#ManateesforMegan, When cloth diaper dreams become a reality!
Just prior to attending MommyCon Chicago I found out that Megan Krecsmar, the mama who inspired two popular manatee cloth diaper & accessory prints, was going to be there! I knew we had to meet, for the sake of cloth diaper news and because she’s just been so sweet and funny online and I’m a huge manatee fan myself. We messaged a bit on Facebook, grabbed a photo together in Chicago and I sent over some fun interview questions for her because I know you and I both are wondering HOW on earth did she manage to have her dream cloth diaper print become a reality!?
The following is a bit about Megan and her answers to some of my questions!
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m a stay at home mom of 6. I started cloth diapering when my 3rd was 18 months and wish I had started with my first!
I’m a stay at home mom of 6. I started cloth diapering when my 3rd was 18 months and wish I had started with my first!
Why are you so fond of manatees?
I’ve loved manatees since 5th grade when I did a report on them. I find them adorable. I love that they are gentle giants. They are vegetarian and have no predators. They just live and let live.
I’ve loved manatees since 5th grade when I did a report on them. I find them adorable. I love that they are gentle giants. They are vegetarian and have no predators. They just live and let live.
Many of us saw your regular posts and memes jokingly requesting a manatee print any chance you got. At what point did you realize it may be an actual possibility and that your dream of a manatee print may become a reality?
After Abby’s Lane released the Manatee Amity Smart Bottoms wetbags I jokingly posted that I was going to leave groups because I had hit my peak and I should leave in a blaze of glory. Van Jensen (from Lil Tulips) commented “Wait for it.” But I thought he must have just been being silly. Then around Christmas I posted a manatee pic with “All I want for Christmas is my own adventure.” (All Lil Tulip exclusives end with “Adventure.”) Van commented “What should we name it?” And that’s when I thought it might really actually happen.
After Abby’s Lane released the Manatee Amity Smart Bottoms wetbags I jokingly posted that I was going to leave groups because I had hit my peak and I should leave in a blaze of glory. Van Jensen (from Lil Tulips) commented “Wait for it.” But I thought he must have just been being silly. Then around Christmas I posted a manatee pic with “All I want for Christmas is my own adventure.” (All Lil Tulip exclusives end with “Adventure.”) Van commented “What should we name it?” And that’s when I thought it might really actually happen.
Can you tell us a little about how it all went down when you found out there would be a manatee print? Did the store contact you in advance? Did you help choose the print, etc?
I found out along with everyone else! I had nothing to do with the print whatsoever but they nailed it. It’s pretty much exactly how I pictured my manatee dream print.
I found out along with everyone else! I had nothing to do with the print whatsoever but they nailed it. It’s pretty much exactly how I pictured my manatee dream print.
There seemed to be a little drama surrounding the print and #manateesformegan campaign. What was that all about?
I honestly don’t remember how #manateesformegan began. But I do know that, for whatever reason, people took to it. I don’t know if it was the relatively obscure animal, the silliness and positivity of the memes and posts, or a combination. Most of the feedback was positive. The posts would get hundreds of likes and dozens of comments. That’s why I continued, people would share that the manatees were a bright spot in their day. That meant something to me. It made me happy to know that something I did made someone smile. Then other members started posting their own manatee pictures and products that they owned and found. It was a fun way to connect. Never in a million years did I think that one major store would make wetbags and another major store would make an entire collection. It was just a goofy way to bring some fun to groups. But there was a group of ladies that didn’t find the humor it in. Some of which voiced their frustration with the sheer volume of manatee related posts and comments. They didn’t think it was fair that out of all the moms sharing their dream prints that mine happened and was named after me. Now, many, many people’s dream prints have been released. I think manatees just happened to be first.
I honestly don’t remember how #manateesformegan began. But I do know that, for whatever reason, people took to it. I don’t know if it was the relatively obscure animal, the silliness and positivity of the memes and posts, or a combination. Most of the feedback was positive. The posts would get hundreds of likes and dozens of comments. That’s why I continued, people would share that the manatees were a bright spot in their day. That meant something to me. It made me happy to know that something I did made someone smile. Then other members started posting their own manatee pictures and products that they owned and found. It was a fun way to connect. Never in a million years did I think that one major store would make wetbags and another major store would make an entire collection. It was just a goofy way to bring some fun to groups. But there was a group of ladies that didn’t find the humor it in. Some of which voiced their frustration with the sheer volume of manatee related posts and comments. They didn’t think it was fair that out of all the moms sharing their dream prints that mine happened and was named after me. Now, many, many people’s dream prints have been released. I think manatees just happened to be first.
Now that you’re cloth diaper famous, has life changed at all?
Well, I’ve tried to name drop myself to get free meals from restaurants and perks from big box stores but no one has heard of me. I kid, I kid. The only real difference is people asked for selfies at MommyCon. And that was pretty cool.
Well, I’ve tried to name drop myself to get free meals from restaurants and perks from big box stores but no one has heard of me. I kid, I kid. The only real difference is people asked for selfies at MommyCon. And that was pretty cool.
Did you tell your local friends and family about Krecsmar Adventure? What was their reaction to it?
Oh, I told everybody about it. Multiple times. This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened in my life so I had to make sure people knew. They thought it was cool but they didn’t really understand how big of a deal it was.
Oh, I told everybody about it. Multiple times. This is the biggest thing that’s ever happened in my life so I had to make sure people knew. They thought it was cool but they didn’t really understand how big of a deal it was.
IF you had your choice of another print, what would your next dream #_______formegan print be? do you plan to rally for it like you did for the manatee print?
I would love capybaras. Or bows and tiaras. But I feel like this was a once in a lifetime kind of thing.
I would love capybaras. Or bows and tiaras. But I feel like this was a once in a lifetime kind of thing.
Do you have any advice for anyone else who has a dream print they’d like to one day see become a reality?
My advice would be to be unique in your approach. Be positive, be clever and be in it for the fun of it not for the print.
My advice would be to be unique in your approach. Be positive, be clever and be in it for the fun of it not for the print.
So have you ever seen a manatee in person?
No! Isn’t that the saddest thing ever?
If not, are there any future plans to make that dream become a reality as well?
Oh, for sure. We’re going to FL. We haven’t been yet because I kept having babies and I didn’t want to travel with newborns. Now I’m that done I’m sure we’ll make the trip down. I really want to go to Crystal River. I think it’s one of the prettiest places to see them.
Those are about all the questions I had for Megan and I had so much fun reading her answers! If you had your cloth diaper dreams come true what print would you request? Comment letting me know! Have a Manatee Amity print or Krecsmar Adventure? Share your pics on my Facebook wall for all to see!
BIG thanks to Megan for letting me interview her and share her precious photos!
andee fischer says
I just love all the fun and camaraderie that spurred the #manateesformegan campaign. The prints were amazing, but Megan, with her humor and light heart made it a really fun phenomenon.
Aurora says
I would love a watercolor hummingbird
Chelsea Kinsey says
Im looking for the manatee cloth diaper could you help me!