Cloth Diaper #1

Finally, I am getting around to blogging! I actually finished this diaper just a couple of days after my last post. :) First I cut out the fabric, then applied a strip of Ooga Booga Poly Knit for cuteness ;) The Violet Fabric is PUL which is waterproof. I used polyester thread, seeing as they say cotton will cause wicking/leaking, I decided to take "their" word for it...!


Then I applied my snaps, without thinking, even into the seam allowance...*sigh*...had to remove the one on the left. first mistake.... ;)Then I applied the elastic using the method you can see below, only stitching the ends, which apparently gives it longer life...you can also see that I reinforced the snaps with scrap PUL
Same for the waist, only I used two pieces here so I could have a pocket opening here, as I don't like welt pocket openings...(BG diapers have welts...too fiddly to keep them closed, and insert off baby's skin)Here it is finished...you can how you switch from a narrow topstitch to wide around the elastic creating a casing.On da baby...compared to a Bumgenius all-in-one XS diaperand here it is with it unsnapped to grow a size...
And here, to compare...BG XS, mine (sm setting), and a BG one size pocket diaper (sm setting)Now, I don't recommend using Poly knits for cutifying your diapers...lesson learned...they snag terribly!! and get runs in them...stick with cotton knits...besides cottons are so much nicer anyway ;0 And really, I think I like Plain ol' colours better, anyway...try matching cute little Ooga Booga print with all your little girlie dresses...LOL talk about clashing!

I have also made 2 diaper covers, similar to the FLIP system...more on those in another post!

Sewing Cloth Diapers...

...when you have 5 kids is a little slow...Day #1...Cut out Pattern...Day #2 Decide on different Pattern...print pattern, cut it out, make adjustments while mentally hoping that the adjustments will work....cut out fabric...pull out hair...quickly put everything away while you remember that Prayer meeting is at YOUR house tonight...must do housework, and whip everything back into place...realise the days of sitting down and concentrating on a project are long gone, and that you're not going to get anywhere fast!

P.S. Will try to post pics here and there...but not today! The above housework is still screaming my name....

Cloth Diapering...

Although I am mom to 5 kids, I must confess....I had never, NEVER, used a cloth diaper before on any of my kids before this baby...and really didn't think I would like it. Well, I decided this time around, I was going to try it...as I was feeling just a teeny-weeny bit guilty about chucking all those diapers in the trash...if it really does take 500 years to decompose, or whatever it is "they" say. Now for anyone reading this...I AM NOT A GREENIE! and I do not care if you use disposables, and I too will still use them on occasion, like tomorrow, seeing as my washing machine just died! I used disposables the first month or so...just saying! Anyway, I LOVE IT! It is too fun...(remind me of this when I get to the whole "bigger baby" issues!) I bought "modern" cloth diapers, namely BumGenius 3.0's from DiaperDaisy who btw had great customer service, and I highly recommend! I got them on a rare sale... I also purchased a FLIP hybrid diaper, which has since become my favourite. No STUFFING! Just pop an insert in the cover, snap it on the baby and go! However, it has given me an itch to make my own...soooooo stay tuned for my adventure of sewing cloth diapers. Number one priority...THEY MUST BE CUTE, oh, and not leak, they must fit, etc...and all that boring stuff.

I'm Back!

You all thought I had fallen off the face of the earth didn't you? ;) Well, I decided that I should probably jump back on, and update y'all a little! For those who may not know, although I don't know who wouldn't...we had a baby girl!!!! Woohoo! She is sooooo sweet and we are all enjoying her immensely! She was born on February the 20th, and is growing like crazy! The kids think she is the best... Honestly, the best gift you can give your kids, is another kid! LOL And the more you have, the easier it gets...OK, except for going places without your husband! That, I must admit, is a little more time consuming! Oh, and shopping with a newborn who "feeds on demand" can make shopping in the local craft store a little bit interesting....think...feed baby while trying to look like you are doing nothing as you casually flip through the pattern catalog books...or try multi-tasking aka. hold and feed baby while pushing stroller, while browsing, while trying to look innocent...rofl I love being a mom though...they are so much fun! (course, we have our, ahem, "moments" just like everyone else where I am periodically bald...)

Gingerbread recipe!

Here's the recipe for those who requested it for the Gingerbread we made yesterday. It caught my eye because it called for a decent amount of spices and lots of molasses, compared to many I've seen. I like a "stout" gingerbread that has lots of flavour....;)

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

3 cups all-purpose (plain) flour (I used whole wheat/wholemeal)
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (Bicarb soda)
1/2 tspn of salt (also known as salt in Australia LOL)
1 tspn of ground ginger
1 tspn of ground cinnamon
1/2 tspn of ground nutmeg
1/2 tspn of ground cloves
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup for the Aussies)
1/2 cup sugar (I used Raw Sugar, or as they say over here, "sugar in the raw" ????)
3/4 cup molasses
1 egg beaten ( recommend a chicken egg, emu would be too large)
````````````````````````````````````````````
Preheat your oven to 375*F/190*C
In large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. In separate bowl, melt butter, cool slightly. Stir in sugar, molasses and egg: mix well. Add 2 cups of flour mix....(I say dump it all in): mix well. (they say to "turn it out onto a floured surface, knead in remaining flour mixture by hand - whatever) Add additional flour if necessary, to make firm dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface, 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. (I definitely recommend 1/4") Cut out cookies with cookie cutters in a variety of shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet (tray - LOL) (and I greased mine, so there!) about 10 - 15 mins for large cookies (so they say, I say check after 7 -8 mins. if you like them soft like I do!), and 6 - 10 mins for small to medium size.

Cool and then decorate!

For the icing I just dumped powdered/icing sugar in a bowl and added just enough milk to make a stiff icing, then piped it on some and then got lazy and smeared it on the rest...tastes the same, and if you immediately dip in sprinkles...they still look cute too ;)

Long time no post....

As you can see it's been around 6 months since I last blogged....and I can't say that I've missed it....BUT I should probably do a little here and there for the family and friends that live on the other side of the world...can't y'all just move over here????? ;)

Anyway, this year has been busy, crazy, and busy. We found out that we are expecting Baby #5 in February, had my sister come over from Australia to visit, took our family to Australia to visit my family, my sister came back with us to stay for a while, we've had people over to stay with us on weekends, been to conferences, visited U.S. family....you name it. :) I am glad to say that it's slowed down a little at present though, and I have been enjoying a little more regular schedule which is helpful with 4 kids underfoot.

Looking forward to enjoying some time with the kids this week while they are off school! Not that we will likely get up to a whole lot. Yesterday was a movie day and we made a batch of gingerbread cookies that turned out great! Today may just be a trip to the park while we have some decent weather...

Life...

Has been crazy, but good lately. We have been so busy with baseball for Jordan, church fellowship, kids, friends, etc. Have love the baseball season, but will also appreciate time for other things. It is time to go and visit grandparents, great-grandparents, to go camping, swimming, and lots of family stuff. Then my sister comes down in July, then in September we get to go to Australia and visit the family, then my sister comes back with us again. Busy, busy year! We have a wedding to attend next weekend, and baseball playoffs. The weather is warming up....I am so ready for the summer break! Had a busy week with friends and new friends stopping by...lots of fun, but enjoying a few seconds of quiet too! I am still a loner in many ways....but compatible I guess. ;) I love to fellowship with others and yet love the quiet, and peace too. I think once baseball settles down that traveling is going to pick up big time... I am ready for the outdoors....love summer and spring!