Category : Handmade Items

Handmade Items Review

Boo Boo Bag

May 8,2010 / By / 4 Comments

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I finally won a “FFS” drawing on Hyenacart!  I’ve entered hundreds of them, and that’s no exaggeration!  “FFS” means that the seller is offering the item up for free, the “winner” of the drawing just has to pay shipping.  Basically, anything I have any interest in, where the shipping is reasonable (to me) I enter.
What I won was a “Boo Boo Bag” from the congo “Bliss,” seller Homemade Love.  The shipping was $1.50 and I figured that was fair.  I’d pay that much for a cold pack at the store.  The winner was able to choose boy or girl fabric, round or square.  I didn’t really care since I have one of each (boy/girl, not circles/squares hee hee.)
The print is really cute and it smells like fruit loops or something.  It didn’t come with any care or use instructions, so I’m afraid to wash it.  The fabric looks really thin in places and I don’t want to end up with a hole in it.
I was kind of disappointed that the finishing was so sloppy.  I’m spoiled by my turned and topstitched WAHM made diapers!  But, I guess you get what you pay for, so it’s all good!  🙂
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Eco-Friendly/Green Giveaway Handmade Items Made in the USA Reusable Products Review

QwertyO Reusable Ready Mop / Swiffer pads / Produce Bags review & giveaway! CLOSED

Apr 27,2010 / By / 87 Comments

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Long ago and far away, Etsy and I weren’t acquainted.  *gasp* I know.  Therefore, when I was looking for a reusable pad for my Clorox Ready mop, I had nowhere to look really, but Ebay.
This is what I got:
It did the job I suppose, but the overhanging material constantly got flipped under and gummed up the works, then the fleece flaps would slip out and the whole pad would fall off.  Plus, it was made out of a prefold, so it often ended up just absorbing most of my liquid instead of actually mopping the floor!
Not too long ago, I was browsing Etsy and came across QwertyO’s Store.  She makes ready mop pads (these also fit the regular/not wet jet swiffers), pads for the Swiffer wet jet, reusable produce bags and reusable sandwich bags.  The bags are made by her 17 year old daughter.
QwertyO generously offered to send me a pad for my ready mop.  She is also sponsoring a giveaway, so read on my fellow moppers!
Susan also sent a Swiffer wet jet pad to share with a friend.  I intended to test, photograph and review it as well, but I’m still hunting for someone local who still has one.  Many people I know got rid of theirs because of the chemicals, but she included instructions for opening your wet jet solution bottle and making your own, earth friendly solutions!
The package really was a present!
Instructions for homemade solution were right on the package.
The Swiffer pad packaging includes a link to instructions for opening the bottle of solution to fill it with your own.  It’s all terry and has the same velcro attachments as the disposable pads.
The ready mop pad is microfiber on one side and terry on the other.

The wide border of terry allowed me to really secure the pad onto the mop.  I was able to mop without having to stop and stuff it back in at all!

I love my QwertyO reusable pad.  It’s so nice to be able to grab my ready mop for quick cleanups, without dragging out the mop and bucket.  Now I can do it more efficiently and in half the time since I don’t have to wrestle with my old pad!  Doesn’t my floor look great?
Want it?  Buy it at QwertyO’s Etsy shop.
Want to win it?  QwertyO is generously offering one lucky reader his/her choice of a set of wet jet pads, a set of ready mop pads or a combo set of 7 reusable produce bags.  Susan chooses the colors.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Visit QwertyO’s Store and tell me which of the 3 options you would choose if you won.
2. Follow my blog publicly. Current followers count. Comment saying you’re a follower to get your entry.

3. “Like” me on Facebook. Current fans count. Comment saying you’re a fan to get your entry.
4.  Follow me on Twitter. Current followers count. Comment saying you’re a follower to get your entry.
5. Tweet about this giveaway. One tweet/entry per day. Comment with a link to your tweet to get your entry. (Please be sure to include @chgdiapers and a link to this post)  You may use this if you like: Reduce your footprint. @chgdiapers has a #giveaway for reusable mop pads or produce bags made by QwertyO. Ends 5/11 http://bit.ly/
6. Write a blog post about this giveaway and link to it. Post a comment with a link to your post for your entry.
7.  Add QwertyO as a favorite shop on Etsy. Comment that you added her as a favorite to get your entry.


I will accept entries until Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.  Please note that all of my giveaways are available to residents of the U.S. only unless otherwise specified.


I’ll use random.org’s true random number generator to select a winner, then notify the winner via email.


Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn’t in your profile.  If I can’t find contact info for the winner, I will choose someone else.

Thank you to QwertyO for providing the two pads for review and the products for the giveaway winner as well!

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Eco-Friendly/Green Giveaway Handmade Items Made in the USA Reusable Products Review

Spotgirl Cloth Napkins Review & Giveaway CLOSED 5/1

Apr 21,2010 / By / 145 Comments

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Over the years, we’ve cut way back on the amount of paper products we use.  Everyday cloth napkins have been on my list for a while.  For most people, disposable products are a big expense, and switching to reusable can save them a lot.
Not so for us.  The last time I bought napkins was 6 months ago.  It was two packs of 180 napkins, and we still have about 120 left.  So, we used 240 napkins in 6 months.  That’s around 10 napkins per week.  We only use one every few days (we used dish cloths, towels and wash cloths in place of paper products), but whenever we have guests over, the napkin holder is emptied quickly.
In October, I paid $3.00 for 360 name brand napkins, and that’s more than I usually pay.  So, at less than a penny each, it would take a long time for cloth napkins to pay for themselves.
Since my son has been eating solids, we’re more likely to reach for a napkin to clean up spills if we’ve forgotten to grab a washcloth before we start.  I know I could just put some wash cloths in the napkin holder, but darn it, I want them to be pretty!  I had been looking for a while and I knew that napkins that fit what I was looking for weren’t going to be cheap.  When I saw the napkins that Spotgirl had for sale on Etsy, I had to get them.
The print was awesome.  The first I had seen that I really, really liked (and I’ve been looking for a while).
They are double sided.  Three have dots and three have stripes.
They are topstitched, so the edges stay flat with no ironing.  The stitching is absolutely impeccable.
The woven cotten fabric is soft, but durable.  I am sure the color will start to fade and the fabric wear over time, but not like cotton flannel or other fabrics.
The napkins are 12 x 12, making them the same size as a paper napkin when folded.
They look great on my table!
The napkins are sold in sets of three for $9.00, plus $3.00 shipping.  I bought two sets, so the shipping for the second set was just $1.00.  No outrageous shipping charges.  The net cost for each napkin was $3.67.  That’s less than two packs of napkins on sale.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a family of four went through a pack of napkins every week or two if they’re accustomed to using them at every meal.  For me, this was a splurge purchase (and a save the earth purchase), but I am certain they could save other families money.
My daughter was really excited when she saw the colorful package in the mail!
I was so excited to get these, it definitely felt like a present!
Spotgirl also has a personalized stationery store, so it was neat to get a little thank you card.  But what I realized when I took it out of it’s sleeve is that it was blank inside, so I can use it as a thank you to someone else!  So really, it was a thank you and a sample rolled into one.
Want some?  Shop Spotgirl on Etsy or her stationery store spotgirl.net.
Want to win it?

Spotgirl is offering up a set of three cloth napkins in the Little Owls print.

Sweet owls on a chocolate brown background, backed with pale lime polka-dots.

These napkins are 100% mom tested! We use ours every day as lunchbox napkins or snack time place mats. Ideal for lunches on the go, especially picnics at the playground.


Napkins are double sided, making them extra durable. Top stitching ensures that edges stay flat – no ironing required! Cotton fabric has been pre-washed and becomes softer and softer with every use and washing.


Set of three: one for lunchbox or table, one for the cupboard and one in the wash. Napkins measure 12 x 12″ square.


You will feel good about using these adorable napkins over and over again. I hope you like them as much as we do!
 
Here’s how to enter:
 
1. Comment on this post.  Anything you like.  Flattery gets you everywhere with me, but it won’t help you win this giveaway.  😉
2. Follow my blog publicly.  Current followers count.  Comment saying you’re a follower to get your entry.
3. Fan me on Facebook.  Current fans count.  Comment saying you’re a fan to get your entry.
4. Fan spotgirl on Facebook.  Comment saying you’re a fan to get your entry.
5. Follow me on Twitter.  Current followers count.  Comment saying you’re a follower to get your entry. 
6. Tweet about this giveaway.  One tweet/entry per day.  Comment with a link to your tweet to get your entry.  (Please be sure to include @chgdiapers and a link to this post)
7. Write a blog post about this giveaway and link to it. Post a comment with a link to your post for your entry.
8. Add spotgirl as a favorite shop on etsy.  Comment that you added her as a favorite to get your entry. 
 


I will accept entries until Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 9:00 P.M.
 
I’ll use random.org’s true random number generator to select a winner, then notify the winner via email.
 
Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn’t in your profile
 
Thank you to spotgirl for providing the napkins for the giveaway!

Edit August 2010: We are still using these napkins daily and love them!!

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Handmade Items Made in the USA Toys WAHM made

A cloth booty for Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo!

Feb 7,2010 / By / 1 Comment

>As I said in my previous post, my daughter wanted a Baby Alive doll for her 5th Birthday.  Since her Birthday was today (Happy Birthday!), I can finally post some good photos of the diapers I bought for her doll!  She was so thrilled with her gift, I couldn’t really pry it out of her hot little hands in order to take “good” photos.

I bought 4 diapers from Heartland Dreams.  Her daughter actually made them; they are flipping amazing!  I paid $4 for each and they are well worth it.  The normal price is $3 each, but I asked for an extra layer in the middle since these need to absorb a bit too!  I think the Baby Alive brand sposies go for around a buck a piece, and even preemie size disposables are horrendously expensive, as well as wasteful.

baby alive

You can see the Baby Alive diaper on the right side of the photo.  The HD diapers are quite a bit larger, but work just fine.  I almost forgot that she included a cloth wipe for free!  You can see it on top of the diaper in the front.  It is soft, double sided and very well made.  I’d love some for my son!

The diapers (and wipe) are amazingly well made.  I would be thrilled to receive a “real” diaper made as well as these.  They are very easy for a child to use, the stitching is perfect, the prints are adorable…I could go on and on. 

My daughter was so happy to get these, and was very excited that she could “feed” her baby water, then just let them dry and reuse them!  She loved the prints (I didn’t ask for specific ones).

Baby Alive (named “Sophie,” for today anyway) says “Hooray for cloth booties!”

Slightly related Sidenote:

I am still peeved at myself for not buying this diaper while it was still available, and then missing out on this one too.

Even this one and this one were snapped up before I had a chance! 

I’m such a waffler.  Ugh, I swear.  If I see an AI2 listed that I like, I am stalking that puppy and buying it!  After seeing the doll diapers, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy anything she sells.  In fact, if the doll diapers were bigger and had elastic at the legs (and a few more soaker layers), I’d put them on my son, ha ha!

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On a somewhat related topic, my daughter’s preschool allows the parent to bring a snack on their child’s Birthday.  I’m not into excessive sugary “stuff,” and they actually don’t allow it.  My daughter loves fruit, so I bought cherries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, oranges and bananas.

I sliced and pitted the cherries, removed the strawberry stems, sliced the bananas (also also crinkle cut them and soaked them in orange juice), and cut and sectioned the oranges.

Yum!!
I bought some wooden skewers, I think they were 10″.  The store had two lengths and these were the shorter of the two.
I alternated fruits and then topped then off with blueberries to the end of the pointy tip.

They were a huge hit and were gobbled more quickly and enthusiastically then cupcakes!

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Handmade Items Toys WAHM made

Cloth doll diapers

Jan 7,2010 / By / No Comment

>It’s not that difficult to find cheap, single layer flannel doll diapers, like the ones that come with American Girl Bitty Baby.

However, I’ve been suckered into buying my daughter a Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo Doll for her birthday next month.  I never intended to buy the baby alive diapers at over a buck a pop, but the preemie size disposables aren’t looking that attrative to me either.  Not just because I’m sure she will go through a pack the first day she has it, but it’s environmentally irresponsible and just not something I want to do.

Anyway, there are some sellers on Hyenacart that have really cute doll diapers.  They are much cuter and better made than the aforementioned American Girl diapers, but still only typically have two layers, and won’t hold up to a heavy wetting baby doll.

The maker of Heartland Dreams diapers offers doll diapers made by her 12 year old daughter, and said she could do a diaper with added material to make it a bit absorbent.  At $4 each, a handful of them would be a much better investment than sposies anyway!

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