A Wealth of Information - really!

Oh Geez, I am really bad at this blogging thing.  I will try to be a bit better.  

As you can see if you have visited lately I have made some changes to the blog.  My awesome Nifty Nappy™ website has some Malware thingy on it that I have tried and tried and tried to get off.  I keep taking it off and it finds a way back on.  I don't know what more I can do.  I am not giving up and I will still try to get my website up and going again.  

I have changed this blog so that now there are no links to my website.  Just information and pictures.  I also have a page in the menu bar with the list of my Cottage Licensees and links to their websites/facebook pages.  This way you can find the people who are making and selling Nifty Nappy™ products right now!   

In the mean time, I want people to have access to all the information so I have been trying to pull it off and put it in other places.  

The Lingo:

• I have moved this to my Facebook page notes, it is simply a crash course in cloth diapering lingo.

Reasons to Cloth Diaper:

• Here you can find three basic reasons to cloth diaper.   (on Facebook page)

General Care of Cloth Diapers:

• This care of cloth diapers article has basic care directions from how to wash, to stripping, to drying plus care of accessories.   (on Facebook page)

Cloth Diaper Safe Detergents:

• This is a list of cloth diaper safe detergents.  (on Facebook page)

Wool care:

• One of my good friends and fellow bloggers, Inquisitive Mom asked if she could make up a pdf of my wool care instructions and information and post it on her blog.  I was happy she wanted to help me get the information out there and to make it downloadable and printable for others.  
• On my Facebook page I have my wool information page and the care of instructions.  
• On my YouTube channel I have a video tutorial to wash and lanolize your woolies.  

FAQ and Answers:

• This list of FAQ is not just specific to my diapers.  It is a basic cloth diapering frequently asked questions and answers.  I think it has been very helpful to many people in trying to decide where to start in cloth diapering.   (on Facebook page) 

You Tube videos:

• This video demonstrates how to snap a front snapping diaper such as the Nifty Nappy™.  
• This video demonstrates how to stuff a pocket diaper.  I used a Nifty Nappy™ Peachy Keen Pocket diaper which has been replaced by the Nifty Nappy™ AI2 diaper.  
• This new born cloth diapering video tutorial shows how to fold a front snapping diaper like a Nifty Nappy™ to fit a newborn.  

As of right now this is what I have pulled off the website.  I have most of the tutorials and information.  If you are a blogger and you have posted guest blog posts by me or you have some of my information on your blog (not linked) I would love to hear from you.  Thanks for being patient while I try to work this out.  

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

the beginning of the end...

A year ago I had no idea how far I would have come... I would have laughed to think I had 14 amazing retailers and a waiting list of 20 more. Thanks to my amazing customers though that is where we began this new year. There were times when I had more work than I could handle and I got backlogged.. you guys were amazingly forgiving of my human-ness.

I am so very, VeRy, VERY sad to have to sit down and write out this post.

I don't know if you guys have heard about the CPSIA ruling... but it puts me out of business!

It is regulations for lead testing for items for children under the age of 12. I would have to send my diapers in for lead testing to a third party every time I use a a new batch of snaps or PUL. At $40 a pop I can't afford that. Plus I would have to have a tag on it that states the date, the batch, the lot #, the manufacturer, and contact info. I would have to keep track of each diaper I made... and when I used a different fabric it would be a different lot # and different snaps or PUL would b a different batch #. Sounds confusing? Well it is.. I am not very business oriented and I would have a hard time keeping track of all this... plus the tag would have to be like HUGE. :(

I can barely keep up as it is now ladies without all this added on!

I can't speak for others out there that are WAHM's... but I can't just ignore the law. Some will choose to, some don't even know about it, and some will manage to comply, but some that will be the end of.

I was so excited with were we were going! I had new products... care of products... soap nuts, a lanolizing potion, wool dryer balls, training pants.  I even have some new fabrics too. 

You all know how much I LOVE my diapers... and my retailers ... and my CUSTOMERS.

This is so hard for me to do. BUT in the end... I think it may be a good thing for my family.  My hubby is pretty burnt out on snapping diapers for hours a night. And my kiddos don't get to have things made by mama cause mama is always too busy. So maybe a blessing in disguise? I am trying to look at it that way or else I wouldn't make it through this.

I get all teary eyed when I think about not making diapers... not getting any more cute pics of your adorable little ones in their diapers... about losing some amazing friends I have made in the cloth diapering community.

I hope that last part doesn't happen... I plan on sticking around... Nifty Nappy will still be here.. just not in the same way. I do have some ideas rolling around in my head. I just will not be making and selling diapers anymore.

I plan on keeping my FB page... and my webpage... only there will be some changes of course... but I will keep promoting cloth diapers!

****** So the details? a month... that is how long we have... *******

on Feb. 10th I will stop selling my diapers.. (retailers may still have some in stock... but I will not take more orders after the 10th)

That gives you a month... if you have put off buying a Nifty Nappy diaper put it off no more or your chance my be gone!!!

Over the next month I will try to have some fun giveaways and stuff!!! Watch for sales from retailers and such!

I want to go out with a BANG!!! Can you help me do this? I need this to be a fun time... I need to not think about what I am letting go. :(

Thanks so much for all your support!  I am so happy you all love Nifty Nappy so much.

I have amazing friends and fans... SAPsMaMa: Natural Parenting in the Modern Worldand EcoFresh Baby got together and made up a button for me. :) I wanted to share it with you... 

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://niftynappy.com/retailers/"><img border="0" width="200" alt="Nifty Nappy Cloth Diapers" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5349212277_8853a82182_m.jpg" height="200" /></a>

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Photo Contest!

*** I am extending the date of the contest to June 13th!  for those that don't have my diapers and want to order some to enter!  :)  Hurry and get the orders in though!  I will work super fast and get them out to you ASAP!


I am searching for some really perfect pics of kiddos in Nifty Nappy’s!

I have some requirements though.

1. I need these photographer quality… don’t let that scare you though.  Things can be edited!
2. I need mostly panoramic photos
3. I need you to think about photo composition… we are looking for pictures of cloth diaper on cute babies and toddlers… not pics of toddlers and babies in cloth diapers.  see this blog post for tips
4. I must also be allowed to use them how I want on my webpage, blog, FB and in advertising.
5. No watermarks on them either… I will give credit when I use them.

Some things I will be looking for:

• babies in just Nifty Nappy cloth diapers or other products
• bright and fun -colors and backgrounds
• possibly some in nature
• photos with more than one baby showing off their Nifty Nappy’s
• a diaper bag full of Nifty Nappy products

Feel free to borrow your neighbors kiddos too  -the more the merrier!

I will be the one to pick the winner, and it won’t be my friends… it will be the BEST pictures I get…

Did you catch that I said PICTURES?  That is right… there maybe more than one winner too.  If I choose more than one photo.  :)

Hold on! Before you run get your camera, let’s talk prize k?

So what does the winner or winners get?

How about this:

• $75 Gift Certificate to Nifty Nappy!
• Custom t-shirt diaper (from your t-shirt)
• 20% discount on your next order

Pretty good huh?

WAIT! WAIT! a couple more things:

Contest runs now through June 6th. *now June 13th

I will announce the winner on June 7th  *now June 14th

Email entries to me at vilate@niftynappy.com

Good luck mamas!

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Notes of Worth!

I am super sorry ladies I lapsed in my giveaway schedule.  I just got swamped with orders and didn't feel I had the time to sit and blog.  :(  I will be getting another posted tonight though.  This week I am focusing on eco-friendly products for Earth Day!  I will also be closing out the 2 current giveaways I have going on so don't forget to enter!  
Just a couple notes of business though! 
#1- My retailers I have listed here are all going to be having a SALE this week on their Nifty Nappy's!
         *note-I am not having a sale on my website....if you want the deals visit my retailers!  :) 
Here are their links for convenience:

Little Squigglers

Sprouting Up

Sugar Dipes

and for our Canadian fans:

Little Money Store

I hope you will visit them and take advantage of there great sales!  

#2- the other BIG news!  

I have gotten involved in a great cause!  I want you to join too -if you haven't already!

I just threw out the idea on twitter the other day that we needed to make a push to get cloth diaper used in hospitals again.  My suggestion took on a life of it's own, and I have had some major help from some awesome ladies!  

We have a FB page and everything.  If you feel you have anything at all to offer, ideas, info, or photos please feel free to let me know!  We are going to be having a HUGE giveaway event too next week...so join us!

http://facebook.com/ClothinHospitals

So I hope you continue to come and check out my blog from time to time!  :)  

Thanks for being so awesome!  :) 

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Calling all diaper hoarders!

So hey I thought it would be fun for all of you who have a
" Nifty Nappy Stash "
to show it off!  email me a pic of your Nifty Nappy stash and I will dedicate a whole post to the pics!  :)  Doesn't that sound fun?  email: niftynappy@gmail.com  or you can tweet it, and I can copy and paste.

here is a preview one:

Pretty impressive huh?
Can't wait to see them!
*put Stash Pics in the subject line so I can sort through them easier k?

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Giveaways:

We have another Giveaway to add to the list:
Big City! Baby :  prize Nifty Nappy and Woolie Wrap

just an update on the others:
Luvn Life only have 124 comments!  WOW- get over there and enter!
-----------------------
Loves Junr3 ends Monday!  Hurry!!!
-----------------------
Take Time to Smell the Roses ends Monday also!

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Discount on Waldorf Dolls...... Retailing????

HEY THERE!  Did you love Saskia's little doll?  Wanna get one?  She is still offering the code for you lovely ladies!  BUT only for through MONDAY (Feb. 8th)
15% a purchase from her etsy shop!   Plus FREE SHIPPING for VALENTINES!!!! 
What you need to do is leave this code: 
nifty snuggly
In the comments to seller at check out and she will refund you, through paypal, your discount!

I am STILL going to offer a 20% discount on a matching diaper.   If you buy a doll from Saskia's etsy shop then want a matching diaper for 20% off you email me that you bought a doll and which one!  I WILL check with Saskia and then I will email you a SECRET code to be used for your 20% off! 

Tempting huh?  well hurry!  she doesn't have that many dolls listed  
*but she has posted new ones!!  :)  

I do have something else to add to tonight!
I have it in the works to start selling my diapers to retailers!  How exciting huh?  I am very excited!
However I have been selling my diapers to my wonderful customers at wholesale prices!  This means I will be raising my prices.  I wanted to give a heads up though!  So I will officially be a wholesaler starting on Wed. Feb. 10th!
I am excited for the changes this will bring about!  It is so neat for me to think that someday soon my diapers will be sold in stores with some “big name” diapers!
You can see the retailers and their shops on the menu bar.

Thanks for your awesome support!


Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Look how adorable huh?  This is a pic by Tricia over at LOVES JURNS
She took this picture for the giveaway on her blog!  check it out!  :)

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

NEW Fabrics!

I have lots of fabrics just lying around waiting to be cut, but it is hard to have the time to make them up into diapers so here they are. There are some that I only have enough for 1 or 2 diapers. so if you see somthing you love let me know.

Eventually you will see most of these on the website in diapers, but some you never will.


Don't forget the two givaways
ClothDiaperReport
HappilyDomestic

thanks for stopping by! :)

Up NEXT!

So we have one giveaway over with. The Grocery Cart Challenge winner is still waiting to be announced. I will post it here when I find out.

don't forget this one either HAPPILYDOMESTIC

And the NEWEST one!
The Cloth Diaper Report is a fun blog with lots of info and very cute to boot! :)
Emi has been great to work with and very helpful. She asked the right questions and answered any questions I had for her. The review is very nice and there are lots of extra entry opportunities.
check it out HERE

Last chance...

Today is the last day for the giveaway on GroceryCartChallenge
Hurry over and get in on the action. Your chances are still very good!
here is the link

Heerrrre's another...

Did I mention there were going to be a few giveaways coming up?
Well, another one started today!
You can run on over here to the GroceryCartChallenge and check out this review and enter for the giveaway! This will be a good one to enter, your chances will be good!

Hurry over it only goes till Oct. 21st!

Vilate

Giveaway kick-off!

I am going to be featured in a few giveaways over the next few weeks.

The first kicks off Thursday, 15th.

http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/

check it out! I also have a button on the side that links to her blog!

Happy Diapering...
Vilate