Cloth Diapers vs. Disposables

They are NOT as primitive as they sound, trust me!
I began cloth diapering with my second child. It didn't even cross my mind with the first! One day while out shopping with my mom we walked into a store called Cotton Babies (website here). I was drawn in by their window display of adorable clothes and trendy (and VERY pricey) baby gear. I was surprised to see they mostly sell cloth diapers. Not just the kind your mother may have used on you - although they still carry those too- but cloth diapers that look like....regular old diapers. Well cuter than plain old disposable diapers because they come in cute colors!



I immediately went home and began research!  How to cloth diaper? Why cloth diaper? What are the best cloth diapers? I was about 6 months pregnant at the time and nesting anyway so I was on board after about 15 minutes, my husband on the other hand took a few days of convincing.
At the time I chose to do this because of cost reasons as I have blogged about before we had just decided I would stay home with the kids and we would have to figure out how to live on one income. Read more about how we made some changes to do that here.  After reading and researching statistics on the cost factors I came up with a plan...
I would need 18+ cloth diapers planning to wash them every couple days. The problem...18 of those super cute colorful cloth diapers (all-in-ones the most modern kind!) would run me well into the $400 range. Ouch, looking to save money not spend so much at once! So I set a budget of $100. I bought about 6 of the super cute modern Bumgenius one size all-in-ones (these literally function like a disposable diaper you just throw them in the wash instead of the trash) these are REALLY convenient for on the go or dads and other care givers! Then I bought a combination of prefolds, flats and covers (about 18-24). These include two pieces and you must fold the interior absorbent part and lay it in the cover. This is still a step up from traditional diapers pins and plastic pants!
The most surprising part I bought this all used. I know sounds gross right...used cloth diapers, but trust me it's not! Many people try it and just don't like it!
So I can say with confidence I diapered baby #2 for $100! Studies show you will spend $1,800+ on disposable diapers for the first two years of a baby's life. Read more on that here. Plus if you cloth diaper you'll have a green baby! I not going to get into it a lot here but disposable diapers are said to contain a lot of chemicals. Once I had baby #3 I did get a little lazy with having two in diapers at the same time. I do cloth diapers at home and disposables when we go out and at night.

If this is something your thinking about...it can be done, and on the cheap! Do your research get involved in some online forums, try to visit a retail store to see the diapers in person, and ask around it's a lot more common than you may think!

If you really want to know how we do it...
Our "stash":
One wet bag - like this one
6 BumGenius OS 3.0
18 Prefolds
12 Flats - I fold these like a prefold and just lay it in the cover
6 covers (econobum, flip, and bummis - all by cotton babies)
This list above diapers 2 kids (everything is one size fits all -adjustable) and I only wash them 2 times a week!

Great resources:
Cotton Babies
Diaper Pin 

A Sock Monkey Inspired Kid's Space - BUY or DIY - #4 Cable Knit Bedding and Pillows

Working with the Cre8tive Concept Board - "A Sock Monkey Inspired Kid's Space" Here is what you can BUY or DIY...Today
(check Monday's BUY or DIY here and Tuesdays here)

OR

4. Cable knit Bedding & Pillows

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From.........



http://thecre8tiveoutlet.blogspot.com/2011/07/cre8tive-concept-board-kids-room.html



Cre8tive Concept Board

 "A Sock Monkey Inspired Kid's Space"

This one is definitely on my project list! I love the look and feel of soft cable knit throws and pillows. Besides looking great in the room featured above, I'd love some for my living room come Fall.

Unless you knit....Goodwill (or other thrift stores) are great places to find  good cable knit sweaters you can re purpose into pillows or bedding. I'd love to do an entire quilt!



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 Try out this Tutorial for simple cable knit pillows. 
If you attempt a DIY I'd love to see it! Comment and leave a link to your project!

Little Dresses for Africa

While waiting in the pediatrician's office for baby Cooper's 6 month appt. I saw a flyer for little dresses for Africa. If you haven't been to their website http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/ check if out.

I started going through my insane mess of sewing supplies and found a ton of decent sized fabric scraps. I have always enjoyed sewing and sew a little here and there mainly crafty stuff for the kids. I had a simple girls pinafore dress pattern I have been wanting to use (but have no girls to sew for!) so I finally put it to use. I made 5 little size 2 dresses! They are so cute! I must admit to my husbands dismay...I had to try one on Brody - to size it... of course ;)

So today I am making a trip to the post office hoping some little girls in Africa (and other third world country's) will enjoy them!

 I changed the original button and loop closure after reading buttons, elastic, and zippers and be hard to repair. So they all have a simple tie.

I had so much fun making them and feel great they are going towards a good cause!

Getting Big....Getting better

Cooper is getting SO big! he is about 10 weeks now!

I have been battling a flu/cold for over a week! I have not been this sick in a LONG time. I had to call in reinforcements to help with the kids! I am finally better though I have not been able to do any fun projects.....:(

Worse than the flu...my sister-in-law had to be admitted to the hospital. She is 28 weeks pregnant with twins and apparently the babies think they are ready!!!

Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up on some projects this weekend!

Poof, Puff, Pom-Pom.....

Poof... Puff.... Pom-pom..... whatever they are called I made them!

I new I wanted to make some of these for my Sister-In-Law's baby shower. I tried a few this weekend and LOVE the way they turned out! I hung them over baby cooper's crib and he loves to look up and watch them. I made four that range in about 30"-15"dia. I just googled "how to make a poof ball" and found many tutorials. The best part is besides 7 pieces of tissue paper per poof they were almost free! (I found tissue paper - 30 sheets for 99cents!)

So easy...So cute!

A Little Boy in a Big Boy Bed.....

Brody is sleeping in his Big Boy Bed! It's a good thing because him and Kohen are now sharing a room...3 bedroom house and 3 boys = problems!

Keeping Busy......

I have two BIG projects started right now! I bet you can guess one!
I hope to have more posted today! Of course this all depends on nap times.

Ballard Designs

Baby Shower Invite - Tutorial

I made these invitations for my sister-in-law's baby shower - read more about that here.



This is super easy and super cute!

Each invitation card is about 5.5"x4.25" (1/4 of letter size paper).

The Diaper cover for the invitation is just regular card stock. Then I "pinned" it closed with a safety pin.

Print this horizontally across one letter size piece of paper. It will take one whole piece of 8.5x11" paper per "diaper".

Good Luck!

A baby shower for TWINS!

My Sister-In-Law is having TWINS! A girl and a boy! I am planning a baby shower and as I do things I'll post about them. My goal is to make everything by hand and keep the cost down!

I just finished the invitations last night!










It's hard to tell in these pictures but the invitation cover is a folded diaper! We're asking everyone to bring a package of diapers so I thought it would be appropriate! The colors are all neutral!





Now I need to start planning decorations!


Want to try this too? Tutorial here!