Link as promised...

Just a quick post to give you the link if you are interested in reading more about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

This is off of the Forbes website. So if you are interested in handmade items, this will include smocked clothing (!), then buy it now because it will either no longer be available, or the prices will sky-rocket! Right now, alot of internet sites such as Etsy, and personal sellers web pages are having 1/2 price sales to get rid of inventory all ready made. Sorry my post is so short today, but I am busy sewing. Until later...

Another LSU quilt

Good afternoon! I managed to have some free time since both of my at home children are napping! So I am taking this opportunity to post my newest creation! Yes, it is another LSU quilt, but it seems to be a popular request! I have one more I am working on, but it is for a boy so it will be a little bit different. I used my new serger to put the quilt top together and it went a bit faster. Hopefully the feedback is good on how it holds up. I've been told it was the hit of the baby shower, so I am happy. This one is also done with a flannel backing, but the next one will be a palette quilt with a cotton backing. I am excited to see how it comes out. I have been scouring the fabric stores and websites to find different yellows and purples so they won't all start looking the same. This one has two new fabrics I found, but it is hard to tell in the picture. I just ordered some purple and yellow stripe material that looks good online. Hopefully it will be just as good in hand. That's the thing about ordering online, you can't "feel" the fabric beforehand. You just have to trust that it is quality and not be too disappointed if it is not.

I am also proud to say that Bundle of Joy is now selling my Mardi Gras tu-tus. I brought some by yesterday and the owner thought they were good enough to carry in her store. I am honored because they have such nice things She only bought two, so hopefully they will sell so she will ask for more! I am not sure how many of you follow the "Handmade" news, but there is new legislation starting in February that will put a big dent in the small business industry of handmade items. There is a link on the left side of this page that, I think, will take you too the latest information concerning this. The limited info that I have read up on is that with the new restrictions being put on anything made and sold for children under 12, it has to go through some very expensive testing to ensure the amounts of lead in all materials used is below a certain level. It doesn't matter if the fabric or material has been tested by the company you buy it from, or the fabric shop that sells it too you, it is still your responsibility as a seller to test all items. In fact, you must have a certificate of testing for each item sold. So this will either put many of the moms who sew out of business or make the cost of anything locally handmade way above what an average consumer will be willing to pay. There is a petition to get the legislation to add some type of exclusion or clause that will hopefully save the handmade industry. Anyway, just a heads up, for more in depth and accurate information you can click the link or google it, if you are really interested. Maybe by my next post I'll have an actual link if my scattered-brain remembers it!

In other exciting news...I turned 37 today! WooHoo! My how the years are flying by. Good thing I have kids to keep me young! Speaking of my dear wee ones...back to mommy duties. Until later...

Mardi Gras Creations

Good Morning! I haven't posted all week because I have been busy creating! In addition to the two quilt orders, a couple of birthday gifts and a shower gift, I have been trying to come up with some ideas for Mardi Gras. I finished a couple of the decorative bibs I've been working on, and I decided to try embellishing some of the tu-tus with organdy ribbons to see how it would look, pretty good I think. Next I am going to try and incorporate a satin bow to some.

I was browsing Etsy, which is like an Ebay for handmade items and is really neat, and saw some bows that had embroidery work on them. I figured I could try it even though I don't think I am very good at making bows. I like how they came out, but will keep trying different bow types to see what works best.

I have added the pictures to the slideshow on the left. The embroidery thread is really neat it has multiple shades of purple so when it stitches out, it looks like stripes! Let me know what you think!

The bibs are purely for decorative purposes. The top material is a satin/ polyester blend with stiff gold stitching. The back is a nice soft Ultracuddle material to make up for the "scratchy" top. These pictures didn't come out very good, but the monogramming says Mardi Gras 2009 with two Fleur Di Lis on each side of the year. I have done different types of fonts to see which works best. Some are cutesy and some are for either sex. I think it is a good idea for babies since I have never found too many Mardi Gras onesies that I like. This way the baby can wear a white onesie, long or short-sleeved depending on this crazy Louisiana weather, with the bib over it as decoration! Easy. Anyway, as soon as I finish with my orders and gifts I am going to start making Mardi Gras pillowcase dresses, or A-lines I haven't decided yet. I also promised Miss Priss and one of "the boys" that I would try to make a fleece "helmet"-type hat. See, busy, busy! One last pitch...Miss Priss is a Girl Scout Daisy this year and it is almost COOKIE TIME! Pre-orders will be beginning shortly! :) Until later...

Keeping that Resolution

I had a good and productive weekend. I am trying to keep that "Get organized" resolution. So I went to the consignment shop that I sell my Tu-tus and discussed organizational things with the owner who is awesome! Unfortunately for her, she and I are alot alike. We have all kinds of wonderful ideas, but not enough time and sometimes, not enough motivation to follow through. Maybe together we can overcome that! Her hubby made a really cute counter top display so I decided, actually we decided to copy it for my tu-tus. I was actually motivated enough to finish it and it is ready to be taken in to display all of my tu-tus. Hooray! I also did a mini one for the girls, but I didn't have enough end caps to finish it. But the size would be a good counter display for bibs and burps, I think.

Anyway, I made the tu-tus also. Before I bring it to the store, I am going to make a couple more, but solid colors I think. I have a couple already there besides the Mardi Gras theme, there are LSU and UL Lafayette themes. They are left from the fall, so now I think it is time for some cheery colors. The name of the consignment shop is My Cutie Patootie on Rena Drive if anyone local is interested. The owner is highly motivated to sell locally handmade items. She has some burps and bibs, hair bows, bow hangers, A-line dresses, and my tu-tus! She is really sweet and laid-back.

Have I mentioned lately how awesome it is to have a serger!! I finally made PJ pants for my girls! They picked out the material in November!! Once I got the flannel cut it only took MINUTES to sew them up!! I love it! It took longer to put the elastic waistband in! Needless to say, they were happy to have them last night!

I also made a penguin pair for Miss Priss, but finished the kitties first so that is what she wore! I've added them to the slideshow on the left. I also added a link to the DIY network site. For anyone interested they have great ideas and even teaches you how to make stuff. A friend asked me to remind her about casting on and purl stitches, we've switched to KNITTING for those who don't follow, anyway this site has a good craft section and glossary index so I thought it might be fun to send you there! I am very upset with the channel though. Usually during the day they have all of the craft type programs on, but here lately they have had home improvement shows on. Nobody wants to improve there homes until the spring, during the winter people stay inside and make stuff!! Ok, my mini rant is over. Happy Martin Luther King Jr day, enjoy your children being home from school! Until later...

Staying Busy

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been pretty busy. Which is a totally good thing! I am trying to learn Time Management! If I can do better at managing the time it takes to do things, then I am sure I can get a lot more accomplished. I am finishing up a couple of things so I can start on new ones. Hopefully by the end of January, I will have many new things to post. For now, I finished my Mardi Gras tu-tu "prototype" and will finish the bib by the end of the day. What do you think? I think the yellow is very washed out in this picture. But I am sure that everybody knows that Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold! I took this picture in the morning sunlight, maybe I need to find better lighting the next time?

I also did a towel wrap for my Godson's birthday, but didn't get a picture of it. And I made these for my wonderful mother to wear on her bowling trip.

But they are from a "hipster" pattern and my mom likes full coverage, so I will be adding a longer waistband to compensate! Wish me luck on that! These are also a wide leg pant and very comfy. I think I will have to make me some. Of course I had to add pockets, because what are lounge pants without them? I made them on my new serger and I gotta tell ya, I am loving it. It makes my projects whiz by. It really does cut down the time it takes to do garment sewing. I would definitely recommend getting one if you like to sew clothing. I will be doing some pillowcase dresses next and I can't wait to see how fast they seam up! I am also thinking about using my serger to do my quilt blocks. It is supposed to help the seams lay flat, and it will cut the excess fabric while it is sewing the seam, so it has to be a win/win! I'll let you know, but for now I must get back to managing my time! Until later...

One Last Look

I just wanted to show off one more time. I am very proud of those stockings because they were time consuming. Now that all of the Christmas decorations are packed away until next year, this is my only reminder of a satisfying season. I accomplished all that I wanted, and I am happy. Now I am busy with new things and happily playing with my new toy, my serger. I am trying to learn how to do a blind hem and it is trying my patience. So I have come to the computer to learn. In an unprecedented event for this week, both of my beautiful children (not at school) are napping! At the same time! So I am taking this moment to write about it and then off to finish with my serger project! Hopefully by the end of this week I will have at least 3 new things to share. Maybe four if all goes well. I was struck with an idea yesterday and thankfully was told that it was "not cheesy" so that will be my project (in between my quilting projects) for next week. Well, I don't want to waste this gloriously quiet time talking about it so...until later...

Warmth for the New Year

Happy 2009! I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's. I know a certain someone who probably curled up with her Christmas present after a long night of New Year's libations. This just goes to show you that you can make a quilt out of anything! Speaking of quilts, that is what I will be making the next couple of weeks. I have to finish up my Godson's Christmas gift, I'll post pictures when it is done. The top is knitted squares, so I am trying to figure out the best way to attach the fabric bottom layer. I also have a special project for a very special person that I am working on that is now going to be a Valentine's day gift. Hopefully. And lastly, I got an order for another LSU inspired quilt. This time it is for a boy, so I will be making different fabric selections. I have also decided that I am going to be inspired by Mardi Gras this year. I already have several projects in mind and can't wait to see if they will turn out as good as I see them in my head. Any Mardi Gras orders or idea suggestions are welcomed. I am thinking tu-tus and bibs for now, but will think about pillowcase dresses and T-shirts. I will post more on that topic as Mardi Gras gets closer! I have been given 6 months to figure out how to do an embroidered fabric party hat, so I have to get on that too. Well, hopefully my 2009 will be as exciting and inspiring as I want it to be, but for now, it's time for the morning "mommy" duties. Until later...