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.

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?

The top portion of the dress and some of the skirt is from the pillow case.

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.

My life so far

Hi, my name is Sachiko. "Sachiko" means "Happy child" or " Blessed one" in Japanese. Growing up, I didn't like my name at all. It was a very common name and I didn't think the name fit me very well. I was born with a disorder(actually, three rare conditions)and because of that I had my leg amputated at age two. Since this was not curable, I was in and out of the hospital all the time. My family was disfunctional too. After high school I started working to save up money for collage, then, my condition got worse, so I had to quit my job. That was a very dark time for me. I had no idea how I was going to support myself or how my life would turn out, and again I thought how ironic my name sounded.

I am sorry to write such a personal and heavy stuff, but there is a point to this.
It has been many years since I felt so sad and scared. Now I am married to the man of my dreams; I don't know what I did right to deserve him. We have three beautiful children who make my life so busy and full. I am doing what I love to do which is designing and sewing. I have been blessed with a wonderful extended family and friends!

Recently, I thought about my name and realized the true meaning of my name. Yes I had rough patches in my life growing up, but because of that, I am where I am now. I can appreciate more what I have been blessed with and share that with people around me. When I forget about my own hardships and try to make others happy, I ended up being happier.

I could not shake this thought of mine for a few days now; I just wanted to tell you who are so nice enough to take time to read my blog that "everything is going to be ok." If there is someone who is worried or sad and you feel like your rough patch of life is never going to end, I just want to say that you never know what kind of great blessing are in store for you unless you just hang in there and keep trying.
My life so far, is a great ride. When I look back at everything, both the ups and downs, I am happy and I can honestly say I am truly blessed in life.







These wonderful pictures were taken by our good friend and rising photographer Michelle Kemp over at Rusty Bucket Photography.

Quilt and Christmas Decorations

As a quilter I was slacking the last few years. My I used to compete several quilts a year. Now I've had to slow down on quilting to make room for other projects. This year I completed 1 quilt and this quilt top, which I love. A good friend of mine gave me the pattern of this quilt as a gift. I wanted to make this quilt so bad that I stretched 24 hous a day to 27 hours a day. Now I'm thinking about how I should quilt this top.

I love fabrics! When I see beautiful fabrics my heart dances and starts wondering "What can I do with this?" I don't think I'll ever stop making quilts.

Hopefully when I'm like 80 years old, I'll still be quilting.

I'm not big on holiday decorations but every now and then I'll see something that I like and add it to my collectiion. Here are some Christmas decorations around my house.


I love snowglobes. I think there is a magical feel to them. I was looking for the perfect snowglobe for my home; when I saw this one, I knew this was it. It's not too flashy or too modern for my taste. Just right. The white color is peaceful and a little bit dreamy.



I found this Santa Claus at a local gift shop a few years ago. There were white ones and red ones. It took me a long time to decide which one I should take home, because I liked them both.



This is the chandelier above our dining table. Every year I dress it up with garland and mistle toe and silver ribbon. I love the warm feeling this light provides. I even love looking at the beautiful pattern on the ceiling.



The last one is something I made last year. I bought a styrofoam cone and lots of mint candies and candy canes at the dollar store and used a glue gun to make this decoration. I started from the bottom and worked my way up. It was such a fun and easy project to do and one of the most beloved Christmas decoration by my kids. In fact, they love it so much that every now and then I see evidence of someone touching and attempts to remove the candies. If you are thinking of making some decorations I highly recommend this one. In our household, kids are counting the days til Christmas and that is what makes me happy and makes me enjoy this holiday season the even more.

Christopher's Day

Today was a special day for my family. My oldest son, Christopher, was baptized today. We had talked to him about this for the last little while. He had been preparing himself for this day. Christopher had picked out the songs and who would say the opening and closing prayers.

The first song that he had picked was "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". Each word came so strong to me. Here are the words to the first verse of this wonderful song.

"If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do? Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true? Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?"

I was not prepared for the emotions that I would feel. I could not hold back the tears. I was thinking about the day he was born and how small he was and how it is our responsibility to teach him and raise him in the Gospel. The song he picked today taught me we can all ask these questions to ourselves daily. We can reach higher and live better each day. He definately was a good example to his younger siblings too.

Christopher looked so handsome and mature in his new suite.

---

One more thing. A couple of nights ago while Aaron and I were working in our hobby room, Christopher came in and after a short while and out of the blue said, "So and so said that I'm the smallest person in the class." You can't sugar-coat the truth, he is the smallest one in his class. So, I said, "Yeah, you are the smallest, but you are the cutest."

He smiled a little and then Aaron turned around and said, "The next time so and so tells you that you are the smallest, you tell him; great things come in small packages." He started laughing so hard. We all laughed. As he was leaving the room, he was practicing Aaron's comeback so that he wouldn't forget. He seemed almost excited about it, like he couldn't wait for someone to tell him he was the smallest.

That's what I love about Aaron. He has a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. What would I do without him. Even on the toughest days he manages to make me laugh. Yes, I'm bragging, but I have an awesome husband!

Yes it is official!!

Aaron does not like listening to Christmas songs or watching Christmas movies and of course decorating the house for Christmas 'till Thanksgiving is over. I don't really care, so I decided to respect his opinion this time like every good wife would do. I waited to do all those things until the 28th, the day after Thanksgiving. While the boys and I decorated the tree, we were listning to Christmas songs. We were smiling and humming (eventhough Michael had a tonsilectomy the day before Thanksgiving, he was so happy to be able to decorate the tree; he loved helping so much!)

It is already December and official that Christmas is near!! I just love this season. Here are the list of things I love about the Christmas season.

1. Christmas music. My favorites are Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Enya, and Frank Sinatra
2. Christmas movies. Every year I watch "While You Were Sleeping". That is my ultimate favorite movie. I also like "It's a Wonderful life". Some of my friends suggested that I watch "white Christmas" so that might become my favorite too!
3. Going to see the lights at Temple Square with hot chocolate and doughnuts! Sure I get cold but I can not stop smiling when I am there, lots of happy memories.
4. Wrapping Christmas gifts. It is exciting to imagine how the kids will be when they open up their presants. It makes me feel so appriciative to know that we will be able to do it.
5. I think more people are so nice and very generous towards one another. It is simply nice to know that people still care.
6. I am not going to lie.... yes some receiving is also exciting. Thanks honey!
7. I got baptized on Christmas day. I think more about our Savior, Jesus Christ in the month of December. I feel so blessed and grateful to know about the Gospel.

To make the cold nights a little bit warmer for movie watching, I made flannel pajama bottoms for the kids! (Old Navy made the tops) They were so excited.








I love December!!