What I've been working on... Cloth Diapers

So with our new addition I decided that I didn't want to go broke buying disposable. I'm not a supper "green" person, but I try to do as much as I can to limit my footprint within reason.

Since my other two boys have a polyester allergy and most of the mainstream new cloth diapers are made with some sort of polyester I had a time of it trying to find things with 100% cotton that were reasonably priced. What I'm using right now are Gdiapers (with a homemade insert), Grovia with the 100% cotton snap-in inserts, Bummis organic cotton prefolds with a Thursties cover. My favorite one so far is the Grovia, it seems to be the least irritating on his sensitive little skin.

So here are the inserts that I made for the Gdiapers, they are made with two outer layers of flannel and two inner layers of microfiber.


I'm going to have to experiment with these because they seam to be causing him some irritation. I'm going to try doing an all cotton, and then fleece inner layers with the cotton outer. After I test them out I will be making them available for testing.



When I was researching all the cloth diaper stuff I was wondering what I could use for the covers since the majority of them are made with PUL or fleece, which are both polyester. I found some tutorials on wool covers using sweaters, so I gave it a try. For this one I had a sweater that I haven't worn in about 10 years that survived the many trips to Goodwill. I also picked up some really cheap sweaters at Goodwill. I still haven't lanolized them (which makes them waterproof) to try them out. The small one (not pictured here) I messed up and it's waiting for me to redo it. I'll have to get back to you on how they worked.



In the spirit of saving money and using what I have I made some pack n' play sheets out of an old queen sized sheet we no longer used. I was able to make two sheets out of it and had some left over.

Here are the links to the tutorials I used for these products.
Gdiaper inserts
Wool covers
Fitted pack n' play sheet

I only put elastic on the corners of my sheet. I did an 8" piece of elastic and stretched it out 8" on either side of the seam.

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Hello again

Well it appears I dropped off the face of the Earth again. I can't believe it's been since October that I've posted on my blog. Shame! Shame!

Things have been rather busy with family life. Our bundle of joy has arrived and is already 4 weeks old. How in the world did 4 weeks go by so fast? Here is my newest model and precious little boy Noah....


At the beginning of the year I decided that I needed to take some time off and focus on some personal projects. Here is a few of my projects I worked on.

A blanket for the baby. I am in the process of
adding some crochet edging.

A hat for the baby.



This hat is available for purchase at a reduced price, $10.
This hat was used for 2 photo shoots and no longer fits Noah

Contact me if you are interested in your own blanket or crochet hat. stitchesincotton@gmail.com
I have plenty of flannel in great baby prints. A hat and blanket combo would be a great baby shower gift.

I will be posting some of the other projects I worked on in the next couple of days. So be sure to bookmark me or follow my blog. I also will be opening the shop back up in a month or two with some new products.

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Where have I been?

You may be wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth. If you are not a follower on Facebook or Twitter this may have been a surprise to you.

The reason I've been laying low is because we are expecting our 3rd baby. On top of that we started homeschool this year. It's been some very busy days for the past 4 months. I'm feeling much better and have so much energy now. The shop was on vacation while I was in the icky stage of the pregnancy, but it's now open and I'm accepting orders.

I'm also gearing up for the Street Fair on Nov 6-7 here in Picayune. So if you are near the area don't forget to come by that weekend and say hi.

I'm hoping that life doesn't turn upside down with this new addition, but I'm sure for a while we will be adjusting and enjoying the new baby. I'm due March 9th.

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Micro Mops Grand Opening

A few months back I started helping my friend Amy from Mama's Little Monkey's fill her Swiffer Wet Jet pad orders. We scheduled a play date shortly after and figured, surely we aren't the only moms who need to save money and want to be kind to the earth at the same time! Thus MicroMops was born!

If you know Amy you may be surprise (HA HA!) that she has opened yet another shop, in her defense, I did have to nudge and twist her arm a little before she agreed.

MicroMops is having our Grand Opening this weekend and we're ready to share some deals with you!! You can find a variety of eco friendly-budget friendly items at MicroMops. Swiffer pads for WetJet and Sweepers; Clothespin/Grocery Bag Holders, Altered clothespins, Clothespin Magnets, Dish Cloths, Dust Mitts, Cleaning Mixes, FREE Recipes and more!!

And to get ready for our Grand Opening, we're having a little contest! Check out our Facebook Page for our "Messiest Mess Contest." Share with us the nastiest, grodiest, messiest mess you've ever had to clean up. A panel of messy judges (men!) will read the entries and declare a winner! The winner will receive a $15.00 gift certificate to MicroMops so they can clean up their mess! :)

Grand Opening Sale:

*Free US Shipping (excludes cleaning mixes)

*Reduced International Shipping (excludes cleaning mixes)

* Two FREE pads with any mop pad order

So we hope you'll come on over, check us out and share with your friends!!

~Dee

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Shame on YOU BP!

Ok so I just cannot resist saying something about this oil spill. I am from the New Orleans Area, I was not born there, but I have no recollection of ever living anywhere else. I LOVE Louisiana and there is no other place (that I've been) that is like it. I've lived in Texas, North Louisiana, Korea, Florida, and now in Mississippi, I have also visited several other states. I have never ever experienced the warm welcome as I've had when going to new places than I have when I go somewhere new in Louisiana. Everyone treats you like family in Louisiana and you are instantly accepted as you are, no matter where you are.

For example, when I was a growing up and new friends would come over most of the time you may be treated as a guest the first time you visited (open the door for you, we would offer you a drink, something to eat, get your glass for you maybe even serve you the food). After that you knock once and if the door was open let yourself in, you were then instructed to make yourself and home and help yourself to anything you wanted. This is how it was when I went to friends houses, sometimes you didn't get the initial guest treatment either, it was "welcome, make yourself at home." Now I don't know for sure that this doesn't happen other places, but I've never personally experienced it.

Ok so now that I'm done bragging on my State (I don't claim MS just yet). I am so upset with BP. They have been shady from the get go, not giving accurate information about how much oil was coming out and I'm sure other stuff too. I was listening to the local talk program where officials, residents, and other people in the know are calling in to give updates on what is actually going on down there. I tuned in while they were in the process of talking to one of Jefferson Parish's (that's county to those outside of LA, in case you were wondering) councilmen (not sure his name since they were already talking when I tuned it) and he was reporting some SHOCKING information. Well considering how shady BP has been, I guess I shouldn't have been shocked, but I was caught off guard.

This Councilmen was reporting that BP has hired security personnel walking the beaches early in the morning to pick up dead animals so the reporters can't show you what's really going on. I think he said something about these security personnel not allowing people on the beach also. Now I may have heard that wrong because I wasn't fully listening at that point, but I think that's what I heard. How in the world can a private security company not allow people to go on a private beach? If that is the case, and again I may not have my facts straight, there is something MAJORLY wrong with that!

I am sick of big corporations spending millions of dollars to cover up misdeals. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to the company to throw that money at fixing the problem than wasting it on ad campaigns that we know are just full of lies?

If you have not seen this video you need to. A grown man is begging for help from our congress and is in tears because his hands are tied! So BP I say to you SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU! I don't expect you to stop the oil leak, I don't expect you to save every bird, fish, turtle, or other sea creature. What I do expect from you is the TRUTH! I expect you to get the tools and equipment necessary for the clean up to the people who are willing to clean up. I expect you to try your hardest to get this leak fixed, and stop wasting money on ad's that aren't solving the problem. Get out of our peoples way and let us get it done!




I am a member of the Handmade Louisiana Team. We have opened an Etsy shop and every penny (minus listing fees) will be sent to a charity helping the cleanup. We are still voting on that charity, but I will let you know as soon as the decision is made.
Please visit us at www.handmadelouisiana.etsy.com or www.handmadelouisiana.com

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Feature Friday

Where has this month gone? I can't believe it's almost half-way over. The past two weeks I've noticed on Friday that the week is over. I guess that's what happens when you are busy.

You might recall that H & J Star Creations picks a new charity every month.

Tell me about your June charity:

For the month of June, 20% of all sales of my Faother's Day items will go to Harlem RBI. Harlem RBI provides inner-city youth with opportunities to Play, Learn and Grow.

I choose this because my son suggested it, he is a big sports fan and baseball player, and wanted me to raise money for other kids to play ball...

Gypsy Laptop Sleeve

I learned that Judy is a mother while conversing via e-mail so I wanted to know... What's your favorite thing about being a mother?

the unconditional love - and lots of hugs and kisses...and ice cream, you get to eat ice cream because you are buying it for your kids!

Abacus Toiletry Bag

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It has been fun getting to know Judy. She sounds like a fun mom. Please take a moment and check out her Father's Day items and help out an awesome charity. She may change the charity after Father's Day, but I'll keep you in the loop.

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Wonderful Wednesday

Today I am featuring Squishy Bee

Bunny Racer

How did it all start?

I have always been artistic and crafty. I went to college for Fine Art and came home with a BFA in 2005.

Last year a friend told me about Etsy so I checked it out. Now I have my own little shop!

Simply Sophisticated Hand Dyed Burp Cloth

Tell me a little about your charity and why you donate.

My charity is Share of Lancaster. Share of Lancaster exists to bring comfort and understanding to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, pregnancy complications, prematurity, stillbirth, SIDS and any other cause. They stand by parents in their journey of grief, offering a helping hand, a listening ear and open arms. They also provide educational programs for health professionals and the community. All of the services are offered free of charge.
In 2003 I had suffered the loss of my second child, his name was Jonathan. Giving birth to my sweet stillborn baby, knowing the pain others had gone through and will go through, made me want to do something to help other families. So my "Angel Babies" were born:) For every angel baby sold $5 goes to this charity!

Angel Baby Patty

For my fellow Artisans: Do what you love and don't give up! It may take a while to get your name out there and known--just remember, it's work and not an overnight process

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I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to loose a child. What a wonderful thing to pass along the comfort you were given in your time of need.

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