Wednesday, December 9, 2009

What a Storm!

I told ya'll we were snowed in. Here is a picture to prove it.

Oh and this morning we woke up to frozen water pipes. The joys of living among the pines. But seriously, I would never trade any of this to be woken up by the garbage truck or cars skidding out in my front yard. I much prefer the annoying wake up call of the woodpeckers on my roof!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Life Is Crazy!

Ok so this last few weeks have been really wild.
  1. As previously noted, we have a new baby in the house.
  2. My computer is out of commission and has been for the last two weeks. I'm pretty sure I need a new video card. My Dad has one for me to try but we can't get down the hill because of snow!
  3. I can't wait for my computer to be fixed -- I have a ton of pictures to post. :)
  4. Because my computer is broken, I have been unable to check my email for the last two weeks!
  5. We were hit with a pretty wild snow storm on Sunday night. We got about 2 feet of snow and are totally snowed in. Lost power for about 15 hours. Then a few hours after the power came back on, the phones/Internet stopped working. In spite of all this, Kev enjoyed going sledding.
  6. Luckily, I have this blog setup so I can post from my cell phone via text message.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Daddy's Little Girl. :)

My mom said the first picture I posted wasn't so great. Hopefully this one is a little better? The camera on my cell phone isn't the greatest and this mobile blogging thing is pretty new to me. So I can't really tell what it's gonna look like before I post it. Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Teya Jenae is here!

Born on Thanksgiving day at 6:31am, weighing in at a tiny (compared to brother) 7lbs 14.4 oz. and 19.5 inches long.

Sorry BBC girls, I didn't blog during labor as promised. But when I get home I will write up the details for ya'll. :)

Friday, November 13, 2009

DSL Modem Broken

Okay so we're gonna be offline for a while. 5 weeks out of warranty and our DSL modem is busted. We're expecting the replacement to arrive on Tuesday. Hopefully we will survive until then!

(This update brought to you by a free WiFi hotspot!)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

I Went Shopping!!

Well, I went shopping at Joann's on Sunday. Boy did I get a lot of stuff! From my calculations, I got enough cotton knit to make approximately 30 diapers. Price to make each came out to less than $2/diaper not including snaps, adding snaps cost me another $0.60/each. So, for the cost of a Chinese or Indian prefold, I will have fitted diapers instead. How cool is that?

So here is the picture of the fabric I got:


Yeah, two of the prints are really boyish but, I got them for less than $3/yard so I couldn't pass them up -- plus who says the next kiddo won't be a boy. ;-)

In addition to the fabric shown, I was able to get just about 7 yards of cotton terry. I also got 2 yards of white flannel for my cotton woven diapers.

I walked away with 18 yards of fabric, one pooping reindeer. Overall I would say it was not a bad trip!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Cut & Ready to Sew...Almost

I was super excited to get all the cotton knit layers cut for 16 more newborn diapers.



I thought I was just about done. So, I went into the sewing room to cut the soaker layers and I find that I don't have terry cloth left!

The sale at Joann's isn't till Sunday and in addition, I can't justify a 1 hour trip just to go pick up a few yards of fabric. So, these diapers will have to wait until next week to be finished. I am so sad. :(

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

If You Come To Visit. :)

Ok so here is the rundown....

The kitchen sink broke again so I have dishes piled high and no way to wash them except the little bitty bathroom sinks. But, I'm not sure using those is such a grand idea. I certainly don't need more plumbing problems.

Also, the microwave is still out of commission; however, i think we've been doing pretty well without it. The oven has a warmer drawer and the food we've been eating lately has tasted a ton better. So, we've pretty much decided that it is not a necessity and we will not be replacing it.

My appointment with the perinatologist went well on Monday and I do not have to have a c-section. He gave me the all clear and I am no longer on any type of restrictions. Yippee!!!

So, if you come to visit in the next few weeks please remember:
  1. I may not be home if you show up unannounced, please call first.
  2. If you want to eat, bring your own disposable dishes.
  3. If you can't live without a microwave, bring your own.
  4. If I go into labor during your visit, please be prepared to drive me to the hospital and watch my son.
  5. If you think my house is dirty don't just stare at it, clean it up.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Today Is The Day

Yeah so today is the day that we find out if I have to have a c-section or not. Of course, we're hoping that the specialist say "not". But, I am fine either way. Natural or C-section both of them scare the crap out of me but, I'm up for whatever comes my way.

I was induced with Kevin so I really have no idea what to expect if I go natural. By natural, I don't mean drug free, I mean vaginal an un-induced. Heck if I need drugs, I'm gonna take them. I'm worried that my back won't be able to handle the labor...stupid car accident!!

If I have a c-section I'm worried about repeat c-sections in the future. I mean how many can you have before it is to risky? Other than that I'm not worried about it.

So today is going to be an interesting day. Ultrasound to check location of placenta, 37 week appointment, and hospital tour. It's going to be a long day....

Friday, October 30, 2009

More Yarn!!

Look what I bought today! They are going to make the cutest newborn longies ever.



Yeah so I finally broke down and bought some already dyed wool. I had been eyeing the Midnight Sun Cascade 220 for a while now. We had to go into town today for an appointment so I asked Greg if we could stop at the yarn shop. Of course, he said sure.

So we ended up spending $15 and got the Midnight Sun (#9544), Chocolate Tweed (#9539), and a soccer ball button for Kevin. He wanted it badly and he was so good helping me find the yarn I was looking for so, I thought he deserved the little button. Now we just have to figure out what we are going to sew it on.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Early Day Tomorrow

Well, let's hope I sleep better tonight than I have been. I have to be up at 4am. So, hopefully I can get to sleep before 4 am!!

Oh yeah, I have been working on an XL pair of wool longies for a tester. They seem to be taking forever to finish. Hopefully they will be done in the next couple of days. :)

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Dyed My First Blue Yarn

Well, I dyed my first blue yarn last night and this is what it came out looking like. I can't wait to crochet up a little pair of pants and see what pattern emerges. Oh boy!!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Who Needs Sleep?

Apparently I don't. Last night was horrible! The worst sleep I have ever had in my life. I was awake every 30 minutes because I was so uncomfortable. Finally at 4am I decided to just get up check my e-mail and BabyCenter to see what was "up" besides me. I think I'll go get something to eat and then try to go back to bed. Who knows, maybe I'll actually sleep for a bit longer this time around. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Prototype Finally Finished!

The other day I had a major dilemma. I wanted to make a skirty but also wanted to make a pair of longies out of the same yarn. Problem was I only had enough to make one or the other, or so I thought!

Someone mentioned doing a removable skirt in a solid color and then I could have both so, that is what I did.



As you can see from the pictures below the skirty is totally removable. It is great because you can switch the skirt between items for different seasons or, you can totally remove the skirt. This is great because you can still use it with future male children or on those days when you would rather your little princess not wear a skirt. :)


There are a few things that I will be modifying on the next skirt but overall I think it turned out pretty well. Now I just need to find out if there is a market for something like this and if so, how much should I charge for the skirt addition?


Monday, October 19, 2009

Kool-Aid Dyeing

So I've been having a lot of fun dyeing my wool with kool-aid lately. Here are some pictures of my latest creations.


Left: Grape and Cherry, Right: Orange and Black Cherry (not the whole pack)

Some people have said that you need to use gloves to protect your hands from the dye. Well, I have successfully ignored that piece of advice each and every time and have still managed to come out with un-dyed hands. Wanna know how? The secret is Comet -- After I am all done I wash my hands with it. :)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Prototype In Progress

So here is what I am working on today. :)



Yesterday I was stuck trying to figure out if I wanted to make this yarn into longies or a skirty. I had figured that longies would be best since the yarn was gender neutral but, I really wanted to make a skirty that wasn't all pink and frilly.

Thanks to some ideas thrown out by a few ladies on the cloth diaper board over at BabyCenter a decision has been made and a new type of wool cover will soon be born!

I am so excited to show off this new creations! Please check back, I should have pictures in the next few days.

First Wool Soaker

Yeah so I was working on a pair of longies the other day and decided at the last minute I was going to make a soaker instead. I guess you can say that I got lazy. :)



The color is a little funky, it looks lopsided, the legs seem a little long. So, I'm not quite sure what I think of this new soaker just yet. I think maybe I'll modify my pattern a little and make the legs come up a little closer to the body of the soaker. Maybe then I'll like it a little better?

Friday, October 16, 2009

Stupid Microwave!

So, it's official, my microwave has bit the dust.

I had just painted some wool and was getting ready to heat set the dye. Dumb microwave just would not work for more than a few seconds. So I was like, "oh crap I'm gonna ruin 5oz. of perfectly good wool!"

To my computer I run and do a quick google search for alternative ways to set the dye. Crock-pot, stove-top, or the sun seemed to be the ways people suggested. Ughhh...none of them sounded very easy or quick. To much clean up or to much waiting.

What did I do, I grabbed my 2 level veggie steamer popped the yarn into the top level. Set the timer for 30 minutes and walked away. I was afraid it would get to hot to fast and felt the yarn but, I figured I was gonna wreck it anyways so why not try?

Well, wouldn't ya know...the yarn came out perfectly heat set, clear water, and unfelted. I was so happy. In comparing my microwave dye jobs and the steamer dye jobs, I realize that in using the microwave I have slightly felted the yarn.

Looks like I will be using my veggie steamer more often. Now to find an excellent deal on Koolaid or Wilton dyes and I will be all set. :)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Expected Hugs

Today I lit three candles
Each one representing a life
A faint glimmer, gone to soon

Before the world could welcome them
We had to say goodbye

To our hopes
To our dreams
To our dear sweet children

Forgotten by most
Remembered by so few

When the time came
To blow the candles out
I sat, I stared, I cried...

Expected hugs, broken dreams
I will never forget!


Candles lit for Anthony (My nephew full-term stillbirth), Ava (My baby M/C @ 7 weeks) , Spooch (Ariel's baby M/C @ 8 weeks)

Remembering our babies - www.october15th.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

We'll See What Happens....

My hubby just mailed off my first tester pair of longies. Yippee! I can't wait to hear back from the momma who ordered them, and certainly can't wait to see pictures of them on her little one! :)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Crocheting Again...Oh My!!

Ok so those of you that really know me know that I learned to crochet at a very young age. I believe I was all of 9 years old. My first project was a pair of slippers. I had intended to make them for myself but, they ended up fitting my younger sister. I remember they were red. I wish I had a picture but, back in the day I did not own a camera.

Well, to get to the point....

I have started to crochet wool diaper covers. I have completed two pairs of longies for the new baby and am planning on making at least three more pair. Who knew that something I learned to do 20 years ago would come in so handy in real life?

Wool is supposed to be the "ultimate" diaper cover. It's breathable, it's water resistant, it's natural. What more could you want. Let's just hope this kiddos not allergic!

Ok, now for the pictures. Aren't they cute? :)

Sunday, October 11, 2009

My Newborn Stash So Far....

Yeah so I mentioned that I have been sewing diapers like a maniac for the past few months. It's been fun and I can't wait to try them out. Ok, so here are some pictures. :)

These are 100% cotton woven fitted diapers. 12 in newborn size.



Two newborn 100% cotton fitteds made from an old tshirt.










And since the above are fitted diapers I needed to have covers. So I made some fleece and some wool. Can't wait to see how they perform. I have heard the wool is super awesome!!

First three pictures show the six newborn fleece soakers. Last picture is shows the two wool soakers I made out of an old cashmere sweater.











I have even more diapers cut out and ready to sew. I just need to find a little time to actually get them done.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

How We Started Cloth

So when my son was 2.5 we finally got tired of buying disposable diapers. So, we stopped buying them and invested in cloth diapers. Our stash consisted of 18 Chinese Prefolds, 4 Large Prowrap Covers, 1 Large Bummis Super Whisper Wrap, 3 Snappi's, 2 dozen homemade flannel/terry wipes, and 3 homemade All-In-One diapers. We spent less than $100 on this very modest diaper stash. But, it got us all the way to potty training 8 months later.

With a new little one on the way, I have already started making my newborn stash. My sewing room is covered in cute diaper fabric and I am having a blast!