vintage baby

First of all, I just want to thank everyone who participated in the NieNie auctions yesterday (some of which are still going on). Whether it was The Baby Gardner auction or one of the other 300+ auctions throughout the blogosphere, I just have to say, WOW! I am overwhelmed by the response and I know that every member of the Nielson family is touched beyond words. The Baby Bloggie personally had almost 600 visits yesterday. And I’ve heard that other blogs had record numbers as well. Can’t you just FEEL the love? Congrats to Alta, the winner of our auction and to Kristinia, the winner of our giveaway. Your items are on their way!

We’re always trying to bring new stuff and a broader variety of items to the shop. I’ve been really excited about working with one of our new artist contributors, Heather Hales. I’m going to recruit her to do an artist interview with us in the near future (she doesn’t know that yet), but in the meantime I just have to show you one of the incredibly adorable things she’s making exclusively for The Baby Gardner:

This vintage-inspired Playful Monkey Blanket is brand new at The Baby Gardner and a keeper for sure. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to hunt for vintage-inspired monkey stuff, but it’s not easy to find. Sock monkey fabrics are everywhere right now but other than that, not so much. So anyway, I’ve been on a mission to get vintage monkey things into the shop. Laurie is working on a really great project (more on that later) while Heather has been working on this irresistible hand-embroidered monkey blanket. Really sweet, right? And the best part? It’s personalized!! Enough said. Grab one up at The Baby Gardner and stay on the lookout for more banana-friendly fellows.

I think it’s a tradition (bordering on a contest, granted) that a new mom wants something special on her hospital-room door when she gives birth to baby. It’s a right of passage — almost like saying, “I did it! I survived! And I have the most amazing baby in the world in here to prove it!”

… At least that’s what I’ve noticed where I live. Whenever I hit that maternity ward (whether visiting a friend or when I had my own babies), I always look to see what everyone has on their doors. It’s a treat — like driving around looking at Christmas lights! Some of them get really elaborate and others simply come from the hospital gift shop. Either way, it’s a celebration of joy and every new mom deserves it.

So maybe you’ve already thought about this small detail? Or maybe this blog entry is sparking a brand new idea for you (we like to do that here). If you have a love for vintage, may I suggest the Personalized Vintage Tussie Mussies at The Baby Gardner, created by artist, Julia Miller? You’re sure to have the most coveted door on the ‘block’ with one of these! Each one is totally unique and can be personalized with baby’s initial. The best part? These are so stunning, Mommy can take it home to hang in the nursery or on baby’s door.