The feathery flakes...that we so revel in...are a-fallin' once again....that should be a song! However, the sun is now peeking through and it looks like we might just have a sunny afternoon on white fluff!



I'm continuing to craft away on all my projects...I've got about three goin' at once here! So in the meantime, I'll show you a wonderful crocheted baby blanket that I didn't make! It was given to our girls by our dear neighbor, Maurice (pronounced 'Morris' in these parts!), who came by bearing gifts for the children this week. He's also the one who gave us our gorgeous wreath outside! The doll blanket came with this wooden cradle!

He also gave our son a bright yellow dump truck that's been hauling snow! And gave Heather a nice big journal that's she's been diligently making her entries in everyday. Very thoughtful gifts!

Another great gift they received this year was from G'mom and G'dad .... bright red lanterns!! They LOVE going outside at night...and now they've got the perfect light for their nighttime excursions...with the added bonus of keeping their hands warm, too! : )

Our kiddos received some really unique and fun gifts this year...all of them simple and educational...features we definitely admire! Along those lines, I've been reading more information regarding the CPSIA and protecting the future in our continued ability to provide and purchase these types of toys for children. The ramifications of the CPSIA are daunting to say the least. I just read this quote today:

Barring a reprieve, regulations set to take effect next month could force thousands of clothing retailers and thrift stores to throw away trunkloads of children's clothing.

Did you get that..??!!! NO more finding and buying toys, books, games, clothing, etc. for children at thrift stores that haven't been 'tested' according to CPSIA standards.


The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead.

"They'll all have to go to the landfill," said Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Assn. of Resale and Thrift Shops.

Excuse me..but this is craziness! I really had no idea that these were the full implications of this consumer 'protection' act. I already contacted my Congressman and Senators ...and I've now put a button for you to click on in the sidebar to make it easier for you to find all the information. I signed their petition and voted on Change.org today. Here's the rest of the article quoted above...and please take a look at endangered whimsy...a gallery of products that are destined to be affected by this legislation due to pass in Feb.
 

Thank you for all your support and involvement! From what I was reading, we're already being heard and making a difference. Let's totally nip this craziness in the bud...where it belongs! And then go on enjoying and supporting all of our talented crafters, artisans, home and small businesses, and those wonderful eclectic thrift stores and flea markets! And I'll be with you soon on my son's new wool britches!! : D

 


Comments

Karen

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:11:55

More government regulation is NOT what we need. Already our Goodwill won't accept children's toys. In China, where many live in poverty, it's against the law to import used clothing. Isn't recycling supposed to be the way to go?
Apparently the CPSC has issued a clarification. You can view it here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
It looks like the voice of consumers is making a difference. We need our consignment shops and thrift stores. Good post, Romantic Mom.

 

Deb

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:52:47

Yes!! I read that info.... and I just read more the other night that they may exclude things made of natural products such as wool, wood, cotton (still not sure about the dyes), natural gemstones, pearls, and silk. This would certainly help the handmade crafts people...but it's still on the table. I'm just thinking of the businesses like the Amish and like Lindsay's and Lehman's catalogs, etc. that this could still pose some major problems for. Anyway, it's not as if we don't already have enough to be worrying about these days!! Mercy!!

 

Deb

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:14:21

Thank you so much for all the e-mails and support!! My friend, Heather, just sent at an excellent e-mail to her list and posted on facebook as well.

I also added this paragraph to the form letter I sent to our legislators:

"In addition, we take issue with the fact that we are, in effect, about to be punished for China's failures to provide safe products. China manufacturers should be penalized - not U.S. citizens conducting reputable small businesses. The implications of this act are beyond communistic in nature - and not at all what the United States Constitution upholds for its citizens. It also opens the door to more of this type of legislation - the type that benefits foreign manufacturers and large corporations while destroying small businesses as well as impinging on U.S. citizen's freedom to choose alternative products over those that are mass produced. Please support American small businesses as opposed to global corporations. Moreover, a tag stating (along with where the product is made) whether a product has or has not been tested could be one alternative. Let the people decide what they want to buy or not buy - and from whom and where."

One very strong message would be for all of us to drastically reduce our consumption of mass produced products from foreign countries and start supporting local businesses.

Fortunately, because of the response they're getting from people across the nation, they are re-evaluating the manner in which this law is to be interpreted...but we're not out of the weeds yet. Nothing is written in stone...and much of it is still 'being discussed' as they say. Also, it's not just about the thrift and consignment stores. The effect that this will have on home-based, cottage, and small businesses will be devastating. These small crafters and artisans will not be able to compete with the large manufacturers and corporations if something isn't done in a very significant manner to alter the interpretation or even amend this legislation.

It's still very important that our politicians hear from us at this crucial time...to truly ensure that we will be protected from the far-reaching implications of this law. Discussion deadlines are coming up as soon as Jan. 20. Thanks so much for your help!! : D

 

Carole

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:48:56

Deb, I read about that a few days ago, and got all up-in-arms about it, but then found an article that says consignment and thrift stores will NOT be required to do the testing.

I'm swamped today, but I'll see if I can find the link for you.... (or you can dig through my twitter posts on the blog, because I posted the link there a few days ago....)

It'll be okay! : )

 

Deb

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:05:13

Hi Carole! Yes, in the comments above there are already links to that info. They are also discussing the exemption of natural made products which will help the home crafters as well. They're also talking about some sort of 'prior testing' clause in which materials already tested won't have to be tested again...like in a finished product. However, this is still all at the discussion stage and nothing is set in stone yet. That's why it's still important that we make sure to help our small businesses and home crafters across the nation. There's more detail on that, too, in the comments above... and in the link on the sidebar. We do hope and pray it will all be OK!! That's our desire. We just need to continue to do our part to make sure that it will be OK. Thanks!! : D

 

Lynn

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:29:16

Thanks so much for the excellent information; I had no idea! I do think it's so important to get our things (and toys) from local sources as much as possible (and make them ourselves!). Importing from China has caused us to be a nation piled high with way too much junk, just because it's affordable. We need to get back to the days when they lived with less, and those things that were purchased were higher quality and lasted longer because real craftsmen (and women) made them. Thanks again for the excellent post! :)

 

Amy

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:13:39

You'll be happy to know that my New Year's Resolution last year was to stop buying products from China. It was VERY difficult to do but I probably made 80% of my purchase from other countries. Still plan to keep that habit. Not only do we owe China trillions but tons of what we spend daily goes there. SAD!

 

Deb

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:17:43

Wow Amy!! I'm impressed!! That's definitely not an easy feat to pull off these days! And that's inspiration for our family, too! We're committed this year to going handmade/local as much as we can do it!! It's really just a whole new mindset...and one I'm trying to develop more! So good to hear from you!! : D

 

Mom

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:48:07

So impressed wirh your good neighbor's generosity & thoughtfulness. The cradle AND blanket are small works of art in themselves. But the big truck for hauling snow & the journal for Heather are inspired! By the way--give the girls a BIG thank you for the horse pictures we got this week--& only 3 days after they were mailed. I recognized you & Candy right away, of course. How neat for her to think of that. Caitlyn (our 'almost birthday girl--a big day, tomorrow!!) is doing a beautiful job of keeping up with the older 2, it would seem. // How PLEASED we are that the lanterns are such a big success! Seemed like a WARM idea to me at the time--but I didn't even consider how much of their playtime is actually after dark. // Relieved to hear the nation is raising an uproar about being "protected" out of so much many of us hold dear, while large coporations, manufacturing OFF our shores, aren't harmed. Gotta get back to the 'how to' info to get our protest in the pot.

 



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