Burp Cloths

We made these cute little burp cloths from some of the many piles of scrap fabrics that we have and never know quite what to do with. They are 100% cotton wavy white chenille on one side and 100% cotton designer prints on the other (some oldies but goodies!). Contemplating making more, and doing this with all mei tai scraps in the future. For now, though, we're giving this set away! Sign up for our mailing list between now and May 2 and you're entered into the drawing. Get one more entry for spreading the word on twitter (we're @catbirdbaby). To sign up for the mailing list, send via email (info@catbirdbaby.com) your email address and first name, as well as city and state. If you tweet it, link to your tweet for the extra entry (tweet as many times as you like, but only one extra entry!).

Retail posters arrived

Just got new posters done to send to brick-and-mortar stores to display if they would like, with newly redone logo.

Win 3 nights at the Chicago Sheraton

Z Recommends is having a drawing for 3 nights at the Sheraton Chicago in July during the BlogHer conference (being hosted at the hotel). While I am not attending the conference, I would really love a free luxury hotel stay downtown with my husband while someone fabulous (Nana? Papa?) watches my kids. I'm sure you would love that, too. http://tinyurl.com/blogherhotel

Hazards of working around children

A new decorating scheme for vendors' wholesale files, courtesy Matthew, age 2.

Vote for us in the Start Up Nation Leading Moms in Business Competition!

Vote for Catbird Baby in the Start-Up Nation Leading Moms in Business Competition! Click through on the image to vote (up to once per day through March 31, 2009). Thanks!

Twill vs. Canvas

We often get questions about whether a customer should purchase a carrier made of twill or canvas. Usually their concern is which will wear better or be sturdier. Twill and canvas are just different weaves; the key to determining how "sturdy" a fabric will be is more its weight. A canvas that is 8 oz. will wear about the same as a twill that is 8 oz. so you should probably just choose based on your style preferences. Most twill or canvas used to make mei tais or SSCs will be at the very least 8 oz and up to probably 12-14 oz. (lighter for mei tais, heavier for SSCs).

Long-overdue Update

We've let the blog slide this fall. Things have been tremendously busy. We imported our first large shipment of pikkolos from Estonia and have been so happy to have so many carriers on hand for a change! The photo here shows one of the new ones with the modified sleeping hood in action. It is also being worn with our Babywearing Support Belt, which is our new accessory for use with the pikkolo or with a mei tai and we're happy to say it is patent-pending!  It is  a little difficult to see in the photo, as the carrier bottom itself is black and so is the belt, but it is a padded hip belt that you add to the pikkolo or your (straight-waist) mei tai to make it more like a soft structured carrier. It can really help with weight distribution to the hips and thighs with heavy babies or toddlers (probably around 20-25 lbs.). 

We attended ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas in September for the second year in a row and are signed up to attend in 2009 as well. 

Our fleece carrier covers have really taken off this year, as well, and we are scrambling to keep up with production on these. We debuted these in 2005, when the carrier market was much different and the thought of alternative carriers like mei tais, pouches, or ring slings in big-box stores was crazy. Things have changed so much in three years, and as wide-base carriers like mei tais and SSCs gain a strong foothold among parents, the need for carrier covers designed to accommodate this width is huge. We're so happy, as this will enable us to expand our production for the 09/10 season and add an additional line, including a "heavy-duty" version made especially for extremely cold climates.