Behind the Scenes at Cheekybean

We do most of our Cheekybean photo shoots at home - with the models that are nearest and dearest to our hearts. I was doing a photo shoot this morning of my daughter donning some new product and she asked to hold her little brother. This doesn't really bode well for a product shot, but how can you not adore their love for one another? It completely inspired me to do a behind-the-scenes post.

It's fun to share our behind-the-scenes inspiration with you and something I hope to do more of. (As soon as there are more than 24 hours in a day, anyhow!) When you order Cheekybean, not only does a sassy package arrive in the mail, but you support a mom-owned business. I can't help but applaud when mamas unite!

Puppy Love... for Humans

Here is a behind-the-scenes story about our newest burrrp cloth set, Puppy Love. This particular burp cloth fabric was initially selected for a custom order, as one of our well-loved customers wanted a pup-inspired theme since she met the gift recipient at a local dog park. My daughter watched quietly while I cut the fabric, then asked, "Mommy, who is that for?" I attempted to explain that it was for a friend of Charlie's. You should know this is Charlie.


My daughter gasped. "It's for a DOG?" I had to explain that the dog's "parents" were having a baby. A human baby. Whom they probably will prefer to spit up on these adorable burp cloths. Not on them. Or their dog.

Renovation of Our Online Boutique

It's hard to hold back on how excited we are that we launched our fresh, new website. The new online boutique boasts:
- a fresh new look
- better navigation
- more news directly from the home page
- social networking: share us with your friends!
- more product details in the shop
- direct access to our tweets

Tell us what you think and stay tuned. Now that we can let the keyboard collect dust again, it's back to fabric shopping and sewing!

Cheekybean Featured on Breezy Mama

Our Peta Rabbit hair clips were recently featured in an article about cute accessories on Breezy Mama, a blog for mamas who "feel that motherhood doesn't define them."

Read the article »

Happy 2010!

I want to wish all of our customers and friends a happy new year! 2010 will be an exciting year for me as I will be giving birth to a baby boy in March! I started Cheekybean after the birth of my daughter. She (and her never-ending spit-up) inspired me to start a line of sassy baby essentials, beginning with burp cloths... and Cheekybean has grown from there. I am excited to have a new Cheekybean (boy!) mascot in the new year to inspire more boy items. Stay tuned!

Check out our new Wild Thing and All Star burp cloths for boys »
Matching towels and wee wee canopies to come... they can be ordered custom (by contact form or email) until then.

Idea #3: Fill Your Diaper

Danielle from San Diego, California brings us this wonderful baby shower idea: a "fill your diaper" candy station! First, fill glass bowls or tall vases with bite size candy bars. Then make diapers from felt, pinned with safety pins and cute charms from your local craft store. Set out on a table with a sign that says, "Fill your diaper" and let guests stock up on their favorite candy before leaving the party. This may be the cutest baby shower favor we've ever seen!

Idea #2: Special Big Sister/Brother Status at Baby Shower

Having a baby shower for a second or third baby is an etiquette controversy but many moms have friends and family who want to celebrate, regardless of how many additions there are to the family. Some people didn't get a shower for their first child or they are having a different gender than the first or it's been a decade since the first... but whatever the reason, we like to celebrate. So cheers to baby showers (or "pamper parties") in whatever form they come in!

If Big Sister or Big Brother is attending the celebration, it is thoughtful to involve them. Becoming a big sister/brother is a huge change at any age and so much talk and attention centers around the unborn baby, it can be helpful to make Big Sister/Brother feel special!

You can create a Big Sister/Brother Kit out of a box or a basket, which would include a few items to help out with the baby: pacifiers if they're the binky-fetching type, books to read to the baby, art supplies to make a card to welcome the baby... you get the idea. You can also include little things just for them - stickers, a big sister shirt or anything really that they will enjoy playing with. They don't care if it fits the theme; they just like getting a gift, particularly when their mom just scored 20 gifts for the baby.

You can also create a Big Sister name tag. In this case, we created a VIP "backstage pass" for Big Sister, Taylor, at her mom's rock star baby shower.


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Email your idea, story and pictures to hotmama [at] lovecheekybean.com!