The Beeba's Bottoms: Mixing Family and Business the Mommy Way.

The making of a diaper

2010-03-24T09:17:00.001-04:00

Recently, I was approached with a request. I was asked if I had any extra diapers hanging around by a local Doula who holds "new parents" classes. She wanted to use it in her demonstrations for the new parents, as a cloth advocacy item.

Of course, I answered right away that I would love to help out. As I have thought about this project, small as it is, I realized, why not hit 2 birds with one stone?

So, here today, In all its Video Glory, The Making of a Diaper:

Note: The Diaper in this Video is made using the Fattycakes pattern, and I am an approved Fattycakes Seamstress. The pattern is great for home use, though, and I hope you'll try it.

Moving...

2009-04-29T11:15:00.002-04:00

After some days of frustrating times with blogger, I am packing it up. The Blog will still be here in its entirety, at beebabottoms.blogspot.com, however, My custom domain, thebeebasbottoms.com, will now point to a self-hosted wordpress blog... and i pray it works better.

Please come on over, but also please excuse the messy look while I work on the move.

I pray that you will follow me over to my new home, at www.thebeebasbottoms.com.

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Finally, MONKEYS!

2009-04-29T08:55:00.000-04:00

I know, I've been promising and promising! But here they are. They still need the toes grafted, I'll do that tonight, and put up more pics after.... modeled even? but now, without further ado...

The Pair

A leg

The Toe to be Grafted

The only note I'll make for this pattern is that it is most definitely NOT written for 2-at-a-time. Cookie A. writes grewat patterns, but she is very obviously a DPN sock knitter, and the pattern did not translate easily to magic looping 2 at once. That having been said, I love the pattern.

Oh, and I should also note that the leg is very snug for me. as in, I can barely get it on over my heel... but I can, just, and I love the look, so it will survive. With wear, I hope it will go on a little easier, but really, I'd rather a snug sock than a loose one.

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Blogger Troubles

2009-04-27T20:40:00.000-04:00

I had some troubles with the blog today, but the Monkeys are done minus grafting the toes. I'll post more indepth tommorrow.

They're Mine! All Mine!

2009-04-26T14:05:00.002-04:00

Really. For once, I Dyed up fibers just for me. I'll share them, and better yet, I'll probably even sell them after they are spun. (cause I love the spinning much more than the knitting, really) But for now, they are mine!

Excuse the not great pics, I promise I'll get better ones before I spin them up. These are the ones I dyed for the Yarn everyday.
Daydreams on Merino/Tencel:

And an unnamed Colorway on sock fiber... that is, a blend of superwash wool, very very soft, and nylon.

Just wanted to share.

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Sorry, no Monkeys today...

2009-04-25T19:44:00.003-04:00

We were busy planting our very first veggie garden. I have a new post for you tomorrow, and we'll do the monkeys on Monday!

Till then, Enjoy the warm day!

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Again, more Yarn...

2009-04-24T08:36:00.000-04:00

Right to business, April 15, more spindling. For those who don't know, this is an Ashford Turkish spindle, and it weighs somewhere around 2 ounces. It is by no means a work of art, but it gets the job done. And the nifty part is that when you are done spinning, the yarn can be removed in a center pull ball.

April 16, 17, and 18, I spun only the minimum 20 minutes each day, on the spindle

April 19, I used some Brown Sheep Mill Ends to practice spinning thicker singles. this is the thickest I have ever spun, about DK singles, I think.

I also did some more bamboo (the second bobbin)

April 20, I started spinning some mixed breed Fiber from the Whorling Tides Naked Fiber Club. It is really very clean, and the locks were in good shape, so I am spinning straight from the lock and just fluffing it out. I highly recommend this shop. Beth is great.

April 21, I forgot to take pictures before continuing to spin yesterday. Bad me.

April 22, more mixed breed wool

So, I think that brings us up to date. Tomorrow, the Monkeys.

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More Yarn Every Day... Again

2009-04-23T08:17:00.003-04:00

Alright, we're back to business!

Here is the latest of the Yarn Everyday series:

April 10th, More Bamboo:

April 11th, Finished the first bobbin of bamboo and plyed my perendale:

April 12th, Finished spinning and Plied the Pink Chocolate Batts from The Good Sheep. These were to die for, by the way. This yarn is currently up for sale at The Indie Dyers Coop.

April 13, Dyed some pretty Yarns and Fibers. Also My friend finished her first skein of wheelspun yarn. The yarns shown (mine, not my friend's) are also available for sale at the IDC.

April 14, Taught my mom to spin, while she was doing that, my secondary wheel had a piece break, so she learned on the ladybug. So I spindled.

Mom's First Yarn:

Ok, wow, we are a little pic heavy today. I'll continue with April 15th tomorrow, and perhaps the monkey socks the next day... they are almost done now, you know... just missing the toes, now.

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I have been sorely MIA...

2009-04-22T15:45:00.003-04:00

If you recall, last I posted was just as we were coming on Easter, and I hope everyone had a good one. We also had a birthday party here on the 11th, and an out of state guest. Still, the absence is inexcusable.

To make up for it, instead of putting up a post of yarn, fiber, or fabulous UFO's, I'll start us back up with some fun photos that exhibit what we have been doing with ourselves here for the last couple weeks.

We have spent quite a few days at the local park, just a couple blocks away. Its great fun for the Beeba 1.

But Beeba 2 prefers to stay in our own backyard, and have a swing with her big brother.

I'll post more tomorrow, with some up to date Yarn Everyday Pics, and who knows, maybe even a further in progress shot of the Monkey Socks.

Till then, Keep having fun!

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More Yarn Everyday Challenge; and My Monkey Socks Progress.

2009-04-10T10:14:00.005-04:00

I've been busy. Really. And not just with yarn. Beeba 1 has his birthday party tommorrow. He turned 3 on Monday. But I have managed to keep up with the yarn everyday challenge, and here are a few more days worth of it:

April 7th, More of the pink Chocolate BFL:

April 8th, More Pink Chocolate and some Perendale (the perendale I carded up for the Blog here-- expect a video of this sometime in the near future, but probably not till after next week)

April 9th, I started on some Bamboo.

I haven't spun for today yet, but thats ok... its only just past 10:30 am.

Then, as for the monkey socks, they have been feeling neglected. So the last couple days, I got to work on them. I have officially finished the legs of them, and am about halfway done making the heel flaps. The pattern was not writing for 2 at a time, so I had to play with the needles a bit, and of course, I have no stitch holders, so lucky me, I used some little safety pins to hold the stitches... I think I used 10 of them, lol. But they are now looking really cool.

With that, I bid farewell for probably the weekend. With the Party tommorrow, as well as the family Seder dinner at my FIL's house (yes, I know it is not the first day, they do it when it is convenient to get the most people to come) and My mom is driving in today, so we will be very busy the next few days.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Easter, and Happy Passover!

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20 Things you may not know about me.

2009-04-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

I have always considered myself a Capricorn, but about half of the horoscope calendars call me a Sagittarius, since I am on the cusp.
I have been crocheting since I can remember, sewing since I was 7, knitting for 3 years, and spinning since September.
I am the oldest of 4 kids, and the sanest of the bunch of us.
I have never used any illegal substance in my life.
I cut class only once in high school, on the first day of freshman year, because I got lost.
I went to catholic school for 8 years, and my 8th grade class had 14 students. 13 graduated.
If you can name a craft, I have probably tried it, or will eventually. I have done: Painting, wood carving, plastic canvas, crosstitch, crochet, knitting, spinning, dyeing, sewing, basket making, and more.
I am addicted to the internet.
I own 2 spinning wheels, at least 10 pounds of fiber, a minimum of 50 yards of fabric, a serger, 3 sewing machines, and an embroidery machine, and only 3 pairs of jeans, which I wear every day.
My children own more clothing (that fits) each, than I have owned cumulatively in the past 2 years.
My daughter wears really cute cloth diapers when we are out, and her brother's old hand me down diapers when we are home. She now can wear the same diapers he can, but can also still fit in her small diapers. They are 3 and 1.
My sewing and fiber addictions have taken over my dining room.
This is the unlucky item.
I am so sick of bad comedy.
I love vampire romance.
I hated pink till my daughter was born.
Now, I love pink... Even on me.
Today, I bought $25 PINK sock yarn. I have not finished my first pair of socks.
I have enough sock yarn for 4 pairs. Not cheap, either. I have a problem.
I am imagining casting on another pair of socks even though I'm not done my first. It’s a sickness.

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A really Good Reader Question

2009-04-07T09:02:00.000-04:00

I have been battling the question... how to respond to my reader's questions and comments. Blogger does not allow for threaded comments, so it would be confusing to just post a new comment.

So, finally, a reader has asked a question that really requires a good answer.

I have decided that when this happens, I will make a new post to answer the question. So, here it is.

Lucero Asked:

How did you get into spinning yarn? I'd never really thought about doing it myself until I saw an article about spinning yarn out of newspaper to make rugs out of it. Not to mention reading Sleeping Beauty to my little girl every other day keeps spinning in my head :).

First off, Lucero, thank you for the question. I love getting comments and questions from readers, it makes me feel special.

As for spinning, I am a member of a diaper sewing forum, and they are the culprits that got me spinning. Yup. Diapers into spinning.

More specifically, on the diaper board, there is a yarn crafts sub-forum. on there, yet another subforum popped up one day. I didn't notice it for a while, but one day, went venturing into the "spinning Happy" sub-forum, where I was immediately bombarded with pictures of handspun yarns and spinning wheels, spindles, the like.

I ran away. I couldn't afford a new hobby. I already had too much taking up my time.

But I couldn't stay away. a couple days later, I had my very first spindles, which I talked about in This post .

You can see form that post that my first yarn wasn't very great. Nobody's is. It took days before I was so completely and totally hooked that I knew I would have a wheel. I talked about that Here.

Soon after, I was convinced (granted, it didn't take much) to join a group of friends in a venture that has become the Indie Dyers Coop.

Most recent in my spinning history is obtaining my new Ladybug Wheel, which I posted about here.

I hope this answered your question, Lucero. I enjoyed answering it. :)

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Yarn Everyday Challenge

2009-04-06T08:03:00.003-04:00

On one of my message boards, I am participating in a "yarn everyday for 30 days" challenge. Every day, I am spinning, dyeing, or prepping fiber to spin, for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then posting pictures in the forum. Its a fun challenge, and has several hidden benefits, which can be reaped by both me and by my customers.

Benefit 1, more yarn and fiber available to be bought. That is always a good thing.

Benefit 2, My skill level increases with steady and regular practice. This is true of any fiber artists, at any level. The more you do, the better you do it.

Benefit 3, its super fun, and means I am taking more photos of my work.

With that in mind, some pics of the previous days' works?

April 1st- Merino Fiber, spun at about a 36 wpi

April 2nd- Lots of dyeing happened... about 22 ounces. Plus spun more of the merino

April 3rd- More merino

April 4th- Plying

April 5th- spun silk at 40wpi and plied to some 40 wpi alpaca -

I probably won't post a pic everyday here on the blog, but I'll update every few days anyway. Hope you enjoyed the pics!

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Dream Knitting Bag

2009-04-02T09:42:00.004-04:00

On Ravelry, there is a challenge going. The Challenge is to choose your dream knitting bag, and fill it with all the accessories you'd love to have. it is just a fantasy challenge, so you don't need to actually buy anything, just think it up.

So, Searching, I found this:

Which is a Namaste Cali Collection Buddy Notions Case, and retails for $15. I really like the idea of it, and I really love the Pink. The inside walls are magnetized, allowing metallic objects to stay nice and neat inside, and it has an interior divider (removable), to keep things that move separate from the smaller stuff.

I also have a small round felt case that nicely holds the cords and tips for my knitpicks options needles. In my dream knitting bag, it would still be there. it just serves its purpose too well to not keep it.

Of course, all knitters need a good pair of scissors:

And some Yarn Needles, a tape measure, and at least one small cable needle. I like to keep a small crochet hook in my knitting bag too.

I also have been looking at the Debra's Garden Gauge Pendants for quite a while. I love how cute and little and round they are, and I think they'd work as a cool Diz, too, for fiber stuff. I have been wanting a new needle gauge for a while, but keep holding off, and this is the one I really want. probably in any color, but I think I like the red, teal, or lavendar best.

Of course, for me, there is no question that the needles in my knitting bag would all be knitpicks nickel plated Options set. Ideally, I'd have the full set, and have a small arrangement in my knitting bag. in reality, I have a small arrangement, and they are always in my knitting bag.

Of course, stitch markers should be in every knitter's bag. I make my own, and have been given quite a few, but I still found recently I needed to buy a small pack of the cheap plastic ring ones, for some fine lace knitting. The little box they came in is the right size to hold other nicer stitch markers, and I think that would be included in my list of contents.

I don't do Row counters for the most part. I might include, though, some row markers with the stitch markers.

For the bag itself... well, My readers will have seen already my new purse? I think it is already my dream knitting bag, for smaller projects. I can fit 2 small projects in it at once, still leaving space for a diaper (for my Beeba 2), my wallet, and other personal items.

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Reminiscing...

2009-04-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

Yup, that's me, the old fogey at all of 27.

No, but really, I was looking at some old photos, and since I was at it, I thought I could put a couple up on the blog. You wanna know more about me, right?

Of course, I knew it! (really, I just like to share, but don't mind that these are just pictures of pictures, and the originals are in the bad kind of album. I can't help it. I'm afraid to remove them for fear of damaging them.)

without further ado, Me at 6 months old:

and at 6 years old:

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The Bug made it home!

2009-03-31T12:00:00.003-04:00

That's right, ladies and gentlefolk, My new wheel is here.

The UPS man came to my door yesterday afternoon and brought with him a great big box of loveliness. And I can surely tell you, this will now and always be the only bug ever allowed in my home.

The Box itself is stated as being the best and safest way to ship or pack the wheel, and it is highly recommended that you do not lose or dispose of it. Schacht sells replacement boxes for $25 each. Definitely not the cheapest Box I've ever seen.

When I opened it, I was not surprised at the small amount of padding in the box... but only because of reviews I have read prior to buying. The wheel is in pristine condition, though.

And The cute little mascot is in a very cool spot. It is visible when I am spinning, right between the treadles on the back leg of the wheel.

I started spinning on it right away. well, as soon as Beeba 2 let me. I decided to start off in Scotch tension, since the wheel came set up that way, and its easiest to just leave it that way for now.

I have some lovely batts from The Good Sheep to spin, but I was afraid that the first time spinning with a new wheel I might mess it up, and I really want to do these justice, so I ent stash diving for something small to play with.

Despite knowing that Alpaca can be tricky (especially when it is the first time spinning alpaca) I found some small alpaca batts (lovely soft stuff, but less than an ounce) in my stash and chose that for my practice fiber.

I have to say, the singles aren't perfect, but they are really pretty... and the wheel spins like butter. I haven't measured WPI, but they are pretty fine.

Interestingly enough, with the same effort of treadling, I am spinning as swiftly and finely on the 9:1 ration of the medium whorl as I did on the 13:1 ration on my old wheel. That gives me a lot more space to grow, with 2 whorls faster (4 higher ratios) and 1 whorl lower (3 lower ratios).

I think eventually, I will want additional accessories. I can see myself wanting the new Bulky Flyer and bobbins when they are released, if only for plying. I think I might only buy 1 or 2 of those bobbins, though. I do see myself wanting more regular high speed bobbins down the line, especially if, as I anticipate, I wind up preferring Double drive. I also think that despite mixed reviews, I will be wanting the built in lazy kate eventually. it would be great for storing bobbins and traveling with them, whether it is great for plying from or not.

For those with young kids, I also find this is a breeze to spin on even with some "help" treadling. I have much more control, even if I relinquish control of one treadle to my almost 3 year old big boy.

And I found out today that on this wheel, I can spin with a sleeping baby in lap. I could ot do that with the old wheel. It was too loud and distracting, and the treadle is not at a great angle for me to have her on my lap... she would slide off. The Ladybug treadles are a little higher, making for a more comfortable spinning position overall. I even spun reclined in a chair!

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Waiting... and Sleep Issues

2009-03-30T08:26:00.003-04:00

Yes, Waiting... My Ladybug wheel is due to arrive home today. Knowing UPS, it probably won't get here till late afternoon, but it doesn't stop me from being all antsy about it... I just can't be patient, this close to it being here.

And the DH is completely "fibered out" he doesn't want to hear anything fiber related... at all. Oh well.

On other fronts, we are shifting out of co-sleeping mode. For many reasons, we choose to co-sleep with our children when they are infants. they sleep better, we sleep better, and we feel it protects them. I know it does, because I have seen both my children stop breathing at night, and a light breath from me immediately gets them going again. For that reason alone I will never put a newborn in a crib.

But, as they get older, well.... we moved Beeba 1 to a twin mattress on the floor at about 1 year. it took 2-3 weeks, and he was fine. within 2 months, he slept through the night. We moved him because he was kicking us at night too much, and I was having terrible back pains.

Beeba 2 is not a year yet, but we are also working slightly differently with her. She has recently gotten into standing in the middle of the night and dive-bombing herself to sleep on us. and them sleeping anyway she falls. That isn't comfortable for us (I wound up sleeping halfway in her sidecar-ed crib multiple times), and we don't feel its safe for her, especially with the winter blankets still on the bed.

So, we are trying something new. we didn't move the crib, it is still right next to the bed. But we put the 4th side up. after a reasonable nursing session (which ends when she starts crawling on me), I put her in her crib, complete with a couple little animals (they are small, and though stuffed are not super soft, so not a hazard as far as I can see) and she must rest.

I am less than 6 inches from her right now. I can stick my hands into the crib through the bars and hold her hand, or rub her belly.

Right now, she is getting mad about it though. she cries, but not the, "I'm hurt" or "I'm scared" cries, its the, "I'm not getting my way" cry. Yes, at almost 11 months old, she most certainly has a very distinct sound to this particular cry.

Saturday was the first night. I think neither of us slept much. at 2 or 3 in the morning, after she had slept some in the crib, I was too tired to keep fighting. she came into the bed with me.

Last night, at 2-3 am again, she came into the bed.

But, we are making progress. It was easier to get her to sleep in the first place last night. and when she does better with going down, I will try to be more consistent with the late night coming into the bed. Eventually, we'll move the crib a few inches away, then a few more... and eventually, though not probably for a few months yet, right into her own room.

And I know we will all sleep better. I know that her brother did not start to take regular naps till after he was in his own bed. and she has started fighting sleep during the day, instead of falling asleep often as she did for so long. Her need for naps was another big push that led us to do this.

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There is a bug comimg to my house...

2009-03-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

... a Schacht LadyBug, that is. It was ordered a little while ago, and as I type, it is on its way here. The last update was a departure scan from UPS in New Stanton, PA.

At risk of sounding Unprofessional here, WOOT!

Ok. So why should that be so exciting, you ask? I mean, after all, I do have a spinning wheel i love already... it does make yarn...

But The Ladybug has several features that appeal to my ever questing self. First and formost, Speed! My current beloved wheel has a high Ratio of 13:1. That is, for every 1 time the big wheel turns, the bobbin turns 13 times. (for my irish tensioned, bobbin led wheel) The Ladybug, with the High Speed whorl that is packed inside the box (an add on, not a standard item) has a high ratio of 22:1. What does that mean? It means that I can spin almost twice as fast at the high ratio in long draw, or create much much finer yarns in general.

Another reason I am excited, well, its the Learning, of course. My current wheel is an Irish Tensioned wheel, or Bobbin led. I love it. but there are 2 other types of tensioning (that I know of). The Ladybug has both, Scotch tension, and Double Drive. After reading on various forums and ravelry groups all about both types of tensioning, I have been dying to try them for myself. From what I read, I have a feeling I may enjoy double drive best... but I will hold off on judging till after I try it.

I am also looking forward to the larger treadles, and the fact that this is a double treadle (the foot peddles, yo). My current wheel is a single treadle wheel, and sometimes I feel like I need to hold down the wheel as I treadle like mad to reach speed. with a double treadle wheel, I should have a better balance, less effort required to keep the wheel turning, and more speed. and treadle size? well... I have size 10 feet. I didn't think so at first, but if I spin for a few hours on my wheel, my heel starts to feel bruised. the Ladybug, I am told by another Large-footed friend, resolves that issue completely.

And then there is the noise. My current wheel, though I love it dearly, makes a fair amount of noise. I don't usually mind it (though my poor husband does), but when I want to spin, and my poor Beeba 2 wants to sleep, we have a sore conflict of interests. As the responsible mom, I have relegated my spinning time to when she is not sleeping... which leaves only when her daddy will hold her for me to spin... not much time.

The Ladybug, as I understand it, is nearly silent. I can spin with a sleeping baby on my lap if I choose. Ah, the novelty!

So, it will be here sometime Monday, and you can be sure there will be assembly pics, and spinning pics, promptly on Tuesday. Becasue as we all know, I am just a little bit addicted to blogging. And I can't bear to miss a phot opportunity... maybe, if the wheel comes during naptime, I'll assemble out on the porch... then I'd get some really nice pictures.

For now, a Stock photo will have to do:

Th-Th-That's all Folks!

Lace! and a matching set.

2009-03-27T08:35:00.005-04:00

I'm making it, yes I am... wanna see?

Isn't it pretty?

And here is the matched set, my new purse with the matching Wallet:

Please ignore the scrappy mess on my floor. It gets that way when I am crafting... I just throw things over the side of the desk as I work... I really need a new trash can for that space...

Daily Changes...

2009-03-26T11:37:00.003-04:00

... And I'm not done. I'm still not happy with the nav Bar, still trying to tweak that into submission... But I like the links I've got in it.

And I am playing with my banner. I got rid of the Pixelized image that was on it, and replaced it with a different copy of the same image... only... then, the image looked weird, with grass as the main part of the image. So I changed that, cut out the grass, and re-centered the text. Then the Picture looked too small next to a wide expanse of green.

Don't get me wrong, I love the green. But just not quite so much of it. So I changed it yet again, this time adding a second copy of the picture on the other side.

You know what I realized? I need to take new pictures. I love the format of the header now, a pic on each side... But I think it looks strange having the SAME pic on each side. Plus, now I have 2 beeba's, which I didn't have when I first started the Beeba Bottoms business and the blog.

My new thought is: I need new pics of both the kids. Only... Beeba 1 is getting a little big to photograph in nothing but a diaper... especially since, he doesn't actually wear diapers anymore... he wears training pants now.

So, what pics can I use that illustrates the title of the Blog, keeps in mind my business header (which I really should give an update to as well), and still protects the kids anonymity? because really... they are not going to want people being able to pick their diaper images out in a line-up...

Do I go with 1 picture again, but switch to a new pic of Beeba 2's Behind? what about a rendered drawing? artwork rather than photography? Which reminds me that I still need a logo for Crystal City Fibers, as well.

what about 2 photos, keeping the original as is, and Adding Beeeba 2's photo?

One thing is for sure... I can't do any new photos till it is warmer here... as in, the summer. because if I try to take a backyard photo in just a diaper right now, I'll have to call and report myself! Its way too cold. I won't even let the kids go near the open door in shorts most days... long pants ans good socks are a must. and sweaters.

but indoor photos never look as nice.

Oh, another point is I don't want to change the colors of my header... much rather change the colors of the blog, but it won't let me... stupid template. and if I change the template, I lose all the tweaking I've done. Waah!

Ok, so I have some work cut out for me. I don't think I realized how much till I wrote this post.

And maybe its a good thing that I've been recording my sources for the widgets I like... I may wind up needing to re-do them.

What I'm working on...

2009-03-25T08:17:00.004-04:00

Kind of. Alright, so its one thing I AM working on, and one thing I just finished.

So, what I am working on, aside from my socks, and a million other projects, this is my newest project:

Yes, Its just yarn atm. I cast on, but with a 3 stitch cast on, it doesn't look like much. this is the yarn for my Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl. it is very fine, and I think maybe I am crazy, xause even for lace, this is LACE. it is as fine as my very finest handspun, only I can't seem tom make handspun in this qualntity in this fineness... I get bored way too fast. hence buying the yarn this time. Plus it was on sale.

And the project I finished, My Jenny Bag. I love this pattern. and best yet, the designer is a friend from one of my message boards. Can't beat supporting your friends and getting something cool too.

Ok, so the fabric is very bright. But it matches my Mei Tei, and I really love it right now. I know, I'll probably get tired of the print eventually, but that's the great thing about making things... you can always make another! I also made a matching wallet, from another of the same designer's patterns, and am debating making the sunglass case that comes with this pattern. I have the leftover fabric, and I might. I also added ties to the purse so that I can close it. it is reversable, by the way, so if I want somethign a little less loud, I can also have a plain black purse at the spur of the moment. cool, huh?

Trying something new...

2009-03-24T20:23:00.003-04:00

and I am gonna rely on my readers to decide whether to keep it or not.

Notice the top of the blog? Under the header. Thats right... its a new nav bar. I can't quite get it just right, I think... and I am debating... Do I like this better than the big old "about me" blurb on the side?

I truly don't know.

On the one hand, I can have my "about me" section much more expanded in a separate page without interrupting the flow of the blog... on the other hand, the Nav bar itself is not the greatest.

I can keep trying to adjust it... I had basic buttons up there, but I hated how they did not mesh with the blog... and I am not a graphics person. Buttons would look better, if the buttons looked good. I really would like buttons.

But, I don't know how to do good ones.

So. do I keep the nav bar, or lose it and bring back the old "about me" blurb on the side? Its up to you, readers. I can't seem to decide on my own.

Widgets that work, and That don't work...

2009-03-23T18:37:00.004-04:00

In the last few weeks, I have installed some new widgets to my site here. And I have uninstalled some.

You might notice the Label Cloud. That is a very cool widget, I found instructions for at www.techknowl.com.

You may also have noticed the Related Posts Links, which are now removed. Somehow, they worked well at first, but later started saying "please upgrade". Since they were less than pleasing, I won't tell you where I found them. I'll keep looking for a better solution.

Or the fact that my Blogger Nav bar is gone, giving the blog a more streamlined and (hopefully) more professional look. That was a tip I found at another TechKnowl post.

I also was able to add true Meta Tags to the code of the Blog. Yet another TecKnowl post.

Notice a theme? I like TechKnowl, lol.

But really, I keep hearing people talk about how they like Wordpress better. Why?? I can get everything they have right here, and not confuse my readers by changing over to a different URL.

Hey, if Wordpress has it, and I want it, I bet I can find it. What do you think?

And, if I find more cool widgets, I'll share them with you. Its only fair, after all. If I am gonna do the research to find these things, whether I use them or not, I may as well share that info with my loverly readers!

Till later, Signing out.

She Walked!

2009-03-22T15:36:00.001-04:00

Beeba 2, that is. Not far, mind you, but she did. She took 2 steps all by herself yesterday. Aren't you proud of her?

Mow back to your regular scheduled programming.

Choices, choices...

2009-03-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

... I have quite a few thoughts in mind for the next great blog post.

I have to video the Spinning chapter of The Art of Rolags.

I'd like to do a post about the crafting of my basket... Which, by the way, is moving along... I've started the sides now.

I could do an impromptue interveiw post, but that would require that people want to know something about me, and I question that one...

Of course I could do some sewing video tutorials, but I am not sure what readers want to know.

So... What would you readers like to see next on the blog?

A spinning post?
A Dyeing post?
Sewing?
Embroidery (machine)?
A personal type of post?

Do you prefer video or still pictures?
Do you want to know more about me, or would you rather read more about the craftiness?

Of course, when my new LadyBug wheel gets to me, I'll have to write a post about that... And boy, I can't wait! Did I menton It is on its way? To the dealer, anyway. Then it will be coming to me, complete with high speed and slow speed whorls, and extra high speed bobbins. Fun toys!

Too many Crafties!

2009-03-20T15:38:00.002-04:00

So really, I should be finishing things up here, right? I should definitely NOT be starting new projects.

But What do I do... I go ahead and start new projects.

Today, I cast on for the Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl. I have not finished my basket, and I have lots of yarn to spin. I need to dye more fiber in the next few weeks, I'd like to have a whole bunch of nice variety done up to stock in my next stocking on the Indie Dyers Coop.

And, I just got my Batts that I bought from Berritt of The Good Sheep, who is another member of the Coop. (I really have to say, they look just Yum! She called them Pink Chocolate and they look good enough to eat!)

Oh, and did I mention, that my new LADYBUG spinning wheel is en route? well, it is en route to my dealer, and from there it will come to me, but really... yay!!!

Plus then there is a little matter of a spinning swap I am participating in. My partner (the sender) will send fiber to me (the spinner) to spin up. half the fiber goes back to her as yarn, the rest is for me to keep. My impression is that most people will be doing 4-8 ounce batches. My partner and I agreed to do 12-16 ounces for each of us (because really, what spinner can turn down more Fiber??) its more craftiness for me to do, but fun fun...

Oh, and My monkey socks... they have progress, but they are still not done. that will take time. And sadly for them, they are not the highest priority right now. Then again, neither is my lace shawl, and I was silly enough to cast that on...

Oh well... the nice part about the shawl (aside from how pretty it is) is that the cast on is 3 stitches. I only have about 7 rows in, with 11 or so stitches at this point. yeah, I know, not much of a cast on. but, I only got a few minutes to spend on it. And, it took almost an hour just to wind the yarn into a ball!

Ok, I have my crafty projects lined up... now lets see how I do.

My Very First Video Tutorial... Keychain Diapers

2009-03-19T11:52:00.004-04:00

Ok, in all fair warning, I need to say, the video quality is terrible. my captions didn't come out and I had to go over them in youtube. and this is my first ever video tutorial, so kind of an expirement.

Be Kind.

I was frustrated...

2009-03-18T21:39:00.000-04:00

...and I did something about it. While shopping at Walmart, I found a little cheapy version of a flip -type camera. For all of 20 dollars, this little doo-dad records video using 2 AA batteries and an SD memory card.

The video quality is low, but I'm hoping it will suffice for my needs.

And if it does, then watch out video bloggers, I'm about to join your ranks!

Frustrated today.

2009-03-18T12:40:00.003-04:00

I have been messing with Video stuff today, and it is causing me some real frustrations.

I want to put some video of my kids on DVD for family. But that isn't happening. And I want to take and put some video up of my spinning for the blog. But That isn't happening right now either.

Know why these things aren't happening?

Because despite having the Camcorder (an old analog one with no USB and no digital ports, sadly) and having the Pinnacle box and software which is supposed to be the converter and allow me to upload to the computer, it isn't working.

I think there are a couple of factors.

Factor 1, we recently got a new computer. it has Vista 64 bit operating system. It is not compatible with loads of things. Very frustrating right there. I think it also means I need a new web cam, and the one I have is not even old.

Factor 2, the stupid pinnacle box does not have full AV inputs... it has an S-Video, and a video jack for the yellow part of the AV cord, but a stereo jack for the audio... which my camera does not have.

Factor 3, I am just about ready to throw the whole get-up in the trash or out the window.

So... in order to put any video on my computer, even the low quality that comes from a webcam, I need to buy MORE stuff!

And you know none of it is cheap. It means spending more money we don't have on things we already do have but which are no longer compatible with our frustrating, but very fast and also very expensive brand new computer.

Its just not fair. I want life to be fair. Actually, what I really want is whatever it takes to get all this stuff working.

So, if anyone out there has any technical knowledge of how to get this all working without spending a fortune, please let me know.

Part of me wants to just run out and buy one of these:

But... My DH would just kill me, and that is even if I had the car to run out and shop, which I do not. Plus, it is still a fairly low quality video, so great for web applications (which is really what I want it for, since I'd love to give all you readers some cool videos to watch), but not so great for awesome family videos. On the other hand, it is compact enough to keep in a pocket for spur of the moment use, though they only have 30-60 minutes of recording, depending on the model.

I did try to convince DH once that it would be a cool toy, but he would not bite. He only likes to spend money on games he can play with, not cool gadgets for me. Plus, in his defense, I do have a lot of expensive things, too, even though most of them he did not actually spend the money on, but I saved for and got myself.

Unfortunately, all of my current money is caught up in the new wheel that is ordered (and should arrive in a couple weeks)

Too bad Walmart does not take yarn in payment... I could probably whip up some skeins of pretty hand spun to pay for new toys, lol.

As Promised... Craft Room Pics!

2009-03-17T08:58:00.002-04:00

First, This is just Part of the mess we pulled out of the room. Scary, isn't it? I also gave away a full trash bag of fleece and fabrics.

Here is the sewing Corner. Notice the 2 windows? Tons of sunlight for that corner. I am making a basket for the shelf to hold small stabilizers and embroidery/sewing items. In the basket already there is some Merino/Silk I am spinnign right now.

The Computer Area, which isn't as messy as it looks... And yes, that is my facebook up on the computer. And yes I will friend you if you like. :)

On the bottom shelves of my book case are 6 show-offs, 1 with FOE, 2 with FOs, 1 with Fibers, 1 with bobbins and carders, OK, maybe 2 with fiber. I also have about 10 pounds of undyed fibers in my pantry.

The top shelf has yet to be touched, but holds patterns and books. I need to clear it out of junk though.

My personal Yarn stash. Which isn't to suggest that it never gets used for business... it does, but if I am gonna knit or crochet, it is from this stash. :)

And here is the start of the basket I am making for the shelf. boring base, but after it gets about 2 inches bigger on each side, I am gonna start the sides in some brown/white natural hand spun I did early in my spinning adventure. that should lend some visual interest to the peice.

Hope you like my new space. There are still a few kinks, and a few things to finish, but I like it.

Craft Room Re-do!

2009-03-16T08:57:00.003-04:00

Readers who frequent the same message boards as I may already know that I have been working hard on my Craft room. the room is large, but also must function as office/computer room, and as Dining room, and has no real storage, no closets, and no built in shelves.

Well, its been a long time coming, but I have finally re-done it.

Of course, that is completely on a re-arrangement/organization level. no new paint, and so far, no new window dressings. But its a start.

Previously, I had done my craft room in This Post. But that was before we were given DH's Bubby and Zadie's Dining room table, a beautiful old table, which has seen several generations of use. My Father in law remembers causing one of the many story-telling dings in the table when he was 2 years old. We decided that despite its dings, it is still a very pretty table, and more than that, it is an heirloom for my husband, and for our kids.

So, we had to find space.

and of course, we had 2 computers up until recently, a desktop and a laptop. Well, then 2 things happened. we replaced the dying laptop with a humungo but amazingly fast and up to date desktop, and days later, the old desktop pretty much died. so now, we have one functioning computer, which takes up a lot more space than my old laptop did.

Then there are the sewing machines. well, one serger, one embroidery/sewing machine, and one high tech sewing machine. I love them all. but, in the space I had, the poor embroidery machine was sadly ignored. and piled upon, so I could barely get to it. completely sacrilegious.

I had to make some decisions. we got rid of the old desktop, and are sharing one computer now, which we moved onto the computer desk, where my 3 machines had previously been housed.

I decided to relegate the sewing only machine to backup, and it will move upstairs to be stored, and now I will have only 2 machines in front of me, and will still have 3 functions. The machines are moved to the sewing table, where the new computer had been housed. (I know, we were backwards, but the sewing table did not have room for 3 machines. it does have space for 2.)

I gave away to a friend a PILE of fabrics, mostly fleeces that I was not using, and probably never would. when they were bought, I was using them, of course, but my sewing skills, and my diaper construction has changed so much that it was just a waste of space to keep them.

Now, all my fabric is confined to one large dresser (6 feet long) which when we need it, functions as a buffet, as well. Also on that dresser is the tower of shelving I previously had over my sewing space. It now holds my personal yarn stash, not the hugest stash, but it fits well. on top, my vase of spindles and mini-skeins has a home.

No more fabric on the big book shelf we brought into the room last summer. instead, I currently have 6 big show-off bins (which fit perfectly 3 to a shelf) and 1 small one. I need 3 more large ones and 2 more small ones to make best use of the space.

My favorite new feature is my vertical storage. more specifically, I finally convinced DH to mount a shelf on the wall above my new sewing space. on that shelf will be my collection of stabilizers, and embroidery and sewing accessories I don;t want the kids reaching. they'll be stores nocely hidden (mostly) in the basket I am making just for the shelf. I think my spinning basket will also find space up there.

My thread racks have moved to their new home, over the new sewing space, a little higher than I first thought, but possibly better this way, since the machines can be pushed all the way to the wall without bumping thread.

Sorry for the incredibly long picture free post. I promise, the next one will be picture heavy and show off all this craft-room goodness. I just have to finish cleaning up remnants and take some pictures.

This also means you can expect to see installment 2 in the Art of the Rolag very soon. Spinning the Rolag. I just could not see video recording in the mess I lived in before.

Preveiws Up for the next Stocking...

2009-03-10T15:24:00.003-04:00

... and I really hope that everyone likes them. I like them, and my 2 year old likes them, lol, but you know, I am never really sure.

So here they are:

Earthy Princess
2 - 4oz+ braids of Wool/Mohair Top

and

Salt Water Taffy
1 - 4oz+ braid of Wool/Mohair Top

I have been fighting with timing and the weather to get good pics, so today while it had stopped raining for a bit, I rushed out to the porch, the Beeba 2 strapped to my chest, camera and fibers in hand. I'm glad I did, too, since now the wind has picked up a bit, enough that I think they would have blown away on me.

The Indie Dyers Cooperative is a success!

2009-03-04T16:27:00.001-05:00

We had a great Grand Opening Day yesterday, with over 70 people in our shop at one point!

Lots of Items were sold by our members, but don't worry, there is still more to grab. Don't wait too long though, because you never know when that perfect yarn or gorgeous fiber will sell out to someone else.

There are still a few FFS (that's Free for Shipping, so a great deal) Lotteries up, so don't miss your chance at those either.

Also, I am taking suggestions for colors you'd like to see in Rovings, Rolags, and Yarns. No purchase necessary to just give an opinion. My plan is to spend some time this weekend dyeing, so feel free to share your ideas! If I use your color choice, I'll credit you in the listing!

Oh, and on a side note, though we all wound up feeling ill (we caught what the baby had), we are also all feeling much better now, so I'd like to thank everyone for their thoughts.

Indie Dyers Coop Opens Today!

2009-03-03T09:37:00.004-05:00

That's right! Our grand Opening is today at 3, so don't miss it! Check out our stuff Today, before its all gone!

There is lots of great stuff stocked, from fibers to yarns to accessories, and even a few sample boxes too! Don't miss your chance to snag some fibery goodness!

Poor Sick baby here

2009-03-02T11:17:00.002-05:00

Which means no great posting today. Sorry folks. Please wish my Beeba 2 some feel better fast vibes, as I know she hates having the yuckies as much as I hate her having them.

Monkey Socks!

2009-03-01T14:14:00.002-05:00

I have to say I am very proud of how these socks are turning out. It is Monkey by Cookie A., and I love them. See for yourself.

These are the first socks I have knit since my lonely sock fiasco 2 years ago. (the poor sock still sits alone) This time, I am doing 2 at a time. Loving it!

I received a Blog Award.

2009-02-28T08:49:00.004-05:00

I have received my very first blog award from Shimmermeblue. You should totally check out her blog!

Here are the rules

List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KReATIV!

7 Things I love

1. I love family, including both the beeba's, and their daddy, who when he isn't busy playing computer games, is a wonderful husband and father.

2. I love Raising awareness. Did you know how many chemicals, some poisonous and highly carcinogenic, are in that disposable diaper you just put on your baby? Read up on it, you might never want to touch a disposable again.

3. I love making things that are both functional and Art. Diapers that make mommies and babies alike smile when the put them on. Training pants no child wants to pee in. Yarns that can be knit into the cutest articles of clothing.

4. I love spring days, when its warm enough to just grab a sweater for the kids and go out, walking, playing in the yard, anywhere but in the house.

5. I love Spinning and dyeing yarn. Such a great excercise both in creativity and in serendipity. Learning that it doesn't matter always if it is what I had in my mind, but that it is beautiful on its own volition.

6. I love waking up in the morning with the sun Shining on me, and everyone else in the house still sleeping. Sneaking away for a moment of quiet before the storm of the day.

7. Last on the list, I love every person who reads my blog, whether you have read it once or every day, I love that you have. Because without you, why write it at all?

My 7 nominees are:

Smariek

Ironneedles

Miscyours

Photo.knit.dog

Knitsomniac

BerlinBetty

TheLumpySweater

Check them out sometime!

The Art of the Rolag

2009-02-27T13:18:00.007-05:00

As a newcomer to the fiber world, I have done my share of research. I read about worsted spinning and woolen, semi-worsted and semi-woolen. I taught myself longdraw/from the fold with top (not by any means the best way to learn long draw, by the way).

I saw the term rolag more than once. I even saw pictures of them in books and websites. But nowhere did I see them for sale. I knew I had to try them, to satisfy my need for knowledge.

My first rolags were a mess. they looked nothing like the pretty handfuls of fiber I'd seen in pictures. But they spun. and they spun well. So I tried again. They were better.

Rolags are the number 1 BEST way to spin a true woolen yarn. I hear some people say that they can only spin thread in woolen way. I'm not sure why that is, but for me, I don't find it true at all. On the contrary, I find myself able to spin much thicker singles when I spin woolen from rolags, and much faster, too.

so, for those who are now saying, "I wanna spin from a rolag, but how?" First you need your rolags to do it with. You can either buy them, if you can find them to buy (hint, I will have some stocked at the Grand Opening of the Indie Dyers Coop) or you can make them.

To make a rolag, step one:

Charge your hand carder. I used some washed but unprocessed perendale wool. you could also use that commercial top you can get everywhere. just draw the top across the carder gently, leaving fibers caught in the teeth. My Perendale was in lock formation, and I just laid the locks out on the carders side by side. they were so nice and clean I didn't even have to pick them. (Thank you Beth of WhorlingTides for this beautiful fiber.)

Step two:

Draw your second carder across the first, straightening the fibers, and blending them together. Be sure you don't mash the teeth together, you'll damage your carders. You just want to move the fiber from one card to the other. I do this till all my fiber is on my second card, (it helps to have a bit of an upward draw as you pull the card across) and then I switch cards. My Perendale is now all nice and fluffy on one side, but still somewhat in lock formation on the other.

So, to get the other side, you'll switch hands now. start brushing your now empty card across the full one. When you have emptied that, then you need to make a decision. Are your fibers neatly aligned? do they look nice and fluffy, top and bottom? Mine did, and I chose to say they were carded plenty, and move on to rolling them. If you think you need to go over them again, go ahead. I don't usually card more than 3 passes, though... more than that can start to cause broken fibers and tangles.

Step three, Rolling your rolag:

The final step in making your rolag is to roll it. there are lots of ways to do it. For me, I take my empty card, and using the flat back of it, I fold over all the fibers hanging off the edge of the full card onto themselves. then I start gently rolling them back, keeping them as even as possible. When they are all rolled, roll them right off the card. I even like to roll them across again, if I think they aren't staying neat enough.

Then, you will have these:

Yummy, aren't they?

Now, spinning rolags, another fun and rewarding activity, will have to come another day. I hope you enjoyed this journey of rolags, I know I did.

Can't Have Pretty Yarn Pics Every Day...

2009-02-26T14:59:00.003-05:00

I just am not quite that prolific, lol. Today's Pics have a subject of a much cuter variety.

The weather was great today, sunny, and Warm (in the 50's, imagine that) and the Beebas and I went out for a nice long walk after lunch.

Beeba 1 was feeling photogenic, so here he is, in all his cuteness. He was very tired by the time we were done walking, which worked out fine, cause by then it was naptime.

And so with that, I leave you for today, to think of tommorrow, and what it might bring.

I had High Aspirations...

2009-02-25T11:14:00.003-05:00

to write some really great blog posts. And they'll come. But, Alas, Life keeps me busy, as do my 2 Beebas. But here are a few more previews for the New Congo.

"Joshua" on Cascade:

And "On the Sweet Side", a handspun wool/mohair blend:

Oh Happy Day...

2009-02-23T13:37:00.004-05:00

In the scheme of things, a new computer doesn't always seem like much. Unless you have been trying to justify the buying of it for over a year. and unless you finally chose and paid for it over 3 weeks past. and unless when you finally got it, it got its drivers confused and chose not to function (really, this did happen. We took it back to the guy who built it for us, as it turned out, the computer was looking for HIS mouse and keyboard, and decided not to recognize ours)

But, all is well today. The new computer is up and functioning. And I can tell you, I never realized just how slow my old computer was until I started to use this new one. Everything runs faster. From Word to Photoshop to my embroidery software, it all flies. (and even DH's games which he insists must be on the computer, lol... he's been waiting to play Neverwinter Nights 2 for literally years, but the old computers could not handle it.)

So now, instead of first waiting 5 minutes for the programs to load, only being able to load one file at a time and praying it will function properly, and just grimacing praying that the computer would stay turned on long enough to save (yup, it had the mysterious problem of random shut downs, lol), I can switch on the programs in a few seconds, load multiple images at a time to choose the best of them, and not worry about losing work. I am blessed in having this new computer to work at. Hurrah!

Coming soon!

2009-02-21T17:15:00.006-05:00

Yarns! and Fibers! Wee!

I can now make the announcement that On March 3, a new Congo on Hyenacart will be having its Grand Opening.

And I am a member of this Congo. You can find my Hand Spun and dyed yarns, and hand carded rolags, as well as the occasional accessory, at Crystal City Fibers. Yay for new Business ventures.

Here are some preveiws of my items:

New Format, New Outlook

2009-02-17T10:28:00.006-05:00

You might have noticed yesterday's Title Change here on the Blog. This morning, I decided that with that, it was time for a new format. From now on, there will be no Ads on this Blog. There will be no links to top lists, and the only shops that will be permalinked are my own shops, in their customary same space on the right side of the page.

I May still post links to shops if they have particularly impressed me with their product, customer service, etc, but within blog posts only, and in context.

Blogging has been a new Journey for me, and I am first to say I am still learning the ropes of it. I am not always able to update the Blog as often as I like. For that reason, Instead of my stagnant "whats new" section at the top of the page, which never seems to change, I have moved my Twitter updates to the top. While still not always everyday, I am much more prolific with my tweets than I am with regular posts.

Whats new is still here, but instead of being the first thing you see, it has a new home under the About me section on the right. You will be able to find occasional sales and promotions there.

I am also hoping to document my process more, over all. Daily life and business ventures. We are waiting for our new computer to be finished and delivered, and when that happens, within a week from now, I pray (we paid for it nearly 3 weeks ago with the expectation of having it that week) that I will be able to be more prolific again. Sadly, my little laptop just does not run nearly as quickly as it used to.

The Husband would suggest that this is because I have too many programs loaded in it. I agree. This laptop was never meant to handle Photoshop, or running a small business on it. It oes not handle graphics at all, and never has. The new computer will solve that problem, with 8 GB Ram, a brand new 512MB non-integrated Graphics card, 500Gb Hard Drive, and a brand new 22 inch widescreen monitor.

ou know, the only thing I am not sure of? Will I need to buy a seperate keyboard for the new computer. Sadly, that is the only thing that was not mentioned. That and is the monitor the model with speakers built in or without.

I am also realizing that my photography skills, while not always the best, are also not the worst either. However, my camera leaves something to be desired. The next technical tool I want therefore, is a digital SLR camera or at least a camera with a much better Macro setting. Because really, my little Casio camera, which I do love for its size and ease of use, was bought for snapshots of the kids, not art photos or product images. Unfortuanately, DSLRs cost money. So unless someone has a lonely unloved DSLR sitting around to give me, it will be quite a while before I can get one. And I don't dare buy a new camera just for Macro setting, unless it was very inexpensive.

Till tommorrow, when I don't know what I'll do next, Fare well Readers.

New Things coming

2009-02-16T14:03:00.005-05:00

Life moves on, and I have to apologize to anyone who might have been following my Blog. I haven't been posting very often at all lately. I have been just very busy.

Diapers, Diaper bags, training Pants, all these have been taking up my time. Beeba 1 is trying to Potty Learn, and in an attempt to keep his pants dry and my life a little less insane, I went on a hunt for the perfect training pant. After trying several patterns, I found it. Little Comet Tails Stellar Transitions fits like a trim underwear, has a nice stretch to it where needed, has waterproof panel where it is most needed, and best yet has options for snapping or pull up only.

I am happy to say that these great trainers will be Coming soon to Beeba Bottoms Shops.

The Beebas are growing fast. Beeba 1 will be 3 in just a matter of Weeks, in Early April. Amazing to think that just under 3 years ago, I still thought pregnancy was the most tired I could be, lol. I know better. Toddler years will tire any mommy out faster than a pregnancy anyday. And my little Beeba 2 is cruising, almost walking! She is faster than her big brother was even. I guess she had a good tutor.

I've been spinning a lot too. And I have entered the world of Dyeing. Pics will have to come later, but I can say unequivocally, Its a fun pursuit.

For now, till later, Fare well.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-18T10:48:00.003-05:00

The Holidays are here, and everywhere we find christmas music, glitter, mistletoe, and garlands. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanuckah, Kwanzaa, or some otherr holiday I apologize for not knowing of, it is a time for celebration, laughing children, and often frustrated parents.

New Toys abound in our house, due to our Thanksgiving trip to NC, where we celebrated christmas early with family who won't be here next week. This afternoon, the smell of baking cookies will rise in my house, and Saturday, we celebrate christmas again with DH's Brother and his family. Then the smells of turkey and stuffing will be wafting around my kitchen.

My Birthday is next week too. I will be 27... and as my DH reminded me, I am older than he was when we met, I must be getting old... I feel it, too... but in a good way. We have a lot to be glad for this holiday season. We have 2 beautiful healthy children, we own our home, DH has a good steady job when many do not, and while we cannot always buy everything we want when we want it, we do have everything we need.

This year, We tried to buy toys for the kids that encourage imagination... not that they need the encouragement... Beeba 1 loves trains, and in his mind, anything can become one. He will look at rain on a window and find a train, or at the clouds. Beeba 2 is growing fast, and can get into anything she tries for, with little effort. She is trying to pull up to a stand now, too, and sometimes succeeds.

So, to my friends, family, customers, and readers, I wish you a Happy Holiday, whichever you celebrate!

And the winner is...; Dutch blogger?

2008-12-08T09:45:00.004-05:00

Dum Dum Dum Dum...

Ok, so a written drum roll doesn't have the same effect.

The Winner of Beeba Bottoms' Mini Hunt Drawing has been pulled. Sorry its late, Life has truly been crazy here the past week.

Congratulations Carolyn, I will be emailing you very shortly, so that you can claim your prize.

On a completely side note, does anyone know why Blogger keeps coming up in dutch for me recently? being that I don't read dutch, it is really aggravating.

ok, the Beebas are having fun driving me crazy, Beeba 2 has already tried to eat the 2 peices of fluff I didn't know were on the floor... so I'd better move on with things.

Thanksgiving travels; GCDH Drawing; Happy Holidays

2008-12-02T12:12:00.004-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving is done. My family and I traveled 12 hours each way down to NC to visit My dad and sisters. We had lots of fun, and did an early Christmas celebration with them too. The Beebas both got entirely spoiled, and really, so did my husband and I...

Beeba 1 is happily driving me crazy today with his new Drum set... Beeba 2 is just so worn out she is sleeping all morning in my lap... and the car was so loaded, that all of us but my husband the driver had things on our laps... even the almost 7month old Beeba 2.

I of course had the diaperbag, and all the trip snacks all over my lap. Beeba 1 had jackets and coats on his feet, which he hated... it frustrated him more than anything that he could not kick all around.

Evan little Beeba 2... she had her brand new and very first dolly on her lap, along with 2 teddy bears, 2 blankets, and who knows what other little toys. Between them sat the large box of Beeba 1's new Drum set... so they could not see each other, and with the piles in the car, I could barely see either one of them if I tried.

I heard the line "well, what do you want to do about it?" a lot when I worried about the over-packed situation.

In the meantime, I got a new cell phone, as an ongoing birthday/Christmas present, and as such will be changing my contact info for the web-shops to reflect that change.

On the business end of things, The 2008 Great Cloth Diaper Hunt has come to a close. I hope everyone has enjoyed the hunt. For those who have entered into our mini hunt drawing, I will be drawing a winner as soon as we finish getting settled back home. Meaning, it will be this week, but give me a few days. I will notify the winner through email as well as here on the blog by Saturday afternoon.

Happy holidays to all. Watch in the near future for more great sales and promotions from Beeba Bottoms!

The Hunt is on; I've been spinning!

2008-11-08T22:45:00.005-05:00

Well, The great Cloth Diaper Hunt is going on, all this month, and as a sponsor, Beeba Bottoms has been busy. We've had lots of traffic, and are hoping to get some great sales. In preparation for the hunt, we lined up some new items. (You gotta love having a crafty family)

From the Beebas' Grandma herself, Designs by GinaL, a line of hand-crafted and one of a kind jewelry, made from high quality glass and crystal beads, a few beads she designed and made herself, and a lot of creativity. These pieces are highly original, and very beautiful. They make great gifts, and she will do special orders on request, as well.

From the Beebas' Aunty, Inspirationals by Chrissy. Chrissy is a highly spiritual person who makes these plaques with faith and love. Bringing one of these plaques into your home is sure to be nothing less than a blessing.

Of course, we'll always have the Diapers end of Beeba Bottoms. However, due to a very large custom order, Instock items are a bit slow right now. Expect more coming soon. Of course, custom orders are always available through the site, and soon, I hope to have more of my embroidery designs online for you to choose from. (I have thousands, and the small library I have been able to publish does not do them justice)

********

On another end of things, the personal front, in my rare spare time, I have been spinning away. I just got a spinning wheel, and loving it!

I got my wheel from Heavenly Handspinning , and it will be a purchase I will never regret. The Owner of the shop, Jan, is great to work with, and the wheel is a great little wheel. It cost under $200, plus the shipping, and it is a very simple looking, but pretty as well, wheel.

I started spinning as soon as I could... (I had to work on that big order of diapers first) and boy, was there a learning curve. But... I was able that first night to produce a nice little bit of yarn.

Oops! Dr. Who is on! Our late night Saturday obsession. Gotta sign off!

2008-10-30T10:41:00.001-04:00

It’s that time again! We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the Eighth semi-annual Great Cloth Diaper Hunt™!

How does the GCDH work? It’s simple! You register at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php on or after October 15, 2008. Then you visit all the participating sponsor sites and hunt for the Diaper Decisions™ diaper, to earn entries to the 65 random prize drawings, including Two Grand Prizes and one Ultimate Grand Prize!
For more details about this great event, please visit the Rules and FAQ pages at http://www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/greatclothdiaperhunt.php . See you at the hunt!

I've been Distracted

2008-10-06T08:49:00.003-04:00

Hello. Sorry I haven't posted in a little while.... I've been a little distracted. The weather is getting cooler here, and we are getting busier. Despite now being a one car family, which in itself is not a horrendouse thing, we have been running around what seems like an awful lot.

Beeba 2 is being baptized later this month... and for that, we have family coming from out of state. of course, most of that family will be staying with us. so not only do we need to neaten/re-organize/clean our downstairs of our house for the day of the baptism, we need to do something with upstairs, to alleviate the clutter there.

And with the cold weather comes cold drafts through our old windows, and the need to turn on the heat. Of course, knowing what heat cost us last winter, we have been afraid to turn it on, lol. But... it had to be done. We spent the day yesterday putting plastic on the windows upstairs. we got 2 rooms done, (5 windows) and have 5 windows left upstairs to do. my hubby put better insulation on our back door, but didn't account for it taking so much, so he needs to get more for the front door. and we are debating putting plastic up, as much as it would be ugly, on the windows and doors downstairs too. cause if it could save us on our heating bills this winter, it would be worth it. we may postpone that till after the baptism and party, though.

Both the Beebas are growing. Beeba 1 finally calls his sister by her name, instead of simply "baby"... and Beeba 2 sits up on her own now... for about 30 seconds to a minute at a time. She loves to make lots of fun sounds now, too. And Beeba 1 is finally trying a little harder with his potty learning, so maybe we'll have just one in diapers soon? Its about time, he's 2 and a half... most of his friends, some 6+ months younger, are fully out of diapers now.... even nights for several.

Meantime, I am getting more busy for business too. I have an order to fill of 15 diapers and 6 covers... and possibly another order of embroidery too. not sure on that one. its a good thing, though I'll be super busy for a while. (no spinning for me for the next few days, lol) Those orders will fund our trip to see my dad for Thanksgiving.

And, the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt is coming up. As you know, Beeba Bottoms is sponsoring this year... so I hope it all goes great!

Fiber Fest Fun; PVC Niddy Noddy

2008-09-22T14:42:00.003-04:00

As you may have known, This Past weekend I got to go to the Fingerlake Fiber Festival, something I now plan to attend without fail every year hereafter. Can we say pure FIBER BLISS?

Tons of pretty things, fiber, yarns, WHEELS, spindles, all sorts of stuff! I got to meet and chat with Jonathan and Sheila Bosworth (think Journey Wheel and Bosworth Spindles) and even got to try out a Bosworth book Charka. (it wasn't my taste, but so beautifully made)

I got to touch and feel so many things, and got to hold both Bosworth spindles as well as Goldings, and I tell you what, I was afraid to break them, as much as they cost. But SOO well made!

I tried to stick to a budget (I chose a budget of a bit less than I will have excess after buying my wheel next month) and did really well. I got some BFL, and some corriedale-finn which was just so soft, and some natural brown fiber that was $1 an ounce, and I should have gotten more, because I know it will go fast. I don't anticipate using much myself, but I have nieces who were mesmerized by my spinning Friday night, and it will be perfect to give them a handful and say, here, try it. (with toy wheel spindles, of course)

I also got a Turkish spindle, cause I wanted to try a bit of a heavier spindle, (specially for plying) and I really thought the idea was cool... plus, it spins FOREVER.

I came home only wising I had had more money to spend, because everything a person could want for spinning was there, and in great supply. or maybe if I could just live at fiber fest... yeah, that'd be cool.

Also this weekend, I made my very own PVC Niddy Noddy. But, with the cheapness of PVC, and the length it comes in (too long to stand on end in my house of the tall ceilings) I was not content to make just one simple Niddy. I made a 3-in-one Niddy. By measuring out different lengths of Piping, I was able to make a niddy that can convert from making 24" skeins, to 1 yard skeins, to 2 yard skeins.

Sometimes Life gives you Lemons...

2008-09-19T13:02:00.003-04:00

and I love lemons, lol. I never did understand that saying... as if Lemons were a bad thing.

So, good things instead.

1. I am getting a wheel. Yes, the very simple one I blogged about earlier. and no, not today... Next month.

2. I will actually have money left over to buy extra Bobbins for said wheel (which only comes with 2) and to buy FIBER!

I want: BFL... suposed to be awesome for spinning and wear great
Merino... Love the softness
Some superwash... cause I have family that will refuse to work with anything that felts.

3. Fiber Fest is tommorrow... perfect timing.

and 4. more directly related to business at this time, I will be a sponsor in The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt this november! Don't forget to sign up to search. (the sign ups are not quite open yet, but will be in too too super long.)

oh, and 5, back to spinning... I figured out how to make my spindles heavier.... (a good thing to be abel to do, especially for plying, I hear) I just add another wheel whorl! and voila, instead of .7 ounce spindle, 1.2 ounce spindle!

The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt

2008-09-17T08:50:00.003-04:00

Is coming again soon. This twice a year event is a scavenger hunt of sorts, sending hunters looking for a cute little Icon on many sponsor sites. THe sponsors Hide the Icon within their product listings, and The Hunt is on. Hunters are entered into drawings to win prizes donated by the sponsors as they find more Icons.

This year, Beeba Bottoms will be a participating sponsor of the Fall hunt! You can expect more information later on, but for now, WOOHOO!

The Next Phase

2008-09-16T08:58:00.003-04:00

In my newest obsession... Spinning.

Its coming. well, not yet. but as soon as I can get together enough money.

I want a spinning wheel. like, really really want. Of course, that just goes along with my personality. If you have been following here, you will know that I bounce around a lot. I get what needs to be done done, and I don't quit anything... but I love trying new things.

But,m I am also the victim of a very small craft and hobby budget. and since I am so new to spinning, I can call it nothing but a hobby, even to my husband, who would happily fund anything he thinks will bring us money.

But, spinning, he thinks, can only take time away from my business. and so cannot be worth doing in his mind.

I explained to him, Spinning is a hobby yes, but everyone needs a hobby, even when their business is something they love too. I love sewing. I love sewing diapers and things. But often, I feel a bit of pressure when doing those now, that things have to be perfect, or be done on a certain deadline, or something like that. nothing wrong with the pressure, it is normal, and I think everyone feels it. but, its nice sometimes to have something you can do JUST FOR FUN.

Of course, when I started the business, part of it was so I would have an excuse to spend time and money on these things I love. and who knows, if I ever get really good at spinning, it may wind up incorporated into the business in some way. But that would not be for quite some time, being as I am so new to spinning.

But that takes me back to my new wants. I love my spindles, and I can't wait to go to the fiber festival here this weekend. But I am also very anxious to get a wheel, just because it feels like a door in front of me, begging to be opened.

I have done some research. and here is the wheel I am going to try and get:

It is a really simple wheel. The Otium from Heavenly Handspinning, it only runs about $150 plus shipping. but, it has 3 different ratios, and I am told that the wheels from this seller run super smoothly.

I plan that If/when I get it, I will probably paint it, just like I painted my spindle. I could see the wheel in a bright red, or maybe a cool blue... ooohhh... or an emerald green!

The bobbins on this wheel hold up to 6 ounces of yarn, and it comes with 2... you can get more in single packs or in 3 packs from their website, www.heavenlyhandspinning.com. They have a lazy kate accessory as well, and a skein winder.

I want it all.

Hey, heavenly handspinner... wanna give it all to me for free? I'll review it for you! heh. I am only half kidding here, folks. and the kid is that... they don't read my blog. but, I am dying for a wheel, and will do mostly anything to get one. This one I think I can afford eventually.

Wheels are expensive. I also love the fidelis from the same seller... and have heard only good reviews about it. but, it does cost a little more, and I really don't have extra money to spend, so, since the biggest differences here seem to be cost, and look, and the fact that the Otium comes as a kit to put together... well, I like putting things together. and as I said, I'll paint it, decorate it, personalize it.

By the way, in the few weeks I have been spinning, I have three people asking me for spindles now. THey will eacj get one, too. But I will have to think about what kind of fiber to give them with it... especially since I can barely afford fiber myself.

Oh, speaking of which, take a look at what is on its way to me:

Its Esby by Bohemia yarn Co. on BFL. isn't it yummy!
You can find Bohemia Yarn Co. on Hyena Cart.... and I can't wait to see this in person! its so pretty!

Gotta go... time to walk the kids to the library for baby bookworm.

Spinning...

2008-09-12T16:53:00.003-04:00

... Is really quite fun. I did get some actual work done today, but I spent an awful lot of time thinking about spinning.

I am not fast. I am not good. But I am having fun. I started with a top whorl spindle made from a 2 inch wooden car wheel, a 1/2 inch cup hook, and a 12 inch long 1/4 inch dowel. It worked. That was when I was impatient about getting the spindle I ordered, which I assumed would be much better than mine.

I had ordered some wool to spin, and it was (is) so soft, and pretty natural color... super nice to feel, but I had a hard time getting it to spin even... It is put aside now till I get just a little better.

A few days after I made my own spindle, I got 2 packages in the mail. one of them contained the spindle I bought. would you guess, there were only 3 small differences between it and the one I made. 1, they used a 1.5 inch wood car wheel, lol. 2, they used a bigger cup hook, go figure. and 3, they tapered the end to a point. The only difference I actually think I liked was the tapered end, and that only asthetically... its a drop spindle... the end doesn't REALLY matter.

The other package was a very thoughtful and highly apreciated gift from one of the members of my favorite Diaper Sewing Board, Diaper Sewing Divas. She sent me a bottom whorl drop spindle, handmade, with a painted whorl and both ends tapered, no hook at all. And, she sent a nice big ball of fiber to spin. Shetland, which I have now found is a much better starting fiber, though I am not sure exactly what I will make with the finished yarn, as shetland isn't the softest. But, I am now spinning that fiber, and really enjoying it. It is much easier to spin, and I have spun most of the spindle full.

The spindle I bought also came with "a handful of random fiber floof" I spun that, and it too was easier than the super soft wool I bought. I made a mini-mini-mini skein, lol... it might be a few yards long... (I navajo plied it... I could not figure out any way to do regular plying... with only one single... besides, the navajo plying seemed easier, somehow.)

One day I'll get my hubby to drill some holes in a peice of wood to make me a lazy kate for spindles.

heck, one day, I'll probably find a way to get a spinning wheel, too. cause I am having tons of fun.

Oh, and two year old Beeba 1 saw me "playing" with my spindles. he had to have one. so, for the whole under a dollar it took, I put a spindle together just for him.

Then I was at the craft store and saw this little wooden Disc. A little over the 2 inch circumference of my big wheel, but it weighs the same as the 1.5 inch wheel on the spindle I bought. I figured, hey, it costs all of 12 cents, why not grab it?

So I did. I had my hubby drill me a hole in the center, big enough for the dowel I already had, and there was a spindle whorl. But I already had 3 spindles. and I only started spinning last week... so there had to be an excuse to make another one, right? well, the excuse was that I have seen so many super cute decorated ones online, (and really want them all, lol... ) that I should have a more decorated one too. Plus, I wanted to try every kind of spindle I can... see what is best for me.

So this one is .5 ounces, made with more evenly distributed weight whorl rather than center distributed, with a spindle length of 9 inches total, and 8 below the whorl.

It spins really well, too. so, I have 4 spindles now. and what do you think, I have favorites. 2 favorites, actually. They are tied. The spindle given to me, and the most recent decorated one. Different reasons.

For the spindle I was given, part of the reason I like it is because it was given. Something about the fact that it was handmade for me, the the good feelings thus infused in it. Also, my first mostly even yarn was spun on it. (I have now, by the way, plied that single as well... but it is still on the bigger spindle, waiting for more yarn to be added, or waiting to be taken off and skeined. I still have about an ounce of that wool to spin...)

The new decorated spindle I like a lot too. I like that is it is light, and spins really easy, and that it is super pretty, and makes me smile. I like to see the gold paint glinting off it as it spins, and I like that I actually have been doing pretty good spinning on it, too. I also like its shorter length... it makes me feel like it would be easier to travel with. and I like that it has a hook, because I can spin faster without doing a half-hitch... though I am sure I will use the turkish style spindle I was given quite often too.

third favorite is the spindle I made first, believe it or not. I like that I did not spend a bunch of money on it. I like that it does spin well. It is slightly heavier... at a whole .7 oz, lol... and it is bigger than the other spindles I like best by a few inches. I like it for plying. I am sure there are better spindles... but I like it ok.

and my least favorite is the one I bought. Of course, there are reasons for that, too. 1, I paid $5 plus shipping for something that as I look at it, I could have made for a dollar. 2, it seems out of proportion somehow, with a 12 inch length and a tiny little wheel whorl. and 3, I think for something that was bought, it would have been nice if it didn't look like the whole thing was bought and thrown together from craft store supplies in 5 minutes.

Having only 1 car...

2008-09-11T08:43:00.002-04:00

...is no fun at all.

Earlier this week, my husband's 13 year old car finally died. We could not afford to spend 3 time its value on fixing it, so, bu-bye car.

On the one hand, this will speed up the process of getting a new car (I want a minivan, so I can fit the kids AND family into it, or the kids AND luggage in it on long trips... you get the idea).

On the other hand, this will also mean that we are a one car family for a while. and I am already feeling the effects of that. My husband isn't. Oh no, he gets first priority on the car, don't you know.

I, on the other hand, missed Beeba 1's library program this week because while the library is in walking distance, it really isn't when it rains all day. and I will be missing my Le Leche League meeting this morning, because he needs the car to go to meetings today.

The only time I have been out of the house this week was to go to the grocery store, which meant I missed the bedtime routine for Beeba 1, and because the one aspect of cloth diapering my husband has never figured out is what to put him in for overnight, he put my poor beeba 1 in a trashie!

It really feels wrong for me to have to feel guilty about wanting the car for a day, so I can get errands done. But, despite the fact that I have always had certain things I do with the kids on a very regular basis, my husband cannot schedule around us, because his work schedules the meetings, not him.

So, I feel frustrated and angry, but really, I cannot get angry at him. But I do, because I don't have anyone else to be angry at. It isn't fair to either him or me, and I feel guilty. Which means I still wind up feeling it more than him...

We'll get through it. We have done the one car thing before. But then, we only had 1 child, too, and it didn't feel as rotten. Now, with 2 kids, I DEPEND on getting out of the house once or twice a week. those few hours around other adults really do a lot to keep me sane. I love my kids, but they are not the most stimulating conversationalists.

The sale is done, On to the next steps

2008-09-08T09:42:00.003-04:00

Well, THe Grand Opening sale is over, the Auction is done, the Lotterys are won.

Now, I just wait for payments to come in for the last couple items, and it will be time to start working on the next stocking.

In the next Stocking of Beeba Bottoms @ HC, you can expect to see at least one set, including an embroidered onesie/shirt and a coordinating embroidered pocket diaper or fitted diaper and embroidered cover.

I also intend to have a couple more keychain diapers up for sale, and several new fitted diapers.

Antsy and a couple Diapers for Beeba 2

2008-09-04T15:14:00.003-04:00

What a title, huh? ok, first things first. Why am I antsy.

Well, I ordered a drop spindle from a seller on Esty, HausMaus. I'd like to say I am thrilled, it is great, spins like a dream, whatever. But I can't. I can't even say it is horrible. It has been a week since I ordered, and I not only don't have it yet (something that can happen, and I am not upset so much about) but I have also received no communication from the seller, and am seeing no indication that it was shipped or even that the order was looked at.

I ordered some roving to practice on the day after, and it is not here yet either. It at least shows as shipped in my Purchases. But, the seller chose not to use a trackable shipping method... or at least did not give me a way to track it. Again, that in itself is not so bad... maybe foolish, but not terrible.

So, I am antsy. I get very into what I am doing. When I decide to try something, I do it full on, head on... and I like to get started right away. I taped a CD to a pencil and have been twirling that around, and if my wool gets here before the spindle, I may try it that way.... but I'd rather have a real spindle, cause the pencil and CD keeps falling apart, even though it spins really well when it is together.

I just wish the stuff would get here, you know? I know it will (it better) but I am antsy.

But, on the other hand, I have been getting some diapers for Beeba 2 done... she needs some Mediums, she is growing so fast, lol. I made one that is Velour inner and outer, with pastel variagated Wooly Nylon, and a snap-in soaker... it is to die for! MMMM... so squishy and soft... I was gonna put it on my cart, but decided Beeba 2 MUST have it... I can make another for the cart.

I also made her an embroidered Denim fitted.... I do not usually do fitted diapers with embroidery, but I was testing my machine after it came back from the shop... Again, it would have gone to my cart, but... I didn't realize that the shop people must have set the machine for regular sewing (which I never use on that machine) and had set the presser foot pressure far far too high. The embroidery did not come out perfect, not even good enough for me to want to stock it as a second... but it is still very pretty and cute. So, it became a diaper for my Beeba 2.

Isn't she cute?

Beeba Bottoms @ Hyena Cart is OPEN!

2008-09-02T15:48:00.002-04:00

Yay! I have been puting a lot of time and energy into making sure I had a good variety to stock for the big Grand Opening Sale, now all there is to do is wait! (and make more for the next stocking, of course) My plan is to stock on average every 2 weeks, but I'll stock more if stuff sells well, and less if it sits. (or maybe just one or 2 things every other week if it sits)

I added a Twitter Element on the side of the Blog. If I rememebr to update it, I will, every now and then... it seems almost like it would be a MINI blog, lol... so, a blog within a blog... oh well, I see them all the time... but I figure, I can update that with things that are not big enough for a whole post here, but that I think would be interesting to share... or when I am bored, lol.

Don't forget to check out the sale! I have 3 FFS Lottos up and an Auction for the cutest little embroidered Diaper Cover, Size Medium, with a teddy bear on it... perfect for boys or girls, and right now, it is only at $3.00! You have got to get in on this....

Snap Press Conversion Time!

2008-08-30T16:49:00.008-04:00

I've been wanting to convert my snap press into a Kick Press for a while now, Every since I saw a picture of it online. Well, Guess what? I'm doing it!

Well, actually, my husband is doing it for me. But I collected all the parts for it.

So here are the specs. I know I was lost looking for specs, and I want this to be easy for anyone to do.

Supplies needed:
--1 tool stand. I used a 29" Universal tool Stand, 29.99 from harbor freight, and 8 dollars shipping. if I had ordered a day earlier, I would have caught it on sale for 19.99.... but oh well.

--Lumber. I used 3/4" A/C Plyboard, one peice cut to the size of the bottom of the stand (it should have been a few inches longer, though, I think) and one peice for the top, a bit bigger than the top of the stand, to give me a good surface. (My stand is a very narrow one though, only 9.5 inches wide on top, so if you have a wider top, you may want yours to be closer to the size of your top.

You also need a peice for the lever. the ones I saw online used 2x4, but we used a length of 2x6. It gives a better foot space.

--Hardware. A hinge, we used a regular door hinge, and bolts to connect the pieces. You will also need some rope and brackets to connect the bottom of the stand to your base wood.

and here's how we built it.

step one: take the whole family to the store, get out of the car, and realize you forgot your list of measurements at home. Go Home and get them.

step two: Back to the store. buy hinges, and plywood. don't forget rope and bolts.

Step three: Make DH start putting the sucker together. Make sure to get a cute pic of Beeba 1 "helping" sand a paint stirrer.

Step four: get the sucker inside, and fight with getting the rope length exactly right. Realize the base wood should actually be a good six inches or so longer, because it is really not easy to press snaps while sitting with a diagonal push. It would be much easier to press them if the weight were straight downward.

Step four. Enjoy having a Kick press that, while not perfect yet, is a whole lot better than it was when it was fully manual.

I'll update when I finish improving it.

A New Hobby??

2008-08-29T17:18:00.002-04:00

I sew, I knit, now, maybe I'll..... Spin?

That's right, I just bought my very first drop spindle. I can't wait for it to get here. I promise not to let it affect my shops... at least not at first, lol. Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line, it will be a new addition.

For now, Just a new hobby. One I can't wait to start. But wait... I still need fiber to spin. the Spindle I bought, from an Etsy shop, is supposed to come with "a generous handful" of fiber, to start learning with. But I am sure that wont last long.

So, I need to look for some fiber. What to try? Well, I am not all that knowledgeable about spinning, but I love wool, and have heard it is easy to learn on, so I bought a package of natural undyed roving too. I am thinking this way, I will be able to play... it was only $5 itself. (which I am guessing will mean not the best quality, but for a starter, I can't spend much)

Zorb... The next Best Diaper Fabric?

2008-08-28T14:14:00.005-04:00

Probably not, but bot a terrible thing either. Marketed as "Super absorbent cloth", I got to try a bit this week for myself, Thanks to an acquaintance from an online group.

Overall, My feelings are that it is really no different from Microfibre. It will absorb, but it will also squish out fluid. You must have a fair amount of additional natural absorbancy to go with the Zorb, or you will just have a mess.

As far as the specifics, I made one diaper each for Beeba 1 and Beeba 2. Both are AI2 style, since if figured if the Zorb were a complete failure, I would have lost very little, it only being within the Soaker layers, and those not being attached to the diaper by more than snaps.

In Beeba 1's Diaper, a Large HHS, I started with a single soaker flap consisting of one layer Sherpa, 2 layers rib knit, and 1 layer Zorb. It worked, but not as well as I would have hoped. the Diaper leaked through after a little under 2 hours.

Later, I added a second flap consisting of 1 layer Sherpa, 1 layer Zorb, and a layer of Microchamois (for stay-dry). I was hoping for a trim night-worthy diaper.

I don't know if it will be night worthy, but it did prove Nap-worthy. So that is not too bad. It was super trim with only the first flap, but didn't last long. It is still pretty trim with the 2 flaps, and it holds well for AT LEAST enough time for regular day-time use. I should say, though, that Beeba 1 is nearing Potty training, and is also an average wetter, not heavy.

For Beeba 2, who is almost 4 months old, can you believe it?? seems like yesterday she was born!... anyway, for her, I used 2 flaps from the start. the bottoms flap consisting of 2 layers flannel, 1 Sherpa, and 1 Zorb, and the top of 4 layers flannel, 1 zorb, and 1 microchamois. She is a Heavy/Frequent wetter.

We tried hers on today, and it lasted less than an hour before either it was leaking through, or it might have been that her clothes were just wet from the rain. We'll try again later. Either way, though, the inside of the diaper was wet through, so I really don't think it would have lasted longer.

Previews coming up tonight!

2008-08-21T21:31:00.006-04:00

I am a bit ahead of schedule, so I am going to put up my previews tonight instead of tomorrow for the Grand Opening of Beeba Bottoms at Hyena Cart. Previews will continue to go up until the opening from here in.

I thought I'd put up a few previews right here, but just a few. so here is a size small Fattycakes that will go live September first:

And a couple of FFS Lotterys, too:

super cute and useful wipes! I have a boy set and a girl set that will be FFS.

There will be 1 more FFS Lottery, yet to be announced, and an Embroidered Pocket Diaper in size Medium which will be Auctioned, and much more.

I hope you'll take a look!

Working on Stock

2008-08-20T08:57:00.002-04:00

So I am working on stock for the new HC, I have several Diapers that are just waiting for snaps and to be closed up (hidden snaps only thanks) and I have several packs of wipes I have finished, (you can expect at least one pack to be a FFS on the grand opening stocking) and several Keychain Diapers are ready or in progress (again, a FFS lottery is in the future of at least one of these). I am also hoping to get a few wipes cases completed, and I have some embroidery work to do today.

Pictures tomorrow, and then, Friday, you can expect to see some previews up! There will be more coming in next week's work, but this friday there will be at least a few things up for previewing.

On another note, the preschool homeschooling is going ok. Beeba 1 loves "playing school". The curriculum is meant for 5 days a week, but I think it will not be the traditional 5 days. Tuesdays we go to a children's reading program that takes the whole morning... so I think our school days will be more like: MOnday, Wednesday, THursday, Friday, Saturday. It just works better with our schedule.

Potty Training, on the other hand, is not going so well. We gave up. physically, he is ready, but emotionally, I don't think he is. he thinks it is too much fun to pee (or worse) on the floor! You can bet I had my carpet scrubber out after that experience. So, back to diapers it is... who knows how long... maybe a few weeks, maybe longer.

Oh, and I am on a "no-Buy" don't worry, I can still buy things I actually need, and things for specific orders don't count... but no extras for a little while. Good thing I have a pretty good selection of stuff for now. After I sell some stuff, I will come off the no-buy, so that means if you want me to have a better fabric selection, you better get buying, right? heh...

OK, signing off for now. Tommorrow, I'll probably share some pics from the stocking, so if you are really impatient, you can see it here, just a day ahead of time.

Busy last few days

2008-08-17T11:49:00.002-04:00

We have been super crazy busy around here the past few days. despite my best intentions, the preschool curriculum has been left by the wayside till monday.

What have we been dong? Well, Friday was my Dear husband's 31st Birthday. So, I spent the day cleaning the house, as in, scrubbing the carpets even. Because yesterday, we were having a few friends over for a cookout, and I couldn't bear to have them see my floors as they were.

Then when he got home, we went out to dinner, and cake and ice cream at his grandparents. I was sadly dissapointed at being told that I must either cover the face of my 3 month old daughter, or leave the room if I needed to feed her. I should not have been surprised, this being the same people who wanted to take us to dinner, but only if I PROMISED not to nurse in Public.

I almost walked out of the house when I was told that I could not nurse at will. Instead, because it was my husband's birthday, and his family, I swallowed my pride and left the room, since I refuse to put a blankiet over her face.

later, despite it being his birthday, I made my husband help me with some more cleaning...

Then yesterday, we had the cookout. our neighbors came over, and some other friends, and we got to sit and watch the kids run all around the yard. It was a really fun day.

Today, we have another birthday party, for one ofr Beeba 1's friends.

Home School Preschool

2008-08-14T17:18:00.005-04:00

So, Beeba 1 is almost 2 and a half, and I have been thinking about trying to insert just a bit of structure into his education. He likes to sing and play with blocks and alphabet letters, and to color and draw, So being that those are all things preschoolers do, I figured I'd find a preschool curriculum for him.

Well, While I was thinking of that, one of the members of The Mom Pack (an online group of MOM Business women I belong to--- you can find their banner on any of my websites, including this one) came to the group asking for a few people to try her new preschool curriculum, in exchange for some exposure and some feedback. It was a match made in heaven. (which makes sense since her curriculum is christian based.

You can find her Curriculum at www.sonbeams.com

I figure, We'll try it, see how Beeba 1 responds, and blog about it, both to chart his progress (and give me accountability for teaching him) and to grant her some small bit of exposure.

Today we Started, week 1, Day 1. It really is meant to be Monday through Friday, but that's the beauty of homeschooling, you can do it whenever you want. I have a feeling we'll repeat the first day a couple of times, anyway...

Beeba 1 loved the idea of practicing the letter of the day on his chalkboard... but is as of yet unable to make a letter without mommy helping. Makes sense. I mostly let him just color, and when he asked me to help make the letter, I did.

We Introduced a scripture of the week, and a color, and a number, too. we did not get any further than that today, but that's OK. I think we did OK for a start.

The curriculum looks very interesting, though I need to read more of it still... it will be better for him when I have everything ready and don't need to check the paper between every activity.

and just for fun, I was playing with photoshop last night... here are a couple pics of Beeba 2... see which is your favorite. (hint, they are the same pic)

Have a happy day!

The Custom is Done!

2008-08-11T21:59:00.005-04:00

Here it is! The talked about and maybe awaited Custom Order. Now I can work on Stocking the new HC.

My Hubby took a pic as I was finishing the Diaper Bag. He thought it would be cool to have. I think it would be cool to share. the work in Progress.

And then there are the Diapers. 10 small BBOriginal Fitteds, which will fit a baby as small as 7.5 pounds easily (with a minor bit of folding in the rise) and which still fit my approximately 12 pound baby.

And 4 Small Fattycakes Covers, Bound in FOE, and with a fourth set of snaps, so they should fit the new baby pretty much right away. Technically, Fattycakes are designed to be Ruffled edges, but my experience is that the FOE holds in messy runny poo better, if it gets through the diaper.

And I made her 18 wipes out of scraps, just as an extra. (this is a local friend, and not just a customer, so they are part of my gift to her for her new baby) they are random sized and shaped, like the ones I make for my own house. Some are knit/knit, some are velour/knit, uber soft and cushy, and some are terry/knit... great for messy messes.

Last is the bag itself. She chose this really pretty paisley quilters cotton for the lining,
and I used a panel of it on the front too. The bag is a Hot Mama Bag, like the ones I carry on my site. I added a pocket on the back (which you don't see) for papers and stuff, like the ones they always give you after doctors appointments, or at the hospital.

The bag easily fits all the diapers, and the covers, and the wipes aren't in there, but they fit too. the rolled thing is the changing pad, which is very generously sized. My 2 year old can stretch out on mine and only have his feet stick off.

So thats the Custom. It was a lot of work, but it is done, and now I can move on to other things. See you next time.

An Update...

2008-08-10T19:49:00.002-04:00

Remember the Custom order I wrote about the other day? The diapers are done, the covers are done, the Bag is half done... I'll post pics when its all done, lol. I want to bring her the whole set on Thursday at our Le Leche League meeting, so she doesn't have to worry any more about baby coming without diapers. I also made up 18 wipes from scraps, or various materials... some velour, so terry, some knit, etc. and I want to make her a wipes case too.

I am looking forward to having it all done, so I can start working on stocking the new Hyena Cart.

working on a custom order...

2008-08-08T08:29:00.003-04:00

and nearly done with it. I have been working on a custom order of 10 fitted diapers and 4 covers and a Diaperbag for a local customer and friend. So I have been neglecting the blog a bit. the diapers are done, and the covers mostly... they just need snaps. Then I'll get back to work on the bag. Plus, being it is for a friend, I want to add some extras to the order. It will keep me busy for the next week or so.

When that is done, I have lots more to work on.

I am proud to announce that on September 1st, Beeba Bottoms Diapers and Covers will be opening a new Hyena Cart! Closer to the opening, I'll Post a reminder, but on the HC only, from September 1st till September 7, you can save 10% with the code "NEWHC".

Once The custom is all done, I will be working on a nice stocking for our Grand Opening Sale. I hope to have some embroidered Pockets up, as well as some fitted diapers and covers, and even a few regular pockets. Keep an Eye out!

A Cloth Diaper Dictionary

2008-08-01T11:46:00.002-04:00

I have had more than a few people mention on the Etsy forums that they don't understand all the Cloth Diapering Lingo. I have a quick guide in my Etsy Policies, but I'd Rather list it here, I think. Feel free to add a comment if you think I have missed anything. (I'll credit you with the addition if you do. Lets make this as all inclusive as we can, shall we?)

here Goes...

Cloth Diaper Dictionary

Fitted Diaper- A Diaper made from all absorbent materials. Needs a waterproof cover.

Pocket Diaper- A very Quick Drying Diaper, usually 2 layers of fabric as the main body, in between which an absorbant layer is added prior to use. If made with a Waterproof/resistant outer layer, this can be called an "AIO Pocket". Made with absorbant layers on the outside, It would be called a "Pocket Fitted"

All-In-One/AIO Diaper- A diaper made to function like a disposable... no covers, no inserts required. May use either Hook and loop closures or snaps.

All-In-Two/AI2 Diaper- A diaper made with a waterproof outer shell, and a snap in inside Layer.

Wool-In-Two/WI2 Diaper- Similar to an AI2, but with a wool Outer Shell. The wool shell must be handwashed, or it will felt.

Diaper Cover- Water -proof or -resistant, made with either PUL, Fleece, or Wool.

Soaker- two meanings.
1, a pull-on style diaper cover, may be hand knit or sewn,
2, The absorbent layer inside diapers, often referred to as a "soaker layer". Also can be referred to as an "insert" or "stuffer"

Longies/Shorties/Skirties- Pul on diaper covers made to look and function as pants, shorts, or skirts. May be sewn or hand knit. Most Knit longies/Shorties/Skirties (as well as knit soakers) are made from wool. These must be handwashed to prevent felting.

Felt (as in Felting wool)- Felting is the process in which wool shrinks and becomes thicker. It may be an intentional thing (as in sewn wool covers from felted fabric) or an accidental thing (as in throwing your handknit wool covers into the wash, and they come out too small to be of use)

Nappy- In many parts of the world, this is what Diapers are called. Particularly Great Britain.

Busy Busy

2008-07-31T13:34:00.002-04:00

I have been a busy bee lately. I am working on an order for a local customer (and friend), and I am trying to get more stuff made up for stocking, and handling the house and the kids.

Monday, I hurt my neck. It was a stress related injury, lol... literally. Muscle Spasms. Ouch, and I am still a little sore, but just about better now. monday when it happened, though, I was in pain enough to cry. I didn't cry through most of my natural, Drug-free labor with Beeba 2.

I do have one nice little surprise. Here is the next thing to be stocked on Etsy. it still needs its insert, but I snapped it this morning, so it is almost ready to go. Once I have the insert done and some better pics, up it goes. But for now, a sneak preveiw!

The End of July

2008-07-29T09:50:00.003-04:00

It comes swiftly. The end of July means that The Key-chain Diaper Giveaway is swiftly coming to an end. And, the Giveaway I am sponsoring over at Handmade Showcase is also coming to an end. If you haven't entered these giveaways, do so now, before you lose your chance!

End of July also means the beginning of August. August is a busy month around here, with my Hubby's Birthday, and a friend of mine is due with her second child mid-august, too.

Of cousre, I am making her diaper stash, and as I try to get things done, would you like to guess what happened? NECK SPASMS! Have you ever had a muscle spasm? I am told they are often stress related... do you think it could be stress from a toddler, a newborn, and a business? well, whatever the reson, Ouch!

My Hubby is Home today, working, but from home. He is here so if I need him he can help. He'll go back to the office tommorrow. My neck is starting to feel better, and sooner than the doctore seemed to think it would. He said 2-3 days. I just do not allow it to hurt that long, I guess. Maybe the Doctor doesn't know Mommies too well, right?

I have not put in tons of pics lately... here is a good one of Beeba 1, when he was much smaller, and more innocent.

Thread! Lots of Thread!

2008-07-26T09:25:00.004-04:00

Yes, you heard me right. I got the thread I ordered for Embroidery yesterday. Here what it looked like when it came. Packed nicely in its box.

Actually, it wasn't packed quite so nicely as it looks... there was no rhyme or reason to how it was packed... no order at all, and no color card to say how to organize it. I had to do a search online to find one.

It took me nearly an hour to get them all straightened out.

But, I got them in order, by number, and here they are now. All pretty and organized in color families. Its like a pretty thread rainbow!

And, I still have more space to add more pretty variegated colors and metallics as needed.

Plus, three of the bottom spools are bobbin thread. When they run out, I think I will be getting some pre-filled bobbins, and I can use the pegs for MORE thread!

Boy, I sound thread crazy. But, You know what this means. Expect more embroidered Items in my shops in the very near future.

New Top 100!

2008-07-25T10:39:00.006-04:00

Beeba Bottoms Top 100 Mommy and Baby Sites

Ok, there are a lot of these lists out on the web. I know that. but they do work. Using the idea of reciprocal links, you don't have to do anything to be on one of these lists but have a link to the list somewhere on your site, in a links page, or a banner rotator, or something similar. It is slightly more work to run one, I have found. As many of my new members have not been able to get a banner running, or have forgotten to change the size of the banner in the form they signed up with.

But, I think it has potential. The more people click into the list form your link, the higher on the list your banner moves, and the more people click to your page.

However, the one thing I do not like is the Google Ads on the list. So. Here is the deal. I will post a few permanent links in prominent spaces on the list. This will be limited in number, so as not to crowd out the free members. as in, 1 row of 125x125 buttons after the 3rd ranked link and 1 row at the top of page 2, and a few 468x60 banners interspersed bewteen other ranks, no more than 2 in any one place. Money from these ads will be used to cover the cost of getting rid of the google ads and into advertising the toplist, to get the ads we post more visibility.

If you are interested in having a permanent spot on the list, comment on this post with an email and I will contact you. I will delete the comments as I respond to them, so your email won't be hanging out for long. The cost of the Ads will be $2.50 for a three month period. As soon as I have enough to get rid of the google ads, I will, and after that, I will start using ad money to get the list ads elsewhere, to help all of its members get more business.

Permanent Ads will be on a first come, first served (and chosen) basis.

To have a permanent ad, you must: 1. have either a 125x125 or a 468x60 ad to use. 2. Be a family friendly site. My children are often on my lap, as are many others who will veiw this list.

Back from our trip...

2008-07-23T08:29:00.002-04:00

Boy, are we all tired. We took yesterday as a detox day. Don't get me wrong, I love, and the kids love, going to my Mom's, but boy, is it a long drive! But, we made it. We left thursday, thinking the kids would sleep if we drove at night. I have to be honest. They were both awake and screaming most of the drive. Then the next day, I took Beeba 2 with me and went to work with my mom. She loves showing off her grandkids. Beeba 1 and my husband came later. Saturday was the wedding that did not want a nursing baby at it. Of course, since Beeba 2 is only 2 months old, and the wedding and events around it were to last ALL DAY (think, 9:30 am till 10 or later in the evening) I of course stayed away. the kids and I hung out with my mom and tried to stay cool while my husband went to the wedding.

We went shopping friday and saturday. As he promised, my Brother bought me the Reader/Writer box for my Embroidery Machine. And the bigger size hoop for it. And I was able to order a set of 100 colors of thread! I have been practicing on the machine with the sampler card and the few colors I already had, so now I am ready for business with the embroidery. As soon as my thread gets here.

Sunday we had a "breakfast" to go to. Also wedding related. This time, though, we were told the kids were welcome, but that if needed to nurse, I shoudl run away and hide. Well, I'm sorry, but in a house full of people, there are not very many places to hide, even if I had wanted to (which I didn't) the thing that got me most though? I don't think anyone realized that 90% of the time I was holding Beeba 2 (she got passed around a little.. lots of family), she was nursing. Nobody realized she was nursing. And if they did, they couldn't see anything. So all their worries about her at the wedding? Just their neuroses.

After the breakfast, we were planning to go to a family pool, but there were severe weather warnings all day. They were saying there would be hail up to an inch and a half in diameter. There weren't, but we couldn't know that ahead of time, and decided if the weather was being predicted so bad, we had better not take the kids out.

And Of course Monday we drove back. It took forever to get home. By the time we got here, we were all tired, cranky, and ready for bed.

The saddest part of all this is that in the whole weekend, not one picture was taken. Not one. Very sad. Oh well. there will be other times.

Going away for the weekend

2008-07-15T15:54:00.003-04:00

So, you won't see much of mearound here or on my sites after tomorrow until next wednesday or so. We are heading off on an adventure... a 7 hour drive with a 2 year old and a 2 month old! Really, Hubby has a family wedding to go to, and I am gonna spend some time with my mom and brother.

So, Sorry, blog fans and Shoppers alike, I will be out of commission for a few days. On the positive side, I should come back with pictures, and even better, THE READER/WRITER BOX FOR MY EMBROIDERY MACHINE!! That mean as of next week, I will be working on adding Embroidered diapers into my regular stocking schedule, and working to create an online catalog of my available designs for custom orders.

I have hundreds of designs waiting on my computer, and can't wait to get them stitching!

So, I may write tommorrow, but probably won't write thursday, and definitely not over the weekend. If you don't hear from me till then, assume I am running around like a chicken with its head off, trying to get us all packed for our trip. hmmm... pack for hubby to go to the wedding, Beeba 1 who is trying to potty learn, Beeba 2 who needs practically her entire diaper stash, and not to forget me.... whose clothes are ALL in the laundry, because everyone else's cloths have higher priority! Yikes! I better get moving!

Construction Continues...

2008-07-14T15:42:00.004-04:00

... But not for long. The Garage roof is almost done, this morning they got it shingled all but the peak. It would have been done yesterday, but it poured! Bad nature! No, but really, they had to stop work, but they had all the tar paper up. Today, they would have finished too, but they ran out of shingles! I think they will finish this afternoon, after they get some more.

Here it is, the new roof, minus Shingles, in the pouring rain:

And with all but the peak done:

And just cause they are cute, here is another picture from Saturday when my hubby took a break to play with Beeba 1. Enjoy!

Construction!

2008-07-12T22:19:00.006-04:00

There was Heavy construction going on in my backyard today. My husband decided last weekend that this was the right time to re-roof our garage. Well, they have been working since yesterday. There were no less than 4 layers of rotting roofing on this thing. heh. What you are seeing in this first pic is what was salvageable of the original roof decking. Not much.

My husband would like you to think that he was the one up there doing all the work. Nope... he's the one standing down below, wishing that when I had the camera out, he was on the roof, lol. He isn't really much of a handyman... he tries, and gets the job done eventually, but if these guys weren't here, this would have waited several more years, till the roof caved in.

We tried to stay out of the way most of the day, but it was hot today, and with no air conditioning, outside with breeze, bubbles, and squirt guns was the place to be. Beeba 1 was having a ball, running around in a diaper and t-shirt, collecting and hoarding the squirt guns. After we had emptied them all over each other. Or rather, I emptied them on him and his daddy, lol... He still hasn't quite figured out how to squeeze the triggers.

I got to the fabric store last night. 2 full hours kid free! and the best part of all, I came home with my arms full. These are all knits you'll see soon in one or both of my shops. super cute! I can't even figure out which is my favorite.

So tomorrow, work continues on the garage, and I spend another weekend day hubbie free and kid-full... oh well. the sad part is that I really want to go to church, but I really can't handle both kids alone there... so far, we have had to take Beeba 1 out at least once every week. And my husband will be out working on the roof again first thing in the morning.

KeyChain Diapers now on Etsy!

2008-07-11T11:14:00.006-04:00

Now even if you don't win a free keychain diaper, you can have one of your own! Made from a miniature version of my BBOriginal Diaper pattern, these are just too cute! Over the next couple days, several will be listed at Beeba Bottoms at Etsy ! If they sell, I may add more.

I have revised the pattern, though. There is no longer elastic in the legs, but now they are top-stitched! Hurry and get yours while its available!

Staying Cool

2008-07-10T08:30:00.008-04:00

Its been real hot here lately, so we've had to think of ways to stay cool. One of those ways is with a new baby carrier. When Beeba 1 was little, I had a stretchy wrap I had made. I still have it, and we loved it, but it was a poly knit, and it got very warm to wear in the summer. This time around, knowing that in advance, I found some cotton gauze fabric. So here is my new summer wrap. Forgive my horrendous hair... this was after a day of chasing a 2 year old, hah.

Beeba 2 loves it, and we both stay much cooler. I would like to say, I would never trust this light fabric in any other kind of carrier, but in a wrap, where it is all one peice, no seams, and you are wrapping several layers of support, it works beautifully. very comfy and cool. and very simple to make. I ripped it down the center to get half the width of the fabric, and serged all around it with a rolled hem, and that was it.

Then, I was playing around. I see people talk about making keychain diapers all the time, and I was trying to figure out how they made them so small. I know some people give them out as extras in orders, others make them for their friends, still others sell them as Cloth Diaper Advocacy items. So, I decided to try my hand at it. This keychain diapers is a fitted, front snapping, with a sewn in soaker. hehe... just like a miniataure version of a real fitted diaper, it even has elastic legs. The only thing I couldn't figure out was how to elastisize the back. Oh well, maybe I'll figure it out, but for now, it is still super cute.

And Yup, you can see how small it is, it is sitting on my laptop next to the touchpad and next to the clicker for my car on the keychain. I may have to make a few for some cloth loving friends, lol.

You may notice, I seem to have a million different Ideas running through my head at all times. I seem that way because I am that way. I am constantly thinking of new things, or thinking I need to change something somewhere. That is why you read about my sewing space and 2 days later I changed it again, lol. Rest assured, my patterns don't change that way. It does however, mean that there is always something new in the works. I often don't get to sleep because I am too busy and my mind racing too fast to get to sleep. Right now, I am trying to work out a thought about cloth diaper cakes. And trying to decide if anyone would buy them. Of course, that means I need to think of what to use to decorate them too, since I don't like the thought of advocating binkies or bottles, which are 2 very common things to find in diaper cakes. So I was thinking that mine would be sort of the all-inclusive Diapering start-up package. we'll see. I'm pretty sure I could do it, but it would take some thinking. But if I do come up with something, you readers will be the first to know.

Now I can Play...

2008-07-07T17:02:00.004-04:00

I finished an order I was working on, so now I get to play with new things. I embroidered my first Diaper Cut today... it looks really good, and I will be listing it on the Etsy store when the diaper is finished. It will be a Small AIO Pocket Diaper. PUL Outer with a Microfleece inner, and it will include a trifold insert. It is embroidered with a pretty heart, in pastel variegated thread... very pretty, and subtle. It is sealed, so the diaper will not wick at the embroidery. I'll post pics when I am done... for now... it is inside out waiting to be sewn.

I am also thinking about running a FFS (thats Free for Shipping, for anybody who doesn't know) drawing, right here on my Blog. I know there are people reading the blog... I watch the stats. If you are interested in the idea of a FFS drawing, please tell me. Tell me what kind of a FFS drawing you'd like too... fitted, pocket, etc. if I do it and get a lot of entries, I may do it again.

If I do a FFS drawing, the point would be to get traffic on my shops... so the entry requirements would be something like, "tell me your favorite item on my shops" or something like that and you would comment here on the blog, and each commentor would get entered into the drawing... (names into a hat and pulled by a 2 year old) then I would post the winner on the blog... so people who enter might want to keep watching...

I think this would work... but... please leave me a comment... tell me what you think... do you like the idea? can you think of any ways to improve it? I have never done a drawing like this... hmmm.... it bears more thinking about and planning...

The Aftermath...

2008-07-05T14:42:00.012-04:00

... Of not so spring Cleaning, that is... heh... When my husband realized he had yesterday off, he decided this weekend would be a "do things around the house" day. Worked out for me... I feel like I got a whole new Sewing room, all over again.

I had been talking about putting a bookshelf in the under-utilized corner. Before, we had a secretary's desk there, but it just didn't have any point in this room. Unfortunately, as pretty as it was, it kept being used only as a small inefficient catch-all.

So he cleaned up the desk, and brought it out into the living room. I finally hung sheers up under our curtains, which makes the room feel much nicer, and worked on re-organizing my storage spaces.

He brought down the bookshelf, and this morning I went to Walmart and got a couple clear boxes with lids, which fit perfectly, 2 per shelf... I'll have to get more later for the rest of the shelves. I also found an Ironing board for $10! I had a small counter top board, but was always frustrated with it, because it was always too small.

but I found I also got shelves for behind my sewing machine.th I couldn't find the wire cubes I was thinking of...these little shelves that fit there, and they were actually half the price! I am satisfied... and I discovered that by moving my desk lamp up to the top of the shelves, I get lots more light, and don't need to have the overhead on nearly as often.

I cleared the top of my storage dresser, and found homes for everything that was there. That was a lot of work... I didn't realize how much stuff there was!

The desktop computer area is still a mess, but that is more of my husband's space, rather than mine... so I'll let him handle it. Now if only I didn't have to go over there and use the printer and my thumb drive every time I want to upload pictures!

So that's what we did yesterday. Today, I put up the shelves behind my sewing machine, and am working on an order. Its almost done, needs snaps, a last piece of elastic, and the backs serged up for each diaper... that won't take too long.

Meantime, don't forget, Until tomorrow, you can still save 10% off your orders with the code 4th at checkout!

The Fourth of July

2008-07-03T23:10:00.005-04:00

So, It's the 4th of July. Independence Day. For me, that means fireworks, and my husband home all day, and an overtired Toddler. But, it also means that this is the birthday of Our great nation. And for that, we celebrate.

In Honor of Independence Day, Beeba Bottoms Will be holding a sale. 10% off your orders at www.beebabottoms.com with the coupon code 4th all day on Friday and Saturday. The sale will end Sunday Morning whenever I remember to remove the code. So get in your orders! This sale won't repeat soon.

Also, Beeba Bottoms referral program is back!

Tell a friend about Beeba Bottoms Diapers and Covers and when they make their first order, you can earn free diapers. When your name is mentioned on the first order of any customer, you will get a credit towards your next purchase.

The more people you refer, the more you can earn. Credits will be given off of the first order only of any customer, and cannot be applied retro-actively.

If your referral buys $50-99 in merchandise on their first order, you will receive a $5 Credit.

If Your referral buys $100-199 in merchandise, you will receive a $10 credit.

If your referral buys $200+ in merchandise, you will receive a $15 credit.

For every 5 new customers you refer who purchase a minimum of $25 in merchandise each on their first order, you will receive an additional $5 credit.

Your name and email must be included in the orders you have referred in order to be credited. You will receive an email from me telling you how much of a credit you have earned, and including a coupon code to redeem it. You must use the credit within one year of it being awarded, and Credits may not be used with any other coupon codes or offers. If you earn additional credits before using the first, I will add the amount to your credit balance, but once used, the code will disappear, and with it any leftover credit balance.

Happy 4th of July!

To Rearrange, or not to Rearrange?

2008-07-03T09:05:00.008-04:00

Heh. I just finished showing off my workspace,although I suppose really that was more about my machines, and I am already thinking about how I can re-arrange it. more specifically, make it more efficient. As it is, On the side of the room I didn't show, I have piles of fabric, and I can't even Iron because the Iron is all covered up. I have dead space behind my machines on my desk, and an underutilized cornier of the room.

So, my thoughts: Get one or two systems like this one. Stack them only 2 or 3 High. (I think thought that if you stack 2 high, you can only get one full cube from the other pieces in the set, so I am thinking 2 sets stacked 3 high.

One stack would be put in the back corner of my sewing desk, behind my sewing machine. It would hold, on the bottom cube: Stabilizers and Embroidery disks. maybe a binder if I print out my embroidery designs into a paper catalog... but not sure on that one.

Above that in the second cube would be Embroidery Blanks. Things that don't need to be cut. (things that need to be cut are better off being closer to the cutting area.)

The Third Cube would hold either more embroidery Blanks (which eventually I am sure I will accumulate) or I don't know what. On top of the third cube, I'd like to get a clock of some kind... something cute and fun.

Across the room, I would like to put a second stack. That would be on the table that houses our desktop computer. In that one, I would re-organize our computer paper, software, and etc. My Husband has a lot of games that take up space, it would be a good place for it.

Then, I'd like to bring down a bookshelf... we have one like this one only brown up in our spare room... unused. The only problem is, its pretty tall, and our toddler runs around in this room... we'd need to anchor it to the wall... and my husband does not want to do that.

but, if it got brought down, it would find its home in the under utilized corner. I would like to use the top shelf for accounts (paper copies of sales and etc), patterns, etc. Depending how much space was there, I would like to keep a basket of some kind for extra notions and things.

The rest of the shelves I would like to fill with plastic bins. The kind with locking lids. Each bin would have specific things.... finished products that are stocked on etsy, on beebabottoms.com, things that aren't stocked, items that are part of in-progress orders, etc. Then I can dedicate the drawers those things are in now to what they were originally meant for... more fabric!

I keep re-organizing this room... trouble is, with Beeba 1 running and playing in here, it gets a mess again in no time. I have to keep his little table here too... for him to color at, or do crafts of his own. And the swing for Beeba 2 stays too. And the toys Beeba 1 drags in... hmmmm... will my space every really be organized and efficient? for more than a day?

Ads on Blogs?

2008-07-02T08:28:00.004-04:00

so, I have been working on advertising lately, looking for the cheapest good advertising possible... heh. I've got a few banner exchanges on the website. (only 3 right now, and don't want too many... they rotate, so you only see one at a time, but i don't want people to leave my site, you know?) Then I found some websites that advertise through people's blogs. you choose the blogs to advertise on, and they choose whether to let you. hmmm... but the thing is... Do people click on them? or do they just sit? even if the blog is popular, do people click the ads??? well, I have some up on popular blogs, we'll see what happens.

Diapering on the Go, or How our Hot Mama proved a point.

2008-07-01T12:01:00.004-04:00

When I was pregnant with Beeba 2, My mother in law told me she was going to get me a gift. She said she wanted to make life easy for me, and so she wanted to buy me something to make it easier. So what did she insist on buying? DISPOSABLE DIAPERS. Yuck. Now, I am not against Sposies for people who need them. But I don't need them. I make and sell cloth diapers, for goodness sake.

She tried to tell me how hard it would be to launder them all the time. I proved that within days after Beeba 2 was born. Her next tactic was the on the go tagline. She thought it would be impossible to fit cloth diapers for both kids for an afternoon in my diaper bag. and that it would be impossibly heavy to do.

well, we proved her wrong a few weeks ago, and at her own house. It was really hot, and with our then 2 week old baby, we did not want to stay at our warmer than liked house. So, we called up and asked if we could come over and cool off in her air conditioning.

i packed enough diapers for an army in my Hot Mama Bag. I loaded up on wipes, filling my new Wipes Case (which will be available on my store site in the near future) and filling every poscket of the diaper bag with diapers. Enough small and newborn diapers for a 12 hour period (with a child who wets every 2 minutes, it seems) and 6 Large diapers for my 2 year old, since we never seem to know from day to day with him how many he'll need. I had an extra blanket in there, and an extra outfit for the baby. And 3 Wet Bags. And a bunch of covers. Plus the changing pad that matches the bag.

We used most of the diapers, by the way... thats just how my kids function, apparently. and I swear, they both wet more when we are away from home.

The diaper bag closed nicely, a little bulging, but more than sufficient. And when we got to her house, She had more things to give me, old clothes that were my husband's as a baby. (why she didn't give us these things when Beeba 1 (the boy) was smaller, I don't know... but that is beside the point.

The point is, we had more than enough diapers, and the bag was not overflowing, nor was it uncomfortable to carry. All the extras she sent us home with fit in the bag too. WE DID NOT NEED SPOSIES. This was a point I had been trying to make to her for some time. I think she might have finally gotten it. When I refused to take home more than one small bag of sposies she had gifted, back just before Beeba 2 was born, I swear she thought I was crazy. I think she was a little insulted, too.

But my kids don't need sposies. They do better in cloth. (so far as I know. Beeba 1 had bad rashes in sposies, Beeba 2 has never worn a sposie, so I don't know how she would do.)

I added some pics of my Hot Mama bag here. They are not pics of that day, at the time I was not thinking about blogging them, just show off pics I took when I first sewed it up. This is so far proving though to be the best diaper bag I have had... and I have had a few.

And sorry, I cannot find this fabric again. When I originally showed the bag to some friends, I had several people ask me to make them one. Its why I now offer custom Hot Mama's on my website. But they wanted the EXACT SAME FABRIC. Unfortunately, It happened to be clearance fabric, and is now gone, un-findable at my fabric stores. Personally, I don't have a problem with that, as I like the thought of these all being one of a kind. Don't you?

My Workspace

2008-06-30T15:29:00.003-04:00

Ok... anyone wanna see my mess? lol. Here it is. THis is where I work, only slightly divided form where my toddler plays. This doesn't include the large dresser across the room full of fabrics, or the desktop I print off of next to that.

In This Corner.... The machines! from Left to right, there is my Pillowcase-covered Serger, which is a little workhorse. Its one of the Janome-made Kenmores, and I really do love it. The reason it is covered (which is a bit of a pain in the but for me, since the pillowcase doesn't really fit right) is because we have cats. Yup, thats right, 2 very loving and very pretty cats... Who decided that this table, and the thread kept on it, were toys. Note also that the thread is now kept on the wall, lol. The cats do not get near it anymore. and just to make you feel better, on the rare occasion that the cats have decided to sit on my fabric, it goes right in the wash. More of a pain for me, but I don't want to have any customers to potentially have allergic reactions. I do the best I can to keep the cats out of my fabrics entirely, keeping everything as much out of the way when I am not working with it as possible.

Next up, in the center of the corner, is my Brand new (just before Beeba 2 was born, so a few months ago, really) Kenmore 19606. Its also a Janome made machine, and works beautifully. Perfect stitching every time.

The last of the machines is my newest baby. It is a Husqvarna Rose Embroidery machine. I only have the 4x4 hoop for now, but I can do Embroidery! In the next month, I will be getting the card reader and software for it so I can do any design from online... that fits the feild, that is. For now, I am doing test stitch outs in random colors. I don't have the booklet that is supposed to tell me what colors to use. When I get the card reader, and the software, I'll be able to get that information from the card, lol.

Here is my cutting and piecing station. Ha! it is way too small for what I really need. Eventually, I am gonna get a real cutting table, big enough to lay out a full 60" wide yard of fabric. For now, I work on a small desk. But, it gets the job done. and yes, that is my side door there, blocked by the desk. We have three doors, side, back, and front, and never use the side... so I blocked it. now, it is just a wall and an extra window for me. it works.

I have tons of ideas how I would redo the room if I had the money... of course, it is technically my Dining room... no dining table, but it is my dining room. so if I had th emoney, we'd probably get a dining set first, and move the sewing room somewhere else in the house, lol. Probably to the living room, heh... we have two of those.

Yup... two living rooms... actually, a living room and a front room.... no, I promise we are not rich... we got an OLD, falling in around us house really cheap, and are working on it slowly... it just is big. heh... when we moved in, the first thing we had to do was fix every pipe in the house, which were all broken... most not even connected to the next.

Oh... and remember I told you I found some cute Cotton knits up in Ithaca? Here they are! These will now be available for custom diapers from my main site. I'm told the yellow floral on the right is Baby Nay... I just thought it was pretty. I almost didn't pick up any of these... but I couldn't pass them up, its just too hard to find cute cotton knits around here.

Girls Day Out

2008-06-28T20:58:00.003-04:00

So today, I took Beeba 2 up to Ithaca with a friend and her daughter. We had a great time. We visited this cute shop called Mama Goose, which is a kind of a children's consignment store/natural children's stuff store. They have a whole section of cloth diapers, which is really awesome, as they are to my knowledge the only local store (semi local, since they are about an hour from me, lol) . They had Mother-ease diapers, and some bamboo ones, and hemp ones... and lots of prefolds and flats. I have to say, I was kind of surprised at the brand-name diapers.... I thought they would be better or something, since all I really have experience with is WAHM diapers, like mine... but... they were no better than mine or any other WAHM diaper I have seen. and not nearly as cute.

What I thought was really cool was that they also were carying a local WAHM's work... in fact, several, throughout the store... but for the diapers in particular, it was awesome that I know the mama from the Diaper Sewing Divas Forum, which we are both members of.

Anyway, since I make my own diapers, I just bought a pack of Flats (for research, lol... then I can say I have tried every type of cloth diaper.) and a baby gate and we left.

We walked the Commons, too, and checked out lots of other stores, and I really have to say, I like Ithaca. Its a cool town. Now, if the day had only been just a little cooler, lol.

We found a little Yarn and Fabric store too. That was an awesome find. I have a limited budget right now, or I could have gone wile in there. There were some really cool knit prints. I did buy a few. Pics tommorrow.

We made a stop at GreenStar, too. its a natural CoOp market. Practically everything in there is organic, and I swear, if I could afford it, I would shop there for everything. alas, we have essentially the same budget as we had two years ago, and two more kids, lol. Our budget does not allow for purely organic shopping.

There's a Thunderstorm heading our way, so I'd better log off, I'm tired anyway. sad part of that is in a thunderstorm I don't dare have the sewing machines on either, with them being so expensive and our house being a prime target for lightening (we got hit last summer) I can't afford to risk them.

The Life of a mom.

2008-06-27T14:27:00.005-04:00

Heh... this morning we went to a local free play-center to meet some friends. Beeba 1 was excited, but being 2 yrs old, had to be ornery anyway. He fought with everything from getting a shirt on to getting out the door. On the positive side, he did help pick a nice clean diaper for his baby sister, and gave her a kiss.

Our friends include Beeba 1's Best friend, 2 weeks younger than him, her mom (my best friend locally) and 3 other children she babysits. we had fun, and Beeba 1 was most happy stealing all the "CHOO CHOO TREAN!"s from the other kids. He is obsessed with trains.

We got to go shopping today too. Since we bought my Embroidery machine 2 fridays ago, we have been living VERY frugally. But, the hope is that the machine will bring extra income into the house. so, when we had the money available, and the local Husqvarna dealership was running a Closing the business sale, we grabbed it. I paid about half its value. It was worth it, and though we may have eaten an awful lot of spaghetti in the last week, and we ran out of milk yesterday, it will be worth it in the long run, and we did not starve, by any means. (we saved the last cup of milk for Beeba 1 this morning)

And now, we have milk, and juice, and all sorts of food in the house again. We are still going to be living frugally for the next few weeks, because this is the mortgage paycheck, where the bulk of the money coming in goes straight out again. But we always manage to survive. Eventually I'll get some sales in my shop, and that will help, but for now... we survive.

I am ordering more supplies, too. Don't worry, they don't come out of this paycheck... I'm not that dumb. But I do know that if I don't have the materials available to make diapers, that would be no good. so, I ordered lots of nice Cuddledry microfleece, and some more PUL, and some FOE.... lots of yummy colors, too. I am dying to embroider on some pretty ocean or chocolate brown PUL... the embroideries I have seen on those colors have been to die for. But that has to wait until next month, when I get my Card reader forthe embroidery machine. Apparently my brother agrees that embroidery is a good way for my business to grow, since he decided that he will buy it for me with some of his military sign up bonus. Yay! He is gonna buy me some thread too, so by August, you can expect to see embroidered Diapers available for sale in my shop, and Custom slots available through my website. I can't wait.

hmm.... haven't got any pics up yet today, huh? Howabout a cute pic from last summer? Beeba 1 Loved SpiderMan last summer, so I made him a Spidey Diaper... It had no closures, since that was before I got my snap press, and I was tired of Hook and loop at that time... I just closed it with Pins... I always did mean to put snaps on, but got distracted, and then he out-grew it... go figure. Excuse the bad pictures... I never planned for these to be shared, so I didn't bother making them nice.

Diaper Laundry, Its not so bad.

2008-06-26T15:24:00.005-04:00

Ok, so here's a topic I get asked about fairly often. I usually find myself looking at the questioner like he or she is a lunatic, actually. thats because Diaper Laundry is just one more load of laundry. And it really isn't any harder than any other load of laundry.

Usually, Coversations go something like this:

"OH, you use cloth? Isn't that Hard?"(exchange gross, stinky, timeconsuming, what have you here... its all the same)

Me: No, not hard, why would it be hard?

See, thats when the conversation can get interesting, and its usually in the next few minutes I either have someone convinced they'd like to try cloth, or they tune out and aren't listening any more.

So lets address some more common misconceptions, shall we?

1. DUNKING. Dunking is hardly ever (and for me, in a year and a half of cloth, never) necessary. People think of dunking as a requirement of cloth diapering because they remember their mothers, or grandmothers doing it, or they've heard stories about it. I can't tell you how many times I have heard the story of coming in from playing to find the baby's soggy wet diaper soaking in the toilet bowl, or the tub, or sink, or wherever. I can tell you that I have never had a diaper soaking in my toilet, nor have I ever heard of any of my MANY acquaintances and friends in the cloth diapering world doing this either. It just isn't needed.

When babies are very little, their waste is by nature water-soluble. This may seem strange to those new to cloth, but with breastfed babes at least, you can throw it right into the washing machine. I promise, it won't hurt your machine. Honestly, I have no experience with Formula fed babies waste, so maybe a kind reader will fill me in on that one. Both My Beebas are exclusively fed at the breast.

Toddler waste is much more solid, and in most cases will roll, or can be shaken off the diaper straight into the toilet. No dunking, no swishing here... what doesn't come off, (the very small bits) can go into the wash... it'll come clean.

Ah... but you notice, I missed a period. This is the hardest part. The stage of time when babies are starting to eat solid foods, but are still on a highly liquid diet. That's the hardest stage, actually. Thats the stage where you are reluctant to just throw it in the wash, but it doesn't roll off, either. Ironically, thats also the stage at which I entered into cloth when I started with Beeba 1. Its really not that bad, though.

Yes, it may require a bit more than just a shake, though. I still don't know very many people who dunk. There is a nice handy tool for this very situation. Its called a Mini Shower, and it connects to the clean water supply on your toilet. You can buy one online, or you can go to a hardware store and buy the basic components for less. Either way, you then can use it to spray that goopy stuff off your diapers and keep your hands clean while actually using less water.

I am also told it works well as a personal bidet. I don't have one, though I may ask my husband to put one up when Beeba 2 hits that stage, so I can't tell you about that.

2. Smelly Diapers, Bleach, and getting them clean enough. Bluntly put, Many people are worried that they will not get their diapers clean enough washing them at home, or that they will need a lot of bleach, or other harsh chemicals to do it. Some people may even have tried using cloth for a short time and found that they had an odor left in their diapers. Well, for starters, this is not something that needs to be an issue. Lets go over some of the points of washing.

Diapers SHOULD be washed on hot. the hot water will help sanitize them. If you have one of the newer machines with a SANITIZE setting, use it. If not, set your water temperature high on your water heater. I have been asked about smelly diapers a few times, and the first thing I asked back is what temperature do you wash on. More often than not, they are washing on cold or warm, however they wash their clothes. I can't say it enough, WASH ON HOT. Then add a second rinse to your process.

Most people I know would advocate a rinse cycle before the hot wash. This would be done on cold. Personally, I don't do it, but I have an old top loader. If you have a newer front loader or high efficiency washer, I would suggest using a rinse first. it will help remove any lingering bits before the main wash. Front loaders don't use as much water and so sometimes do not work quite as well for diapers... which makes me wonder whether they really work well for any clothes, but I don't have one, so I don't know.

As for bleach, don't use it. I know, your mother, or her mother, or whoever has told you about cloth diapers has probably said you will need to invest in it. You don't. What we know about bleach now that they may not have known is that it breaks down fibers, and shortens the life of them. As far as getting stains out, or disinfecting, well... the sun does just as good a job on both fronts. My husband's grandmother likes to tell peopole that all her friends and neighbors used to assume she used gallons of bleach, since all her whites and her kids whites stayed so bright and clean looking. And she was a nurse with 9 kids, so she had a lot of whites. She very rarely if ever used bleach, though. Her whites stayed that way because she line-dried her clothes. Now, you don't need to line dry your diapers, though if you want to, by all means do so. I want to put up a line in my yard myself. but if you do have a stain that can't be gotten rid of, lay it out in the sun. The back window of a car, or laid out on your porch, or any place where it will get direct sun will work. In a couple days time, your stains will have faded away.

For those of us who don't have lines to hang our diapers on, or who don't want to, a hot cycle in the drier will help to finish the sanitizing process.

Another useful hint is no matter how much you want to use extra detergent, DON'T! Too much detergent causes build up, and not just on diapers. but on diapers you will see the effects of that build-up. Detergent build-up can mean less absorbency, and more stink issues. It can cause a pocket diaper to repel liquid, instead of wicking it through to the insert. It can make a good diaper leak well before its time. If this happens, you'll need to think about Stripping your diapers. But that is a topic I'll leave for another day.

Laundry detergents come with a scoop or a cap with little marker lines telling you how much to use. Don't listen to them. They want you to use that because you will use the detergent faster, and need to buy more. In reality, you only need between a quarter to half of what they recommend, and you will have to find that perfect amount. Ideally, you want a little bit of sudsing when you are doing your wash, but by the time you get to your second rinse, you are hoping to see NO SUDS AT ALL. you also do not want to smell your detergent. Clean diapers should smell like clean water, not soap.

You can add a little Essential Oil if you are inclined. If you do, go sparingly. A few drops can go a long way. Try a few out, to see what you like. My recommendations, tea tree oil, lavender oil, or eucalyptus oil. Or any combination of those. They have cleansing properties, and smell yummy.

Tea tree is Antiseptic, Antifungal, and AntiViral. Eucalyptus is an analgesic, and is antiseptic, and can help with minimizing odor retention. It is effective against bacteria, especially Staphylococci. Lavender is antiseptic, analgesic, and also has deodorizing properties.

If you do use Essential Oils, you may smell a hint of them lingering on your clean diapers. Thats ok. Just use one you like.

You want to avoid using detergents that contain lots of extra chemicals, like brighteners, or enzymes. These can cause issues. I use All Free and Clear, and have had no issues. You can find one you like on this chart.

Did I make everything confusing enough? I'll probably have to come back and edit for clarity later, because I honestly can't remember everything I wrote right now. I've been interrupted a few times.

So here's a basic laundry routine for diapers:
Step 1, Cold rinse with no detergent.
Step 2, Hot wash with a small amount of detergent.
Step 3, Extra rinse cycle. (my machine has a setting for this, I just turn it one. If yours doesn't, you may need to do this manually. Important for getting all detergent out.)
Step 4, Dry in dryer on hot, or hang on line.
Step 5, You're done. Organize them however you like and pat yourself on the back.

Speaking of organization, I have a few pics of my diaper area, and since I haven't shown any pics today, they'll do nicely. My Diapers are kept on the shelf above my washer and dryer (which, happily, are on my first floor) On one side I have Diapers for Beeba 1, on the other side are Beeba 2's diapers. Of course, I redo my area fairly often... it tends to get messy. But it works for us.

Welcome, Cont.

2008-06-25T08:44:00.006-04:00

OK, where was I? Oh yes... I had just gotten my website redone. Of course, by this time, I was pretty pregnant. I was bogged down with all custom orders, and had no time to stock my storefront. And my own Beeba 1 had outgrown all his diapers, and was wearing them like bikinis. Beeba 2, who I was pregnant with, had a few diapers gifted to her, but not nearly enough for a newborn stash, and I was running out of time. I made a decision. I knew my customers would be unhappy, but I also knew I had to put my own children first sometimes, and I knew that the last month or so of pregnancy, and the first month or so with a new baby, were going to be tough. So, I finished my customs orders, and let my customers know that there would be no more customs for a while. I would still try to stock int he storefront when I could, but I could not do the custom orders for dozens of diapers and get my own kids set up with new stashes too.

Over the last month or so of my pregnancy, I sewed new diapers for Beeba 1 (who is 2) and LOTS for Beeba 2 (now 6 weeks old). During that time, I managed to get myself approved to make for sale from the Fattycakes pattern of diapers, which I very much like. Unlike my own front closing pattern, Fattycakes is a side closing diaper. It is best made with snaps, and fits on a wide range of kids.

I also made up a design for a wipes case, which is coming soon to both my shops. I embellished mine with a decorative border I was able to do on my new Sewing machine, which I bought when my mother's old machine started stitching funny.

I also have invested in an embroidery machine in the last 2 weeks. Now we are broke till I sell some stock... hehe... but it is an investment. We have eaten spaghetti more in the last 2 weeks than in the last 2 months, but it will pay off in the end. I can't do much with it now, I need the Card Reader/Writer so I can take designs from the internet. But that will come. I am getting that piece of vital hardware in July, at the behest of my brother, who has decided that part of his bonus for joining the military should be invested in his nephew and niece's futures. Its all very cool of him.

I got my etsy just recently too... my first thought was that it could promote my main site... but I think it will more likely be as a sister site, rather than a promotional tool... either way, on either site, I will make money from the sales. But customs will continue to be through my main site, as I can control them better that way.

That takes us up to today. Beeba 1 is playing with his toys in the front room, Beeba 2 is yelling out her frustration that I put her down for a minute. (she was in my arms most of the time I was typing, of course, nursing more than not. She is an avid nurser.) I have cuts of PUL and seudecloth sitting in a heap near me, waiting for the kids to nap so they can become pocket diapers and covers. I have flannels and knits begging to become Fitted Diapers. I have ordered Cotton velour, and Microfleece, to become soft cozy inners for diapers.

I have PUL waiting to be embroidered too, but that will have to wait till I get my hardware. I'll write about that more later.

And I have Fluffy mail waiting to get sent off on its way. I participated in a "diaper shower" through an online community I am part of. Here is What I am sending:

There are 3 diapers there. one in my pattern with a snap-in soaker. Thats the little blue one. One in the Fattycakes Pattern, a pocket or cover, made from the cutest fleece remnant ever with a seudecloth inner. And finally, a pink Hippy Hippy Snap, which is a pattern I'm not YET licensed for. it is a hip-snapping diaper, which i also like a lot.

Then theres the other big news around here: Business Materials. I got business labels in recently, and with that, decided to bring the face of my website forward into my business cards and informational pamphlets. Now, I look all professional. The best part of that all is that While my web designer made my original banner, I was able to edit it to fit and create the rest of my business materials from it. I'm kind of proud of myself.

Next topic for the blog will be: Diaper Laundry, how easy it can be.

Welcome

2008-06-24T08:45:00.011-04:00

Ok, so this is a first. It's a first for me, writing a blog, and its a first for you, reading mine. Welcome to my blog. I am mostly going to be writing about, as the heading states, my Business, Beeba Bottoms, and my Kids, Beeba 1 and Beeba 2. For the sake of safety and their father's wishes, I will not use their names here. If you know us offline, you already know their names.

So how did I get into making diapers?

I've always sewed... when I was 12, i was designing dresses for my kid sister's barbie dolls. I actually had my first sewing machine at age 7, and it wasn't a toy, either. Of course, I didn't learn to use it till I was 11. That machine was melted (yes, thats right, melted) when I was 13... we had a house-fire. I didn't sew much for a while after that.

When I was married, my mother sewed my wedding dress on her 20-year old machine. I wanted to help, but didn't dare mess up my own dress. but I watched. and when I moved out of state with my husband, she gave me that machine. My sewing days were back.

When Beeba 1 was a few months old, wearing trashie diapers, he was getting all sorts of rashes... so I started reading. I learned about the kinds of diapers available... and then I learned the price. can we say sticker-shock? So, out came the old machine, and a paper grocery bag. (I had read that I could make a pattern by tracing a trashie)

I soon tossed the paper bag, it gave me headaches, and tossed the trashie-tracing idea, too... trashies never did fit well anyway. I didn't give up on making diapers though. Being a frugal mom, I started with free patterns. I tried the ottobre small first... it never made it onto a bottom. then I tried the Mama bird pattern.. better, but not great. so I started measuring... Beeba 1 was not happy as I stretched measuring tapes all over him.

After several tries, I came up with my first pattern, and covered it with a wool wrap I had chrocheted from yet another free pattern.

It worked, but it still wasn't perfect. I wanted perfect. So I kept working. It took several months, but in the meantime, I was building his stash.

Eventually, I had a pattern I liked. The only problem was, the Velcro kept falling apart. That led me to do some more research. I found out that Velcro was exactly 2 things. 1. the most expensive brand of hook and loop I could have gotten, and 2. the worst brand. I found a Brand of Hook and loop called Touchtape, and fell in love. It was strong, it lasted, and it came in different colors. (although I never bought anything but white... I couldn't imagine needing more than that for just my Beeba.)

There were still problems with Touchtape... If I forgot to close the laundry tabs, I got huge diaper snakes in my washer and dryer, and lint loved to build up in the hook, making it useless untill cleaned. Still, my husband loved that it was just like using a trashie, so I kept trucking. Besides... who could afford to use snaps??

It was around that point that I had a few people tell me I should sell the diapers. Being naive, I listened. I made a few business cards, created a little angelfire site, and even registered with my state as a business. Ha. I did get some sales.

My first sale was a pretty big one, too. A local mom saw my family out walking and thought that the diapers were cute. She ordered 10 diapers for her son, who was a bit older than mine... she was hoping they would help him potty-train sooner. I don't know if that worked, but later, she also bought diapers for her daughter (who had not been born yet when I met her).

I started to make some stock, and arranged to go sell at a local farmers market. That was fun. I didn't sell much, but hey... How many people go to a farmers market for diapers? But, I got my name out locally, and that did help a bit.

My nephew came and helped out one week. He played more than helped, but hey... thats what kids do.

After the summer was over, I realized I was no longer in love with Hook and loop. My son had learned to pull it off, as many toddlers seem to do. I decided I needed an alternative. I tried snaps. Metal snaps from the craft store. Ha. That was a total flop. Good thing I never tried to sell those. They fell off in a few washes, if they hadn't fallen off in their first use. Let it be a lesson to aspiring diaper makers. Metal snaps= not for diapers.

I didn't give up so easily, though. I tried getting snaps from online. I bought from the snap store, their long prong metal snaps. they worked better, but not by much. metal snaps were not the way to go. but by this time, I had realized that even though metal snaps were the pits, I liked the concept. I did some math and realized that I had made enough money to invest a bit in my business. I bought a real snap press.

By the time my snap press got here, I was pregnant with Beeba 2, and tired all the time. I made my husband do all my pressing for me. but boy, did it feel good not to have diaper snakes in the laundry, or to have to pick lint off of diaper tabs. I decided that I would keep offering the hook and loop, since that was my original product, but that I would also offer the snaps. Polyresin snaps work great for diapers, by the way. You just have to press really hard.

In the meantime, I had decide I needed a better website, because I knew the local scene wasn't going to last forever, and I also knew that I was going to have to take time off when Beeba 2 was born. I wanted my business in a good position when that happened. I arranged a trade. I got my website designed as a storefront, and in return, I made a stash of diapers.

To Be continued... the kids are calling.

Contact Me

2008-01-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

The Shops

2008-01-25T07:46:00.001-05:00

Beeba Bottoms Diapers at HyenaCart carries in-stock items, including Cloth Diapers and Covers, Training pants, and Accessories.

Find Crystal City Fibers at The Indie Dyers Cooperative on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Yarns, Fibers, Stitch markers... Fibery goodness for the Creative Soul.

Beeba Bottoms Home Site. Find Custom and Semi-Custom listings for all your favorite Beeba Bottoms Products.

And Don't miss Crystal City Fibers @ Etsy, Coming soon!

About Me

2008-01-24T17:29:00.002-05:00

I am a WAHM of 2, and have been making diapers for over 2 years, selling them for over a year and a half. My own kids have been known to go without diapers because I was too busy making them for customers.

My Main Business is Beeba Bottoms Diapers, and there you can find Cloth Diapers, Covers, andother sewn Accessories.

Now, I have Joined the Yarny Population. 9 other ladies and myself have created a Shop called the Indie Dyers Coopera tive. We sell our hand-dyed yarns and fibers, and our hand spun yarns. Along with a few cool accessories. And we are having fun doing it.

You can Find more updates about Crystal City Fibers here.

Tutorials to show you HOW-TO do it.

2008-01-24T08:06:00.000-05:00

Improve your Blogger blog with widgets

KeyChain Diapers Video Tutorial

The Art of the Rolag

Snap Press to Kick Press