Saturday, January 31, 2009

Hallelujah!!!!



Hallelujah.........
The CPSIA has been suspended for one year, due to take effect on February 10, 2010!!

Here is a a tiny bit of the press release...
CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.
Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.
The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.
The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-mandatory-testing-certification-has--3347/#comment-65790
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While we're still not completely in the clear, this at least gives the government time to amend the poorly written law and to take into account items previously overlooked.
Thank you to all those of you who protested, blogged and wrote to your congressmen.


We did it!!!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Friday Flashbacks

January............
I forget that it is still January.
(San Diego does that to a person...it is beautiful all year so you forget what month you are in.)
This is is pre-Tutu Monkey in the Northwest. This picture had a special place on the refrigerator for awhile ....that is why the "I love you sticker"........still stands though I do love him lots and happy he is coming home today after being gone all month!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Blog In

To my blog friends.....I hate to sound like an alarmist crazy woman that needs to get a life....but I really feel it is important to keep our kids safe from lead without this new overreaching law.........so I am putting on a tutu and joining a "Blog In" today.........



The following information is republished with permission from chichiboulie and Winklepots on Etsy:

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 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,

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

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Oh NO!!!


My sweet friend Deb made my day today dropping off the cutest outfits for Sarah. She is another hand-crafter that will not be able to sell her cute clothes unless she pays for the lead testing. Stay involved........go over to the button "Save Handmade Amend CPSIA".....make some noise! Thank you Deb you are such a special person.....Sarah can't stop talking to her leg!!

Yummy!


Sarah's new cousin gets more yummy every day!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Never gets old........

" That silly Shamu...splashing all those people"



The day couldn't have been nicer.......okay ...maybe if Sarah would have been allowed to go in the "Big Kid" bounce room......(she was 2 inches off.) That was our only tear producing moment until the Big RED guy came out and it was like a old fashion church revival.......

Sarah's little monkey pin is from a cute shop on ETSY Pink Sparrow.
Also......Nie Nie is back posting........

Friday, January 23, 2009

Friday Flashback


Beach= FUN
Sand on the face= Not so Fun
Have a wonderful weekend!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Absurd....not only toys....books too!!

PATIENCE............trying to remember my word of the year..............


The American Library Association says:

"public, school and museum libraries will have to either remove all their books or ban all children under 12 from visiting."
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1573



This law (CPSIA Consumer Product Saftey Improvement Act) just has to be over turned because it is so crazy!! http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/102brief.html

Happy Tutu Monkey's Mom is returning tomorrow....this stuff is making my head hurt......!!




Sunday, January 18, 2009

$3, 378.50


Yes you read it right that IS the cost for this tutu. With the new law that will go into effect Feb. 10, 2009, the CPSIA will require that each store selling products for children under the age of 12 test each product in our shops for lead......(ETSY shops) Each component will cost $70 and this tutu has eight components -two types of of tulle each needing to be tested, two different ribbons, one type of thread, elastic band, silk flower, and an alligator clip making the charge $560. Add in the additional $350 per component for phthalates testing and that adds another $2800 making this tutu that original cost about $20.00 to the grand total of $3,378.50!!! For more info please read http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-deadline-for-changeorg-vote-cnn-article-3247/


Please help keep handmade items available for our children.
Call Henry Waxmans office and leave a message to SAVE HANDMADE
202-225-2927

Friday, January 16, 2009

It's Friday....."Oh Poo"


My little "syrup monkey" got a new kitchen for Christmas. Being a ,somewhat ,crafty Mama I will make my daughter some food. Well, a few of you saw my last felting project .....not quite as bad as this piece of &^*%. This was originally going to be a base for a chocolate cake.......


"What is it Mommy?" asked Sarah as I pulled this out of the dryer........


hmmmm........
"NOT chocolate cake thats for sure........."

Happy Friday!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

WARNING.........................

to those of your experiencing record cold temperatures...these pictures could be disturbing......


This morning 4 friends hit one of Coronados' Beaches
(2 of them need pedicures....)
Beginning


Middle

End!!
Hope you are having a GREAT day too!!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Rainbow



"I been working on the waynebow all wiv wong day......."
Here are some of yesterday's adventures in wonderful Coronado .

Monday, January 12, 2009

CRAFTIVISM........

After Feb 10th buying a handmade tutu will probably kill you. I hate to sound so cynical and alarmist but this new CPSIA law is taking effect Feb 10. This new law will effect how I do business so I am being a little selfish here......but.....I love buying handmade toys and cloths. (Cloths, Hats, Dolls, Wooden Toys.) Not many answers but lots of questions? Please go to the save handmade and sign the petition.
WATCH THIS ....it is short

Friday, January 9, 2009

Friday Flashback


This was one of "those"days (as a new parent ) that you just can't believe what you are about to do. It was a very hot day at San Diego's Wild Animal Park......Sarah had been great all morning but started getting restless "hmmm maybe binky will help" .....can't find regular binky ANYWHERE. We forgot it........... . By this time Sarah is getting VERY fussy and starting to cry ........opps forgot to mention we are enclosed on the 30 minute train ride......all I could find is "Billybob Binky" ( bought as a joke many months before.) My husband says......."this is the ONLY binky we have?" "Yup" It worked but it just felt SO wrong each time anyone poked their head in to say "Ahhhh what a cute baby". Makes me laugh now.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

"Patience"


PATIENCE
my word of the year

I got this idea from my blog friend Linda. She is picking a word for the year and I thought it was a great idea.......and the word encompasses some of my my New Year's resolutions.

*Get back in shape....be PATIENT and stick with a plan

*Grow my small "Tutu Monkey" business..........keep taking small steps

*Start hiking again.......be PATIENT if Sarah only makes it a small distance at first.

* Have PATIENCE with Sarah........my husband will be traveling a lot this year so I need to, for lack of a better phrase ,"quit sweating the small stuff" like taking a hour to get in the car........"No Mommy ...I do it"......some day I will miss being able to spend an hour with her . Thanks for the idea Linda.
What is your word for 2009?

Monday, January 5, 2009

Any bets.......


How many of these tiny shoes will we have in February?

Friday, January 2, 2009

"Hello.....yooohoooo over here"


Have you ever tried to get a bunch of 1-3 1/2 year old kids to look at you for a picture? Here was my attempt today. We are starting 2009 much like we ended 2008.....enjoying all of San Diego's attractions with our fun friends!!.
Happy New Year!!