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!

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!

New soaker fabric

I've just received my shipment of Zorb. I am really pretty happy with this stuff. I've used it in several of Boo's diapers and training pants. It is a hidden layer directly beneath the layer that goes against the skin. It's like that super absorbant ShamW** stuff but made for diapers. It does hold alot and is really trim. This means that 1 layer of that is like about 4 layers of flannel or 2 layers of hemp/cotton or microfiber. I've had pretty good luck using 1 layer of Zorb with 2-3 layers of either hemp/cotton or microfiber. This lets the undies be really trim but still really absorbant. My understanding is that it is best to use no more than 2 layers of Zorb though because you lose any extra help after that. I think 1 sewn in layer and 1 in the insert works great. It does need to have another fabric though because it has a "squish" factor. When it's compressed (sitting or laying on the layer) it doesn't hold as well. If you have another absorbant fabric that may not absorb as quickly it helps. Together they have tons of holding power! I can't wait to get a few things up that are ready to ship with this stuff in them. Have a great weekend everyone!
p.s. We're on spring break for this week so I'm not going to be on the computer nearly as much for the next 10 days. It's time for my kids to be my focus for a few days. :D

KCK One Larger sizes & CPSIA

I'm finally getting a few new things listed....YEA!! Actually, I opened up 2 listings for the new KCKOne Large Child and Tween sizes. I'm finally getting caught up on a (very) few things around here, thus getting ready to sew up all the precut items I have. I think a few large child and tween diapers will be listed soon.

I'm only going to do a few since there are new "rules" going into effect on Feb 10, 2009. They're going to require testing for each batch of items for lead. My problem is that, while I want our kids protected, all my things are individual and unique so "batch testing" is impossible and seriously expensive. Most of us that make handmade are hoping that the Feds get things fixed and only require the testing slips for the componants. Lets get real, if each componant passed testing then why is it necessary to test the final product. I mean these are diapers folks! They go on the bum not in the mouth and if all the parts are lead free or within the miniscule proportions then the final product will be too. Lets hope all the fuss we are raising will get realistic rules and regs. I will be compliant but at a huge cost if they don't fix this mess. It will mean that I cannot produce anything intended for anyone under age 12. Bummer!!

I'm really nervous about this and contacted our IN state reps...guess what-they have NO CLUE about what is exempt and what isn't. This legislation was orginally for toys and such but seems to have extended to ANYTHING for those under age 12. For those who are as confused as I am, this legislation was passed earlier this year because of the lead paint in toys and bibs from China. I want my kids safe-thus buying handmade from here in the US by WAHP's (work at home persons). The legislation was vague (to be polite!) and passed quietly. We, the general public, were told about the basics but not a firm list of what products were included. Most people thought it is just for toys-NOPE. The legislators figured they'd tweek it and come up with specifics later. Well later is here and they haven't finished it. Search "National Bankruptcy Day" and see what you find. Scary. On the upside there is some reform getting atleast thought about. I just got a legislation proposal link in my email and it talks about some of the testing & possible exclusions. Natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool, hemp & linen are excluded provided they are not dyed in any way. That's nice but my concern is now what other items even need testing? No one can seem to decide.

I'm just going to keep praying that certifications on the fabrics will be enough to make my products legal so I can keep selling for everyone. Otherwise it's only for those 12 & up after 2/10/09. Your prayers (and calls to legislators!) will be VERY APPRECIATED by everyone with little ones, especially small US businesses. We all want our kids safe. Plus, I don't want everything available to be from China or Vietnam (they can afford the testing) and not by the small business here. My money wants to stay in the US economy all the way around. God Bless and have a safe and happy New Year!
Suzanne W. :D

YEA!!!

Yea!! My new machine is due here via UPS on 12/3/08. This means that I should have atleast several pairs of g-tube pads ready to immediate shipment-just in time for Christmas! I'm working on them now and sometimes my sewing machine decides it will work so I can get 1 or 2 done before I need to fix it again. The stitches are fine but the machine decides to tie up the bobbin threads every so often so I can't finish until I take it apart and fix it. The new machine will be a blessing and maybe I'll get lucky & it will be here sooner than planned. (keeping fingers crossed and prayers going!)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I'm making a small turkey and most of the sides to pray I don't mess it up too-it's been a while since I cooked a turkey. If you've got any good turkey recipes let me know.

Sewing machine death!

Grrrrr....just when I get things ready to sew (and have orders waiting!) BOTH machines die. As irritating as that is I did buy a new one last night and it's on it's way so I should have it here by Tuesday. I'm just irritated that I can't get things done on the weekend for Cyber-Monday. I am planning to have a few larger sized items ready for the holidays (as long as no one disrupts the plans again). If anyone would like to see anything special in the shop let me know. My machine isn't here but I can get things cut out and ready (& the serger is here to do some of the seams on pants and such). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Suzanne W. :D

Official KCKOne Larger Sizes License is HERE!!

It's official! I can sell the KCKOne Larger Sizes in my Etsy shop. While I continue to do the "happy dance" I'm prepping the pattern and getting ready to cut out a couple. I will be including 1 soaker with each pocket diaper and will also offer additional soakers in separate listings. The sizes for these are:
Large Child- 4-10 years
Tween- 6-14 years
Adult- 25-40" waist
Large Adult- 34-50" waist
I am currently using this diaper on Nikolas and it is my FAVORITE! The school can't mess these up so they got 2 thumbs up from all of us, even his teacher & aides liket them. I think one of my favorite things is that these will grow with him so I don't need to "make more" in 2 years. I'll just have to come up with another excuse to keep buying all the great fabrics for his diapers. :D
I am licensed for the larger sizes on my website, however not the infant/toddler size (I can sell those locally though). Currently they only allow 15 online sites for the smaller sizes and I got my license too late. No worries though-I'm really in this for those of us who have bigger kids and are tired of, don't want to use, or unable to use the disposables.
Personally I'm really getting into this whole going green thing. I mean it's really not nearly as hard or time consuming as I thought it would be and look at what wonderful things we are doing for our kids. Just my 2 cents. Have a great day!!
Suzanne W. :D

New listings-Diaper making kits

I have decided that in order to get more fabrics, for my kiddos new things and thin my ever-growing stash of fabric, I am going to offer "diaper cut kits". These will be large sized diaper cuts of PUL and an inner fabric. All you need is the type of fabric you prefer for the center soaking part, notions like thread & elastic, and a pattern. If you don't have a pattern I'll be more than happy to suggest a few I've tried and LOVE! I figure that this will allow my stash to thin and you to have tons of different prints and colors on your little one's bum. If you are sewing for a larger child, tween or adult-let me know. I can make a custom larger sized cut for you. I know those can be quite hard to find.I'm also going to offer cuts of soaker fabrics like hemp french terry and plush microfiber (way better than the auto towels we get at the discount stores!).

Recent News & temporary changes

OK, my surgery went fine but it's been a LOT harder to recover this time. You'd think it would be simple since it was just a laporoscopy-a few small incisions and a few stitches. HA! No such luck. Now I'm swollen and can't climb the stairs very well so I can't even get to my sewing machines. I have 1 downstairs-it's my older one and it needs serviced. I thought I'd be "cute" and go upstairs anyway and use my new one. Bobbin threads everywhere when I sew. It's a computerized sewing/embroidery machine and it looks like it needs to be taken in too. I've cleaned them as well as I can but.....GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
I'm gonna put this down to God telling me to take a short break and give myself some more time to heal. I'm just going to stop taking custom orders and sewing diapers for a few weeks. Hopefully that will allow me to heal and get these machines worked on. They really don't like the thicker/plush diaper fabrics very much. I'm considering a commercial machine instead of another less expensive one. Maybe I can find one gently used.
Well anyway I hope to start taking custom orders again in November-we'll see. Have a wonderful weekend!

FOE finally here-YEA!!!

OK so here's the deal. I didn't get hardly any diapers ready & posted for the promotion we did at the end of September. :(
I just didn't have enough FOE. It was on order but didn't make it here in time. The foe (elastic binding) is finally here! Better late than never. :)
I missed having a bunch of diapers posted for the Real Cloth Diaper week but now I can finish all the ones that are cut out and waiting for FOE. Now I can also finish the trainers I've working on too. Yippee!
Now I just need to find the time to get all this sewing done. I suppose this means that I will have plenty to post over the next few weeks.

Enough about that-it's too much planning for this late at night. I will also be MIA during the middle of October. I'm due for (a relatively simple) surgery but it will keep me in the bed for awhile and doing only easy things for a bit after I'm allowed to get up. No sewing then...grrrr...after I finally get my supplies and the momentum and some "free" time......

Ahhh well it's past my bedtime and we've got church tomorrow so I'll update as I can. I'll also post here when I get the new stuff listed on Etsy. Have a wonderful night everyone!

We're finally home!

OK, I didn't have any time to get this posted before or during this ordeal so here's the scoop. Mikayla got sick-sinus infection on 8/19 then Nikolas "couldn't let her have all the fun" and got sick too. Well he was throwing up anything we gave him, including his medicines. Not good since they are for seizures. Well the Peds doctor sent us to St. Vincent on Wed 8/20. We figured-over night IV fluids to prevent dehydration and we'd be home. HA! No such luck. His usual shunt series (to be sure it's working & not the cause of the illness) showed one of his cysts in his brain had grown. WONDERFUL!! (grrrrrr...) That meant that we'd be staying over the weekend and have brain surgery on Monday. PEACHY!! Now we're here 'til Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Nope. He's now classified as a "slow metabolizer". In other words the narcotic pain medicines he got (tylenol with codeine) cannot be processed by his body like they should and almost killed him. Well he come thru ok and we got to leave Friday early afternoon.
On a much sadder note. Please pray for the family of Jacob Brokering (preschool aide's nephew). He had surgery at the same time on Monday and passed away on Wednesday from complications. He was 15 and also special needs. Also please pray for the family of Kelsey and Aaron Mock. Aaron was 38 & a single dad of a 12yr old girl in my daughter's grade. He died very unexpectedly this past Wednesday. I found out because on of my closest friends was his ex-fiance. My daughter found out at school because Kelsey was absent for the last few days.

What's new??

Well the mini-vacation was nice but way too short! Oh well, next year we'll try for another 1 weeker.

I've added a new style of diaper to all of my sizes. It's based on a Rita's Rump (THANKS!!) with a few modifications. It sits a bit under the belly and a bit higher in the back. I'm offering it in flannel or with a PUL (waterproof) outer layer and birdseye or flannel inner. It has either hemp/cotton or microfiber terry for the soaker based on preference & availability. I will also have additional soakers with velour tops available. I've got the infant thru youth pattern ready and adult sizes are almost done. I'm hoping to have some sewn, "ready to ship", and listed by this weekend. I'm also nearly finished with several g-tube pads that will be ready to mail as well. I'm cutting back on the custom orders, but not stopping, until school starts again so I can spend more time with the kiddies. Have a great week everyone!

A "MINI-VACATION" this week!! :D

My wonderful husband has surprised me with a mini-vacation! We are taking our kids and our daughter's friend to Holiday World for 2 days of fun and relaxation. I'm sooooo excited! We're even staying at the Santa Claus lodge. It's totally Christmas themed I guess. (Well, atleast we're not expected to buy Christmas gifts!) Our daughter just "had" to stay there. After all it's Santa Claus Indiana. Don't we know anything. Hehehe. She just turned 12 last week but you'd think she was 5 again. :D
This will be nice though. We've only been on 1 family vacation before. It was before our son was born. I've taken the kids 3 years ago to Disney World but my parents went not Daddy. This is a short trip (3 hour drive) and it's only 2 days but so much better than nothing. It almost didn't happen because our lift van broke down but we all need the break and my parents are so sweet as to loan us their van so we can still go. I'll post a few pictures when we get back.