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DIY-Baby Gift #1

April 11, 2012 By Caryn Payzant Leave a Comment

Lately, it seems I am getting lots of invitations to baby showers. I love being part of the welcome party for a new baby’s arrival. It reminds me of when I was the mother-to-be and all the excitement and joy that comes with it.  New babies are a reminder of all that is right in the world. 


Baby shower invitations bring with them not only an invitation for a fun party but an invitation for a baby gift as well. Oh– what to give the baby to be?  If I am in a rush,  I will make a contribution to the group gift option. Not very creative but I know I am helping with a gift that the new parents probably wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.


Another not very creative but useful choice is going on the baby registry.  This takes a little more time than just writing a check for the group gift because you need to wade through all of the requests in order to find the right gift that expresses your desires for the new baby.


I used to ignore the registry and give my “standard” baby gift: toys and books. Especially if it is for a first baby.  I enjoyed helping the family get their toy and book collection started. I usually choose an infant toy/book and then one for toddlers so that the baby would have something to grow in to.


But what I really like to give, when I have the time, is a personalized, handmade gift. There is nothing more that shows true love and support than giving something made by hand.  I asked my daughter (who is the first time mom of my 20-month old grandson), what were some gifts she received that she really appreciated.  From her ideas, I created two gifts to give.  The first was a binky clip.


Binky Clip 
The all important and mother’s sanity-saver, a pacifier (aka binky), requires not only a way to keep track of it, but also a way to assist in keeping unwanted germies away. Thus, the wonderful invention of a binky clip.  Basically, a binky clip is a piece of ribbon. On one end is a Velcro loop to attach the binky and on the other end, is a mini suspender clip that can be attached to the baby’s clothing.  When a baby stops sucking on the binky and it falls out of his/her mouth, the binky clip saves said binky from falling to the ground and getting misplaced,   allowing for a quick return back in the baby’s mouth. 


I went to Joanne’s and purchased one inch wide ribbon that had a design that was baby friendly.  I cut a 26 inch long piece of the ribbon and slipped one end of the ribbon through the suspender clip.  I matched the ends together, forming a 13 inch loop with the clip at the bottom of the loop. At the loose ends, I folded them in 1/4 of an inch and sewed them together.  I then sewed down each 13″ side, stopping just before I got to the clip and where the machine couldn’t go any farther.  Next, I sewed a piece of Velcro 1 inch in width, to the top edge of the ribbon. I then folded the top down about 2-1/2″ where I sewed the companion piece of Velcro.
Lastly, I attached the Velcro pieces together, forming a loop.  That is where the new mother can  open up the loop and slip the ribbon through her baby’s favorite pacifier.   

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Hi. I'm Caryn, your Mid Life Guru -- an authentic and trusted mid-life voice sharing the wisdom I've gained in my first 50 years and adding to it new, relevant, and exciting information to get through the next 50.
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