We are a Canadian based online designer fabric retailer specializing in modern, funky, cute, kawaii fabrics, sewing patterns and notions. We carry fabrics by well known designers including Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Amy Butler, Heather Ross, and Etsuko Furuya. This is not your typical run of the mill fabric store! We are here to support you - the modern designer.

You must check out Pink Panda Fabrics for all your fabric needs - a great place for nursery and kids decor ideas.

Affordable and innovative products for the family awarded PTPA Seal of Approval.

Continually on the search to discover products that improve the quality of family life, PTPA Media - a company that awards their famed Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal - is proud to announce the parenting product winners for Summer 2009.

A total of 36 products earned the highly sought-after award because after being tested by the parent evaluators they proved to be quality products worthy of a parents recommendation.

“During these more trying economic times, families want to ensure that they are getting the best quality and value for their dollar. The PTPA Media Seal of Approval on a products packaging indicates to consumers that other families have tested this product in a home environment and it has earned their approval. When it comes to products for the family, who better to rate the product than the actual families themselves. says Sharon Vinderine, Founder of PTPA Media. “PTPA has developed an industry-leading evaluation system and we are proud to put our seal on these incredible products. We hope when parents shop and see our PTPA seal on products they will rest assured they are getting a quality and dependable product.”

Winners of the Summer 2009 Product call included:

• ID Gear eco friendly personalized stainless steel drinking bottles
• My NapPak Personalized Mat
• Naturepedic No-compromise Seamless Dual Firmness Mattress
• Bamboo Leg Huggers
• Midwest Monkey’s safe sizer choking prevention plate
• Simplified IT Picture Keeper
• Princeton Health Press LifeSkills Training Program and CD’s
• Dolly and Dimples baby socks
• Bloco Toys Horses and Unicorns
• KaBOOM   Playspace Finder
• Baby Bump Stretch Mark & Massage Oil
• VTECH Technologies Canada   V Smile Motion TV Learning System
• Disney Pixar Cars Art Desk
• Jeezle Pete’s TRIVIATHON
• Re-Think It Dandelion plates, bowls & utensils
• Warm Buddy Bearth the Bear
• Parenting on Track   Home Program
• Rebelle Friendship Purses
• d’Avicenna Eaurganic Fortifying Shampoo
• Crypton Fabric Mattress Protector
• Johnson & Johnson Penaten daily cream, Johnson’s Head to toe foaming wash, Johnson’s Bedtime, Johnson’s No more tangles, Johnson’s Baby Lotion
• Tier Toys   Stackers’ Noah’s Ark
• B.B.Bliss Body Suit
• Zuvo Water Purator
• Mabel’s Labels Skinny-Minis
• Summer Fresh   Dora the Explorer Snack n go - Vegetable Dip, Spongebob Mini Dipper Vegetable, Dora Mini Dipper Hummus, Spongebob Roasted Garlic Hummus Snack n Go
• Street Surfing The Wave LX
• UV Skinz    UPS 50+ Swimshirt
• Sunveil SunwearSun Protective Apparel, Hats & Acessories and
• Suvant Prampopper

Companies across North America submitted samples during the Call for Entry in April 2009 and were matched with PTPA Media’s extensive database of reviewers. Each product was thoroughly scrutinized by a panel of four parents in a family environment as well as daycare facilitators when applicable. For a full list of items reviewed, visit http://www.ptpamedia.com

About PTPA Media
PTPA Media (Parent Tested, Parent Approved) provides an objective means to discover and appraise new products designed to enrich family living. The company’s mission is to assist and educate discerning consumers by providing reliable and relevant information about exciting and quality products on the market. Products range from baby clothing, toys and accessories to parent-centric creations. The Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal is presented to companies whose products are deemed exceptional by a knowledgeable and unbiased panel of experts, including parents themselves.

Written By: Aurora Mom, Lorilee Jarosinski

Like many others, my family has become more conscious of eating locally-grown food and we are so lucky here in York Region to have access to local farms and farmers’ markets.
York Region Tourism  has a great Farm Fresh map in PDF format , listing 21 farms and 3 farmers’ markets. It includes lots of great information about each farm, including what products the farm produces and operating hours.

I’ve had first-hand experience with three of the listings:

• The Aurora Farmers Market Every Saturday morning from May until October, my daughter and I make the short trip to the Aurora town park. We pick up whatever produce looks good that day, and sometimes some delicious unpasturized buckwheat honey . I like to grab a cinnamon bun and l some locally roasted fair-trade organic coffee to snack on while my daughter plays in the playground, after she’s eaten her back bacon sandwich. Sometimes there’s live music, artists, and hand-made wares of every sort. I love this market and I think it’s one of the reasons why I love living in Aurora.
• Forsythe Family Farms We visited this farm last Thanksgiving. The first thing we noticed was the incredible smell of pies baking in the store. We visited with the farm animals and the corn maze, picked up some apples, gourds, pumpkins and obviously, a couple of those pies.
• Cooper’s goat and veggie farm This year my family joined the Coopers in Community Supported Agriculture. In short, we paid for a share early in the season and in return we receive a basket of the farm’s produce each week for 20 weeks. I’m so excited to receive my baskets of fresh locally grown produce. Each basket’s contents will be a surprise, so this is going to be an adventure!

( Editor’s Note - Our family to have signed up for a CSA share with Coopers farm and last week we got out first box of fresh local vegetables, best idea ever!  I love it! )

So York Region Parents, head out to your local farms and markets, and enjoy!

The Aurora Historical Society promotes the study of the history of our community. The society works toward this and related goals by means of its regular meetings and by the operation of Hillary House.  They also have cool things for kids to do this summer!

Hillary House Summer Programs for Kids (July 13-17, August 17-21)
Come experience summer at Hillary House National Historic Site! For $15 a day or $70 a week, children ages 6-10 can learn and play during half day programs. Daily themes include: Teddy Bear Picnic, Butterfly Garden, Tea Party, Movie Day, Olympics, Superhero Day and more! Pre-registration is required. Call 905-727-8991 for more information.

Finest Expressions - Designer Gifts & Gift baskets specializes in unique and beautiful handcrafted baby gifts. Gifts to suit every budget and theme include:

• Finest Blossoms: Beautiful arrangement of baby clothing presented in a bouquet style. Contents include baby layette sets, blankets and towels.

• Baby Blooms: These are incredibly delightful baby sock bouquets presented in long stem roses’ style, complete with baby’s breath and flower box.

• Diaper Cakes: Baby cakes are non-edible delights made out of premium brand name diapers. Special baby treats include baby clothing, toys, blankets and baby toiletries.

• Candy Bouquets: Give these delicious treats as a new baby or birthday gift. Better yet, have them as centrepieces at your next baby shower or special event!

Finest Expressions also custom designs gifts using your theme and budget! Special Offer: For limited time only; 10% off all custom designed diaper cakes.  Just mention York Region Parent when you order.
Also available are DIY Baby Shower Favour Kits.

I find writing reviews on clothes hard to do, because isn’t a shirt just a shirt?  That is what I thought until my package from barley and birch arrived. I have bought lots of organic clothes for my kids,but these are my favourite.  As a mom, the “cool” factor is important to me, but so is the fact that a shirt will last a long time and look good!  And  can say many, many washes our barley and birch gear is a favourite of both me and the kids.

Our 4 year old loves the cactus tshirt we got him, and I love no matter what the stain is (strawberries, grass or something that we have no idea what it is!) it comes out with no effort what-so-ever.

Other than looking super cool in our gear, we know that buying from barley and birch is a good idea for the planet.

Environmentally, we decided to make every single facet of the line carbon neutral. Not only do we offset any emissions created by production and shipping, but we work with manufacturers and suppliers that are largely powered by solar energy. We chose only certified organic cotton and water-based inks, so we do not pollute the air and water with chemicals. We are made in the United States, so we do not emit the massive amount of carbon associated with trans-ocean shipping. We are largely paper-free and any paper involved with the line is 100% post-consumer recycled. Essentially, we chose to go beyond the level of convenience to be fair to our planet and to our customers.

Check out the stores below to purchase your barley & birch:

eConscious Market
www.econsciousmarket.com/site/Vendors/barley_and_birch/

fawn&forest
http://www.fawnandforest.com/designers/239/products

Gretchen & Grace
www.gretchenandgrace.com

Sprouts, a place for all things baby and toddler!

Sprouts offers mobile play programs, at your place or ours! Want to host a structured play program in the comfort of your home with your own friends? Invite Sprouts for a one time, weekly or monthly get together. Request a class in your area and we can put something together in one of our many community locations close to you.

In support of Energy Conservation Week, running from May 17-23, Newmarket’s Environmental Advisory Committee (NEAC) is looking to reduce, re-use and recycle.

On Saturday, May 23, NEAC is hosting it’s 2nd Annual Community Garage Sale.  “It’s a great way to do some spring cleaning, and join a great community initiative”, says Crystal Rank of NEAC.  All vendors will be given two parking spaces, one to park their vehicle, and the other to set up their items.

NEAC is encouraging vendors to either sell out of their trunk/van, or simply display your items in your space.  “This is an event to encourage the community to re-think the way we buy items and reduce our consumption”.

Garage Sales are a huge part of many people’s summer plans and many don’t realize that this habit encourages re-using and recycling.  As we consume so much as a society,  garage sales are a great way to reduce packaging,  get more ‘mile’ out of an item…and get a great bargain!!
Vendors are still needed for this FREE event, but space is limited.  If you are interested and would like to register, please call the Town of Newmarket at 905-895-5193.  The event takes place from 8am-12pm and is located at the Town Office Parking Lot at 395 Mulock Dr.