Diaper Washing

So again here's another topic that everyone has their preference and the best way to do it. So here's my diaper washing how to...

Between washes I store the dirty diapers in a "wet" bag (for travel and the nursery) and/or the "dirty" bucket (sitting by the washer).
After a diaper change if it's just a wet one I simply throw it in the bag or bucket. If it's a yucky one it gets a good shake over the toilet and any solids, get flushed. One great thing about breastfeed babies is their poo washes right out in the wash! Once they start eating solids, well that's what you get solids! Ha! I avoid dropping wipes into the toilet since our toilet would probably have a fit! Honestly best to keep them out of any toilet unless you want to call the plumber!

Washing...
 Cold pre-rinse with no detergent.
Hot or Warm Wash full cycle with detergent, sometimes on this rinse I add a splash of vinegar.
Another Cold rinse.

Drying...
I line dry in the sun 99% of the time. The sun is the best bleaching agent and kills bacteria. When the weather is not working with me the covers hang dry inside. The inserts, prefolds, bar towels etc, I run in the dryer til they are dry. I hate using the dryer for anything so I'm constantly watching the weather to coordinate my laundry time!

Again for very detailed washing instructions and even some of the science of maintaining ph levels see...
http://clothdiapers.thefunnyemu.com/

As for detergents I use my homemade recipe but there are lots of detergents that are free of phosphates, fragrance, optical brighteners and dyes that you can find. The above link is also good for that. I've also heard that Charlies Soap is great for diapers but I have no personal experience with it yet.
http://www.charliesoap.com/index.asp?cartID=527C3D9C1EBC4C28AAFC90629B6309B2

So good luck on your diaper washing challenge! Once you get a hang of it, it's a breeze!

LiL' Diapering 101

I could write a book on cloth diapering so I'll try to keep it short and sweet, along with plenty of great links covering the books worth I could write here. Have fun dig thru the links and learn, learn, learn!

So here's just some quick diapering 101 using cloth diaper styles I prefer. Keep in mind you'll find what you like the best just as I did with trial and error. Every lil' one is unique as are those messes! There are dozens of different methods and diaper styles out there find what works best for you!

For starters, I like using a simple diaper cover with a layed in "insert".  Below are (left to right)

100% Cotton Unbleached Indian Prefold, Homemade Bamboo Fleece Flat, & 100% cotton Bar Towel

Here's what the diaper cover and the Indian Prefold look like ready to be put on baby. Simply fold prefold in thirds and lay in, folding down any excess to the front or back which ever you prefer.

Another option is using the POCKET diaper with the insert of your choice. Here I used again the Indian Prefold folded in thirds. I left it hanging out so you can "SEE" where it goes, naturally you'll slip it all the way in. A quick note on most pocket diapers including these that I make... If you are using diaper creams place something like a baby washcloth or similar lining on the diaper where it will act as a barrier between the diaper and the cream. Diaper Creams are a PAIN in the tush to wash out of suede cloth (which is what I use here) and many other fabrics. Save yourself the major headache and remember to "line" your diaper before using creams.

Yet another option for that tiny tush... below is an Indian prefold being fastened with a SNAPPI. Like the good ol' standby diaper pin but without the nerve racking "omg! I just stuck the baby!"

You can use the Snappi and prefold inside a regular diaper cover or in a "woolie" also known as Wool Soakers, Wool Cover, Wool Longies, etc. I hear your shock at the word wool but believe it or not it is the #1 best option for baby, hands down!

No it's not itchy!

No it's not hot!

No it's not hard!

Need more info on the benefits of wool covers....

http://www.thediaperhyena.com/woolscool.htm

Now for the cool links and info, where to find?, how to wash?, what is it?

http://www.cottonbabies.com/   Best prices for Indian prefolds.... search "prefold"

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/index.html  Prefolds and excellent baby pic examples, SNAPPI too!

http://clothdiapers.thefunnyemu.com/  Practically everything you need to know for cloth diapering, including styles, washing, etc.

http://www.zany-zebra.com/how-many-cloth-diapers.shtml  More opinions on diapering!

http://www.gdiapers.com/ (can also be purchased in store at Babies R Us) NOT ready to take on the full cloth diaper experience? I love gdiapers! Yes I should be pushing my cloth diapers but I've used gdiapers with their disposable liners and with washable liners and they rock as a great hybrid diaper! My only complaint is I hate the velcro diaper chains that I pull out of the wash. Try 'em! If you prefer snaps you can always track down a diaper maker as myself and have them converted to snaps. Yes I will convert them for you! My pro snap press is sitting here waiting to be put to work!

Just an ending note...the biggest complaint I've heard and seen with cloth diapers... "we sprung a leak!"
My opinion you have leaks with disposables too! With cloth diapers make sure your "insert" isn't sticking out too. Keep in mind those super soaker chemicals in disposables, sadly baby can be left in that diaper for hours and hours! YUCK! Cloth diapering (as should all diapers) should be changed as soon as baby wets or ATLEAST every two hours. This keeps baby happy, avoids diaper rash, and even encourages potty training. Everyone has their reasons for cloth diapering... money saving, no chemicals, eco friendly, safer and more comfy for baby, etc.

HAPPY BABY BUMS MAKE HAPPY BABY MUMS!!!!

CONTAINING THE GREMLINS!!!!

Until we get up the actual fencing around the yard I had to come up with a way to contain the children while I hang laundry and do yard work. So here's my solution! The Super Yard works perfectly keeping them from running off! Mind you Jocelyn doesn't stay in there too long since she prefers sitting on the steps writing with her sidewalk chalk or helping in her garden, but for the most part it's working out just fine. I'm considering investing in a couple more panels to make it just a tiny bit bigger. It fits nicely under our flowering shade bush that I've trimmed up like a canopy over their play area. That way they have partial to full shade all day.
Anything to keep them safe and my life a tiny bit easier!

NEW ETSY LISTINGS!!!!!

CHECK OUT MY NEW ETSY LISTINGS!!! DIAPERS AND COVERS!

I'm sewing like crazy and just want to keep one of everything!

I LOVE this Cute OWL print!

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

HAPPY BROWSING LADIES!!!

Sunshine means new dresses!

The beautiful weather brings out pretty blooming flowers and the perfect excuse to make sundresses! Jocelyn has outgrown nearly everything so before we go wardrobe shopping for summer, why not start with a smocked sundress perfect for her little sisters birthday party and for Easter. Now I can't wait til she wakes up from her nap and tries it on! Pictures a bit hard to see the detail but better pics over the weekend when she gets to wear it...yea!
For great instructions on easy smocking go to the Martha Stewart Website and search "smocked sundress" includes video instruction, too!

Recycled Sweaters & Party Hats!

Crafty Crafty! Don't know what it is but I'm just full of ideas and things to do this week! Next on the list a cute outfit for Jocelyn maybe? So thanks to a fellow blogger Katrina's inspiration and a great pattern I made up a ton of longies and soakers. They are perfect and soooo easy to make, I was actually surprised. I recycled the wool sweaters I picked up on my last trip to the Salval. SO SOFT!

Then it was time to get crafy with some party hats! The birthday girl has her own that I had bought for Jocelyns first birthday and it is being used for every birthday girls party. But now that there's a wee bit of jealousy to contend with, I thought a new party for Jocelyn and her cousin would be perfect! So after burning my fingers with my dreaded glue gun we came up with some cute and appropriate party hats. I did Jocelyns on a head band to make it easier for her to get on and off. Her cousin Anthony's is just cool and I stuck with the classic elastic.
Off to actually get some chores done and of course make something else! WEEEE!

"They're cute! Can we eat them now?"

It's been 9 months since we took in our feathered friends and hoped for eggs. The days, weeks, and months went by and no sight of eggs. Talk around the dinner table was if they didn't start pulling their weight we'd be having chicken dinner! The scene was becoming a bit depressing as over the long bitter cold winter we lost two of our hens leaving us with four birds to count on for possible eggs. They had been getting very "broody" and I was worried we may have to seriously eat them for dinner. "Why won't they just lay?" was the question. So we made some changes...bought different feed, pulled the half roof off the outside pen to let in more light, added crushed oyster shell to their feed, increased their table scrap "greens" etc.

Well to my great surprise after doing some morning chores I headed up to feed and water the birds this morning. Taking a peek as usual to see if there were any eggs, when to my great surprise, it just couldn't be....... TWO EGGS!!!!!!! The neighbors had to hear my squeals of excitement as I praised our birds for a job well done and ran back in the house to show Jocelyn what her chickens had layed!

Jocelyns most adorable response..... "They're cute! Can we eat them now?"