I checked this site and saw that the CPSIA is on hold for a year so that it can be decided how this law should be implemented and enforced. This is a major victory. I want to thank all those that signed the petition and wrote their congressman. Our hard work has paid off. However we still need to gather more voices and keep moving forward. If we back off now, they may not change the law at all.
Again, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, to you all!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Meet Ashely
I have designed this purse for my dear friend, who recently had a birthday. She's been very supportive of my business and this blog!
I have several design ideas for purses so I decided to name this one "Ashely" so it would be easier to identify each one of the purses I make. I had so much fun making this purse. I have been learning and experimenting with my new sewing machine and being quit busy!
The other day I went to a quilt shop and picked out these new Moda fabrics. It's a little different than what I usually pick. But I love them.
They have kind of a retro feel to them. I decided on a design and cut them up to make a quilt. I also finished cutting a different set of fabrics for a valentine's quilt. I will post these when I finish piecing them. I'm still afraid to do machine quilting...
I have several design ideas for purses so I decided to name this one "Ashely" so it would be easier to identify each one of the purses I make. I had so much fun making this purse. I have been learning and experimenting with my new sewing machine and being quit busy!
The other day I went to a quilt shop and picked out these new Moda fabrics. It's a little different than what I usually pick. But I love them.
They have kind of a retro feel to them. I decided on a design and cut them up to make a quilt. I also finished cutting a different set of fabrics for a valentine's quilt. I will post these when I finish piecing them. I'm still afraid to do machine quilting...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My New Title
I already told this story to several of my friends. It was a good parenting experience and a funny story, so I decided to share this on my blog.
One day, I had brought up the clean clothes from the laundry room and sorted them out. One pile for my clothes, one pile for Aaron's, another for the boys', and one for Rachel. I took the boys' pile to their room. It is their job to put them away in the closet. On a whim, I opened their sock drawer to throw some clean socks in...
There were no socks!!! I mean none, nada, zip, zilch, zero, it was empty. I do the laundry just about every other day; there should be some there. This is not the first time that this has happened. I was so upset! The boys don't like to wear socks so they take them off and throw them or leave them everywhere. I bought lots of socks just before school started and they are not cheap. I have to put an end to this!
I called the boys and sent them out to hunt for their missing socks. They were everywhere, underneath the couch, behind doors, around the toilet, in the lego bin, in the car, and so on. They found several and we put them together, but there was still 10 socks missing.
As a mom, I always try to find the most effective way to teach and discipline them, whether it works or not. This time, I said, "I am going to take out $3 each from your allowance and replace the socks you've lost!" I was being generous, $6 is not enough to replace 10 pairs of socks. I figured $3 was a lot of money for them too. Since they could see how upset I was they did not argue but said, "OK".
A couple of days later, I took the $6 and bought socks. It was $1.25 each so I had 5 pairs of socks. When the kids came home, I showed them the price tag and explained what I had done. When they saw the socks and price, I could see their shoulders and heads slump and they let out a small sigh like they were thinking, "Oh, this crazy lady really did it."
I guess the discipline worked, they don't leave the socks all over the place anymore. I am many things, a wife, a mother, a quilter, a friend, and now my loving supportive husband gave me the title "Sock Nazi".
One day, I had brought up the clean clothes from the laundry room and sorted them out. One pile for my clothes, one pile for Aaron's, another for the boys', and one for Rachel. I took the boys' pile to their room. It is their job to put them away in the closet. On a whim, I opened their sock drawer to throw some clean socks in...
There were no socks!!! I mean none, nada, zip, zilch, zero, it was empty. I do the laundry just about every other day; there should be some there. This is not the first time that this has happened. I was so upset! The boys don't like to wear socks so they take them off and throw them or leave them everywhere. I bought lots of socks just before school started and they are not cheap. I have to put an end to this!
I called the boys and sent them out to hunt for their missing socks. They were everywhere, underneath the couch, behind doors, around the toilet, in the lego bin, in the car, and so on. They found several and we put them together, but there was still 10 socks missing.
As a mom, I always try to find the most effective way to teach and discipline them, whether it works or not. This time, I said, "I am going to take out $3 each from your allowance and replace the socks you've lost!" I was being generous, $6 is not enough to replace 10 pairs of socks. I figured $3 was a lot of money for them too. Since they could see how upset I was they did not argue but said, "OK".
A couple of days later, I took the $6 and bought socks. It was $1.25 each so I had 5 pairs of socks. When the kids came home, I showed them the price tag and explained what I had done. When they saw the socks and price, I could see their shoulders and heads slump and they let out a small sigh like they were thinking, "Oh, this crazy lady really did it."
I guess the discipline worked, they don't leave the socks all over the place anymore. I am many things, a wife, a mother, a quilter, a friend, and now my loving supportive husband gave me the title "Sock Nazi".
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My Love For Baskets
I don't know how and when it started, as long as I can remember I've always loved baskets. They are pretty, decorative, useful; I just love looking at them too. The baskets in the pictures are mostly from thrift stores and yard sales. This is not all of them that I have!
After I found about the CPSIA, I was pretty sad about the whole thing. I am still hoping that law will be amended.
I've decided I can do other things too. One of the things I'm thinking of doing is restoring and refurbishing those baskets and sell them on etsy! I blogged about some baskets that I fixed up way back in September 08.
The whole process is fun for me. Finding a basket is like a treasure hunt. Then thinking of its potential is exhilarating. Selling them is like finding a new home for them.
I know lots of my friends like yard sales, if you see something that I might like, give me a jingle!
After I found about the CPSIA, I was pretty sad about the whole thing. I am still hoping that law will be amended.
I've decided I can do other things too. One of the things I'm thinking of doing is restoring and refurbishing those baskets and sell them on etsy! I blogged about some baskets that I fixed up way back in September 08.
The whole process is fun for me. Finding a basket is like a treasure hunt. Then thinking of its potential is exhilarating. Selling them is like finding a new home for them.
I know lots of my friends like yard sales, if you see something that I might like, give me a jingle!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Update to CPSIA
The CPSC issued an update a few days ago. Here is the relevant part:
Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.
Here is the link for the full press release: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Small businesses are still affected and 1000's of self employed people and crafters will be put out of business. Hopefully we can all band together and help our representatives craft legislation that actually helps everyone.
Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.
Here is the link for the full press release: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Small businesses are still affected and 1000's of self employed people and crafters will be put out of business. Hopefully we can all band together and help our representatives craft legislation that actually helps everyone.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
CPSIA
You are probably wondering about the new icon I have to the right of my blog.
I just learned about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Let me give you a little history first. Back in 2007 there were a lot of product recalls because dangerous amounts of lead were found in the paint and plastics used to produce toys and childrens accessories. These items all came from China. In August of 2008 the government decided to expand its powers more and crafted CPSIA. This will go into effect February 10th 2009.
The CPSIA mainly effects small businesses, second hand stores, and crafters. We cannot sell anything for children under the age of 12 unless the product gets tested. The test fee is $175 for each component. That means, if I make a baby bow that has an aligator clip, beads, a flower, 2 different kinds of glue, ribbon, and thread; that is seven items, I have to pay $1,225 to get this one bow tested and approved. Currently I sell bows for $3 to $5. I have three choices, break the law and get fined or go to jail, sell the bows for $1230, or stop making bows. However, it doesn't stop there, toys, books, clothing, art, education supplies, materials for the learning disabled, bicycles, and more.
Second hand stores are adversly affected as well. Got some good used items that you were going to give to DI? Guess again, it could be illegal. If what you want to donate to charity is a toy your son or daughter played with just fine for the last few years, that too becomes illegal.
This is outrageous!!! This will adversly affect the economy. I'm trying to voice my opinion and get the law amended. Aaron has sent an email to Jason Chaffetz, our federal congressional representative, voicing his disdain for this bill and asking Jason to either have it amended or abolished. If you are interested in helping, please click on the new icon to the right and also contact Jason Chaffetz.
We can all make a difference.
I just learned about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Let me give you a little history first. Back in 2007 there were a lot of product recalls because dangerous amounts of lead were found in the paint and plastics used to produce toys and childrens accessories. These items all came from China. In August of 2008 the government decided to expand its powers more and crafted CPSIA. This will go into effect February 10th 2009.
The CPSIA mainly effects small businesses, second hand stores, and crafters. We cannot sell anything for children under the age of 12 unless the product gets tested. The test fee is $175 for each component. That means, if I make a baby bow that has an aligator clip, beads, a flower, 2 different kinds of glue, ribbon, and thread; that is seven items, I have to pay $1,225 to get this one bow tested and approved. Currently I sell bows for $3 to $5. I have three choices, break the law and get fined or go to jail, sell the bows for $1230, or stop making bows. However, it doesn't stop there, toys, books, clothing, art, education supplies, materials for the learning disabled, bicycles, and more.
Second hand stores are adversly affected as well. Got some good used items that you were going to give to DI? Guess again, it could be illegal. If what you want to donate to charity is a toy your son or daughter played with just fine for the last few years, that too becomes illegal.
This is outrageous!!! This will adversly affect the economy. I'm trying to voice my opinion and get the law amended. Aaron has sent an email to Jason Chaffetz, our federal congressional representative, voicing his disdain for this bill and asking Jason to either have it amended or abolished. If you are interested in helping, please click on the new icon to the right and also contact Jason Chaffetz.
We can all make a difference.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Second Hand New Dress
It's been a while since I've made Rachel a dress. A brand new looking flower print pillow case caught my eye at DI. I spent 3 dollars for it. It took me a while to decide what to do with it, but with that and my left over fabrics from other projects I decided to make Rachel a dress. I also made a matching Babushkah.
Rachel was quit happy when I finished making it for her. She wore it all day. It is so fun to see something transform from one thing to another. I still have left over fabric and I'm thinking about making either a small apron for a little girl or a small handbag. Anyone have an opinion?
Rachel was quit happy when I finished making it for her. She wore it all day. It is so fun to see something transform from one thing to another. I still have left over fabric and I'm thinking about making either a small apron for a little girl or a small handbag. Anyone have an opinion?
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The top portion of the dress and some of the skirt is from the pillow case. | |
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Monday, January 5, 2009
AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!
As a Christmas gift, Aaron gave me a new sewing machine. It's not just an ordinary sewing machine, this can also handle quilts. I've been sewing since two, according to my mother, and since my career began, I've never owned a sewing machine as awesome as this one! Aaron always has a way of showing how much he cares about my interest and how much he believes in my abilities. Thank you honey!
The instruction book is about a quarter inch thick written in a small font. This machine is computerized and that scares me to death. It is also a different brand that what I'm used to using. I feel like I need to learn how to sew all over again. I created another New Year's resolution: I want to master this new sewing machine!
I have several quilt tops that need to be quilted. The first ones that I want to machine quilt are for my boys. Here is a picture of one of them:
It's been several years since I've pieced them together. I have watched several winters go by and felt guilty for not completing the quilts. NO MORE!!! I resolve to have them finished! There, now that the cat is out of the bag, it's OK to ask me how they are doing. With any luck and a bit of elbow grease, I will finish.
The instruction book is about a quarter inch thick written in a small font. This machine is computerized and that scares me to death. It is also a different brand that what I'm used to using. I feel like I need to learn how to sew all over again. I created another New Year's resolution: I want to master this new sewing machine!
I have several quilt tops that need to be quilted. The first ones that I want to machine quilt are for my boys. Here is a picture of one of them:
It's been several years since I've pieced them together. I have watched several winters go by and felt guilty for not completing the quilts. NO MORE!!! I resolve to have them finished! There, now that the cat is out of the bag, it's OK to ask me how they are doing. With any luck and a bit of elbow grease, I will finish.
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