I was asked to be part of Team bumGenius! to help show off their new Artist Series prints. I feel truly honored to have been asked.  Being a part of Team bumGenius! meant that I received a special Fluffy Mail package containing 5 bumGenius! 4.0′s in the new print series.  Yes.  I was shocked and in awe.

My next task was to prep them and begin a fabulous photo shoot with my handsome son.  I am extremely pleased with the results.  Now that the cat is out of the bag and bumGenius! has debuted the prints on their YouTube channel (if you haven’t seen the video then go watch it now!) I can share my photos with the world.  All of the information regarding the artist and the future of the series is in the video!

After seeing the prints in person I expected nothing less of bumGenius!  The brand has always had a clear identity and style.  To customers, it may be frustrating to wait for new colors and prints, however, the brand works very hard to keep quality and style at the highest standards.  Like their other color series, the Artist Series carries a theme within all of the colors.  You will see new colors never before seen on the brand (black, red) and old favorites sneaking in.

From bumGenius!

This is the Tiny Socialite Collection by Chelsea Perry, the first in the bumGenius Artist Series.
Designed exclusively for Cotton Babies by artist Chelsea Perry, the collection includes five color combinations: Concrete Jungle (red/pale green), Jet Setter (purple/blue), Free Spirit (clementine/pale yellow), Retail Therapy (teal/lavender) and Eiffel Tower (black/white). The diapers are cut from the fabric in a way that no two diapers are exactly alike.

These designs will be available in bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers in both hook & loop and snap closures. bumGenius 4.0 Artist Series diapers retail for $19.95. A limited number will also be available in bumGenius Elemental cloth diapers. Artist Series Elemental diapers will retail for $24.95.

Diapers are available for pre-order (immediately after release) from Cotton Babies. All authorized retailers, including our international retailers, also have the option to pre-order this collection beginning tomorrow (Oct. 5). Orders will ship, in the order they are received, beginning on November 16, 2010.

Fans may submit their favorite artists for future Artist Series collections. That information will be published on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/bumgenius.

To view a photo just click it!

What are my thoughts?

First, I am happy bumGenius! has waited until they could release such gorgeous and unique prints.  While other cloth diaper companies have their own prints, some cute, some not so much, bumGenius! has been able to acheive a higher standard in design and aesthetics.  Free Spirit (the yellow diaper) is my favorite of them all.  It reminds me very much of a beautiful stained glass window that I saw in a video game (Wind Waker).

When you see these prints in person you won’t be dissapointed.  I am on the edge of my seat to see what the next series has in store!

*edited to add:

I think this print is going to receive (and has already) a “love it” or “hate it” response.  Mainly because it is not in the mainstream among diaper prints.  First, before hating it, you need to consider that diaper prints must look good from all angles. Second, if you have seen the video, the artist seems a little nervous and her explanations are… how do I put it nicely………. odd.  Don’t let that ruin the series for you.  And remember, if you hate these, you may love the next batch!

What do you think?  Which is your favorite?  Is there an artist you have in mind that bumGenius! should use for the next series?

A special thank you to bumGenius! for asking me to be apart of this monumental cloth diaper launch!  Again, I am very honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity!  5 free bumGenius! 4.0′s were received for me to try on my son as well as a bumGenius tshirt for myself!

If you have been reading my blog for a while you probably know that I am a “fan” of bumGenius! products.  I have been using their 3.0′s since my son fit into them (around 12-14 pounds, leak free) and their Elementals (Organic AIO‘s) since I bought a few when he was a couple of months old.  I have reviewed the 3.0 (BG 3.0 Review) and Elemental (Elemental- FMA BG Organic AIO- review) already.  I won’t say I was disappointed when they announced that the 3.0 was being discontinued since I knew the next diaper (I correctly predicted would be called 4.0) would be very similar with a few improvements.  The most obvious improvement they needed to make, improving the hook and loop closure and adding snaps, were both realized.  Bonus improvements: the ability to easily replace elastic and a higher rise.

They also added new colors, which I am not a huge fan of.  I will specifically say I am not a fan of their names.  Why must color names be so confusing?  Case in point:  I ordered 2 bumGenius! 4.0′s to review, one with hook and loop and one in snaps.  I ordered 2 of the new colors: Noodle and Bubble.  I didn’t double check what the colors were.  Bubble= lavender.  Let me ask you, when you think of a bubble, do you think of purple or blue?  Water=blue.  Bubbles=blue.  Also, the color Sweet reminds me of lavender or pink.  That is pale green.  Noodle is the light yellow, which does make sense.  Noodles are yellow, or pale yellow, and this is an accurate description of that color.  I do not like that I need to research the colors, which not all stores have listed with a description or photo (and photos don’t help since the colors are so pale, they all look the same) before I buy.  My son has a purple diaper.  So what?  Wanna fight about it?

New Color Guide:

Bubble= Light Lavender

Noodle= Light Yellow

Sweet= Light Green

Update: bumGenius has re-released their beloved “Brights” colors and has released a series of prints. You can view all of the new prints by heading to my blog post about theChelsea Perry Tiny Socialite Collection, it includes action shots of them all.

My Review

Ease of Use ✫✫✫✫✫ The 4.0 doesn’t differ from the 3.0 in this regard.  I tell anyone who asks me about a good intro cloth diaper that they should try the 3.0 (now I say 4.0).  It is affordable, durable, easy to use with the hook and loop (and snaps), simple to find the right fit, and easy to take off.  You still need to affix the laundry tabs before washing, and you need to remove the insert.  You will need to restuff the diaper before baby wears it.  Is it easy?  Yes.  Is it as easy as an AIO? No.  Is it worth the extra steps?  Pretty much.  Pockets dry faster than most AIO‘s and are generally cheaper.  I do wish the laundry tabs were closer to the actual tab, so that when I change the baby I could just pinch it closed rather than seek out the tab farther in.  I have to look for it.  Some diapers you don’t need to do this.

Bang for the Buck: ✫✫✫✫ The 4.0 is the same price as the 3.0 was: 17.95.  bumGenius! keeps their prices consistent among retailers.  It is hard to find a “sale” on them.  However, they are worth the investment.  My 3.0′s have lasted for almost 2 years.  I am hopeful that the improved hook and loop will last on the 4.0, and replaceable elastic will also contribute to their life span.  You will see that a few hundred dollars for a stash of 4.0′s will still be far less than the thousands of dollars you would have spent on disposables.

Performance ✫✫✫✫✫ I am going to say that I have had no leaks, no fit issues, nothing with the 4.0.  I was new to cloth when I started with the 3.0 and did experience leaks due to my repelling issues.  I have used these overnight with both inserts and I also had no leaks.  I do prefer fitteds overnight but I was happy to report dry sheets!

Fit ✫✫✫✫ I can at this time only speak to the fit on my toddler.  He is still on the middle rise snap (has been for a very long time) so he has growing room.  In the video you can see a comparison to the 3.0 in terms of the change in rise.  While it isn’t a massive jump I figure it will help increase the time babies can wear these.  He doesn’t get red marks from elastic.  The diapers aren’t terribly bulky with one insert.

Overall- I am very happy with the 4.0, as I was with the 3.0.  Like I said, these are really great for any parents first starting out.  They don’t have bells and whistles like some diapers, and they don’t want to.  You need to start somewhere and learn how to cloth diaper.  These are simple enough to do that.  Not everyone loves microfiber inserts because they can build up the stinkies.  Microfiber is a more affordable insert option, but if you want you can always upgrade to a hemp/cotton/bamboo/zorb insert at a later time.

Where to buy: Pretty much any cloth diaper store.  But, if you want, you can support my blog by buying yours at Kelly’s Closet.

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I purchased (2) bumGenius! 4.0′s to review from Kelly’s Closet.

How many of you are DYING to try the new bumGenius! 4.0?  Me too!  So, Granola Babies wants to give one away to a very lucky DDL reader!

Granola Babies is new to selling cloth diapers but they already sell some of the best cloth diaper brands out there!  Thirsties, bumgenius!, Kissaluvs, and Fuzzibunz to name a few!  They used to be “Slings I Love” and sold baby carriers.  Now they sell cloth diapers, baby carriers, natural toys, and things for mom!  I am kinda nuts for all of the baby carriers they sell.  It isn’t a secret I am coveting a Sakura Bloom silk sling, and they sell these.  They also sell some amazingly beautiful wraps like the Didymos!

You probably already know all about the new bumGenius! 4.0 but here is a little info on it.

Features:

• NEW! Durable snap closures help keep diapers on older babies.
• NEW! Generous sizing accommodates larger babies.
• NEW! Easily replaceable elastic keeps your diapers fresh.
• 3×3 snap down design* adjusts the sizing to fit small, medium and large sizes (approximately 7-35+ pounds).
• Trim, snug and comfortable stretchy tabs* provide a custom fit.
• Waterproof insert stopper* prevents leaking at the tummy.
• Diapers are bundled with two inserts: a newborn insert for newborns and a one-size insert for your older baby.
• Wide slot opening makes it easy to stuff and remove insert.
• Slot cover* protects your baby from wetness.

Now, Granola Babies will give one very lucky DDL reader a bumGenius! 4.0!

Mandatory Entry:

(1 entry) Tell me what is your favorite product sold by Granola Babies (cannot be Bum Genius) Leave it as a comment.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry) Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Are you DYING to try a bumGenius! 4.0?  Win one from @granolababies and @KimRosas http://gf2w9.th8.us #clothdiapers (7/23)”  Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.

(1 entry) Follow @GranolaBabies on twitter. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Follow the Nuture Baby Naturally Blog. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

(2 entries) Blog about this giveaway and link to it. Post a link in the comment.

(2 entries) Get Creative: Post about this giveaway on a messageboard or forum.Leave a comment with a link.

(1 Entry) “Like” Nuture Baby Naturally on Facebook. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook.  Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Go to Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook and start a discussion or reply to a discussion.  Tell me what you did. Just leave your comment

Giveaway ends on July 23. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

***Granola Babies is a DDL affiliate.  You can support DDL by shopping through my affiliate link below.

Shop at Granola Babies & use code NEW4147 for $7 off $75 first time order.