Fix-a-Chair

It has been a LONG time since I posted on this blog!  However, I did a simple project today, that I thought was worthy of a post here! 

A few months ago, I ordered a table and chair set from IKEA for my daughter's playroom!  It has been a great little table and chair set, the only issue with it is... it isn't really "adult friendly"!!  My husband and I were both aware of this, but one day a couple of weeks ago, he had a momentary lapse of memory and forgot this little detail!  The chair seat broke ( I chose not to take a picture, as it was a little embarrassing to him!!), and I thought I was going to throw out the chair.  While Abbie could still sit on the chair, there were parts of it that seemed a little "sharp", and I didn't want to risk a cut down the back of her leg!  So, I came up with an idea, that worked like a charm!

I took the chair apart, and pulled the "seat" out.  I had a memory foam mattress pad that we had cut into many pieces (my son's crib, the pack and play... LONG STORY!!!) and I had a few pieces left.  I cut the memory foam to fit on top of the seat, and used spray adhesive to set it in place. 

Then I took some extra fabric I had lying around, and cut a cover.  I wrapped the fabric around the seat, and pushed the seat back into place.  I put the chair back together and BAM... fix-a-chair!!!  Since the seat had to slide into slots cut for it... the fabric is held into place tightly!  I trimmed off the extra fabric below the chair, and I think they look adorable!

Table Set BEFORE

Table Set AFTER

COST OF THIS PROJECT - $0.00
I had everything needed in my craft stash!

 - Jessica

HE Washer + Cloth Diapers = GREEN!

Well, we are diving back into the cloth diaper world at full speed!  With 2 kids in diapers and 1 on formula, the baby budget is busting at the seams!  We decided that one of the most cost effective options for us would be cloth diapers!

A fabulous friend of mine loaned me 10 BumGenius All in One (One Size) diapers.  We will be using these on Abbie!  I ordered 12 Jungle Roo Diapers that I found on Zulilly for $9.99/each, 2 hanging wet bags, a diaper sprayer, and some hemp doublers!  We are ready to do this...

After a LOT of research online, and some experimenting with my washing machine, I found a GREAT way to wash the diapers in my HE machine.  About a year ago, we bought a LG HE Top Loading washing machine and the matching dryer.  I didn't want front loaders, because I like loading and unloading the washing machine from the top!  My washer came with a lot of options that I hadn't tried out until now!  Here is my washing routine...

I use the Special Option function to select RINSE+SPIN cycle on COLD, and I turn the SPIN OFF!

That cycle takes 11 min, and my machine beeps to tell me it's finished!

I then add the cloth diaper friendly detergent, right now we are using PLANET.

Then I choose the NORMAL load OPTION, with HOT/COLD & add and EXTRA RINSE!

FINISHED... Toss them into the dryer with 4 Wool Dryer Balls at 30 min & into the sun if needed!

The "diaper pail" option that I choose is a hanging wet bag.  I ordered the FuzziBunz bags and they simply hang on the door knob!  The best feature about them is the zipper on the bottom of the bag!  When the bag is full... I just unzip and let the diapers fall into the dryer!  I did order a diaper sprayer which is TOTALLY worth the $45 I spent on it!  I no longer have to deal with getting mess off the diaper!  Just spray it right into the potty!

The cloth diaper friendly diaper rash cream that we will be using is CJ's Butter.  If we need something stronger CJ's does make a stronger version... or we can test out some other products.  I love the smell options that CJ's offers!  My daughter is in the Mango, Sugar, & Mint Blend and my son is in the Blueberry Crumble scent!

For Wipes, we chose the BumGenius flannel wipes, but I found them on sale for $5/pack! Finally, when we travel, we chose the Kushies wet bags!  I love the prints, and the price includes 2 bags!

I am very excited about our new adventure, but more excited about the fact that we will no longer be buying diapers!

All together, to acquire all necessary cloth diaper items, I spent around $250.
That may sound like a lot of money, but do the math!  I spent about $80/month on diapers & wipes for 2 children!  That means in  less than 4 months time... I am no longer spending money on diapers or wipes!  And an added bonus, if we have another baby... we never pay for diapers!  You can sell used cloth diapers too... so when we decide we are done... I will market the entire set as a package deal!  Makes good sense to us :)

 - Jessica