$120 Cloth Diaper Package Giveaway - Bumgenius, Flip, Fuzzibunz, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, Grovia, Planet Wise (CLOSED 3/10)

As promised, I'm offering up an awesome cloth diaper package, to celebrate 1,000 GFC Followers, RSS Feed Subscribers, Facebook "likers" and Twitter Followers!  Someday, I hope to have 1,000 email subscribers too!  I feel so blessed to have made so many friends through cloth diapers, I've gotten to try lots of great products, and I hope I've helped a few of you as well.
 
All items pictured are my own, just to show what is included in the package.  The winner will choose colors/prints, closures, sizes and inserts where applicable.
 

 
First up is a Bumgenius 4.0 diaper in choice of color/print and closure.  (ARV $17.95-$19.95)
 

Next, a Fuzzibunz Perfect Size diaper in choice of size and color (ARV $17.95)
 

A Flip diaper cover and insert in choice of color and insert (ARV $16.95-$19.95.)
 

A Kissaluvs Kissa's Cotton Fleece Fitted in choice of size and color (ARV $13.95-$14.95.)
 

A 12-pack of GroVia cloth wipes (ARV $10.95.)
 

A 4 ounce bottle of Thirsties Booty Luster (ARV $6.25.)

 
and finally, a Planet Wise Wet or Wet/Dry Bag in your choice of size and color (ARV $9.50-$29.99.)
 
The combined value of this package is $93.50-$119.99, depending on the winner's choices.  All values listed are based on current retail prices at my Affiliate, Kelly's Closet.  In addition to my usual giveaway rules, I reserve the right to make substitutions in the event that an item becomes unavailable, and I will ask for a first and second color choice for each item.  I also reserve the right to purchase the items at the reputable online cloth diaper retailer of my choice, including my affiliate, Diaper Junction, or one or more of my favorite cloth diaper stores! 


Here's how to enter:  All entries go in the form below.  I love comments (great way to remind yourself that you entered) but comments do not count as entries.


Due to the nature and value of this giveaway, there are a few more entry options than usual, and the giveaway will run longer than usual.


The mandatory entries include your name and email address.


Bonus entries:

1. Follow this blog - You choose how you prefer to stay updated on new posts, including Google Friend connect, RSS, email subscription, "liking" me on Facebook or following me on Twitter.  I'd love for you to "follow me" everywhere, but you receive only one bonus entry.  Just let me know which method you've chosen.
2. Tweet - One time only please.  Leave a link to your tweet.  You may use this if you like: #win a $120 #clothdiapers package from @chgdiapers.  This #clothdiaper #giveaway will build your stash! http://bit.ly/eG65zS
3. Blog about this giveaway and link back to me.  If you do not have a blog, you may post in a relevant online forum or group, just leave me a link.
4. Grab my Button on the left sidebar.  Leave me a link where I can find it!

Please fill out the form only once.  You don't need to submit it separately for each entry.  If you forget something, just send me an email or use my contact form!


I will accept entries until Thursday, March 10th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details.


This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.  Please note that this giveaway is not endorsed by, sponsored by or affiliated with any cloth diaper company, manufacturer or retailer. 



# of Entries received as of Giveaway close: 1081




FTC compliance: I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

Flip H&L Cover & Organic Insert Winner

I was actually surprised to see so few people enter this one!  I am guessing it's because it started and ended on a weekend, with the holiday in between there. I am sure people have been busy!

In any case 133 people entered with 241 entries total.  The winner is # 219 which is Rebecca Huss.

Congratulations Rebecca, I'm emailing you now!

Flip Hook & Loop Closure Diaper Cover and Organic Insert - Photo Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 11/27)

In April, I reviewed a Flip cover with stay-dry insert.  I'm less a'skeered of snaps now than I was then, but I was still happy to learn that Flip Diapers was coming out with a hook and loop (a.k.a. Velcro or Aplix) closure diaper cover!  Right now, they are only available for purchase separately for $13.95, but Cottonbabies plans to sell them packaged with inserts, and in day packs in the future.  Lucky for one of you, I also bought an organic insert ($7.95 retail) to send along to the winner too!
 
The other Flip I bought came with a cardboard "wrapper" so I hadn't planned on taking photos of the hook & loop Flip, since I didn't want to give away an opened item!  I was a little surprised to find that both the diaper cover and the insert came without tags, wrappings or packaging, so I've done a little photo review.  The winner will receive the butternut color cover and organic insert pictured in this review however, we do not have pets (unless you count the kids) and the items were only on my laundry room counter, which is very clean, and my hands were clean as well!
 

Some of us were wondering whether the hook & loop would be the "old" Bumgenius 3.0 style, or the "new" Bumgenius 4.0 style.  Fortunately, it is the new style!
 

 
The "new" style laundry tab velcro is actually grippy, instead of just the fuzzy fabric of the 3.0s.  If you haven't had the pleasure of trying the 4.0s, the laundry tabs will touch baby's skin, but they are very soft, and haven't caused my son any irritation.
 


The hook & loop cover has the same, easily wipeable PUL inner as the snap closure Flip.  My snap flip has the same white fabric, but only over the closure snaps, not the rise snaps.  I assume it's to keep the PUL from leaking where it was punctured to attach them.

Here it is on the small setting, folded and stretched:
 


Medium setting folded and stretched:



Large setting folded and stretched:



The organic inserts are made from 100% Oeko-Tex® certified organic cotton.  Cottonbabies sells them for $7.95 each; $6.65 each if you buy 3 or more.  Buying a cover with an organic insert adds just $6 to the cost of the cover alone.

I was surprised by how soft this is!  Granted, it is new and hadn't been washed but wow, it is baby blanket soft!  Since this hasn't been washed/dried/prepped, you can definitely expect it to shrink a bit.  You simply fold the insert along the long or short side to fit inside the insert.
 
Here it is measured along the short side:
 

 
Measured along the long side:
 

 
In the cover on the small setting:
 

In the cover on the large setting:

As you can see, the hook & loop and flip covers are very much the same.  Of course, mine was purchased 7 months ago, so small changes wouldn't surprise me anyway!  One difference is that the Hook & Loop cover stinks!  I noticed a very strong, plastic-y/chemical smell that gave me a headache, as soon as I opened the mailer it came in.  I have never noticed this with any other diapers I've purchased.  My guess is that others begin with the same smell, but they've sat in warehouses and been shipped back and forth enough to air out before I get them!  Hopefully it will do the same before I ship it to the winner!



Here's a side by side of the small organic insert (remember, it hasn't been washed/dried so it will shrink!) compared to the small stay dry insert, and the same for the large.



Hooray for hook and loop!  Now when it Cottonbabies going to come out with newborn versions of their pocket diapers and flip covers?  Hmm?

Giveaway: One winner will receive the Butternut (sorry, boring, but I wanted it to be gender neutral!) Hook & Loop Closure Flip Cover (ARV $13.95) and Organic Insert (ARV $7.95) pictured.  Combined value $21.90 if my brain is working.


Here's how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  Mandatory entries include Your name and email address.  I always email winners, and I do try to look for them before giving up on them!  However, if you want to be sure it's you when I announce the winner, please use a middle or last initial, or nickname, so you'll know it's you.  I do announce names just as you enter them!  I'm offering a single bonus entry for following this blog.  You may choose GFC, RSS feed or email.  If you prefer, you can elect to "like" me on facebook or follow me on twitter instead.  Whatever will bring you back!  :-)


I will accept entries until Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.


I'd love for you to leave a comment (also a great way to just remind yourself that you entered) but comments don't count as giveaway entries.  I will update the post daily with the # of entries received!

# of entries received as of November 27th at Giveaway close: 241



Please note: This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, approved by or affiliated with Cottonbabies, Flip or any cloth diaper retailer.

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail prices for all items pictured.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

Favorite things "mini stash" giveaway - 3 diapers CLOSED

I've said before how I wish I were wealthy, so I could send each of my readers a package with one of each of my favorite diapers.  Unfortunately for all of you (and me too), I'm not.  I have however, gotten lots of great stuff because of this blog, and I just earned my first little bit of money.  None of that would be possible without you.

So, I decided to pay it forward and offer one blog reader a "mini stash" of three of my favorite diapers.  Here's the deal: This is just three of the diapers I like a lot.  I have other favorites too.  I don't want my other diapers to be sad that these three were getting special attention! 

You'll notice they are all snap closure diapers.  That may seem strange since you probably know that I prefer aplix/Velcro for ease of use and adjustability. Unfortunately, I don't have a single Velcro diaper that hasn't given me some kind of trouble, usually from the aplix itself.  It either immediately won't stick to the laundry tabs, sticks too much and is difficult to remove, or is good initially but poops out over time.  Also, my son has discovered the Velcro, so now as soon as I close a diaper, I hear "rrriiiipppppp."  Hee hee.

Here's how it's going to work: Follow the "rules" at the bottom of the post as usual to get your entries.  I've taken photos of my own diapers for this post, but the winner will choose their own.  I buy them and have them shipped to you.  The winner will give me a first and second color choice for each item!

As of now, I'm planning to buy from Diaper Junction, but I reserve the right to change my place of purchase based on availability, price, or my whim.  :-)  Diaper Junction is one of a few online stores I like to buy from; they're usually the second place I look, if my first choice is out of stock or doesn't sell the item I'm looking for.  They have a good selection and are usually well stocked.  You have to spend $75 to get free shipping, but their shipping rates are very reasonable.  You don't have to pay $5 or $10 flat rate shipping charges for one item. 

The winner will get one Kissaluvs Marvels AIO, one Flip Diaper with stay dry insert, and one Smartipants diaper (insert included).

My Kissaluvs diaper was one I was blessed to receive as a review diaper.  Click that link to read my full review.  I haven't quite been using my diaper for two months, but it quickly became a favorite.

It's an all in one diaper, but the insert is only sewn at one end.  When I wash it, it turns completely inside out for thorough washing and faster drying.  I haven't had any stink issues, but the design would make it easy to remove the insert if you had to, and use it as a pocket diaper, or replace the insert.

The Marvels AIO is one size by way of a snap down rise (my favorite) has the microfleece inner I prefer and has an easy snap setup.  It fits wonderfully and doesn't leak.  It's one of a few that I would grab if we were going out or if my son was getting ready to nap.  It's a little pricier than some others, but definitely not the most expensive.

I bought my Flip when the Bumgenius spend $10 get a free AIO coupon was out.  Again, you can click that link to read my full review. 

The flip is a hybrid or an all-in-two, depending on who you talk to.  You can get stay dry, organic, or disposable inserts for it.  Pairing the flip with inserts (changing the cover only when soiled, wiping between uses) or prefolds can be a very affordable way to get started in cloth.

Again, it has a snap down rise to make it one size, and an easy snap closure.  I only have the one insert, so after I've used it, I use the cover with my fitteds.  It's trimmer than a true cover would be, but it still works fine.  It fits great, doesn't leak and again, it's one I reach for if my son may be in it for a while.

I've been using my Smartipants diaper for over six months now.  Initially, I wasn't that impressed.  It's not that I didn't like it, I just thought that it wasn't that great.  It didn't seem like anything special, and it was only $3 cheaper than the Bumgenius 3.0, but didn't include a doubler.

The Smartipants is the perfect example of why I give things a good use, trying not to make a judgment based on initial impressions.  I also think it's smart to try different things, rather than put all your "eggs" in one basket.  You never really know what you will like, or how your feelings will change over time!

The common theme here of course is that it's one size via a snap down rise, has a simple snap layout, fits well and seems to be leak proof.  In fact, I keep this diaper upstairs, and if it's clean, it's the first one I put on my son in the morning.

I just took this photo, so this is what it looks like after 6 months of nearly daily use!  What's unique about this diaper is that the insert goes under more of a patch of fabric than a pocket.  It has openings at the front and back, and the insert agitates out in the wash.  With my other pocket diapers, I pull the inserts out before I put them in my wet bag, so I can just dump it in the washer on wash day (don't want to touch them again, ick!)  This one, I can put directly in the wet bag.

So, there you have it.  A few of the diapers I reach for first, just don't tell the others they're my "favorites!"

Here's how to enter to win one of each, in your choice of color (subject to availability, I reserve the right to make substitutions):

Do any or all of the below.  Leave a comment for each entry.  Be sure to leave your email address in at least one of your comments, if it isn't visible in your profile.  This giveaway may seem swayed toward my followers since I'm offering some extra entries for using my button, adding me to your blogroll etc.  That's because it is.  I want everyone to enter (hence the easy peasy entry as always) but hey, I want to encourage people to keep coming back and give my loyal readers a good chance to win!

1. Leave me a comment.  Anything you'd like to say.  What's your favorite diaper?  What's the first cloth diaper you used?  Have your likes changed over time?  What would you like to see me review or give away?  Do you like how I run my giveaways?  Any other entry options you'd like to see?  Are there too many? You don't have to answer all that, just some ideas of what to talk to me about!

2. Follow my blog.  Your choice of Google friend connect, RSS feed or email.

3. Like me on Facebook.

4. Follow me on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway and include a link.  One tweet per day please.  I go back and forth on whether to allow tweeting more often, but I don't want people to associate my "name" with annoying giveaway tweets, nor do I want to make it too confusing!  You may use this tweet if you like: kissaluvs, flip and smartipants #clothdiaper #giveaway from @chgdiapers. Build your stash! Ends 7/8 http://bit.ly/aC6UYz

6. Blog about this giveaway and link back here.

7. Grab my button and tell me where to find it.  (Put it in a highly visible area somewhere on the main page of your blog for this entry.  Sidebar etc.  If it's on a harder to find page, you qualify for the blog roll entry only.)

8. List me on your blog roll, leave me a link to it.

I will accept entries until Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 9 P.M., Eastern.  I'll select a winner with random.org's true random number generator and notify the winner by email.  The winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen.

Please note that this giveaway is not approved by, endorsed by or affiliated with the above diaper companies, or any diaper retailer.

Quick reminders to please send me a message if you'd like to be listed on my blogroll or if you have a link that should be included on my link page, or if you know of an affiliate program you think I may like to add to the bottom of that link page.  Also if you have any questions or have suggestions for reviews or giveaways!

Flip Diaper Cover w/Stay Dry Insert

I had been wanting to try a Flip for a while.  When I found out Abby's Lane was not only honoring the Bumgenius Coupon for a free AIO, but they actually had the coupons for me, I couldn't resist. 

The only catch was that they asked a buyer to spend $25 on Bumgenius, Flip or Econobum products if you wanted Abby's Lane to clip the coupon for you, rather than the $10 stated on the coupon.  Not a big deal since they weren't charging for the coupon (other sites were charging for the magazine/coupon, then crediting you a bit if you didn't want the magazine) and shipping is always free at Abby's lane.  Basically, I got a lot more from them for just a couple bucks more than $10 in product, shipping and the coupon cost would have been from somewhere else.  For the record, no, I don't work for Abby's Lane, just love them!

Anyhoo, my order came at the speed of light at usual.



The packaging had a sticker saying to wash the cover separately 6 times.  I was a little confused, since I didn't think this needed to be "prepped."  I called cottonbabies and it turns out that they had some issues with the covers running.  So, I dutifully washed just the cover 6 times!  You do have to hang the cover to dry.

The Flip cover has an easy snap closure.

The inside is PUL, easy to wipe clean during changes.

The Flip has the same snap down rise that the Bumgenius 3.0 one size diapers have.

Same leg casings and outer too.

The insert is one size and has wonderful seams and markings to make the folding super easy.

They make inserts in organic cotton and disposable too.  The price per disposable insert seems similar to disposables, but instead of chemicals, fragrance and gel, they contain Non-woven bamboo viscose, Wood Pulp and SAP fillers, and starch based glue.  They would be a nice compromise for road trips and such, since you could really just wipe out the covers and even hand wash them if they really needed it.

I prefer a stay dry liner, so I chose the stay dry insert, which has 3 layers of microfiber, and has stay dry suede on the side that touches baby's bottom.  Very soft.

There are no awkward snap attachments, the insert just slips inside.  The little envelope like thingie at each end helps hold it in place and keeps it from wicking onto clothing.

The snap closure was very easy, and this seemed as trim as the Bumgenius 3.0.

He fit wonderfully in the medium setting. 

We had no problems, no leaks.  This was great! 

I'd like to get one more cover and a few more inserts.  I think this would be excellent for being out and about.  One extra cover and a few extra inserts would take up a lot less space than several pocket diapers for sure!