So I have an issue with tons of clutter on the fridge (one of my many quirks) and I was looking for a better way to display little hands' art work because I love having it on display. I went to the store looking for a cork board and discovered they're surprisingly pricey. However, I found a very inexpensive alternative in these cork squares. I got 4 squares for $5 (love that) and stuck them to the wall. Then I can proudly display masterpieces with push pins (safely out of tiny hands' reach). My only caution is that the adhesive tabs included with the cork are not strong enough to actually hold them on the wall so I used some foam adhesive tape I already had that is much stronger. All in all, I'm thrilled with the simple, sweet result.
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Friday, January 30, 2009
handmade art gallery
So I have an issue with tons of clutter on the fridge (one of my many quirks) and I was looking for a better way to display little hands' art work because I love having it on display. I went to the store looking for a cork board and discovered they're surprisingly pricey. However, I found a very inexpensive alternative in these cork squares. I got 4 squares for $5 (love that) and stuck them to the wall. Then I can proudly display masterpieces with push pins (safely out of tiny hands' reach). My only caution is that the adhesive tabs included with the cork are not strong enough to actually hold them on the wall so I used some foam adhesive tape I already had that is much stronger. All in all, I'm thrilled with the simple, sweet result.
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
how we can help!
Here's how we can voice our concerns regarding the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. Check out http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help for a great letter template and very easy links to congress and senate contacts. It took me only a few minutes to contact our congressman and senators. And here's the Handmade Toy Alliance homepage with lots of great information. Thanks!
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something so cute for crumbs and milk spills
This was such a quick project! Start to finish during naptime, using fabric and clear contact paper, both of which I already had laying around (love when that happens). I got the idea here (very sweet Australian crafting blog). But I'm not fond of bias tape or binding (simply because I'm not any good with it yet!) so I just folded the edges over twice and used a decorative stitch in a contrasting color. I also didn't use a backing fabric because I just wanted to do a quick trial.I did have trouble getting the contact paper to really fuse to the fabric, but I think I was just being too cautious with the iron and used a protective fabric that was too thick between the iron and laminate. My finished dimensions are too small for a real-life toddler, but little ones aren't too picky (heehee). Here are close-ups of the stitch and the wipe-down surface provided by the clear contact paper.
Once I perfect this, I think it would make a great personalized kid's birthday gift.
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
how can we save handmade goods?
Please read through the whole post below. I am very concerned about safety for our children, but this seems ridiculous and short-sighted to me. Now I have to find out who we can write to...will post on that later.
The following information is republished with permission from chichiboulie and Winklepots on Etsy:
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
Pin It
The following information is republished with permission from chichiboulie and Winklepots on Etsy:
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
Pin It
sweet little shopping bag
I love this little bag I just made based on this tutorial (http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0). The pattern is based on a plastic grocery bag. I think it's so great when something functional and "boring" can be used to create a unique, beautiful, handmade item. Even though I love sewing, there's a lot that I don't know. The bag is far from perfect but I thoroughly enjoyed making it and learned a couple things: how to do a french seam and how to make a clean curve from the inside out by snipping the seam allowance.
Tomorrow it goes in the mail to my sister because she is the first person I know who used a cloth shopping bag for all her purchases. She's so green-chic, and has been since before it was the cool thing to do. Love you Sis! Pin It
Monday, January 26, 2009
my cozy sewing machine
My latest sewing project was a cover (or as my Grandma would call it, a "cozy") for my sewing machine. I already had a perfectly good hard plastic cover and a decent clear vinyl cover. But why would I use those when I could make something pretty instead??The free pattern is here (http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/2008/07/25/sewing-machine-cozy/), and very easy to use. You'll come to learn that I lovelovelove free patterns online. So many creative folks out there who are generous enough to share their expertise and ideas with the rest of us aspiring seamstresses. Maybe I'll have something to share some day, too. Pin It
The Need To Create
I've recently had a revelation that I am a better person when I make the time to create. Whether it be sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, or just drooling over someone else's creative fruits, it makes me so happy.
So here is the record of my creative journey...jump on board. Pin It
So here is the record of my creative journey...jump on board. Pin It
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