Giveaway – Limited Edition Diaper Clutch and Key Fob

Posted on | March 7, 2013 | 198 Comments

Its giveaway time here at Maxwell Designs. This time its for a Limited Edition Diaper Clutch Stow It All and Key Fob.

PLEASE NOTE that we will be adding in new ways to enter every couple of days for the next 3 weeks so keep checking back on a daily basis as we will be giving you clues to what the LE print is.

For every NEW 50 likes we get on our Facebook page we will also randomly draw a winner for a LE Key Fob too!!

Good luck everyone and towards the end of the giveaway we will OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE THE LIMITED EDITION PRINT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sewing Tips – How to install a zipper

Posted on | February 19, 2013 | No Comments

Have you ever thought that installing a zipper looks complicated, that you could never do it and that you will leave it to the professionals? If your like me you want to be adventerous but sometimes put something off until you feel confident. Up until a few years ago I avoided zippers like the plague, they scared me. I had no idea what to do with them, which foot to use, how to make them straight.

Now I think I have a zipper in everything I make! sometimes even two! and I couldnt believe I had put it off for so long. I did my research before hand, even tried out a few examples but I finally found the perfect way to do zippers. There are of course, different places to put zippers: on top, on the side, hidden, at the back and more.

My advice is:
Always use a zipper foot.
Start with something easy and practice, practice, practice.
ALWAYS use a guide.
Dont get distracted.
Use zippers whenever and whereever you can so you get the hang of them in different places and for different purposes.
Top stitch whenever possible to create a professional, long lasting look.

I use a few different versions for installng zippers but to start off with I would suggest keeping things simple by making a simple pouch/purse. So as not to reinvent the wheel here is a great link for a basic pouch or if you prefer a book to go from (this is my preference) I loved Lisa Lam’s The Bag Making Bible – click here for Lisa’s blog link.

So I say “Go for it”, dive right in and start practicing putting in zippers, you will be surprised how easy they are, really!

The Diaper Clutch “Stow It All” is the latest addition to our family

Posted on | January 21, 2013 | No Comments

Its here! The new addition to the Maxwell Designs line up, the Diaper Clutch “Stow It All”.

 

Want to be an Exclusive Maxwell Designs product tester?

Posted on | December 22, 2012 | 15 Comments

Did you go to our Facebook Page and enter our “giveaway”? Lots of ways to enter to be an Exclusive Maxwell Designs tester, here is just 1 way.

Comment here:

What do you think (or hope) I have been busy designing? And what is your favorite fabric?

Liquidation sale

Posted on | November 6, 2012 | No Comments

Its time to make room for the NEW 2013 spring collection so we are liquidating some discontinued fabrics. For one week ONLY we are having a 30% OFF storewide SALE on select items and discontinued fabrics. Now is a great time to grab that Maxwell Designs product in the fabric you love before its gone for good!

Use code “maxwell30″ at the checkout.

The 2013 Spring Collection will be available online by mid November.

(This sale is only available at maxwelldesigns.ca)

Maxwell Designs at the Baby Family Fair 2012

Posted on | November 1, 2012 | 3 Comments

Its the 10th Annual Baby & Family Fair in just a few days and Maxwell Designs will be there at Booth 236. It will be held at their NEW location – the Pacific National Exhbition (PNE):

Baby and Family Fair 2012

10:00 am to 5:00pm

               or

the Forum at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) 2901 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1

Enter here to WIN one of 3 pairs of tickets to the show – ENDS Friday 2nd at 3pm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reusable Storage and Snack Bags – how do you use yours

Posted on | October 18, 2012 | No Comments

You can’t go anywhere nowadays without seeing reuseable snack and storage containers .They have become part of almost everyone’s daily life, especially if you have children.

So the “old” ways of taking lunch to work or school in a brown paper bag or in numerous ziplock bags is becoming a thing of the past. Now it’s all about what container we can reuse over and over again. This saves not only on the expense of buying throw away containers but also, let’s us use our imagination a bit more.

We can use fun prints and designer fabrics to brighten up our day, to make us smile when we know we are doing something good and not leaving anything behind to clean up. We can now have some fun with our snacks!

At Maxwell Designs we have used our fabulous Designer Prints, added in food safe PUL lining and a zipper (for those who like a quiet lunch – no velcro ripping here) – we also have 2 different sizes to fit your needs. A mini reuseable snack bag (or change purse) for little snacks such as apricots, apple slices, grapes etc to our larger bag great for sandwiches, wraps, rice cakes etc. Both are machine washable and reuseable.

If your like me, its hard to make lunches exciting all the time, so I love it when I find a good source of inspiration. Here are just a few pages that make me smile (and wish I had the time to do this everyday)

 kids lunch ideas Images

Pinterest – I love how one women makes 5 days worth of lunches on a Sunday!

So whether you send a wrap, a sandwich lots of little snacks Maxwell Designs has some fabulous options to help you be more creative and save money.

NOW available at:

www.maxwelldesigns.ca

www.babyonthehip.ca

and soon to be available at:

http://mylilsweetpea.ca/

Exciting New Products

Posted on | August 22, 2012 | 3 Comments

I am very excited to announce that I have some great new handmade products now available, which I am sure you will find very useful.

Diaper Wallets – Made to hold wipes and 2/3 diapers. Has a PUL food safe liner in both pockets, 2 zippered pockets and either a detachable wristlet or a clip handle to attach to strollers and car seats. Measures 10” x 6.5”

 

Change Purses – also make great binky/pacifier holders, snack bags etc. Has a wipe able, food safe lining and a zippered closure. Measures 5” x 5”. Fits an iPhone, cash, keys lip balm etc.

Keychains – in both regular 5” and mini 3”.Made with high cotton webbing for softness and durability or 100% fabric. Great for Moms and back to school. Help your child identify their backpack with a cute keychain just for them!

Retailer Spotlight – Matraea Mercantile

Posted on | July 26, 2012 | No Comments

I would like to introduce you to one of Maxwell Designs amazing retailers, Matraea Mercantile in Duncan, B.C. Kate and Selina are registered midwives who share a passion for babies and families which ranges from birthing to breastfeeding to cloth diapering to owning their own store. These women are an amazing inspiration to their community and way beyond. Here is a little about these amazing women and their store.

1-    When did the store become a reality?

We opened the doors July 15 2011

2-    Why did you create the store?

Duncan is a smaller community and we found we were constantly sending moms out of town for essential items for pregnancy and birth. We decided to open an organic mama and baby eco-boutique that provides products that support our philosophy of choice and excellence.

3-    What Do You Love About What You Do?

We love the continuation of the relationships that we have with many of our moms & babies. We find that we are able to take the conversations around pregnancy, birth and parenting to a whole new level.

4-    What is/are Your Favourite Products?

We hand select everything that we carry in the store so we feel very confident that each item on our shelves meets our criteria. For example, the diaper bags by Maxwell Designs are beautifully made using fun and colourful fabrics. We love all the features of the bags and the fact that they are BC made. Those bags are a favourite, for sure!

 

5-    What do you love to do when you’re not at work?

Well, we’re midwives so sleeping is considered a good time! Seriously though, we enjoy everyday activities like hanging out with our kids, gardening, ultimate Frisbee and tubing the river.

Bio:

Kate Koyote and Selina Boily are Registered Midwives whose midwifery clinic The Cowichan Midwifery Group can be found in the Matraea Centre at 170 Craig Street in Duncan, BC. They share a passion for birthing, babies, and happy healthy families.  Matraea Mercantile is the newest of their babies.

Together they have delivered over 1500 babies and collectively have thirty-four years of parenting experience with 7 children currently ranging from preschool age to university. They have extensive personal and professional experience with pregnancy and birth, attachment parenting, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and natural child-rearing.

Matraea Mercantile, also located in the Matraea Centre, is an extension of the philosophy Kate and Selina embrace in their midwifery practice: quality, excellence, healthy choices, personal education, and empowerment.

Matraea Mercantile’s sales associates, Gill and Christy, share the vision and level of commitment to excellence and are an amazing addition to the team.

***Matraea Mercantile also celebrating their one year anniversary by holding a month long cash giveaway – visit their Facebook page to find out how you can win!

Confessions of a Maxwell Designs Addict.

Posted on | June 14, 2012 | 1 Comment

Hello.  My name is Lisa and I am a Maxwell Designs addict. 

It all started when I stumbled upon a display that Maggie had set up at a local play place and took note of some gorgeous diaper bags that caught my eye.  I took her business card and visited her website.  And then I visited it again.  And again, and again … and, well, you get the picture.

 

I am not someone who typically spends a lot of money on bags.  I had a boring, cookie cutter diaper bag purchased from a big box store and it suited my needs with my first two children.  While my third baby was cooking I decided that I would splurge and order a custom diaper bag from Maxwell Designs.  However, I was worried that it wouldn’t be large enough for me so I wasn’t ready to commit.

Shortly after my third daughter was born this Spring, I was thrilled to see that Maxwell Designs had introduced a new, larger diaper bag.  This was perfect!   Have I mentioned that I have 3 girls, all in diapers?  (Yes, that’s right, we have 3 under 3.  You can see why I might need a large diaper bag.)   And so I took the plunge.  I ordered a custom diaper bag and matching change pad, agonized over which fabrics I would use and asked Maggie to build an extra zippered pocket into the side of the bag for my iPhone.

 

A few days later the bag was ready.  It is beautiful.   I am in love.  It’s the little extras that really put this bag over the top – the feet on the bottom and the waterproof base that keep it clean when I have to put it down; the matching clip for my keys so they are never lost; the ample pockets to keep me organized; and, of course, the superior quality of the bag.

 

I am now also the proud owner of a Maxwell Designs Hobo Bag and a Maxwell Designs Diaper Wallet.   The diaper wallet came in particularly handy while I traveled recently with my 2 month old (and left the toddlers at home with Daddy!)   I was able to tuck 2 size 1-2 diapers in the wallet along with wipes and put it in my purse for quick outings.   Diaper changes at the airport were a piece of cake as everything was instantly at my fingertips.  The diaper wallet made trips to the bathroom with the baby in a restaurant an elegant affair.  It is easy and comfortable to wear on my wrist and doesn’t get in the way of holding a wriggly baby when I am on the move.  It even clips to the car seat, the diaper bag, the stroller, the grocery cart and the belt loops on my jeans.  When you have 3 under 3, that clip comes in very handy as I am often carrying a child, pushing another in the stroller and chasing the third as she attempts to escape Mommy’s reach.

Maggie designs and executes extremely high-quality bags and accessories that are simply unbeatable.   She is very helpful in helping you figure out exactly what you need and how she can help you.  The personalized customer service exceeds all expectations. 

 

Now, what can I buy next?

keep looking »