Wordless Wednesday: The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2012

If you cloth diaper I'm sure you heard about the annual Great Cloth Diaper Change that was held this past weekend. This was Tulsa's first year to participate and Cole & I were able to take apart of the event. It was held at Whole Foods and was packed with 109 babies changed. The coordinator, Toni Keltner,worked really hard to make our event wonderful. We had swag bags packed with free products, coupons and discounts. Plus there was over 90 giveaway prizes. I won the very last prize, a Step2 play kitchen. The boys LOVE it! If you didn't have a local GCDC in your area this year, get together with some of your friends and coordinate one for your town next year! Here's some photos from the event that Cole and I were in :-)

Bummis BeautifulBASIC 2- Piece Cloth Diaper Kit Review & Giveaway

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Prefolds and covers are one of my favorite cloth diapering options. I have experienced that it's the only method that works 100% to prevent leaks and blow outs on my newborns. In fact I ended up exclusively using them for the first couple of months with Cole. Nothing was working on my little super soaker man except for prefolds and covers!

I know that not a lot of cloth diapering parents have even tried prefolds maybe because they may be intimidated by folding techniques or just using the method at all. I can assure you they are the most simplest and easiest diapering options out there. I'm convinced every cloth diapering parent needs a few prefolds and covers in their stash for a few good reasons.

1. Anytime my baby has developed a diaper rash I can put him in prefolds and covers for the day and usually the rash clears up within a day! (sometimes with a little help of diaper cream as well, but I haven't always used this)
2. It's a great back up option for when you need to strip your whole diaper stash.
3. It does not hold the stink like microfiber or other man made fabrics used in some diapers. I have never had to strip a prefold!
4. One of the most breathable and "natural" diapering options available.

Bummis has one of the best "start up" kits, the BeautifulBASIC 2 piece Cloth Diaper kit, for those wanting to try out the prefold and cover method. This kit includes 3 Organic Cotton Prefold Inserts and 1 Waterproof Wrap.  You can choose from a boy, girl, or unisex print wrap.  The BeautifulBASIC comes in 2 sizes to better fit your little one. "Infant" fits approximately 8 to 15 pounds and "Baby" fits approximately 15 to 30 pounds. Watch the video below to see how easy it is to use this kit.



Our BeautifulBASIC 2 Piece Cloth Diaper Kit Experience!
We were sent the Boy print, Rocket, in the Baby size to try out. The 3 prefolds are really soft and thick. I like the fact they are a natural unbleached organic cotton so they hide stains. The bright red rocket cover is the cutest wrap I have ever seen! All I own is solid gender neutral colors so it is a real treat to own a cute boy print cover. Nothing is more boyish than rockets on a red cover!

Cole was close to 15 pounds when we received the kit and I started using it right away. I only had to fold down the prefold a tad in the front. He is about 18 pounds in the current photo where I am using the Snappi to secure the prefold on him. You do not need a Snappi to use the BeautifulBASIC kit, in fact, it is advertised as a trifold placed into the cover to make it more simple.

The prefold is super absorbent and it is really bullet proof combined with the wrap. The material on the wrap is very pliable. The thickness of the wrap is just right, not too thick or too thin. I've owned wraps before that were not the right thickness and they were always a headache because of constant leaks or from a too bulky material. My favorite feature of the wrap is the leg elastic. Obviously Cole is chunky and it fits well around his waist and legs without cutting into him or leaving red marks. The elastic provides adequate amount of give around the legs to give a secure, leak-proof fit.

We have used the BeautifulBASIC 2- piece kit multiple times both day and night. I have not had any trouble with leaks and it supplies great absorption. This is the second Bummis item for me to review (see my Easy Fit review, I still love this diaper!) and I am not surprised that the BeautifulBASIC 2- piece kit has the same awesome quality and style. Bummis items never disappoint me!


BUY IT! You can purchase the Bummis BeautifulBASIC 2-Piece Cloth Diaper Kit from this list of retailers.


WIN IT! Bummis is giving away a BeautifulBASIC 2-Piece Cloth Diaper Kit (winner's choice of gender)  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. I am now making it a requirement to follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect to enter my giveaways.

• MANDATORY ENTRY(You also must be following my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect)-COUNTS AS 1 TOTAL: AND visit Bummis and look around to see what they offer. Tell me a fact about one of their new products they offer.

• Subscribe to my blog via email with Feedburner (on right side bar).
  

• Blog about my giveaway, linking back to this giveaway and Bummis. Leave the URL where you blogged. 6 entries! Leave a comment for each entry.

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

• Follow Smell_the_Rose  AND Bummis on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. After initial "tweet" you may gain an extra entry each day. Limit 1 tweet a day.  Leave URL where you tweeted in your comment. Please use this copy & paste tweet:

I have entered to #Win a @Bummis BeautifulBASIC 2-Piece Cloth Diaper Kit from @Smell_the_Rose  #giveaway #clothdiapers http://tiny.cc/Bummis

•  'Like' Take Time to Smell the Rose on Facebook. 3 entries! Leave a comment for each entry (even if you are already a fan)

• 'Like' Bummis on Facebook. 3 entries! Leave a comment for each entry (even if you are already a fan) 

• Follow the Bummis Blog. 3 entries!

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

Giveaway ends Sunday, October 9, 2011 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 and Canadian residents ONLY . Must be 18 years old or older to win.

The thoughts and opinions expressed on my blog are my own and are not swayed by any monetary or product compensation. Bummis  provided me with the items mentioned in the review and no other compensation was received. O

~~~THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED~~~

Wordless Wednesday: Baby's First Cloth Diaper

At 8 lbs 9 ozs this BG AIO xsmall barely fit. Not only that it just doesn't have the absorbancy needed for my newborn. Really frustrated & despise these diapers and they will be hitting diaperswappers ASAP! I do have a few I really like and one that I absolutely love so far. Still have many others to test out.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I can't believe how much Ethan has changed in 1 year! It makes me want to cry! (thank you pregnancy hormones!) I was going to use the same diaper, but it's in the washer right now ;-)

Real Nappies Cloth Diapers Review & Giveaway

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Cloth diapering with prefolds and covers is my favorite option for newborns. It not only contains messes well in the diaper, but it is also the most inexpensive option to cloth diapering a newborn. Real Nappies has created prefold and cover systems to fit from newborn through toddler that is inexpensive. Their products even come with a "Two-Child Guarantee", promising the materials on their systems will last through 2 children or they will replace them!

How the Real Nappies Systems Work

A Real Nappies System is composed of 3 pieces, the waterproof diaper cover, the cotton prefold and the bioliner diaper liner. The waterproof cover is made of PUL fabric to keep the wetness in and clothes dry. The cover only needs to be washed when soiled and it dries very quickly. The cotton prefold is made from a highly absorbent all natural materials. In fact, the cotton has undergone rigorous testing to be checked for over 100 harmful substances. The bioliner diaper liner is a flushable and biodegradable liner to allow moisture to seep through to the prefold below, but keep messes on top of the liner making it easier to dispose of.

Our Real Nappies Experience!
I received a Real Nappies Intro Pack in the Newborn Size to try out on Cole. Obviously I haven't had a chance to try it out on him yet since we are still waiting on his grand arrival. However, I am getting his stash of cloth diapers together and I am excited about adding a Real Nappies pack to it. 

Prefolds and covers are my favorite option in cloth diapering newborns for several reasons. First of all the always seem to contain messes the best. Second, the cotton prefolds help newly sensitive bottoms from developing diaper rashes much less than using other types of cloth diapers made from man made materials. Third, prefolds and covers wash up very clean and I hardly ever hear parents having stink issues with them.

Once I received my intro pack I opened it up to check it out. I love the thickness of the cover and how stretchy the waist and legs are. My former newborn covers were nothing like the Real Nappies Snug Wrap and left red marks on Ethan's legs. I can tell that this cover will really fit much better.  The prefold is super soft and it wash up nicely. Folded up it fits great in the cover. The intro pack also includes one bioliner which I'm interested in trying out. 

Overall the Real Nappies System looks great and I really can't wait to try it out on Cole (he just needs to hurry up and arrive!). I will be sharing how the Real Nappies System works on him after he's here so keep your eye out for that post!

BUY IT! You can purchase directly on the Real Nappies website. Right now they have a special deal on their 6 pack of Snug Wraps for $36! Great price!

WIN IT! Real Nappies is giving away a Real Nappies System Intro Pack (winner's choice of size) 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. I am now making it a requirement to follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect to enter my giveaways.

• MANDATORY ENTRY(You also must be following my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect)-COUNTS AS 1 TOTAL: AND visit Real Nappies and tell me a fact about their products that I did not mention in my review.

• Subscribe to my blog via email with Feedburner (on right side bar).
  

• Blog about my giveaway, linking back to this giveaway and Real Nappies. Leave the URL where you blogged. 6 entries! Leave a comment for each entry.

• Did you earn the extra 10 entries for the Bump 2 Baby event? Read here for the details. Enter 10 separate entries such as "I earned 10 extra entries #1", " I earned 10 extra 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.

• Grab my Bump 2 Baby event button. Leave URL where it is posted.  

• Follow Smell_the_Rose AND Real_Nappies on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. After initial "tweet" you may gain an extra entry each day. Limit 1 tweet a day.  Leave URL where you tweeted in your comment. Please use this copy & paste tweet:

#Win a #Clothdiapers System from @Real_Nappies and @Smell_the_Rose #giveaway #baby #pregnancy  http://tiny.cc/RealNappies

•  'Like' Real Nappies USA on Facebook (even if you are already a fan). 3 entries! Leave a comment for each entry

•  'Like' Take Time to Smell the Rose on Facebook. 3 entries! Leave a comment for each entry (even if you are already a fan)

• Sign up for the Real Nappies Newsletter. Link on left hand side. 3 entries! Leave a comment for each entry

• Leave a comment on any non-giveaway 'Bump 2 Baby' post for 1 entry for each comment made.

• Place a bid on the Jeep Traveler Tandem Stroller Silent Auction. 10 entries for each bid! Leave a comment for each entry you qualify for.

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

Giveaway ends Sunday, March 27, 2011 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 residents ONLY . Must be 18 years old or older to win.

The thoughts and opinions expressed on my blog are my own and are not swayed by any monetary or product compensation. I received a complimentary Real Nappies Newborn Intro Pack and no other compensation was received. 

 

~~~THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED~~~

I'm the winner of the $250 Cloth Diaper Package from MOAS!!!

Just a couple days ago I blogged about the great deal Mother of a Sale was having on Oh Katy diapers. I also entered in their grand prize giveaway of $250 cloth diaper package on Facebook. I just found out I WON!!!! I am sooooo excited!!!! With 2 in cloth in a few weeks away I can use more cloth diapers for sure. This is such a blessing!!!! Thank you Mother of a Sale!!!!!!!!!!!

To all my readers, go check out the fantastic deal on Oh Katy diapers while it's still on!

Oh Katy Cloth Diaper Sale!

I LOVE deal sites and follow quite a few. Mother of a Sale has Oh Katy One Size diapers on sale for $11.95 each! I've heard awesome reviews on Oh Katy diapers and wanted to add some to my stash. My mom has been asking me for ideas of what she can buy for baby Cole's arrival and as soon as I saw this great deal I sent her the link. She made a purchase the same day and I can't wait to try them out.

I was not compensated for this post, but will be receiving a cloth diaper sample from Mother of a Sale for sharing this great deal with my readers.

Question for Prefold Users

I didn't use prefolds very much with Ethan as a newborn so I'm curious about what type of fold you found worked best for your newborn to hold in the messes the best. Ethan was very skinny all over and had skinny legs so if you had a skinny baby let me know that too. Who knows if Cole will have the same body type, but I'd love to hear from everyone who used prefolds for their newborns what type of fold worked the best. Thanks!

Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Bag Review & Giveaway

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When you cloth diaper there are some accessories you just can't live without. Wet bags and Pail Liners are a must among the accessories. I actually went the first few weeks in cloth diapering without a pail liner in my trash can, can you believe that? It was a pain to clean out each time I washed diapers (not to mention gross)! I quickly purchased a Planet Wise Pail Liner and then within a few months I purchased another pail liner along with a small sized wet bag for traveling. The quality of Planet Wise products have always been top notch and I have never had leaking issues with either the pail liners or wet bag which would be because of their innovative leak proof construction. I always recommend Planet Wise products to my cloth diapering friends and family. 

Planet Wise sent me the Hanging Wet/Dry Bag to review. This item is perfect for a couple different reasons with Cole coming soon. First of all, I plan on cloth diapering in the hospital so I will need a large wet bag to keep dirties in for about 24 to 48 hours. This bag is really large and I know it will definitely hold the amount of newborn diapers I will be going through during our hospital stay. Plus the generous sized handle will make it easy to hang on the door. Second, the larger wet bag will be fantastic to have in Cole's room to throw dirties into during night changes. We are living in a different house now than when I had Ethan and the utility room is on the opposite side of the house from Cole's room. It will be easier to throw in a dirty diaper in the bag in the middle of the night.

I picked out the Aqua Swirl  pattern because it matches our nursery colors, robin egg blue and dark brown. I'm using the same nursery bedding that I used with Ethan, which I made myself. I absolutely love the pattern and colors. The PUL on the inside of the bag is dark brown. As you can see there is a another zipper on the front side that is completely separate from the inside of the wet bag. This is the "dry" part of the wet bag where you can store clean dry items in. The Hanging Wet/Dry Bag has the same great construction as the rest of the Planet Wise products I have. I can't wait to put this bag to good use!

BUY IT! You can purchase any of the Planet Wise Products at Nicki's Diapers (the inventor of Planet Wise) or any of these retailers.

WIN IT! Planet Wise is giving away 1 Hanging Wet/Dry Bag 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. I am now making it a requirement to follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect to enter my giveaways.

• MANDATORY ENTRY(You also must be following my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect)-counts as 1: AND visit Planet Wise and tell me a fact about the Hanging Wet/Dry Bag I did not mention in my review.

• Subscribe to my blog via email with Feedburner (on right side bar).
  

• Blog about my giveaway, linking back to this giveaway and Planet Wise. Leave the URL where you blogged. 6 entries!

• Did you earn the extra 10 entries for the Bump 2 Baby event? Read here for the details. Enter 10 separate entries such as "I earned 10 extra entries #1", " I earned 10 extra 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.

• Grab my Bump 2 Baby event button. Leave URL where it is posted.  

• Follow Smell_the_Rose AND PlanetWise on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. After initial "tweet" you may gain an extra entry each day. Limit 1 tweet a day.  Leave URL where you tweeted in your comment. Please use this copy & paste tweet:

Win a large hanging wet/dry bag from @PlanetWise and @Smell_the_Rose  #giveaway #clothdiapers #ecofriendly http://tiny.cc/PlantWise

•  'Like' Planet Wise  on Facebook and make a comment underneath mine on their wall Please do not make a separate comment on their wall. (even if you are already a fan). 3 entries!

•  'Like' Take Time to Smell the Rose on Facebook. 3 entries! (even if you are already a fan)
  

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

Giveaway ends Saturday, February 19, 2011 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 Continental USA  & Canadian residents ONLY . Must be 18 years old or older to win.

The thoughts and opinions expressed on my blog are my own and are not swayed by any monetary or product compensation. I received a complimentary hanging wet/dry bag and no other compensation was received. 

 

~~~THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED~~~

How to make a Wet Bag for Cloth Diapers Tutorial

I was searching for a tutorial on how to make a wet bag, but they all seemed confusing to me! I get that way when I sew if the instructions are not clear. So I did my own thing, which was just "common sense" sewing. I didn't even look at the instructions that came with the zipper and I've never sewn a zipper before. This is not a very professional sewing job, but it turned out looking nice and works well.


I wanted a wet bag that would hold several diapers since one that I purchased a year ago only holds 1 to 2 cloth diapers just wasn't cutting it. I used all material that I had on hand: a thicker decorative fabric, PUL and a zipper. I bought this lime green PUL a few months ago at JoAnn's, but I haven't made many pockets from it since there have been lots of reports on Diaper Swappers that there has been multiple delaminating issues. However, everyone is saying that the white PUL for sure hasn't had any issues. If you are only needing a little PUL this is a great way to get some and not have to pay for shipping.

I had a 12 inch zipper on hand so I decided to make a 12 x 12 wet bag. I added an extra inch for my seam allowances so I cut both fabrics to 13 x 25. I always need a little more extra room for seam allowances for mistakes. The shiny layer on the PUL needs to be on the inside of the bag.

Lay your zipper face down on the print side about 1/2 inch from edge and pin.

Start sewing the zipper onto the material where the metal part of the zipper is. Do not sew in the "tail end".

Showing where I left the tail un-sewn. You may have to slide down the zipper to sew up far enough because it will be in the way of the foot. then slide the zipper back up.

Flip zipper over and top stitch.

Pin the other side of the zipper to the other end of fabric. Sew just like you did on the first side, making sure to leave the tail of the zipper un-sewn. Then you will turn bag right side out and top stitch the other side.

Next, you need to make a handle for your wet bag. I really didn't make mine big enough. Fold raw edges in, press your material and then sew.

Now we are going to sew up the sides! Turn your bag wrong side out again and lay the handle inside the bag and pin in place. Make sure you keep some of the edges poking out so that it can be securely sewn into the wet bag.

Before you pin up the sides, unzip the zipper completely (my photo doesn't show this). Pin close to the ends of the metal zipper. We want to sewn in those loose tail ends.

Then sew both ends close. Sew as close as you can to where the metal zipper starts and ends so the bag will have a good "seal." Turn bag right side out and top stitch both sides. This will make it look better and give more stability to the bag. You are Done!