Diapering for almost free?

Yes, you can do it! I have been researching this pretty strongly lately. Going from $2500 to $25 on the diapering yearly bill!

Our first child I really wanted to cloth diaper and we did for a little while. I loved cloth diapering but didn't know what I was doing. Once, the cloth diapers were too small for her, I couldn't get my husband to pay for more. I couldn't blame him. We didn't have a whole lot of money to put up front for cloth diapers to do it again and again, whenever she grew. Cloth diapering can be much cheaper... but you have to fork out lots of money to save money, or so I thought! Disposables where easy to pay 10 dollars here and there. Although we spent lots of money in the long run it was easier to  handle, since we were living paycheck to paycheck. I tried making cloth diapers but didn't understand how you use them etc... They turned out a mess. So, I have some new information this time around and more time to figure things out! I am going to try it again. Here are some sources of information. Just click on the links to get some awesome information.

Cloth wipes- I tried this the first time and didn't work out... I heard you can use baby wash cloths instead of buying expensive online ones. Score! Recipe for solution... Even cheaper!

Types of diapers- This is part of why my first experience failed. I had no idea you pair this with that.

Cleaning your diapers- Good to know! I did learn some of this but with the first we had an apartment with no outdoor space... this time I will be able to line dry on sunny days!

Buying and Selling your diapers- I get so overwhelmed online trying to figure this out! Glad I won't need too much of this info... Since I will be sewing mine and making them gender neutral for the next baby.

Cloth diapering on the go- We didn't do this at all since I had no idea how to. This time we will!

Wet bag- Oh so that is how you go places... ;)

HOW TO DO THIS ALMOST FREE!

Now that you are educated all about cloth diapers...

I found several you tube videos that woman used fabrics around their house to make their stash. I have a ton of sweatshirts and fabric scraps etc... that I could use. This lady is very frugal and I love how she makes things from around the house. It got me thinking about things here at home or things to buy at yard sales... since you know I am a yard sale diva.

So by far I love this website! Download the diaper pattern and print it for free! Then download the Tiny Tooshie diaper pattern. She has some wonderful information so please read it all. She says that you will spend about $.50-$2 on each diaper by following her pattern. One-size diapers are anywhere from $18-$35 a piece. What a savings! If you can mainly use everything from home you can make your entire stash of cloth diapers for the price of 1 week worth of disposables! I am in!

Note: PUL can be replaced with heavy duty vinyl table cloth! Will be doing this!

More websites full of info:

Sew a diaper stash for $30 or less

All in One pattern- most like disposable diapers and easy for dads to change

Pocket Diapers pattern

Fleece Pockets

Trim prefolds

Make wipes and solution

Sewing diapers know how

Cheap ottoman!

I am totally doing this next time we change out our tires! We could use and ottoman and this is a great cheap way to do it. Someone in the comments said they mat try this for a cat scratch toy and save $. Why didn't I think of this?

Doll house on the cheap!

Sometimes I need inspiration to get ideas for this blog. A friend of mine was telling me about making a dollhouse and showed me a picture. I now know what my daughter is getting for her birthday or Christmas!

This thinking of making this: Instead of the roof sketched on the wall, maybe wallpaper or scrapbook paper mod podged  to the wall. The base could be made out of a side table or any type of shelving system.  Cut to make cubbie areas and move her dolls furniture in!

divider down the middle paint and scrapbook paper  for a cheap dollhouse 

Some ideas from used items I found on my local classifieds for less then $10!

cut the side off to make dividers and roof

tv stand could make a dollhouse with a drawer to keep  her  dolly  things

this would make a way cute dollhouse and the top thing looks like the roof

cut it in half and you can use scrap wood  to make  the dividers

Bathroom Remodel Under $700

This is my old vanity... it had better days

I am pretty sure it dates back to the beginning of my lovely home!

Can you see the rot on the bottom? Can you imagine taking toilet paper out of there? Nasty I know!

At the restore we picked up this awesome vanity sink and hardware for $40! I didn't care for the wood look so... my sweet husband spray painted it black for me. I usually do the spray painting, with one bathroom, and being sick with the flu, pretty happy my hubby did it!

I started the sanding job, love the palm sander.

Really thin steel wool to clean up the small imperfections.

Wipe off the dust.

Unscrew and spray paint with the 98 cent spray paint from Wal Mart.

How pretty. I was sick so no pics of sanding edges and antiquing it.

So much prettier!

My husband was kind enough to spray paint the towel holder and antique it.

Our toilet splurge.. just a little more then the standard. 

That's right dual flush baby!

My dad gave me this sheet music framed. I just spray painted the frame and mat. I love Audrey Hepburn, she was my inspiration for the bathroom.

My husband brought this shower curtain and hooks home from Ross. curtain $16.99 and hooks $6.99

Before was nasty rotten floor with linoleum rolling up. When pulling it up my husband said the floor was so rotten he pushed on it and it fell through into the crawl space! In the process the toilet fell as well. Glad it didn't happen while I was on it. We had to screw down a new sub floor, the chicken wire, grout, tile, sealer and new floor trim. We found that the tile was cheaper then the laminate flooring. It just cost a little bit more after buying the grout. My husband's friend helped lay it with him since he had done it before. 

Yeah I helped grout that! 

I painted my whole house this color. I made the paint from 7 gallons of white and cream miss-tints I mixed together.

I love my new bathroom! 

This is the light. It was for sale for $30 at Home Depot. My hubby still needs to bring it up so we can flip it down with out hitting the mirror, until then the light is faced upwards.

I would say this was my biggest splurge! $50 at Ross, but it makes the room.

My beautiful antique vanity. 

Hazel

Upcycled Yard Sale Frame

Recently, I found a frame super cheap, just didn't care for the colors! 

Blue mat, I painted with the same free paint as the shabby chic shelf. 

This brown frame... 

... to an white spray paint antique look

Lovin' the new look!

Hazel

Turning Pumpkins into Snowmen

I had two pumpkins from Halloween that we never got around to carving.  I thought of doing a cute turkey craft with them for Thanksgiving.  But when I saw these snowmen, the idea was too cute to pass up, and I like that they can stick around for December!

All you need:
a pumpkin (rinse any dirt off and dry it really well)
white, orange, and black Acrylic paint
paintbrush
any scrap fabric or scarves you don't use

They were simple to make, and I love they way they turned out.

http://www.viette.com/v.php?pg=293

Once I finished my snowmen I was feeling the jolly winter spirit and pulled out some construction paper and scissors.

I love snowflakes!  They are fun and simple to make, and your kids will love to help!  With a little help from Google, you can find some pretty awesome snowflake patterns.

Check out some of the patterns from HIGH HOPES...


Mae

Shabby Chic Shelf for Cheap!

I got this plain white shelf from a friend for free, you could do this to anything it is super easy!  This color is spring  green from Glidden. The small can of paint was shipped to me completely free from allyou.com courtesy of Glidden paint.  There is plenty left for a side table and a couple of frames! yay! 

Double coats on the shelf and completely dry, I began to sand  to show wear.  

Roughed up edges giving it a vintage look

All decorated!

My Shabby chic shelf completely free!

Hazel