April Promotional Giveaway-- from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team!

This month's theme is New Beginnings...Are you, or is someone you know, a new mother or about to be one? All the decisions ahead may seem overwhelming, but deciding to use cloth diapers doesn't have to be any more difficult than choosing which disposable you would use--except that there is quite a bit more variety to choose from, which is really to your advantage. The reason there are so many choices out there is that the needs of families are so very different. Households all function uniquely, all babies are shaped differently, some babies have sensitive skin and allergies, many families are concerned about being organic in their choices, many families have budgetary constraints, and there is a cloth diapering solution for you!

This month's prize package is an assortment of newborn cloth diapering products to get you started in your cloth diapering journey. You can try some different styles of diapers and hopefully find a solution that works for your family. You may discover that you only like one style of cloth diaper, or you may discover that you enjoy different cloth diapering solutions for different circumstances.

Various members of the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team will be donating some great products for a great start in using and choosing cloth diapers.

Along with the diapering products, as the winner of this giveaway you will also have the opportunity for a consultation to discuss which cloth diapering products might be right for your family and your situation!

Now...What is included in the prize package?

The winner of this month's promotional giveaway will receive ALL of these great prizes:

1 Newborn Fitted

1 Newborn Fitted

1 Newborn PUL Cover

6 Fleece Diaper Liners

1 One-Size Pocket Diaper

6 Cloth Wipes & Small Wetbag

2 Small Daddy Flat Diapers

1 Small Wool Cover

From MonkeyToeDiapers

One Newborn Fitted Diaper
Newborn diapers will fit from about birth to 12lbs

Very Baby Fitted Newborn diapers feature:
Cross Over Snaps
Snap Down for the Umbilical Stump
Snap in soaker pad
Unique fit for newborns
Hidden snaps so only bamboo velour touches your little one

A Cute Cotton Knit Print
Bamboo Fleece/Bamboo velour
Black Snaps

"I believe that cloth diapering is a very loving thing to do for your little one and an investment in their future."

My advice to new cloth diapering mom "not all cloth diapers are created equal and not all babies diaper the same."

From CuddleButt Cloth

One Newborn Fitted Diaper

The winner will receive either a Pink Whales or a Blue Whales newborn fitted diaper with snap closure and umbilical cutout.

"CuddleButt Cloth makes one-of-a-kind and custom cloth diapers. As a cloth diapering mama myself, I focus on making the diapers that I want to use, with a focus on ease-of-use and quality materials that I can feel good about putting on my baby.

I advise new cloth diapering parents to avoid buying too many of one kind or brand of diaper until they have tried out several types. You may be convinced that all-in-ones are the way to go, but discover (after spending $500), that you actually really love prefolds and old-school pins."
  

From April's Baby

One Newborn Diaper Cover

This is a newborn cloth diaper cover. It is sized to fit over prefolds, fitteds or floating inserts. It will fit most babies from approx. 6-12 lbs. It is a 100% cotton outer in a fun red, white, and black skulls print. It is lined with white PUL. It is finished off with black FOE and red snaps. It has an umbilical snap down to protects baby's healing stump.

About Aprils Baby: "I want to make cloth diapering fun! I offer cute covers and all in ones. There's something to fit everyone's taste.

Cloth diapering is so much easier than it seems...once you find what works for you. Hang in there! One of the great things about cloth diapering is that it saves you money. I put $0.25 in a jar (seriously!) every time I change a cloth diaper. You would be surprised at how quickly it adds up. I put this money into an education saving account for my kids."

From PinkieLeeFleursdeLis

Set of Six Fleece Diaper Liners

Set of 6 Fleece Tiny Booty Cloth Diaper Liners in my *Morning Munchies Collection*
A beautiful Assortment of 3 Happy Breakfast Foods, 1 Bright Yellow, 1 Royal Blue & 1 Cardinal Red.


*These liners are specifically sized for Tiny Baby Bootys. They are fantastic for the early days after birth to prevent meconium staining & ease diaper changes*

Fleece Liners are a staple for cloth diapering!

They are often used to line the inside of the diaper while using a non-cloth diaper safe Rash Ointment or Rx Cream. Some creams & ointments contain ingredients which can harm your diapers; cause build-up, create repelling, and even stain. Fleece Liners can go between your baby's bum & your diaper, allowing you to use your cream/ointment without harming your diapers.

The liners are also an excellent, breathable 'Stay Dry' layer for babies with sensitive skin, or those with a strong aversion to feeling wet. The fleece will repel the urine back into the absorbent part of the diaper, leaving your baby's skin dry.

Fleece is also virtually stain-resistant, ensuring beautiful, vivid colors wash after wash.

My Tiny Booty liners are contoured for a great fit inside any kind of diaper & measure approx. 10'' x 4 1/2'' at widest part.

All of my Fleece liners have been prewashed in either Rockin' Green or Ecover laundry detergents. They can be washed with your diaper laundry, or If using with diaper/rash creams, they should be washed with baby's regular laundry (separately from your cloth diapers) so as to avoid residual ointment/cream ingredients from coming into contact with your cloth diapers. I do not recommend using any type of fabric softener on my Fleece Liners if your babe has sensitive skin.

*Please note that this is a stock photo and pattern placement will vary.

"Everything that I sell is made by me in my home. From my brand labels to my hang tags, everything is hand crafted by me! Every order is gift wrapped & finished with a ribbon and includes a hand-written Thank You card with a wax Fleur de Lis seal and an instruction/care sheet.

I am a mommy first, business woman second and am inspired by my wonderful husband & two daughters. I am a huge advocate for Infertility Awareness. I love cloth diapering, upcycling, thrift store shopping, composting, gardening & Going Green! ♥ "

From Green Beans Diapers

A One-Size Pocket Diaper

Super cute modern safari print outer shell. Inner lining can be chocolate brown microfleece or white suede cloth for a stay dry feeling for baby. Waist adjust with two rows of ten snaps, rise adjust with three rows of three. Pictured are kelly green snaps, but also available in chocolate brown and denim blue.

Winner to choose color of snaps and microfleece or suedecloth inner.

Comes with 2 inserts. Large insert measures approximately 15"x5" and is 3 layers of super thirsty Zorb inside 2 layers of upcycled cotton. Newborn/doubler measures 10"x5", 2 layers of Zorb in two layers of cotton.

Measurements:
Overall rise-19"
waist-10"21"
Fits most babies 7lbs-30lbs

PUL Zorb and microfleece made in USA!

My CD philosophy is to keep it simple, keep it local, keep it green. I try to follow this when making my cloth diapers by using USA made materials so not as much fuel is used to get them to my door and supports local industry. I offer many styles of diapers and accessories in my shop so mama's can choose what fits best in their lifestyle. To reduce my waste I re-purpose my scraps into other projects like scrappy or embellished diapers.

The best advice I could give to anyone new to cloth (dads included!) is to try several styles of diapers first to see how they work for you, fit into your daily routine before buying an entire stash of one type of diaper that you may not like. That's why this giveaway is the perfect way to get started!

From Lil Stuff

Six Cloth Wipes and Wet Bag

Six Cloth Wipes in a neutral print (similar to pictured) and a small wetbag.

These wipes are 100% organic hemp/cotton fleece on one side and a fun flannel print on the other. They are very squishy soft and absorbent and the hemp side is naturally antimicrobial. They wash and hold up well use after use, and best of all, no harsh chemicals will be on your babies bottom. It is easy to use cloth wipes, just toss them in your wet bag or diaper pail after use, and wash them with your diapers. You will save approximately $500.00 over the course of diapering one child by not using disposable wipes, and think of all that papery stuff you will keep out of our land fills.

Advice to parents just starting out in cloth: "Hang in there! It is worth it to use cloth, it is so much better for your babies bottom than those chemical laden disposables. There is so much support out there now for cloth mamas through Etsyclothdiapers blog, Facebook and the Real Diaper Association, so it makes it so much easier than it was back in the dark ages when I was cloth diapering LOL!"

From Cloth Diaper Club

Two Daddy Flat Diapers & One Small Wool Cover

Because my cloth diapering philosophy is that anyone can do it on any budget, I am offering up two very economical cloth diapering options.

I will be giving away TWO size One DayTime Daddy Flats in a choice of two prints. These Daddy Flats have a cute soft flannel outer and a cushy cotton velour inner. DayTime Daddy Flats have one soaker wing for a total of 6 absorbing layers when folded. Daddy Flats have the washing, drying, and sanitizing benefits of diaper flats and prefolds, the trimness of undies, and the advantage of being easy to fold and fasten with snaps, and no elastic to wear out!
Daddy Flats are such an easy and economical cloth diapering choice, especially for the home sewer. I sell these in my shop to encourage home sewers to try them out for function first and then hopefully decide to sew up their own. For more information about Daddy Flats visit their website. For an idea of how simple it is two create a stash of these diapers, visit my blog.

I am also giving away a size SMALL repurposed wool diaper cover that is made in the style of a front snapping PUL cover. It can be worn over diaper flats, prefolds, or any fitteds requiring a waterproof cover. It is two full layers of a neutral tan wool with an additional soaker layer in the wetzone. Gentle elastic at the back and legs help keep messes where they are supposed to be and two rows of red snaps make for an adjustable fit! This wool cover will come lanolized and ready to wear along with care instructions.

Repurposed wool is also a very economical cloth diapering choice for the home sewer. If properly cared for, a good wool cover can last for more than one child.

This package is basically the equivalent of one of my Try Cloth Diapers packages without the cloth wipes. These packages are a great way to try an inexpensive method at a really great price.

My advice to newbies: "Just remember, your best friend's cloth diapering routine may not be what works for you. Also, don't give up! There are loads of websites to help you troubleshoot with issues, but also try to connect with someone else who uses cloth diapers. It makes a world of difference to have someone walk a new path with you!"


You must include contact information with each entry. Enter now and spread the word!

The Many Faces of Wool Diaper Covers

This month Etsy Cloth Diaper Team is promoting Wonderful, Wonderful Wool and giving away Five Wool Soakers to one Lucky Winner! Enter our giveaway here:

http://etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-team-promotional-giveaway-prize.html


Aside from the wool diaper covers that have actual faces, as in monster butts and sock monkeys, there are many styles of wool covers to try. They vary in cost, in care, and in construction.

COST

1) The most economical wool covers to buy and to make would be repurposed wool covers. These wool covers are made by cutting up soft wool sweaters and turning them into cloth diaper covers. Any style cover can be made with a repurposed sweater: longies, sorties, soakers, and wraps. These can be gorgeous because of the patterns in the wool or because of the adorable embellishments added. You can purchase a basic repurposed wool soaker very inexpensively for $8-12, and embellished ones in the $15-20 range. Obviously you may be able to find these for more or less expensive, these are averages. If you can sew, a wool sweater can net you 2-3 diaper covers, depending on the size of the cover needed and the size of the wool sweater. Wool diaper cover sewing tutorials are widely available on the Internet.


2) A more expensive option in wool covers is hand-knit covers. These vary greatly in price because they also come in soaker, shorties, and longies styles and require differing amounts of wool, time, and expertise. They can also be knitted from various types of wool: lambswool, merino wool, wool alpaca blends, organic and natural wools. All of these elements affect the price. Hand-Knit covers usually start at around $20 and can be more than $75 (for longies). Again, these prices are averages. If you know how to knit, there are also free soaker knitting patterns on the Internet and good quality wool can be purchased inexpensively if found on sale.


3) A third type of wool cover is made from Wool Interlock. Wool interlock is also quite pricey. The benefits of wool interlock are trimness and some wool interlock covers are machine washable. There are different types of wool interlock. There is 100% wool, wool Lycra blend, and washable wool. Opinions on which of these is best differ in the cloth diapering community.

CARE

1) Most wool covers are hand wash and dry. The reason for this is that heat and agitation causes wool to felt and shrink. This process often makes the cover unusable. If you have ever shrunk a favorite wool sweater by mistake, you know what I mean! In general, wool covers should be gently washed in warm water with a lanolin enriched wool wash or washed and then lanolized afterward.


Despite the hand-washing, wool covers are easy to care for because they do not have to be washed after every use! Depending on your wool, and the number of covers you use, a wool cover can be washed as infrequently as every 2-4 weeks. If the cover becomes soiled, often a damp cloth is all that is needed to remove a small amount of poopy residue. Wool covers should be washed and lanolized only when they become smelly or are no longer waterproof. The smell test should be done after the cover has had a chance to air dry, not directly after removing from the child.


2) Some wool diaper covers have be pre-felted. This means that they have been shrunk to where they should not shrink anymore and can be washed in a washing machine. A word of warning: If you are wanting to prefelt wool to make your own, it often takes more than one washing to achieve maximum shrinkage.


As I mentioned before, some types of wool interlock are machine washable.


Here are some links from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team and team members to help with caring for your wool:


From Etsy Cloth Diaper Team
From Fancy Cloth Baby
From LayBebeLay
From Zany Zebra Designs

CONSTRUCTION

1) Wool Soakers: Wool soaker is an old fashioned term for a pull-on wool cover. This can be either repurposed wool or hand-knit. These are often embellished on the backside. Some have elastic or drawstrings in the waist, other do not. Often times they have an extra soaker layer sewn into the wet zone. Repurposed soakers of this kind provide excellent protection for heavy wetters. I never woke to another pee puddle in the crib after I started using wool covers.


2) Wool Shorties and Longies: These are shorts or pants either hand-knit in wool or sewn from repurposed wool sweaters. They usually have elastic in the waist or a drawstring, but some have neither. Many repurposed wool shorties and longies also have an extra soaker layer sewn in.


3) Wool Wraps: These are simply wool covers which are sewn or knitted in the same style as a PUL waterproof diaper cover. They usually have snaps, but are sometimes left plain to be used with pins or a Snappi. You can occasionally find them with a velcro style closure. They come in both sizes and one-size styles.

This Week's Promotional Feature: Wool Wraps! 

The following feature article on Wool Diaper Wraps is contributed by Etsy Cloth Diaper team member Amy from MamaBearBabyWear. Check out her shop for wool wraps and lots of other great items! 

'Wool Diaper Wraps from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team' by ClothDiaperClub

Wool Wraps in Easter Egg Colors!

<><><> 

Sweet Striped Easte... rebourne $27.60	MamaBear One Size W... MamaBearBabyWe... $22.00	cloth diaper cover ... GotEmCovered $25.00	MamaBear BabyWear O... MamaBearBabyWe... $18.00
Thick Wool Custom W... MumtazSoakers $36.00	Wool Fleece Diaper ... bundlesofjoy $21.00	MEDIUM "Try Me... ClothDiaperClu... $25.00	Try Cloth Diapering... MumtazSoakers $32.95
Wool Fleece Diaper ... bundlesofjoy $21.00	FREE SHIPPING - Han... MumtazSoakers $24.00	MamaBear One Size W... MamaBearBabyWe... $22.00	cloth diaper cover ... GotEmCovered $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Wool diaper covers have been around for hundreds of years, but are only now regaining in popularity as more people become concerned with the environmental and financial impacts of disposable diapering.

Wool is a renewable, and healthy alternative to plastic or PUL diaper covers. Wool breathes great keeping baby cool and dry and preventing diaper rash. When cared for properly (occasional lanolizing and gentle washing) it is a great moisture barrier since it is able to absorb up to 40% of its weight in water before feeling wet. High performance athletes have chosen wool because of it's great temperature and moisture regulation properties.

Wool diaper covers do NOT need to be washed every time they are used. The natural properties of wool prevent odors and bacterial growth. They only need to be washed every week or two or when they are soiled. Simply hang damp covers to dry and use them again! The lanolin in wool neutralizes urine leaving a fresh-smelling, leak-resistant cover time and again.

Wash in cool to warm water with a detergent made for wool. Every second or third washing you should add a dime-sized amount of all natural Lanolin (you can use Lansinoh or PureLan if you have it) or a Lanolin product made specifically for wool such as MamaBear Wool Wash or Eucalan.

The best thing about wool wraps is they enable you to use ANYTHING as a diaper, save money by laying in soft absorbent dishtowels, folded receiving blankets, old t-shirts, any absorbent material you have on hand! Snap, velcro, or pin the cover and and voila! The cover holds the soaker in place.

Because MamaBear covers are one-size fits all you could potentially spend less than $100 on MamaBear wool wraps and take care of all of your little one's diapering needs using soaker materials from around your house! With care these covers have been used on two or even three babies, tripling your savings!

All MamaBear wool items are pre-felted and then washed and lanolized upon completion so that when you get them they are ready for your BabyBear to wear right away.

Don't forget to enter our great March Wonderful, Wonderful Wool giveaway:

http://etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-team-promotional-giveaway-prize.html

Six Months of Give-Aways!

Beginning this month, Etsy Cloth Diaper Team with be featuring and promoting ever major cloth diapering item sold in team members' shops. Along with this we will be hosting great giveaways for each of these promotions. We're not going to spill the beans on future promotions, but March's theme is Wonderful, Wonderful Wool! Sneak peak...the prize packages will include multiple items from multiple shops for sure!

You won't want to miss out on these chances to win great prize packages or the promotional information we'll provide as we explore the many facets of cloth diapers through the shops of our team members.

We already have a list of great promotions and giveaways on the agenda, but is there something you would like us to focus on? Let us know!

Don't forget to check out any other promotions by individual shops here: http://etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com/p/giveaways-and-promotions.html

Pre-Fall Wool Sale

All - yes, ALL recycled wool longies are $2.50 off!





-Hope

Join the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team's Earth Day Celebration!

Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate our planet.  It's a great opportunity to take a look around and appreciate the gifts we've been given.

Cloth diapering is one way to help take care of our planet.  By switching to cloth, the average family eliminates up to one ton of landfill waste in just two years!  For many families, cloth diapering becomes an important step in finding other ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Members of the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team are getting together this month to promote cloth diapers as an important way to help care for the Earth.  Some are offering free shipping, others are putting their handmade diapers on sale.  Be on the lookout for great giveaways to enter, too!

Let's get people talking about the benefits of cloth diapers!  Maybe we'll help to inspire more families to make the switch for the benefit of their babies, bank accounts, and (of course) for the Earth.

Check out all of the specials here.  Also, please follow us on Facebook for all the latest news from our team!

Green Mama Benefit Auction - featuring a Dadgear satchel from Kanga Care

I was a sucker for great bags when I carried around lots of diapering stuff. I wish I would have had one of these! And the proceeds from this one go to a great cause (The Cloth Diaper Foundation - formerly Miracle Diapers)
Up for auction starting 4/22:


Features include:


• Quick access wipes window and refillable wipes case make grabbing wipes a breeze.
• Large interior pocket for diapers or food.
• Large zippered interior pocket for storing larger items.
• Three pockets under front flap for secure storage and other items.
• Two neoprene exterior side pockets for bottles.
• Stroller straps attach to any style stroller and store in their own pockets.
• Changing pad included in its own pocket to eliminate cross contamination.
• Light-colored interior helps you see everything inside.





Please come check out the Green Mama Benefit Auction benefiting The Cloth Diaper Foundation. There are TONS of great items up for bid! (Including items from members of the Etsy Cloth Diaper team: a repurposed wool soaker from Winkydinks, and a custom shortie from Catchick 6 Creations!)

More Arctic Fluff!

How CUTE are these Japanese print diapers!

A perfect fit for our Arctic Theme!Just listed by Holden's Landing

These AI2's won't last long in her shop before some one takes advantage of her offer of FREE shipping!

New shop feature & giveaway series beginning in Feb!

The Etsy Cloth Diaper team is excited to announce a new series on the blog!

"Fluff-a-rump on hump day!"

Every Wednesday in February a team shop will be featured, introducing themselves and giving some background on their shop. Along with their feature, the shop will be offering an item for a giveaway! The blog giveaway winner will be announced the following Wednesday.

We have many anxious members to be part of the series, and have giveaway sponsors lined up through June already! Starting in March, the feature and giveaways will run every other Wed.

Please check back and continue following the team for your chance to Fluff-a-rump on hump day!

Miracle Diapers

When I started making soakers, I donated about 10 of them to Miracle Diapers. Katrina (the creator of the pattern I used) asked that if we use the pattern to sell items that we make at least one donation. Well...after finding out about Miracle Diapers, just one didn't seem like enough! I've been a supporter of them for 3 years now, and am trying to spread the word.

Miracle Diapers mission statement: Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization is dedicated to helping qualifying families all over the United States get a jump start on cloth diapering their children through our cloth diaper loan program.  Read more about Miracle Diapers here.

What YOU can do:

• You can purchase the Miracle Diapers listing from the Winkydinks Etsy store (to cover materials and shipping), and I will make a soaker and send it off in your name.
• You can donate money directly to Miracle Diapers by visiting this page (which is tax deductible).
• You can send in your gently used diapers you no longer need - sometimes your tax deduction is worth more than resale value when you consider shipping, time, and paypal fees.

What the Etsy Cloth Diaper team is doing:

• Winkydinks is a Business Member of Cloth Diaper the Nation in support of Miracle Diapers
  
• The following team members are Miracle Diapers supporters and have made/are making donations of new items from their shops: 
• Winkydinks
• SweetVioletsMama
• LittleMooseDiapers
  
• SnugglePants
  
• LittleMuffinBottoms
  

Please consider offering your support to this wonderful organization!

New Post'er and FREE give away

Ok so here it is, my very first post to this awesome blog!  So in the spirit of giving I am.  I have a special offer to all my customers on my etsy store. 

I am giving away FREE cloth wipes and cloth everything wipes to those of you who buy my cloth diapers and or cloth mama pads (breast or menstrual).

Here is the deals:

Buy a Cloth diaper and recieve a wipe and a special gift FREE!

Order a Cloth diaper set and recieve one cloth diaper free!(orders over 5 only) Please convo for special offer.

FREE cloth everything wipe with every menstrual / Breast cloth pad purchase!

Order a custom set of mama Breast Pads or Mama Menstrual pads and recieve one FREE !!! (orders over 5 only) Please convo for special offer.

Feel free to contact me via etsy for all your custom request!

 

Thanks to those of you who have helped me get to 90% positive feedback, only 10% to go!

 

Lacey "The Creative Mommy"

Blog giveaways at Winkydinks!

I'm celebrating my 1 year Etsy anniversary and have lots of specials, charity offers (benefiting Miracle Diapers), and giveaways. Please visit my shop for all of the details!

Current Winkydinks blog giveaways:
-Enter to win a FREE custom fleece diaper cover or hat (ending Nov 22nd)
-Enter to win a FREE package of Monky Fartz scented Booty Cubes wipes solution (ending Nov 30th)
(Entries must be posted to Winkydinks blog posts)

Thank you to all of my customers for a great year. And thank you to all of the cloth diaper users out there to make this world a much fluffier place! :)
Jen

Out of this world....

The Etsy cloth diaper team has been busy adding exciting new items to our September theme collections. From rocket ships to aliens, from diapers to covers to wipes, I think you'll agree that this month's selections are truly 'out of this world'.

Oceanic Adventures - a few more

Catching the Waves & Catching the Rays

More Ocean Adventures

Fresh new "Seaweed" Medium Shorties

Oceanic Adventures

It's a new theme for July! Celebrate summer at the beach or out on the water (on a pirate ship?) with some of these beautiful creations from the cloth diaper team.