Sunday, August 31, 2008

Adorable matching apron tops

I made these for the girls this week...well, i started them a month ago but i finished them this week!!!!
Makaela:
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Mackenzie:
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Mackenzie was very excited about her "big girl pants" lol. She has never worn jeans before and loves them!!!!

And just for kicks here's my coordinating top:
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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Hand dyed OCV and OBV pads!!!!

These orders were sooooooo much fun!!! I love the way the colors turned out:)~

Denim OCV pads:
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Full order(lavender, turquoise and denim OCV, blue/green OBV)
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OCV LWI dyed teen package-very bright and colorful!!!!
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OBV hand dyed pads:
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OCV hand dyed pads:
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Recent Customs

OCV pads:
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LWI dyed OCV:
Jennifer McRoberts

LWI dyed OBV and OCV:
Kelly

OCV:
Patricia Bresolin

wool soakers:
Edensmomma
Edensmomma

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Cloth Pad Fabric Comparisons:

Upper Fabrics(will go up against you)
Silk noil/Raw silk:Raw silk or Silk Noil, is a heavy weave of silk that has not been stripped. This heaviness of fibers come from a protein created by silk worms, called Sericin. Sericin is a natural protein and has proven anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities. Feels nubby in texture but not scratchy.
Organic Bamboo Velour(OBV):Bamboo velour is naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and sustainable!!! It is very soft and silky.
Organic Cotton Velour: Super soft cotton fabric. Very breathable.
Organic Hemp Fleece: Hemp has antibacterial properties and is perfect for treating and preventing yeast infections. It is soft and textured. Hemp fleece starts off really fluffy but depending on the quality of your water can loose its 'fluffiness'.
Minkee: Polyester material. Very soft, cuddley and silky. Wicks moisture away from you so you feel dry. Is not absorbent on its own, the moisture only passes through. Does not hold stains.
Cotton Flannel : 100% cotton, soft but will become pilly from washing. The cheapest option for mama cloth material. Available in tons of colors and prints. Will hold stains easier because it is 100% cotton.

Soaker layers:
Hemp terry or fleece: Very absorbent. Has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Trim and breathable.
Cotton terry: Very absorbent and trim.

Barrier Layer:
PUL: waterproof, laminated material often used in cloth diapers and covers. Does not breathe well.
Fleece: Water resistant, soft polyester material. Breathes better than PUL.
Wool: All natural water resistant material. Very breathable.
Hemp Fleece: Non waterproof but absorbent. Used in All natural pads. Very breathable. Great for mamas who are sensitive to synthetics and wool.


LMK if there is something i have left out or forgotten. Thanks

Friday, August 8, 2008

Some stuff for the kids.....

Fleece soaker and skirty for Kaela:
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soaker:
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skirty:
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Birthday dress for Kenzie:
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action pics to come:)

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Cloth Pad Care

Caring for your cloth pads is really simple, especially if you cloth diaper also. Here is the simple process i recommend to all my customers.
1) Store used pads in a waterproof bag, bucket or any other handy container. i personally use a hanging wetbag that i keep in the master bathroom. Spraying or rinsing pads is optional. I do not spray or rinse and have never had a stain.
2) When wash day arrives, i recommend washing every 2-3 days, empty pads into washer. (I wash mine with my daughter's diapers.) Soak with 1/4 cup baking soda in cold water. Spin water out.
3) Wash pads on warm or hot followed by a cold rinse.
4) Hang dry or throw in dryer.
Thats it!!!!! Like i said i do not presoak, spray or rinse and have not had a stain in 3 years:) If you do not cloth diaper, you can wash pads with towels, sheets or anything else you wash on warm or hot.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

My journey with cloth pads.....the benefits of cloth explained

Okay, i know what you're thinking....
"Is she serious??!?? Cloth pads??? Gross!!!"
I thought the same thing when i first heard of cloth pads 3 years ago when i first discovered cloth diapering. I remember telling my husband when he came home from work about the "wierd, hippie mamas" on the cloth diapering forum who used cloth menstrual pads. After grossing him out-yes, i was trying to- i swore that i would never do that.....well, that didnt last very long lol.
As the end of my first pregnancy neared its end, i stumbled across a post wheere a mama was talking about trying cloth pads bc she was allergic to sposies. Being a first time mom, i was completely unaware that i could not use tampons post partum. I remembered that I too was allergic to sposies and that is the reason i had always used tampons. So I decided that it couldnt be "that" bad and i would try it.
When i returned home from the hospital with my new daughter i was dying to try them bc i had the worst rash from the hospital sposie pads. I was hooked as soon as i tried the first one. Believe it or not I could not even feel it. It was a nice change from the pillow i was forced to wear between my legs in the hospital.
When my daughter was 3 months old, despite EBF-ing, AF returned. I was prepared. I had created a nice stash of homemade pads. I spent the few months perfecting my pattern and researching materials and testing new ideas. As I continued to use my pads personally I discovered a few benefits for choosing cloth over sposie pads.

1) Cloth pads do NOT stink!!! Yes, its true. That is enough to convert almost anyone(and to win over DH as well).
2) AF "symptoms" will decrease or disappear altogether! Sposie pads contain chemicals which essentially "draw" the fluid from you. This creates cramping, heavy flow and other not so lovely side effects. Since switching over to cloth my periods have gone from 5-7 days (at least 3 super heavy) to 2-3 days (very light). I also have not have cramping, nausea or migraines that used to send me to my bed for 2-3 days every month.
3) AF will shorten and lighten.(see #2)
4) Cloth is comfy. It does not stick to you, chafe you or crinkle when you walk. I cant even tell i have a pad on!!
5) You will never have to run to the store bc you have "run out" of pads. (This is also a huge plus with DH)
6) It may seem silly, but it is actually really nice to put on a custom dyed, squishy cloth pad when Af comes. It almost makes you look forward to its arrival. Almost.

There are sooo many other reasons cloth is better. You can customize you own pads from choosing length, to absorbancy, to fabric and even different styles. I also love that im not throwing anything away. I HATE buying something that will be in the trash in a few days (toilet paper, papaer towels, diapers, pads). It just seems very wasteful, in my opinion. When i buy something i want to be able to use it and enjoy it. I get to enjoy my cloth pads and, boy, do they last. I still have , and use, some of the first pads i made 3 years ago.

Coming later.....cloth pad care and benefits of different materials for cloth pads.

August Customs List

Robin P.- (trade) 12 OCV heavy/regular pads. Red, bright yellow and bright orange.
Shipped August 4, 2008

Marina P.- 12 OBV all natural serged 12" pads. 12 OCV all natural serged 12" pads.

Pinella H.-12 pack grab bag. 7-10" heavy, 5-12" PP. Dark colors.

Shipped August 10, 2008

Heather L.-12 OCV heavy pads. 6-10" and 6-12". LWI and solid dyed.

Shipped August 10, 2008

Anna G.- 1 flannel 12" apples and cherries print overnight pad.

Shipped August 6, 2008

Jenny B.- 3 OCV 12" regulars. LWI dyed. T&T. (10% tester discount.)

Shipped August 10, 2008

Tammy L.-12 minkee t&t pads. 4-8" light, 4-8" regular, 4-10" heavy. dark colors. red, brown, fuschia, navy, purple, dark brown w/pink dots.

Kari H.- teen serged package. 4-5" liners, 4-6" lights, 4-7" regulars. LWI dyed OCV