Holy Jumping Babies, Batman

So our little princess has started jumping. Shortly after this video we put a mirror up beside her and she is just in love with herself. If you are wondering what she is staring at in this video it's Daddy.

I Think Diapers are Just Dandy

The firs diapers I ever sewed

So, I was just sewing up more inserts for my diapers and the thought occurred to me that as much as I wish more parents would be brave enough to experience the joys of cloth diapering, the cloth diapering parents should consider sewing.

I learned to sew with cloth diapers so it can't be that hard. Each diaper is a quick project taking as little as 20 minutes for a cover to an hour and a half for an embellished pocket diaper.

I realized that I have gotten to the point where the majority of my stash is hand made. That is something I get to be very proud of. I have only a handful of store bought diapers left (4 Happy Heinys pockets, Flip Day pack, 2 Kissaluvs contours, and a few prefolds and inserts).

Benefits of Sewing Your Own Cloth Diapers

1. Better fit: When you sew the diapers you can choose a pattern that fits your baby well, or make your own. Best of all your can evolve that pattern as you go fixing any fit issues until you have it perfect.
2. Custom and Unique: The diapers you sew can't be bought at any store, you will be the only one with that diaper. You get to pick the features you like, the fabric you like and the design.
3. Style: You may find that you just can't find a PUL in a pattern you like, that's ok, you can use any fabric you like over the PUL creating a truly one of a kind diaper.
4. Savings: Cloth diapering is a big investment upfront, but we don't mind making it because we know that we will see big savings in comparison to the long term purchasing of  disposables. The investment can be made smaller though. Some moms like to raid the linen closet, and cut up old T-shirts, even wool sweaters, making their stash almost free, not ambitious enough for that, that's ok. I made a dozen fitted diapers, making my diapers for $3.50 a piece. Good luck buying them that cheap.
5. Pride: There is just something that feels good about being able to say I made that.

I am going to issue a challenge to every cloth diapering mother or father out there with a sewing machine to give it  a try, and sew a diaper. It's easy, I promise. I will even give some advice on fabric, and design.

Craft-tastic Tuesday - One Size Cloth Diaper Inserts

Well, my Simplifi Fabric order arrived Friday and I have nothing but nice things to say about them. The cuts are extremely generous, the fabrics are exactly what I expected or better. I will definitely be ordering there again.
So naturaly, having lots of new fabric to work with, I got right to work. Todays project is a one size cloth diaper insert that is modeled after the Jam Tots One Size Stuffers. My per insert cost works out to just under $3.00 each. I really like the Jam Tots inserts but this project gave me the chance to modify them to fit my needs. You will require a snap press or pliers to make these but if you are going to be making a lot of cloth diapers it is definitly a worth while investment. My pliers were about $18.00 at Walmart and you can order them from Wazoodle or Simplifi as well.

For this project you will require: (makes 6)
1 yard - Hemp Terry (prewashed)
1 yard - Microfiber Terry (prewashed)
Snap Press and 8 snaps (two studs and six sockets or vice versa)
Serger (although you could turn and top-stitch these)
Basic sewing notions

Theme Two:

Preschool Day at the Lake etc.

School is over for the summer so being the last week of preschool, there were a few fun events. On Wednesday we all headed to the Usk Hobby Farm, and I really wish I hadn't forgotten my camera. Today was the farewell event, a family afternoon at the Kin Kamp. This time I had my camera but I wont be able to share all my photos as I believe it is bad form to post photos of other peoples children with out there knowledge or permission.

Photo Friday - Through Greg's Lens

I know I missed last Friday and even though I have chose to amend my schedule for Photo Fridays I do feel that I should be posting a little extra this week and so I have two themes in this post. Also, I am sorry to be posting this so late in the day.

Theme One:

Through Greg's Lens

I have a small collection of photos that Greg took over the last week to share with you. I always enjoy handing over the camera so I can see the things that my children find photo-worthy. It is neat to see the world through a child's eyes. So here goes...

When in doubt, photograph the TV

Even if it is off.

A fuzzy kitty is always a good subject.

Diaper Sewing and Future Tutorials

So, I am having a late night internet search. I have been looking for cloth insert patterns to stuff in my now perfected pocket diaper pattern. No luck, I can't find much other than your basic rectangle insert made of flannel so I will just have to design my own.
I have finally pulled the serger out and learned how to thread it. So this should give me a leg up in the insert making process. While I wait for my fabric order to come in I can practice, maybe use up some flannel scraps to make boring inserts.
I have started to really really like my Jam Tots One Size Stuffers, and I have a feeling that I could sew these myself. And then, I have been liking the sound of the Loopy-Do inserts and now I think I might try to make an insert that combines the best of both of these.
The next Craft-tastic Tuesday will very likely be a cloth diaper sewing post. Either I will let you know how my inserts turn out, possibly even provide the tutorial and pattern, or I will give you a pocket diaper pattern and tips.
I am also going to be opening an Etsy shop to sell my headbands (possibly cloth diapers down the road) once I have a little stock put together, so if anyone has any requests or suggestions, now is the time. Stacey, I hope your little bun doesn't mind modeling a few when she gets out of the oven.
I still owe a photo post but I think that it may be more realistic for me to make this a bi-weekly post like the crafting as I seem to get busy with the little things during the week and then Friday just sneaks up on me. We shall see what happens.

IOU

One photo post,

This weekend.

I kept forgetting to put the memory card back in my camera this week.

Oops.