New Information about the CPSIA

We first told you about the new law that our customers have been fighting to amend. Well, there is positive news about this law and the CPSC. Take a look over on the Boutique News blog for an update.
Now maybe we can finally get back to business and generate some movement in our economy!

The New Law that Affects Our Customers!

By now many of you have read about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act going into effect on February 10, 2009. Many of our customers will be greatly affected by this law so in turn we will too. One of them sent us this blog post from the ladies over on Etsy who are a part of a selling group called EtsyKids. We're republishing it for you here:


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 here.


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.” Click here.


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 Forbes.

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law here.

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

Our Remodel took longer than expected...

Our main gal here had some very rough and unexpected family issues to deal with. So unfortunately that put our web remodel and blog on hold for a bit. But she is back and working like mad to get caught up. The website is remodeled and hopefully the blog will get a facelift too. In celebrations, she is updating and adding more products to the website in the next few weeks then we are going to have a sale! SO check back here soon for your discount code!

We're remodeling!!

Our website is getting a new look and when we are done, we're having a sale! So be sure to sign up for our mailing list and don't miss out. Members will receive a discount code in the upcoming weeks once we complete our new website and add more products. It's going to be a great sale so you don't want to miss it!

Contest! Prize Package worth OVER $2000.00!

Moms United in Business Contest!
Check out this great contest! If you are a mom in business like us, then you will definately be interested in this. There is a huge list of prizes that will be awarded to one lucky mom. Free advertising and blog design are just some of them!

Sis Boom Success for Jennifer Paganelli!

Many of our wonderful customers are Custom Boutique Designers in the Ebay world so we find it only fitting to report on their latest events. Those of you who aren't familiar with this world, if you are a true fabric addict, you will find yourself hooked the moment you log into Ebay, type the words "custom boutique" in the little search box and hit SEARCH. Trust me. You will.

Now, onto the latest in news of our fabric addiction becoming beautiful works of wearable art!

So have you seen the huge Sis Boom Launch on Ebay with special guest Jennifer Paganelli? What a great big launch that was! And I hear the girls of Adagio Bleu Studios are set for a part 2 on Etsy! Whoa!

Jennifer Paganelli, for those of you who don't know, is the designer behind the Sis Boom, Girlfriends and other beautiful fabric lines sold through Free Spirit. Jennifer created a beautiful dress out of her fabrics to be auctioned off just for the launch! Here's a peek:

We hear Jennifer is just sweet as pie and can't wait to hopefully meet up with her at Fall Market this year! She auctioned of this dress during the launch and all proceeds of the auction are being donated to a worthy cause!


For those of you who missed out on the big Ebay launch, there is still time to catch some auctions that haven't ended. There were sooo many and it was an amazing turn out! You can view them by visiting through this link here:

And we must show you one of the listings still up for grabs because it is a creation by one of our in house fabric addicts! Ayme of uniquefavors couldn't resist putting our Sis Boom fabrics to good use. Ok, we all can't resist most days but she is our resident Custom Boutique girl who keeps us up on the latest for the little ones so we have to share a peek at her set that is still available:

You can visit her auction just by clicking on the photo. Ayme has also taught us so much about this blogging thing. hehehe. We even know how to link now!

So, if you missed out on a great launch on Ebay, head over to Etsy and search for their items. The search terms are the same as Ebay, just type in ABSD Sis Boom in that little search box.

Stop back soon! We have so much more news to share with you! And we are working on some free instruction posts to be up very soon. Thanks for being addicted with us!

Sneek Peak...Sandi Henderson!

So the Spring fabric market has just passed and we had to sit that one out. But we plan to hit Fall and check out the latest offerings from our favorite designers! Have you seen any new fabric lines you can't wait to dive into? Just seeing some sneek peaks from some our favorite designers have us begging for more! And there are some newcomers turning heads too! Michael Miller has some great lines coming for Spring '09!

Wow, with Sandi's debut of Ginger Blossom for Michael Miller being such a huge success, who knew if she could top that entrance? Well, I knew it. And I think she is gonna top it with lots of cherries! Take a look at her new line, Farmer's Market! Just fresh of the press from quilt market this month, Sandi's new fabrics are just ripe and ready for plucking! Ohhh...we can't wait to dive into this fruit basket and get cooking!

And check out a sneek of her fall line colorways as well. Simply beautiful! Sandi has definately come through for her fans!

Thanks Sandi for the great sneek peaks courtesy of your blog, portabellopixie. It isalways an enjoyable read!
Keep your eyes here for more information about the latest designs to hit market for next year. Let us know what your favorites are and we'll be stocking our webhouse with lots of yummy fabric treats from the new lines. Be one of the first to get some from us!