who needs shadows when love is in the air...

pixie blossoms peg-board love...


i love the soft serene feel of lovely design studio...

keeping to the positive – i am super excited to be moving and revamping my whole studio! i'll be posting my exciting idea finds as i hunt them down... great idea here from martha stewart: simply cover clipboards in your favorite decorpaper or wallpaper – i can't wait!!!
At first I read about this from the owner of Craftsbury Kids on her blog. Today I read more (which I have posted below) on this Etsy Forum... This is very serious and scary for us crafters trying to sell in the child/baby niche. Please read and then post some or all of the info. on your blog, too...

"As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.


To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react."

another concept for a commissioned illustration on the mommy-to-be theme...

here's a pillow that made for a friend's baby shower months ago. i had my doodle printed on fabric and then i embroidered around spots. it was really fun – i can't wait to do more! anyone want to supply me with the cash to get it all going? :)

here's my balloon coming to life! i ran out of pink thread and it still needs some work and a good ironing but you get the idea. so this is my new obsession: draw my doodles on fabric, stitch it up and then frame it... or make a pillow. so many things – so little time!



here are some new little concepts i've come up with for a client wanting illustrations for a mommy-to-be theme. i just love how a little color change can make a huge difference!

i LOVE argyle academy! mike lowery is an amazing inspiration... i hope to be that good... someday.

yey! handmadeinpa has posted a bunch of us efe/z-towners!
sara smedely, spreadthelove, skylark studio, and chezsucrechez all on her incredible h.i.p. website. check out all the great crafters in pa!!! more props to the keystone state, phillies, and the eagles... (what could be better than living in pa right now!)
(featured pic: handmadeinpa's latest etsy picks!)

everyone around here has a soft spot for the now late mr. andrew wyeth... there was always something so intriguing about his work and his life...

"there's a reoccurring pattern developing" from the series "house hunting"

ben sollee is the most amazing... everything i've ever seen! after catching him on WHYY last night i've become a complete sucker. the voice coming out of this kid will blow your house down but somehow it all gets better when you put his face to it! i usually hate to see people sing (since it regularly ruins the mood for me) but from his geeky hair and sweaters to the gap in his teeth – it's all just perfect. and then there is his website and posters by ashley revlett – i just can't stand how much i love it all!!!!!

merriment is an awesome crafter dream-land ... go get inspired right now!

i've added some colorful little dream-houses to my etsy shop!
$27.00 for a 11" x 14" matted print...

i loved the first one so much i made another! i used one of my illustrations as the stitched design on a slightly darker tan towel. i drew it with fabric marker and then embellished with embroidery floss...

i just finished my first lazy holiday vacation project – a sweet little embroidered bunny hand towel. first i doodled the bunny with fabric marker and then i stitched the detail with embroidery floss during the football game. i used a 100% cotton rag towel from the mennonite dry goods store here in kutztown. i just love hand-made/hometown fun! click on the image for a better look...

how stinkin cute are these! check out the blushing magpie and see all of her fantastic crocheted styles for little baby feet and big people necks... (featured image : crocheted mary janes 0-3 months for $12!)