Wordless Wednesday: Ready for Fall!

This week I pulled out the few fall decorations I have and made a wreath to decorate the front door. This is my first wreath I have ever made (minus the Christmas one here but I don't think it counts ;-) and it was so much fun. I picked up everything at Michaels for about $15 since it was all on sale. Now I'm thinking about making a Christmas one!

Sewing Week.......Done!

or maybe I should say "done enough!" haha! I actually have a few more things I need to finish up. I need to sew up some more wash cloths for sure. I'm also contemplating sewing up more PJs for Ethan since that is what I bought the fabric for or just hanging onto it to make some for Cole next fall. Ethan has enough now anyway so the later is sounding better. The last thing I want to do is make some mama cloth, but really just panty liners for now. I don't feel adventurous enough to make post partum cloth either ;-)



So...here's all my goodies. I will link to the tutorials I used. I also have 2 tutorials I will be posting myself sometime this week on how to make a wet bag and how to convert a regular bra into a nursing bra. My methods were really different than others I saw on the internet so I want to share my own tutorials with you on these.

First, the fitted cloth diapers! I have tried several free patterns on the internet and couldn't find any that I really liked and seemed true-to-size. I ran across this pattern on BrambleStitches a few months back and printed it out. She used this pattern to make pockets, but I decided to make fitteds. I'm not overly excited about using fitteds and covers, but for the newborn stage they will work just fine. I also used ALL scrap material to sew up these diapers so I didn't spend any money to make these. I did purchase a yard of PUL at JoAnns back in the fall, but there have been many reports of the PUL colors delaminating on Diaper Swappers so I was afraid to make any more pockets from it. (By the way, it has been reported that there hasn't been any issues for the white PUL for sure) Remember, I'm pretty cheap when it comes to cloth diapering so I wasn't about to buy PUL online either when I had scraps I could make fitteds from.

I did some research online to see how many layers a fitted typically has and set to work. I made a couple of newborn sized fitteds first. The first two are usable but they are much thicker. These are my least favorite because of how I put layers together. It made it kind of bulky to sew with as well as difficult to get the standard size snaps to go all the way through.  I used my KamSnap pliers, but don't let this deter you if you don't have pliers. Some women say that flannel is very snappi friendly.

Outside & Lining Layer: Cotton Flannel
Inside: 4 layers of old t-shirts

Snap in Soaker: 2 layers old t-shirts with top layer cotton velvet

Outside & Lining Layer: Cotton Print
Inside: 4 layers of old t-shirts

Snap in Soaker: 2 layers old t-shirts with top layer cotton velvet


After I sewed up these two fitteds I realized I needed to start using less full layers for the inside and have sewn in soakers. I also decided not to be cheap with my cotton velvet scraps and go ahead and use them at the full top lining fabric ;-) I don't recommend cotton velvet  for cloth diapers, it's not a durable long lasting fabric. I was just using up scraps I had (I had received a large cut from my mom) so I wasn't out any money making these diapers.

Since the diapers were fitting true-to-size I started making a newborn and small sized diapers with each cutting. Making 2 at a time was faster.

Flannel outer
Cotton Velvet Lining
One full layer inner from old t-shirt
3 layers sewn in soaker from old t-shirt
3 layer snap in soaker

Newborn has umbilical snap down

Inner Cotton Velvet
3 layer snap in soaker (2 layers old tshirts and top layer cotton velvet)

Flannel outer
Cotton Velvet Lining
One full layer inner from old t-shirt
3 layers sewn in soaker from old t-shirt
3 layer snap in soaker

Flannel outer
Cotton Velvet Lining
One full layer inner from old t-shirt
3 layers sewn in soaker from old t-shirt
3 layer snap in soaker

Cotton Print outer
Cotton Velvet Lining
One full layer inner from old t-shirt
4 layers sewn in soaker from old t-shirt
3 layer snap in soaker

Inner Cotton Velvet
3 layer snap in soaker (2 layers old tshirts and top layer cotton velvet)

Flannel outer
Anti-Pill Fleece Lining (oops, ran out of cotton velvet! I bought one yard of fleece since it was on sale at JoAnns plus I had an extra 20% coupon to use. I need some fleece for other projects anyway!)
One full layer inner from old t-shirt
4 layers sewn in soaker from old t-shirt
3 layer snap in soaker

Newborn has umbilical snap down

Inner Anti-Pill Fleece
3 layer snap in soaker (2 layers old tshirts and top layer anti-pill fleece)

 Ok, I did buy 1/2 of this cute Easter print because I really wanted him to have an Easter diaper :-P It was only $1.50 and of course I only used a tiny bit of it to make this one diaper. I didn't realize it had all the pink and purple in it until after I had the fabric cut! All I saw when I picked it out that is was bright green and THAT is boyish right?! haha!

Easter cotton print outer
Anti-pill fleece lining with 3 layers of old t-shirt sewn in soaker.

3 layer snap in soaker (2 layer old t-shirt, top layer anti-pill fleece.

umbilical cord snap down.

3 layer snap in soaker (2 layer old t-shirt, top layer anti-pill fleece.


After the diapers I converted 2 bras into nursing bras. I bought a 2 pack of bras at Big Lots for $8. Believe it or not, they are more comfortable than my purchased more expensive nursing bras! I had all the materials to convert the bras so it made it $4 each! I will be posting a tutorial this week on how to do it with snaps, but don't despair, I will give you links to other products that you can do this without snap pliers!

Here's a photo of one

My new bras aren't lined so I whipped up some of these contoured nursing pads. And I do mean 'whip up', they were really fast to make. I only sewed up 4 pair because I wasn't sure if I would like the materials I used. Since they were fast to make I can always make new ones after Cole is born with different materials. The bottom layer (the one that is touching the bra) is the anti-pill fleece. It will make it kind of 'waterproof' but also will keep it in place in my bra. The middle layer is scrap flannel and the top layer is cotton velvet.

I saw this cute way of embellishing a kimono tee. I had 4 white ones from Ethan so I spent $1 on a package of ric-rac to dress them up. I had 2 spare buttons for one shirt. I just need to find more for the others.

Last, but certainly not least I made a wet bag. I needed a larger one to keep in the diaper bag since the one I have only holds 1 to 2 diapers. I have never sewn a zipper and I found it pretty simple. Most tutorials I found online were kind of confusing so I just did my own thing. I typically do my 'own thing' when it comes to sewing anyway. I'll have a tutorial up this week as well. I used all scrap material (even the zipper) and made it into approx 12x12 finished size. I figured the lime green PUL was safe to use for a wet bag since it's not getting washed as often.

That's it! Can you believe it, I'm still in the mood to sew?! I'm trying to think of other things that I need or want to make. I must be crazy....

Take Time to Share Your Christmas Traditions: Christmas Crafts

I'll admit it now but this is the one week I totally bomb out on ideas and looking for ideas for other moms! This weeks post is anything to do with crafts whether you have made some in the past for yourself, have your kids make them or you make some for friends & family for gifts. I'm looking for ideas to start doing with our kids. It would be nice to do something every year like some kind of ornament.

My only craft is the Christmas stockings I make for each family member. I started with Ethan's and finished it last year. I buy the Buscilla brand stocking kits because that is the some type of kit mine was made when I was a baby. The kit comes with a felt stocking, but I bought  1/2 yard of velvet type material and made the stocking slightly larger. I also add tons more sequins and beads than the kit calls for so I end up spending a few more dollars buying those. These stockings are cute if you just follow the kit, you don't have to do the extra embellishing like I do. I have spent days upon days working on Ethan's stocking.

Here's what the kit looks like:

Here's what Ethan's stocking looked like after I got done. The stocking is a dark navy. I know it looks almost black in the photo. 

Here's the kit I bought for Andrew. I've had all year to work on his and I'm just now starting on it! Kind of finding a difficult time keeping motivated on this one too I don't know why. I'm working on the snowman covering him completely with sequins. I'm worried because I don't think the face will look right that way. I WILL get it done though.

I'm on the lookout for Cole's stocking. I would like to work on it through out the year and have it ready for his first Christmas. We'll see! I'm scoping out ebay right now, there is a ton of Buscilla kits on there during this time. You can also purchase these kits from JoAnns online.

Halloween Gingerbread House Party

This was my second year to have a Halloween Gingerbread House Party. I keep it simple with family and one friend. Our Annual Price's Gingerbread House Decorating Party in December is when I invites lots more family and friends. I have a tentative date down for our 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party in December. I will finalize it soon and order the invites

It's really fun to decorate a gingerbread house with really spooky candy and bright colors. You can check out my 3 part series on how to make a gingerbread house here & see photos from last year. I also have a link below where I bought my gingerbread house mold.


I didn't check the settings on my camera before handing it to my husband to take photos so the pics look awful! I also forgot to get a good picture of the food table. Pregnancy brain!

We used up some more candy from Ethan's Party that I got from CandyWarehouse.com and our guests also brought a great supply of other Halloween candy to use on the houses as well.. Check out CandyWarehouse.com for their great selection of Halloween candy that is now up to 30% off! PLUS: Use code "ShipFastHalloween" for 30% off Next Day and Second Day Air via UPS! Offer expires 10/26 at midnight!

  I let Ethan do all the decorating this year which was the first year he really understood what he was supposed to do with the candy ;-) I only added a little bit to the "front yard" at the end. I'm looking forward to our Christmas one this year!

The food table.

This years punch was lemon-lime koolaid and gingerale. Pretty tasty!

 Decorating takes lots of concentration you know.

  This year I colored the royal icing orange, green, purple and black. I had to use a LOT of color to make them really bright. Really, who wants a pastel colored Halloween house?!

Don't you love the teeth on the side of the house mixed with candy corn? Ethan's idea!

I think this was about the point he started to loose interest (aka, I've eaten enough candy now!)

After Ethan left I was trying to figure out what else to add......mommy was loosing interest too lol

It's done!

A better pictures of Ethan's little house.

I've been featured!

Yes, I've been featured twice on Cake Mom! She is sharing ideas on fall sweets and she is featuring my Halloween Gingerbread House & Halloween Cupcake Stand posts from last year.

I'm super excited because next Saturday is my 2nd Halloween Gingerbread House Party. I'll be sharing all the fun photos and it will be just in time to give you the creativity bug to have your own party before Halloween, right? :-) Then in December will be our 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party with lots of family and friends. Lots of fun stuff ahead!

AMP One Size Duo Diaper Review & Giveaway

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About AMP Diapers!

Information from website.

My name is Annie and I am a mom to five great children, Miranda my sweet 15 year old daughter, Max my sensitive 7 year old, Liam is 5, he's my little charmer, my tiny little Nyah is 2 she is such a busy and fun little girl and my little Abby was born April 2009 she is a true gift and is loved by all.

As a new mom in the 90's I tried cloth diapers more than once and failed each time. I wanted to use cloth but lacked the support and information I needed to be successful. I first successfully made the switch to cloth in 2003 when my oldest son was just a tiny newborn. I started out with hand me downs that a friend gave me, I had to repair these diapers on a regular basis because they'd been bleached, the fabric was falling apart and the edges against the baby's skin were stiff and seamed a little uncomfortable. I finally bought some new diapers from a department store, I thought this was the perfect solution and I was thrilled. The department store diapers were a disappointment they were not absorbent, they stuck to each other in the wash and didn't even fit right, so that's when I got sewing. I came up with many different models of diapers before I came up with some easy to use, easy to wash and comfortable diapers for my baby. Some friends urged me to make some for them and a company was born. The company grew so quickly it took us a few years for us to catch our breath and realize that we had made something wonderful, something that is better for our planet, for babies and saves parents a lot of money.

I call them Annie Marie Padorie's (which is what my grandfather used to call me). I'm so happy to be able to offer them to other cloth diapering families.  I no longer sew all the diapers myself, I now have a wonderful team of men and women that work very hard at making the highest quality products possible. Every AMP diaper is made in our own factory right here in Canada our employees make a fair wage and work in comfortable and safe working conditions.


About the AMP One Size Duo Diaper!

The new AMP one size Duo pocket diaper (patent pending) is a revolutionary new diaper that combines both the benefits of the AI2 diaper and the pocket diaper all in a one size. The intelligent snap placement allows this diaper to have three different rise options and multiple tummy and thigh settings for a custom fit from birth to potty training (7-35lbs). The outer waterproof layer is a soft durable laminated PUL and the inside is a dreamy soft layer of custom milled stay dry fleece that is designed to wick wetness away and keep baby dry and comfortable. The envelope opening is large enough for easy stuffing and is placed at the front of the diaper to make removing the insert easy and mess free.

To use snap the rise adjusting snaps to the appropriate setting and place insert inside the diaper. Place the diaper under baby and fasten the tummy and thigh snaps at a snug but comfortable position. 

To use this diaper as an All in two diaper, place the insert on top of the fleece making sure that the absorbent insert is between the elastic gathers instead of placing the insert inside of the envelope opening. If the diaper is still dry replace the absorbent insert with a dry one and re-use the diaper.

Watch this informative video about how to adjust sizes in the AMP One Size Duo Diaper & the different inserts.

Our AMP One Size Duo Diaper Experience!
AMP sent me the One Size Duo Diaper in orange and aqua. I just love the bright colors I received, very pretty. The AMP One Size Duo Diaper has a very soft outer PUL and microfleece inner layer. The AMP One Size Duo Diaper is different from any other diaper because you stuff the insert through the front of the diaper. There is a nice wide "flap" where you stuff the insert into the diaper and fold back over. The flap lies down smoothly. Having the opening in the front is such a great idea. On all my diapers with the opening in the back I'm always having to tuck the flap down after I get the diaper on Ethan. 

           **click on photo to enlarge**

Another thing I love about the AMP One Size Duo Diaper is the elastic in the top of the diaper. I am able to achieve a nice tight fit around Ethan's skinny tummy. On some snap diapers I have a difficult time getting a good fit around the legs, but not with this diaper. The two rows of snaps on top and the great elastic through the legs gets a great fit all around on Ethan. 

The inserts with the AMP One Size Duo Diaper are superb. There are several hemp and bamboo inserts to choose from depending the absorption need of your baby. I fell in love with the AMP bamboo insert. It is so soft and smooth. The bamboo insert absorbs a ton! I like having the insert flat to where I can fold it to the size I need to fit the diaper and it dries much faster when I put it in the drier. In the photo Ethan is wearing the orange diaper with two inserts and the aqua with one insert.


Overall I am super impressed with the construction, function and options of the AMP One Size Duo Diaper. Ethan as worn them a few times now and we have not had any leaks or problems. I find myself reaching for this diaper first if I see it in my clean diaper basket :-)


Our Favorite Features of the AMP One Size Duo Diaper!

• The huge selection of beautiful colors.
•  The bamboo insert absorbs very well & is super soft.
• The front insert opening! 
• Achieves a really great fit than most other snap diapers.

BUY IT! You can purchase directly at the AMP Diaper Store.

WIN IT! AMP Diapers is giving away one AMP One Size Duo Diaper (winner's choice of color) to a Take Time to Smell the Rose reader!

You have the chance to enter several entries by the doing the following. Each one counts as 1 entry unless otherwise specified.

• MANDATORY ENTRY-counts as 1: Go to AMP Diapers and look around. Tell me what other AMP product you would like to try & what color of AMP One Size Duo Diaper you would like if you win.
  

• Follow my blog publicly. THIS COUNTS AS 5 ENTRIES! Comment for each entry separately as "I follow your blog publicly #1", etc.

• Subscribe to my blog via email with Feedburner (on right side bar). Counts as 2 entries!

• Blog about my giveaway before February 2nd, linking back to this giveaway. Leave the URL where you blogged.

• Read here how you can earn an additional 10 entries by blogging about my One Size Cloth Diaper Event AND adding the One Size Cloth Diaper Event button to your blog. You must comment on the post to let me know you did participate and qualify. If you qualify, post your additional 10 entries here as "Qualified for extra 10 entries #1", "Qualified for extra 10 entries #2", etc.

• Grab my  Take Time to Smell the Rose button. Leave URL where it is posted.

• Grab my Take Time to Share Your Giveaway Sunday button. Leave URL where it is posted.

• Follow Smell_the_Rose on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. After initial "tweet" you may gain extra entries each day per tweet. Limit 3 tweets a day. Leave URL where you tweeted in your comment.

• Vote for me at the Top Mommy Blogger by clicking here Vote must be a new vote placed between Jan 29 and Feb 12. The vote will only count for this review  giveaway. COUNTS AS 2 ENTRIES. Comment separately as "Voted for you on Top Mommy Blogger #1" and "Voted for you on Top Mommy Blogger #2"

• Subscribe to the AMP Diapers Newsletter.

• Follow AMPDiapers on Twitter.

• Subscribe to AMP Diaper Store Mailing List. 

Please copy and paste this for your tweets:

Win an AMP OS #clothdiapers from @AMPDiapers and @smell_the_rose. Huge One Size Event featuring 22 diapers!  http://tiny.cc/AMPDiapers

**Leave your email on each comment. You must do this in order to win!**

Giveaway ends Friday, February 12, 2010 at 9:00 p.m.(CST) Winner will be drawn by the random number generator at Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner will also be announced on this blog. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

This giveaway is open to USA & Canadian residents ONLY . Must be 18 years old or older to win.

Thank you to AMP Diapers who provided us with the products to do this review. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received to conduct this review & giveaway.

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