ice cream truck swirl box diapers
We shipped all these yesterday. They are frosty-licious!
August 07, 2008
July 25, 2008
Mud Bubbles Hanging Pail Wetbag
We got some new wetbags in! They will be stocked next week. You can see them all here!
July 17, 2008
Hyena Cart
So much is going on at goodmama right now! We've done some amazing collaborations that we have been listing at Hyena Cart. These are so fun. Would it be bad to admit that the main reason I love to do collabs is that I get to pet all the pretty fluff? I get to admire it, photograph it, maybe squeeze it (only a little!) and then finally send it out the door to its new home where I know it is wanted and loved. What could be better?
Speaking of Hyena Cart, I have found someone I want to call The Best New HC Designer You're Not Shopping: Jenny Wren Kids! I bought an outfit from her cart for Hazel (so hard to find cute 3T things on HC!) and it came impeccably wrapped and beautifully made. I caved and just bought this gorgeous dress. My little princess is going to love it!
These are not sweatshop prices, and these are not sweatshop products. Admire! Shop! Spend! Support Talent!
June 27, 2008
A peek into today
This is what it looks like from here when I stock the store! While I was doing this, Becky and Olivia were sorting diapers for the Playtime Switch Boxes in the dining room. We are just out of room in the basement!
My house is overrun with diapers. Fortunately, Mr. Goodmama doesn't seem to mind. He's come so far since he thought I was insane for wanting to cloth diaper!
The kids are so used to it, they just live around it. Here's Sam eating a snack while Becky oversees diaper sorting. Admittedly, it's not always this bad. We've been waiting for the Playtime diapers to all get here.
We were lacking one color from the Freeze Tag and one color from the Hopscotch box. They just came late this afternoon. Olivia sorted them into the right spot and we will start shipping next week!
These diapers are really great. I love every combo and I know you will too.
Oh, and for fun, this is what I do to de-stress. This is the Advanced Hula, 3 minute challenge on the Wii fi. If you beat me, I want to see your score. :-D
June 24, 2008
Collaborations sneak peek!
Here's a preview of some collaborations we will be listing on Hyena Cart, probably next week. This is just a taste of what is coming! All collaborations will include enough yarn for longies plus trim, the matching diaper and a very generous scrap of fabric for crafting!
Selah by Lisa + goodmama = Maui Wowie!
Western Sky Knits by Kim + goodmama = Ice Cream Cone!
Western Sky Knits by Kim + goodmama = Hot to Dot!
May 28, 2008
Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls
Many of our customers want to use as natural materials as possible in everything they do, including diapering. Our PVC dryer balls are made using non-toxic processes, but for those who want an even more natural alternative, we are providing this tutorial. Please note this is not the only way to make wool dryer balls but is one easy way you can make them yourself, if you are inclined. :-) Also note the creative commons copyright and the licenses and restrictions it includes.
Enjoy!
Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls
Finished Size: Any size you want, really! Commercial dryer balls are approximately 9 inches in circumference. I like to make my wool dryer balls about 10-10.5 inches in circumference prior to felting, since they will shrink a bit as they felt.
You'll need:
* Wool Yarn: This is a great time to use your scraps. For the best results, use a yarn that is 100% wool or otherwise is a good felting yarn. Do not use superwash wool. If it says it is machine washable, you don't want it for this project! There are a lot of good, cheap, felting wool yarns available at local stores.
The amount of yarn required depends on the weight and gauge of the yarn you choose. Bulky yarns will wind faster and take less yarn. For the worsted weight yarns pictured here, it was approximately 3 ounces.
* Old Pantyhose or a Sock
* Cotton or Acrylic Yarn or String: You can use scraps here, too. This will be used to tie the hose or sock. You don't want this to felt, so don't use the wool yarn here.
* Scissors
* A Small Crochet Hook
* A Measuring Tape
If you have ever wound yarn into a ball, this is basically just like that, except you want to wind it tighter than you should normally. There are *many* different ways to make felted wool balls. This is just one way. Feel free to experiment! You could also use wool roving and needles for felting to make the whole ball or just the core.
Step 1: Winding the Core
We'll begin by making the core of the ball. Making a core first will make the finished ball a little more firm. It is also possible to simply skip this step, but the ball will be a bit more squishy during the felting and might not have as nice a shape when you're finished.
Begin by winding a bit of yarn around your fingers.
Once you have a bit, take it off your fingers, let it close and wrap the yarn around it. This is the beginning of your ball.
Continue wrapping the yarn around and forming a little ball. There is no right or wrong way to do this step, as this will be completely covered up later on.
This picture shows a small beginning ball, a ball ready for the first felting and a ball that is ready for the last felting. This should give you an idea of approximate sizes.
Once you have a small ball, break(or cut) the yarn and tuck the end under using the crochet hook. This will keep it from coming loose as it's felting.
Step 2: Felting the Core
You can try to felt the balls by hand, but this isn't necessary and takes a while. I prefer to use the washer and dryer.
Put your small wool balls into the pantyhose or sock. I like to use the cheap knee-high pantyhose. After you put a ball into the hose, tie the hose closed with a piece of string or non-wool yarn with a secure knot. This will keep the balls separated during felting. DO NOT skip the hose/sock and just toss them into the washer. Trust me, they are very likely to fall apart and you will end up with a felted rat's nest. Toss the wool ball pantyhose caterpillar into your washer with a load of laundry. I like to wash them on hot to felt them faster, but you can wash them with any type of load. They will take longer to felt if washed in a cold load. If you use a hand-dyed or not colorfast yarn, be careful for bleeding. Just put them in the washer and dryer with the load of laundry. Once the dryer cycle is done, cut the strings between the hose and remove them. They should be slightly felted. If you want them felted more, run them through another load.
Step 3: Winding the Dryer Ball
Begin winding more wool yarn onto the ball. You don't have to do anything special to attach the yarn, just lay it onto the ball and wind over it. Continue winding until the ball is the size you want. Tuck the end under using the crochet hook.
Step 4: Final Felting
Once you have your dryer balls the size you would like, put them into the pantyhose and tie them. Repeat the felting by once again doing your laundry and tossing these in. They don't have to be completely felted before you can start using them, just slightly felted will do. You just don't want them to come apart. They will continue to felt and get harder as you use them.
That's it! You now have wool dryer balls! Depending on the wool yarn you use, they may get pills on them with use. If these bother you, just give them a shave with a sweater shaver now and then.
If you would like scented dryer balls, you can sew a little sachet filled with your favorite dried flowers or scents then begin winding your ball around it. Remember that the scent won't last forever, though, and there is no way to re-scent it once the scent is gone.
Make your Own Wool Dryer Balls by goodmama, inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
Enjoy!
Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls
Finished Size: Any size you want, really! Commercial dryer balls are approximately 9 inches in circumference. I like to make my wool dryer balls about 10-10.5 inches in circumference prior to felting, since they will shrink a bit as they felt.
You'll need:
* Wool Yarn: This is a great time to use your scraps. For the best results, use a yarn that is 100% wool or otherwise is a good felting yarn. Do not use superwash wool. If it says it is machine washable, you don't want it for this project! There are a lot of good, cheap, felting wool yarns available at local stores.
The amount of yarn required depends on the weight and gauge of the yarn you choose. Bulky yarns will wind faster and take less yarn. For the worsted weight yarns pictured here, it was approximately 3 ounces.
* Old Pantyhose or a Sock
* Cotton or Acrylic Yarn or String: You can use scraps here, too. This will be used to tie the hose or sock. You don't want this to felt, so don't use the wool yarn here.
* Scissors
* A Small Crochet Hook
* A Measuring Tape
If you have ever wound yarn into a ball, this is basically just like that, except you want to wind it tighter than you should normally. There are *many* different ways to make felted wool balls. This is just one way. Feel free to experiment! You could also use wool roving and needles for felting to make the whole ball or just the core.
Step 1: Winding the Core
We'll begin by making the core of the ball. Making a core first will make the finished ball a little more firm. It is also possible to simply skip this step, but the ball will be a bit more squishy during the felting and might not have as nice a shape when you're finished.
Begin by winding a bit of yarn around your fingers.
Once you have a bit, take it off your fingers, let it close and wrap the yarn around it. This is the beginning of your ball.
Continue wrapping the yarn around and forming a little ball. There is no right or wrong way to do this step, as this will be completely covered up later on.
This picture shows a small beginning ball, a ball ready for the first felting and a ball that is ready for the last felting. This should give you an idea of approximate sizes.
Once you have a small ball, break(or cut) the yarn and tuck the end under using the crochet hook. This will keep it from coming loose as it's felting.
Step 2: Felting the Core
You can try to felt the balls by hand, but this isn't necessary and takes a while. I prefer to use the washer and dryer.
Put your small wool balls into the pantyhose or sock. I like to use the cheap knee-high pantyhose. After you put a ball into the hose, tie the hose closed with a piece of string or non-wool yarn with a secure knot. This will keep the balls separated during felting. DO NOT skip the hose/sock and just toss them into the washer. Trust me, they are very likely to fall apart and you will end up with a felted rat's nest. Toss the wool ball pantyhose caterpillar into your washer with a load of laundry. I like to wash them on hot to felt them faster, but you can wash them with any type of load. They will take longer to felt if washed in a cold load. If you use a hand-dyed or not colorfast yarn, be careful for bleeding. Just put them in the washer and dryer with the load of laundry. Once the dryer cycle is done, cut the strings between the hose and remove them. They should be slightly felted. If you want them felted more, run them through another load.
Step 3: Winding the Dryer Ball
Begin winding more wool yarn onto the ball. You don't have to do anything special to attach the yarn, just lay it onto the ball and wind over it. Continue winding until the ball is the size you want. Tuck the end under using the crochet hook.
Step 4: Final Felting
Once you have your dryer balls the size you would like, put them into the pantyhose and tie them. Repeat the felting by once again doing your laundry and tossing these in. They don't have to be completely felted before you can start using them, just slightly felted will do. You just don't want them to come apart. They will continue to felt and get harder as you use them.
That's it! You now have wool dryer balls! Depending on the wool yarn you use, they may get pills on them with use. If these bother you, just give them a shave with a sweater shaver now and then.
If you would like scented dryer balls, you can sew a little sachet filled with your favorite dried flowers or scents then begin winding your ball around it. Remember that the scent won't last forever, though, and there is no way to re-scent it once the scent is gone.
Make your Own Wool Dryer Balls by goodmama, inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
May 18, 2008
Woolie Nursies
I weaned Hazel about a month ago, and she is doing okay, except that she is attached to my breasts like they are her personal loveys. That is okay to some extent but sometimes it just gets out of hand, or sometimes I just don't feel like having my 3-year-old rubbing her cheeks on my nipples nonstop. I don't know if that makes me a badmama or what but sometimes I just get so touched out and need a little space.
I told some friends I needed to find her a fake one that she could hug and take to bed as her lovey and they said, Hey, have Julie of The Cushie Tushie make you one! Apparently I am not the first person to think of this!
These made me laugh out loud, (a garden of boobies!) but I showed them to Hazel and she wants some! I asked her if she would love some to take to bed and hug and she said, "Yes, those are my present nursies!" (I showed them to DH and he said, "Can I have two?" LOL)
Julie will make them for $10 each which I think is a deal for knitting! She fills them with lentils but I'm going to have her use rice or flax so I can heat them up in the microwave and be warm.
She usually supplies the yarn, but I'm picking out my own, and sending her two skeins of Cascade Cloud 9 in oats and princess. Too much information? I don't know. I have been wanting to use Cloud 9 for something for a long time. It's just soooo soft.
I think they are a riot and if they help my daughter transition from nursing, they are definitely a good thing.
You can get your own woolie nursies by emailing Julie at julie@thecushietushie.com.
May 16, 2008
YARN!!!!!
Look what just came in the mail! I have been uninspired to knit lately, with Hazel being out of cloth diapers and refusing to wear wool pants, and just...eh.
However, I made a new friend, Diane of Sweet Knitted Bottoms. We did a collaboration a few weeks ago, she knitted a skirtie to match one of my diapers. It turned out so unbelievably cute. She is amazing. I would highly recommend you get yourself on her customs list if you can.
I was drooling at her gallery and asked her if I sent her some superwash worsted, could she dye it up for me? I want to make a hooded tunic for my almost 12-year-old. She agreed to do it and HERE IT IS!!! The pictures do not do it justice. I have had a crash day, you know, the kind where you don't want to go anywhere or do anything, but now I am inspired to load the kids in the car and go to the yarn store so I can get the pattern I need.
I'm going to beg her to dye some more for sweaters for my other kids too. I am so excited! I have found a way to indulge in my love of hand-dyed yarn but make it tough and superwash for my busy kids! I can't wait to get started!
May 10, 2008
Some Switch Box diapers
Dazzleberry
Overalls
Bullfrog
Cosmo & Punk
Weeds
More Switch Box diapers
Neopolitan
Truffle
MONSTER!
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