A Few Quick Christmas Sewing Ideas

Oct 19, 2009

Can’t believe Christmas is right around the corner!  Here’s a few things to make for the holidays!

I love this method to making stockings!  How clever!

What a quick and easy project.  All you have do is be able to sew a straight line.

With an embroidery machine, you can personalize it~

These socks are simple to sew.  I’ve made dozens over the years.

Check out this quick Crown Tutorial by Jessica Levitt.  Also be sure to take a look at her gorgeous new fabric line, Timber.

Need a gift for your favorite Shutterbug?  How about this neat Patchwork Camera Strap?

Love this easy Laptop Sleeve tutorial!  I really need to make one of these for Marielle.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Fun with Friends in the NYC Fabric District

Aug 10, 2009

Every year after the big BBQ, no matter what, we go to the Fashion (Fabric) District to score some fabric and trim!  Our mission was to invade Pacific Trimming (my absolute favorite trim, buttons and findings store).

You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the big arse orange button in the front window.

Connie has been helping me find the best goodies in town for several years.  Years ago while shopping at Pacific Trimming I accidentally left behind one of my big bags full of trim.  When I realized, I called and Connie said she had it and would hold it for me until I was back in the city.  For that, I am beyond loyal.  Whenever I bring my out-of-town friends on a fabric shopping adventure, the first place we stop is there!

Lady M™ (aka Myrinda of Fabric Hound) has never missed a trip in the last 5 years!  Here she is special ordering a top secret item.

My dear friend, Jenn (aka Peppermints and Petticoats) recently moved from Canada to New Jersey.  This was her first time to the big BBQ and also her first time out shopping the District with me.  I think she might have been a bit overwhelmed with all the choices.  But the good news is now that she lives closer, we’ll be able to go fabric shopping in the city often!

Ok…now for the loot!

I used to go to MJ Trimmings and really loved all their stuff.  However, I can find a lot of the same things at Pacific for a lot less.  Some of the rhinestone and glass buttons were only $1 each!

Of course I needed to restock my rhinestone buckle supply.  And with Pacific’s selection, I felt like I hit the jackpot!  You can get them for $2 (standard ones) and even the fancy Chez ones for $10!

I found some awesome trims at great prices!  I had to get the polka dot pleated ruffles with black lace edging, a hologram ruffled elastic, chiffon elastic with orange tinsel edging, some soft sparkly pink trim, a double gathered net trim and some pink/brown zebra ribbon.

And check out these beautiful velvet ribbons I couldn’t pass up!

After leaving Pacific, we stopped into a few other stores where I found some beautiful silk shantung in bright pink and aqua.  I even scored a $3 a yard black textured net with rhinestones!  But the biggest find of the day was this gorgeous silver metallic open-work fabric encrusted in sequins and crystals for less than 1/2 price (originally $26/yard which I talked the seller down to just $10/yard)!

Definitely a successful adventure!  Especially when I can do it with my friends!

P.S. – I know many of you are waiting to hear about the big BBQ which was held Saturday, August 1st!  Let’s just say, I’ll need two blog posts to fill you in with all the details!  Stay tuned!

Some Painting and Redecorating

Aug 6, 2009

Last week I had a 2nd painter finish up what the 1st painter didn’t paint.  Truth be told, painter #1 was a meticulous painter…except one problem, ok, several problems.  Painter #1 first quoted us a rate of $200 a day.  Fine.  Then he changed his mind 3 weeks into the job and raised us to $250 a day.  By week 6, he states he’d prefer $300 a day…GO TO HELL, I told him.  So we kept it at $250 a day.

Well, that’s all good and fine, EXCEPT Painter #1 is the slowest painter in the world.  My house interior is 3,800 square feet.  We’ve paid over $7,500 and he still was not finished…WTH?  And mind you, he didn’t paint my bedroom, garden room,  hallways, stairs or garage!

I finally got fed up and told him I had to replace some furniture before he finishes painting.  Needless to say, I never called him again.

Painter #2 finished the hallway, stairs and some trim in under 2 days!  Never again will I allow Mr. Diva™ to hire one of his dirt bag friends.  Never.  I think Mr. Diva™ would agree.

In The Pink

I did have Painter #1 paint my dining room ceiling PINK (Benjamin Moore #1325 Pure Pink).  Everyone thought Mr. Diva would get pissed, but he didn’t seem to mind.  Happy Wife = Happy Life.  And guess what?  Everyone who comes into the house notices the pink ceiling and loves it.

I scored these awesome pediments at HomeGoods for a mere $12.99 each!  I’m thinking of painting them ivory and draping pink organza curtain panels behind them.  They’ll be perfect over the two dining room windows and add more Pink to the room!

I know I have at least 10 yards of pink organza which I bought for the dining room curtain panels at least two years ago.  Now to figure out what box I stashed it in…UGH!

And yet another SCORE at HomeGoods!  I found two of these huge candelabras–one silver and one white.  And on my next visit to HomeGoods, I found the matching cake stand!

After having a friend remove all the crystals, I spray painted them all white.  And then I had the same friend reattach all the crystals.  I’m going to use them for the food table at my big BBQ this weekend!

All That Glitters

Now before you start rolling your eyes, have you ever gotten an idea in your head and took it one step to far?  I have a habit of doing this more often than not.

Thank you Benjamin Moore!  Benjamin Moore’s Tropicana Cabana #2048-50 was the closest match to Tiffany Blue.

But the truth is my inspiration came from this beautiful custom boutique set made by Lisa of Lyndsay Leila Designs.

When I saw this glass container at HomeGoods, I knew I had to have it!  Love anything with Bling!

Found this awesome canvas of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s!  Added some hot fix crystals to her necklace and hair comb…PERFECT!

Even my shower curtain rings are bejeweled…LOL!

Got me a big ROCK!  Found this giant crystal paperweight at HomeGoods!  Perfect!  To clean it, I just throw it in the dishwasher along with the glass shelves!

Found these aqua bath sponges at Target for only $1.99 each…and of course, I added more bling!

Picked up a simple white shadow box for $8 at HomeGoods (of course). Then I covered the background with some Michael Miller aqua dumb dot fabric, added long black satin gloves ($4), fake pearls ($2), cheap sunglasses ($3) and my fancy crystal brooch (which is removable if I need it).  Smashing!

Since I didn’t have enough Michael Miller aqua dumb dot fabric, I opted for another print of which I had 2 bolts on hand.  I sewed up a simple window scarf.  Not bad.

I embroidered my aqua towels.  Instead of “Tiffany & Co.,” I thought “Diva & Co.” was more fitting.

 

Go over to HGTV’s Rate My Space and give me a few stars…pretty please?

OMG!  Hot Fix Suzy™ had to show me the rhinestone toilets from Jemal Wright!  I’m not going to even inquire about the cost as I’m sure it would be out of my price range…LOL!

Think I might have to settle for these rhinestone drawer handles.  But I really want that toilet.

A Bright Idea

Marielle’s new chandelier is finally installed!  Just in time for the big BBQ this past Saturday!  This fixture is HUGE.  The photo doesn’t do it justice…it’s a whopping 27 inches wide by 30 inches high!

Now I know you are all dying to hear about the big Diva Q…stay tuned, I have lots of pics and details to post…LOL

Silk Spider Web Rose Tutorial Plus a FREE Giveaway

Jul 14, 2009

EDITED:  WE HAVE A WINNER

True Random Number Generator Result: #19

Erica is the winner of the Silk Spider Web Rose Kit. Please email me at domesticdiva@si.rr.com with your full name and mailing address!

Congrats!

I’ve made dozens of tiny silk ribbon spider web roses, but I needed something BIG for the front of a Christening gown.  And they say, bigger IS better, so I made these simple roses and thought you, too, would like to make them.  As an incentive to get you to try this easy tutorial, I’m giving away a kit with all the supplies you need to make these roses yourself.

Ok…so let’s get started!

Supplies Needed

• Embroidery Hoop
• Silk Dupioni or Silk Shantung 3″ x 40″
• Matching Silk Foundation Fabric for Embroidery Hoop
• Matching Thread or Embroidery Floss
• Hand Sewing Needle
• Safety Pin 
• Hot Glue Gun (optional)
• Rhinestone or other Decorative Button (optional)

First let me say, you can make your silk rose as big or small as you want.  It all depends on:

• the size of your “spider web” (foundation circle)
• the width and length of your silk fabric strip.  If you want a small rose, make your silk strip no wider than 1 inch.  If you want a jumbo rose, cut your strip 4 inches wide.

I made a quick video tutorial to help.  Written instructions can be found below.

Laying the Foundation

Hoop some background fabric in your embroidery hoop.

Now decide how big you want your rose to be.  Take any circular item such as a can, cup or small container.  Trace it onto the hooped fabric using a pencil or disappearing ink pen.  Mark 5 points in the shape of an upside-down star and your center point like this:

Thread your needle with matching thread.  Come up at point A.  Go down at point B.  Come up at the center point (pictured below)catching the A-B thread:

Go down at point C creating a fly stitch:

Now come up at point D and down at the center point.  Then come up at point E and down and the center point.  Now tie a knot on the underside (don’t cut the thread off just yet).  You’ll now have 5 spokes.

Creating the Rose

To make a fabric strip, cut into the selvage edge of the fabric and tear it to the other selvage edge.  You want frayed fabric strips…adds more character…LOL.  Take your fabric strip and secure one short end to the center of the star using the needle and thread.  Leave your needle and thread on the underside of the hoop.  You’ll need it at the end to secure your rose to the foundation fabric.

Now attach a safety pin to the other side of your fabric strip.  This will enable you to easily thread the fabric strip through your spokes.

Start weaving your fabric strip over and under the spokes in a circular motion.  Keep twisting your fabric strip as you create the rose.

Once you have covered all of your spokes, complete the rose by tucking the end of the fabric strip under the rose and removing the safety pin.

Using the needle and thread that is attached to the underside of your hoop, secure the rose with a few stitches.

Cut out your finished rose making sure NOT to cut your foundation spokes.  Sew it to a garment, glue it to a hair clip or use it to decorate a tote.  The options are endless.  You can even create these roses directly onto your items.

Now, don’t think you can only make these roses with silk fabric.  Try quilter’s cotton, chiffon, organza, cotton knit, velvet, beaded satin, spandex or even tulle.

Various Uses for Silk Spider Web Roses

• Covered Buttons
• Thumb Tacks
• Baby Items such as bibs, booties, blankets and clothing
• Bridal Items such as money bags and garters
• Headbands
• Hair bows
• Hats
• Pillows
• Sachets
• Christmas Ornaments
• Brooches
• Purses and Totes

Silk Spider Web Rose Kit Giveaway

To win the supplies you’ll need to make these roses, post a comment and I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winner on Friday!

I’d love to see the roses you make, so please post a link and share your pics!

 

The Making of a Christening Dress

Jul 4, 2009

 

I should have smacked myself upside the head.  I’d had a month to get the Christening gown for Sophia completed, but ended up finishing it just a few hours before her Baptism.

Beyond my usual procrastination, I have a habit of “designing as I go.”  I usually have an idea of what I want it to look like.  However, I continually change design elements and always end up with something totally different from my original design.  Am I the only one who does this?

Working with silk shantung is challenging to say the least.  And trying to set the tiniest gathered sleeves is beyond nerve-wracking!

Then I sewed lace and tatting to tulle.  At least I was smart enough to do it flat (before sewing up the side seams of the skirts).

But the worst was trying to gather 6 skirt layers (1 cotton batiste, 3 tulle, 1 netted lace and 1 silk shantung overskirt) and attach them to the tiny silk shantung bodice.

Whew! DONE!  To give you an idea of size…this dress bodice is a size 3 months…LOL!  It just looks bigger in photos.  Ok, so the dress is huge…I think it measures about 48 inches.  And oh my…it was HEAVY!

At the last minute, I decided to do these silk dupioni spider web roses.  I’ll post a quick tutorial this week (once I get another manicure), so everyone can make some, too.

To make dressing the baby easy, I used large sewn-in snaps and covered them with no-functioning rhinestone buttons.

Here’s a close-up of all the skirt layers.  I’ve made several special occasion dresses, but never a Christening dress.  This was a first.  I’ve been collecting vintage laces and tatting for ages and loved using them for such a precious little girl!

Meet Sophia, daughter of my dear friend, Diana (aka Diana of Not Just Bagels)!  The Christening gown fit Sophia perfectly!    It was such a feeling of accomplishment to see Sophia in the Christening dress.

Sophia enjoyed sucking on the big silk roses.  Isn’t she beautiful?

Diana loved the dress and is going to put it in a huge shadow box to display in Sophia’s room.

Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!

HEAT SWAP from the Best in the West!

Jun 11, 2009

Received a big box from Lady M™ (aka Myrinda) containing our latest SWAP of the Girls Night In Club.  WOW!  I got some GREAT stuff!  This time we hat to spell the word, “HEAT!”

H is for HANDMADE secret stash (black silk dupioni zippered case).

E is for EDIBLE–delicious Salted Caramel Sticks from Have It Sweet confections.

And Lady M™ added a little tag requesting I share it with Marielle.  Fat chance.  Sorry Myrinda!

A is for AROMA…my absolute favorite scented candle – Trapp’s Fresh Cut Tuberose!!!  Funny thing is Lady M™ posted on Facebook requesting help in finding Trapp candles.  I suggested she get them online where I buy my candles, but Myrinda insisted she needed them right away.  LOL…now I understand why!  She totally tricked me!  I had no idea it was for ME!

Would you believe her husband, Chops, found this for me?  Love that man!  I wasn’t sure if it was A for Aroma or E for Edible, because it’s both!  LOL!

T is for THRIFTED…OMG!  I love this wire dress form!!!  Lady M™ knows how much I LOVE dress forms!!!  PERFECT!

A big, big THANK YOU to my West Coast Counterpart!  Myrinda is just one of those people who really gets me.  You’re awesome Lady M™!

Designing a Christening Gown, Finding a Treasure and Happy Birthday to ME!

May 29, 2009

PLAYING WITH LACE

I was so terrified honored when my dear friend, Diana (you know, the one who made all the delicious caramels apples for the big BBQ), asked me to create the perfect Christening gown for her new daughter, Sophia.

She decided on a simple an over-the-top ivory silk shantung gown with an underlay of vintage lace. 

Diana is even going to let me add a big vintage pink silk sash which will be tied into a big bow on the back of the dress and embellished with Swarovski crystals.  Luckily, I have one of those cool hot fix crystal tools from Hot Fix Suzy™!

As much as we both loved the alençon lace, it was too glitzy for the Christening gown we’ve envisioned.

We decided on the perfect lace which has a soft hand.

The abundant tulle underskirt layers will be trimmed with various vintage laces…some ivory and some pink!

But before I can start on the Christening Gown, I’ll need to tidy up my sewing room…ugh!  Prior to sewing any special occasion dress (especially whites), I always give my sewing room the Mr. Clean treatment.  DONE!

Seems I started 14 pair of lounge pants for my daughter, 7 onesies for above new baby and various other sewing projects.  Off they all go to the UFO (Un Finished Objects) pile…LOL!

Sophia’s Christening is June 28th…so I had better get moving!

UNIQUE PATTERN MAKING

Kathleen of Fashion-Incubator recently posted about a defunct company, East-West Musical Instruments Co., which created the most unique leather jackets.  These jackets are a work of art.

And wouldn’t you know, I’ve had this beautiful one they created back in the 70s.  It was given to me by my childhood housekeeper who received it from Edgar Winter.

I certainly made a fashion statement as a teenager as everyone went nuts when they saw this silver leather jacket.  I didn’t realize it was valuable.  Check this one out.  Elvis’ jacket went for over $30,000!  It is marked jacket #432, I believe!

I can’t imagine the hours of pattern making and sewing that went into creating this masterpiece.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Last week, I celebrated my 46th birthday (May 22nd) with a delicious Mocha Butter Cream cake (thanks to my sister, Linda).  I had cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days..haha!

And no…that’s not my front lawn above…although it is not below me to get one of those!  I did, however, display the obnoxious amount of fresh flowers Mr. Diva surprised me with in the front window.  It pisses off all the other housewives in the neighborhood.

Now to get to work…hope everyone is having a great week!

With friendship,

Lisa

How CPSIA Impacts Small Businesses

May 15, 2009

Yesterday, the House Small Business Committee, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and its impact on small businesses.

Rick Woldenberg has a post up about the hearing and subsequent press release of the committee.

In other news, the CPSC voted yesterday on  NAM’s request for stay of enforcement on Tracking Labels.  It was a split decision between Nancy Nord and Thomas Moore…ugh!  That means it was denied!  NAM says labeling fosters confusion.  More posted on Amend the CPSIA here.

Oh…I’m missing Quilt Market with Lady M™ and Mary the Craft Addict™ this weekend!  I should be there in Pittsburgh, but I’m not.  DRATS!

And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Patty Young (aka ModKid Boutique)!  She, too, will be at Quilt Market (Booth #2531) having a blast without me!  Be sure to stop by her booth and check out her new Mezzanine fabric line for Michael Miller!

With friendship,

Lisa

The Never-Ending Painting Adventure

Apr 27, 2009

I’ve been quite busy with having my home repainted.  It’s amazing how much stuff we’ve accumulated since we last painted 5 years ago.

The first thing to be painted were closets throughout the entire house.  Now granted, the closets didn’t need to be painted as the paint was still in great shape.  However, it gave me an opportunity to reorganize them all (and of course, I got to use my handy dandy label maker).  Although our house looked like a hurricane swept through, it was so worth it!

I can easily find items in my pantry and my linen closet never looked better.  I donated all my unwanted towels, sheets and placemats to a local animal shelter.  Now I have room to add new linens to match the new paint colors.

Marielle’s room is FINALLY finished (well, except for a few little odds and ends)!  I only have a few sneak peeks of her room as we are still trying to find space to store all her junk.

Not only did we paint the walls hot pink and most of the trim black, we even painted her vanilla-colored furniture white. Marielle suggested we do black velvet curtains.  But in the meantime, I ordered 2″ black aluminum blinds for her huge window (because we all know how long it will take me to sew her curtains…LOL).

I’ve been buying and hoarding anything zebra, hot pink and/or black for the last year.  My efforts have finally paid off.  Most of my best finds were at either HomeGoods, TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.  The hot pink lunch boxes were only $3.99 each.  And the zebra canisters were only a few bucks.  Oh and the hat box (which also has 4 coordinating big boxes) was only $5.99!  Score!

Check out this matching doll I bought while hunting for zebra items on Ebay!

Marielle asked that I stop buying anything with a zebra print on it as she thinks it’s starting to look like a zebra puked in her room…haha!

Since my darling daughter has a habit of writing on her closet walls (Marielle loves Anthony, Steven, Adam, Nick), we painted black chalkboard paint so we can just erase past boyfriends’ names instead of having to cross them out.  How clever am I?

Oh, speaking of closets, I caved in and got her 300 hot pink Huggable Hangers.  I absolutely LOVE these hangers (might have to buy them for every closet in the house).  The above hangers may not look hot pink, but they certainly are.  It’s pretty hard to get the correct color when editing photos of a black closet.

I purchased zebra light switch and outlet covers on Etsy.  Only problem is I ordered the wrong type outlet covers (I need the new rocker type covers).  So I’ll be doing a craft project this week–covering her old white outlet covers with some zebra wrapping paper and a little decoupage.  Wish me luck!

I found this cool zebra phone at Marshall’s for just $12.99.  Perfect!

This weekend I spent spray painting different things for her room in gloss black and semi-gloss white.  I had found this neat shelf (once gold) at TJ Maxx for a mere $12.99 last year.  The minute I saw it, I knew if turned upside down it would be a perfect bed crown for my daughter’s room.

A little black paint and now to find the zebra sheer fabric to attach to the bed crown which I have stashed somewhere in my sewing room…I’ll show you photos of it once I get it hung on the wall over her bed.  I’ve got to figure out a good way to attach the zebra sheers to the bottom of the new bed crown.  Any ideas?

I hadn’t finished spray painting Marielle’s light pink wicker rolling baskets when those two darn ducks took over the yard.  Yes, they’ve been coming to my yard every stinkin’ day to eat all my Koi fish food.  Any good ideas on how to get these ducks out of my yard once and for all?  It’s getting a little old chasing them around with a broom, KWIM?

Downtown Joey Goes to CPSIA Rally in DC

Apr 6, 2009

 

On Wednesday (April 1st aka April Fool’s Day) I set out bright and early to fly from NYC to DC to attend the Amend the CPSIA Rally which was sponsored by many different groups.  A flight which should have taken a mere 40 minutes turned into an adventure…4 hours later I arrived at the US Capitol Building.

Although the cherry blossoms are beautiful in DC this time of year, the weather wasn’t great (cloudy skies and intermittent rain showers).  As I approached the Capitol Building, thousands of people were being evacuated!

I spotted Rachel Dressler-Sweetser of Monkey Baby who had a CPSIA sticker on her jacket.  I asked her what was going on.  Apparently, security found a suspicious package.  But she gave me her visitor’s pass and I snuck in the side door.

When I finally made it to the CPSIA Rally room, I could barely squeeze in.  Standing room only!

I listened to lots of great speakers from different industries and some elected officials.

Here’s video from Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX):

 

and another from Governor Engler:

After the Rally, we divided into groups to attend meetings with different legislators and their aides.  My group consisted of  Scott A. Cohn of Arent Fox, Jason Oliver of Oompa Toys and a few other gentlemen.

We trekked around to visit a few senator’s aides.  When we finished, my group spotted Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY and Vice Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee) and double-dog dared me to approach Schumer as he was getting on the elevator.

I figured since I was unsuccessful at getting an appointment with him or his aides, it was now or never.  Thank goodness I’m a New Yorker and have chutzpah (even though I’m a nice Irish/English gal).  I approached Senator Schumer and said, “Excuse me Senator.  I’m a New York children’s clothing manufacturer and I need help with the CPSIA.”  He told me to come with him and took me on a little elevator ride.

Senator Schumer was intrigued that my boys’ clothing line was manufacturer in New York City (my guess is most have their items manufactured abroad) and got a kick out of my boys’ jeans snap (which looks like a NYC manhole cover).

After discussing the issues surrounding the CPSIA and it’s effects on my business, Senator Schumer took out his cell phone and hooked me up with his Deputy Staff Director, Stacy Ettinger, telling her to meet with me now.  The Senator assured me they were working behind the scenes on this issue.  I told him we need Democrats to support this–plain and simple.

I immediately met up with Ms. Ettinger at his office–and what a breath of fresh air!  She was extremely well-versed about the CPSIA and it’s implications on children’s businesses.  She stated there had been a lot of support for the new CPSIA from consumer groups such as USPRIG and she needed to hear from others like me with real numbers (inventory loss, loss sales, business closings, etc.).  I provided here with the financial losses I’ve incurred and projected 3rd party testing costs in order to be in compliance.  I also supplied her with this blog post which lists the other companies that would be affected if I were to go out of business.

I must say I felt really good after meeting with Senator Schumer and Ms. Ettinger.  I do believe they “get it.”  I don’t think I was given the brush-off at all.  I left feeling that I had been heard and they were genuinely concerned.  However, I do believe that unless a Democrat introduces legislation to amend the CPSIA, the point is moot.  Unfortunately, although this should be a bi-partisan issue, it’s not–how sad.

 

Then I went to meet with Kathryn DiBitetto, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Michael McMahon‘s (D-NY) office, who handles product safety issues.  Unfortunately, Congressman McMahon was voting at the House of Representatives.  I would have liked to see him as he was my personal injury lawyer years ago and is a fellow Staten Islander.  Ironically, McMahon won me the money which was used to start my boys’ clothing line.

Ms. DiBitetto (another Staten Island native) told me the Congressman was aware of the problems being caused by the CPSIA for local businesses.  She said he’s written the CPSC with concerns.  I explained that the CPSC could do nothing to change the law, but instead legislators would have to fix it.  I urged Ms. DiBitetto to ask Congressman McMahon to support any legislation to amend the CPSIA.  P.S. – Ms. DiBitetto loved my Downtown Joey clothing line!

I almost canceled my trip, because I had no one to watch my two children.  But then I thought about how hard my friends have fought the CPSIA and felt it was my responsibility to be there.  Kathleen, Rick, Rob, Jennifer, Olivia, Wacky Hermit, Whimsical Walney, Tristan, Deputy Headmistress, Handcraftivist, Jill, Cecilia, Walter, and Marianne have all fought the good fight while I was taking my daughter through a kidney transplant.  It’s was my turn to step up and be heard.  I am glad I went to the CPSIA Rally in DC!  It was a terrific experience. I’d like to thank all the folks who put together this rally in 2 short weeks.  YOU ROCK!

Here’s lots of great CPSIA commentary from around the web:

Learning Resources:  The Rally and the Democrats

Learning Resources:  A Quick Guide to What’s Wrong w/ the CPSIA

Overlawyered:  Things I Learned at the Rally

Wall Street Journal:  Obama Urged to Fill CPSC Post as Complaints Mount 

Women’s Wear Daily:  Kids’ Execs Rally Against Safety Law

Woman’s Wear Daily:  Businesses Seek Changes to Product Safety Act (subscription required)

Journal of Commerce:  Manufacturers Urge Change in Product Safety Law

Congressman Joe Barton:  Bill Fixes Mistakes in Toy Safety Law, Saves Small Shops from Bankruptcy

Publisher’s Weekly Addresses CPSIA Testing and Labeling Provisions

Polkadot Patch Baby:  CPSIA Rally is Over.  What Now?  Keep Spreading the Word

Why Congress Won’t Fix the CPSIA

Amend the CPSIA:  DeMint Amendment

The Common Room:  Myth Busting the Myth Busters – CPSIA

Alliance for Children’s Product Safety on CPSIA Rally

Tristan Benz:  CPSIA-If There Were a Time to Ask Questions, the Time is Now

Journal Sentinel:  Lead Law Leaves Small Businesses in a Lather

Crafty Baby:  Letter to President Obama

I returned home from DC to read that High Lead Levels found in my own town’s shoreline.  Lovely.  Do I need to be concerned about lead in my kids’ clothing when I’m living in a lead-filled city?!

Not to mention, our local landfill makes the news once again.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with some CPSIA inspired photos.  Feel free to use any of these around the web to help spread the word about the unintended consequences of the CPSIA:

With friendship,

Lisa