Monday, June 1, 2009

New patterns added again for Spring/Summer

Sorry to be MIA for a few months but busy with children and sewing sewing sewing, lol... here's some new patterns I've located, perfect for bringing a smile to a little one's face
Airborne Flannel Pattern Chasing Rainbows Flannel Pattern Lady Leaves Flannel Pattern
Spring Flannel Pattern Sweet Dreams Flannel Pattern PBunnies Flannel Pattern

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

New patterns

Added a couple of new patterns and brought back one of our more popular. Be sure to stop in and snag these early for Christmas gifts~
Patches Flannel Pattern Months Flannel Pattern Happy Bugs Flannel Pattern
Fly Away Flannel PatternBaby Jungle Flannel Pattern

B'Organic Baby Blankets now at Buddy Blankies

We're proud to introduce to our line new organic flannel Buddy's. Woven from certified 100% organic cotton, our new B'Organic Baby Blankets are sure to be a hit with that eco-conscious mom in your life. Available in its natural undyed state, this 8oz organic flannel is a heavy but cozy blanket that any child would love to snuggle with.
Be sure to come visit our newest member of the family - the B'Organic Baby Blanket!
B'Organic Baby Blanket

New look at Buddy Blankies

Don't be alarmed if you've visited us before and come back to a new site. I've updated our look, taught myself some more programming :), and launched the new format. The Canadian site is still on the old format. Other than a new spiffy look and more user-friendly, I hope, nothing else has changed - prices and patterns.
Should you run into any problems, please be sure to let me know :)

What are Buddy Blankies?

What are Buddy Blankies? That's a pretty good question if you've never visited our baby blanket store :). We offer a few variations of a baby security blanket, as well as a keepsake blanket. Gift ideas include our baby diaper cakes and our version of a quilted baby blanket.
We've included some images here to show you some examples of what we created at Buddy Blankies. We hope you come by and visit!

Original Buddy Blankies Buddy Blankies Gift Set
Cozy'B Keepsake Baby Blankets Quilted'B Baby Blanket

Caring for your baby blankets

So your child has attached themselves to a baby blanket ... now what? Well, here comes a whole new set of challenges. You need to remember that this object, which to you is a simple piece of material, is now something your child sees as their best friend. You will need to learn to respect that and to treat that blankie with the same care that your child does.
There are some things though that as a parent you need to do, despite the pleading of your child. Your first challenge is wash day. While that best buddy has been trailing around after your child, it's sure to have picked up quite a few things along the way. And as a parent, it's your job to care for it. Wash day, however, is a horrible thing for a child and their prized possession. Sending it off into the basement, into a dark, wet washer and noisy, tumbling dryer usually sends a child into tears and pleading for a stay on this sentence. Here's some tips to try and make wash day less stressful for everyone.

Tips for Wash Day

** Always have a spare blanket for wash day. And by spare, I don't mean one out of the wrapper you have stashed away. You should have a blanket ready that has been loved, even just a little, rather than a brand new one. A new one won't comfort them nearly as much as one that at the very least has some scent to it that your child can find soothing. Even if it's only been broken in by you sleeping with it a night or two (see this Helpful Tip). But make sure that the wash day one is put away afterwards, or you'll end up with two best friends and no spares.

** Wash your blankie in a separate pillow case. This will help cut down on the wear and tear to the flannel and satin. Let your child pick the pillow case, and assure them that just like their car seat, this is to keep their blankie safe and sound in the washing journey.

** Have a timer ready for them to watch the cycles. Sounds strange, I know, but children don't grasp time like we do. As my son says, it's taking forever... and he means it *smile*. The timer lets them see how the cycles are progressing without asking you every 5 minutes.

** Help your child understand and be part of the washing experience. Again, sounds silly to you perhaps, but your child will feel a lot better knowing exactly what is happening to their best friend. Explain how, just like they do, the blankie needs to have a bath. Let them put it into the pillow case, tie it up, and allow them to put the case into the washer. Let them help add the soap if they're old enough, and when it's time to move to the dryer, repeat the routine. Once they see how safe their blanket is in each step, it will reassure their separation anxieties a bit

Now, I'm not saying they won't be fretting while the washing and drying are going on. My son dreads wash day, no matter what we do. These are only steps to try and ease their worries. It's a hard thing on them, handing away their item of comfort into your care, and hoping it'll come back safe and sound. So be gentle, and understanding, and and everyone will survive wash day without too many tears (mom or child)

What makes a baby security blanket?

What makes a baby security blanket? Well, from experience and research, just about anything can do *smile*... You never know what your child will attach to as a comfort item, so sometimes it's easier to introduce an object rather than have they decide that your heirloom quilt is their best friend.

Baby blankets tend to be the usual choice of babies, although stuffed toys are also a popular selection. There are plenty of options and designs of baby blankets to choose from. I've found that the combination of a flannel and satin blanket is the best choice for a few reasons.

Flannel is a very durable fabric to choose. Not only is it available in a variety of patterns, it just gets cozier every time you wash it. Satin is the perfect companion to the flannel. Shiny and soft, it also absorbs scents which makes it a very important sensory experience for your child. You'll find they will tend to sniff their blankets, the smells of home and familiar odors that have been picked up in the fabric is what gives them comfort while facing the unknown. Snuggling down in their crib is a lot less scarier when you have something right there that breathes to them that they're okay.

You also need to make sure that the blanket you choose isn't too big to lug around - while you may feel the blanket is for bedtime only, when they need to settle down and sleep alone, they may feel the need for the comfort of a familiar friend while shopping, daycare or just travelling in the car. Too big and you'll find that blanket getting snagged and dragged through everything, causing it to get torn or become dangerously entangled in something. Too little and your child will easily misplace it, causing household panic. And be sure to have extras for wash day or, should the dreaded happen, and the blanket is lost or left behind. Once your child has found themselves a friend in a blanket, the loss of it suddenly will be devastating to their routine.

* Helpful Tip * Trying to get your child to attach to a new blanket? Try sleeping with it yourself for a night or two. Tucked into your shirt or nightgown, the fabrics will pick up your scent and your child will readily accept it smelling like Mom, rather than a store package