July 2014 Photo Contest!!

It's time for another photo contest!  We are so excited for this one!  Seeing your little ones in twinkie tush diapers and now in twinkie togs is one of the absolute greatest joys for us!  Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful children with us by sending in your photos!!

Here are the details for the July 2014 Photo Contest!  :)

The contest will be open for submissions from today, 7/3/14, through Sunday 7/27.  That gives you just 3  and 1/2 weeks to get your entries in, so don’t delay!  :)  The winners will be announced on Wednesday, July 30th, at 9pm EST. Please read below for important details on how to win. There will be a first place and a second place winner as follows:

- First place takes home their choice of:

(a) a FREE custom twinkie tush diaper of their choice (based on availability of desired fabric, and SYOF is of course an option as well). Shipping of the diaper is also free. (Please note that the custom diaper will ship 4-6 weeks after a final print decision is made or SYO fabric is received.)

                OR

(b) an ULTIMATE Dibs Pass, which entitles them to select a single diaper during previews and take it home FREE, with free shipping as well.  This ULTIMATE Dibs Pass would be valid on any preview day in August 2014.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  More infoabout Dibs Passes here.

- Second place winner will receive a standard Dibs Pass which will allow them to select a single diaper to purchase at regular price on any one preview day in August 2014 without having to attend the stocking.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  In addition, the second place winner will receive a twinkie tush accessory prize pack, featuring a replacement soaker in their choice of style and cv color (or natural OBV) and a set of 6 twinkie tush wipes!

- We will also draw an additional standard Dibs Pass winner at random from all photo contest participants at the close of the contest!  This random.org Dibs Pass will be valid on any one preview day in August 2014.)

So now that we’ve covered prizes, here is the process:

To enter, simply submit a photo of your little one(s) in a twinkie tush diaper and/or twinkie togs dresses or tees! twinkie tush blankets, hair clips and headbands by Hello Charlotte James for twinkie tush and/or twinkie tush collabs with Happy Hippo Knits or others we have collaborated with are of course welcome to be part of the photos, however a twinkie tush diaper or twinkie togs must be featured.

Feel free to be as creative as possible - extra consideration will always be given for creativity! (Try to play off the "theme" of your diaper/togs - you can use accessories and props to really amp it up - a guitar, an alien toy, a bouquet of flowers....) A simple approach is fine as well - creativity is just one of the things that will be considered.

Photos can be sent to photocontest@twinkietush.com. By submitting a photo you are giving twinkie tush permission to use your photo to promote or represent twinkie tush diapers, twinkie togs and/or other twinkie tush products on this blog, the twinkie tush shops on Hyena Cart and Big Cartel, twinkietush.com, twinkie tush advertisements via email, on HC and elsewhere, and the twinkie tush facebook pages.  Please do not submit a photo if you do not agree to these terms. :)

Submissions will be closed on Sunday 7/27/14 at 11:59pm EST. On Monday 7/28 we will upload all submissions to a photo album on the main twinkie tush facebook page called "July 2014 photo contest!" At that point, the contest really gets exciting!

First place will be awarded to the photo *in the " July 2014 photo contest" album* that we feel best reflects the spirit of twinkie tush and the spirit of the individual diaper(s) pictured. Creativity, photo composition, brand reflection and of course FUN are some of the things that will be considered. :) Mike and I will choose the first place winner, and we will announce the winner at 9pm EST on Wednesday, July 30th.

Second place will go to the photo in the " July 2014 photo contest" album that receives the most "likes".  Please note that "likes" on photos outside of the specified album will not count as votes for that photo. You, and your friends and family, may "like" multiple photos if you choose (you don't have to pick just one). Comments are welcome of course, but will not count towards a photo's "tally". Since it is possible to "like" and then "unlike" something on facebook, we will go with the count as it is at exactly 9pm EST on Wednesday, 7/30.

An important note: you cannot win both first and second place ;) While the number of "likes" a photo has will neither ensure a first place win nor preclude it from taking said prize, fan feedback is something that Mike and I may take into consideration to at least some extent in making our decision on a first place winner. In the event that we choose the "highest likes" photo for first place, that photo is no longer eligible to take a second place win. In other words if photo A has the highest number with 200 likes and photo B has 199 likes, and we choose photo A as our first place winner, second place will go to photo B. If we choose photo B, or any other photo in the album, as our first place winner, second place will go to photo A.  

Please note that only one (1) first place and one (1) second place prize will be awarded.  Should you collaborate with another family to enter a submission you would need to settle the allocation of the prize between yourselves in the event that you win.

Please note that you may enter only one (1) photo per household for this contest. Also note that photos must clearly show your twinkie tush diaper(s) and/or twinkie togs and must not be offensive in any way (obviously). Please send full size/high res images rather than "email" or "thumbnail" sizes.

If there is a problem with your submission you will receive an email response with suggestions on how to resubmit if applicable. If your submission is accepted you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 48 hours please email again to confirm receipt, in case for some reason your initial email did not come through successfully.

We are looking forward to your submissions! Thanks so much!! :)

More info and links:

About twinkie tush Dibs Passes and Ultimate Dibs Passes

Past photo contest albums on facebook:

February 2014 Photo Contest
End of 2013 Photo Contest

July 2013 Photo Contest

March 2013 Photo Contest

November 2012 Photo Contest

Website Landing Page Photo Contest

June 2012 Photo Contest

February 2012 Photo Contest

November 2011 Photo Contest

August 2011 Photo Contest

May 2011 Photo Contest

March 2011 Photo Contest

Updates to the Group Custom process!

We have updated the official twinkie tush Group Custom post to reflect a temporary return to the drawings system. :)  Please make sure to read it through before participating in this month's drawings!

Submissions will open tomorrow (Monday) morning and will close on Friday at 8pm eastern. :)
Thanks so much!

About twinkie togs!

It occurred to me that whenever we’ve introduced a new product line, I usually write up a blog post about it!  I haven’t done that yet with our recently debuted clothing line, twinkie togs!  I’m excited to tell you more about this new line!

If you haven’t seen our Intro to twinkie togs photo album on Facebook, make sure to check it out!  And make sure to bookmark it for future reference, because as we add new designs we will add their photos to that album!

twinkie togs are designed by me, and are manufactured in our studio in Ithaca, NY, the same place we make all of our diapers!  

As you may know, we currently have 5 full-time employees who work with us to make our diapers: a cutter, 2 snappers, and 2 seamstresses.  We have recently added blankets and wipes to the production line-up, and now twinkie togs, so as you can imagine we are a busy crew!  In order to continue this level of production, we plan to expand into additional space within the next couple of months, and with that expansion we will be creating some new jobs as well!  We will be bringing on an additional seamstress, snapper and cutter, so that we can increase diaper production as well as venturing further into clothing production!  With that expansion you can expect to see things like larger blankets, undies, pants, and more top and dress options!  (All of this over the next several months.)

If you have been with us for a while now you have probably read my previous blog posts about diaper pricing.  I try to always be as open as possible about why we price things the way we do, and what you are getting, as well as who you are supporting, when you purchase from us.  I want to be equally open about twinkie togs! :)

Most companies do not choose to manufacture in the US.  There are some, of course, but they are few and far between.  The reasons for that are many and vary from company to company, but the bottom line is that it is more expensive to employ US workers and to maintain a production facility domestically.  Our employees are full-time (as opposed to by contract), with fair wages, and we are so grateful to be able to say that! :)  And while we stand apart from companies that outsource production internationally, we also stand apart from where we began, without employees and without the myriad overhead costs we have now.  The difference between my WAHM origins and where we are now as a company is staggering, and is one I never would have understood until we got here! 

I have learned so much about the complexity of running a business as we have continued to grow, and I am continually humbled and inspired by the lessons I learn!  We continue to strive to offer reasonable prices for all of our products, all the while balancing our overhead costs and fair business practices.  We also strive to offer products that are unique and made to extremely high quality standards, and we stand behind all of our work with the high level of customer service you have come to know and expect from us.  As a result you will see that our price points are higher than those of a one-woman at-home operation.  I want you to understand why that is, and to know that reasonable pricing continues to be very important to me.  As we further diversify the line, we hope to cover a wider spectrum of price points with some simpler options as well, but every price will of course be reflective of our costs.

I hope that helps to illuminate the pricing of the new line, as well as the production! :)  We are continually developing new styles and I can’t wait to show you more!  As always, words can’t convey my gratitude for your love and support!

Thank you so very much!
Gretchen

Custom twinkie tush blankets - everything you need to know! :)

We are ready to offer the custom blankets we've talked about!  This blog post will contain all of the info you need to order your custom blankets!

You may order blankets on their own (without diapers) in groups of 3-15 for the time being, on an as available basis.  In the future we will try to open up individual blanket options as well! :)  You may also choose to add blankets (any amount from 1 to 15) to your diaper (Large or Mini!) Group Custom or your twinkie togs group!

We will stock "custom blanket" listings on the store site, under "accessories-blankets".  If you have formed a blanket-only group, simply purchase that listing and email groupcustoms@twinkietush.com with your group spreadsheet (please see below for spreadsheet requirements).  We will then send payment links to other group members, if applicable.  We will plan to re-stock custom blanket listings each week if they sell out in between stockings.

Your blanket-only group order must be communicated to us in the form of a spreadsheet, the same way diaper groups are.  The required information for a blanket-only group is as follows:

1 - Full Member Name
2 - Member Name as it Appears in Paypal
3 - Member Contact Email
4 - Member Paypal Email
5 - Blanket Size preference (28x28", 34x34", 55x55" or 55x80")
6 - Blanket Backing preference (natural OBV, cv, or solid cotton lycra knit)
*Please note that you may express a group color preference for cv and solid cotton lycra knit which we will honor on an as available basis and only if we feel it works with your print.  We reserve the right to choose another color if we feel it is necessary.  All blankets within a group will be made with the same color cv for members that choose cv.  All blankets within a group will be made with the same color solid cotton lycra knit for members that choose that option.

If you are adding custom blankets to your Large or Mini Group Custom diaper order or your twinkie togs custom group, simply add the above columns #5 and 6 to your existing spreadsheet (they will come after all of the normal preference columns in your spreadsheet).

The cost for custom blankets is as follows:
28x28" : $27
34x34" : $34.50
55x55": $59
55x80": $79

The fabric requirements for custom blankets are as follows (MUST be continuous) :
For each 28x28" blanket: 1 yard
For each 34x34" blanket: 1.5 yards
For each 55x55" blanket: 2 yards
For each 55x80" blanket: 2.5 yards
*Fabric must be 56" wide at a minimum.  Please note that fabric width loss on pre-washing here will result in smaller than 55x55" final size if there is excessive fabric shrinkage.  Cotton lycra is one type of fabric that is likely to shrink and a 58"+ starting width is preferred. If your fabric is less than 56" wide your blanket will be less than 55" wide. :)

If you choose to send in your blanket backing fabric as well, the length requirements are identical to the main fabric requirements. :)  If you send in both main and backing fabric pricing is as follows:
28x28" : $21
34x34" : $25.50
55x55": $43
55x80": $58

Yardage for groups should be continuous whenever possible.  All blanket fabric will be pre-washed here at our studio before it is cut.

Now some very important notes about fabric that may be used for blankets:

At this point we are willing to work with most fabrics.  We reserve the right to change that without warning, should we experience problems with any type of fabric.  We highly recommend sending in high quality cotton, cotton lycra, or cotton poly blend knits, or thick poly lycra, poly jersey, minky or velour.  We will also make woven blankets if you choose to send in a woven print.  Please remember that a woven fabric is not "cuddly" the same way a knit fabric is, but that doesn't mean it will make a bad blanket - just different. :)  Woven fabrics are almost always 44-45" in width and would therefore NOT work for the large (55x55") or XL (55x80") blanket size.  You can feel free to ask about other fabrics by emailing us!

Sometimes fabric that is sent in for group orders contains flaws, printing or otherwise.  We always do our best to spot any flaws and cut around them whenever possible.  However, sometimes flaws are missed.  twinkie tush does not take responsibility for fabric flaws on fabric that has been sent in for group custom orders.

Please let us know if you have any questions by commenting here or by emailing info@twinkietush.com or groupcustoms@twinkietush.com.

Thank you so much! We are looking forward to making tons of beautiful blankets for you! <3

Meet our February 2014 Fan of the Month, Julia Willhite! :)

We are so excited to introduce you to our February 2014 Fan of the Month Julia, and her daughter Gretchen! (And no, we didn't just choose Julia as Fan of the Month for her fantastic taste in baby names. ;) )  These beautiful ladies are a long-standing and truly wonderful part of our community!  We have known Julia for years now and always appreciate her warmth, intelligence and sense of humor.  Read on to learn more about her and click here for general info on our Fan of the Month feature, including how to enter to be FotM yourself!  Entries are now open for March! :)

What is your full name?

Julia Willhite

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

Grew up in Lawrence, KS, now live in Kansas City.

How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Gretchen, 18 months old. (And don’t think we JUST chose Julia as our Fan of the Month for her fantastic taste in baby names.)

How/when did you find twinkie tush?

It was actually before we were even pregnant! I hung out on a cloth diapering message board while we were TTC and buzz for TT was brewing. I bought my first TT before we were even pregnant, it was Chance of Rain, still one of my favorites.

What is your favorite twinkie tush print of all time?

Flatline, you might say I'm obsessed. My husband knows it is a "special" diaper that doesn't go in our regular rotation. 

 

Do you have an ultimate ISO print?

Thanks to so many generous TT mamas I've acquired all the girly prints I've wanted. Now if I have a boy someday I will have a whole new list of ISOs, Track and Field being at the top of that list. 

What is your favorite personal non-parenting related, non-work related hobby?

Not sure if this counts as a hobby but I love trying new restaurants with my husband or with friends. Brunch, happy hour, dinner, I am game!

What makes you feel most inspired or grounded? How do you take care of yourself and your spirit?

Connecting with and helping others, which I get to do through my job as a social worker. Self care for me usually means getting out and being by myself. Maybe a walk through Target, a pedicure, eating lunch by myself at a restaurant. Just having some time where I'm responsible for no one but myself so I can refocus and then come back refreshed.

What is your favorite activity to do with little Gretchen?

Getting out and exploring places like the zoo, children's museum, a local park. As she gets older and more verbal it is so much fun to watch her interact with her surroundings.

What is/was your favorite place to visit?

We honeymooned in Maine and it was amazing. I hope we can go back for our 10th anniversary in 2016!

What is your favorite book? What about your favorite movie?

I don't really have one particular favorite book. My guilty pleasure reads are anything by Beverly Lewis about the Amish and any book written about the FLDS. I also love YA lit and memoirs. Favorite movie is hands down Mean Girls.

What is something surprising about you, that people might not guess upon meeting you?

I just watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" for the first time in 2013. So maybe I grew up sheltered!

What twinkie tush attribute and/or philosophy do you most appreciate?

Family! I love that TT is a family run business and that a sense of family has been fostered among TT fans. TT also brings our family together in small ways. As I write this right now my husband and my toddler are folding diaper laundry. She pulls the TT soakers out of the basket and hands them to him and he matches them up with the diaper shells. Then she puts the finished diapers back in the basket. Over the last couple of years I've gotten to know many other TT mamas really well, it does feel like we are one big family.

What would you tell someone who has yet to try a twinkie tush diaper?

You are missing out. Also, you can't stop at just one, so brace yourself!

Tell us your funniest cloth-diapering or parenting story!

It's hard to think of one specific story but my daughter is currently digging through her basket of twinkie tushes and talking and singing to them. She just carried on a long conversation with the whales on Big Sally, in secret toddler language of course.

Tell us about one of the most meaningful parenting experiences you have had.

My daughter was born at 35 weeks and was a very small and very sleepy baby. I got a ton of support from my TT mom friends including some mamas sending me preemie sized cloth diapers since my daughter was too small for newborn sized diapers for the first few weeks. I also got tons of support and great advice when we dealt with breastfeeding issues. The first few weeks of motherhood were so hard, but the amazing support from my husband and all of my precious online friends actually makes me look back on that time fondly. I had never felt so supported and now I feel empowered to support other new moms struggling as we did.

 

Gretchen in Flatline <3

Many thanks to Julia!  We are honored to have you as our Fan of the Month! :)

February 2014 Photo Contest!

Here are the details for the February 2014 Photo Contest, and can I just say we are SO excited for this one?? :)

The contest will be open for submissions from today, 2/2, through Sunday 2/23.  That gives you just 3 weeks to get your entries in, so don’t delay!  :)  The winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 26th, at 10pm EST. Please read below for important details on how to win. There will be a first place and a second place winner as follows:

- First place takes home their choice of:

(a) a FREE custom twinkie tush diaper of their choice (based on availability of desired fabric, and SYOF is of course an option as well). Shipping of the diaper is also free. (Please note that the custom diaper will ship 4-6 weeks after a final print decision is made or SYO fabric is received.)

                OR

(b) an ULTIMATE Dibs Pass, which entitles them to select a single diaper during previews and take it home FREE, with free shipping as well.  This ULTIMATE Dibs Pass would be valid on any preview day in March 2014.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  More infoabout Dibs Passes here.

- Second place winner will receive a standard Dibs Pass which will allow them to select a single diaper to purchase at regular price on any one preview day in March 2014 without having to attend the stocking.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  In addition, the second place winner will receive a twinkie tush accessory prize pack, featuring a replacement soaker in their choice of style and cv color (or natural OBV) and a set of 6 twinkie tush wipes!

- We will also draw an additional standard Dibs Pass winner at random from all photo contest participants at the close of the contest!  This random.org Dibs Pass will be valid on any one preview day in March 2014.)

So now that we’ve covered prizes, here is the process:

To enter, simply submit a photo of your little one(s) in a twinkie tush diaper. twinkie tush blankets, hair clips and headbands by Hello Charlotte James for twinkie tush and/or twinkie tush collabs with Happy Hippo Knits or others we have collaborated with are of course welcome to be part of the photos, however a twinkie tush diaper must be featured.

Feel free to be as creative as possible - extra consideration will always be given for creativity! (Try to play off the "theme" of your diaper - you can use accessories and props to really amp it up - a guitar, an alien toy, a bouquet of flowers....) A simple approach is fine as well - creativity is just one of the things that will be considered.

Photos can be sent to photocontest@twinkietush.com. By submitting a photo you are giving twinkie tush permission to use your photo to promote or represent twinkie tush diapers and/or other twinkie tush products on this blog, the twinkie tush shops on Hyena Cart and Big Cartel, twinkietush.com, twinkie tush advertisements on HC and elsewhere, and the twinkie tush facebook pages.  Please do not submit a photo if you do not agree to these terms. :)

Submissions will be closed on Sunday 2/23/14 at 11:59pm EST. On Monday 2/24 we will upload all submissions to a photo album on the main twinkie tush facebook page called "February 2014 photo contest!" At that point, the contest really gets exciting!

First place will be awarded to the photo *in the " February 2014 photo contest" album* that we feel best reflects the spirit of twinkie tush and the spirit of the individual diaper(s) pictured. Creativity, photo composition, brand reflection and of course FUN are some of the things that will be considered. :) Mike and I will choose the first place winner, and we will announce the winner at 10pm EST on Wednesday, February 26th.

Second place will go to the photo in the " February 2014 photo contest" album that receives the most "likes".  Please note that "likes" on photos outside of the specified album will not count as votes for that photo. You, and your friends and family, may "like" multiple photos if you choose (you don't have to pick just one). Comments are welcome of course, but will not count towards a photo's "tally". Since it is possible to "like" and then "unlike" something on facebook, we will go with the count as it is at exactly 10pm EST on Wednesday, 2/26.

An important note: you cannot win both first and second place ;) While the number of "likes" a photo has will neither ensure a first place win nor preclude it from taking said prize, fan feedback is something that Mike and I may take into consideration to at least some extent in making our decision on a first place winner. In the event that we choose the "highest likes" photo for first place, that photo is no longer eligible to take a second place win. In other words if photo A has the highest number with 200 likes and photo B has 199 likes, and we choose photo A as our first place winner, second place will go to photo B. If we choose photo B, or any other photo in the album, as our first place winner, second place will go to photo A.  Please feel free to ask questions about this if it is at all unclear! :)

Please note that only one (1) first place and one (1) second place prize will be awarded.  Should you collaborate with another family to enter a submission you would need to settle the allocation of the prize between yourselves in the event that you win.

Please note that you may enter only one (1) photo per household for this contest. Also note that photos must clearly show your twinkie tush diaper(s) and must not be offensive in any way (obviously). Please send full size/high res images rather than "email" or "thumbnail" sizes.

If there is a problem with your submission you will receive an email response with suggestions on how to resubmit if applicable. If your submission is accepted you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 48 hours please email again to confirm receipt, in case for some reason your initial email did not come through successfully.

We are looking forward to your submissions! Thanks so much!! :)

More info and links:

About twinkie tush Dibs Passes and Ultimate Dibs Passes

Past photo contest albums on facebook:

End of 2013 Photo Contest

July 2013 Photo Contest

March 2013 Photo Contest

November 2012 Photo Contest

Website Landing Page Photo Contest

June 2012 Photo Contest

February 2012 Photo Contest

November 2011 Photo Contest

August 2011 Photo Contest

May 2011 Photo Contest

March 2011 Photo Contest

Meet our December 2013 Fan of the Month, Stephanie Chaparro!

I am so excited to introduce you to our December Fan of the Month!  Her name is Stephanie Chaparro and she is a super sweet, warm and welcoming member of our online community!  Thank you so much, Stephanie, for allowing us to get to know you better as our Fan of the Month!  Read on to learn about Stephanie and her beautiful family, and click here for information about the Fan of the Month feature, including how to enter to be FotM!  We are now open for entries for January 2014!  Emails can be sent to info@twinkietush.com with Fan of the Month in the subject, following the format in the post I just linked. :)

Now, about Stephanie!

What is your full name?

Stephanie Elizabeth Chaparro

Where are you from and where do you live now?

I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. With my husband being active duty Army when we were first married (now a veteran) I’ve lived all over, but we have found ourselves back in Arizona as it’s where both of our families live and our hearts are.

How many children do you have and what are their ages?

I have 4 children. Gabriel is 15, Ariana is 8 as of November 25, Jacek is 5, and my twinkie tush baby, Annika Jade (AJ) is 18 months.

How and when did you find twinkie tush?

I discovered tt when I posted an ISO on another CD page for girlie fitted diapers. I had a very generous tt mama offer me a NIP OS serged Electra and I fell in love! When I finally had it in my hands and on AJ’s bum, I couldn’t believe how great the fit was! I needed more! It’s like they were made just for her… the rest is history!

What is your favorite twinkie tush print of all time?

Every time I see this question answered by previous FOTMs I always wonder how they narrowed it down! This is such a hard question to answer! I’m going to go with OS serged Arwen! I was ISO of this print from the moment I discovered how well tt worked for us. I finally got my hands on one and it is just as amazing as I’d hoped it would be. Next would be my original print Mermaid Song. Everyone knows that tt has the most amazing collection of prints ever though, so my “favorites” are always changing!

Arwen

Mermaid Song

Do you have an ultimate ISO print?

My current “Ultimate ISO” would probably be OS serged Venice or When in Rome.

Venice

When in Rome

What is your favorite personal non-parenting related, non-work related hobby?

Well, before life revolved around parenting related things, I danced ballet and contemporary. When escaping reality I love going to the ballet and getting lost in the pieces. I feel so inspired while watching it can literally bring me to tears.

What makes you feel most inspired or grounded?  How do you take care of yourself and your spirit?

Ha! Spoke too soon… While I do feel inspired watching ballet I also feel inspired watching my children grow. Man, I am just overcome with emotion most days watching them learn and grow and love. They just love and trust so unconditionally and innocently… I’m absolutely enthralled by them.

What is your favorite activity to do with your children?

We love to travel (by car)… ßthe mamas who know me, will understand that because I’ve shared that I have an insane fear of flying… growing up in my family we didn’t get to travel much, but my husband comes from a family who traveled all the time. He’s shared places and experiences with our children and I that I never could’ve imagined on my own.

What is/was your favorite place to visit?

My favorite place to visit is the Grand Canyon. We traveled to the Grand Canyon, the first time for me, a few years ago and have been several times since. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend planning a trip. It is breath taking! Walking up to gaze out over just a small portion of it for the first time, literally made me gasp. It’s like looking at a painted picture. It’s a beautiful reminder to me of how great and powerful God is. It’s amazing. I can’t say it enough!

What is your favorite book?  What about your favorite movie?

My all time favorite book would have to be Deadline by Randy Alcorn… Read it! You’ll be inspired. My all time favorite movie is Dirty Dancing… first because it’s got lots of dancing and second because… well, Patrick Swayze!

What is something surprising about you, that people might not guess upon meeting you?

Hmm… that I’m over 25?! LOL People often guess I’m much younger than I look, which isn’t terrible I guess! Other than that, I’m pretty open. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. I love animals! Dogs, specifically… & I’m a big advocate for pit bulls! I’d love to own a rescue one day!

What twinkie tush attribute and/or philosophy do you most appreciate?

“We value quality, honesty, positivity, and community.” This is my favorite sentence on the entire tt website! The twinkie tush community lives this sentence. I’ve become close friends with several other tt mamas since becoming a part of the tt community and am so thankful for them. Their honesty, positivity, and true quality friendships have seen me through some difficult times recently because some of us have SOOO much in common through our little ones! My family and I are currently struggling with an Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis for my middle son and without some of the love and support that these mamas have offered, I’m sure I’d be much more of a basket case than I normally am LOL Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those mamas (they know who they are) and I truly love you all so very much! I never would’ve thought that some of my very best friends could be women that I have only known online. Without the tt community, I never would have crossed paths with these women, so thank you to Gretchen and the twinkie tush team for that as well!

What would you tell someone who has yet to try a twinkie tush diaper?

I would say (which I say often when I’m trying to convert someone!) that while the price may seem intimidating, you will end up spending much more trying other diapers that won’t work. I truly feel that you get what you pay for and with twinkie tush it is such high quality, that you just can’t be left disappointed. Invest in something that will last. You’ll be glad that you did!

Tell us your funniest cloth-diapering or parenting story!

Well, I shared this recently on the twinkie tush fan page, but I’ll share it again, because it was hilarious. My husband was talking to the baby telling her to go grab a diaper so that he could change her. She walked over to where we keep them all and came back with a diaper still wrapped in plastic. Those who have been around awhile know I have NIP hoarding problem… Anyway, my husband looked at the diaper, looked at me, then looked back at AJ and said, “Nope, not that one. That one’s wrapped in plastic and I don’t know what that means… I don’t know if mommy’s buying it or renting it or selling it… it might be a collector’s item.” I died laughing. My husband is not huge on cloth diapering, but he doesn’t complain either because he knows it makes me happy. It was just a silly moment that has stuck with me since!

Tell us about one of the most meaningful parenting experiences you have had.

I’ve had so many of these; it’s difficult to narrow it down. We are a family that believes in God and tries to center Jesus Christ in the middle of everything that we do and teach. I don’t like using the term “religious” because for us, Jesus is greater than religion. I try to teach my children that just because people believe one way or the other does not make them or us less important than anyone. I want them to grow up respecting and valuing others opinions, views, and beliefs. While we do lots of teaching from the Bible, I’ve tried to never force them to think one way or the other. They attend public school and listen to “regular” music. They watch all the cool new movies and get into trouble just like other kids. They are not sheltered by any means and they know that the world can be a mean place at times. I try to just give them the information as I understand it myself and hope that my influence as their mother is enough for them to follow in my footsteps. I think that one of the most meaningful parenting experiences I’ve had is when my oldest children came to me, on their own, one morning before school, and asked how they would go about asking Jesus to live in their hearts. I had such an enormous amount of pride in them at that moment… wow! Gets me teary eyed just remembering it! It’s my hope that I can continue to lead them in the right direction for their lives. I want them to know that they can change the world just like anyone else can and I want them to touch everyone that they come in contact with.

Thank you so much twinkie tush for this opportunity. I’m so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful online community of mamas who all have at least one like goal in common: raising our children the best way we know how to and supporting each other while we all do that.

End of 2013 Photo Contest!

I am so excited to announce the End of 2013 Photo Contest!!  I am not calling it the November photo contest because it will run into early December, but all entries will be due by the last day of November (Saturday 11/30).

As you have probably heard me say before, I absolutely LOVE photo contests and the fun and precious memories that are captured through them!  It is so rewarding and such an honor for us to see your little ones loving their twinkie tush diapers and growing through the years!! <3

Here are the photo contest details:

The contest will be open for submissions from today, 11/7, through Saturday 11/30.  That gives you just over 3 weeks to get your entries in!  :)  The winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 4th, at 10pm EST. Please read below for important details on how to win. There will be a first place and a second place winner as follows:

- First place takes home their choice of:

(a) a FREE custom twinkie tush diaper of their choice (based on availability of desired fabric, and SYOF is of course an option as well). Shipping of the diaper is also free. (Please note that the custom diaper will ship 4-6 weeks after a final print decision is made or SYO fabric is received.)

                OR

(b) an ULTIMATE Dibs Pass, which entitles them to select a single diaper during previews and take it home FREE, with free shipping as well.  This ULTIMATE Dibs Pass would be valid on any preview day in December 2013 or January 2014.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  More info about Dibs Passes is below.

- Second place winner will receive a standard Dibs Pass which will allow them to select a single diaper to purchase at regular price on any one preview day in December 2013 or January 2014 without having to attend the stocking.  (Please note that occasionally there is a print offered that is not able to be claimed by a dibs pass.)  In addition, the second place winner will receive a twinkie tush accessory prize pack, featuring a replacement soaker in their choice of cv color and a set of 6 twinkie tush wipes!

- We will also draw an additional standard Dibs Pass winner at random from all photo contest participants at the close of the contest!  This random.org Dibs Pass will be valid on any one preview day in December 2013 or January 2014.)

So now that we’ve covered prizes, here is the process:

To enter, simply submit a photo of your little one(s) in a twinkie tush diaper or twinkie tush wool. twinkie tush blankets, hair clips and headbands by Hello Charlotte James for twinkie tush and/or twinkie tush collabs with Happy Hippo Knits or others we have collaborated with are of course welcome to be part of the photos, however a twinkie tush diaper or twinkie tush woolies must be featured.

Feel free to be as creative as possible - extra consideration will always be given for creativity! (Try to play off the "theme" of your diaper or woolies - you can use accessories and props to really amp it up - a guitar, an alien toy, a bouquet of flowers....) A simple approach is fine as well - creativity is just one of the things that will be considered.

Photos can be sent to photocontest@twinkietush.com. By submitting a photo you are giving twinkie tush permission to use your photo to promote or represent twinkie tush diapers and/or other twinkie tush products on this blog, the twinkie tush shops on Hyena Cart and Big Cartel, twinkietush.com, twinkie tush advertisements on HC and elsewhere, and the twinkie tush facebook pages.  Please do not submit a photo if you do not agree to these terms. :)

Submissions will be closed on Saturday 11/30/13 at 11:59pm EST. On Sunday 12/1 we will upload all submissions to a photo album on the main twinkie tush facebook page called "End of 2013 photo contest!" At that point, the contest really gets exciting!

First place will be awarded to the photo *in the "End of 2013 photo contest" album* that we feel best reflects the spirit of twinkie tush and the spirit of the individual diaper(s) pictured. Creativity, photo composition, brand reflection and of course FUN are some of the things that will be considered. :) Mike and I will choose the first place winner, and we will announce the winner at 10pm EST on Wednesday, December 4th.

Second place will go to the photo in the "End of 2013 photo contest" album that receives the most "likes".  Please note that "likes" on photos outside of the specified album will not count as votes for that photo. You, and your friends and family, may "like" multiple photos if you choose (you don't have to pick just one). Comments are welcome of course, but will not count towards a photo's "tally". Since it is possible to "like" and then "unlike" something on facebook, we will go with the count as it is at exactly 10pm EST on Wednesday, December 4th.

An important note: you cannot win both first and second place ;) While the number of "likes" a photo has will neither ensure a first place win nor preclude it from taking said prize, fan feedback is something that Mike and I may take into consideration to at least some extent in making our decision on a first place winner. In the event that we choose the "highest likes" photo for first place, that photo is no longer eligible to take a second place win. In other words if photo A has the highest number with 200 likes and photo B has 199 likes, and we choose photo A as our first place winner, second place will go to photo B. If we choose photo B, or any other photo in the album, as our first place winner, second place will go to photo A.  Please feel free to ask questions about this if it is at all unclear! :)

Please note that only one (1) first place and one (1) second place prize will be awarded.  Should you collaborate with another family to enter a submission you would need to settle the allocation of the prize between yourselves in the event that you win.

Please note that you may enter only one (1) photo per household for this contest. Also note that photos must clearly show your twinkie tush diaper(s) and/or twinkie tush wool and must not be offensive in any way (obviously). Please send full size/high res images rather than "email" or "thumbnail" sizes.

If there is a problem with your submission you will receive an email response with suggestions on how to resubmit if applicable. If your submission is accepted you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 48 hours please email again to confirm receipt, in case for some reason your initial email did not come through successfully.

We are looking forward to your submissions! Thanks so much!! :)

More info and links:

About twinkie tush Dibs Passes and Ultimate Dibs Passes

Past photo contest albums on facebook:

July 2013 Photo Contest

March 2013 Photo Contest

November 2012 Photo Contest

Website Landing Page Photo Contest

June 2012 Photo Contest

February 2012 Photo Contest

November 2011 Photo Contest

August 2011 Photo Contest

May 2011 Photo Contest

March 2011 Photo Contest

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see your submissions!! <3  Thank you so much! :)

The twinkie tush Wish List is open again!

The latest Wish List diaper has been delivered!  A fun fox-themed OBV turned fitted for the mama who sent that wish to us back in August!  This was so fun to make and we are so grateful for our wonderful fan community who all help us keep this so fun and special! :)

And now, it's time to open the Wish List again!!  Send your wishes to us starting NOW!  The Wish List will remain open for a few days only, with closing time announced on facebook at least 12 hours ahead of time.  Read this blog post for all of the details on how to enter!

Thanks so much and have a wonderful Sunday! <3

Meet our October Fan of the Month: Samantha Harvey!

We are so excited to introduce you to Samantha, our October FotM! She is an incredibly sweet and fun mama and we love having her in our community! Read about Samantha and her son Luke below and read this post for information about our Fan of the Month feature and how to enter for next month! Entries are now open and can be sent to info@twinkietush.com. Remember, if you have entered before and would like to enter again you need only forward your original email! :)

Thank you again so much Samantha - it has been absolutely wonderful getting to know you better! And as an openly huge Harry Potter nerd myself, I feel even more connected with you now than I did before this interview!

Samantha and Luke

What is your full name?

- Samantha Rae Harvey

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

- I'm originally from Lincoln Park, Michigan. I currently live in Exeter, California due to my fiancé, Nathan, training to be a commercial helicopter pilot and a certified flight instructor. We moved here from Huntington Beach, CA (where he’s from) in Jan of this year and we miss it!

How many children do you have and what are their ages?

- One, his name is Luke. He is 14 months old.

How/when did you find twinkie tush?

- I found twinkie tush when I bought one used on a cloth diaper swap in April of this year. I used it, fell in love, and I haven't looked back :)

What is your favorite twinkie tush print of all time?

- Jonathan <3

Do you have an ultimate ISO print?

- I currently have several that I absolutely love and I CAN’T choose just one!  All Harry Potter diapers, Simeon, Milo, Santa Monica Pier, and Throwback :)

Milo

Santa Monica Pier

Simeon

Throwback

What is your favorite personal non-parenting related, non-work related hobby?

- Sewing, hiking in Sequoia Nat’l Park with my family, and yoga.

What makes you feel most inspired or grounded?  How do you take care of yourself and your spirit?

- I’d have to say my family and my dogs.  Spending time with them and making memories is the absolute best thing in the world to me.  Having family get togethers and enjoying their company simply fills me with happiness and peace.  Also, I absolutely love classical Christmas music.  I know, it sounds very odd, but it is something that completely relaxes me no matter how stressed out I am, I have no clue why.

What is your favorite activity to do with Luke?

- My absolute favorite activity to do with Luke is play/story time every evening before bedtime.  I sit in our reading spot in his room and read to him for about 30 minutes while he plays with his toys.  He’ll come sit in my lap and start to read the stories in his own way by turning the pages, pointing at the pictures, and babbling.  That one on one time that I spend with him is very precious to me and it’s my favorite part of the day <3

What is/was your favorite place to visit?

- My favorite place to visit is Grass Lake, Michigan.  I don’t go very often, but I love visiting my family, spending time on the lake, fishing, and sitting around the campfire sharing old family stories.

What is your favorite book?  What about your favorite movie?

- My favorite book(s) are all of the Harry Potter books.  My favorite movie(s) are the Harry Potter movies, I’m a bit of a nerd :p So much so that my 3 dogs are named after characters in the stories; Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Andromeda.

What is something surprising about you, that people might not guess upon meeting you?

- I love girly activities such as shopping and mani/pedis, but I also really love snorkeling, skydiving, hiking in the giant redwoods, kayaking, camping, and especially shooting guns.

What twinkie tush attribute and/or philosophy do you most appreciate?

- I love everything about twinkie tush!  I love that it is a family owned business and that the products are made with quality materials. One thing that is extremely important to me when purchasing from a company is their customer service.  I love the fact that twinkie tush has AMAZING customer service.  The personal touches are so appreciated!  

What would you tell someone who has yet to try a twinkie tush diaper?

- Buy one straight away!  They’re absolutely amazing cloth diapers and they’re so worth the money!  I love how squishy soft the diapers are and how they hold up to my heavy wetter.  The TTNN’s are the only diapers that my boy hasn’t soaked through at night after 8 months of wet sheets in the morning. TT simply makes superb products, I can’t promote the brand enough <3

Tell us your funniest cloth-diapering or parenting story!

-  My funniest cloth-diapering story is when Luke was about 2 weeks old.  It was about 6 a.m. and Nathan decided to change Luke while I slept a little, since I was up nursing Luke all night.  We were using prefolds and covers and it was Nathan’s 2nd time ever changing a diaper.  While he was changing the diaper, Luke started peeing all over the room.  Instead of covering up Luke’s boy parts, Nathan just ran to the other side of the room freaking out about how he was peed on.  He walked back to clean up the mess and to finish changing Luke, but then I heard a terrible sound and gagging…and Nathan ran to the other side of the room...again.   He didn’t get the diaper on Luke in time and our precious little baby had a huge, yucky newborn accident EVERYWHERE.  Boy was I mad at the time, but we laugh about that story now.  It’s so funny to think about a grown man running away screaming because he was peed/pooped on! Men are supposed to be fearless, right?! Haha...

Tell us about one of the most meaningful parenting experiences you have had.

- Luke’s birth, nothing can top it.  I had a fairly uncomplicated pregnancy, besides A LOT of false alarms.  Thankfully they were false, but it caused a lot of stress.  I went into labor at 42 weeks and 1 day while I was in the hospital having NST’s on July 23rd.  While doing practice pushes, Luke’s heart rate dropped from 150 to 40. I was absolutely terrified that he would get stuck and I wouldn’t get him out in time.  Thankfully, I got him out in 4 pushes at 2:10 a.m. on July 24, 2012 and he was absolutely perfect.  That cry was the best sound I’ve ever heard.  I had never felt so accomplished and relieved, but I have also never felt the joy that I felt when I got to hold him for the first time.