabric store looking at the different types of fabric you can use for making your own DIY wrap carriers! While the plans are still in the works, the idea is to have us all meet and go into the fabric store where I will guide those who are wanting to make their own wonderful wrap carriers into choosing the correct fabric. It should be a lot of fun! Following this, perhaps a week later, we will have a sewing day where everyone can get together and sew up their wraps as well.

Here on my webpage are some guidelines on picking your perfect fabric for your wrap



www.barefootbuttercup.com/page5.php

For more information please check out my facebook group http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-ON/Barefoot-Buttercup/11221931497

The new webpage is up!!!

www.barefootbuttercup.com

I have completed about 98% of the new webpage over the past little while, its still missing a few things I would rather photos with, and a few links , but other than that it is up and I am very happy with the page so far.


I am hoping that this will help guide people interested in creating their own wrap carriers, providing them with good information. I know there are other sites out there that do the same, but I think knowledge is power, and the more people sharing that knowledge the better!

Also, I am still going to provide a page that will direct visitors to purchase a carrier from other WAHM's. If you are a WAHM who makes baby carriers and you would like to link off my webpage (doesnt have to be just wraps, it can be anything), lemmie know and I will be happy to add you.


Happy Babywearing!!!

Changing the look of Barefoot Buttercup forever...

I have been sitting here chewing on my whole buisness for a while. Do I really want to make a profit off a cause that is so dear to my heart???
I have never really dont barefoot buttercup for profit. A lot of people have contacted me infact stating my prices are way to low, there is a reason for that... I want babywearing to be accessable to all, not just some. However, as the years have gone by I have realized my true passion is helping people create their own beautiful wraps. This has been the most fun. I had a tie dye party a few months ago, where ladies came and tiedyed their own wraps they either had purchased or made themselves out of a simple peice of gauze. This made me realize, this is where I want to be, helping ladies make their own carriers, and not nessesarily making them for them.
So what do I do? Im thinking of holding workshops, providing information over the internet and standing up for the simple peice of cloth that sometimes gets forgotton.
So over the next while on my webpage and blog and facebook pages, there will be changes. They might be gradual or abrupt... but they will happen. And I am feeling pretty good about it too!!

Happy Babywearing!!
~~Candace

World Breastfeeding Week!

I figured I would make a post about my two favorite things, breastfeeding and babywearing. babywearing can be a wonderful tool to help aid in breastfeeding on demand. One of the things I found is that if I am out and my son is hungry, all I have to do is wrap him on my front and I can nurse and continue on my merry way!

How wonderful is this!

Some women still are uncomfortable of NIP (nursing in public), when nursing in a wrap, you can do it discreetly if you choose too. A great first carry to learn to breastfeed in a wrap is demonstrated in this youtube video www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTS3wd2BbV8

Now, heres a little fun! Are you one of those moms who has a nursing toddler and you are thinking, "gosh, I always wear my child on my back, how can I breastfeed in my wrap?"

Well, a member of the babywearer.com's forums started a discussion on this that I was so excited to participate in.

A double hammock rebozo carry is a great way to breastfeed while your child is on your back. Though a bit strage, it is possible! This is the video I did in response to the thread.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsMAsV1-EH8

Happy breastfeeding and happy babywearing!

Moved and Settled In. Enjoying babywearing in London

So lots has gone on. We moved to London, and we are really enjoying our time here. Its a big change from little old Arnprior, which I miss a lot! But being in the big city has its advantages..for on..the fabric stores! LOL.

I came across a few great finds at one store here for wrapping. The first find was wayyyyy low in the upholstry section. Burried under bolts and bolts. It was the last 5 meters and I snagged it. It was an unknown fiber, but after doing a burn test I have concluded its rayon. It is so comfortable. I was able to make two, one has gone to a great home, and the other one is still with me. The material was on clearance too. it was generally 18 dollars a meter, and was marked way down. Which is always a bonus.

The second one was not so hidden in the upholstry section, but a beautiful woven cotton that I couldnt resist. I made a pod for a customer using it and made a wrap for me. And ofcourse I had to grab a pile of dyes to change it from its plain white to something unique and one of a kind

So if you are thinkin of taking the DIY baby carrier plunge dont be afraid of getting down on your hands and knees and looking hard in the fabric store for some amazing comfortable finds!!!

babywearing in the rain and snow. It can be done!!!

I just feel so much frustration for the moms and Dads who are trying to push a stroller through the snow. You know they must be cursing under their breath and the wheels get caught in a snowbank.. and that snow is again just around the corner for us Canadians. Today I see parents trying to adjust a plastic cover over a stroller while its pouring out. Lets face it, sometimes life gets busy, and if you are like us who dont drive you have to face the elements, even when they are being ultimatly discusting. My 9 month old son is breastfeed, and doesnt use a bottle so even if there are days we can leave our older children with someone, mr. "Turnip" must come along. But I smile to know that even on a day like today where it was so windy, rainy and ..well..gross..he was so snug and warm under my coat in my podaegi.

So what can one babywearer do to face the elements with baby? Its so simple, and I want to share some of the options.

There are coats out there made for babywearing. They are well made, beautiful, and can be used from pregnancy and beyond. http://www.suseskinder.com/ http://www.pslingnewyork.com/ http://www.birdiesroom.com/Products/DIDYMOS-Jacket__CL-DI-BWJ.aspx... these are some of the many company's that offer babywearing jackets.

If you are a crafty woman, or man, or know someone who is handy with a sewing machine, there are some wonderful DIY babywearing jackets you can make. Plus, this way is also quite cheap if you search second hand stores for your jacket/poncho you would be using. This is what we did using this tute http://www.sedlmeiers.net/photos/Babywearing/BabywearingCoat/instructions.html




Then there is the new sew fleece poncho... now I think anyone who is able to get their hands on some fleece and sisscors can do this! http://magiccityslingers.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/no-sew-babywearing-fleece-poncho-with-fringe-revised/ This is something I think we will be trying out this season. If not for the winter soon approaching, perhaps for spring!

But, if you think it cant get any easier, it can!!!

I mean, you can go to a thrift shop, and purchase a cardigan or sweater for like 2 bucks, one that is a few sizes too big for you, and you and your baby can fit just wonderfully under there!

I went to a thrift store and purchased a mohair wool sweater a few months ago, for two dollars. It was an xlarge. This has been keeping my son and I beyond warm over these fall days.

For the winter months, a larger jacket can do just the same... we purchased a heavy downfilled jacket, for 10 dollars at a second hand store, and my second born and I happily used it through the most blistery days happily warm underneath.

But if you reallly want to spoil yourself in what I believe is the most gorgeous way to carry a baby in the winter, go for it and purchase an Amauti. http://www.amautibaby.com/ is one I know of. They do cost quite a bit of money, but they are well worth the money!! Absolutly gorgeous! An Amauti is definatly on my wish list, even if I have to purchase one, long after my babywearing days are over.