baby slings, bibs, and splat mats

We've reached the final day of Baby Week and we're crying like babies--we have so many more baby crafts to share with you! We're going to squeeze a few more in today, but the rest will have to wait for future posts. Thanks to all our readers for the comments and support this week! We'll draw the winner of our Baby Week giveaway on Monday night, so watch for the announcement Tuesday!

First, we had to show you these incredible baby slings. Another local Seattle mompreneur makes extra cash selling these sweet baby carriers on Etsy. This is another seriously genius product that I didn't have (although I know they were around). Everyone I know who has one swears by them. They can be used from birth up to 35 lbs. just by shifting the position from cradling to hip-sitting.

We were so impressed with Beth's great product at a great price (only $25!), we asked her how her business got started:

"Baby slings really are a great way to keep your baby close to you and free up your hands while shopping, cooking, or walking the floor with a colicky baby! Sling-babies tend to cry less, and benefit physically and psychologically from being held close. I am strong proponent of babywearing!

"I started making slings for myself before my baby Drew was born (Sept. 05); when I started making pouch slings when he was about three months old many of my friends started asking me to make slings for them as well. Then their friends started asking, and their friends started asking, etc. I certainly didn’t mean to start a business when my son was six months old, but when a friend suggested I check out etsy.com, I decided to give it a go. I generally do most of my sewing while Drew sleeps (I am blessed with a toddler who didn’t give up naps) and my marketing department consists of the moms who have bought my slings – I rely on word of mouth to bring business at this point, since I don’t want to overextend myself while Drew’s still at home."

She has so many cool fabrics to choose from, or you can send her your own fabric and she'll make a custom sling for you! She even makes them in fleece for the colder months. Or, if you have a pet that likes to be held, check out her sister store, Pooch Pouches on Etsy for her awesome pet slings! Hilarious!

Now on to bibs. One of the most necessary baby items in history. Stacy made this adorable bib using a fun fabric covered with Therm O Web Iron-On Vinyl. Have you used this before? It is so cool! Transform any fabric into wipe-able, waterproof vinyl with your iron and this amazing product. We found it at JoAnn.

First, she ironed a piece of the Iron-On Vinyl to a square of fabric. Then using a simple pattern, she cut the bib out. To finish she simply sewed a piece of single-fold bias tape around the edges and attached Velcro on either side of neck opening. Not even worth a full-fledged tutorial it's so simple! And to clean it you simply wipe it down with a wet cloth. Talk about easy.

So if a bib works to keep a baby's shirt clean, why not a giant bib for your floor? I've seen similar products made from clear or plain colored vinyl, but Stacy made a splat mat to match her bib using the same products. Just a piece of fabric to fit under her baby's high chair covered in iron-on vinyl and finished with some bias tape. Love it. Especially because I'm blessed to have carpet in my dining area. Who was the brilliant designer who thought that was a good idea? Not me.

So I guess that about does it for Baby Week. Seriously so much fun for us, and we hope it was for you, too. And if you just didn't get enough, don't worry, there will be lots more baby crafts in the near future. Now, if you want to win a pair of BabyLegs and a few other items from this week's posts, don't forget to leave us a comment! Add us to your blogroll or link us in a post and you'll be entered twice. This is your last chance! The giveaway ends Monday night at 10:00pm (PST). We'll post our winner Tuesday! Bon chance!