Pink Nursing Pads for a Cure

This Sunday, more than 50 blogs across the blogosphere are blogging in pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’re honored to join The ArtsyGirl Connection to paint the world *pink* for a cure.

Green Halloween Crafts Revisited

Remember when I told you about some cute Halloween crafts you could make using items you could find around the house?

I have perfected the madness.

For the Book Page Pumpkin, I ended up using this tutorial from Creations By Kara.<!--more-->

If you attempt this project, please note that you don't have to take apart the book at all. Leave the binding on. That was my first mistake the first time I tried it. The second time I tried it, it worked like a charm. This is how I created my Book Page Pumpkin.

First, I bought a book from the dollar store.
Then, I tore off just the cover. I cut the cover to use as a template.

Using a sharp exacto knife, I cut around the template. It would cut through maybe 5 pages at a time.

I tore off the pieces on the edges as I went, and I ended up with a tiny little round-paged book.

I did an impromptu painting session using Baby T's watercolors. I just held the book closed and painted the edges, using a lot of water so it would bleed into the page a little bit.

Then, I opened the book, face-down on the table, put some hot glue in the binding, and glued in a piece of a stick that Baby T had picked up outside at some point. (He later pointed at the pumpkin and demanded his stick back.)

I took the first and the last pages--the ones you see here--and glued them together. I used hot glue because it gives instant results.

When I stood the pumpkin up, there were some pages that fluffed out beautifully, but there were large gaps between other pages.

I just stuck some hot glue very close to the binding and arranged the pages a little closer together in those spots.

Then, I got all crazy and wrapped some yarn around the stick, hot glued pieces of yarn and wool cut in leaf shapes to the bottom, and voila.

Check it out next time you're in the shop!

Swaddle Your Baby Better with TrueWomb®

If you have a newborn, you probably know the benefits of swaddling. If your baby was born in the hospital, you've seen the nurses wrap a swaddle tightly around your baby in mere seconds. If you've had your share of sleepless nights, you probably see your baby waking up after startling him or herself with flailing arms and legs. And if you're a seasoned parent, you probably have your own swaddling tips and techniques up your sleeve.

But I know I apologized to Baby T when I swaddled him sometimes. It was along the lines of, "I know this seems a little cruel, but it's for your own good."

Green Baby Diaper Service now carries TrueWomb®, a swaddling system that is simple to use and comfortable for baby. You won't wrestle with four-foot-square giant pieces of muslin that threaten to wrap themselves around your baby's neck. You won't walk in to see your previously swaddled baby waving to you.

The BeNETTAfit - Save the Date for a Celebration

On Saturday, November 12, 2011, Green Baby Diaper Service and Infinity Photography and Design are holding a benefit for Netta Saggese, an inspiring 2-year-old. She has a seizure disorder called Lennox Gaustaut Syndrome, which is a severe form of epilepsy. Scientists have not yet found a cure for the disorder, so the Saggese family must manage Netta's condition with a variety of medical treatments, some more effective than others. 


Here is Netta's story:

Tips for a Healthy Home

I attended the Healthy Home Party at Green Baby last Wednesday, and I learned a lot. The most memorable thing?

You don't have to make every change at once.

Even if you just change one small thing--like filling a spray bottle with vinegar and water and putting away your 409--it will make a huge difference in the air quality in your home.

If you're ready to add other steps to your goal of a healthy home, here are some tips for keeping pollutants out and clean air in:

Green Halloween Crafts - Pumpkins from Twine, Books, and Wool

The other day, Liz and I were sharing ideas about how to have a green Halloween party. To take it one step further, what about making some green crafts to use as decorations? Buying a real pumpkin is a waste if you don't compost it when you're done. And even then, it seems pointless to buy food just to let it rot on your doorstep. (Don't get me wrong--I have 2 pumpkins on my very cute doorstep, but I would like to make some more eco-friendly decorations).

I was inspired by some great crafts I found online, and I was going to make them so I could share with you, but they are not as easy to make as they look. So I'm passing along the ideas, but I admit--they are not my own. Here are some pictures and links to tutorials, as well as instructions for how not to do these crafts, and pictures of my failures. Gather your materials over the weekend, though: Next week I'm posting video tutorials to my successful versions!

Learn Baby Sign Language

Baby T signing "more"

Kacy Jones of My Smart Hands is teaching a baby sign language class on Saturday, October 15, at 2 PM. It's free for drop off and delivery customers of Green Baby Diaper Service. Please email kacy@mysmarthands.com with any questions or to register for the class.

Change the World Wednesday - A Green Halloween

It's Change the World Wednesday time again! This week, the challenge was to celebrate a greener Halloween:

Halloween is coming up so ... this week consider the environmental impact of the treats we give out and offer suggestions for better alternatives. Let's expand on the idea and include parties, costumes, etc.

Healthy Home Party - October 12

Remember how I told you there are some great classes coming up at Green Baby Diaper Service in Wilmington? Up first is the Healthy Home Party.

There has been a lot of talk lately - on blogs, in the news, pretty much everywhere - about how toxic cleaning chemicals and other products you use in your home can be. But determining where to start to eliminate these toxins from your home can be overwhelming. At the Healthy Home Party, you'll learn 5 easy steps to make your home safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly for your children and your family.

Change the World Wednesday: Reduce your Emissions

Time for another Change the World Wednesday (#CTWW) challenge at Reduce Footprints. In case you're reading about this for the first time, the goal of CTWW is to get a bunch of people to make a small change that has a big impact on the environment (in a good way), especially if they all do it at the same time.

Last week's challenge was to go car free for a day. Or longer.

Take Classes at Green Baby Diaper Service

There is a lot going on at Green Baby Diaper Service, so we're calling this week "What's New Week." We're going to tell you about all the plans we have for the fall to bring you more. Here's a preview:

Green Baby is going to start consigning used cloth diapers, hosting all types of classes, holding a fundraiser, and putting out a monthly calendar of events.

Lots of exciting stuff.

There are several classes scheduled to take place at Green Baby Diaper Service. Below is a list:

The No Poo Challenge - A Wrap Up

So who tried the No Poo Challenge? Was it hard? Did you find your hair looked better than ever? Was it too greasy? Did you push past it?

I was washing my hair yesterday (with baking soda) and thinking about how it didn't feel heavy anymore. When I used to shower, after shampooing, it would feel heavy and coated. And when I started the No Poo challenge, it felt worse. As though it was covered in rubber.

And now that's gone away. I don't remember how long it has been. Since July, I guess. My hair feels soft, not dry, not heavy, just real. Sometimes it gets greasy. I've tried to use less baking soda because I've been getting dandruff, and if I don't use enough, my hair gets a little greasy. But you know what? It gets greasy with regular shampoo, too.