KAM Snap pliers got in touch with me to see if I could do a review of their snap pliers while doing a bumGenius! 3.0 snap conversion.  Honestly, I was going to say no.  I don’t have a ton of time to spare, and I haven’t done any crafts in quite a while.  I was also unsure if I could do it.  You know, do it and not ruin one of my beloved 3.0′s.  I decided to look around their website to view how it was done.  To my surprise, it looked fairly simple.  So simple, even I could do it. And, I also remembered that the Hushamok Hammock I purchased used for baby boy number 2 had a broken snap.  That made the decision for me!

I chose to get snaps in Ribbit to match one of my 3.0′s that could use snaps.  I already had the majority of my BG‘s converted to snaps many months ago.  All I had left were 3 white BG‘s and one in Ribbit with the original velcro.  I also got the Ooga Booga engraved snaps which are super cute and add some fun to your diaper.  Having the snaps match is very important.  If you ever want to resell them, you will get more if the snaps are BG color and not white or random.

I took my time on getting things done.  One evening I watched the video tutorial portion on taking off the velcro.  I did have a seam ripper, and I carefully removed both the velcro strip and the tabs.  The tabs were harder to undo than the strip.  But overall it was less time consuming than I thought.  I just watched TV and ripped.

Then, I realized I needed lined notebook paper for the next step.  Ummm…… really?  I didn’t have a single sheet of lined paper in my house.  Printing paper?  Yep!  I haven’t used lined paper since college. So I googled for a printable template to use and found one for 1 line conversions.  I wanted two.  It took me a few days to get to the store to buy some paper.  (I did make my own template and scanned it but my scanner is only printing, not scanning to the computer.  ARGH.  If you really want it let me know and I will try to get it working.)

Making the template was the hardest part for me.  I despise measuring, and numbers.  I wanted to do a good job and have my snaps lined correctly so I took my time and triple checked.  I still messed up a little on my alignment from the top of the diaper.

After I made my template, marked where my snaps would go, and laid all of my snaps and sockets out, I was ready to actually SNAP.  I was kind of excited.

Snapping wasn’t as hard as I imagined.  You need to put muscle in, and you need to align the snaps to ensure that they actually SNAP, and that is it.  Snap away.

Would I want to use pliers full time if I made diaper for resell?  No.  Would I use pliers to convert a few diapers?  Yes.  KamSnaps also sells a snap press, which is better for snapping diapers you are making in large quantities.

Since I spent over 30.00 to get my diapers converted, and only had a few done, I think the price is worth it even just for conversions.  By the time you figure in shipping to the WAHM and back, you have spent a good bit.  These pliers are great when you have many to do.  You will save so much.

And PS, in case you are wondering, I fixed the snap on my hammock too.  Worked like a charm!  The snap may be green but I think it gives it character, plus the baby won’t mind.

PPS, I was going to add photos of my conversions but as luck would have it they are both in the wash the day I planned to take the pics/ post them.  I will update with those later.

One lucky DDL reader is going to win a 30.00 Gift Card to KAMSnaps.com!

Mandatory Entry:

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Giveaway ends on July 1.  Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.  Any incorrect entries will be deleted.

For more go to WordlessWednesday.com

This post is part of “All About Babywearing Month” on Dirty Diaper Laundry.  Babywearing Month is being extended into November because of the last minute additions!

A carrier I never though to try was a Mei Tai.  I didn’t see what it could offer me since I already owned a Soft Structure carrier.  Plus, I was worried that the tying of straps would be more trouble than it was worth.  Mei Tai’s (pronounced May Tie), are asian inspired carriers.  They are basically a long rectangular piece of fabric with straps attached to each corner.  The simplicity is one reason that Mei Tai’s are popular WAHM items, and DIY carriers.  There are tons of sewing patterns online if you search for them!  I know that on Nathan’s Fight there is a great DIY Mei Tai.

I decided I wanted to try one after seeing them in person.  I was fortunate enough to see the collection from BabyHawk.  The fabrics are to die for!  There are so many styles and colors to choose from, it is almost dizzying.  I decided to buy one mainly because I loved the patterns, but also because I couldn’t call myself a babywearing “expert” if I hadn’t tried a Mei Tai.

I had an insanely hard choice when it came to picking the patterns.  There were some gorgeous ones in greens and oranges, but, when I asked opinions, the funky sugar skulls won out.

My first impression after trying it on was, “What have I gotten myself into?”  The straps are looong and they were dragging the ground.  I couldn’t even tie it myself, I had to enlist the help of my hubby.  I narrated what I thought should happen and he complied.  The fit was tight since he tied it, and we proceeded to walk around the mall pretty comfortably.

Every time after that I still had my husband tie it, I didn’t even try.  I knew at some point I had to, but it was much easier for him to do it.  One weekend we went to the Apple Festival in Ithaca.  My husband tied it on me but it was too loose.  The baby was in a great position to nurse, which he did, but then he was leaned back.  It was so uncomfortable.  This was a lesson to always make sure my carriers are correctly tightened and adjusted.

The first time I attempted to tie it on myself was when I was stranded.  I usually have 2 carriers in my car, 2 different types.  Somehow I only had one, the BabyHawk.  I had to go a good distance and didn’t want to take a stroller, and couldn’t carry the baby and my bags.  Deep breath. You can tie this yourself.  I tied it around my waist nice and tight with a secure knot, then put Fletcher into the tummy to tummy position.  Pulled my straps over my shoulders and around my back, back to the front, over his rear and under legs, then back around.  Knotted and done.  It worked!

After that day I have been using it with no trouble.  You have ti find a way to put the straps around your back while holding the baby safely.  I was so afraid of dropping him that I put it off.  If I had thought about it, I should have practiced with a teddy bear to get the hang of it.

Mei Tai’s are nice because they have the same structure as a SSC but since you tie it, there are variations on the support you can get.  You can tie under the baby for when they are heavier and older, or behind their backs for younger babies.  The BabyHawk has a very high back, great for toddlers or infants who need head support.  For infants you can tie it really tightly.  If babies are in the middle and need some freedom of movement, the lined stitched across makes it easy to fold the top portion down and give them some space.

My son prefers having his hands out and the top folded down.  It is about to his neck right now.

The BabyHawk isn’t my most comfortable carrier.  But it isn’t uncomfortable.  There is a generous waist belt and the shoulders are padded.  You have to be really sure to get it properly adjusted, otherwise you might end up judging the carrier as being uncomfortable when it is just incorrectly adjusted.  I like wider shoulder straps, and I am also a big fan of the chest clip on SSC’s.

BabyHawk has fantastic step by step photos and also videos on how to to a lot of different carries!  I love video tutorials, and still use them when I am trying a new carry or carrier.

A few months ago I finished my biggest cross stitch to date: an evolution of Mario from the first to the third game for the original NES.  I had planned on doing this while I was pregnant but never started it.  It has been finished for a while but I had wanted to frame it.  I shopped around for quotes on custome framing and for what I wanted to do it would be 100-200$.  I decided to get creative and try framing it myself.

 

 

 

I bought a shadow box, 16×20, and had a mat made by a local framing shop with a 2 inch width for 17.00.  The pre-cut mats at craft stores that were 16×20 were always too thick.  I bought tacks, self adhesive tape, and a gold poster board at Joanns.

I applied the NES cartridges (mine since I was a kid) in order, 1,2,3 with the self adhesive tape to the gold background.  Then I took a wooden board and stretched the cross stitch around it, using tacks to pin it down.  I also used self adhesive tape to hold it to the gold background.

 

 

 

Then the shockingly hard part.  Putting the pieces in the frame.  I honestly reframed it 5 times.  First, the x-stitch wasn’t centered.  Then, the cartridges looked uneven.  Then, I saw a hair in the frame.  Then, I decided to un-stretch and re-center the stitching to my liking, then re-attach.  Then, I saw another of my husband’s hairs on the matting.  After that I am done.  I refuse to do it again.

This is the final result, which I am mostly happy with.  There are a few things I would have done differently but it is still going to look kick butt in my son’s room.  The total cost of framing was around 50.00.  The frame was 30.00 on sale, mat was 17.00 , and I bought tacks and sticky tape.  Maybe next I will do a Zelda piece?

 

 

So this what I have been doing the past 2 days instead of blogging:

 

 

 

I posted pictures of my son wearing a cute drool bib and since they are so easy to make that I decided to do another and post a tutorial to go along with it. This one is made from repurposed materials! I used an old flannel receiving blanket for the backing (for absorbency) and on top fabric from a turtle neck that shrunk so much I couldn’t wear it anymore. The turtle neck was a jersey knit. You can use regular cotton, or be creative, just be sure your machine won’t bunch up the fabric when you are sewing. If you find any of these steps confusing leave me a comment and I will answer any questions.

Materials needed-
*Decorative scrap fabric large enough to make a 12x 12x 17 inch triangle
*Fabric absorbent enough to hold lots of drool for the backing, 12x 12x 17 inch triangle
*Velcro
*Pins
*Measuring tape

I am in love with his new high chair! We found the Boon Flair in orange and white for a steal! I am a bargain shopper with expensive taste. Somehow I find some of the best deals on craigslist. We got it home and I assembled it. Then my husband came home and had to reassemble it since I did something wrong. Figures. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment. You will notice there is no food on the tray since he has not started solids, but he liked hitting the tray with his hands!!!
Click the Picture for a better view. I am still learning the way this site inserts pictures, I don’t like it so a gallery it is for now!

the drool bandana he is wearing was made by me. Keep an eye out for a new tutorial on how to make one at home. 5 minutes is all it takes to have an adorable and stylish bib to catch your baby’s drool!

If you cloth diaper then you know how cute the diapers are, and you probably get sad about covering them up with *gasp* pants!  Besides the fact that pants are hard to put on wriggly kids (seriously, why when one leg is in the other comes out, WHY?) they cover up the fluffy diaper.  I have a few pair of baby legs even though my kid is a boy.  I fought the urge for a long time but then I gave in when I saw some on sale.  I fell in love.  They are easy to put on- scrunch them up like you are putting on a pair of hose- and they are easy for diaper changes.

 

Yes, they can be $$$.  They run around 10-12$ each.  You can buy the Baby Leg brand or some cute ones made my other mamas or on etsy.com.  If you are cheap like me and you enjoy DIY projects there is an easy way to make them at home.  You don’t have to have a serger, you can use a zig zag, but sergers make things so much easier and better.

 

http://beadedsocks.net/legging.html

 

 

 

And a Bonus, Pictures of Fletcher wearing his Baby Legs.