JAKOnappies and More

Winner!

2012-03-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Alicia Hall!

New Year - New Comp!

2012-01-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you Christopher Robin! I love this saying and want each and every one of you reading this to take it on board!

Seems like I have been looking at 770 odd fans for a long time! I would love to extend our wee JAKOnappies and More fanbase. So to encourage you all to get your friends to join and become part of our wee family I think a competition is in order!

Competition Details:

Want to win a $30 voucher to www.jakonappies.com??? Spend it on any product you like from our entire website.

How can you win? It's easy -

Entry 1:

Use the "Contact us" tab on our facebook page and send us your name, email and your favourite product from our site.

Entry 2:

Use the "Email Signup" tab on our facebook page to recieve our newsletter

Entry 3:

Post on your page with our facebook page tagged in (make sure it is public so I can see it) saying something similar too "I'm in to win $30 to spend at JAKOnappies and More. My favourite product is their Sourpuss Range."

Easy Peasy! Up to 3 entries per person!

This will be drawn at 850 fans!

Whilst you are browsing our site check out the awesome new Sourpuss Range that is in store, and our Women's wear preorder album open on Facebook.

We also have a large range of personalised embroidered clothing, and clothing individually crafted by myself here Nelson.

We have a large range of things available! And as always if you want something that isn't there just flick me a message!

Stay smiling

Prue

We have a winner!

2011-11-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations HAYLEY EDWARDS!

You have won our 650 fans draw. Please contact me on prue@jakonappies.com to claim:

- A onesie in your choice of size (Nb to 1 year) embroidered with your choice of words or pictures

- A towel with a name of your choice on it.

Is it a wet, raining, inside sort of day where you are? It sure is in Nelson!

Have a look on our website for some great art/activity recipes to keep your wee ones busy!

http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=121&zenid=f21c5b3a401dee720f9a5bd53a6c6f1f

For the month of November our first 15 orders from our website will get a free 15ml sample jar of Verite Spa Bum Bum Balm.

99% organic

To help treat and prevent nappy rash, with Rooibos and Calendula

Great for other rashes, stings and bites too!

Gentle for baby, and for anyone with skin conditions like eczema.

And just because I love this!

Blog Competition

2011-10-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

The competition for our facebook fans continues.

All you have to do is share us with your friends, tag any picture in the album http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150326176037044.371531.107287687043&type=3

What can you win?

- A onesie in your choice of size (Nb to 1 year) embroidered with your choice of words or pictures

- A towel with a name of your choice on it.

We will draw one lucky fan that has put their name on the pics, when we reach 650 fans on our facebook page!

More Sourpuss stock is heading it's way towards our shores and should be here in the next few days!

Check out our preorder album here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150300780117044.365511.107287687043&type=1 for mens and womens wear! Perfect Christmas presents, or something FABULOUS to wear for your Christmas Party.

Thanks for following us - make sure you have visited www.jakonappies.com and have signed up for our newsletter! We have some SUPER specials next month.

Thats all for now

Prue! =)

Competition and Chocolate!

2011-09-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!!

Well it must be time for a competition just for our Facebook fans mustn't it?

I would love to see us at 650 fans!

Share us with your friends, tag the pic labeled "blog competition", and you are in to win the following:

- A onesie in your choice of size (Nb to 1 year) embroidered with your choice of words or pictures

- A towel with a name of your choice on it.

Remember we have the $50 voucher to our website up for grabs as well - all you have to do is be a newsletter subscriber before 30th September! So go on over to www.jakonappies.com and set up an account with us.

If you're a fan of peanut butter and choc then you have to try these!!

Kinda like Reese's Cups but soooooooooo much better coz they're homemade!

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
250gram chocolate - I used my fave - whittakers madagascar chocolate.

Either baking paper or mini cupcake cups

(recipe also suggest 125g of a dark choc and 125g of a milk choc combined)

Mix peanut butter, icing sugar and vanilla together.
I used a fork coz it helped to smooth it all out, but you could get your hands in there, quite messy though!

Form balls of the mixture, bout a teaspoon for each one.

Melt your chocolate - bowl over boiled water in pot is good.

Using a spoon dip peanut butter balls in choc, move round gently to coat then place on your paper or in mini cups to set. Place in fridge for 20mins...EAT.

Try to leave it at one hahhaahah yea right!

Yumyum!

Springtime!

2011-09-05T01:09:00.000-07:00

Wow it is spring finally! My vegetable garden is taking shape (I am a lazy vegetable gardener over the winter), the beds are all weeded, the fruit trees are in blossom! I love sitting outside in the spring - you see so many changes happening daily outside.

A few things are changing on JAKOnappies and More too!

You will find me (Prue) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday mornings at Ecomoon Store, 561a Main Road Stoke, Nelson! I would love to meet you, do come in and see us. The most wonderful thing about Ecomoon is that it is a Mum selling Mum's products. You know the saying "mother knows best"? Between Keela and I we are parents to 4 children - have tried and used all the products, and can give you honest advice on the products.

Firstly a huge thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. It has provided me with some valuable feedback, what to change, and where to go! So look for some better photos of our products, hopefully a more "sensible" layout, new products and as always trying to source affordable NZ products for you.

If you haven't already we would really appreciate your feedback - we have a $20 voucher to JAKOnappies and More for you to win!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YWKLV8P

We also have a $50 voucher to JAKOnappies and More that we are giving away at the moment too! One lucky newsletter subscriber will win this voucher! All you need to do is be signed up to our newsletter service via our website before the 30th September 2011. Exsisting subscibers are in the draw!

Look our for more handcrafted Darncat Clothing Patterns for Kids - Jessie Junior tops being loaded on site. I will be looking for some summer materials also to do some summer variations of these.

Also our Sourpuss stock is continuing to grow in popularity! It is little wonder as it is a really fun, quality range. We have the whole catalogue available to order instore at Ecomoon Store, or just email me if you see something you would like! Free shipping on all preorders

Something for mums - http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_101

Something for Dad - http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_102

Something for baby's and kids http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_100

And something for everyone else! http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=98_99

Remember there is 25% off Sourpuss range in stock on the website currently! Only valid until this Friday 9th September!

Please tell me what you want to see as we change our site to be more of what you want! Do you want to see wooden toys, more clothing, more skincare? Please comment below and let me know.

That is all for now! Stay safe and well.

Prue

Competition time - Celebrating having Sourpuss Clothing!!!

2011-07-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

We are so excited our Sourpuss Clothing range of socks, belts, hats and nappy bags are finally in the country and in my hot little hands!!! Hopefully this is the first of many orders with them.

To celebrate this we are offering our loyal facebook fans the chance to win their favourite pair in infant size.

How to win:

"Like" our page on Facebook
Tag yourself in the picture of your favourite pair in the album "Celebrating Sourpuss Clothing being available Online"
Send me your name and contact email via our Contact Us tab on the facebook page with "sourpuss" as the subject line.
Closes 31st July 2011
All entries will be in and drawn via random.org.

Thanks so much for all your support of us!!!

My goodness it's July!!!!

2011-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is July?! How did that happen? We are 5 weeks out from the Nelson Parent and Child Expo I am helping to organise with my good friend Keela on the 13th August, and my baby is 1 the next day!!!! I must be getting old..................

DarnCat Clothing Patterns!

Super excited to say we have the cottage license to reproduce and sell clothing from the awsome DarnCat Clothing Patterns - Jessie Junior Top Plus.

Why did I look at the pattern? I have some BIG headed kids! I mean that in the most loving way possible, but have always struggled since my eldest (now 8 sob) was 6 months old to get clothing that didn't have a button or zip down the front to fit over his head. This continued with Mr 4 and now Miss 10months. I LOVED that this pattern is a crossover style in the neckline, especially with a hood, that it would fit my kids!

This is a new license so we will be slowly adding more, and playing with styles a bit, but expect to see more hooded dresses, hoodies, sweatshirts and sleeveless hoods coming!

(www.darncat.com)

Verite Bebe Range:

Again SUPER DOOPER excited to say we now stock and sell this range of wonderful products.

Verite Spa create handmade organic bath, body and baby products using only
one hundred percent natural and organic ingredients and made with love
and care for their customers and the environment.

100% organic and natural and free from toxic chemicals and hardsh preservatives.

No Parabens

No synthetic fragrances, colourants or dyes

No Sulphates

No Petrochemicals

No mineral oils

All products are suitable for vegans

Made in New Zealand.

I have used the Hair and Body Wash on Nikola. I am so pleased to announce that it is lovely. The poor girl was blessed with her mothers skin - think react to most shampoos, make up and soap powders - and had rashed to a few products we had tried. This was lovely to use, it had a good "feel", smelt devine and best of all she hasn't had any sort of reaction to it at all!

EXCITING CHANGES AT HOME!

Thanks to Mr JAKOnappies we are well on the way to having a new sewing room/display room/office!

This will be a huge difference for us all here. No more kitchen table and master bedroom being covered in threads and patterns!

Well that is it for me.

Stay safe, stay warm!

Prue =)

Trying to remove chemicals in the home

2011-06-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well we are a family of chicken pox in my house at the moment. The big two have had it, and the inevitable happened - Miss 10months is a spotty wot.

This got me thinking about all the natural alternatives that are out there - Rhus Tox (thanks to a friend for sharing this with me), oatmeal in a stocking in a bath, and aloe vera to take out the itch. Something I have learned is the Calamine lotion is no longer recommended as it can increase scars!

I try to use alternative cleaning products in my household, and do a lot of cleaning with good old white vinegar and baking soda, or salt.

Here are some more "home remedies" that I thought I would share:

A chesty rub:

Eucalyptus oil
Tea Tree oil
Almond Oil

Mix 10 drops of essential oils to 1 Tablespoon of alamond oil. Massage into upper chest and back for a soothing rub or place 3 drops on a tissue and inhale to help clear sinuses.

Germ Fighter Spray

Antiseptic , germ-fighting spray to use on cuts and scrapes - also a great room freshener.

12 drops tea tree oil
6 drops eucalyptus oil
6 drops lemon oil
60mls distilled water

Combine all the ingredients together and pout into a spray bottle. Shake gently before use.

Headlice
Teatree oil is a powerful antiseptic that i very effective.

10 drops tea tree oil
60mls olive oil or almond oil
Vinegar
Warm water.

Mix the oils together. Then coat hair all over with the mixture and leave for 2 - 3 hours. Then comb lice and nits out with a comb dipped in warm water and vinegar (vinegar dissolves the glue that hold the eggs to the hair shaft and makes for easier combing.)
Wash hair with normal shampoo to remove the oil.

Citronella, lavender or rosemary oil can be used in place of tea tree oil.

Flea oil for dogs:
This is used to help dogs bothered by fleas and they have irritated skin. It calms teh skin, h elps it heal and works almost immediately.

50ml Wheatgerm oil
3 drops lemon, orange and citronella essential oils.

Mix together and massage into the skin. Don't use this on cats!

Make your own handsoap!

1 bar of standard soap
Boiling water
Essential oil of choice
Almond oil or wheatgerm oil
2 ice cream containers.

Grate the bar of soap into fine shards. Place 1/2 the soap shards into one ice cream container, the other 1/2 into the other.
Mix a few drops of your choice of oil with 1 tablespoon of the carrier oil. Place 1/2 into each container.
Fill each ice cream container with boiling water. Place on lid and leave overnight.
In morning stir and decant into containters for use.

I will share some more later - Missy needs me. But I must give the standard quick warning that some people are sensitive to essential oils, and some are contradicted by certain conditions (pregnancy for one) and medications. Please always check if you are unsure.

All products used are available on JAKOnappies and more http://jakonappies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=49_51. I have them listed under the Laundry as I use a few drops in my nappy bucket to combat smell, and a few drops on my soapnut washbag to add scent to my laundry.

Going that extra mile

2011-06-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

It wasn't that long ago, that come the cooler winter months, parents were knitting wooly warmers for their kids, and letting the seams out on the kids clothes to make them last that extra bit longer!

In this disposable/replacement age we seem to have let this go to the wayside. Our kids grow out of their clothes and we seem to just get rid of them (some do end up in op-shops AWESOME place to get your kindy clothes!) and buy more new clothes.

My "poor" children end up with reused items all the time. When there jeans become 3/4 pants - overnight it seems - they end up being made into shorts and put in the draw until summer. I am lucky having skinny beanpoles so they always seem to grow out of length long before the waist is too small.

This has led me to look in my wardrobe, lots of my clothes are still in perfect condition but the knees are ripped or similar. So I started to make upcycle childrens wear for the website. This is beginning to grow in popularity I am so pleased to say. The clothes are original - being made from different clothing articles - so unique in each creation, and are upcycled quality clothing that perhaps may have been heading for the rag bag with a broken zipper! As these have become more popular I have been visiting the local Red Cross store so in buying these items you are also supporting a valuable charity in our community. I am also having people send me there old jeans and other clothes and asking to upcycle them into creations for their kids! I love doing this!!!

So give this a go in your household, see what can be reused and upcycled into some funky new creations for your children.

The other thing I love doing is knitting! I am a shocker for following a pattern so again these tend to evolve as I knit along! Just finished this dress in a beautiful 95% wool 5% cashmere.

If you don't know how to knit - have a look on you tube or similar there are so many tutorials out there! I was blessed with a very patient Nana who taught me to crochet and knit. Must admit it went to the wayside, but since becoming a mother again I have really enjoyed doing it again.

Right the sun has appeared in Nelson finally - so will get the last of my nappies out in the sunshine.

So until I have some more random wandering thoughts - have a good one and I hope you are enjoying what is left of your Sunday!

Winter Warmers

2011-06-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Well it is winter - been hiding my head and refusing to believe it, but it just seems to be the way - Queens Birthday Weekend equals cold and rain!

Got me thinking on our page - what is your favourite family recipes for cold winter comfort nights?

It is always a wee bit difficult around our house - I am a vegetarian, but everyone else eats meat. So some nights it is cooking a few different meals. Thought I would share what is on the menu tonight.

Beef Stroganoff:

3-350g blade/chuck/gravy steak cut into cubes
1 onion finely sliced
1 clove garlic crushed
30 g butter
1 T oil
1/2 t paprika
1 t mustard
2 T tomato sauce
2 T flour
150g mushrooms sliced
1 cup beef or chicken stock (or even water)
Salt and Pepper
1 T chopped parsley
1/2 cup sour cream.

Put oil in fry pan. Add beef and cook for 2 mins, then add onion and garlic. Cook until meat has some colour on it and onions have gone transparent.
Add butter to pan, melt, then sprinkle in flour. Stir to coat pan. Add in stock and mix until you have made a gravy. Add paprika, mustard, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Mix in. Add mushrooms and stir through. Cook for 5 minutes.
Pour entire contents in a casserole dish and cook in oven for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours at 150C until meat is tender.
Just prior to serving mix in parsley and sour cream.

Needless to say I aren't having this! Lovely warm vege and barley soup for me. Also have a loaf of bread about to finish.

Hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

Slowly does it!

2011-06-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am sure most of you that also try to juggle working at home and children have days when it just doesn't work! Well this week has been a bit like that. Mister 4 has had the chicken pox and Miss 9 months doesn't want to sleep in the day anymore. But a lovely thing has happened whilst we have had Mister 4 home from preschool in the mornings - he and his sister have decided to be best little buddies, and I have had a "how cute" mummy moment.

So not alot of work has been completed - try as I may. I have heaps of Designer Merino Cot shoes cut out, and my hope is to get a minute today to try and finish some off and get them uploaded! Wish me luck.

Well that is all for now from me. I hope you all have a safe and relaxing Queens Birthday weekend.

=) Prue

Morning

2011-05-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

Morning everyone! Well this is a new thing for me - I am finally joining the world of blogging!

Thought this would be a great way to share who the "face behind" JAKOnappies and More is, and to share my family with all you wonderful people that support me!

We are on facebook. Go and check us out and follow us there - great specials are offered for Facebook fans all the time http://www.facebook.com/pages/JAKOnappies-and-More/107287687043?ref=ts

So who am I? I am Prue, grew up in small town Southbridge, Christchurch, NZ. I have spent time living in the USA, and are a frequent visitor across the ditch to my family (where I have just gotten my very first NEPHEW!!!). I moved to Nelson, NZ in 2002 with my husband, and we are in the middle of renovating our first home - got to love my talented and capable hubby!

JAKOnappies came about as I wanted to give Modern Cloth nappies a go but was put off by some very high set up costs, so decided to give making them myself a go! As you can see we have grown from there.

I have also been a survivor of Post Natal Depression (I think the biggest thing we can do is speak about this!) after the birth of my second son. I found creating items for him, and the outlet of the sewing a really good thing for me, so also that was how the range of items grew.

That is a quick update from me!

We are also proudly organising the Nelson Parent and Child Expo 2011 with my good friend Keela of Ecomoon. Go and check out the details - but no doubt I will have more to talk about that later as well!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/JAKOnappies-and-More/107287687043?ref=ts#!/pages/Nelson-Parent-and-Child-Expo-2011/190207347665226