ABC and 123: A Learning Collaborative: Baby Love Blankies: Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Baby Love Blankies: Review and Giveaway

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This giveaway is closed, congratulations to our winner Annie from The Santiago Twin Girls!

Are you looking for a portable, durable, treasure filled toy? How about one that can be played with anywhere, and you won't have to worry about making too much noise or a mess? You can do all these things AND support a great independent business. Check out Baby Love Blankies. It's owned and operated by Jaime, a stay at home mom of three active but wonderful little boys: five year old Jackson, three year old Justin, and two year old Joey. She is also the proud wife of a Navy serviceman, currently stationed on the USS Georgia.

Her mother taught her how to sew when she was 8, and the two of them have worked on craft projects together ever since. She has also used the skills her mother taught her to start Baby Love Blankies when, as she explains,

"I was trying to find a way to make a little extra money while still being able to stay home with my kids. I have always liked sewing so I started making baby blankets for my friends and my own children. They said I should set up an Etsy shop, so I did. The timing was perfect!

My first sale came 2 weeks after I opened my shop! It was the best feeling ever! Someone actually paid for something I made! The most exciting part was when they contacted my after they got their order in the mail. The lady mentioned how nice everything was and how much she loved the item!"

Jaime's Baby Love Blankies store on Etsy specializes in making I Spy Bags, which are essentially little pillows with a clear window on one side. Inside there are poly pellets, novelty buttons, and other small objects. They are a multi-sensory educational tool for language development, recognition skills, and fine motor skills that will engage your child in searching for and identifying different objects. It's never the same game twice so it'll hold and their attention over and over again. You'll love it because it's one activity that doesn't require batteries or make noise! A heavy duty laminated list of what's inside is included and attached by ribbon. The corners of the lamination are rounded.
She makes large I Spy Bags that are 8X8 inches, made with two layers of flannel for extra durability, the seams are also double sewn, each contains 40 items to hunt and search for.

She also makes Itsy Bitsy I Spy Bags, they come in a variety of sizes so if you find a design you like be sure you click on it to read the description to find out the dimentions of the one you are interested in.
She describes the Itsy Bitsy Tuti Fruit I Spy Bag shown above as, "A mini version of my other I spy bags! It is aprox 4"X5" and contains 20 items for your child to find. It is the perfect size for your purse so you can give it to your child as you wait for your dinner at you favorite restaurant or in that long line at the store! I've used them in the lines at Disney World. My kids love looking for all of the hidden treasures! The list is detachable so you can ask your child to find the items from the front seat of your car!"

I asked Jaime how she got started making I Spy Bags and she said it was, "When I was looking for a fun quiet toy for my sons preschool class. He loves playing I spy in the car on road trips. I thought it might be cool to make the class I spy bags. They were fun to make, it was fun tying to find just the right treasures to add to the bags. His class loved them! I decided to try adding them to my shop! They took off right away!" My two and a half year old ER was very entertained by shifting through the pellets and looking through the window to find all the hidden treasures inside the Itsy Bitsy Kitty I Spy Bag she picked out. She likes playing with hers in the car seat and in restaurants while waiting for our meals. I like having it on hand when I take her grocery shopping so she has something to do while I pick out produce. It's especially handy during long sermons, when I need a quiet way to keep her occupied. Most of the time ER uses her I Spy Bag independently and looks for the various objects in random order, letting me know excitedly when she's found something. It's so cute to hear her say from the back seat, "I spy a butterfly, Mama!" For some reason, she really likes finding the butterfly over and over. There is also little list of what's inside attached to the bag by a ribbon and we'll sit with her and take turns finding a specific item. She likes that a lot and is even willing, albeit rather grudingly, to take turns in order to play with us. We also got two Boo Boo Bags from Baby Love Blankies, and these are a great improvement from the boo boo soother we had before. That one was a plastic cube that fit into a fabric holder. It was still open on two sides, so the downside was that in order for the cold pack to actually sit against the boo and prevent swelling you had a freezing cold hunk of plastic against your skin. Guess who didn't like that?
The mini Boo Boo Bags we got are perfectly sized for ER's toddler sized hand and are both made out of snuggly flannel, filled with white rice, with the seams are double sewn. They can be used as a cold pack or for warm treatment. The soft fabric means that we won't get ice "sweat" on our hands and no more uncomfortable plastic against the skin.

Here are the directions from Baby Love Blankies, you will also get a copy laminated and attached to your bag.
~For Cold treatment place the boo boo bag in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer until you need it.
~For Heat treatment microwave this bag for 15-30 seconds. Please be sure to check the temperture of the bag before giving it to your child!
Baby Love Blankies also carries the softest looking minky baby blankets. Wouldn't you love to cuddle underneath this one made with soft lady bug flannel and pink minky fabric? I don't think I'll fit underneath this 17X17 inch one, but what a lovely texture to wrap up your baby in!You'll also find this Cute Lil Monkey Burp Cloth at Baby Love Blankies. It's oversized at 9.5X 20 inches, so it's great protection from spit ups but will still roll up small and fit into your diaper bag! Made out of very soft flannel and an absorbent layer of soft sage green minky fabric, it can also be used as a changing pad or face cloth when out and about.

Interested in an I Spy Bag? Buy one at Baby Love Blankies! Jaime has a great price point on her bags, making them affordable for any budget and this month she's cut the prices even more! All of her bags are .50 to $3.00 off!

Win One! Baby Love Blankies is going to give one of our readers a choice of:
One large I spy bag and One small I spy bag
{or}
a $30 credit and free shipping!!!

To Enter: You MUST go over to Baby Love Blankies, browse their fabulous selection of products, and then come back and leave us a comment as to which products you'd choose if you won.

To Earn Extra Entries: You MUST do the first option, described above FIRST and then you can choose additional methods from the choices below. A separate comment MUST be left for each additional entry.

~Follow our blog, remind us if you already do!
~Post our Summer Prize Picnic Button, let us know so we can come check it out
~Post about the Baby Love Blankies giveaway and leave us a link to it
~Add us to your blogroll, leave us your URL so we can see it!
~Follow us on Twitter AND Tweet about the Baby Loves Blankies giveaway. Then leave us a link to your tweet.
~Make a purchase from Baby Love Blankies during the time the giveaway is open!

This giveaway will be open now until Monday June 22 midnight, EST. We'll choose a winner using random.org and announce who it is next Tuesday! Good Luck!

Disclaimer: We received our review product from Baby Love Blankies, free of charge in return for writing a review of their products and hosting a giveaway on our blog. We want to stress that our opinions are genuine and no effort was made to influence them by the company.

105 comments:

  1. I've been meaning to make one of these for a long time but I don't think it's going to happen!

    I would have to choose "Thar She Blows"! :)

    Hope I win! I could use this on the plane!

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  2. On my blogroll (titled - Regular Reads) on my sidebar:

    www.mamasamess.blogspot.com

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  3. I would choose:

    Aloha Monkey I spy ba
    and/or
    Itsy Bitsy Classic Car I Spy Bag!

    LOVE this giveaway!

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  4. I am now a follower! (I thought I started following last week, oops!)

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  5. http://artsy-imogensky.blogspot.com/

    You are definitely on my blogroll!

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  6. These are adorable! I would choose the big Strawberry Shortcake bag for my daughter & the Not So Scary Skulls itsy bag for my son. Thanks for the contest!

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  7. These are so adorable! I cant decide which I love more....the "Thar she blows" or "baby jungle".

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  8. ...and I follow you through Google Reader. Thanks!

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  9. I love the "Itsy bitsy Robot I Spy Bag" and "Itsy Bitsy Animals Running the Farm I Spy Bag" :)

    Hugsssss

    meninheira at gmail dot com

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  10. I grab your button here: http://dalleuncolinho.blogspot.com/

    meninheira at gmail dot com

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  11. For the Itty Bitties I like the Monkey love (or something like that). Very cute! The variety is amazing!

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  12. I have the picnic button.

    www.derekannette.blogspot.com

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  13. I have you in my blog roll.
    www.derekannette.blogspot.com

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  14. There are so many cute thngs to choose from. My favorites are the itsy bitsy polka dot butterfly bag and the lady bug blanket.

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  15. you're on my blog roll
    scottandcrystal.blogspot.com

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  16. They're so cute. I think I would choose the Retro Circus Fun and and the Rocket outer space bag.

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  17. I am a follower,

    Susana @ www.ourhomeschoolfun.blogspot.com

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  18. I really like the aloha monkey one and I think a boo boo bag would be perfect for just about every toddler I know.

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  19. I participate in Summer Picnic Prize and use the button each week with my weekly post,

    Susana @ www.ourhomeschoolfun.blogspot.com

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  20. If I win I would choose the Tractor Farm or Dinosaur I Spy Bags.

    Susana @ www.ourhomeschoolfun.blogspot.com

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  21. I have posted about this giveaway on my blog and have used the link and button as you used in your giveaway post for Baby Love Blankies!

    Susana @ www.ourhomeschoolfun.blogspot.com

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  22. Oh I love the Itsy Bitsy Owls and the Moon I Spy Bag. What a great idea!

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  23. I have your button. http://www.sarahlscott.blogspot.com

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  24. With 4 boys and one a sweet little girl, I am always on the look out for cute girl things (we have an abundance of by things). I love the Pink Sweet Teddy Bear Spy Bag. These are all so cute and fun!

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  25. I posted the Prize Picnic button. (Now I really need to do a picnic post! I have been wanting to).

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  26. I would choose Itsy Bitsy Baseball Blues and Sweet Strawberry Shortcake. Very cute products!!

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  27. I love the burp cloths!

    eric_danielle at netzero dot com

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  28. I would choose the itsy bitsy cupcake and fun frog I spy bags. They are all so cute though!!

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  29. You are on my blog roll (Our Favorite Blogs)

    http://amommysadventures.blogspot.com/

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  30. Oh, I'd love to win the Baby Jungle I spy bag! It looks really fun and I think my daughter would love it!
    (Up until now I only made an I spy bottle for her, which already was a big hit.)

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  31. These are wonderful! I would choose the Thomas the Tank Engine bag (well if it were just me I'd pick the Retro Frog but little boy loves Thomas) and the pastel butterfly one which is absolutely gorgeous!

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  32. I added your button (in the sidebar).

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  33. I would choose the itsy bitsy frog garden i spy bag! I love frogs, what can I say?

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  34. Your button is on my blog
    http://thedeanersfamily.blogspot.com/

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  35. I would choose dinosaur bags - they are so cute!

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  36. So cute! I'd love the I Spy Bags. I like the Chilly Owls I Spy Bag for my daughter and the Itsy bitsy Rocket Outer Space I Spy Bag for my nephew.

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  37. I have the Summer Prize Picnic Button on my blog.

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  38. I also have the ABC & 123 blog button on my blog roll.

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  39. I *love* these! My 2-yo would as well, I'm sure (and boy, could we use one of those on the plane)! If I won, I'd choose one of the owl itsy-bitsy bags and Retro Frog, but I'm also very interested in the rice bags. I like that they involve less plastic but I also dig the overall look. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Michelle E.

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  40. I also follow you on Bloglines

    Michelle E.

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  41. I would have to go with the $30 because I want the Large I Spy bag in Thomas the Tank Engine and the Rubber Ducky Boo Boo bag and the Tink, Bears and Griaffes Set of 3 Mini Boo Boo Bag for Girls.

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  42. i love those - i would pick the retro frogs large i spy bag. i have bookmarked her shop and if i don't win will order 2 smaller i spy bags for my girls!

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  43. That's such a great idea! I love the I spy bags. This would be great for my 2 1/2 year old twins while we are out and about. I would choose the fun frog I spy bag and the small jungle theme I spy bag. So cute!

    Kelli K.

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  44. I follow your blog too.

    Kelli K.

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  45. I like the big Strawberry Shortcake bag because I have two girls (twin).

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  46. I have the button in my blog.

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  47. I would love to win the large Thomas I Spy bag and the small dinosaur I Spy bag! Making one has been on my list of things to do forver! How fun if I won one instead.

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  48. I would totally get the I spy bags with elephants, and owls!

    These look so amazing!

    Blessings,

    Valerie

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  49. I would choose the Sweet Strawberry Shortcake I Spy Bag for my daughter.

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  50. I've posted the summer prize picnic button.

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  51. OK this is the first contest I have entered because I was waiting for these!!!
    SO PLEEEEEASE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR PICK ME!
    I would probably pick the GC because I know I would buy more BUT I like the tractor fabric and the dino fabric. I think my son would love those

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  52. You are on my blogroll
    http://iheartfrutopia.blogspot.com/

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  53. I love the whale i spy blanket! jessicanicoleturner@gmail.com

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  54. I follow your blog through netvibes!

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  55. Awww! I'm so happy to see that you guys like my shop! Good luck everyone, if you win and I don't have exactly what you want please convo me or email me at jaimegrassi@yahoo.com so I can make up something special for you!

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  56. I like the Baby Jungle Friends Boo Boo Bag.

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  57. I follow and I tweeted http://twitter.com/jdaniel4smom/status/2210844932.

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  58. I would choose the "Itsy Bitsy Monkeys on the go I Spy Bag" and the "Large Retro Frog I Spy Bag"

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  59. I have your summer prize picnic button

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  60. I have you on my blog roll!

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  61. thanks, they are all cute, like the under the sea theme
    nsurja(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  62. I love these! I would chose the itsy bitsy flower power or the Retro Frog,

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  63. I am following your blog through bloglines.

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  64. I added the Prize Picnic button to my blog. http://ourlivesetcetera.blogspot.com/

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  65. I blogged about the giveaway here:
    http://ourlivesetcetera.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway.html

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  66. I added this site to my blogroll here: http://ourlivesetcetera.blogspot.com/

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  67. I would buy:
    The chilly owls i-spy bag - $16.00
    The rubber ducky boo boo bag $3.00
    Pink heart burp cloth - $4.00
    tink bears and griaffes set of 3 mini boo boo bags - $7.00

    WOW!! That's a ton for $30.00 Thanks for letting me enter!

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  68. blogged 1
    http://newsaroundtheblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/apron-goddesses-modern-myrtle-giveaway.html

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  69. blogged 2

    http://newsaroundtheblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/apron-goddesses-modern-myrtle-giveaway.html

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  70. blogged 3
    http://newsaroundtheblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/apron-goddesses-modern-myrtle-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  71. blogged 4
    http://newsaroundtheblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/apron-goddesses-modern-myrtle-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  72. blogged 5

    http://newsaroundtheblogs.blogspot.com/2009/06/apron-goddesses-modern-myrtle-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  73. I would pick the $30 credit and get the Sleepy Monkey Minky Security Blankie, burp cloths, booboo bags and a couple of I Spys as well, she has so many nice things!

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  74. your summer picnic button is on my left sidebar

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  75. I would pick the Itsy Bitsy Cute Girly Bugs bag and the Monkeys on the Go large I spy bag. My 16 month old would absolutely LOVE them!!! :)

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  76. I love the dinosaur itsy bitsy bag.

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  77. I would love the tractor one. They are such a good idea.

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  78. I'm now following you on my reader.

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  79. I would love Itsy Bitsy Bananas pillow , really cute!
    iangela20@yahoo.com

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