How Are Ciao Ciao Brown Cow's Weighted Lap Pads and Weighted Blankets Different?

The other day when "N's" occupational therapist was over I had mentioned of switching things up a bit.  He told me to keep doing things as I was doing them.  Don't change a thing was how he put it.  He said that my service was different and that I was needed.  That made me feel terrific since... it was my birthday!

So how exactly are my lap pads and blankets "different" from the majority or retailers?  Well, this is how.

1.  I UNDERSTAND:   I have 2 children with Autism and each have sensory processing disorders.  They vary on the Spectrum.  I have one that before would have been diagnosed as Aspergers and now he is just considered high functioning.  I have one that has been diagnosed as Classic Autism.  He is the middle of the road PDD-NOS.  He has excelled since his diagnosis and receiving therapies from different companies.  Lots of work, lap pads and blankets.

2.  I CARE ABOUT THAT SPECIAL KID:  When you contact me, I go over everything with you.  I want to know his physical characteristics.  I want to know which colors he is attracted to and what things draw him or her.  I want that child to fall in love with what I make for them.  I go above and beyond looking for whatever piques their interest... or "obsession".

3.  I LOVE QUALITY:  And so should you!  That is why I make products that can be washed and hopefully last for quite awhile.  I understand that your child may use this product to wipe her face on.  I understand that your child may love to play with his spit.  I understand that your child might be in the long term progress of potty training.  I understand that their weighted items probably may need to be washed on an everyday basis.

4.  I AM BUDGET-MINDED:  Money is tight!  I know I am not the only one.  I think it's a crying shame that these products are so expensive.  It has made me mad even because I see how they have benefitted my child and I want other children to feel that sense of comfort and relief from the weight. I try to make my lap pads and blankets as affordable as possible.  The basic blanket and lap pad are priced to compete.  I offer extras, but I want everyone to be able to afford the basic.  I search to find bargains and pass them onto my customers.  I'm not in this business to get rich.  This is a heart and soul project.

THIS is how Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is different.

THIS is why Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is so thankful when parents, grandparents, care providers, SPED teachers put their trust in me to make that special something for their someone special.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow

Going to the Chapel...

Hi All!

We are back from the wedding this weekend.  It was simply beautiful!!!  The boys were sooooo cute in their little outfits.  The hat was something that "N" put on at the last moment.

The weather was PERFECT and everything went off without a hitch.

My biggest stressor besides the boys carrying a banner down the aisle for the bride was the cake!  I rarely decorate cakes and usually only for my boys on their birthday.  The bride asked me to do it and I did because I love her to pieces.  I wish I had a better picture of it, but this is the only one that I took before it headed upstairs.

Isaac thought it was amazing and I had a ton of compliments.  It was a 2 tier, 4 layer funfetti (a surprise from the bride to the groom because he isn't a cake fan) cake with vanilla pudding hidden between the layers.

I got the "treat" of my life later when I saw my sweet 5yo "I" cutting a rug out on the dance floor with his Oma and then later the bride, his uncle, his aunt and his mama.  I had the privilege of dancing 3 dances with him.  This was THE first time ever that he has danced.  I was shell shocked!  Dancing in a large group of people like he danced everyday of his life.  Go "I"!

So, as I said, it was a fabulous wedding and a fabulous weekend!  Now I am back to the sewing machine.  I have a ton of fabrics that I have picked up and I am going to post them on my next blog post.  They are cute fabrics and I can't wait to make something special from them for someone that is even more special!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow!

A little something for the Bigger Kid in your Life!

I'm laughing when I wrote the title.  I have a 22 year old daughter, "B".  When I first made "N's" weighted blanket, she fell in love with it and BEGGED me for a blanket of her own.  I told her that I wasn't going to make her a weighted blanket because I wouldn't even be strong enough to lift a near 20 pound blanket to sew!  Imagine trying to push THAT through a little sewing machine!

Anyway, that was early this Spring.  This summer she got the whim that she was going to move across the country.  A Boy thing, a school thing and a job thing, I assure you.  Before she left, she tried one more time.

Playing on my emotion of her moving, it worked.  Of course.....

Babies Need Love Too!

Here is a little project that I have been putting off because all of my wonderful clients have kept me so busy!  THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!!

One of my dear friend's daughter had the cutest little son and just happens to share my "N's" same name, so of course I instantly love him!  I put this cute little blanket together for him.  It measures 24" square.  On a whim I decided that it would make a fantastic taggie lovey blanket so I added some tags.

Then on another whim, I decided to turn one of those tags into an "N" for his first name.  I have never done monograming before.  Honestly, I am not skilled on that subject, so it was a bit of a battle with the sewing machine.  lol.  It did turn out sort of with a vintage look, so I deemed it awesome.  I also make the tags different sizes instead of the same size like I normally do.  As an added bonus, I put in a little chevron stitching to match the fabric.

All in all, I think this little project turned out to be perfect.  The whale minky fabric is SUPER soft.  Love it.  I hope that as little "N" grows that he will fall in love with it too.