The latest custom order

I just finished an order for an custom elementary sized diaper. I love doing these! Maybe that's because it's the size my son wears so I get a lot of ideas from these customs. I used the fall colors Ooga Booga, bamboo fleece, zorb and the softest dark chocolate brown Cuddle Dry microfleece I've ever felt. This diaper is so soft & squishy I almost kept it and made her another one, lol!

Just thought I'd share! I'm all caught up with custom orders so I've got several open slots right now for diapers, absorbent undies and g-tube pads on Etsy. If you don't see a custom listing for what you need just contact me and I'll set up one for you.
Have a wonderful week!

I have a WINNER!

I have a Facebook contest WINNER! Kim R. Griggs is my 25th Facebook Fan. You are eligible for 10% & free shipping on anything in any of my shops. YAY!!

OK, that was so much fun I want to do it again, lol! I'm already offering free shipping for Earth Day. That promo runs from Sat 4/9 to Sat 4/23. Use the code EARTH2011 at checkout for your free shipping in both Etsy shops.

Post a comment here or on Facebook and tell me what kind of promo you would like to see. Would you prefer a percentage off, free shipping, a bonus item with a purchase, or is there something else you'd like? I love hearing from you all so comment away!!

Happy shopping!! :)

Some new things up for grabs

I listed a few new infant diapers on Etsy recently. Rainy Days fitted diapers in size 1 which fits from 6 to 18 pounds. I really love the way these came out. Ooga Booga is a very popular print right now and great for boys or girls. I used the Primary, Koi and Bright colorways for these. They cotton knit outers, a hemp/cotton hidden layer, cotton velour inners and the snap-in doubler is 2 layers of hemp/cotton topped with cotton velour. Spoil that newborn bottom~your sweet little newborn deserves it!

These are so cute the original set has already sold! I have plenty left though and will be listing some custom slots for other colorways later today.

I am also listing custom slots on Hyena Cart for both sizes. There will be several new items for babies and big kids in that stocking! That stocking will be on Saturday April 16 and previews will be going up from now until then so stop by and see what's new. :)

Facebook "Likes"

I need more Facebook "Likes" to get my page where I want it to be so I've decided to do a promotion to encourage everyone to stop by and check it out.

I'm giving 10% off & free shipping to the 25th person to "Like" my page.

I'm also offering a 4 pack of g-tube pads or 1 infant fitted diaper when I reach 100 "Likes". So that's my incentive to get your friends and family to "Like" my page on Facebook. :)

Suzannes Special Kids on Facebook

Thanks!

G-Tube pads galore!

It's so nice to get to sew. It's an amazing stress reliever for me. I finally finished a few different sets and got them listed.
2 different sports themes...

2 sets that are more feminine...

and a very nice and neutral set of beiges

It's nice to get something done that isn't for school or another doctor. Tomorrow I'm going to work on some more of those wonderful Overnight Solutions so I can get my samples sent off. After that I supposed I'd better go back to studying, lol.

Look what I've been doing...

Between being a full time student and a more than full time mom I haven't been sewing much....until this weekend! YAY!! I've got just a bit of finish work & photos left to do then I'll be adding 2 boy sets, 2 girl sets and 2 neutral sets of g-tube pads to the shop. If you look closely at the photo you can get a sneak peek at the patterns available too. ;)

A few diapers are next up!

Christmas Discounts!

I LOVE the holiday season! I'm offering 10% off your order in either shop to celebrate. :)
Suzannes Special Kids use code "Christmas" (no quotation marks, please)
Quality Fabric Destash use code "Christmas10" (also no quotation marks)

I've also listed a few diapers in Suzannes Special Kids. These are regular infant/toddler sizes. I did list a youth cover as well. It's a beautiful pale yellow and works great for day and night use over cloth diapers or just over padded undies for extra protection during potty training.

Have a wonderful holiday season no matter what holiday your faith celebrates!

Merry Christmas to all!!

Black Friday Sale!!

I'm adding a coupon code for each shop! The code is "BlackFriday". It's worth 15% off your total purchase in either shop (before shipping). I'll leave it up for Friday Saturday and Sunday. I just wanted you all to know how much my family and I appreciate you supporting my small business. Thank you!
Suzanne W. :D
SuzannesSpecialKids
QualityFabricDestash
p.s. The code works now if you're reading on Thanksgiving. ;)

Another (ad)venture....

I did it. I opened another shop. Why? Well...I guess 'cause I "just wasn't busy enough", lol! Seriously though, I've got loads of fabrics here and not as much time to sew as I'd like. I hate to see it just sitting so I'm selling some of it off.

If you like to sew and want some wonderful great quality fabrics then you should definitely check out my new shop. I'm selling PUL, flannels, cotton knits and even a few specialty fabrics. I have yardage and diaper cuts. I'm still listing what's available so if you're looking for something specific just convo me....I may just have some not listed yet.

Oh, and if you use the coupon code "Blog10" you get 10% off your total (before shipping). Happy shopping!!

Quality Fabric Destash

Look at what's new...

I'm adding 2 new items to my stores.

The first is a side opening PUL cover for elementary sized kids. (I'm still working on larger sizes but they're coming too.)






My other new item is a "Big Kid Onsie". This will be a semi-custom item so they'll take about 2 weeks to complete and mail but I LOVE them for my son.
They will be available in sizes 4 to 14. I have 2 styles of sleeves...raglan or traditional set in style. I'm adding a g-tube access pocket if you want one (no extra charge either). The leg openings can also be cut higher if preferred but I like the lower cut over diapers. I also prefer the raglan because they are more comfy for the kids and easier to get over the kiddo's noggin. ;)
I'll need some measurements for the child's body length and chest width for each one. The buyer can pick the body & sleeve fabrics. I'll coordinate the rest.



These will be in all 3 stores. I'm going ahead and previewing them in the Hyena Cart store and on the Congo. They will go up in the Etsy shop later in the week. If you want one from the Etsy shop just convo me and I'll do a custom listing for you.

Have a great Sunday!

Apparently our congo is closing temporarily

Well, I got an email this morning that our Congo is closing for awhile. I do wish I had more time there but as it happens it's already been closed.

However, I moved all my stock to my Hyena Cart shop so everything will still be available. I have a few adult sized birdseye briefs ready to ship and some really cute stuff done so take a peak.

I'm getting ready to get things rearranged since my SIL is in labor and MIL will be staying with her soon. I've got a few new brands that will be in the shop too.

I'm in the process of getting my LaDiDa diapers approved. I'm sewing up some trainers called Overnight Solutions (larger sizes of the Tinkle Time Trainer) and some of my pattern as well. I'm also looking into Very Baby just because I'd love to have a one-sized diaper in the shop. I've got some of each out and partially sewn so the biggest part is taking lots of clear pictures and paying the licensing fees then everything will be available in the Etsy and Hyena Cart shops! It's a really exciting time for me & I can't wait to offer these wonderful items.

Have a great weekend!

Hi! I’m Suzanne…

I’ve been going back through my blog and I realized that I’ve never done this so here goes. Who am I and what brought me to making and selling diapers and special needs items.
Who is the “Suzanne” in Suzanne’s Special Kids?
I’m a late 30’s mom of 2 wonderful kids. Both of them are challenged but in very different ways. My oldest is extremely bright, high IQ, and is an Aspie. She has OCD tendencies, ADHD tendencies, and sensory issues. She loving and wonderful and turning 14 so becoming an independent young lady. The tendencies she shows makes her a bit challenging as does the fact that she is now a teenager.  My youngest is multiply challenged on the other end of the rainbow. He has so many physical and cognitive challenges yet he has the most gentle and loving personality. I am first and foremost a mother. It’s all I ever really wanted to do. I love to sew. I got this from my mother and her mother who both sewed regularly. Now I have the opportunity to provide options to other mothers with challenged children. This makes my passion well worth it.
I also love to read, cook and bake. I picked up a love of gardening from my grandmother and I always have plants inside and out. I am a Christian and very proud of that. I believe that God doesn’t make bad things happen to people but he does sometimes allow them so that we may grow. I believe that children like my son are born different so we may be reminded of what pure love is. I am honest, trustworthy, and humbled that God chose me to care for 2 of his precious souls. I’m happy to be a mom and wishing for more.
Why do I sew cloth diapers?
I used cloth diapers part time for my oldest because they just weren’t that easy to use. When I got pregnant with my son I found the PooPockets pattern. I loved the idea of a “one size” diaper. Birth to potty training all in one…YEA!! Just add a few pairs of plastic pants or wool covers and diapering is done. That pattern is so quick to sew and uses easy to find fabrics. I fell in love with making them and how cute they look. The creative process just took over. I could use any soft flannel and have unique cute diapers that were easy to care for. The best part was that I only had to pay for them ONCE! No buying more every few days and throwing them in the trash after each use. I began buying other patterns and drafting my own. I think I printed off every free pattern on the web! LOL!! If you love cute baby bums and even tolerate sewing….this is addictive!
Why sew with special needs in mind?
At my 20 week ultrasound we were given some challenging news. Our baby has congenital hydrocephalus. He may or may not have spina bifida. We were sent to see a few specialist and my journey into the world of special needs began. Our son will be born at 30 weeks with parts of his brian never forming. He will have cerebral palsy, epilepsy and lung disease among many other issues. It is a learning process every day. My designs are based on what works or doesn’t work for my son. Many of my testers will never see anything but my son’s bum…they aren’t all wonderful. ;) Every so often…one really works. It fits well, absorbs wonderfully, washes thoroughly, and dries in a decent amount of time. For me…that’s the perfect diaper. I really like 1 piece items since issues with high tone during a diaper change make it hard to get things fastened sometimes. I look at our challenges when diapering and use them to work toward the perfect diaper.
What made me choose toddler sizes and larger?
I’m usually up for making some wonderful itty bitty diapers so feel free to ask. However, I decided there are so few options for toddlers and larger. My son is now in kindergarten and wearing little boys clothes-not from the toddler section anymore. The options are, well, not that great. I will continue to redesign my patterns to fit as my little guy grows. I have patterns for newborn all the way up to 2XL.
I know that kids and adults alike will need undies. Just because their body gets larger doesn’t mean they can always use the potty. More likely than not, my son will always need absorbent undies. I prefer that phrase to diapers. “Diapers” just seem so babyish and he’s a big boy now. Besides, adults don’t wear diapers…they are absorbent briefs or tabbed briefs or something like that. It’s about preserving dignity and being respectful.
What are my favorite fabrics and why?
I’ve tried sooo many fabrics. I am currently in love with a bamboo/hemp blend. It’s super soft, highly absorbent and just a wonderful diaper and undies fabric. It stays soft when line dried and doesn’t hold odors. Honestly, I love most fabrics so this is a difficult question to answer. I still love cotton flannels, hemp/cotton fleece, and the old standby… cotton birdseye weave. I have really begun to love wool. I know, when most people hear “wool” they think “itchy!”. That is deceptive because it becomes itchy based on how it is spun and processed. I have a wonderful supplier, Jeanne, at Natures Fabrics. She carries only the best, softest wools. You’ll never believe it’s wool, honestly! I’ve had my mom rub it on her arm (she allergic, btw) with NO REACTION. It’s all in the way it’s spun and processed. If you aren’t sure…please, go to NaturesFabrics.com and get a sample…you’ll be very pleasantly surprised.
WOW, this got longer then I planned. Well it’s by no means everything but it’s a little insight into my mind and my life.

Embroidery and the new stash!

I'm am so excited! I finally got my embroidery machine fixed and now I can embellish diapers and clothing again. :D

I've been thinking about how to best create & embellish undies for our special family members. I know for my son, fitted diapers with separate covers tend to work best but for our school & caregivers I need AIO's. This means that since it's time for a new stash anyway, I will make both styles in his new larger size. I still love the fit of the Rita's Rump Pocket so that's going to be our fitted style. I'm still debating between 2 AIO styles that both work well for us. I have my pattern that has been redesigned & resized and I have the KCK One larger sizes pattern. All 3 will be wonderful with some embroidery on the front or back. I love seeing my son in unique clothing that is made with love. Besides, when I make it...it actually fits. :)

Just search "etsyclothdiaper embroidery" and you can see how cute cloth diapers are when they have some embroidery. (That's just a sample of what can be done.) Lots of us have cute characters or designs on our undies so why shouldn't our special family members. I'm excited to get all the different characters off my machine and on the undies & clothes I'm working on.

I'll be adding them to some of the ones I'm listing as well. I think putting them on undies and also on the covers will make them extra special, don't you?

A New Year and A New Shop!

I'm finally ready to re-open my Etsy shop. I will be starting slow and will only take on minimal custom orders right now but I am finally able to start sewing again!

I am making a few changes too. I will be streamlining my fabrics including the prints. I'm going to be using primarily bamboo based fabrics or cotton birdseye and Zorb for the extra boosting power. (I really love that stuff!) I also plan on adding wool blend covers and PUL covers.

I won't be doing KCK Ones right now. My license is expired so I do not have the right to sell them. (If they are your preferred style, please check the KCK One website for a licensed seamstress.) I have other patterns I have used for years with great success so I'm sticking with them for now.

I will be listing the last of the flannel prints I have shortly and I'm probably going to list some fabrics for bulk sale so if you like to sew your own then I've got some fabrics for you!

Please bear with me as I slowly get back into the swing of things. I'm planning on making this new shop a much bigger thing than ever before so I'm working into this and all the new legal requirements carefully and taking my time.

I can't wait to start working with you all again!

I'm going to be gone..

I'm going to have to leave the shop closed for now. We just have too much happening here for me to be able to sew for my family much less anyone else. I'm sorry if you have been waiting for me to re-open.
If you are in need of diapers please search Etsy Cloth Diaper Team. There are many wonderful and talented seamstresses who are more than willing to help out. Several of them do larger sizes as custom orders so if you see someone you are interested in just ask them.
Thank you for allowing me to work with you and help out your special family. :)

Going to be gone longer...

Well, Boo is having surgery on Wednesday so my goal of re-opening on August 1 is a bust. I've moved the tentative date to mid-August. Sorry everyone but my family has to come first. I know there are some who are waiting for me to do some custom items and I will do my best to get things moving again soon. I will, however, be cutting my line back a bit more and rarely doing custom orders. That said if there is something you need or just want please let me know when I re-open. I will see what I can do. Thanks so much everyone!

Temporary Closing...

I'm trying to keep this blog related to the shop and my personal "stuff" on my personal blog. However, at this point in time they are overlapping. I know there are some people who read both and others who just keep track of 1 so I'm going to keep in short n sweet on this one and go into more detail on My Quirky Family.
I have closed the shop until approximately August 1. Boo's having some neurologic issues and I really need to focus on him for now. Thanks so much for being so understanding-it is appreciated so much more than you all will ever know.

Patriotic Pocket Dipes

I've listed the first of several patriotic themed pocket diapers last night. It's an XL so it will fit from 30-45 pounds roughly. The Etsy Cloth Diaper Team theme this month is "patriotic" so we can cover US and Canada and any other country we want to represent. I've to 2 more cut out and waiting to be sewn hopefully today and tomorrow. I plan to make the others in preschool sizes though I may cut out a few mediums since they sell pretty well for me too. I can't wait to see all these little bums in red, white, & blue!
If you've purchased any of my dipes please feel free to send me a picture of your munchkin running around in it and I'll post them on this blog so everyone can see how cute your little one is in cloth!
Have a great week!

New things coming...

I've been so busy with the sick kids that I've gotten nothing listed in ages! They are still not better but not getting worse so I should be able to finish all the "almost finished" things and get them listed. There should be a few more diapers and some g-tube pads for boys and girls.
I really need the "break" sewing gives me (and a few sales wouldn't hurt either...goodness the economy is crummy!). I also have a few more fabrics to list that I know I honestly will not use so I'm listing them too. Check things out later this weekend to see what I get listed! Hope everyone had a great week! :)

Here we go again...

OK, I've got the shop open again but I just can't do any custom orders right now. I have 2 sick kiddos and just can't get the time to sew. I'm adding ready to ship things so that's all I'm going to have for a while. I hope it won't be too long before I can do custom orders again since I know I've got at least 3 people waiting on me to open the slots. I promise I'll open them as soon as I can but with the sick kids it's keeping me tired and burned out so I'm waiting. I don't have time to sew and I refuse to accept an order knowing I have no idea how long it could take me. That's not fair to the buyer or my family. Thanks to everyone who is being so patient with us. I really appreciate it!