Saturday, January 31, 2009
Good news... I guess
It looks like the CPSIA law has been delayed for a year. But I'm not a lawyer and frankly find the wording to be nebulous at best. So I guess this is good news. It's certainly not bad news anyway.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
An encouraging bit of news
This morning my dear husband received a call from Senator Kit Bond's office in regards to the letters we sent a couple weeks back about the CPSIA law about to go into effect (see the "Save Handmade" button on the sidebar). I missed the call and haven't called back yet, but I am very encouraged that the office is in fact taking this seriously and is apparently working on the side of our nation's small businesses. I'll report back after I've spoken with the aid!
Monday, January 19, 2009
A new hobby and a soft hat...
I've been meaning to re-learn knitting for several years now. It's gotten to the point where it's kind of embarrassing to admit that I can't knit very well. But, over the years I've learned that I really only enjoy things that are pleasing to touch and metal knitting needles and cheap yarn do not fall under those categories. I also like more instant gratification than knitting tends to provide but having kids is making me (more) patient. It also makes it almost impossible to sew with any regularity. All this to say, I picked up knitting again. And to honor the new hobby (and facilitate the take-it-with-you nature of the craft) I made myself a knitting bag.
I copied this bag from a friend's bag. She got hers from Africa (not sure where on that vast continent...) and I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. Which meant that I took it off her shoulder and measured it and took notes on it and plotted out how to sew it. Then I stuck the notes in my sewing cupboard and forgot about it. When I realized I needed a dedicated knitting bag it was the perfect excuse to try this pattern out. It was super easy and went together in 45 minutes (with me trying to figure it out as I went and nursing the baby, etc). I figure next time will take maybe a half hour. The fabric is a lovely but awkwardly sized scrap I got in a bag from freecycle. The button was in a grab bag of single buttons I got as a birthday gift. (sorry the picture's kinda dark... I lost my light)
And after all that talk about knitting, I've got a crocheted hat to share :) This is for Mr Man who was not too happy with his "itchy hat" (that was my childhood hat). It's just a basic blue & black beanie. He's asked for mittens and a scarf, too but we'll see since he's presently refusing to actually wear the hat. Maybe I'll knit him a scarf so I can learn how to switch yarns while knitting. The yarns are from my stash and from the store. Almost free :)
I copied this bag from a friend's bag. She got hers from Africa (not sure where on that vast continent...) and I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. Which meant that I took it off her shoulder and measured it and took notes on it and plotted out how to sew it. Then I stuck the notes in my sewing cupboard and forgot about it. When I realized I needed a dedicated knitting bag it was the perfect excuse to try this pattern out. It was super easy and went together in 45 minutes (with me trying to figure it out as I went and nursing the baby, etc). I figure next time will take maybe a half hour. The fabric is a lovely but awkwardly sized scrap I got in a bag from freecycle. The button was in a grab bag of single buttons I got as a birthday gift. (sorry the picture's kinda dark... I lost my light)
And after all that talk about knitting, I've got a crocheted hat to share :) This is for Mr Man who was not too happy with his "itchy hat" (that was my childhood hat). It's just a basic blue & black beanie. He's asked for mittens and a scarf, too but we'll see since he's presently refusing to actually wear the hat. Maybe I'll knit him a scarf so I can learn how to switch yarns while knitting. The yarns are from my stash and from the store. Almost free :)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The pledge...
I found this blog a while back and thought it would be fun to jump in. So I pledged for 6 months of no purchasing of new clothes (barring socks & undies) til June :) It should be fun. I need to overhaul my closet anyway so it holds only clothes that fit and flatter me!
And as long promised, I'm sharing the Christmas clothes I made for the kids. Mr Man got this Christmasy green shirt and spiffy slim pants. The patterns were from the Spring 2008 issue of Ottobre magazine. The material for the shirt was a stash buster using scraps from a sling made a couple years ago for a friend. The pants are reconstructed men's wool slacks. I felted them a bit first to cover up a couple moth holes and make them a little tougher- they looked super cute and I think felting the wool made them soft enough for 3 year old sensitive skin!
And what Christmas Eve would be complete without Christmas jammies? Both the kidlets got jammies out of this soft purple star flannel. The Mr Man picked out ladybug buttons for them both (big ones for him and little ones for the Little Bits). The material is another stash buster... I don't know why I had like 4 yards of this stuff, but it's fun and warm! Little Bits only got a shirt (not shown) since we EC at night and pants kinda interfere.
Little Bits outfit coordinated with Mr Man's with a nice cranberry...I couldn't resist! And actually, Mr Man collar is underlined with material from her shirt and her pinafore is faced with material from his shirt. The patterns for the pinafore and pants were also from the Spring 08 issue of Ottobre. The material for the pinafore is taken from a skirt from a vintage store's bag sale. This skirt had a waist band that fit my upper thigh (and I'm only a size 12... not that big, mmkay?). I've never met anyone who might have actually fit into this thing which is probably why it was in the bag sale pile! The shirt used to be a table runner and the velveteen for the pants was a stash buster scrap.
And as long promised, I'm sharing the Christmas clothes I made for the kids. Mr Man got this Christmasy green shirt and spiffy slim pants. The patterns were from the Spring 2008 issue of Ottobre magazine. The material for the shirt was a stash buster using scraps from a sling made a couple years ago for a friend. The pants are reconstructed men's wool slacks. I felted them a bit first to cover up a couple moth holes and make them a little tougher- they looked super cute and I think felting the wool made them soft enough for 3 year old sensitive skin!
And what Christmas Eve would be complete without Christmas jammies? Both the kidlets got jammies out of this soft purple star flannel. The Mr Man picked out ladybug buttons for them both (big ones for him and little ones for the Little Bits). The material is another stash buster... I don't know why I had like 4 yards of this stuff, but it's fun and warm! Little Bits only got a shirt (not shown) since we EC at night and pants kinda interfere.
Little Bits outfit coordinated with Mr Man's with a nice cranberry...I couldn't resist! And actually, Mr Man collar is underlined with material from her shirt and her pinafore is faced with material from his shirt. The patterns for the pinafore and pants were also from the Spring 08 issue of Ottobre. The material for the pinafore is taken from a skirt from a vintage store's bag sale. This skirt had a waist band that fit my upper thigh (and I'm only a size 12... not that big, mmkay?). I've never met anyone who might have actually fit into this thing which is probably why it was in the bag sale pile! The shirt used to be a table runner and the velveteen for the pants was a stash buster scrap.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Take Action!!!
OK, I never thought of myself as an activist but recently I have felt the need to do something, ANYTHING about some government policies. This one, I'm hoping many of you will feel the need to take some action in too. This one makes my blood boil (or as my 7th & 8th grade reading teacher used to say) it "boils my broccolli!"
Starting on February 10, 2009 a law (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) will go into effect requiring all products for children under 12 to be tested for lead and pthalate levels, effectively rendering all used and handmade children's items illegal. Unless, of course, they have submitted to hundreds or thousands of dollars in third party testing. Which is impossible for most thrift stores and small manufacturers/producers. This law, good in it's intentions, will have such a far reaching and crippling effect it's hard to get one's brain around it. Because it won't just affect the small & tiny work-at-home enterprises or thrifts but also the giant mega-companies who brought this down on us to begin with.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, put into place after the scares of the past year with imported goods and through the roof lead levels, has the potential to push this country completely over the edge into a financial depression. Let's look at this from the mega-company stand point. Even if they can afford the cost of the testing ($200-$4, 000 per item) and continue to produce goods the cost of those goods will be increased. And most companies will have to drop employees as well. The small and tiny enterprises will most likey close their doors and go out of business, losing all of their economic impact and creating more of a drain on the system. More people out of work, less purchasing being done throughout the chain of production. And, when all these folks who no longer have a source of income need to buy something for their kid, they are forced to buy it new, off the rack at an increased price. And that's just one trajectory of impact.
I find this law so unbelievably frustrating that I have a hard time being articulate about it. All I want to do is rant and rave about big government. But, there are a few things we can do. Firstly, spread the word. The more people know about this, the more people can take action and the mroe likely it is for changes to be made. Second, write to your congress person and your Senator. Send a letter for every voting member of your household. If you're really upset about this, then call them, too. This is a democracy, no matter how cynical I may feel, so let's make our voices heard.
For further information check out these links
LA Times article
Handmade Toy Alliance (they have a petition in their sidebar and some sample letters to send)
An overview of the law from a few months ago
National Bankruptcy Day more info on many aspects of how & who this will affect
Do a google search on the CPSIA law and see what you find!
Starting on February 10, 2009 a law (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) will go into effect requiring all products for children under 12 to be tested for lead and pthalate levels, effectively rendering all used and handmade children's items illegal. Unless, of course, they have submitted to hundreds or thousands of dollars in third party testing. Which is impossible for most thrift stores and small manufacturers/producers. This law, good in it's intentions, will have such a far reaching and crippling effect it's hard to get one's brain around it. Because it won't just affect the small & tiny work-at-home enterprises or thrifts but also the giant mega-companies who brought this down on us to begin with.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, put into place after the scares of the past year with imported goods and through the roof lead levels, has the potential to push this country completely over the edge into a financial depression. Let's look at this from the mega-company stand point. Even if they can afford the cost of the testing ($200-$4, 000 per item) and continue to produce goods the cost of those goods will be increased. And most companies will have to drop employees as well. The small and tiny enterprises will most likey close their doors and go out of business, losing all of their economic impact and creating more of a drain on the system. More people out of work, less purchasing being done throughout the chain of production. And, when all these folks who no longer have a source of income need to buy something for their kid, they are forced to buy it new, off the rack at an increased price. And that's just one trajectory of impact.
I find this law so unbelievably frustrating that I have a hard time being articulate about it. All I want to do is rant and rave about big government. But, there are a few things we can do. Firstly, spread the word. The more people know about this, the more people can take action and the mroe likely it is for changes to be made. Second, write to your congress person and your Senator. Send a letter for every voting member of your household. If you're really upset about this, then call them, too. This is a democracy, no matter how cynical I may feel, so let's make our voices heard.
For further information check out these links
LA Times article
Handmade Toy Alliance (they have a petition in their sidebar and some sample letters to send)
An overview of the law from a few months ago
National Bankruptcy Day more info on many aspects of how & who this will affect
Do a google search on the CPSIA law and see what you find!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New Shoe Love
I got my new shoes today. They're pretty sweet :) I was going to get the camera out and take some cute pictures but, I'm not that in love with them, lol! Maybe when I post all the pics of the sweet Christmas stuff I'm making, I'll post the shoes, too. For now, I'll leave you with links and you can drool. These Teva Nisha Hiking shoes in the brown & blue combo (I've had them on all afternoon and they are soooooo comfy!) for a sweet $ 20.99! And for many years I've been desiring a pair of strappy leather sandals for summer but the ones I like are always through the roof expensive and I can't quite do it. But these were a can't-pass-it-by $14.26. Anyway, thanks to Maria for the heads-up! It's been a long time since I splurged on shoes :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Free the Midwives!!!
As many of you know midwifery, as practiced by Certified Professional Midwives (CPM's), was legalized in the state of Missouri this year. This is wonderful and terrific news for women across the state who want to have more choices than are available to them in a hospital setting. Our own little baby was peacefully and gently born at home, caught by a dear midwife (who was outlawed at the time). Personally, the experience so completely outshone my previous experience in the hospital that I hope to only have homebirths from here on. But, the process of fighting the legal battle (hiring attorneys to combat the insurance and Doctor's group lobbyists who had the law overturned the first time around) has cost a pretty penny. And the bill is due now. If it's important to you that women have the right to make educated choices about where their babies are born and to legally act on those choices; or if you have had a homebirth with a midwife who risked seven years of imprisonment and a felony charge on her record to attend your birth, I'm asking you to make a small contribution towards paying off the legal fees. For instance, I'm giving up my coffee allowance for the month. It's a small but do-able sacrifice! Please consider how you can support this group of women.
Free the Midwives is a private, legal expenses fund for the purpose of raising money for Missouri Midwives as they defend their new law and profession in court. Follow the link to donate! And thanks for listening (I mean reading).
Free the Midwives is a private, legal expenses fund for the purpose of raising money for Missouri Midwives as they defend their new law and profession in court. Follow the link to donate! And thanks for listening (I mean reading).
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