Lil' Baby Thangs Baby Sewing Patterns, Knit Fabric and Notions

Cotton Knit Fabric Moving Sale

2012-02-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

I am selling everything at 25% off to raise the money for a down payment for my own place (home and shop).
I am trying to sell out to make the move easier too.
Everything in my shop has to go. All interlock knits, jersey knits, rib knit, velour, ribbing, ribbon, cording, elastic, baby bootie pattern, slipper gripper, etc.
Please help me accomplish this ASAP. I don't want to loose out on the place we found.
My shops are: Zibbet, ArtFire and Etsy. They all have the same items, but it costs less if you purchase through Zibbet and ArtFire or message me with what you'd like and I will invoice you directly. Use coupon code MOVINGSALE in any of my shops to get the 25% off.
If you want to purchase 10 or more yards of one fabric, let me know and I will offer you a bigger discount.
I plan to re-open in the fall with all new fabric choices.

Thank you all so very much,
Carolyn

Fabric of the day - Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

2012-01-18T18:11:00.002-07:00

Since I just received a new shipment of Ooga Booga Prints, I'll focus on them today. I carry the largest selection of Ooga Booga prints on the net and I'll assume anywhere else for that matter. Not that it matters at all :)

I have Ooga Booga Monster prints on both 100% cotton knit fabric and a few on 80/20 cotton/poly blend Velour stretch knit fabric.

These are the new prints on 100% cotton interlock knit fabric. They are both over 60 inches wide and over 10 oz. per yard.

GUMDROP Interlock Knit Fabric

FALLFEST Interlock Knit Fabric

Fabric of the Day

2011-12-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today's "Fabric of the Day" Focuses on Interlock Knit Fabric Prints for Boys.

Fabric in general, appears to be geared towards Girl's fashions.
With knit fabric being hard to find, it makes finding knit fabric prints for boys even harder.
I am not being gender biased, these prints can be used for either boys or girls, but they are geared towards boys.

These are just the Interlock knits I currently have available in my shop. Click on the pictures for more information.

Boats

VW Bugs

Retro Classic Cars

Beep Beep

Brown Ooga Booga

Golden Retrievers - FQ

Orange Ooga Booga

Happy Tools

Koi

Firehouse Pup

Football Pals

Frogs in Cars

Safari Buddies

Sleepy Time Bears

Zoo Animals

Monkey Dots

Purple Lime Ooga Booga

Skateboarders

Fabric of the Day

2011-12-09T16:20:00.001-07:00

100% Cotton Thermal Waffle Knit Fabric

These 100% cotton thermal knits are different weights and widths, so read the descriptions carefully before ordering.
I have 9 different prints available in pre-cut FQ's (fat quarters), by the Yard or any other length by request.
Click on the pictures for more information. They will open in a new window.

What is this fabric made from?

2011-12-08T09:04:00.001-07:00

How to Use "The Burn Test" to Identify Textile Fibers

The burn test is a simple, somewhat subjective test based onthe knowledge of how particular fibers burn. Be prepared to note the followingwhen testing your fibers:

• Do the fibers melt and/or burn?

• Do the fibers shrink from the flame?

• What type of odor do the fumes have?

• What is the characteristic(s) of any smoke?

• What does the residue of the burned fibers look like?

Test Procedures

The burn test is normally made on a small sample of yarns orthread which are twisted together. Since the fiber content of yarns used in onedirection of a fabric are not always made up of the same fibers used in theother direction, warp and filling yarns should be burned separately todetermine the entire fiber content of the fabric.

This test is very helpful in determining whether a fabric ismade from synthetic or natural fibers, but it is not foolproof and thecharacteristics observed during the burning test can be affected by severalthings. If the fabric /yarn contain blends of fibers, identification ofindividual fibers can be difficult. Two or three different kinds of fibersburned together in one yarn may also be difficult to distinguish. The odor andburning characteristics exhibited may be that of several fibers, thus makingyour results difficult to analyze. Finishes used on the fabric can also changethe observed characteristics.

• Pull a small sample of at least six to eight yarns fromyour fabric about 4 inches long, and twist them together into a bundle about1/8 inch in diameter. You can also use a small snippet of the fabric if youonly need to determine whether it is a synthetic or natural fiber fabric andyou are not seeking to determine the specific fiber(s) that make up the fabric.

• Hold one end of the bundle with tweezers over a sink or asheet of aluminum foil (about 10 to 12 inches square) to protect your workingarea. If the sample ignites it can be dropped into the sink or on the foilwithout damage.

Use either a candle or a match (automatic lighters workwell) as your flame.

PLEASE USE EXTREMECAUTION WHEN TESTING!

Some fibers are slow in igniting, but then burn quickly.Others can burn hot and produce a painful burn if caution is notmaintained.

Be extremely careful to keep your hair out of theflame.

Be very certain that you are not wearing flammable materialswhen testing.

Do not stand anywhere near any flammable materials.

Potential TestResults

Natural, Organic & Manmade Fibers

In general, if the ash is soft and the odor is of burninghair or paper, the fabric is a natural fiber. Cellulosic fibers (cotton, linenand rayon) burn rapidly with a yellow flame. When the flame is removed, thereis an afterglow, then soft gray ash.

http://www.pacificfabrics.com/media/uploads/2011/03/17/files/
The_Burn_Test_to_Identify_Textile_Fibers.pdf

My Zibbet Shop

2011-12-06T15:12:00.001-07:00

My Zibbet Shop

I was doing a comparison of the costs of doing business between my store front(s).

I quit having an eBay store front years ago when they changed what I was allowed to sell there. My digital sewing patterns were my main sellers and they no longer would allow digital products. The cost of selling there was high. I let my customers know that eBay was no longer an option and a sweet lady told me about Etsy.

I opened an Etsy Shop and it has been a great fit. But, the cost of doing business on Etsy is high, not as bad as eBay was, but still high.

I opened an ArtFire Studio down the line to expand my customer base and because the cost of doing business there is really low. I have a Pro account, it has been good for me, but the sales are few. I am not complaining, sales are sales and it more than pays for itself.

(I have tried other venues too and they have not paid for themselves. There are more popping up all over, but I will stick with these for now.)

Enter Zibbet.
It is still new to the market. It has a Free Basic sellers package as well as Paid. I am a Premium member.
Like ArtFire, it has a really low cost of doing business price.
I really like the look of my store front and its ease of use. The support staff are awesome and are available to personally answer questions, and fix any problems right away.
The Zibbet Shop owners are also friendly and helpful.
I would really like to drive all my Etsy business to my Zibbet shop. It would save me between $100 and $200 per month in fees alone, that I could put back into my shop inventory.

The prices in my Zibbet shop are lower than my Etsy shop because the cost of doing business is less.
I also know other Zibbet shop owners are in the same boat and sell for less in their Zibbet shops.

Shop Zibbet and save us both some hard earned money :) Zibbet promotes Handmade, Vintage, Fine Art and Supplies.

My shop carries Sewing Supples for preemies, babies and children.

http://www.zibbet.com/lilbabythangs

Oh, and please leave feedback in my shop after you get your order. I ship fast and I ship worldwide.

New Shipment of Cotton Knit Fabric

2011-12-02T10:09:00.001-07:00

Here are the new selections of Baby Rib Knits, in Baby and Children's (Juvenile) Prints. All are 100% Cotton.
Click on the pictures for more information. They are available by the FQ, Yard or you may make a special request for any other length you desire.

Butterfly Rainbows Baby Rib Knit

HEARTS n DOTS on White Baby Rib Knit

HEARTS n DOTS on Pink Baby Rib Knit

Monkey n Bananas on Pale Peach Baby Rib Knit

TURTLES, Baby Rib Knit

Ooga Booga Prints, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

2011-09-02T08:35:00.004-06:00

The popularity of the cute Ooga Booga monster print fabric seems to be spreading internationally, but the availability of the fabric locally is declining.
(I am trying to procure as much as I can, as I find it and can afford it, so I can have it available for you.)

The biggest contributor to the declining availability of this print is that it is not mass produced. It is printed in the US, in 1000 yard lots per color scheme. This makes it hard for the small on-line specialty fabric stores, such as myself, to come up with the printing costs to have just one color scheme printed. The best way to do this was through co-op buying groups, where each of us would purchase a roll of 60 - 90 yards. It also kept the cost down. Now most of the co-ops have quit buying Ooga Booga prints, leaving those of us who want it out of luck. They want to spend their money on different prints for a larger variety of inventory. I can't blame them, as I would like a large variety of prints too. But, I don't want to quit carrying the Ooga Booga's.

I have the Ooga Booga prints available in 11 oz. 100% Cotton Interlock Knit and some in 13 oz. 80/20 Cotton/Polyester Velour.

Here are the Ooga Booga prints that I have in stock. (Adding links and captions to the pictures isn't working, so click the links above for the type of fabric you are looking for).

Breaking the FDA code about food coloring safety

2011-08-30T08:38:00.003-06:00

Breaking the FDA code about food coloring safety
For decades, health officials have insisted that these artificial food colorings pose no danger. Their basic message has been: "Don't worry about a thing! Eat up!" But it turns out there's a code in that message. And it's an admission that food coloring has a clear downside -- especially for kids. Read the article.

♥

Fabric of the Day - Woven Cotton Quilting Fabric Prints

2011-08-03T08:42:00.001-06:00

Today I thought I'd share something different.

I usually post my knit fabric finds, but today I'd like to share a few 100% Cotton Prints.

Little Pilots has Little Teddy Bear Pilots, Airplanes, Helicopters and Clouds in shades of blue with brown and red, on a slightly off-white background. This really cute, light weight woven fabric is sold by the Yard and Fat Quarter, but is available in any length by special order.

Bright Plaids in Yellow and Pink.

These really cute Plaids are a nice weight woven fabric with a smooth finish and are sold by the Yard and Fat Quarter, or any length by special order.

Yellow yardage.
Yellow FQ.

Pink yardage.
Pink FQ.

These fabrics can be used to make any Nursery items, baby and children's clothing and quilts.

Fabric of the Day - Baby Fawns (Deer) and Friends, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

2011-08-01T09:46:00.001-06:00

Baby Fawns, Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

This is a soft, high quality, 100% combed cotton interlock knit. 12.5 oz. weight per yard, 60 inches wide.

It has a Sweet Little Fawns, puppies, bunnies and flowers. These cute little Bambi's and friends are on a white background. It is listed by the Yard and Fat Quarter, but is available in any length by special order. Made in the US.

Finding More High Quality Cotton Knits for your Sewing Pleasure

2011-06-28T16:19:00.001-06:00

Purple Lime Ooga Booga Interlock Knit Fabric

We have two new Ooga Booga Monster prints in stock and they are wonderful. They are both on High Quality 100% Cotton Interlock, 64 inches wide, 12 oz. weight, Made here in the USA.

Pink Ooga Booga on Pink Interlock Knit Fabric

Asian Girls Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Also on a High Quality 100% Cotton Interlock is Asian Girls. It is 57 inches wide and 10.4 oz. weight, Made in the USA.

Little Monsters Baby Rib Knit Fabric

And then, we have Little Monsters.. It is on a High Quality 100% Cotton Baby Rib Knit, 60 inches wide, 9.9 oz weight, Made here in the USA.

And since you read this far... If you Enter coupon code PROMO1 during checkout, you will get 20% off your order. Hurry, this code won't work for long.

Miracle Noodle Shirataki - Zero Calorie Noodles!

Two New Heavy Weight Cotton/Lycra Prints

2011-04-19T10:25:00.000-06:00

Cherries, Cotton/Lycra Jersey Knit Fabric

This popular fabric is formed by blending 10 percent Lycra with 90 percent cotton. This combination results in a soft, absorbent material with just the correct amount of stretch. The beauty of the product is not only that it allows movement, but also that the garment springs back to its original size and shape immediately. Lycra helps the stretched areas, such as the knees of the pants, to spring back to their original size, thus avoiding the dreaded "baggy knee" syndrome.

DAISIES, Cotton/Lycra Jersey Knit Fabric

It is the ultimate 4-way stretch fabric for dance-wear, skating attire, athletic apparel (compression shirts, etc.), costumes and even swim-wear. It is great for manufacturing anything from Babywear to ladies' panties, bras, sleepwear and undershirts. This blend is also popular in the T-shirt industry because the Lycra prevents the cotton from shrinking to some extent, helps shirts maintain their original shape, and also alleviates the wrinkled appearance of all-cotton T-shirts.

Available by the yard, FQ (Fat Quarter) or any length by request.

Click the pictures for more information on that print.

Visit my Shop here.

♥

I Found More 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

2011-04-16T07:19:00.005-06:00

VW Bugs, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

I found more 100% cotton interlock knit fabric prints and purchased them by the roll.

Knits are getting even harder to find and the price of cotton has gone up significantly. Cotton Interlock Knit took a $3 per yard jump in the past few weeks. I will have to raise my prices too, but not just yet.

With that being said... these are some of the Interlock Knits I found:

Happy Tools, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Click on the pictures for more information on that print.

Vintage Retro Cars, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Spring Ooga Booga, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Please visit my shop Here.

♥

Two New Flavors of Ooga Booga on 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

2011-04-04T07:43:00.002-06:00

New Spring Ooga Booga is bright and cheery. The colors remind me of Easter Eggs. It will be here Thursday. I'll add a link then. (Here is the Link)

The Turquoise/Agua on Blue Ooga Booga is a reprint of this favorite print.

Both are 100% Cotton Interlock knit fabric.

I sell them by the Yard or Fat Quarter and any other length by request. They are 58/60 inches wide.

New Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric Has Arrived.

2011-04-03T20:03:00.000-06:00

BOATS

This is a soft, 11oz. weight, 100% combed cotton interlock knit.

It has a Green, Yellow, Red and Blue multi-colored Boats, Ships, Lighthouses and Birds? on a White background.

It is available by the Yard or by the Fat Quarter (18 inches long x 29 inches wide).

(Yard = 36 inches long x 58/60 inches wide)

(I also do special requests for other lengths.)

.

Washing Cloth Diapers Using the Right Laundry Detergent

2011-01-10T20:16:00.002-07:00

By: Samanth Carter Smith
Posted: 05th January 2011

Choosing the right laundry detergent is one of the most essential parts of cloth diapering. Without proper care, your cloth diapers can obtain serious detergent build up that can cause odor, chemical burns, repelling, ammonia stink, blistering and others. Furthermore, it will cause irritation due to some chemicals contain in laundry detergents that may harm your baby’s sensitive skin. However, doing the ideal way and using the right detergent would make it more convenient and safe.

It is recommended not to wash more than two dozen of diapers at the same time because too much friction can occur that can cause pilling. Make sure to fasten all the velcro tabs on diapers to avoid chains. On laundry detergents, it is advisable to use less amount of detergent than you normally do, to avoid detergent build up. It is recommended to use about ¼ to ½ amount of your preferred laundry detergent.

There are two recommended cycles to wash your cloth diapers. The cold/cold wash and the hot/cold wash. Put 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil or squirts 1 to 2 of stain and odor eliminator if you are experiencing odor problems. Keep in mind that using too much essential oil may cause repelling in your diapers therefore, just use the amount of oil that is really needed.

One of the most important steps when cleaning cloth diapers wash is the rinsing portion. After doing it, your diaper should smell clean and fresh with no hint of feces, urine, ammonia and other irritating odors. Do some extra rinse every now and then to help eliminate odors caused from a build-up of detergent. Most especially when using high efficiency washing machine, make sure there is no any suds left in the final rinse and rinse is again if needed. Just keep in mind that your rinse water rinses your cloth diapers completely.

After cleaning cloth diapers, they are now ready to go in the dryer. The heat from the sun or dryer helps to sanitize your cloth diapers. In order to extend the life of your diapers, always check the drying and washing instructions of every brand of diaper. It is recommended to dry your diapers for like 60 to 90 minutes. Wash your diapers again if you still smell strange odor. These lingering odors most likely means that there still bacteria present in your diapers that could cause irritation to your infant’s sensitive skin. Line drying is more ideal if you want to save on electricity. It would cut down your electricity usage by 50 to 60 percent. Apart from conserving energy, the sun is ideal for getting out tough stains on cloth diapers. To prevent cloth diapers from getting stiff, it is recommended to do the line drying early morning or late afternoon. Furthermore, doing the line drying on diapers will extend their life.

There are lots of factors to consider when washing your diapers, the type of diapers, hard/soft water, type of detergents and others. Do your own experiment on your wash routine and continue searching for the ideal laundry detergents that would suit your laundry needs.
________

Baby Detergents provides objective reviews about the pros and cons of using laundry detergents, and help people to find laundry soap products which are environment-friendly and safe for children.

This article is free for republishing

Back to the original article

Bootie Sewing Pattern in Baby and Childrens Sizes

2011-01-09T13:47:00.002-07:00

I have finally finished Bootie Sewing Pattern 4C in the larger sizes you have been asking for (for years). (4C stands for Style 4 in Children's sizes)

The Bootie Pattern includes 7 different sizes for babies with feet 4" in length up to children's size 13 (7 1/2" in length).

This bootie is reminiscent of the popular "TV" bootie of the 70's.

You can make it with scraps or a FQ (Fat Quarter), from any type of fabric. You will need a separate lining fabric, non-slip gripper fabric and batting (padding).

I like to use a soft interlock knit for lining with a knit outer fabric or a flannel lining with a woven outer fabric.

There are only 3 pattern pieces, so it nice and easy. It also comes with complete illustrated and photo instructions.

How to add your own Quilt Block Design directions are included in every pattern.

Bootie Pattern 4C is a PDF e-Pattern. It is $10.95 for an instant download of the pattern book. Print it out on 8 1/2" X 11" paper

As always, I am open to comments and suggestions.

♥Carolyn

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

2010-12-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you for making 2010 such a great year.

Let's make 2011 an even better year, a safe one, filled with love, with all your needs being met and so much more.

Blessings!
Carolyn

Cotton Knit Fabric Baby Booties Sewing Patterns

2010-12-30T08:04:00.002-07:00

There is just something about making a pair of baby booties that excites the soul.

Baby Bootie Pattern 1

It might be the excitement that there will be a new baby that carries over to thinking about baby booties, that baby booties are just so cute or a mixture of both.

Baby Bootie Pattern 2

Next comes picking out a pattern. You will want something cute, but also functional.

By functional, I mean, will they be comfortable and stay on the baby's feet without binding or marking the baby's ankle because they are too tight.

Baby Bootie Pattern 3

You will also need to check sizes. Pattern sizes are different between designers. So check the measurements. Also baby's foot sizes vary.

Baby Bootie Pattern 4

I have several baby bootie patterns, for sale. The links to the patterns are in the left-hand column of this blog, as are quick links to the pattern tutorials. The first 5 patterns include 5 sizes. They are sized for small preemies and newborn babies up to 12 months or until the baby's foot length reaches 4 inches. Some babies feet reach this length by the time they are 6 or 9 months.

Baby Bootie Pattern 5

Airplane Bootie - Includes 7 sizes,

Preemie up to a foot 6 1/2 inches long.

I also have links to a couple baby bootie patterns that are FREE. They are listed under "Free, Baby Related & Charity Patterns".

The big question now is... Where can I find the knit fabric to make these baby booties with?

Well... I carry that too.

I am on a constant search to find "Hard to find" Cotton Knit Fabric in Interlock, Jersey, Rib Knit and Ribbing.

You will find it HERE, along with Ribbon, Elastic and Cording.

If you use my patterns to make baby booties and you would like to share pictures of them... You may post them on Lil' Baby Thangs Flickr photo stream or on Lil' Baby Thangs Facebook page.

Visit my shops...

Carolyn

How to Make Fabric Pinwheels

2010-12-25T15:55:00.003-07:00

I reworked my instructions on

How to Make Fabric Pinwheels

2 Fabric Pinwheel

It is now available as a free download in a PDF format.

You are only limited by your imagination on what to do with them once you have them made.

I have seen them used attached to Bobbi pins, hair clips and Barrettes, Mobiles for babies to look at, added to 3D quilts, on gift tags and cards, I use them on Airplane booties for the propellers and on the toe of Elf Bootie Christmas stockings and of course... attached to a stick or to a pencil eraser to blow in the wind. They may also be doubled up by placing a smaller one on top of a larger one.

I found another cute one made from paper HERE

and HERE but you could just as easily make it with fabric.
It was used to decorate a gift box.

If you have more ideas... I'd love to hear them.

New Ooga Booga Flavors

2010-12-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

Purple Ooga Booga on 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric


Pastel Ooga Booga on 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

I have Purple Ooga Booga and Pastel Ooga Booga on 100 % cotton interlock knit, 58/60 inches wide...

Pastel Booga Booga on Velour

And on a plush 80/20 cotton/poly velour, 58/60 inches wide. I have it listed either by the FQ (Fat Quarter) or by the Yard.

Just click on the picture to go there and read all about it.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-20T21:27:00.002-07:00

In the spirit of the season....

and since I have been such a slacker in keeping up with this blog...

I am offering 30% off everything in my Etsy Shop, ArtFire Studio and Zibbet Shop

Use Coupon Code YEARENDSAVINGS during checkout.
This offer ends Jan 1, 2011.

Thank you, Wishing you a Very Merry Yule and a Happy New Year.

Carolyn
♥

New Pattern on the Drafting Table

2010-10-11T17:18:00.003-06:00

I have had quite a bit of interest and requests for me to make and make available a boys brief pattern.

The stir was caused by my posting a pair of size 2 briefs and a T-Shirt I had made on a listing for Halloween Orange Ooga Booga fabric in my Etsy shop. I just wanted to show what it would look like made up into something. Here are the pictures.

Due to popular request, I have started working on a multi-sized pattern for the Briefs and one for Boxer Briefs.
I have no idea when it will be completed...because I have a shop to run and fabric to play with, but I will let you know here and on my Facebook Fan page.

Let me know if you are interested too.

New Interlock Knit Fabric and a Rib Knit Fabric Too.

2010-10-06T15:49:00.000-06:00

We have New Ooga Booga Fabric.

They are all on a Quality medium weight 100% combed cotton interlock knit.

Camouflage Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

Christmas Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

Winter Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

And a New light weight 100% combed cotton
Baby/Micro Rib Knit

Once Upon a Time Princess Micro Rib Knit

Come check them out at Lil" Baby Thangs

New Ooga Booga Fabric

2010-09-10T15:20:00.000-06:00

Just in...Halloween Ooga Booga fabric on 100% cotton interlock knit and on 80/20 cotton/poly Stretch Velour.

Halloween Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Both are quality knits and wash up soft and beautiful.

Also have Ooga Booga in Blue, Red, Brown and Turquoise.

Get them while they last.

Red Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Blue Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Brown Ooga Booga on Light Yellow Interlock Knit

Turquoise Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour

Red Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour


Turquoise Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour

Click on the pictures to be taken to their Etsy listing.

♥

Gund is recalling baby paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles.

2010-04-10T13:02:00.002-06:00

Gund Baby Paperboard Book Recall

March 23, 2010 - Gund recently received three reports from consumers involving paperboard books marketed under the Gund Baby brand. These reports indicated that the styrofoam material used to affix the baby rattle/plastic handle to the binding of the book had become dislodged when chewed or picked at, and could present a choking hazard to infants or young children.

Gund is conducting a voluntary recall of these items in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada. We are asking consumers to return these items.

This voluntary recall involves three miniature paperboard books, each with a plastic handle designed as a baby rattle. Each book is approximately 4.5”H x 7”W (including handle).

UPC 028399591732 set/3 books in vinyl pouch
UPC 028399591749 “Animals” book
UPC 028399591756 “Numbers” book
UPC 028399591763 “Colors” book

Consumers in the U.S. should contact Gund customer service at 1-800-436-3726 to arrange for a return of these items for a replacement item of equal or greater value, which Gund will provide at no charge. Consumers will receive instructions on how to return the items to Gund at no charge.

Consumers in Canada should return these items to the original point of purchase for a full refund.

Please note that no injuries have been reported as a result of this situation. Gund regularly conducts rigorous testing of all of its products before they are sold to consumers, and these recalled items passed all safety standards set forth by the CPSC and Health Canada. Gund is conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution on behalf of our consumers.
Click Here to view the Recall Notice
♥

New Ooga Booga 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric Just In

2010-04-09T13:33:00.004-06:00

I love it when I can get more Ooga Boogas. The new "Flavors" are both Turquoise.

Lovable Turquoise Ooga Booga and other Monsters in Dark Brown, Lime Green and Light Blue on a White or a Blue background with the words Ooga Booga printed on it in Turquoise, Lime Green and Light Blue. This is a soft, medium weight 100% combed cotton interlock knit.

*The print is the same as the one with the white background ... but the pictures show the colors incorrectly against the blue background.

I will also be getting these two prints in an 80/20 Cotton/Poly Stretch Velour. Can't wait.

“Happy Feet” Felt Baby Booties

2010-04-08T09:50:00.002-06:00

Here is a FREE Pattern to hand sew a pair of cute felt baby booties.

“Happy Feet” Felt Baby Booties

Cotton / Lycra Blend Ribbing in a Rainbow of Colors.

2010-04-07T08:19:00.000-06:00

I have new colors of Ribbing.

It is a cotton/lycra blend and being sold in pre-cut fat eighths (9" X 21").

A normal 1/8 yard would be 4 1/2" long X 42 wide". A fat eighth, like a fat quarter, gives you more usable dimensions to work in.

I carry 3 rib types... a 1 x 1 (fine), 2 x 2 (obvious ribs) and a yellow uneven (a more patterned look).

Ribbing is used as neckbands, sleevebands, cuffs at the wrists and ankles, and for waistbands (ie. the bottom of sweatshirts). I use it for the ankle cuffs on Baby Bootie Pattern 5.

The small amount of lycra in with the cotton, allows a better recovery of the fabric when it is stretched. It prevents stretched out looking neckbands and allows booties to stay on.

Ribbing is also made with polyester, but I prefer cotton, so I don't carry it.

Check out all my new yummy flavors (colors) HERE.

Study: Breast-feeding would save lives, money

2010-04-05T11:25:00.001-06:00

Study: Breast-feeding would save lives, money
By LINDSEY TANNER
AP Medical Writer
April 4, 2010

The lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, along with billions of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their babies for the first six months of life, a cost analysis says.

Those startling results, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, are only an estimate. But several experts who reviewed the analysis said the methods and conclusions seem sound.

"The health care system has got to be aware that breast-feeding makes a profound difference," said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics' breast-feeding section.

The findings suggest that there are hundreds of deaths and many more costly illnesses each year from health problems that breast-feeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.

Read more here

Happy Easter, Ostara, Spring or whatever you are celebrating...

2010-04-04T17:12:00.000-06:00

What pregnant mothers eat affects the skin health of newborns

2010-04-03T12:52:00.000-06:00

What pregnant mothers eat affects the skin health of newborns

Government 'must follow Europe's lead and ban BPA'

2010-04-02T05:02:00.000-06:00

If Denmark can outlaw danger chemical why can't we, ask experts
By Jerome Taylor
Friday, 2 April 2010

Scientists have rounded on the Government for refusing to take action on a controversial chemical widely used in baby bottles – even though other countries have begun bringing in their own bans.

Denmark has become the first European country to forbid the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in any food containers for young children, amid growing scientific evidence which suggests the chemical could inhibit brain development and lead to serious health issues.

Most mainstream baby bottle manufacturers have already begun producing BPA-free lines, but an investigation by The Independent this week revealed how leading high-street retailers, including Boots and Mothercare, were still selling off older bottles containing the chemical.

(Caption, "BPA is widely used to strengthen plastic in baby bottles - there is growing evidence it may inhibit brain development.")

Read more here

Neonatal dermatoses: Some are cause for more concern than others

2010-04-01T09:02:00.006-06:00

Neonatal dermatoses: Some are cause for more concern than others

Apr 1, 2010
By: Lisa B. Samalonis
Dermatology Times

Wailea, Hawaii — The level of concern for neonatal dermatoses ranges depending on the type of condition, according to Julie V. Schaffer, M.D., director of pediatric dermatology, director of resident education, assistant professor of pediatrics and dermatology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York.

Dr. Schaffer spoke on this topic at the 2010 MauiDerm: Advances in Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology in January.

“Common neonatal dermatoses include a variety of conditions, some worthy of more concern while others resolve,” she says.

Here are some conditions and their level of worry:
Read more Here

Infant bag-sling risks well-known: experts

2010-03-30T10:02:00.007-06:00

March 29, 2010

Infant bag-sling risks well-known: experts

By CBC News

The risks of a bag-type sling similar in design to the Infantino models recalled last week after the deaths of three infants have been known for years, say sling advocates and designers.
Read more here

Safety Recall Notice

New 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric, Continued...

2010-03-29T14:52:00.001-06:00

Todays Featured Fabric are both on 100% Cotton Interlock knit fabric.

A Stripe, in Purple, Lavender, Gray and White.

And... Lil Bug Garden, with cute little ladybugs, dragonflies, butterflies, flowers and words on a pink background.

Purple Stripe, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Lil Bug Garden, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

They are available on both my Etsy and ArtFire shops.

♥

Baby sling company was warned about safety concerns

2010-03-28T10:06:00.001-06:00

What Bedding To Buy For Your Baby

2010-03-27T07:18:00.001-06:00

Do you have a baby on the way? Are you a new parent? If so, you may be confused on what your baby will need once they arrive. This is understandable, many new parents feel this way. There are a few things that should be considered for buying, such as bedding, whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

Your baby is going to require a lot of items and also a lot of space. Therefore, it makes sense to buy convertible baby furniture. For example, your baby will need a crib to sleep in. But what about when they grow? Do you want to spend more money on bigger cribs, child-sized beds, and eventually bigger beds? Of course not. That is why buying a crib that can converts into a larger bed is a smart buying option. This way, you save money even when your baby outgrows their crib.

Regarding the interior of the crib, numerous manufactures sell a bedding collection that will match your baby. Typically, parents choose which kind to get based on the gender of their baby. Different bedding is usually bought for girls than it is for boys.

For girls, their bedding can have cute colors and patterns. For example, the colors pink and light purple are popular choices for girls. As for patterns, cupcakes, twinkling stars, rabbits, bows, hearts, butterflies, and ladybug baby bedding looks very appropriate.

Colors like green and blue are popular choices for boys. Parents usually buy patterns for baby boys like sports-related patterns, dinosaurs, toys, cars, and trains. Themes for boys tend to be masculine instead of feminine.

There are also options that are neutral that both girls and boys can have. Colors like yellow, orange, white, and red are unisex colors. Patterns like characters from children’s TV and film, baby bottles, bears, booties, strollers, and storks are appropriate for both genders. If you buy neutral bedding, it is a smart idea because if you plan on having more children, it can be passed down to them as well, regardless of their gender.

So if you are unsure on which kind of bedding to get for your baby, consider the options. Things that can convert save you money. Different bedding for girls and boys or neutral themes should be decided on. Either way, it’s important to plan for your baby and their future.

New 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

2010-03-26T14:47:00.001-06:00

I have found several new 100% cotton interlock knit fabric in juvenile prints. Made in the USA. All of these interlock knits are sold by the yard, by the 1/2 yard or by the Fat Quarter.

If you don't see a listing for the amount you want...let me know so I can post a listing for you.

To top off the list are Ooga Booga in Blue, Brown, Hot Pink and Pastels.

(I'll have 2 turquoise flavors in a couple weeks too)

Blue Ooga Booga on White 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Brown Ooga Booga on Yellow 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Hot Pink Ooga Booga on White 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Pastel Ooga Booga on White 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

I'll post more interlock knits later on.

I now accept credit cards directly.

If you prefer not to use PayPal or to go through Etsy or ArtFire...you can send me an email.

Natural = Safe?

2009-09-11T14:53:00.006-06:00

Natural = Safe?

I don’t like to rant on this blog.

It’s unprofessional.

So I won’t do that here.

But….

I need to get something off my chest.

There are a lot of products on Etsy that contain essential oils. Many different products by many different sellers -- balms, salves, lotions, sprays, soap, etc… People are leaning towards more natural ways of doing things these days. Our skin is our largest organ, and anything we put on our skin is absorbed directly into the blood stream. So the less synthetic and dangerous chemicals we put on our skin, the better.

Most of the shops selling these products really know their stuff. They’ve read books, or conducting research. They’ve questioned experts. They have a background in herbalism or aromatherapy. The products are labeled properly and carry instructions for proper use, as well as possible dangers and whom should or should not use the product.

But.

Lately I’ve noticed some shops that don’t look like they’ve done their research. In these shops, essential oils are used freely and without warnings/guidelines about use on babies or young children. There are also no warnings about pregnancy, hypertension, sun sensitivity, epilepsy and medication interactions, just to name a few. The people making the products have no reference anywhere in their shop regarding their experience or qualifications in Aromatherapy.

Some of these products contain essential oils that are contraindicated if a person has any of the above-mentioned health issues. Some of these products contain essential oils that are on the Do Not Use list compiled by the International Federation of Aromatherapists. Some of these products can be downright dangerous if used by the wrong person.

Just because essential oils are “natural”, that does not mean that they are all safe and can be used without thought of the consequences.

Many of the body or room sprays are created by simply adding some essential oil to plain (or distilled) water. There are a few problems with that. For one, essential oils are not soluble in water. They will never properly mix. When the product is sprayed (even if it is shaken first), there may be a few minuscule droplets of EO here and there, or a large drop here and a small drop there, or there may be none at all.

Furthermore, water (even if it is distilled) is a breeding ground for bacteria. Unless the sprays are stored in the fridge, these products will be teeming with nasties and start to smell “off” in a few months. Essential oil sprays that are made with water require a solubilsor and a full-spectrum preservative.

Repeat after me: Any hydrous (aka – contains water) bath & beauty product must have a preservative! And Grapefruit seed, rosemary extract and vitamin E are NOT preservatives.

Yes, adding a synthetic preservative such as Germall Plus will make the product ‘unnatural’, but it will also keep it safe. E.Coli is also natural, but I don’t think any of us want to spray that around our bathrooms, or onto our children’s pillow cases.

Please, Buyers: Beware! If you have any questions about the safety of a product that contains essential oils, ask the shop owner. If he or she does not seem knowledgeable about the oils or the ingredients they use in their products, move on to another shop. I am always only an e-mail or Etsy convo away, so please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you have about any essential oil.

My offer to provide information about essential oils extends to sellers as well. My main priority as a professional Aromatherapist is promoting the healthy and safe use of essential oils, even if it means helping out my so-called “competition”.

Smell safely, everyone!

~H

Reprinted with permission.

I agree with Heather in this article. We need to beware and learn all we can, especially where our children are concerned.

♥ Carolyn

Warning: Swine Flu Shot Linked to Killer Nerve Disease

2009-09-09T17:33:00.003-06:00

Educate Yourself

Are You Willing to Let Them Experiment on Your Child?

This video was originally aired on August 12, 2009, featuring CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton and NVIC's Barbara Loe Fisher. Here they discuss the possible dangers of the swine flu versus the H1N1 vaccine. Both provide sensible information and guidelines on this issue.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Complete article HERE

Crafts for Kids

2009-09-01T13:36:00.002-06:00

Since I don't carry craft supplies and I know many of you have older children...I thought you might like a place online to get craft ideas and supplies.

So much stuff to make...so little time.

Vaccine Truth actual history

2009-08-27T14:32:00.002-06:00

Here's a great read about vaccine induced epidemics:
It was written by an acquaintance of mine.
I don't know who said this (the first part is from the Bible), but it is a favorite quote of mine...
."..And the truth shall set you free...but first, it will piss you off!" CW

Please go to site for entire article and research:
http://www.rense.com/general87/indu.htm

Vaccine-Induced Disease Epidemic Outbreaks
The Engineering of 'Pandemics' By A. True Ott, PhD, ND

The year was 1921. America was entering a decade of robust prosperity. Later called "The Roaring Twenties", it was a time of unparalleled economic expansion. Debt money from Wall Street banks was plentiful and easy to obtain. The "Great War" was over.

America was flexing her industrial muscles. Factories were being built and expanded in every major city. Automobiles began rolling off Detroit assembly lines in record numbers. The stock market began making millionaires. People were HEALTHY and HAPPY largely because the dreaded "world mystery disease" (which decades later became known as the "1918 Flu Pandemic") had disappeared. Two entire years had passed with no dreaded "mystery deaths" being reported. America had cause to celebrate, and celebrate they did!

As a matter of fact, the American Public in general was so optimistic and HAPPY in 1921, that relatively few people were unhealthy as well. For the first time in decades, hospital beds were em pty. The fledgling American Medical Association, formed by John D. Rockefeller just a few years earlier, was worried. Business was sagging. Profits from vaccines and drugs were spiraling. Something had to be done, and done immediately. False, faux epidemics of smallpox were created to solve the problem, and keep the Medical Mafia's cash registers ringing.

We know this dastardly plan actually happened, thanks to a citizen's WATCHDOG GROUP in Kansas City, Missouri named "The Advertiser's Protective Bureau", who filed, and successfully prosecuted criminal charges against the Missouri state chapter of the AMA the Jackson Medical Society. The 'Protective Bureau's" official report of this cold-blooded plot reads as follows:

"In the Fall of 1921, the health of the city was unusually good, but slow for the doctors. So the Jackson Medical Society met and resolved to make an epidemic in the city. According to the minutes of this meeting: 'MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED, THAT A RECOMMENDATION BE MADE BY THE COMMITTEE, TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH, THAT AN EPIDEMIC OF SMALLPOX BE DECLARED IN THE CITY. (Investigation later revealed that there was NO SIGN OF AN EPIDEMIC at the time, in the city, or anywhere in the state or region!)

'It was moved and seconded that a day be set aside, termed VACCINATION DAY, on which physicians would be stationed at ALL SCHOOLS, clinics, public buildings and hospitals to vaccinate "free of charge". (Vaccinations are never "free". The taxpayers are always forced to pay for every one of the "free" vaccines.)

"IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT WIDE PUBLICITY BE GIVEN, STATING THAT VACCINATION IS A PREVENTIVE OF SMALLPOX, AND URGING THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF VACCINATION FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD IN THE CITY."

The Protective Bureau proved in court that there WAS NO EPIDEMIC before the vaccinations!! The court records show that the Medical Society manufactured vast amounts of posters, fliers, newspaper stories and ads featuring horrific and lurid pictures of diseased children covered with massive smallpox sores and open wounds. Some pictures actually showed children's corpses covered with the same ugly sores. The PANIC-DRIVEN message was clear --- VACCINATE EVERYONE, or face a deadly public disease. There was a "sweeping epidemic" in the city; the disease was "highly contagious" and would "strike anyone who was not vaccinated" was the bill of goods sold! (Does this sound at all familiar today 88 years later??)

The Medical Mafia's propaganda blitz was successful, and over a million previously healthy and happy American citizens were hypnotized and terrorized into placing the vaccine toxins into their bloodstreams. All public school children in the region were vaccinated while at school! Parents who dared question the vaccination of their children were ostracized and publicly vilified.

THE COURT RECORD ON THIS CASE IS VERY CLEAR. In the weeks and months following the "mass vaccinations" the area's hospital beds were filled to over-flowing with VACCINE-INDUCED SMALLPOX CASES!

Tens of thousands of people became ill, and many hundreds of innocents died, and many more were permanently crippled! Of course, THE NEWSPAPERS THEN TRUMPETED HOW WISE THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT WAS TO PROMOTE THE VACCINES stating how much worse the death toll would have been without the vaccination campaign!! Untold MILLIONS OF DOLLARS of profit was generated by this massive "medical" fraud.

Thanks to the ADVERTISER'S PROTECTIVE BUREAU, however; the massive fraud was exposed and criminally prosecuted to a successful conviction. During the trial, three amazing facts were proven beyond any "reasonable doubt".

Fact 1: The poster and advertising pictures showing the diseased and dying children used so successfully by the "doctors", WERE NOT EVEN CASES OF LOCAL SMALLPOX CASES AS THEY WERE BILLED TO BE! The Protective Bureau documented that they were pictures of ENGLISH CHILDREN who were victims of "court-proven" cases of SMALLPOX VACCINE POISONING!! One of the pictures was of a 5-week-old baby named Mona Stevenson, of Humphrey Street, Burnley, England. A previously healthy and happy baby, Little Mona had been vaccinated for smallpox at 5 weeks of age. Four weeks later, her pox-ridden little body was placed in a tiny coffin and buried. The horrific photos of Little Mona and others in England had previously been published in British newspapers where details of the resulting CRIMINAL TRIALS were also given. The full details of the trials, as well as the pictures, were also included=2 0in a comprehensively large medical boot titled "THE HISTORY AND PATHOLOGY OF VACCINATION" by Edgar M Crookshank, MD professor of Bacteriology at the ultra-elite Kings College, London England.

Fact 2: Vaccines containing LIVE VIRUSES, weakened (i.e. attenuated) or otherwise universally causes more diseases than the vaccine ever could prevent.

Fact 3: Vaccine-Induced-Disease (VID) is an extremely effective socio-economic tool. It has the potential to generate BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF WINDFALL PROFITS, while permanently changing the social structures of large groups of people.

While the Protective Bureau won the criminal court case the American People lost. The case should have made front-page headlines around the nation, showing the Modus Operandi of certain corrupt "medical practitioners". How, by means of fraud, treachery, and trickery, they made millions of dollars in windfall profits while thousands of innocent, trusting, and naïve Americans suffered and died. The entire sordid affair, with all its damning details, was kept out of the American Press. John D. Rockefeller's AMA, with its millions of dollars of influence made sure of that!

Amazingly, even though thousands of people had died or become crippled by this managed manslaughter, the doctors involved were only given a light penalty in the form of a token fine. The medical establishment as a whole was not upset in the least by the exposure and has continued on unabated perpetuating the same crimes against humanity & shy; creating vaccine-induced-diseases while fleecing the people continually until this present day.

It is a proven (albeit little-known) fact, EPIDEMIC/PANDEMIC MANUFACTURING IS STANDARD PRACTICE with the world-wide "Medical Mafia" circles. In order to maximize profits and re-shape geographical regions, they often manufacture a false-flag "emergency". If there is an outbreak of mild seasonal virus, they call it an influenza pandemic, give it a fancy new name, and then actually CREATE THE PANDEMIC by means of mass vaccinations using ATTENUATED, or LIVE VIRUSES!! Remember the shocking words of the AMA's Dr. Simon Louis Katzoff who said: " DOCTORS LIVE BY DISEASE, SO THE PUBLIC CAN EXPECT THE SUPPLY OF DISEASE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION."

OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF V.I.D.E.O.s (Vaccine Induced Disease Epidemic Outbreaks.)

Case 1: Following the lead of their colleagues in Kansas City, the exact same events occurred in Pittsburgh, PA under the direction of Pittsburgh's "Health Director", Dr. C.J. Voux in the autumn of 1924. As in Kansas City, a group of public watchdogs brought suit against Voux and his vaccine-promoters. As in Kansas City, the vaccine promoters were found guilty. The case documented that over 1,000,000 vaccine shots were "sold" to the residents of Pennsylvania, even though there had been ZERO documented cases of smallpox in the region. It was successfully proven that ONLY AFTER the million shots had been given, that a smallpox epidemic began. This vaccine-induced, manmade "epi demic" resulted in 330 deaths and at least 1,680 cases of severe smallpox that caused permanent, crippling damage to the survivors. Moreover, it cost the city a total monetary loss of $3,069,616; although Dr. Voux and his accomplices had collected more than $10 million in hospital and related care revenues they were not forced to pay for damages or reparations. As in the Kansas City trial, a small, insignificant fine was levied, and the case was not widely publicized.

Case 2: The initial batches of Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine produced thousands of cases of poliomyelitis in vaccinated individuals. (One such case was Franklin D. Roosevelt who was stricken weeks after receiving a vaccine.) This was due to an unsafe amount of LIVE VIRUSES in the vaccine itself. Dr. Sabin then introduced his "improved" vaccine with "attenuated" or "weakened' live viruses in 1958, and the following year his vaccine was made to be compulsory (mandatory) in all school-age children in a number of states. As a result, polio increased a whopping 300% in these states. For example, Tennessee reported 119 polio cases in 1958, after "vaccination" this total increased to 386 cases in 1959, Ohio 17 cases in 1958, 52 cases in 1959, Connecticut 45 cases in 1958, 123 cases in 1959, and North Carolina: 78 cases in 1958 compared to 312 cases in 1959 AFTER forcing compulsory shots in school children. The modern record is equally damning. The ONLY cases of recorded polio in the modern era is immediately following20vaccinations. Poliomyelitis, you see, is a water-borne virus and is caused by drinking contaminated water.

During the early 60's, water-treatment facilities became standardized across America small amounts of CHLORINATION effectively wiped out polio viruses. The conquering of polio had NOTHING TO DO with the vaccine needles and swallowing sugar cubes. In fact, as author Ed Haslem documents so well in his book, "http://doctormarysmonkey.com/" Dr. Mary's Monkey, the Sabin vaccines were actually contaminated with mutated GREEN MONKEY VIRUSES (SV-40 viruses to be specific) which has caused untold millions of SOFT-TISSUE CANCERS and deaths worldwide. (The cancer "industry" has reaped BILLIONS of dollars from this "contamination" over the years, of course.) HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edikv0zbAlU" Dr. Maurice Hilleman has actually confessed as being a part of this very activity.

Case 3: Knowingly added to "hepatitis" vaccines, HIV viruses were inoculated into thousands of homosexual men and intravenous drug users in America's inner cities resulting in the "AIDS epidemic" in the 80's. Purposefully placed in SMALLPOX VACCINE SYRINGES, HIV was also introduced into African nations as a tool of ethnic cleansing and GENOCIDE. The covert development and weaponization of the HIV/AIDS virus and its monkey-virus origins, along with the amazing story of how the scientists involved are tied to President Kennedy's assassination is well documented in "http://doctormarysmonkey.com/" Dr. Mary's Monkey. The covert biological experimentation labs resp onsible for this mayhem are today consolidated into the NIH, the NAIDS, the National Cancer Institute, and Ft. Detrick, Maryland. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta became the centralized hub of pandemic and epidemic creations and propagation.

Case 4: The 1976 "Swine Flu" Fiasco and Fraud is perpetrated. A solitary soldier at Ft. Dix collapses and dies following a reaction to an "experimental" vaccine while completing an intense physical "forced march" exercise at Ft. Dix. Immediately, the CDC swings into action, declaring a nationwide SWINE FLU PANDEMIC is pending. Providentially, of course, the CDC just happens to have 200+MILLION DOSES of Swine Flu vaccine already stockpiled, prepared with ATTENUATED (live, yet weakened) viruses and experimental ADJUVANTS.

President Gerald Ford, (with proven ties to Big Pharma and Nixon's covert viral weapons labs also a key member of the "Warren Commission's" obfuscation of the JFK murder) rolls up his sleeves on national TV and dutifully takes the vaccine. 40 million vaccines are given to naïve American human guinea pigs. A rash of auto-immune disorders (Guillan-Barre Syndrome GBS, and lupus) as well as a large number of deaths is immediately attributed to the vaccine, and the mass vaccination campaign is halted. (What happened to the other 140 million vaccines, one may ask?) In 1979, the television news magazine 60 Minutes did a documentary investigation on this travesty-for-money scandal. Against all odds and the threats of Big Pharma, the OBJECTIVELY=2 0FAIR 60 Minutes program aired ONE TIME. There was no follow-up story, No criminal indictments were ever issued. There was no MASS- MURDER-FOR-HIRE trial. As a result, America has largely forgotten the 1976 SWINE FLU SCANDAL! Click here for HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lcJt4jX1Vo" Part I of the 60 Minutes story; and "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4c9Is1T3z4"

__________________
--It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system,for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.......Henry Ford--
"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest"..Albert Einstein--
"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world"...Benjamin Franklin
________________________________

New Baby Bootie Naming Contest

2009-08-25T12:15:00.009-06:00

I am in the process of making a new baby bootie pattern.
♥
Come join me on Facebook and post your idea for a name for this new bootie.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lil-Baby-Thangs/66454923297
♥
Every name you submit will be voted on and the winning name will be used on the pattern.
♥
Enter as many names as you'd like.
♥
The person who submits the winning name will receive "The First, Official Pattern", with autograph and a custom handmade pair of booties.
♥

Pictured are booties made from Minky.

♥

I made these for my grand-babies when they were born. They are twins, 1 boy and 1 girl, so I made a pink pair and a blue pair.

♥

It will be a few weeks until the pattern is completed and ready for sale.

♥

Baby and Children's Shoe Size Chart

2009-08-24T12:51:00.004-06:00

There are no "standard" sizing charts for baby's or children's footwear, at least in the US.

It seems that every company has their own and lengths can vary up to 1 inch per size.

You wouldn't believe how many hours I have spent researching this. I have collected about 100 charts. Some are close, but most vary quite a bit.

Out of necessity, I too have created my own size chart.

This chart will help you with my bootie patterns and for any custom baby booties you have me make for you.

Even though I included an "Approximate Age" column, you as well as I know, babies are not born the same weight and length, with the same size feet. They also grow at different rates.

The most accurate way to determine what size you need is by measuring and comparing the length of your baby's or child's feet to the finished length of the bootie and allow for wiggle room and growth.

Both of these measurements are included on this chart.

All of my bootie patterns follow this chart, except the Airplane Bootie has it's own...for now.

Clicking on the chart should take you to a larger picture. If it does not and you'd like the full page version of it, or if you have any questions, please contact me.

♥

SALE, BABY MONKEYS AND BANANAS on Pink, Cotton Baby Rib Knit Fabric - by the Yard

2009-08-21T09:10:00.003-06:00

This fabric is regularly $8.50 per yard and is on Sale for $6.50 per yard.

It is 100% cotton 1x1 baby rib knit.

It has cute Brown Baby Monkeys with White, Orange and Pink details, Yellow Bananas and Blue Stars on a Pink background.

The Monkeys measure 5/8" X 3/4". (1 3/4cm X 2 cm)

Click on the picture or the title to go to my Etsy Shop for more information.

Baby Bootie Patterns and Fabric on ArtFire

2009-08-20T14:53:00.005-06:00

I opened a store front on ArtFire. It is a great place for artisans to promote their "Crafts".
I carry my baby bootie sewing patterns here and some "Hard to Find" cotton knit fabric.

LilBabyThangs

Buy Handmade

Why I have been absent from my Blog

2009-08-01T06:25:00.007-06:00

Instead of jumping right back in with my normal information on sewing baby bootie patterns and hard to find cotton knit fabric...I thought I'd up date you on my crazy (for lack of a better term) life over the past month.

First, just prior to that, I thought I'd change the format on the blog and make it nicer. Well that didn't work and I made a mess of it. I messed up the background and the posts. I still haven't been able to fix most of it and some posts are missing. So I am leaving it alone for now.

OK, now about my absense...

My son Henry, who is 19, will be starting college the end of August at the University of Montana (UM) in Missoula, about 140 miles from here. I took him to orientation, which was scheduled to last for 3 days. We left early in the morning of the first day and got there in time to find where we were supposed to be before it started.

Everything went well and it was about 10 pm when we got to my friend's house to spend the night. We planned to stay there 4 nights before coming home.

We got up in the morning, had breakfast and headed back to the UM. You can't get a cell signal at my friend's house, so I was going to check my phone as soon as we got to the UM.

There was road construction along the way and we were delayed, so we were late when we arrived. I dropped Henry off and went to find a parking space. I kept thinking I needed to check my phone, but once I got parked I spaced it until I got into my class, late. Then my phone started vibrating. I waited about 15 minuted until the class was over and hurried out to check my messages.

There was a panicked, incoherent message from my husband Jerry, I couldn't comprehend. He handed the phone off to our 12 year old son Leif, who told me the paramedics were there and working on our 16 year old son Harrison, who had had a seizure and they were taking him to the hospital. The message was from 7:30 am. Then the next message said they were in the hospital and they might have to keep him there for a few days.

OK, by this time I am a wreak. I am shaking, crying and totally panicking, but manage to call Jerry. It is 9:30 am. Jerry said the Dr. had just left and Harrison was responding, but had memory loss and that they were going to release him to go home in about an hour anyway. I have got to get home.

Now Jerry hadn't told anyone that he is legally blind and can't drive. They put Harrison in a wheel chair for Jerry to wheel him out...they assume to his car.

So Jerry just kept a pushing the wheel chair all the way home, 3/4 of a mile, uphill.

In the meantime...I am trying to figure out what to do. Henry is in his class, which was separate from the parent classes and I don't know where he is. So I call my son Peter (21) who lives there and wake him up because he worked late. I ask him how fast he can get up and dressed and meet me, take over for me and tell Henry what happened, when he finds him and take care of him until I can come back to get him.

Twenty minutes later Peter was there. I handed him my schedule, lunch ticket and parking permit, moved my car so he could take my spot, hugged and kissed him, told him I loved him, thanked him and left.

I was home in an hour and a half, about half an hour after Jerry and Harrison.

We are still going the rounds with Dr's. So far no one knows anything. We have more appointments ahead. Harrison has regained almost all of his memory, but only knows what he has been told about what happened. He only remembers waking up in the hospital. There have been a couple odd things going on with him, that have made him realize that there is really a problem.

I have him on a short leash (figuratively). I am afraid to let him out of my sight in case something else happens. I told him if I had my way, he'd wear a life jacket to take a bath. I make sure someone is with him at all times. It was Leif who realized something was wrong in the first place and went and woke up Jerry.

The consensus of opinion is; that because Harrison is an avid skateboarder, he probably smacked his head a few too many times, which may have caused his seizure. The CAT scan and tox screen were both negative and the EEG "normal", so we really know nothing. We continue to hang in limbo with Harrison, who is being a good sport about not skateboarding and me being over protective.

And...FYI...I have 6 boys, aged 12 - 30 and 2 girls, 32 and 34.
The picture is of Harrison a week later telling me "I'm OK Mom".

I hope you are having a great summer or winter...depending where you are.

Carolyn

Fabric of the Day, Helena Montana

2009-06-25T11:18:00.010-06:00

For Today's Featured Fabric, I have several "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Knit cuts, in various lengths. They are also at reduced prices.

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PURPLE PUPPY DOGS and Hot Pink Flowers, 100% Cotton Baby Rib Knit Fabric - 1.1/8 yards

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HOT PINK HIPPOS, 100% Cotton Interlock knit fabric, 1 yard 2 inches

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LIZARDS and FROGS Cotton Rib Knit Fabric, 1.1/2 yards

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All of these are great fabrics and will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.
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This link will take you to my Etsy Shop section for these fabrics and more.
Clicking on each picture above, will take you to the detail page of each one and show more pictures, including the size of print with a ruler.
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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.
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For Free Shipping, write BLOG in the comments during check-out or "convo" me,

Don't Pay yet. I'll send you a revised invoice to pay me from.

♥

Hello Hello and Dubli

2009-06-06T08:52:00.003-06:00

DUBLI on HelloHello.Net

Hello Hello ...

At DUBLI, you'll discover something new every day. Tell your friends, colleagues and family and invite them now!

Registration is, of course, free of charge and commitments.

For the first $8 credit purchase made by EACH new member, we would like to thank you with free bids worth $3.50.

INVITE as many as you like.
Invite friends via the TELL A FRIEND link you will find in your back office after you have registered.

IF you have NOT registered for free yet, use the Link here:
http://us.dubli.com/tus46218

Let´s have a FUN Weekend !!

Eric Mortensen, Lars "Thunderstorm", Founders - HelloHello.Net
And Carolyn West

PS: If you are NOT a member of http://www.hellohello.net/ Yet, here is the Link
It´s Free: http://www.hellohello.net/signup.php?ref=hhcarolyn

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Fabric of the Day, from Helena Montana

2009-05-01T10:21:00.009-06:00

Today's Featured Fabric is a "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Interlock Knit.
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FIRETRUCKS AND DOGS
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It is available by the yard, Here for $12.50

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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.

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The above link will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric, including size of print ruler.

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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.

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For $2.00 off per yard, write BLOG in the comments during check-out, before paying. I'll send you a revised invoice to pay me from.
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Fabric of the Day

2009-04-29T09:30:00.005-06:00

Today's Featured Fabric is a "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Interlock Knit.

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MAGIC MUSHROOMS AND FAIRY DUST

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It is available by the yard, Here for $12.50
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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.
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These link above will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric.
♥
While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.
♥

For $2.00 off per yard, write BLOG in the comments during check-out, before paying. I'll send you a revised invoice to pay me from.

♥

Are we poisoning our children and ourselves?

2009-04-07T10:53:00.003-06:00

Natural born killer

Our cover story this month exposes the shocking revelation that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a ubiquitous sweetener used in everything from cola to ‘healthy’ snacks, is heavily laced with mercury that has inadvertently been added during its manufacturing process.

So widespread is HFCS, and so contaminated by mercury in the manufacturing process, that most of us—even those consuming so-called ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ processed foods and snacks—could be ingesting some 28.5 mcg of mercury every day. Indeed, the average American is eating more than 42 lb (19 kg) of it every year.

What’s more, new evidence suggests that the use of HFCS may be behind the rise in obesity in Western countries such as the US and UK.

Naturally, the corn industry, which was more or less saved from extinction by the discovery in the 1970s of an enzyme that could convert the glucose in corn syrup to fructose, counters that HFCS is ‘natural’—derived entirely from natural substances with no artificial additives or ingredients.

But that begs the question of what exactly we mean by ‘natural’. Of the two types of high fructose corn syrup being widely used, HFCS-55 is 55-per-cent fructose and HFCS-42 is 42- per-cent fructose. The remainder percentages of each sweetener is largely made up of glucose plus approximately 6 per cent of higher saccharides.

The manufacture of HFCS is an involved process. The first step is to extract the corn starch from corn, which is then treated with the enzyme alpha-amylase, a natural enzyme present in human saliva and pancreatic fluids but, in this instance, produced commercially from bacteria. The resulting polysaccharides produced from the chemical interaction of corn starch and this enzyme are treated with yet another enzyme called ‘glucomylase’—harvested through a process that uses fungi from the Aspergillus family.

The third step in this process involves passing the mixture over a third enzyme called glucose isomerase. This enzyme is entirely synthetic, and this is what is responsible for doing most of the work—that is, converting part of the corn glucose into fructose so that the resultant HFCS is 42 per cent fructose, 6 per cent other saccharides and 52 per cent glucose.To produce HFCS-55, the HFCS-42 is put through liquid chromatography, which helps manufacturers to separate out only the fructose, resulting in a liquid that is 90-per-cent fructose. Then the HFCS-42 and HFCS-90 are blended together and the result is HFCS-55, with a higher concentration of sweetness and the sweetener of choice for most soft drinks.Some 90 per cent of the soft drinks produced in the US are made with HFCS-55.

In a number of plants (all of the HFCS plants in the UK and one-third of those in the US), the manufacturing process exposes this ‘entirely natural’ product to caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), which requires the use of mercury in the process.

This means that this all-singing, all-dancing, ‘natural’ substance is produced through a three-stage enzyme-conversion process, including one totally synthetic enzyme and, in the manufacturing process at some plants, exposed to a good deal of mercury, which mysteriously ‘disappears’.

All this mixing, dividing and refining may be why there is increasing evidence that this sugar derivative could be causing massive weight gain. As with most food that is manipulated in any major way, the body simply doesn’t recognize it or, indeed, know what to do with it.

I don’t know about your dictionary but, to my mind, HFCS is to natural sugar what a saline implant is to female breasts—a weird approximation that can never be called an equivalent to the real thing.

You can read the full report in the March issue of 'What Doctors Don't Tell You'. To begin your subscription, please follow this link:
http://www.wddtyhealthshop.com/products.asp?recnumber=246

Published 24 March 2009 10:09 by Bryan Hubbard
Filed under: high fructose corn syrup, sugar, HFCS, sweetener

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We did it. 263 Sales in my first year on Etsy

2009-03-31T18:05:00.004-06:00

A big thank you to everyone who has purchased my baby bootie sewing patterns and cotton knit fabric during my first year on Etsy.

After eBay changed their policies and forced me out, I didn't know what I was going to do. I let my customers know I would be closing my store there because of the changes.

At the time I was only selling my patterns. Most of my sales were digital downloads with free shipping, so I able to email them all over the world.

The new policy put a stop to digital downloads. And put an end to the instant delivery people wanted.

To make a long story short...One of my eBay customers told me about Etsy, bless her heart.
It was free to set up a shop and only .20 to list. Wow! A great place to make a new start!

Etsy has a little more of a learning curve, but I love it there.

I highly recommend Etsy to anyone who does handmade and is looking for a place to showcase their work. Go here if you'd like to open a shop of your own.

Thank you again, for making my 1st year on Etsy a fabulous one!

Carolyn
Lil Baby Thangs Etsy Shop

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Save Handmade! Important CPSIA Rally & Briefing Updates

2009-03-26T16:16:00.002-06:00

Many of you are aware of the upcoming CPSIA event in Washington DC April 1st. Volunteers are working feverishly to prepare to make this event have the most impact possible. Here is some important information:

If you are planning to attend:-Please register at www.amendthecpsia.com to let us know you will be there AND subscribe to email updates.-Let us know if you are available to attend meetings with Congressmen & Senators. Work with planners to arrange meetings with your own Representatives too.-Give yourself plenty of time and arrive at least 60-90 minutes before the event starts at 10AM sharp. (more details on official site)

If you cannot make it:-The proceedings will be streamed LIVE at www.amendthecpsia.com (10 AM April 1).-Many attendees will be "twittering" during the Briefing and during meetings. Follow "amendcpsia" and follow the overall conversation by searching "cpsia".

What EVERYONE can do to maximize the impact. There is a great blog post by Joli in the "Behind The Scenes" section. Here are a couple points I picked out:

-Call your Representatives & Senator's offices and invite them and their Legislative Aides to attend (details are on the site and the homepage of cpsia-central).
-Contact your local media (newspapers, radio, etc) and ask that their Washington Bureau cover the story. Or tell them of your story of trekking to DC.
-Want to have your voice heard? Submit your testimony to congress via the AmendTheCPSIA.com website. We will include it in the packet to be given to Congress.
-Blog about it, send e-newsletters to your customers, announce it as part of your email signature.

Be sure to check the website www.amendthecpsia.com often, and subscribe to updates.
We are looking forward to an action-packed day.

Thanks for all your support.
Rob Wilson

Visit cpsia-central at: http://cpsia-central.ning.com

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Come Celebrate My Etsy 1 Year Anniversary

2009-03-19T12:52:00.008-06:00

My Etsy Anniversary is March 30th. I would like to hit it in style by getting 250 sales or more. I am at 221.

To help me achieve this goal, I am offering $1.00 off each item in my Etsy Shop from today through the 30th. I mean every item. So lets say you want 3 yards of fabric, you'd get $3.00 off.

In my Shop I have everything you would need to make my baby bootie patterns, or any other baby related pattern, such as;

My designer baby bootie patterns,
Hard to find Cotton knit fabric,
Woven cotton fabric,
Polyester knit fabric,
Ribbing,
Cording,
Ribbon,
Elastic.

I also do custom orders.

Now, the fine print...♥
To get this special sale discount, go to my Etsy Shop, pick out what you want by adding it to your cart. Then BEFORE you pay me, send me a convo (contact seller) and put "ANNIVERSARY COUPON" in the subject line. I'll then send you an updated invoice from PayPal or Revolution Money Exchange (let me know your preference). Pay me from the invoice and I'll send you your items the following day (M-F).

Thats it!
Come Shop!
♥

Happy St. Patty's Day

2009-03-17T13:31:00.002-06:00

Todays Fabric of the Day

2009-03-12T17:38:00.007-06:00

I love to make people happy.

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I know how hard it has been to find cotton knit fabric anywhere.

So, I searched and searched, for many years mind you, but I did manage to find some really cute baby and children's prints in Interlock, Rib and Jersey knits. I have been posting them in my Etsy Shop where you can find them too.

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Now I have been made aware of another problem.

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It is getting hard to find Ribbing too!

What is this world coming to?

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It is a good thing I have been buying it when I find it.

Today I added these Luscious Flavors of Ribbing to my Etsy Shop, in the Rib Knit Section

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They are 95% Cotton and 5% Lycra, so they retain their shape.

I have 2 kinds. The 9 on the left are 2x2 rib knit and the 4 on the right are a 1x1 rib knit.

The 1x1 is lighter weight and has a smoother surface.

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2 of my patterns call for ribbing, Baby Bootie Patterns 2 and 5.

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Till next time, Happy Sewing!

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The Fabric of the Day, is Dedicated to Dr. Seuss

2009-03-10T15:22:00.010-06:00

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904. He was most widely known for his children's books, written under his pen name, Dr. Seuss.

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Since Elementary Schools across the country are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday this month, I thought would too.

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I have always loved his books, especially his characters. So today, straight out of "The Cat in the Hat" we have "Thing 1 and Thing 2" fabric for you to enjoy.

This fabric is a soft 100% combed cotton interlock knit in a medium weight.

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It is perfect for making any of my baby bootie patterns or baby and children's clothing.

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This fabric is available by the yard in my Etsy Shop, HERE.

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Baby Bootie Pattern 1 and The Featured Fabric of the Day

2009-03-09T08:10:00.010-06:00

Today I am Featuring Baby Bootie Pattern 1 and Bunny A-Go-Go Fabric.

This bootie pattern is easy to make. It is self-lining and has only 3 pattern pieces. (This pair is 4 inches long)

Bunny A-Go-Go, is a 100% cotton interlock knit fabric in a baby print. Interlock is a very easy type of knit to cut out and sew.

Both items are available in my Etsy Shop.

Fabric of the Day, Pre-empted

2009-03-06T09:49:00.024-07:00

I tracked down and got a new shipment of "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Interlock Knits in Baby and Children's Prints.

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So...Todays Featured Fabric is a sampling of 3 of those super cute Baby Knits.

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Click on a picture to go see the details.

It will take you to my Etsy Shop Listing for each Knit.

(Hopefully! If it doesn't, click the blue link above, then on the right side, in Sections in this shop, click cotton interlock fabric or any other section to see what I have by type.)

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Fabric of the Day

2009-03-05T09:13:00.006-07:00

Today's Featured Fabric is a "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Interlock Knit.
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BLUE OOGA BOOGA's
on a white background.

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It is available by the yard, Here for $12.50

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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.

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These link above will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric.

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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.

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Fabric of the Day

2009-03-02T09:31:00.010-07:00

Today's Featured Fabric is a 100% Cotton Rib Knit.

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LIZARDS and FROGS

on a white background with a brown bark pattern.

It is available by the yard, Here for $8.50
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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.
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These link above will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric.
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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.
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Fabric of the Day

2009-02-27T07:54:00.012-07:00

Today's Featured Fabric is a 100% Cotton Interlock Knit.

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Lil Jungle Safari Print on Light Green.

It is available as a Fat Quarter 18 X 29 inches, Here for $3.50

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or by the yard, Here for $12.50

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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.

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The links above will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric.

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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.

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The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift

2009-02-17T13:20:00.014-07:00

If you are looking for something to give to the Mom-To-Be, that is Unique, Practical and Made to order...Then look no further.

Angie, The Diaper Baker has just what you need....A DIAPER CAKE!!!

What are diaper cakes, you may ask? Our diaper cakes are an individually hand-crafted tiered creation made up of premium diapers as the foundation and is filled with all of the essentials a newborn baby would need.

EVERYTHING IS USABLE! It is uniquely designed especially for you...a solid guarantee to be one-of-a-kind! No two diaper cakes are identical. Diaper cakes have become the latest trend among expecting parents!

Diaper cakes are such hip and trendy baby shower gifts that they have been featured on The View, Good Morning America, Oprah Winfrey Show, InStyle Magazine, American Baby Magazine, and a multitude of baby magazines and publications, not to mention the hottest celebrity gift.

Be sure to view Angie's photo gallery for a portfolio of her current selections. To find out more...Visit her website http://www.thediaperbaker.com/

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Possible Stay of Execution from CPSIA

2009-01-30T18:42:00.005-07:00

Breaking News: The CPSIA Mandatory Testing & Certification Proposed 1 Year Suspension

We are so excited to announce that the Commission has voted for a "Stay of Enforcement of Certain Testing and Certification Requirements of CPSIA" — which means that they are proposing a 1 year suspension of the burden of lead testing and certification while they take more time to review the rules and plan enforcement!

All of your hard work is paying off (for the time being at least!). You wouldn't have to pay to do the certification and testing, though you are still liable if your products are found to have lead.

We are so pleased that artisans and vintage sellers got their voices heard. Your hard work is not over; we must continue to play a role in advocating for small business people throughout the coming year.

"The action taken today provides breathing space to get in place some of the rules needed for implementation, but it should not be viewed as a full solution to the many problems that have been raised." —U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission

You'll find the press release below:

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger.

These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

The stay does not apply to:

Four requirements for third-party testing and certification of certain children’s products subject to:
The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after December 21, 2008;

The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after January 20, 2009;

The ban on small parts effective for products made after February 15, 2009; and
The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after March 23, 2009.

Certification requirements applicable to ATV’s manufactured after April 13, 2009.
Pre-CPSIA testing and certification requirements, including for: automatic residential garage door openers, bike helmets, candles with metal core wicks, lawnmowers, lighters, mattresses, and swimming pool slides; and Pool drain cover requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA.

These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission.

However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead.

Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.

The stay of enforcement on testing and certification does not address thrift and second hand stores and small retailers because they are not required to test and certify products under the CPSIA.

The products they sell, including those in inventory on February 10, 2009, must not contain more than 600 ppm lead in any accessible part.

The Commission is aware that it is difficult to know whether a product meets the lead standard without testing and has issued guidance for these companies that can be found on our Web site.

The Commission trusts that State Attorneys General will respect the Commission's judgment that it is necessary to stay certain testing and certification requirements and will focus their own enforcement efforts on other provisions of the law, e.g. the sale of recalled products.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

Story by matt, Vanessa Published on January 30, 2009 in Craftivism
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Letter Campaign to the CSPC

2009-01-30T15:16:00.002-07:00

Dear Friends,

I just sent a letter to Nancy Nord at the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) asking her to clarify new child products rules to protect safe handmade clothes and toys.

The manufacture and sale of natural, toxic-free, handmade children’s products is a cherished part of our economy, and I want to make sure we protect and empower this largely mom-driven industry as we move forward with improving safety standards for all children’s products.

You can send a letter, too, by clicking here: http://www.momsrisingaction.org/o/1768/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26508

The Consumer Product Safety Information Act is a landmark law that will protect our children from dangerous chemicals.

As the Consumer Products Safety Commission considers the specific details for implementing this important law, we need to use commonsense and ensure that children’s products handmade with only natural, toxic-free materials can comply with the law through using certified safe materials as opposed to only through expensive testing.

Thanks!
Carolyn

Last Chance to Urge Changes on CPSIA

2009-01-30T10:11:00.003-07:00

Today is the last day to submit comments to the CPSIA regarding component testing and the ability to use certified components in products to avoid the duplication of final product testing.

See Request Here

If you haven't sent in a letter yet, please go to the site. Pre-written letter, just fill in your info.
Here

Thank you,
Carolyn
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Freedom and Independence from the CPSIA

2009-01-29T16:09:00.002-07:00

This is a video from a fellow independant childrens' clothing crafter, Caroline of Little Journeys Baby World http://www.littlejourneysbabyworld.com

Reform CPSIA HR4040

2009-01-19T09:02:00.002-07:00

Reform CPSIA HR4040

1788 Signatures
Published by Dawn Michelle LaPolla on Jan 07, 2009

Category: Law Reform
Region: United States of America
Target: Reform of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
Web site: http://www.reformcpsia.org/

Description/History:

The August 14, 2008 legislation included a new ban on lead in children's products (no more than 600 parts per million (ppm) by weight of any part of the product). According to the CPSIA, the new lead requirements take effect beginning February 10, 2009. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that this new requirement will apply to goods in inventory, as well as goods made on or after that effective date. This ruling effectively makes this new lead requirement retroactive.

This means that product that produced several months ago, & which is safe & legally compliant today, will not be able to be sold on February 10. This seems unfair, as it means we are being held responsible for a standard that didn't even exist when those goods were made. Moreover, it will be extremely difficult - & in some cases impossible - to retroactively certify that individual goods already in the warehouses & on the store shelves meet the new lead standard. In short, the ruling puts at risk millions of dollars of inventory.

Based on 2002 U.S. Census data, which is the most current available for the apparel manufacturing industry, the Cut & Sew Apparel Manufacturing industry, which includes most categories of small manufacturers of infant’s & children’s apparel, is comprised of more than 40,000 companies. Of these, almost 28,000, or 68%, are sole proprietors contributing a total of $900 million to our nation’s economy. Thus, while our businesses are small, they comprise well more than the majority of the apparel manufacturing businesses currently operating in this country.

We urge the CPSC to issue guidance that makes clear that textiles & apparel are only subject to the lead & lead in paint requirements to the extent that a component presents a risk that it contains lead.

I respectfully request that the CPSC institute rulemaking to clearly define the scope and applicability of the new lead regulations and testing requirements for apparel and footwear products. I also urge that CPSC announce and implement an orderly enforcement schedule that focuses initial phases on education of these new requirements. Finally, I believe the decision by the CPSC to apply the lead ban retroactively needs to be reconsidered as soon as possible since the practical impact of this decision, in today's economic environment, will have an adverse effect at a time the government is spending billions to stimulate the economy.

Disclaimer: I am not the original author of this petition. This petition was authored by concerned men and woman whom this Act will dramatically affect. I am grateful to them for their contribution to this effort.

Petition:

Reformation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) HR4040

We, the undersigned, believe that HR4040 unfairly targets small businesses that manufacture or sell products for children by implementing regulations that require redundant testing. Such requirements are excessive and cost prohibitive, retroactively impacting billions of dollars of current inventory. The current Act has circumvented the public discourse necessary to truly ascertain the CPSIA’s impact on small business.

We request that Congress institute rulemaking to clearly define the scope and applicability of the new lead regulations and testing requirements for children’s products as well as require the CPSC to announce and implement an orderly enforcement schedule that focuses initial phases on education of these new requirements as well as identifying exemptions for products that are inherently lead free.

We believe the decision by the CPSC to apply the lead ban retroactively should be reconsidered since the practical impact of this decision will have an adverse effect on small businesses and the economy at a time when the government is spending billions to stimulate the economy. Therefore, we, the undersigned, hereby petition Congress to reform the Law, adhering to the Administrative Procedure Act & the Regulatory Flexibility Act as well as request the courts application thereof now and in the interim to make a moratorium on the present Act.

Sign the petition

The Reform CPSIA HR4040 petition to Reform of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was written by Dawn Michelle LaPolla and is hosted free of charge at GoPetition.

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Help Us Save Handmade!

2009-01-10T12:55:00.002-07:00

So many of you have written to us out of concern regarding the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, that we created this page as a source of information, resources and breaking news.
If you want to help spread the word, you can post this button on your blog or website. It's our hope that together, we can encourage Congress to amend the act so that we can both keep our children safe and protect the handmade toys and clothing that we love so much.

Adorable handmade bear image courtesy of Bumblebird --a true artist worth saving! And design by Laurie Smithwick of LEAP Design .

Or go here... http://coolmompicks.com/savehandmade/
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Congressman Dent takes up the cause! Re: CPSIA

2009-01-08T17:36:00.002-07:00

The following article was written by BuggaLove on Etsy Forum.
The title (above) links to the article and this is the link to her Etsy Shop.

Congressman Dent takes up the cause! Re: CPSIA

For those who do not know, I have been communicating frequently with Congressman Charlie Dent’s office. His office has been extremely helpful in assisting me gather accurate information regarding the CPSIA. My meeting with Congressman Dent himself is scheduled for January 16, 2009.

I’ve received word today that Congressman Dent is taking up our cause. And he is gathering the support of other Congressmen. So far, Congressman Jim Gerlach and Congressman Tim Holden have joined him to support the effort. Others are reviewing and likely more will join the effort in the next few days. Congressman Dent is sending a letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce requesting a hearing. This is VERY good news. THIS is how things get changed.

It is the new chairman of the Committee who has the ability to call for hearings on this matter and advance critical legislation to resolve some of the issues. The best way to convince him of the need for a hearing to amend the CPSIA is to WRITE LETTERS to the four Energy and Commerce Committee leaders explaining our concerns and issues with the law as it is written and how it will affect us. Even if you have written to these people before, I urge you to send another letter.

Here are the names and addresses of the four Committee leaders:

The Hon. Henry A. Waxman
Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Hon. Joe Barton
Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Hon. Bobby Rush
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Hon. Ed Whitfield
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Tradeand Consumer Protection
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
.

New child product safety law turns millions of US homecrafters into criminals

2009-01-08T12:46:00.002-07:00

Kiki Fluhr, who runs the All the Numbers Handmade homecraft business from her Quincy, Massachusetts home, warns that the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which becomes effective from February 10 next year, will turn micro-businesses like hers into illegal manufacturers of "hazardous substances' overnight.

We will all become criminals
This law includes hand-knitted, quilted and hand-sewn clothes, wooden toys and the myriad of other products for children which traditionally have been sold by arts-and-crafts shops countrywide for decades. These are usually produced by cash-strapped people at home. She says that even granny's home-made quilts sold in the local arts-and-crafts shop won't be exempt from this new law. Also disastrous is the fact that thousands of tons of these often exquisitely-handcrafted products in the pre-existing stock of shops also will have to be dumped as contraband which under this law will be deemed to contain 'banned, hazardous substances' after February 10 -- because the Act is retroactive. Each product will have be tested at huge cost and produce a certificate of compliance before it can be sold. Handcrafters say they can't afford this huge price-tag of $4,000 for each test.

National Bankruptcy Act
Thousands of American microshops like Kiki's will be forced to go out of business because of this Act. She calls it the National Bankruptcy Act which is turning every home-crafter into a felon overnight: every manufacturer, reseller and retailer will need to prove compliance or risk being charged with a felony. A conviction carries tens of thousands of dollars in fines and potentially even jail time.

Read page 7 of the act - with reference to the required testing of children's products on page 7. Lodge complaints against this act before January 20 2009.

Fluhr says that she has spent the last six months growing her business, 'working incredibly hard to create a great product. '

The Act was drawn up after last year's massive recalls, when dozens of dangerous, lead-tainted Chinese toys and children's products were recalled.

"In August 2008, in response to that disaster, the Consumer Product Safety Commission passed this legislation.

She says while it's laudable that the new law bans lead and phthalates (a chemical used in some vinyl products) from all children’s toys, apparel, decor, and accessories, it's a disaster for micro-businesses like hers. She works with organic materials -- and traditional handcrafters like her are very conscious of the safety of their products. However they can't afford to have each product tested at the cost of $4,000 per item to get their certificates of compliance. So they will not only be forced out of business, but their pre-existing stock will be outlawed.

Manufacturers -- all these microbusinesses included -- will have to obtain a certificate of compliance: anyone who makes clothing, toys etc regardless of volume, needs to have each and every component tested by a CPSC-accredited laboratory at huge cost for each individual product.

"This includes not just toys, but clothing, jewelry, blankets, sheets, books, bibs, strollers, carriers, and anything else that a child younger than 12 might come in contact with," she said.

"These tests have to be done at a CSPC accredited lab, and cost as much as $4,000 with an average of around $500. So for me, I offer three different types of dresses. Each dress contains two different fabrics, as well as buttons, and thread (each of which needs to be tested), so that’s potentially $2,000 to test one dress. But I have three styles, so that’s $6,000.

And when I get a new bolt of fabric, I need to start all over again. I can only make 15 dresses from one bolt, so there is no way I could make the testing financially feasible".

She agrees wholeheartedly that the children must be protected from harmfull chemicals. "However this law, as it is currently written, will affect handmade toy and apparel makers - the very people many of us turn to for safe toys, clothing and decor for our children."

"At present, there are no exemptions for small businesses and “micro” manufacturers like myself and most handcraft artisans."

Even lead-free and phthalates-free products must still be tested...
The law as it stands now, makes no exception for quantities made, where the garments/products are made or anything else. Nor is there an exception for unadorned fabric components, unfinished wood components, materials which, by their nature, are free of lead and phthalates.

Guilty until proven innocent...
Also, the law takes a “guilty until proven innocent” approach, which would treat a handmade, unfinished wooden toy that doesn’t meet the certification deadline as a “banned hazardous substance” which would be illegal to distribute in this country, she said.

This legislation is also retroactive for any pre-existing inventory as of Feb. 10, 2009. This means that everything on the shelves in those big (or small) stores will also be “banned, hazardous substances” – contraband.

"Larger corporations that can afford testing will incur thousands, maybe millions of dollars in fees, and this expense will be handed down to the consumer, probably making the prices for children’s products go through the roof."

No more selling old things on eBay or Craigslist...
"This also means that after that date, even selling your kids old things on eBay or Craigslist will be illegal. Charities will not be able to accept donations without a certificate of compliance either.

"February 10, 2009 is being dubbed “National Bankruptcy Day” by many people in the apparel and toy industry. If this legislation is not amended, it will affect everyone from port workers to parents looking for legal products.

"Billions of dollars worth of children’s products will have to be destroyed because they can’t be legally sold, and this will cause major environmental problems," she said.

Fluhr says that she's all for higher safety standards and keeping the kids safe -- however this law is overreacting. "It will put thousands of manufacturers of children’s products out of business -hurting our economy and causing even more loan defaults. Though this legislation was well-intentioned, it cannot be allowed to stand."

"This law affects every stay at home mom trying to help put food on the table and every grandmother knitting blankets for the local craft fair. It makes the thousands of us who have found a niche in the burgeoning handmade market have to make a tough decision – continue to produce items illegally and possible incur a $100,000 fine, or close up shop and maybe not be able to pay the mortgage this month...."

How to object to this Act

She urged home-crafters and micro-business owners to lodge their objections no later than January 30 2009 to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Office of the Secretary, email Sec102ComponentPawrtsTesting@cpsc.gov . They can be faxed to (USA) 301 504-0127

Snailmail: The Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 US. Comments should be captioned: Section 102 Mandatory Third-Party Testing of Component Parts'
.

Millions of homecrafters face bankruptcy after January 20 2009 from new law

2009-01-08T12:35:00.002-07:00

I will continue to post information as I find it...Please spread the word. Carolyn

by Adriana Stuijt.
The January 20 2009 deadline for millions of American homecrafters to object to a new law requiring expensive testing of their products, is approaching fast. Child-products without certificates proving they have no lead content, will have to be scrapped.
Buy an ad on DigitalJournal.com
The new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act – passed hastily to bar poisonous foreign products – also will require millions of American homecrafters to have each of their products tested at huge cost, ranging from $500 to $4000 per product – including their old stock which was manufactured before this law had even been thought up. See law here

Formal complaints against this act must be lodged before January 20 2009 Comments must be labeled: Section 102 Mandatory Third-Party Testing of Component Parts'. Lodge complaints here

Without the CPSI certificate of compliance, millions of homecrafters selling their products on EBay, at fairs, in home-shops and at charity shops face conviction under this Act, which goes into effect on February 10 this year. Conviction carries tens of thousands of dollars in fines and potentially even jail time.

No more selling old things on eBay or Craigslist...
And all the products sold on eBay or Craigslist will also require such certificates of compliance or they will be breaking the law. Also affected: millions of charities, which will no longer be able to accept donations without a certificate of compliance. And this certificate can only be obtained through expensive testing by an SCPC-accredited laboratory." Without such certificates, billions of dollars worth of uncertified children’s products will have to be destroyed because they can’t be legally sold without an CPSI-certificate of compliance, and this will cause major environmental problems," said Massachusetts campaigner Kiki Fluhr.

The handmade toys alliance is also up in arms.
They warn: 'The CPSIA simply forgot to exclude the class of children's goods that have earned and kept the public's trust: Toys, clothes, and accessories made in the US, Canada, and Europe. The result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade children's products will no longer be legal in the US.
"And if this law had been applied to the food industry, every farmers market in the country would be forced to close while Kraft and Dole prospered...'See

The Act was drawn up after last year's massive recalls of dozens of dangerous, lead-tainted Chinese toys and children's products containing lethal phthalates.

This law however also includes all the products made in the USA, including homecrafters’ hand-knitted, quilted and hand-sewn clothes, wooden toys and the myriad of other products for children which traditionally have been sold by arts-and-crafts shops countrywide for decades. These are usually produced by cash-strapped people at home. Read page 7 of the act - with reference to the required testing of children's products here

Little time to object:
Homecrafters say there has been very little opportunity to campaign to get this aspect of the law changed before the deadline. The presidential elections and the holiday season have greatly hampered these efforts. The law was passed in August without much fanfare nor much publicity – -- and it was passed very hastily, with very little input from the country’s millions of homecrafters, they complain.

The homecrafters’ campaign to have the law changed before the objection deadline of January 20 this year was kicked off by one Massachusetts homecrafter, Kiki Fluhr, a young mom who runs the All the Numbers Handmade shop from her home. She refers to the law as the National Bankruptcy Act and predicts that tons of beautiful homecrafted stock will have to be thrown away.

She agrees wholeheartedly that the children must be protected from harmful chemicals. "However this law, as it is currently written, will affect millions of makers of handmade toys and apparel for children - the very people who many of us now turn to for safe toys, clothing and decor for our children. At present, there are no exemptions for small businesses and “micro” manufacturers like myself and most handcraft artisans."

See our previous story: here

Kuhr says all the homecrafters of the US 'will become criminals from February 10 if they continue to sell their homemade stock without the required certificate of compliance to prove that it had been tested for dangerous contents such as lead'.

Homecrafters now have to make a tough decision: whether to sell their stock without the certificate and face massive fines and even imprisonment under this new law, or scrapping all their old stock and going out of business.

She says the new law will turn micro-businesses like hers into illegal manufacturers of "hazardous substances' overnight. Kuhr says that ‘even granny's home-made quilts sold in the local arts-and-crafts shop won't be exempt from this new law’. And the pre-existing stock from homecraft-shops also will have to be dumped as ‘contraband', she said, because the Act is retroactive, and without the required certificate of compliance, all such products will be deemed to contain 'banned, hazardous substances' after February 10.

Fluhr says that she has spent the last six months growing her business, 'working incredibly hard to create a great product. ' And while it's laudable that the new law bans lead and phthalates (a chemical used in some vinyl products) from all children’s toys, apparel, decor, and accessories, it's a disaster for micro-businesses like hers.

She works with organic materials -- and traditional handcrafters like her are very conscious of the safety of their products. However they can't afford to have each product tested at the cost of $4,000 per item to get their certificates of compliance. So they will not only be forced out of business, but their pre-existing stock will be outlawed.

Manufacturers -- all these micro-businesses included -- will have to obtain a certificate of compliance: anyone who makes clothing, toys etc regardless of volume, needs to have each and every component tested by a CPSC-accredited laboratory at huge cost for each individual product. "This includes not just toys, but clothing, jewelry, blankets, sheets, books, bibs, strollers, carriers, and anything else that a child younger than 12 might come in contact with," she said.

"These tests have to be done at a CSPC accredited lab, and cost as much as $4,000 with an average of around $500. So for me, I offer three different types of dresses. Each dress contains two different fabrics, as well as buttons, and thread (each of which needs to be tested), so that’s potentially $2,000 to test one dress. But I have three styles, so that’s $6,000. And when I get a new bolt of fabric, I need to start all over again. I can only make 15 dresses from one bolt, so there is no way I could make the testing financially feasible".

Even known lead-free and phthalates-free products must still be tested...
The law as it stands now, makes no exception for quantities made, where the garments/products are made or anything else. Nor is there an exception for unadorned fabric components, unfinished wood components, materials which, by their nature, are free of lead and phthalates.

Guilty until proven innocent...
Also, the law takes a “guilty until proven innocent” approach, which would treat a handmade, unfinished wooden toy that doesn’t meet the certification deadline as a “banned hazardous substance” which would be illegal to distribute in this country, she said.

"Larger corporations that can afford testing will incur thousands, maybe millions of dollars in fees, and this expense will be handed down to the consumer, probably making the prices for children’s products go through the roof." Fluhr: "This law will put thousands of manufacturers of children’s products out of business -hurting our economy and causing even more loan defaults. Though this legislation was well-intentioned, it cannot be allowed to stand."

"This law affects every stay at home mom trying to help put food on the table and every grandmother knitting blankets for the local craft fair. It makes the thousands of us who have found a niche in the burgeoning handmade market have to make a tough decision – continue to produce items illegally and possible incur a $100,000 fine, or close up shop and maybe not be able to pay the mortgage this month...."

How to object to this Act
She urged home-crafters and micro-business owners to lodge their objections no later than January 20 2009 to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Office of the Secretary, email

Sec102ComponentPawrtsTesting@cpsc.gov . They can be faxed to (USA) 301 504-0127

Snailmail:
The Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814 US.

Comments should be captioned: Section 102 Mandatory Third-Party Testing of Component Parts'
article:264507:237::0

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

2009-01-08T12:27:00.001-07:00

This Act, passed by congress will go into affect February 10, 2009.
Information regarding the act is not just important for large manufacturers or even small businesses making a few children's items - it is for everyone.
The new changes in the law will directly affect millions.
Do you buy any toys for children 12 and under?
Do you buy any clothes for children 12 and under?
Do you hand-down clothes from your children to friends, family, under-privileged children or even donate them to a charity?

If you do, affective February 10, 2009 unless that item has a compliance tag stating is conforms to the new regulations you can no longer do anything except throw said item away.
You cannot post it on FreeCycle to give away, eBay or Craig’s list to sell, donate it or anything else.

Yes, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has interpreted the law to be retroactive, therefore it applies to all used clothing.

We all want children to be as safe as they possibly can, however, by pushing this Act and its subsequent changes through, there was not enough time to review every possible consequence of the law.
Many small and home-based businesses will be put out of business.
Do we really need that in this time of economic uncertainty?

The law was meant to affect the large-scale manufacturers of children's clothing, jewelry and toys and those are the very business who are being helped by the Act.
Who is able to afford the testing and makes many, many of the same toy or clothing item?
The large manufacturers.

So, please show Congress and our in-coming President that this law is not feasible and it affects so many!

Here is a link to Change.org which has other resources for you to object this law as it affects small businesses: Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA
A link to the Handmade Toy Alliance's Information on the Act: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home
A digital journal article about the Act: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507
A link to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s form for questions on the new law:http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

Through those links you can find information on contacting your representatives in Congress and your Senators.
Please, please understand that as currently written this law does not only affect those that make handmade or small-scale manufacture items or even the large-scale manufacturers.
Take the few minutes needed to tell someone that this law will affect so many.

Posted by Jamie of ItsieBitsies at 9:58:00 AM

The CPSIA puts handmade toys and kids clothes in danger of extinction. Like, soon.

2009-01-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

The CPSIA puts handmade toys and kids clothes in danger of extinction. Like, soon.
by Mom101

This week I got an email addressed to me at Cool Mom Picks, the shopping blog that I co-founded, and it nearly broke my heart.

It was from a mom in Ohio who, for the first time, was able to make enough money selling handmade barrettes at her etsy shop this year that she could afford to stay home with her small son. But thanks to the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act which passed this year and introduces such prohibitive testing and labeling regulations for kids products, she's likely to be out of business in two months.

In fact the act threatens to put so many crafters, toy artisans, retailers and small business owners out of work that the day it goes into effect, February 10, is being referred to as National Bankruptcy Day.

Like the economy isn't awesome enough already.

Think: The stay-at-home mom selling beautiful handmade rag dolls, the artist in Wisconsin who's been hand-whittling natural wood trains for thirty years, the ebay-ing grandma who knits baby booties and sells them for extra income, the adorable kids superhero cape maker at your local craft bazaar.

All gone. Only to be replaced by plastic garbage from companies who can afford to comply with the new law.

Now to be fair, the act is well-intended. Congress created it as a reaction to last year's toy recalls, with the aim of getting lead (and presumably the date rape drug) out of toys - something we can all get behind I'd think.

Unfortunately it seems a little hastily assembled, and doesn't account for the fact that not every child's product in America is produced by the thousands in Taiwan by deep-pocketed manufacturers.

Jen, the jewelry designer and blogger behind Mama's Magic, explains why small artists can't reasonably comply:

It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to do this testing, regardless of how small the business. These tests run into the hundreds of dollars. And every piece of my jewelry is one of a kind, so wouldrequire a separate set of tests. It isn't enough to test a single prototype. Since each piece of my jewelry sells for $50 or less, the math just doesn't add up.

It isn't enough to test the components, nor is it sufficient to rely on your suppliers' certification of the safety of the materials. Apparently, according to the CPSIA, simply knitting yarn into a baby blanket or putting beads on a cord mysteriously changes the composition of said materials and requires a whole 'nother set of tests, because they might have suddenly turned toxic. There are no exemptions for small businesses and "micro" manufacturers like myself and most handcraft artisans.

Small artists have already earned the public trust. They're in fact who parents all turned to last year when Thomas train sets and Dora action figures were being recalled every other day. They're willing to be accountable for the safety and quality of their products; they just need different methods for accountability than the Mattel’s and Fisher Prices of the world.

Like maybe we can presume that natural woods and finishes don't require heavy metal testing. Or we can transfer some of the testing burden onto the manufacturers of the raw materials like fabric and paint.

Jen Taggart at The Smart Mama has a terrific, thorough post on the act - Jen is an attorney, mother, and advocate on environmental standards for children’s products. Even she concludes:

Think about it - does it make sense for an organic cotton t-shirt maker without any decals or logos that might have lead test for lead? Or a manufacturer of woods toy[s] finished with beeswax test for lead?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say no. No, it doesn't make sense.

This is a very personal issue for me. As I wrote on Mom-101 this week, I grew up with a single, work-at-home mother who briefly ran a small children's wear company.

I remember the pride of seeing the most beautiful little things emerge from the attic which served as a sewing room and design studio: Creamy velour playsuits, satin-appliquéd buntings (hey, it was the 70's) lace Christening dresses so spectacular that they appeared in the Smithsonian catalog. What was most incredible to me was that inside each tiny collar lay a satin label with my very own mother's name. It was like magic.

Eventually she went out of business, in part because of her refusal to ship her patterns overseas to low-wage workers. (Go mom!) I see that same pattern emerging here. Or as Katie White says:

Basically, everything will now come from China, which is ironic seeing how it was their sub-par safety regulations that was the catalyst for this piece of legislation in the first place.

At Cool Mom Picks, we set up a Save Handmade! resource page to provide a list of actions you can take to help, including:

-Writing to your congressperson or senator. The Nature's Child blog has some outstanding tips on how to do this.

-Voting for changes to the act on Change.Org, digg-style, where the top thirty issues will be presented to the Obama administration on inauguration day

-Checking in with the Handmade Toy Alliance (not just for toys) and the CSPIA threads at the Fashion Inucbator forums which are now open to the public.

And then, there's what Anarchy in the OK recommends:

STOP BUYING CR*P for your kids. Letters are well and good, but the world will really hear us if we put our money where our mouth is. While it's still legal, cast your monetary vote for handmade this Christmas.

It's a thought.

Liz Gumbinner is a Contributing Editor to BlogHer and the co-founder and editor of Cool Mom Picks, a blog devoted to showcasing what's cool for parents, particularly from the handmade community.

Submitted by Mom101 (view blog)

F5M-Millionaires Club!

2008-12-29T21:47:00.006-07:00

This has nothing to do with sewing baby booties at all. But it could help us to afford our fabric addiction....

Below is a letter I received and thought I would pass it along.
If you are looking for a way to make some extra money without investing a lot of money...you can start this program with $5.

Dear Carolyn,

Special Greetings from
John Kielec Founder/President of F5M-Millionaires Club!

As New Year is approaching, I would like to take this time to wish you and your loved ones much happiness, good health, and whatever dreams you set for the coming year 2009, I hope they will come true for you.

One of my dreams that I have set a year ago has become real and brought much happiness into my life. I made a wish and I just did not give up on it.

That wish and my dream was to earn money from home and set myself free from financial worries. This is what most people want but very few achieve. The secret to what you want is to make a plan and go for it without quitting.

I became successful with one of the most stable, reliable and very profitable wealth system ever created. A wealth system that has been paying out daily for over 15 years for members from well over 150 countries. Upon that success the F5M-Millionaires Club was created and today it is one of the TOP 5 opportunities on the Internet out of thousands of others.

You can start out with one time fee of only $5 and it is very possible to earn over $1,000,000 in profits. Many have started that way and today are getting paid on a daily basis.

If you are not a member of F5M-Millionaires Club yet, please visit:
http://www.f5m-millionaires-club.com/?id=dreamer

We have many things happening here and you can take advantage by joining now before thousands of others come in 2009. Next year we expect 50,000 to 100,000 new members to join our financial club.

As a President of F5M-Millionaires Club, I will be making everything possible to make sure we will move from TOP 5 position to become #1 on the Internet in 2009!

I hope you join us and be part of the best of the best. For as little as $5 to join (one time fee), you can earn money without any monthly fees for life.
http://www.f5m-millionaires-club.com/?id=dreamer

Let your 2009 be the best year for earning money from home!

Sincerely,
John Kielec
.

Sewing Baby Booties

2008-12-20T07:07:00.004-07:00

I crochet well and I can knit to a degree, but I am too lazy.

Not to say I don't take tremendous time designing my patterns for making baby booties. It is just that when I sit down to make something, I want to see the results quickly.

For me, sewing is so much faster than crocheting and way faster than knitting. I can whip up a pair of booties in literally, minutes. Wha La, Done.

I am really good with a sewing machine and scissors. I can take them where they may have never tread before, especially scissors. (But that is another subject)

I started sewing when I was 5, thus it has been a long affair and I am still in love.

It was at age 10 or 11 that I learned to knit, crochet and cross stitch. I still do them, but I have spent the least amount of time knitting. I have to relearn to knit each time I decide I want to knit something. Too much time, taken away from sewing. A change is good, right?

I need change to keep from getting bored, even when sewing. To illustrate this point, we'll take the "Way-back machine" to 1982 when I worked for JC Penney in their Tailoring department in Harrisburg PA, doing alterations.

Each day we had a pile of mens pants to hem, take in or let out and press. We'd sort them by color so we didn't have to change the thread on the sewing machine so often. Just to break the tedium of the job, I'd psyche myself by getting excited about changing the thread to a new color.

Other things we did to break the monotony was to add little pictures to the calendar that hung above the machines. Our "boss" Gus Catalano, loved sail boats and the calendars were usually that theme. We'd add boats, birds, people, trees, etc and then we'd try to spot the new items without feeling the page. He was so much fun and I learned a lot from him. (I could do a whole blog on him and maybe I will)

The moral of this story is; My bootie patterns are fun and easy to make and...faster than crocheting or knitting. (At least for me) LOL

Patterns and fabric are available HERE and HERE
******

Hard to find, Cotton Knit Fabric, Found

2008-12-18T11:02:00.032-07:00

I have had a lot of people asking me "Where can I get the cute fabric you make your booties from?"

Cotton knits in general are hard to find, specifically cotton interlock, in any fabric store.

I have had the same problem and have searched high and low for vendors. Lips have been tight on sources. It is very frustrating.

However....I have found enough for starters, that I can offer some for sale.

I have the following Cotton Knits available in my Etsy Store, in fat quarters.

(A fat quarter "FQ", is 1/4 of a yard of fabric that has been cut in half horizontally then cut vertically, to give you more workable fabric than a 1/4 yard strip would).

An 18 inch by 28/30 inch Fat Quarter (FQ) is plenty of fabric to make any of my patterns requiring knit fabric.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5750311

100% cotton jersey (single knit) fabric

100% cotton interlock (double knit) fabric

100% cotton rib knit fabric

Patterns 1 and 2 are self lining.
Pattern 3 will require additional fabric for the lining.
For Patterns 4 and 5, a separate lining fabric is optional.

Please note: All items in my shop are smoke free and pet free.

Fabric is not pre-washed.

I ship world-wide.

Lil' Baby Thangs Etsy Store

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5750311

PS. The patterns are on sale too.

Montana Bootie Queen

2008-12-02T16:35:00.005-07:00

An article written about me and my bootie patterns, by Jamie Fuchs
http://bigskymontanaetsyteam.blogspot.com/2008/12/montana-booty-queen.html

What you need for your newborn ... and what you don't

2008-10-25T09:06:00.002-06:00

I found this article in the Medford Oregon Mail Tribune and felt I should pass it on.

What you need for your newborn ... and what you don't

'October 25, 2008'
By RACHEL BECK
The Associated Press
October 25, 2008 6:00 AM

Just because baby superstores have products stacked to the ceilings doesn't mean most of what they stock is worth buying. In fact, parents should pass by much of it.

That's the advice coming from Heather Maclean, who has made a business of cutting through the clutter of baby merchandise. The mother of three's new book, "The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide," doesn't list branded items but guides parents through what kind of merchandise to buy to handle everything from sleepless nights to playtime during their child's first years.

There is a lot to mull, given that $8.9 billion in baby products sold last year, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a trade group for the industry.

Here are some excerpts from an interview with Maclean, who also helps run the Baby Gizmo Web site:

Q: Baby superstores are mazes, with thousands of products. What's the best game plan for how to shop?

A: The stores are great at distractions on purpose. I liken them to Las Vegas casinos, with the lights, end caps and lack of windows so that you are walking in circles for hours, and that leads you to spend more.

That's why you need to be prepared before you walk into the store. Read a book before you go to learn about categories, products and some of the crazy baby (products) terminology. Then search on the Internet for patterns and prices, and make a list with what to buy. Take that to the store with you.

But make sure you break your baby shopping into small chunks by zeroing in on three things per visit.

Q: In your book, you talk about the "bad baby-product buying cycle." What does that mean?

A: Many times, parents are driven to buy a product because of the intense need for quiet and calm in their house, but once you get to the store, it's noisy, overwhelming, and there are so many similar choices, that you end up just grabbing everything.

You might buy six different activity centers or swings. You overbuy products and bring them home — only to then realize it is hideous, ugly, the music is driving you nuts or your baby hates it. But there is no way you can or want to take it back, so it sits in your house and you secretly seethe with hatred every time you walk past it.

A simple way to avoid some of that torture is to take batteries to the store.
I have no problem having a salesperson come over, open the box and put batteries in so I can listen to the music before I buy it.

Q: Some products aren't considered necessities, but they sure make life better for babies and their parents. What goes on that list?

A: You can live without a video monitor, but it can change you life. I lost a huge amount of sleep when wondering what was that rustle or that cry, but the video monitor lets you instantly see a visual confirmation of what the child is doing.

I also think a pretty high-quality diaper bag will last longer and mom will feel a lot better holding it. Why not get a diaper bag that makes you feel great?

Lastly, a good lightweight toddler stroller is something you won't regret. You can get a $9.99 one for sure, and you can break your wrist pushing it. The minute you make the switch to a $100 lightweight stroller that lets you push it with your pinkies, you will notice the difference. You will use that stroller from the time the child is eight months through four years.

Q: Speaking of splurging a little, we see all those Hollywood starlets in the celebrity magazines pushing their $1,000 strollers. Are they worth that much?

A: They are worth it. Some of those systems are three strollers in one — they have bassinets, then become lightweight strollers, they have toddler attachments and boogie boards for siblings. When you add up all those options, you would spend just as much on buying all of those things separately.

Q: Hand-me-downs are a great way to save money when you have children, but are they the safest option?

A: Hand-me-downs are amazing money savers, but some can be dangerous. A bad hand-me-down is one that is essential to your child's safety or has an unknown history. I wouldn't do hand-me-downs for car seats, because you can't even give them away to Goodwill. I say no to play yards and cribs.

Cribs are recalled so frequently for a million things that you could never keep up. Crib mattresses have the issue of bacteria seeping in and staying there. Same goes with breast pumps.

Great hand-me-downs are clothes, of course. Strollers are great — they are very safe and hardly ever recalled. I like activity tables, baby gyms, rocking chairs and nursery decor.

Winner of the Baby Bootie Pattern Naming Contest

2008-10-10T10:36:00.005-06:00

I have chosen the winner of the contest.

She is Vanya Whitehead of Leeds UK.

Her winning entry was "Soft Landings". Sweet, isn't it?

Vanya's husband has a competition coming up in December where he flies model Spitfire airplanes. She wants her son's booties to match that theme so she chose a custom made pair of "Spitfire Airplane Booties". She also won the first printed pattern, autographed by me.

Congratulations Vanya!

Airplane Baby Bootie Pattern is now finished

2008-09-19T11:15:00.006-06:00

Yea! I have finished the pattern. I haven't given it a name yet.

The Contest for naming the bootie will end at the end of the month, so get your name ideas sent in.

This is my first attempt making the pattern with pictorials instead of hand drawn illustrations. I hope you like it as well. It was a huge time saver for me. I am still trying to get the photos to be consistent in their light exposure.

So without further adu....

You may purchase the pattern at the link below and receive a link for an instant download. Please keep in mind that the file is large, due to so many pictures, and may take awhile to download. Just wait for it, you'll get it OK.

There are 13 pages, between the pattern and directions.

The pattern includes 7 sizes from newborn babies size 0 up to children's size 9.

So yes, you are getting a real deal at this price. $8.99

How to Make Fabric Pinwheels

2008-09-17T15:51:00.021-06:00

These instructions are for a pair of Pinwheels

Updated Version 12-28-2010 and Download Printable PDF Version

The finished Pinwheels will be the same size as the square of fabric you use.

1. Cut out 4 squares, of the size you need.

You can use all the same fabric or different fabrics for the front and the back. You will also need to cut 2 of fusible web (fusing). The squares need to be perfectly square.

2. Line them up so you have 1 fabric piece face down. Add the layer of fusing. Now put the other fabric piece face up. Iron them together.

3. There are a couple of options for this step. I mark the cutting lines and center. Then I use Fray Check and apply it to the raw edges and on the drawn lines on both sides. I let it dry, then cut the lines.

The other way is to satin stitch all the raw edges.

4. Thread a needle and knot the thread. Insert the needle through the center dot from the back to front. Take a corner with a dot and bring it down over the needle and push the needle through the dot. You want to catch enough fabric that it won't pull out. Repeat for each of the four corners. An embellishment could be added here. (ie. a button, bead, etc.)

5. Sew the points together with a few stitches then securely sew the "propeller" to the toe of the bootie. (or attach it to whatever you have in mind)

These pinwheels can be made any size and used for a variety of things. Hung from a mobile in different fabrics for eye candy for your baby. Double them up in different sizes for a double pinwheel. Use them to replace the bow on gifts. Decorate your Christmas tree. Use a big one for a wall hanging.

These are additively easy to make and you are only limited by your imagination and your fabric stash.

Have fun...till next time,

Carolyn

Updated Version 12-28-2010 and

Download Printable PDF Version

New Baby Bootie Design Naming Contest

2008-09-13T14:04:00.022-06:00

I had an idea for a new baby bootie a few days ago.

It came in the form of looking at other peoples booties on the web (checking out the competition). There was a pair I couldn't quite make out the picture on and I got as close as I could. I finally figured out that one bootie was vertical and the other one was right on top of it only horizontal, like a t. But in the process of trying to figure out what kind of booties they were, I got an idea, kind of from the blurred picture.

I drew out my idea so I wouldn't forget and went to bed. I couldn't sleep, as my mind kept going over every detail on how to make it.

Here is the result of all that brain power...Lol

Presenting......drum roll.....Please......

Prop Plane / Pilot Booties / Your guess is a good as mine.

These lil' airplanes must have been kept in an old barn. They are just covered in spiderwebs. You can't even see through the cockpit windshield. They seem to be brand new and even have a soft flannel lining so little feet feel cozy in them. The pinwheel propeller is sewn on and the wings are securely sewn in. The elastic in the back is sewn in-between the layers of fabric so the bootie will stay on and be comfy. The fabrics are cotton.

Oops, one crashed...

Post your name ideas in comments so everyone can see,and I don't get duplicates of your fabulous ideas. Then send me an email with your name and email address (that way I have a time stamp too).
The person who comes up with the name I choose for the Bootie, will win a free pair of booties and the first printed pattern, signed by me (when I get it drawn and typed up).

To just go ahead a purchase a pair (several to choose from), go to www.lilbabythangs.etsy.net

The finished Bootie lengths are:

2X-Sm Preemie- 2 inches to 2 2/3 inches
X-Sm Preemie- up to 3 inches
Small - up to 3 1/3 inches
Medium- up to 3 2/3 inches
Large- 4 inches

On your mark, - get set, - GO....
.