EtsyClothDiapers~Your source for quality, WAHM made cloth diapers

Meet the Team - Kristen from Banana Bottoms

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kristen, the creative force behind Banana Bottoms Cloth Diapers. Be sure to stop by her Etsy store - www.etsy.com/shop/bananabottoms - to check out her adorable cloth diapers, diaper covers, training pants, shorts, longies, and skirts!

Where did you get the name for your shop?

I love monkeys and wanted to find a name with monkeys in it but there were quite a few diaper shops that were already using monkey in their shop names. I decided to use Bananas as part of the name b/c monkeys eat bananas.

Is it big business or a hobby?

It’s a business. I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to my shop over the past year as I’ve returned to school full time and am also taking my yoga teacher training.

Why do you like selling on Etsy?

I love Etsy. It is very user friendly and has a lot of resources for sellers. I also love the teams feature as it allows you to gain support and advice from other like-minded sellers. I love the Etsy Cloth Diaper team!

How long have you been sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.?

My mom taught me to sew as a kid and I’ve been sewing ever since.

What is your favorite thing to make at the moment? What are you passionate about?

I love making newborn cloth diapers. They are so tiny and cute!

What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment? Why?

I love the fleece skirties. When my girls were born, I loved how cute and functional these were and they wore them even after they were out of diapers.

Who/What is your inspiration?

My kids. They were my testers for all my items when I was designing my patterns.

Why is cloth diapering important to you?

I love cloth diapering. Although it is an initial investment, it is much more economical in the long run. I also like that my kids have natural fabrics next to their bodies and not paper and chemicals. The fact that we aren’t clogging up the landfills is another plus.

What factors are the most important to you when choosing a cloth diaper?

Ease of use and absorbency.

What is the kind of diaper you like the best at home? On the go? For travel? For budget?

I started out with flats and prefolds but love fitteds. I don’t have any little ones in diapers anymore  but I used fitteds exclusively. We used them at home, travelling, on the go, etc. Cloth diapering is very adaptable 

Favorite CD shop on Etsy?

I don’t have a particular store... but I love browsing shops that have wool longies/skirties etc. I have knit a few for my kids and am in awe at the creations these other moms come up with.

What is your favorite or least favorite cloth diapering memory?

My least favourite memory involves a prefold and a baby that was just introduced to bananas. We were on a day trip and the diaper was filled just as we were parking our car to take the train into the big city. It was a hot summer day and the diaper was in the trunk for the duration. I think you can guess how this story ends 

Facebook/web Address?

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bananabottoms

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/bananabottoms

Blog : http://bananabottoms.blogspot.com/

Polka Dot Blues...

2012-01-26T03:45:00.000-08:00

Here is the last January theme treasury....next month ROCKSTAR REDS...

'Polka Dot Blues' by mycutegenes

This is a treasury for the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team (www.etsyclothdiapers.com), featuring blue and/or polka dots.

You Choose -- Set of THREE P... Anktangle $21.00	Newborn Wool Soaker, Diaper ... BrightRoseCrea... $22.00
Cotton velour cloth diaper, ... bundlesofjoy $18.00	Double Sided Cloth Wipes--Se... ClothDiaperClu... $6.50
Polka Dotted Waterproof Wet ... SewStylishBout... $17.95	Turquoise Blue fuzzy Minky D... honeybunscloth... $20.00
Wool Longies - "Faded P... BabySnickerdoo... $12.50	Flannel Cloth Diaper Wipes f... IntrovertCreat... $10.00
Aqua Ooga Booga Very Baby Ne... monkeytoediape... $13.50	MEDIUM jar - My BABY LOVE Sh... WeeEssentials $7.00
X-Large Hanging Wet Bag for ... Kellylulu $23.00	Dots on Brown One Size Pocke... 3monkeysclothd... $16.00
On Target Medium size Fit... TigerTooshies $22.00	Baby Leg Warmers - Polka Dot... BriannaBeansBo... $10.00
Cloth Diaper Medium All-in-2... LittleBoppers $23.50	Sharks - 11x14 Waterproof Zi... Rumpeez $14.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet the Team-- Jessica from Living Green Baby

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today we meet Jessica from the Etsy shop Living Green Baby. After learning more about her, check out her shop where you will find a great variety of fleece longies and soakers, bamboo baby wipes, and nursing pads.

Where did you get the name for your shop?
When we were trying to think of a name for our shop we sat down with a good old yellow note pad and started to compile words that made us think of living a greener life and Cloth Diapering. A couple scribble scrabbles later we had a simple name that defined who we were and what we believed in.

Is it big business or a hobby?
A couple Years ago I opened a little shop on Etsy (www.bullfrogboutique.etsy.com) where I made and sold little hair bows and such. Then I learned about cloth diapers and thought "I could make those!" Then I decided to list a couple and quickly found my calling. When My husband saw what was happeining he decided to step in and that was when Living Green Baby came to life. With his Business know how and My love of cloth diapering we make a pretty good Team!

Why do you like selling on Etsy?
Etsy is a wonderful site. It supports small business and Hand Made items, 2 things we love! Who wouldn't want to be a part of something like that? Etsy also gives us alot of tools and resources to help us along the way. Starting a new business can be intimidating but Etsy makes it very simple!

How long have you been sewing?
I grew up in a home where my Mother was sewing all the time, and for as long as I can remember I've been a crafty person. I really got into sewing after my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas 3 years ago, I used it so much I actually wore it out and had to replace it!

What is your favorite thing to make at the moment? What are you passionate about?
Right now my favorite thing to make is diapers... diapers of any kind! We're really Passionate about Cloth diapering, Breastfeeding, baby wearing and anything else that involves giving our kids (and others!) the best that we can!

What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment? Why?Our current favorite item is our Natural Luxury Bamboo Cloth Wipes. They are sooo soft, they clean any mess that you could imagine easily, they're very gentle on any skin type, and best of all they're all natural! We have a 2 month old Son who is a very heavy wetter and we fold one in half and stick inside all of his diapers (even his prefolds!) They are so multi-functional, even People who don't cloth diaper can make use of them.

Who/What is your inspiration?
Our Primary inspiration is our 4 children. My husband works retail and has long hours so he's away from home alot. We decided to open our own small business with the hopes that someday he won't have to be away from home so much. Our other big inspiration is our love of cloth diapering and how good it is for our planet and for our children’s health. We want to spread the word and make affordable quality products so that anyone in any financial situation and enjoy the benefits.

Why is cloth diapering important to you?
We decided to give cloth diapering a try with our 3rd child. Unfortunately the thought had never even crossed our minds before then. My husband was skeptical at first, he didn't think it would work for us because I have an issue with laundry (it’s my least favorite part of being a stay-at-home mom and I can never seem to get it under control) he thought there would be no way that I would want to (or be willing to) wash dirty diapers of all things. I was hooked the very first time I snapped her pretty little pink diaper on her! My husband claimed he "didn't know how to do it" and got out of diaper changing for quite a while but was fully supportive of cloth diapering because we were no longer spending money every week on disposables and he knew the health benefits. Now he's a full on cloth diapering Dad, using Snappi's and stuffing pockets! He even helps make the diapers.

What factors are the most important to you when choosing a cloth diaper?
To us the most important factors in choosing a cloth diaper are price, function, and style. (Ok so maybe the style only really matters to me, my husband is more concerned about how much it's going to cost him and how well it’s going to work.) We've tried to incorporate all of that into our products. We try to offer a little of everything so that anyone can buy in any price range.

What is the kind of diaper you like the best at home? On the go? For travel? For budget?
At home our 2 little ones live in fitteds and fleece soakers or longies most of the time. On the go we like to use our One-size PUL covers and Bamboo inserts because its less to put in the bag, they fit both our 2 year old and 2 month old so there's no worry about bringing enough of the right sizes for each of them. For Budget we Love Prefolds and covers. Our Grandmas used them for a reason, they're easy, they work, and they're inexpensive!

What is your favorite cloth diapering memory?
My favorite cloth diaper memory was the first time we put our newborn son in one of our cloth diapers and fleece longies. He was 2 days old and we were still in the hospital, he looked so cute in them!

www.livinggreenbaby.com
www.facebook.com/onthegreenside
www.livinggreenbaby.blogspot.com

Time to Simplify Cleaning by MaMaJo Diapers

2012-01-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

I have always been eco conscious and bought green. My favourite so far is the Greenworks line

but when I look at my cleaning supplies, it is a bit much. One bottle for this , one bottle for that- it all adds up unfortunately. And I absolutely hate having to buy new bottles-many other companies are offered at my local co-op, without the need to buy new bottles. So as a New Year's resolution, I have decided to expand my repertoire of home made cleaners.

I do not take credit for any of these recipes- they were all tried and tested and found off the internet. These are a few of my favourites so far.

Oven Cleaner

2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
2 teaspoons borax
1/4 cup ammonia
1–1/2 cups warm water

Mix the ingredients together, apply to oven spills, and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.

Easy Scrub

3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup borax
dishwashing liquid

Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.

Jewelry Cleaner

1/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup dishwashing liquid
3/4 cup water

Mix all the ingredients well, then soak your jewelry in the solution for a few minutes. Clean around the stones and designs with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Buff dry. (Caution: Don't use this with gold-plated jewelry; with soft stones such as pearls, opals, or jade; or with costume jewelry, because it could ruin the plastics or loosen the glue.)

Heavy-Duty Disinfectant Cleaner

1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 tablespoon borax
3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner

Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.

Wood Floor Polish

1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix the ingredients well, rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Rug Cleaner

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
1 cup lukewarm water

Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)

Toilet Cleaner

1 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice

Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.

Mildew Remover

1 tablespoon powdered laundry detergent
1 quart chlorine bleach
2 quarts water

Combine all the ingredients in a pail. Wearing rubber gloves, wash off the mildew.

Floor Wax Remover

1 cup laundry detergent
3/4 cup ammonia
1 gallon warm water

Mix all the ingredients together and apply to a small area of the floor. Let the solution sit long enough for it to loosen the old wax, at least 5 to 10 minutes. Mop up the old wax (or scrape it up, if there's a lot of it, using a squeegee and a dustpan). Rinse thoroughly with 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon water and let dry before applying a new finish.

Furniture Polish

1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon boiled linseed oil
1 tablespoon turpentine

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until blended. Dampen a cloth with cold water and wring it out until it's as dry as you can get it. Saturate the cloth with the mixture and apply sparingly to a small area at a time. Let dry for about 30 minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. Note that this mixture gets gummy as it sits, so make just enough for one day's work.

Glass Cleaner

2 tablespoons ammonia
1/2 cup alcohol
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
a few drops blue food coloring
water

Combine the ammonia, alcohol, dishwashing liquid, and food coloring, then add enough water to make 1 quart. If you prefer a nonammoniated cleaner, substitute 3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice for the ammonia.

Carpet Freshener

1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda

Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

Scrubbing hand General-Purpose Cleaner

1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water

Combine all the ingredients. If you don't have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottles!!!

Keep me posted as to how you make out. I am Jo of MaMaJo Diapers and Pads and can be found right here http://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaJodiapersandpads

Salsa and chips recipe

2012-01-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

I love eating nachos and salsa, but commercial salsas tends to contain a lot of salt. And tortilla chips too...

I came across this salsa recipe in a Tupperware party a few years ago, and I did adapt it to my taste:

You’ll need:
1 can ( 540 ml) of diced tomatoes, drained
2 colored peppers ( I like 1 yellow and 1 orange),
1 small jalapeno pepper ( more or less, I usually use only half of it)
2 small onions
½ - 1 cup Coriander, chopped , as much or as little as you want.
The juice of 1 lime
You can add salt or a little bit of chilli powder if you want.

If you have a food processor, put everything in its jar and chop. If you don’t, chop everything by hand to have ¼- ½ inch pieces of veggies and then add the lime juice and optional seasoning and mix.
Store in a sealed bowl in the fridge, for up to 1 week.

Now that you have salsa, you need chips, don’t you?
Cut a few pita breads in 3 inches triangles, put them on a cookie sheet, add a bit of olive oil (and seasoning if you want) .Put that in a preheated oven (400 to 450 degrees) 5 to 10 minutes and keep an eye on them. You don’t want them too brown, just a little crispy.

Enjoy with your favourite salsa or dip!

Making Your Own Diaper: Where to Buy Supplies

2012-01-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

Many people ask me where I buy the materials to make my diapers. My simple answer is usually, "online."

While my absolute favorite diaper making supplies are recycled materials (flannel receiving blankets, old sheets and T-shirts, wool sweaters, etc), I do also love to have a cute PUL print, or some buttery soft Merino Wool Interlock.

Here is a quick primer of places to buy supplies online. I know this is not extensive and if anyone has other recommendations of places they love to patronize, by all means, leave a comment!

Celtic Cloths: I love their glossary of different diaper fabrics and how to use them. They carry PUL, Hemp, Bamboo, Suede Cloth, Organic Cotton, and notions such as FOE, Aplix, and size tags.

Natures Fabrics: They carry a very wide range of diaper making fabrics, but I particularly love all the different wool they have. They have the most extensive line I have seen.

Diaper Sewing Supplies: LOVE how extensive their PUL section is. I also love their wide variety of FOE colors, and Kam Snaps.

Babyville Boutique is the newest line from JoAnn Fabrics. There is a whole section in the store dedicated to diaper making. And they sell in small quantities, so if you are just starting out sewing your own diapers you can experiment and play around.

The Fabric Fairy: The have tons of cute prints on cotton knits, great for making fitted diapers. They even sell “diaper cuts."

Very Baby: Their most extensive selection is in the microfiber and terry section.

Wazoodle actually sells precut diaper making kits. This would be very helpful for a beginner. They also carry ProCare and Zorb fabrics, which are the latest “technological innovations” in diapering!

More BLUES and DOT for the JANUARY theme

2012-01-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

'Blue 'N Dotty' by kaimedeiros

Celebrating the theme of the month "Blue and Polka Dots" for Etsyclothdiaper team!

Pocket Diaper January Skies ... MadKatDiapers $13.00	Wool Diaper Cover, Royal Blu... BrightRoseCrea... $42.00
READY TO SHIP, One Size Fitt... NorthernMom $24.00	Dots on Brown One Size Pocke... 3monkeysclothd... $16.00
Double Sided Cloth Wipes--Se... ClothDiaperClu... $6.50	Blue argyle fleece soaker di... winkydinks $9.00
Cheeky Cloth One Size Organi... CheekyCloth $19.50	Monster Trucks - ML AI2 Clot... HoldensLanding $42.00
Medium Cloth Diaper Cover pe... bananabottoms $10.00	Boy Print Organic Hemp Cotto... Kellylulu $18.00
YYMN or YYMH custom woolies Payley $10.00	Small Sky Blue Hand Knit Woo... katidids $23.00
Navy blue with white polkado... dickandjanedia... $30.00	Newborn up to 12lbs Fitted C... ButtonBumpers $6.50
ONE SIZE hybrid cloth diaper... mycutegenes $26.00	Cashmere Baby Pants, Custom... studioluvette $34.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet the Team-- Sheila Steggall from Soft and Scrubby

2012-01-18T23:53:00.000-08:00

Today we meet Sheila Steggall from Soft and Scrubby. After you've read all about her, check out her Etsy store to see all the great products she carries, including: Soft and Scubby wipes, basic baby wipes, nursing pads, wool diaper covers, and makeup remover pads.

How long have you had your store? I’ve had my Etsy store since Jan 2008. I sold at other venues for a couple years before that.

What cd products do you sell? Soft and Scrubby carries two styles of baby wipes, diaper inserts and wool soakers. I also carry nursing pads and facial items. I’ve been playing around with some pocket diapers, but have not yet decided to sell them.

I mainly use 100% cotton flannel. I love choosing cute prints for my products. The wipes, inserts, nursing pads and cotton rounds are all made from my own pattern.

What made you decide to start selling your items? The first Scrubby Baby wipe was created about 9 years ago when trying to find a creative use for some older flat diapers. Unfortunately, I did not get to use them and gave them to a friend who thought they were great.
A couple of years later I finally got my new baby and used and loved the scrubby wipes!

Later I found quality birdseye, sewed super cute flannel to the front and a business was formed! The Soft and Scrubby business has been busy for almost 6 years and now includes Basic Wipes, Diaper Inserts, Nursing Pads, and Wool Soakers.

A couple years ago my mom joined in and started knitting wool soakers and shorties to add to my shop.

What is the best cd advice you’ve heard?
Sample a few styles of diapers before you purchase a lifetime worth of cloth! Chances are you’ll settle into something you never thought you’d like. If I ever have another baby I’ll probably go for some quality prefolds and wool covers! I’m thinking basic, economical, and breathable!

Tell us something about your cd experience? My first cloth diapering experience was about 39 years ago! Of course I don’t remember that because I was just a baby. Disposable diapers were just becoming common and wouldn't you know to my mom’s chagrin I was allergic to them!

My first baby wore cloth out of necessity as she also developed an allergy to paper diapers. At the time I didn’t know anything about cloth diapering except that you could by Gerber prefolds in the store and a velcro cover. I was not very impressed, but had to do what I had to do.
Later I found out about all the great options in cloth diapers and by the time my fourth child was born I was truly excited about cloth! During my pregnancy I was busy sewing him quite a stash of fitted diapers and had bought some all-in-ones, Chinese prefolds and some great covers. He was cloth diapered this time by choice and not out of necessity. We even used cloth when we were camping!

I discovered wool pants around the time my son was potty training. We never got to use them over diapers but were so pleased with how well they worked at night with cotton training pants. I never again had to get up in the night to change wet sheets.

And now my oldest daughter and her husband have made the cloth choice also. When I get a sufficient stack of pocket diapers made for them I may just make some for my shop.

What makes your products stand out? I really enjoy choosing cute prints, matching the thread, and making sure everything that goes out in the mail is something that I would want to receive if I were a customer. Most of what I make, I originally made because it filled a need in

my family.

What is your favorite item to make? My favorite item to make is anything custom! I love to work with my customers to make something just for them. I’m always open to changes in size, shape, color or print. I’ve made dolly wipes, dolly dipes, facial tissues, cleaning cloths, rectangular inserts for gdiapers and even up-cycled some receiving blankets all because customers requested them. I started making make-up remover pads when a customer saw my nursing pads and wanted to know if I could make something small for using with face cleanser!

Etsy Shop: www.softandscrubby.etsy.com

Eco Tip: Printing Documents

2012-01-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just cant avoid printing large documents. Here are some Eco Friendly printing tips!

1. Print double sided - uses half the amount of paper + saves you 50% on your paper costs. If your printer doesn't have double sided capabilities, print all the odd pages first, reverse their order (so page 1 is on top) put in the paper tray, and print all the even pages!

2. Use unbleached recycled copy paper - unless you're printing off your resume, there's no need to use heavy weight, bright white paper. You can also use your own recycled paper for personal printing - simply designate a bin for paper that has already been printed on one side, or even mostly blank on one side, collecting it from snail mailings, or when you forget to print double sided!

3. Print Grayscale - printers will print faster grayscale than in color, also black ink/toner costs less than colored ink/toner.

4. Change Color - Instead of setting your font to BLACK, set it to a medium gray - still easy to read, but doesn't use as much ink!

5. Fast Print Speed - set your printer to the fastest or lowest quality print as possible - you will get faster prints, using less ink!

6. Default Print Settings - Go into your printer settings (in Windows, under the control panel) and setup your printer to always use these eco settings! If you need to print a quality document, you can easily change the settings from default at the time of printing!

Cooking with Kids: Apple Chips

2012-01-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a easy recipie that your kids can help you bake. These make a great afternoon snack!

You will need:
2 apples
cinnamon (or cinnamon sugar)
parchment paper or foil
cookie sheet

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil. Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees.

Kids: Wash off the two apples.

Remove apple core and slice thinly into rings (try to keep your slices farily close to the same thickness so they all cook in the same time) then place in a single layer on the cookie sheet.

Kids: Sprinkle apple slices with cinnamon or cinnamon sugar.

Bake for about two hours, turning over about halfway through.

Paper or Plastic, Ma'am?

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

There's always a choice to make, and in the world of cloth diapers the choices are seemingly endless. Being a cloth diaper maker, my cloth diaper drawer is full of tester diapers made from every imaginable material and design. To show my appreciation to the kids for their willingness to change diapers, I always leave them the "easy" diapers to use. However, more and more these days I catch myself wanting to reach for those easy diapers. So what makes them easy? The hook and loop tape, of course! I know, it's the not-quite age-old question of velcro versus snaps (or neither). In my opinion, snaps and velcro win out over pins and Snappis, purely from an ease of use and convenience standpoint (there are other considerations). But we are talking about easy.

So, why do I love hook and loop (also known as Velcro, Aplix, and Touchtape)? Here is a list of 3 things I love about hook and loop:

1) Completely Adjustable. You always get a perfect, snug fit. No matter which snap configuration I use, I never seem to get a perfect fit.

2) Super Fast! Two quick flicks of the hand, and that puppy is on. No wrestling with a twisty toddler while trying to fasten snaps.

3) Anyone who doesn't cloth diaper can figure it out. The grandparents, babysitter, neighbor, nursery worker, siblings--anyone can figure out velcro tabs!

Okay, now there are a few cons:

1) From a sewer's standpoint, my sewing machines really don't like sewing on hook tape. I have put several machines out of whack doing this. But if you are not sewing, you don't have to consider this.

2) Noisy. When they are tiny and you are still doing lots of midnight diaper changes, the ripping of the velcro could be a noisy disruption to a light sleeper that you are wanting to get right back to bed.

3) Laundry issues. Some people complain about laundry chains, but that is easily eliminated by using the laundry tabs that most hook and loop diapers come equipped with. Some CD users complain of fibers from disposable liners and wipes getting enmeshed in the hook tape. This can also be remedied by the use of the laundry tabs or by not washing disposable fibers with your diapers. And even if this does happen, as I have had happen, it doesn't really affect the function of the diaper.

There, I have stated my case. I think I will go sew up some hook and loop diapers using my newly purchased loop fabric and enjoy the ease! If you haven't tried hook and loop before and like the idea of easier diaper changes, many of our Etsy Cloth Diaper Team members sell hook and loop options in adorable prints and for affordable prices.

Examples:

This adorable pink and purple Ooga Booga diaper is made by TheCraftEGalDiapers at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCraftEGalDiapers

This aqua Ooga Booga Diaper is made by Catchers Diapers at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatchersDiaperCo

Your little guy is bound to get fired up about this handsome diaper by Mumtaz Soakers at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MumtazSoakers

The lovely floral diaper at the top of this blog entry is sold by Honey Buns at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeybunsclothdiaper

Are you a die hard velcro or snaps mama? We'd love to hear why! That's one of the great things about modern cloth diapers--with all of the variety, there is bound to be one that's perfect for you. You just have to discover it.

January's Theme is Blue and Polka Dots!

2012-01-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

Check out this great treasury of Etsy Cloth Diaper Team sellers!

'Blue is Wonderful!' by BrightRoseCreations

Representing the theme of the month.... a collection of blue and polka dot items from the talented Etsyclothdiapers team! Enjoy.

Blue White Dots AIO Cloth Di... honeybunscloth... $25.00	Cloth Diaper - Newborn Fitte... HoldensLanding $30.00
Large Diaper Cover - PUL wi... SwaddleinCloth $12.75	Ready to Ship, NEW AIO Quick... NorthernMom $25.00
Cheeky Cloth One Size Organi... CheekyCloth $19.50	Little Animals, One-Size Dia... LittleStarCrea... $12.50
Wet Bag Blue Flower for Clot... Kellylulu $15.50	Hand-Painted Wool Shortie So... MumtazSoakers $26.00
Zig Zag Nykibaby One Size Al... monkeytoediape... $24.95	Diaper Cover: Medium Wool Aq... makingallthing... $18.50
X-Large Sweet Bobbins Hangin... SweetBobbins $34.99	Blue and red floral AIO (all... dickandjanedia... $25.00
Medium Fleece longies - polk... winkydinks $9.00	Anti-pill Fleece Diaper Cove... londonware $7.50
Dragon Flannel and Cotton Ve... TheCraftEGalDi... $5.00	handsewnbyme 1 Fitted Cloth ... handsewnbyme $10.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Team Treasury

2012-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

'Pretty Floral Diapers' by anniemathesonallen

Floral, girly cloth diapers. There are so many wonderful cloth diapers out there, and floral ones are my absolute favourite, so I had to showcase the best ones here on Etsy!

Baby Nay Asain Floral T... clothindulgenc... $22.00	B Gorgeous Black Floral... honeybunscloth... $25.00
L Tropical Flowers Flan... LagamorphLoung... $13.25	Mod Flowers Newborn Su... sugarplumbabyd... $15.95
Upcycled Wool Soaker Co... Myecobaby $18.00	Fitted Cloth Diaper - S... SwaddleinCloth $17.50
Newborn Fitted Cloth Di... DillonandClair... $16.00	PU Diaper Cover Reversi... PettiBearKIDS $18.00
Daisy On Lime Nykibaby ... monkeytoediape... $24.95	Pretty Flowers FITTED d... pinkseamstress $15.00
Large T&T Blue Victoria... LagamorphLoung... $13.25	Cloth Diaper - Small Be... HoldensLanding $39.00
One size waterproof Po... TigerTooshies $17.00	LAST ONE Girly Skulls N... bananabottoms $21.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet the Team--Michelle from LagamorphLounge

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today we meet Michelle from LagamorphLounge. After you've read all about her, check out her Etsy store to see all the great products she carries, including: flannel fitteds, hand-knit and repurposed woolies, nursing pads, fleece covers, and cloth wipes!

Where did you get the name for your shop? Well, I have a serious love of rabbits. I ran a rabbit rescue in Alaska for a few years until a change in my personal life put an end to that. Lagamorph is the scientific name for rabbit so it only made sense to go with it. I currently have 2 pet rabbits, Emmit & Raindrop.

Is it a business or a hobby? It was strictly a hobby for a number of years, then kind of slowly progressed into a hobby/business hybrid. I think I'm still a long way off from being a full on business, but who knows where 2012 will lead me.

How long have you been sewing? I have been really sewing since I was 18, when I got my first sewing machine. It just took off from there. I'm now 27 and am the proud owner of 7 sewing machines, including that very first one which I now use to teach 3 of my 4 kids how to sew. Baby #4 will be learning too once he's a little older. I learned to knit when I was still pregnant with him and that was the summer of 2010. It's become one of my favorite things to do.

What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment? Why? I love my Maple Leaf Wool soaker so much. It was hard to list it. It's entirely too small for any of my kids so keeping it for myself would have been kind of silly. I love the rich warm fall colors and the way it reminds me what my homestate looks like in fall. I'm from New York but have lived in Alaska for the past 6 years and there is virtually no fall here. We go from a short summer, to a sadly short fall and then into a really long winter.

Why is cloth diapering important to you? It's important for so many reasons. We are a family of 6 living on my husband's ever changing commission based income so knowing that I never have to run out and buy diapers with money we really don't have takes a huge stress off my shoulders. Knowing that what I am putting on my little one's bums is safe and for them and the environment is so important. I know exactly what is touching their skin, no mystery there.

What kind of diaper do you like best at home? On the go? For travel? For budget? It's the same answer across the board....a fitted with wool longies, shorties, or a soaker on top. You can't go wrong with that combo! I have tried so many types and always seem to come back to these! I do really like fleece covers too, but can't handle pockets. I know some families love them to pieces, but I've found they just aren't for me.

Favorite CD shop on Etsy? I love Bundlesofjoy. She's a fellow
Alaskan and has such beautiful items! Now that the holidays are over I'll be
making a purchase or two :)

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LagamorphLounge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lagamorph-Lounge-Handmade-Fabric-Goods-Custom-Sewing/296047370412584

my super basic cloth wipes routine

2012-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

Just like my diaper routine, my wipes routine is very basic, so I thought I would share, just in case any one needs a little demystifying in this area.

We have just used cheap one ply serged baby wash cloths, but there are so many adorable options available on Etsy these days. These are just some of my favorites that came up searching "etsyclothdiaper wipes".

sweet bobbins has cute flannel prints backed with soft organic bamboo velour. I love these robots for my boys, and these owls for my girl on the way.

just2cuteaccessories has a starter set of 30 for a great price at $25.50, and with two layers of flannel they should still be thin enough to clean in all those little creases.

Since I love my single ply wipes I'd probably go for these organic cotton fleece ones by MamaJodiapersandpads, and at $18.95 for 40 you can't beat the price.
I think it would be so much fun to dye them with the kids.

We like the Parent's Choice (WalMart brand) boxes best because the hole in the lid is big enough to get your whole hand in and pull out a cloth wipe.

Out of the wash I fold all of the wipes in half. We have acquired more and more because we use them for everything. 4 dozen or so is great, but you can get by with a lot less. You can stack the wipes in two boxes.

Then go to the sink and with the wipes set aside on the lid fill the box to just above the little line in the bottom, maybe 3/4" and push the wipes down on it, then pull them out and repeat, this time sitting the dry side downward. You will get the hang of how much water you need for different sized stacks of wipes. If you get the top and the bottom of the stack saturated the middle will be wet by the time you get to them.

I like the idea of just leaving pure water on the boys' bums, but sometimes I wonder if it gets them clean enough. We registered for some soap bits from wee essentials. This is the easiest method to fit into our routine I think, and she has lots of delicious fragrances. I will just heat the water in the micro and dissolve a cube in it before adding it to the wipes container.

Just wet one box at a time and then when you run out switch to the other one. Having two boxes helps though if you don't wash your whole stash every time, so you have a place to stack clean dry ones when one box has wet ones still in it.

Many people think using cloth wipes will be more work. I did at first, but it is really so much easier. We grabbed some of the boys cheap wipes when we ran out of disposables one day, and my husband who helps with rinsing the dirties, requested we switch full time. Now there's nothing stinky to throw in the trash. We just leave the wipes in the dirty diaper like you would with a disposable, and throw them in the wash with everything else. I find myself using clean ones for just about any mess. It is just so convenient to have a box of wet rags every where we go.

Cranberry Muffins

2012-01-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

So if your grocery stores are like mine, they stocked up on fresh cranberries for the holiday season and now they are on clearance sale so they can get rid of them. Since I can only find fresh cranberries during the holidays, and since they freeze so well, I stock up on them this time of year.

I'm not really much of a cranberry sauce or chutney type of person, but I LOVE having fresh cranberry muffins. You can even add orange juice instead of the milk, or you can substitute the cranberries for blueberries. I have even tried this recipe with strawberries and it turned out yummy!

CRANBERRY MUFFINS

3/4 C Whole Wheat Flour

3/4 C All Purpose Flour
1 C Old Fashioned Oats

1/3 C Brown Sugar

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 C Milk

1/4 C Oil

1 C Fresh Cranberries

Heat oven to 425F. Combine dry ingredients and blend well. In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk, and oil and mix well.v Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry and stir until just blended. Stir in the cranberries. Spoon into muffin cups. Bake 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before removing.

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

'Wonderful Winter Woolens' by ClothDiaperClub

Delightful Winter Wool Warmth from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team!

Recycled Wool Longies Diaper... FloraGayle $18.00	Wool Longies - "Brown A... BabySnickerdoo... $14.00
Upcycled Wool Longies Soaker... Myecobaby $23.00	Spotty black & white wool lo... bundlesofjoy $25.00
Brown Wool Longies, Hand Kni... BrightRoseCrea... $59.00	CATCHICK6 CREATIONS PRESENTS... Catchick6Creat... $45.00
Wool Footies Diaper Cover - ... chickadeeandme $45.00	Large Upcycled Brown Wool Lo... LoCoGnome $15.00
Recycled Soft Wool Longie Cl... MumtazSoakers $17.95	Small Wool Longies & Pixie P... katidids $39.00
Noras Knickers Recycled upcy... NorasKnickers $17.00	Wool Longies, Wool diaper co... rebourne $28.00
Washable Repurposed Cashmere... studioluvette $34.00	Milk and Dark Chocolate Recy... SomedaySarah $20.00
crocheted afghan or lap blan... SpottyDogCroch... $35.00	Sock Monkey gift set price f... Payley $70.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet the Team-- Theressa from Tiger Tooshies

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today we meet Theressa from Tiger Tooshies! After reading all about her own cloth diapering experience and her business, take a moment to check out her Etsy shop and let her know which of her many great products you love!

Where did you get the name for your shop?
My shop Name came from a Nick name, I got as a Child, Tiger so it was only
natural to use it and add Tooshies at the end.

Is it big business or a hobby? Right now it is a Hobby that I hope to turn to a business one day.

Why do you like selling on Etsy? I like selling on Etsy because of the ease of setting up and listing your homemade goods and it a worldwide site where your diapers could be sold anywhere in the world.

How long have you been sewing? I started to sew in high school but gave it up for years. When my Girls were young they went into dance and skating that is when I decided to start to sew again. I loved designing and creating their dance and skating outfits for competitions, I have been sewing again for about 12 years.

What are you passionate about? Right now I am passionate about making diapers from a new pattern made from almost all natural fabrics, cottons, hemp and bamboo.

What is your favorite item in your shop? My most Favorite thing in my shop right now is my Oh, Chickens diaper ...I like chickens ... it is fun and bright and just a happy Chicken and egg diaper.

What is your inspiration? I have a few things that inspire me, One I love seeing the handmade stuff I create and I also love that something I created is a benefit my daughter and the environment.

Why is cloth diapering important to you? In the small rural community I live in we have to look after getting our own garbage to the dump, after seeing the garbage that was leaving our house from just diapers and seeing the dumpsters at the dump and all the diapers in the dumpsters. You can not help but think what are we doing! and how long it will take for those diapers to disappear ?

What factors are the most important to you when choosing a cloth diaper? I think the most important thing is my baby and what is close to her skin and is she comfortable? I look for a trim diaper that is absorbent, soft and made with natural fibers.

What is the kind of diaper you like the best at home? At home I usually use the ones I make all thought I have a few BG and Sweet Peas that I like. On the go? When I go out I usually take my Sweet Peas and the new AIOs I make as they hold better .. Once the new AIO lasted a 5-hour shopping trip ... For travel? And when we travel (red face) we use disposables.

Favorite CD shop on Etsy? Annie Matheson - Allen, Dick and Jane diapers, I have one of hers and love it!

What is your least favorite cloth diapering memory? ... Well just when things get real yucky ... that is all I want to remember (or perhaps forget?--author's note) about that ! :)

Facebook : www.facebook.com/pages/Tiger-Tooshies/213208772096039?sk=wall
etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TigerTooshies?ref=si_shop

Quickie Eco Tip of the Week...

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this quickie tip actually came from my good friend who started me out in using cloth diapers without even trying.

If you are not so lucky or so talented as to be able to make all your own breads, you probably go through a good many bread, buns, rolls, and tortilla packages. Those flimsy little bags hardly seem worth saving, and they take so little room compressed in the garbage pail, right? Think again. Their compact nature and light weight make them perfect for tucking into a diaper bag, out-and-about bag, or even a purse. If you don't already have a travel wet bag, bread bags make great storage for wet and soiled diapers, especially the nasty ones! Tie it off tight and when you get home, just rip it apart over the diaper bin and toss the bag in the trash. One standard bread bag can hold 3-4 diapers!

Already have a great travel wet bag? Use your bread bags in the kitchen. We usually buy sandwich bread but make homemade dinner breads. Leftover rolls usually get stored in a saved bread bag. Bread bags also make great storage for things that you want to toss in the fridge for the next day, like leftover pizza. We also use them for unused portions of veggies that come in packages that must be torn off, like cabbage, lettuce, and broccoli.

I'm sure if you thought about it, you could find many other handy uses for your bread bags. Leave a few out on the counter and you might be surprised at what you do with them--just make sure they're out of reach of little one, of courses! We have recently been trying to reduce our use of ziplocks, plastic wrap, etc. and those little baggies have served lots of interesting purposes.

Do you know of any other great uses for bread bags? Let us know!

My Cute Genes Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-21T05:35:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...karen from Cloth Diaper Club! Congratulations!

True Random Number Generator
Min: Max: Result:65

I would like to introduce you to Stacy and My Cute Genes Green Genes diaper and cover. A completely waterproof digital camo cover with personalized name tape. This is My Cute GenesMCG'S most popular design and customers love to get personalized name tapes so that baby can "represent!" Camo covers look cute on girls and boys! You don’t have to be in the army to dress up your cutie like the cutest soldier on the block! These covers are made from brand new ACU fabric, paired with gray PUL, and outfitted with matching loop fabric that can be adorned with a “U.S. Army” or last name tape. I love how she pairs the camo with bright colored shoes and hair accessories for the little girl camo look.

One of the most compelling aspects of MCG’s diapering system is the wipe-clean cover. During a diaper change, the only part of the diaper which needs to be changed is the soaker pad. Unless the cover has been soiled. So one cover can last through many diaper changes. Also, an extra layer of PUL is sewn to the outer fashion layer (a cotton print, denim, corduroy, etc.) at the leg holes to make MCG’s cover waterproof inside and out!"

Another fantastic feature of MCG’s covers AND soaker pads is that they are one-size. On the cover, 2 rows of sockets and 1 row of studs create an adjustable or snap-down rise. the smallest setting fits babies 5-14lbs. The middle setting fits babies 12-24lbs, and the largest setting fits babies 20-32lbs.

In this way, a baby can be diapered from birth to potty training with only 3 or 4 covers!

Stacy told me a little bit about how she got started making diapers, "When I decided to cloth diaper, I got some commercial diapers for Christmas, but I wasn’t satisfied with their function and quality. I wanted to design the most ideal diaper for me and my baby, with all the features I was looking for and top quality. I started experimenting with sewing cloth diapers while on maternity leave waiting for my daughter to be born.

I loved the idea of hybrids, so I modeled my design after flips. A wipe-clean cover that does not have to be changed, with lay-in inserts. Flaps at the front and back hold in an insert that can be shaken out into a diaper pail at each change, no need to touch! I made covers with solid colors and prints, played with snap color combinations, and adjusted snap placement for sizing through trial and error. 6 months later, I had perfected my design and opened my Etsy shop on Mothers Day 2011."

"I started My Cute Genes because I love cloth diapers. I wanted to promote and advocate for cloth diapers. MCG diapers are an easy, convenient, economical, and super cute cloth diapering system option that I felt was not yet available on the market. The best part of My Cute Genes is that you can choose a special fabric or appliqued logo/flag/embellishment that lets your baby “represent” what is most important to you – what’s in YOUR cute genes!"

Stacy has generously agreed to giveaway a cover and insert, so the lucky winner will receive both parts of the system to make a complete diaper! You do not have to choose the camo Green Genes cover, you may choose any non custom cover from her shop if you win. Follow the entry directions below for your chances to win our LAST GIVEAWAY of 2011!

2 Required entries:

-Follow this blog, etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com, via Google friend connect. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment saying you already follow. Otherwise, leave a comment saying you are a new follower.

-Visit My Cute Genes shop; come back here and leave a comment about your favorite item.

Additional optional entries (leave a separate comment for EACH of the following that apply)(be sure that you are signed in or leave a way to contact you in each comment):

- Like the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Facebook
- Follow the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Twitter

- Tweet about the giveaway (limit one per day) - be sure to use @etsyclothdiaper in your tweet

-Post about the giveaway on your own blog.

-Like My Cute Genes on facebook https://www.facebook.com/mycutegenes

-Follow @mycutegenes on twitter

-Follow mycutegenes on youtube

Giveaway closes at 11:59pm EST on December 28th.

Winner will be announced on this blog on Thursday, Dec. 29th.

A random blog comment number will be selected using random.org. You MUST comment on this blog post to be entered, and have contact info in your profile. Each entry entry must be its own comment. If you combine entries into one comment, it will only count as one entry. Winning entries will be validated, and you MUST do the required entry to have any additional entries be valid. Thank you for entering!

Easy Baking with Kids-STAMPED Peanut Butter cookies

2011-12-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

This is the most easy ,fast and VERY delicious cookie recipe your kids will LOVE to make with you-

STAMPED Peanut Butter cookies

To make the dough you'll need:

1 cup/ 280 gram Peanut Butter (smooth or with chunks )
1 cup /200 gram sugar
1 egg

Preheat oven to 180° C

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl

With slightly wet hands form the mixture into small 3-4 cm balls.

Place each ball in a cookie sheet laid with parchment paper (if the dough is to soft,put into refrigerator for about half an hour to firm )

and now...for the fun part...STAMPING the balls with your favorite stamp (any scrapbook stamp will do!

Just make sure it's not to detailed )

Give your kid a stamp and let him/her press the middle of each ball with the stamp.

The balls will flatten and get the stamp's image on them-how cool is that

Now place them into the oven and bake for about 8 minutes.

The cookies should firm around the edges ,but still remain light and soft in the center (DON"T bake them longer then 10 minutes ,otherwise they will become chewy)

Chill completely before serving! While hot,the cookies crumble pretty easily

Store in air tight container at room temperature (that is if you won't eat them in the same day )

Diaper Pail Liners

2011-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

ONE of the first things people ask about cloth diapers is:

What do you DO with the dirty diapers?

The answer to that is a Diaper Pail Liner. Some people use empty trash cans, plastic grocery bags or small wet bags, but the pail liner is the easiest and most convenient ways to store the dirty diapers. Not only do they come in a plethora of colors, but diaper pail liners also help to reduce smells. And since they are reusable, they eliminate the additional waste created with the use of grocery and trash bags.

Made with PUL fabric, which stands for “polyurethane laminated,” these bags hold in wet diapers and their odors. They are waterproof in the sense that they will hold dampness and wet diapers without leaking, not in the sense of “they can hold 7 gallons of water.” Easy to use, our diaper pail liners have with an elastic cording, they easily stretch over the edge of a diaper pail or trash can.

How do you USE a diaper pail liner?

Simply stretch the elastic cording over the edge of a trash can. Some people use conventional diaper pails for cloth diapers. Often times, diaper pail liners need to be custom ordered to fit these cans.

The other option for a diaper pail is a simple kitchen trash can. A lid is a major plus here. You can use a 13 gallon can or even smaller. We use a 7 gallon can, similar to this one: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=470&ProductCategory=210§ion=3

It is low profile, holds 20-24 diapers, fits right next to the toilet and doesn’t take over the powder room. Placing it here allows us to clean the diapers with a diaper sprayer and place them directly into the diaper pail. Our washing machine is adjacent to the powder room, so this makes for a quick and easy job. We do use a hanging wet bag upstairs to store the “dirties” in, but always bring them downstairs to the diaper pail before washing.

You can buy the pail liner or the diaper pail first, each way is fine. It can be easier to buy the pail liner first, and then take it with you to shop for a diaper pail or trash can. This eliminates hours of searching and waiting for a custom bag. Just remember to buy a trash can with a lid. It keeps the smells down.

How do you WASH a pail liner?

To wash the diapers, just remove the lid, lift the diaper pail liner out of the can, and turn it inside out over the washing machine and let the diapers fall in. Toss the pail liner in with your diapers. Wash and dry with your diapers. It’s that easy.

How MANY diaper pail liners do you need?

Another pail liner tip I learned is to buy 2 diaper pail liners. Let’s face it, a wash routine can take hours. By the time you rinse the diapers, wash them 2 times, wait for them to dry, and read Parenting magazine, feed the family, nurse the baby, vacuum and mop the floor, you can have 3 or 4 dirty diapers piling up (on your freshly cleaned floors), just waiting for a clean pail liner to come out of the dryer.

I’m sorry – did you say you TRAVEL with cloth diapers?

The other awesome use for 2 pail liners is travel. Yes, I said it. TRAVEL. We think nothing of traveling to Grandma’s house or getting on an airplane with cloth diapers. The hardest part for me is storing the abundance of clean AND dirty diapers in my car, at Grandma’s house or in my luggage. (Public Disclaimer: I only put clean diapers in the luggage – although I always laugh when I see an inspected tag on the suitcase with the diapers! Ha! Wonder what that poor TSA agent was thinking while looking at a bag of diapers!)

Having 2 pail liners can make traveling with baby and cloth diapers easier. And a side note: they make completely awesome and HUGE beach bags for pool and beach trips! Wet towels and suits all go in until we find somewhere to wash!

Diaper Pail Liners are indispensible in the cloth diapering world and can easily be found for under $20.00. For the benefits, it’s worth the investment.

Fleece Longies from Kissing Bunnies Cloth

2011-12-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

I recently talked with Michelle of Kissing Bunnies Cloth. I was really interested to know about using fleece for diaper covers, etc. She makes some really cute fleece longies as well as diapers and other items in her Etsy shop. She first started using fleece as she has a wool/lanolin allergy. It works and is waterproof because it is made from polyester, the weave is so tight that it is both waterproof and breathable. The pattern she uses is from Christine Stevens, another etsy mom. Michelle says, " I really like her longie pattern because it is slim on the legs and still allows the child to wear a cloth diaper or none at all." After trying many types of diapers and doing some embroidery (so much that her machine died!), Michelle discovered fleece longies, she says they make fantastic all day pants, or overnight pants.

Michelle has been sewing for a long time, and started sewing diapers when her little man was about 4 months old. A back injury has kept her from doing many things that she used to, so sewing has become her way of keeping busy while staying at home with her children. I like how she puts it, "I sew almost everyday, it is kinda like my zen. Keeps me calm and rational with my back issue and my lack of movement. My body may be much quieter than it once was but my heart will just not let me stop. Got to keep busy somehow! This is my solution."

Michelle now sells exclusively on Etsy and at craft fairs. I asked her what she loves about selling her creations,

she replied, "I love that people buy my items. I really love that people sometimes find me and come back to see what else I have made. I love being able to stay home with my little man and keep him out of daycare, and still supplement my fabric stash. "

Please check out her fleece longies, wrap diapers and all her different creations in her Etsy shop Kissing Bunnies.

Treasury Tuesday - Mountain Lodge Style

2011-12-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

'Etsy Cloth Diapers - Mountain Lodge Style' by SweetBobbins

All you need is a few items from this collection, a bunch of snow, a cabin, and a wooden sled and you have a Cloth Diapered Baby - Winter Lodge style. :-) All of these items were chosen for their color, style and coziness. Enjoy!

High Glycerin and Shea ... WeeEssentials $4.00	Upcycled Wool Soaker Co... Myecobaby $18.00
Wool Diaper Cover, Red ... bundlesofjoy $21.00	Recycled Wool Longies D... chickadeeandme $35.00
Wool Diaper Covers sz. ... PettiBearKIDS $38.00	Cloth Diaper One Size F... LittleBoppers $26.75
Black, Cream and Grey, ... rebourne $17.50	Knit Wool Longies and H... JillyBeanJar $60.50
MamaBear Wool Pull On C... MamaBearBabyWe... $3.50	Upcycled Wool Longies S... Myecobaby $25.00
Recycled Wool Longies, ... just2cuteacces... $18.00	Fleece Diaper Liner - r... KidsCuteture $1.25
Recycled Wool Longies, ... just2cuteacces... $18.00	Reversible Wool Soaker ... FloraGayle $16.00
Recycled Wool Shorties,... just2cuteacces... $16.00	MEDIUM jar - UNDYED - M... WeeEssentials $7.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet the Team

2011-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

Where did you get the name for your shop?

Sweet Bobbins is made up of 3 main people, husband and wife team Michael, Angela and our cousin, Rene.

Sweet Bobbins is actually a funny name. My niece, who was living with us at the time, saw a little boy getting a spanking in a parking lot. She asked me what was going on. I said the little boy must have been very naughty to get a spanking in a parking lot. She looked up at me with her giant brown eyes and said with all the sweetness a 3 year old can muster in the midst of fear, "Oh Auntie, please don't spank my Sweet Bobbin!!"

I'd been looking for a shop name and while relaying the story to Grandma, I thought – Oh, perfect! Sweet Bobbins! It’s a great reference to sewing and it’s a family story- we all still laugh about it to this day!

Is it big business or a hobby?

These days, it’s becoming a big business. We just hit our 1800th sale on Etsy this week. We have a few local moms that help Angela out with cutting and organizing. We are currently in 10 boutiques in 4 countries! We are still running out of our homes, mainly Michael and Angela’s house in the Seattle area, with Rene making nursing covers and diaper pail liners in South Carolina in her guestroom.

This week Sweet Bo bbins Cloth Wipes were nominated for Cloth Diaper Accessory of 2011 by Padded Tush Stats. As a WHAM, it’s an honor to compete with some top national brands.

Sweet Bobbins started out with $40 and a serger. I was a new stay at home Mom, bored out of my mind with an almost 2 year old. I had just left an office job and found my hands WAY too empty. My daughter was able to self play, which meant I was able to play too! I bought a serger for a few hundred dollars from a friend, and started serging. I found it relaxing and started aking wipes for our own use. It didn't take long to start selling them. We simply reinvested what we earned and here we are today.

Why do you like selling on Etsy?

I love Etsy.com for the unique variety of goods sold. A favorite feature of Etsy includes the ability for customers to request custom items from sellers. We are lovers of custom items! It’s a great marketplace and we are surrounded by people who LOVE to create!

How long have you been sewing?

I was always around sewing growing up, but always refused to sew. Then, one day, a nephew was born into the family and I wanted to make something. That was about 7 years ago. I started out quilting. When my own daughter was born, I really began sewing with a friend. It was a time for me to relax on the weekends, unwind from work and make cute things for my baby girl. I pretty much taught myself how to sew via youtube.com. I still refer to youtube.com for sewing advice to this day.

What is your favorite thing to make at the moment?

I love making Sweet Bobbins Cloth Wipes. Sometimes I just get "an urge to serge" so I pick up a stack of “blanks” and start serging away. It's incredibly relaxing to me. I love that sewing is measurable work. At the end of the day, you can look back and say, "WOW, I made all of this!"

What are you passionate about?

I love day trips. I pour all of myself into Sweet Bobbins, family and volunteering. Sadly, that is as deep as my current passion travels: down winding roads, past mountain streams and cascading waterfalls, over one lane wooden suspension bridges and into private vineyards. I love Washington State and I plan to see every square inch of it, and to taste every local wine, coffee, cheese and ice cream that I can find on my iPhone aps. Oh, and I really love coffee.

What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment?

Our XL Hanging Wet B ags are my favorite item in the shop at the moment. For the mom not wanting to use a diaper pail, this is another option. It just hangs from a door knob or hook and is incredibly cute! These XL wet bags started out as a custom item. And we still offer them as custom items today! These are great for vacations, nurseries, sports gear, beach totes, hospital stays, and so much more! And they are seam sealed, which is a pro to any wet bag! Practical meets cute in this product!

Who is your inspiration?

Several people have inspired me. My Aunt Aline, who is also Rene’s mother, made custom wedding gowns when I was young. I used to sit in her sewing room looking at all the lovely lace trimmings and trying on Crinoline petticoats. Aline and Rene always amazed me with their creations. My Great Grandmother, Mamie was also a knitter and seamstress extraordinaire. In the 1940’s, she worked at Nelson’s knitting Factory making red heel stockings and sock monkeys. I inherited her knitting needles, buttons, and crochet hooks a few years ago. Today at Sweet Bobbins Seattle, the most important, beloved and indispensible tool we have is Great Grandma’s crochet hook.

Why is cloth diapering important to you?

We toyed with the idea of cloth diapering with our daughter. We tried it, but weren’t convinced. Then we did some simple math. When she was 6 months old, we switched to cloth and NEVER went back! We used one size pocket diapers just for the savings for a longer fit.
For us, cloth diapering meant saving money on diapers and the trash bill. Our water bill NEVER went up from the additional 2 loads per week. We saw cloth diapering as a win-win situation. It helped our environment, our finances and our daughter’s skin. It also is what started Sweet Bobbins. I don’t have many friends who cloth diaper, but they always say, “Wow! Had I known there were products like these, I would have considered it more!” Cute, modern products and an increase in education are bringing Cloth Diapering into the mainstream again. And we are excited to be part of that!

By: Angela Inman, Sweet Bobbins

Etsy Shop: http://www.%20sweetbobbins.etsy.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SweetBobbins

Blog: http://www.sweetbobbins.com/

Instagram: Sweet Bobbins

Twitter: @Sweetbobbins

The Eco Mom from MaMaJo diapers

2011-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

As a Mom, I strive to keep things simple, eco friendly and thrifty. Luckily, these concepts usually coexist, thus making my life much easier. For a first time mom, it is easy to get caught up in the shopping frenzy that makes many moms to be empty their pocket books. But I say, keep it simple and have things do double duty. Bath towels make excellent changing pad covers- they are super easy to use, you always have plenty on hand, and they have the added bonus of being super absorbent. The bath towel also works really well to go from bath, to changing pad (who needs the fancy and expensive bath robes for little ones)?? For toddlers, I find PJs a bit of a waste. Sweatshirts and pants work wonderfully for bedtime, and serve double duty for comfy clothes around the house. And if they are fleece, put them over 2 pairs of cotton training pants and you have a great, inexpensive potty training system. Wipes and washcloths could also be used interchangeably. Done with those small prefolds? Use them as doublers, cut them up to make washcloths or better yet, use them as fantastic cleaning cloths around the house.

When things are simple and home made, they usually are more natural, have no packaging, and cost pennies when compared to their store bought counterparts. My all time favourite eco tip and child friendly activity is PLAYDOUGH. I grew up with my mom making us playdough on a regular basis, and I have passed on this tradition to my own children. Home made playdough is much more fun as it tends to be a little softer, and stay that way longer. Plus, you can make all kinds of cool colours and smells. Traditionally, the recipe calls for food colouring but I much prefer adding Tang or Cool Aid crystals for colour, texture and wonderful aromas.

Here is the traditional recipe that I have always used:

1 cup water

3 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar

1 cup of flour

1 package of Kool-Aid Mix (any flavor of unsweetened)

1 tablespoon of cooking oil

1/2 cup of salt

Mix dry ingredients in a large/medium pan. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat until it looks like dough. Whatever the color of koolaid used should be the end result. This takes about 5 minutes. (Please see these gorgeous pictures that I am borrowing from a fellow blogger).

Here is a new, no cook recipe that works very very well ( maybe better than the traditional recipe)

Uncooked Play Dough

2 cups of plain flour
4 tablespoons of cream of tartar
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
1 cup of salt
2 cups of boiling water
food colouring or Cool Aid Crystals *

Just pop in the mixing bowl and mix. It looks like it wont mix well at first, but hang in there and it will. Just throw it onto the counter to knead and it will come together nicely.

*Add peppermint oil for a great smell and even longer lasting playdough.

Now if you really want to mix things up and have loads of fun, I suggest this site that I found while writing this blog http://www.playdoughrecipe.com/

Please enjoy with your kids. And if they eat it- dont worry, it is non toxic!!

If you have any questions you can convo. me at my shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaJodiapersandpads

December has come!

2011-12-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

'December Theme Round 2' by NorthernMom

Here we go again to celebrate Team Etsyclothdiaper's creations for the month.

Oh Deer - Small OBV AI2...

HoldensLanding

$32.00

Sweet Deer - 12x12 Swee...

SweetBobbins

$16.50

Pretzel Reindeer - Smal...

HoldensLanding

$30.00

Medium Reindeer Appliqu...

LagamorphLoung...

$18.00

OS Pocket Diaper- Rudol...

CutesyTushies

$15.00

Rudolph The Red Nose Re...

CutesyTushies

$16.00

Hoos in the Forest - 12...

SweetBobbins

$16.50

OS Pocket Diaper- Reind...

CutesyTushies

$15.00

Recycled Wool Longies, ...

just2cuteacces...

$18.00

Woodland Christmas - To...

HoldensLanding

$44.00

Christmas Waterproof Bi...

DillonandClair...

$6.50

Christmas Tree Print OS...

3monkeysclothd...

$16.00

diaper cover one size -...

Zookies

$19.00

handsewnbyme 1 Fitted C...

handsewnbyme

$8.00

One-Size Fitted Cloth D...

ClothDiaperClu...

$15.00

Print Fleece Diaper Cov...

londonware

$7.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Oh Deer - Small OBV AI2... HoldensLanding $32.00	Sweet Deer - 12x12 Swee... SweetBobbins $16.50
Pretzel Reindeer - Smal... HoldensLanding $30.00	Medium Reindeer Appliqu... LagamorphLoung... $18.00
OS Pocket Diaper- Rudol... CutesyTushies $15.00	Rudolph The Red Nose Re... CutesyTushies $16.00
Hoos in the Forest - 12... SweetBobbins $16.50	OS Pocket Diaper- Reind... CutesyTushies $15.00
Recycled Wool Longies, ... just2cuteacces... $18.00	Woodland Christmas - To... HoldensLanding $44.00
Christmas Waterproof Bi... DillonandClair... $6.50	Christmas Tree Print OS... 3monkeysclothd... $16.00
diaper cover one size -... Zookies $19.00	handsewnbyme 1 Fitted C... handsewnbyme $8.00
One-Size Fitted Cloth D... ClothDiaperClu... $15.00	Print Fleece Diaper Cov... londonware $7.00