Winter is racing by at a snails pace... and obsessing about CPSIA

I can't say that January has been my favorite month of this year (though it has been the first). It seemed to be consumed by all the colds that our little family has suffered through. Somewhere in that time Christmas was packed up and put away for another year.



And somewhere in that time between trips to the doctors there was time for creative endeavors too...









Any free time I've had I have spent reading up on the new CPSIA laws. Though I don't make toys or clothing for children I have wondered if my ring pillows and flower girl baskets would be covered under these laws. And though I don't sell children's toys my husband and I have been avid creators of toys for our children. I would hate to see all the lovely small businesses dedicated to making beautiful and creative toys put out of business by this law.

I think the initial intention of the law is correct because our children should be protected from lead and pthalates in their toys and clothing. In the interests of making a profit large companies purchase cheaply made toys overseas without any regards to safety. In response to this small businesses have sprung up making lovely handmade toys with natural materials. But its these small businesses that will now be forced to close with the stringent CPSIA testing requirements. I do think that small businesses should be held accountable to certifying that the components they use to make their toys are safe. We can't just assume that they are safe. We need to demand supplies and materials that are safe and have the certification from the manufacturers to prove it. Any way I hope the CPSIA stay goes into effect and that during this time the laws are better worked out so that small businesses can be allowed to continue.

Merry Christmas!

A few photos of the holidays...





We are thankful for the good company of family and friends, good food, warmth and light, and good health.


The girls had their holiday concert at NEC. My middle child plays cello in first chair.


My oldest played viola and was lucky enough to have a few soloist parts.



Three little green monsters that I made for each of my girls...



A few cake topper sets which I completed just before the holidays...

Holidays ... on the way ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Its been some time since I last posted. Life got a little crazy when my husband was off to the emergency room with chest pains. And after all this time we still haven't figured out whats going on. In any case the symptoms he experienced haven't reoccurred recently so we all feel a bit relieved.

We had a lovely and quiet Thanksgiving with just us. I think November was overload of activity not to mention the medical issues.

As always I am busy creating and trying to balance a busy family life. Not an easy task sometimes. In the coming year I have promised to lighten my custom work load so I don't feel overstressed. As much as I love doing them there just is only so much time in the day.

Tomorrow afternoon we are off to get our tree. I'm not nearly ready for the holidays though but I guess they will come anyway. So its no use putting off getting the tree. My daughter joined a small chamber music group so now my husband and the older two girls are off in Boston at the New England conservatory until 3 in the afternoon. I can't say I'm too thrilled about the arrangement as it seems we have little family time on the weekends now. With the holidays coming this will be difficult too. I need to start planning our baking projects for the Norwegian lefse and cookies.

Here are a few photos of some of my latest projects...

an oak leaf pottery ring bearer with little brown birds





More of my cute little bird cake toppers...