Do you like to make stuff?

I LOVE to make things. I found this on another blog and I love it so much I had to share. What will you be inspired to make?

Sewing Supply Carrier

Here are a few pictures of the sewing supply carrier I made. I wanted something notebook sized that I could put up on my bookshelf and pull out when I need to head out to class. I think it came out rather nice. I also made a matching pin cushion using the Heater Baily pattern found on her blog : http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/HBSquareDeal.pdf

I'm Exhausted

I finally finished and shipped a huge order yesterday, then stayed up late sewing. I'm teaching sewing classes at the local craft store and I needed a storage/ carrier for my supplies. Something small enough to store and take back and forth. I came up with my own design/ pattern. I'll be posting photos later. My first sewing class went well, I had 3 students, I was only expecting 1 :) The kids were really great and their pillowcase came out great. They were so proud. I remember taking craft classes when I was little. Every summer my mom would sign us up for whatever classes we wanted to take at the local craft coop. My favorite was always tshirt painting. Who would have guessed that it would be my career so many years later.

More Shrink Paper Fun

I've been playing with Shrink paper the past few days. These are what I came up with, photo charms :) I still haven't gotten it perfect, but they are getting better. I've made a few for myself and other family members. I need to go to the store and get some more to play with I have a ton of ideas to work on. I better get back to work.

I love Shrink Paper

I've been playing with shrink paper all week. It is so much fun now that I know how to use it. I've gone through a few packs, burnt a few designs, but I figured it out finally. I can't wait to unveil the stuff that I'm making. I just need to find some time to take pictures.

Other big news, I'm going to be teaching kids sewing classes at the local Joann's and I finally got sign ups for my screen printing class. Whoohoo!

What happens now???

I've been putting off writing this mainly in hopes that some solid information would show up and save my business. Many of you who buy handmade have already heard of the new CSPA & CSPIA laws that go into effect next month. For those who haven't to sum it up the new laws require ALL items made for children 12 and under to be tested for lead. Sounds good right, no more toxic toys from other countries. BUT to me it means I will no longer ba able to produce baby and toddler clothing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the testing. What I am against is the extremes that we have to go through, and the pricing per test (any where between $500- $1000 each test). Some items require more than one test. I've been keeping up with most of the updates, however I'm still very confussed as to what will happen. I've read now that one of a kind items will not require testing, which helps some small businesses not mine though. I hand print, sew clothing and make tutus, they are not one of a kind. I create a design and make each item, but since I make mulitple of the item I am not exempt from this law. The onesies I print on will already be tested before I buy them, as is the ink, fabric, thread, elastic and everything else that goes into making my products. So why should I have to test again, is there some kind of chemical reaction that will happen once I put the ink on the fabric. I'm not a chemist but I'm pretty sure the answer is no. Excuse me if I'm starting to ramble. I'm growing impatient trying to figure out what will happen to my business as well as the other million small businesses that will be effected. I've worked so hard for the past two years to pick up all the clients I now have and can't imagine all this hard work going to waste.

I hope that those of you who support small business will do your part and sign the petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/?e

Also write to congress and ask them to reconsider, rewrite the law to help save us small business owners.
From today until Feb. 10 I will feature companies that will be effected with this law. All these items will no longer be legal to sell or buy after Feb. 10 if nothing is done.

It's been a long holiday...

to say the least. I've been extremely busy traveling back to my hometown for Christmas, then another long trip home for New Years. We for the most part had a great time. Sadly I worked on a large order the entire time our family was visiting. They were a great help with the kids, I would have been able to finish it so fast with out them here. I finished the order yesterday and today I painted a mural for a family member. It was her Christmas present, she has yet to see it but I hope she likes it. I spent all day on it, I didn't even realize how fast the time went by. It was so quiet I just stood there and painted uninterrupted for 6 hours (it took 2 coats). I really need to work like that more often. Hopefully I'll get to paint my son's room this summer. I have an idea for an awesome comic book style sky line. What could be better for a super hero right? I hope every had a great holiday season. I'm hoping to get back to my everyday starting tomorrow, so check back.