The Young Victoria

A few weeks ago, I didn't know anything about the movie "The Young Victoria." But several of my team members on Etsy were interested, so we based a challenge on the style and colors seen in the movie. The Fashion Design and Lifestyle Team is a very talented group of artists and creators on Etsy, and I am proud to be a part of it. After a bit of planning and discussion, this is what they came up with:

Beth at http://www.thirdfloor.etsy.com/ made this gorgeous wrap in a floral and stripe pattern.

Clara at http://www.nuvonova.etsy.com/ made this lovely tulle skirt. It has a tiered layer detail on the back that gives it a regal silhouette. Perfect for a party or date!

This royal purple capelet was created by http://www.happiknits.etsy.com/. The lace bow detail just adds to the queenly (but certainly not stuffy) air of this creation.

These beautiful pieces are just a few of the creations made for this challenge. In fact, there are too many to cover in one post! So in my next post I plan to cover some of the jewelry and other items inspired by this film!

Today's Top 5-Destash!

Today's Top 5 List focuses on something I didn't know existed until I joined Etsy: the Destash! I'm not sure if this word exists outside the Etsy realm, but within the community it basically means this-I bought something (or was given something, or found something) that I have decided I am not going to use, so I am going to sell it to you-usually at a really awesome price. Here are some of my favorites:

1.) This yarn destash from AllAboutTheButtons: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22007128

Super cute yarn, nice price! This is perfect for some granny squares or another tiny project.

2.) This listing for buttons from Kellwood. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20293812 I have found that pretty purple and orange buttons can be hard to find, but these are great!

3.) Okay how cool is this? You could do anything with this set of 50 pinback buttons from Beccabags. I'm so sorry I couldn't get the link to work for this one, but here is the shop address http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=493

so check it out!

4.) Sometimes I search the Etsy Destashes just for inspiration. I found one such listing today here at DestaSHOP http://www.etsy.com/view_%20listing.php?listing_id=22052916. The turquoise and red along with the silver accents really gets my color wheel spinnin'!

5.) And of course one thing you are always guaranteed to find in the Etsy Destash are delightfully odd little mixes that can be used for all sorts of things, like this one from ProdigalProgeny at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22056891

This is the sort of listing that has you thinking, "What on Earth is all that stuff?" But the pic just brightens my day!

Have fun in you Etsy hunting and don't forget to dive into the Destash pile!

CPSIA Blog-In

Okay, so I have been reluctant to post about this until now, mainly because this situation frustrates me so much. But as a maker of children's items, I feel the need to speak out. I am participating in a Blog-In as part of the Etsy community to try to raise awareness so here goes. I am posting what someone else wrote because she did so well, I don't think I can do better:

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 Forbeshttp://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 Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.htmlDid you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

That's what she says. Now here's what I say: This law disappoints me. It makes me sad that our lawmakers were so irresponsible in passing this law, without any thought as to how it would be implemented and enforced or how it would affect businesses and consumers. I just expected more. I guess I shouldn't, but I do. Now, they have created a huge mess that is probably going to take months if not years of time and taxpayer dollars to sort out. In the meantime, businesses like mine and consumers, parents, and citizens like you have to pay the price. Shame on our government for hasty knee-jerk reactions, and shame on the unscrupulous toymakers who have struck fear in people to create such a situation. I am terribly disappointed and honestly, today I have just a little less faith in our government. And that makes me want to cry.

Please help me and my fellow crafters make our voices heard. We are shouting at the top of our lungs, now we just need the powers that be to get the cotton out of their ears!
Thanks for reading!

The Forgotten Blog

Oops I do have a blog, don't I! A poor neglected, forgotten blog. Okay, so I have gotta write more often. Today is the inauguration, so of course, we have been watching that. And may I just say the Obama girls are adorable. It's gonna be fun to have young kids in the First Family again. In fact, I guess they are the youngest children I can even remember being in the White House. I think they need some cool handmade dresses.....
So anyway, I have decided to borrow an idea from my friend and fellow blogger Ophelia McPhee (www.opheliamcphee.blogspot.com) and have a top 10 list today. Here are the top 10 handmade things I think the Obama girls need:

1. Some really awesome dresses from me at www.barbaralousboutique.etsy.com (DUH)

2.) Awesome soap from Shine Your Hiney Soap. There is some totally adorable soap shaped like a ladybug. www.shineyourhineysoap.etsy.com

3.) Some totally adorable play food from www.opheliamcphee.etsy.com.
I know they have a chef but a girl's gotta have an imagination!

4.) The cutest little bags and clutches I have ever seen at www.allenbrite.etsy.com. The little squirrels and other critters are perfect for those cuties.

5.) Every kid needs a sock monkey, and www.bluesaphire.etsy.com has some of the coolest I have ever seen. Her sock monkeys come with things like sunglasses, overalls, pacifiers, and a few even have 'fros!

6.) www.QwertyO.etsy.com has these really great No Trash Lunch Kits. They are stylish with lots of different prints, and eco-conscious. The girls can be "green" when they take lunch to school (if they ever do).

7.) My friend Laura at www.wainbowmudd.etsy.com makes really awesome bobby pins out of buttons. The Obama girls would look great with her little bobbles in their hair!

8.) The most adorable owl earrings can be found at www.faeriedtreasures.etsy.com. These would be great for any age group, but they would look especially sweet on girls their age.

9.) Okay, now I know the White House has all those gardens that are very well maintained, but if the girls wanted to plant their own little garden, they could check out www.smokymistgardens.etsy.com. She has great seeds at great prices-perfect for the "budding" gardener.

10.) And of course, you can't forget that puppy they were promised. When the girls are training the puppy, they can go to www.luckydogtreatcompany.etsy.com for some really tasty (for dogs) and homemade treats.

Well, my wish for little Sasha and Malia is that they have fun, learn alot, and are safe and happy during their time as the First Kids. And like the Bush girls said, slide down that banister every chance you get!

A Note On Aprons

My grandfather gave me a little story recently on the history of aprons. I have been thinking for a while that I needed to add some mother and daughter aprons to my store, and this has really inspired me to get started on that for the new year. So, I share my inspiration with all of you:

I don't think kids today know what an apron is.

The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few. It was easier to was aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occassion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the wather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
These big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.
Remember the love the aprons in your past hold.

So I leave you with that thought today. Aprons coming soon!

It's a Brand New Day

I am feeling very free and happy today because I am getting a much-needed day off. I have been gone or busy for the past two weekends, so my usual super-duper housecleaning routine has been interrupted. Which means basically that my house is a disaster area. Add to that the fact that I have been rearranging (again) and the house is driving me crazy.
I have been noticing for awhile that no matter what I did, my crafting space was a big jumble. I can't create in a messy space-all I can think about is cleaning it up! So I decided to jump in and reorganize. I moved my drafting table to the other side of the living room and put up two shelves above it, which got alot of the stuff of the table top. And I must say, I am pretty proud. I put the shelves up all by myself and even though it took at least two hours (much longer than if hubby J had done it), they are straight, they are sturdy, and I actually managed to hit wall studs with most of the screws. So here's hoping they don't collapse on me one day. LOL Death by craft supply-I guess there are worse ways to go?
Anyway, I have been working on some adorable baby booties and even managed to get one pair listed. Check them out at my Etsy store. Also, I bought some yarn and have been crocheting up a storm. I haven't crocheted in a long time, so it was fun to pick that up again.
And I was featured in a gift guide! Check it out here: http://livinginspired365.blogspot.com/2008/12/gift-guide-3-sugar-plum.html That little plum ring has really been popular! This has been a great week-my first treasury (other than my own), my first feature on someone else's blog, and the people who bought from me really like their stuff! Yay! I think I will go crochet some more!

Black Friday Scares Me

People are crazy! Well, unless they are shopping in my store LOL. I guess deals just aren't important enough for me to risk my life at Wal-Mart. And of course, even if we had any shopping plans, they got cancelled. Last night, my grandfather's hay barn caught fire. It has now been burning for about 18 hours. Several thousand dollars worth of hay are lost. It's a big loss for the farm, but at least everyone is safe. Everyone in the family took turns watching it all night long so it didn't catch anything else on fire. So, although everyone is okay, we were a little too tired to go stand in line at 4 am.
Well, I had my first sale in my Etsy store on Tuesday. I was so excited, I could barely sleep! I am so happy that people actually want the stuff I make! I was beginning to wonder. I hope to get more sales before the holidays. The store could use a cash infusion. As soon as I get back to my workshop, I will be putting the finishing touches on some great new items just in time for Christmas! Be sure to check it out at www.barbaralousboutique.etsy.com!
Happy Holidays everyone!