Can I get an "AMEN!"

Oh my gosh! I had a friend email me this morning with some spectacular news!!! The CPSC has issued a one year stay for testing and certification requirements!

"......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."

Can I get an "AMEN!" a shout of joy? anything!

So basically, all the small business and handcrafters around the country will be able to continue selling their items for at least one more year!!!!

I've put off so many projects because I wasn't sure come Feb 10th if I would actually be able to sell them. Now I can for sure without risk of getting locked up! Yeah!!!! It's a good news Sunday......

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Back into Customs....

It feels like it has been forever since I offered customs orders....and it probably has been. I used to only offer and create custom items but sort of got away from that last year. Well - they are back! I miss the creativity of creating something custom and unique just for YOU so I've just added Custom Shaggy Mosaic Jeans for Women to my website!

I am really excited to be doing these again. I would love to be able to create mosaic jeans for your little ones again but until we get the final word on the CPSIA law on all items for children under 12 I will have to hold off on those - or I'd be committing a felony!!! LOL.................. *sigh*............rolling eyes.

Until then, and I hope it's soon, I can create jeans for women and teenagers and with Spring looming on the horizon snatch up a pair of brighten up your wardrobe!

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Measuring Spoons

I am a smitten kitten over these porcelain measuring spoons for a million reasons.


1.They are blue and white.
2.I've gone without any for two years.
3.They are solid enough to take a beating in the sink.
4.They make a lovely clinking sound against each other.

and last but not least....

5. Jim just walked into Anthropologie and bought them for me as a surprise, along with these darling measuring cups.... for no reason at all. Now I get to say thank you by getting Alice Waters in the kitchen tonight.

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Ancestral Scrapbooking

At Elmwood, there is a darling Victorian scrapbook that was assembled by a little girl and I think it was my great grandmother, Helen Robinson.

It has a burgundy leather cover and sweetly scalloped fabric pages. The scrap is a bit worse for wear but I love it just as it is.

My great great grandmother Ella had four children; Harold, William, Helen and Elizabeth. Helen, the oldest, was my grandfather's mother.

That's great grandma Helen, on the right. I come from a long line of hair bow wearers and scrapbook makers.

I adore how tattered her cutouts have become. Missing head and all, the kitty reminds me of Alice's Cheshire Cat.



Is that a blue velvet tam? I want it.




Aren't these wonderful? It's things like this book that argue a pretty convincing case for being a pack rat. 100 years ago all little girls made these and sob, I'm sure most of them got thrown away!

(Thank god, I uploaded these photos before this week's computer meltdown.)

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New twist on an old favorite.....

I was very excited this week when I saw what Kris from SWAK had uploaded into the Brassy Apple Flickr Group!

She posted several photos of wheat therapy sacks she made from my tutorial for a teacher appreciation breakfast she did. What a great idea! and you'll never believe how many they made!!!!! I won't ruin the surprise. You'll have to pop on over to her blog to see. :)

She took it a step further for this Valentine's day and has created some super "sweet" gifts for her Mom and Mother in law. Check out these "love"ly therapy sacks.

Great Job Kris! thanks for sharing with me! I know they will love their gifts! and it won't add any weight to their hips either! (wink, wink!)

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Stamp Collecting

(My hard drive crashed. I lost all of my data. I had jury duty. Sob, Domino closed. I'm sorry I haven't updated in weeks, I've been pulling my hair out about other things.)

But one thing that will always cheer me up are stamps. I love stamps. I also love fountain pens, kraft paper envelopes, sealing wax and address books because they facilitate the use of stamps.

These new Poe stamps are about the best thing I've seen this year. He is so eerily handsome and dapper, I love him, I really do. Not to mention he lived and died in Baltimore, damn near invented the mystery genre and signed his name in gold ink on this stamp.


I suffered a 40 minute wait at the Park Slope Post Office to buy 3 sheets worth. I recommend you buy them online and spend the time you saved by reading The Tell-Tale Heart.

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Love is in the Air......

Valentine's day is just around the corner! Are you ready for another sugar rush? I'm certainly not. We (or should I say I) have definately enjoyed the Holiday sugar detox. But Valentine's day is such a sweet day for all ages.

So with that in mind how about some "sweet" products?

If you are in the mood for creating alittle something sweet this season then my Be MINE" Applique pattern ebook is perfect! Several pattern options - and it's for girls and boys!!

If you are in the mood for something sweet and ready made (with no calories - HA!) then my Andalucia Skinny Scarf is perfect! Rich reds, delicate pinks and a simple design to sweeten up your wardrobe. Grab your spouse and ask them for skinny scarf this year instead of a box of chocolates. psssst! It's on sale too but only until Thursday evening - so don't miss out!

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