Albums, photo frames for baby's first years

Story of Me

Prinz's Little Angels selection of frames and coordinating albums features new additions to the 2011 baby collection. There are 11 new frame series and two album collections, all featuring a variety of formats, styles and price points. Commemorating baby’s first year is Once Upon a Time, a collage frame featuring word art matting with openings for 12 photos, one for each month, and a larger 5x7 opening to showcase baby’s one-year photo.


Also new in the Little Angels line is Just Arrived, a silverplated frame with shiny silver baby buggy and teddy bear accents. At the center of the frame is an area to record baby’s name, weight, length and birthdate. The frame holds a 4x6 photo.


Prinz’s best-selling baby frame, New Addition, suitable for displaying a sonogram photo, has prompted the company to introduce a new frame series, Counting the Days, featuring a 5x4 opening for sonogram or other photo. Featuring mirror star cutouts, the wood frame includes a heartwarming expression beneath the photo opening. Two styles are available – "We wished upon a star and here you are" and "Love at first sight."

Baby Talk

Counting the Days

Just Arrived

Little Miracle

Once Upon A Time

Baby and youth furniture seen in High Point

Samuel Lawrence Furniture’s newest youth introduction, named “Tiara,” is bejeweled with multifaceted finials and hardware. It was introduced under the Sammy brand at the High Point International Furniture Market in April. The collection will be available for shipment early this summer.

The company calls this a complete collection. In addition to standard bedroom furniture, it includes a make-up table with a little tuffet chair. The drop-down front drawer is ideal for a laptop. Each collection includes several bed options, including bunk-beds which can be configured in a number of ways. Media chest, nightstands and a tall chest are also standard with each collection.

SLF is a strategic marketing unit of Home Meridian International. Collections are available container direct or may be special ordered individually from bicoastal warehouses.

Award-winning baby and child products

The first “Best New Product Awards” at Baby & Child, one of 10 divisions of the New York International Gift Fair, were presented this month. A panel of 10 editors from trade media and kid-centric blogs and websites selected winners from 111 products. The winners and finalists are:


BLOGGER’S BEST

Maple Landmark, Inc. (Middlebury, Vt.) for Rocker-Feller Rocking Horse. A carefully-designed and crafted rocking horse featuring laser-engraved details, made from responsibly harvested solid pine with a non-toxic naturoil finish. Made in the USA.

TOY
Winner: Tegu (Rowayton, Conn.) for Magnetic blocks. Wooden blocks that defy gravity with safely embedded magnets inside. Blocks are made from eco-friendly hardwoods, making them both sustainable and durable.

Finalist: Maple Landmark, Inc. (Middlebury, Vt.) for Rocker-Feller Rocking Horse.

Finalist: Geared For Imagination (Fairlawn, Ohio) for Topozoo.

DÉCOR
Winner: Oopsy daisy, Fine Art For Kids (San Diego) for A to Z Animal Prints. Canvas wall art reproductions featuring colorful and exotic animals, printed in the giclée method and stretched by hand over a wooden frame with a decorative edge, eliminating the need for framing. Made in the USA.

Finalist: Zutano Inc. (Cabot, Vt.) for Owls 4-piece crib set.

Finalist: manny and simon (Del Mar, Calif.) for Duck wooden step stool.

MadPax

GEAR
Winner: MadPax (Phoenix) for The Spiketus Rex. Over-the-top creature feature backpacks for kids of all ages that allow children to store books, gear and more, while expressing one-of-a-kind style.


Finalist: Buggyguard (North Palm Beach, FL) for Stroller lock.

Finalist: Innobaby LLC (Hoffman Estates, IL) for Keepin’ Fresh Kids Stainless.


APPAREL

Winner: Loralin Design (New York) for Handmade Sweater Basket. A 100 percent cotton sweater and matching shoes, packaged in a tiny gift basket to create the perfect new baby gift.

Loralin Design

Finalist: Magnificent Baby (New York) for Elephants On Parade Take Me Home Set

Finalist: 3 Sprouts (Toronto) for 3 Sprouts Eco-Friendly Art Smock.


The Best New Product Award judges were: Melody Udell, Baby & Kids; Nanci Gregg, Baby & Children’s Product News; Leesa Valentino, TheGiggleGuide.com; Lynda Johnson, KidsStyleSource.com; Jenny Heinzen-York, Kids Today; Elina Furman, AListMom.com (formerly Mamaista); Liz Gumbinner, Coolmompicks.com; Nicole Feliciano, Momtrends.blogspot.com; Joanna Dreifus, MyMomShops.com; Caroline Kennedy and Meredith Schwartz, Playthings.

Gifts and apparel for babies, toddlers

Bird rattles

Blabla's collection of baby and children's toys, apparel and decor is designed by Florence Wetterwald and knitted by Peruvian artisans. The company will exhibit this month at the NY gift show. It is represented by Karen Alweil Studio.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.