Etsybaby SALE!!!!!!

ETSYBaby SALE!!!!

Etsybaby is having an awesome sale now thru June 15th. We appreciate our customers and want to give them a little present. Visit the participating shops here to see the deals we are giving. I have free shipping and 15% off any sale $60 or more. Here is one of the many items in my shop.





The Rocker Mok

The best shoe for a baby is a soft shoe and these moks are super soft! The uppers are from reclaimed leather while the inside sole and exterior sole are made from new leather. The mok has an elasticized top for comfy fit and makes it harder for baby to kick off. Then when you are holding baby, everyone will see the cute cutout on the bottom of the foot. Please measure your baby's foot from heel to toe to get the correct size.

The Moks are copyright 2008-09 by me, the designer. Please do not reproduce, replicate or duplicate any picture or item without my written consent.

Please allow 2-3 days for me to make your moks and be ready to ship.

Size:
Please add 1/4"(.6cm) or more to baby's foot measurement then choose size according to that total measurement.

0-3 months 3 1/4"(8.3 cm) - 3 3/4"(9.5 cm)
3-12 months 4"(10.2 cm) - 4 1/2"(11.4 cm)
12-18 months 4 3/4"(12.1 cm) - 5 1/4"(13.3 cm)
18-24 months 5 1/4"(13.3 cm) - 6"(15.2 cm)

What do you see?

"The reality of life is that your perceptions -- right or wrong -- influence everything else you do. When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place."~ Roger Birkman


Have you ever noticed that person that seems to always be happy? It just seems that life goes their way and they never have any bumps in the road. Or how about the person who is down all the time? Life is always giving them bad circumstances. Now let's look at them abit closer. The happy person has the same challenges the down person has, but they don't allow themselves to perceive it as bad luck or in a manner that is negative.

For one week pay close attention to your outlook on life each day. If it's positive, does everything seem to go easier that day? Does life seem to fall into place as it should? And if it's negative, does it seem that in everywhere you go and in everything you do there are obstacles? You may feel as if "I'm having a bad day and it's only getting worse".

Remember, you attract what you put out. Put out a positive, happy outlook and you will attract the same back.

We all have days that we need to adjust our outlook. That's only being human. Share with me what you do to turn around a negative attitude into a positive outlook. I wish for you to go out and attract everything happy, positive and wonderful :)

Anybody have the roadmap?

I, like many others have times when hearing positive thoughts and constructive ideas are very welcomed. Some times it's just what you need at that moment. I hear people saying that we need it now more than ever, because of the hard economic times. But I doubt that now is any more necessary than any other time. Who can't use a positive thought whether times are good or bad? So I have decided to devote some blog time to this subject. Please pass this along to those you know. I would love this to be something that touches many lives, and gives some food for thought for that day.



So does anyone really have the roadmap to life or a career? If we did then I guess today's blog would be an easy write :)

"Be ready when opportunity comes. Luck is the time when preparation and opportunity meet."~ Roy D. Chapin Jr.

I truly believe that we have opportunities at our door everyday. It's up to us as to whether we take that opportunity or choose to let it pass. We all know that sometimes the opportunity may look like it doesn't quite fit us, or that we may not have everything 'WE' feel we need to say yes to it. But therein lies so much of our fate. Belief in ourself.

The mind is a powerful tool. If you think that you can't do something, I know it will come true. BUT if you feel that you can do something, no matter how daunting the task, you will be able to do it no matter what gets in your way. This is how to do it: Eliminate all distractions, and keep your focus on the final goal. When you do this, the little speed bumps along the way that tend to those that are not doing the 2 above things, will not even be noticeable. It will all seem as a part of the process to get to your final goal. We all tend to get caught up on the speed bumps. Look at those as an affirmation that you are on the right path.

Nothing worth having comes easily. Remember this little phrase when you are frustrated and it will put everything back into perspective.


So to end today's topic I want to ask a question that I would love to hear your thoughts on.

What will you do to get back your focus when you become distracted from your goal?

Check out the new blog

My last blogpost was about my new venture Reparapy. We now have out new blog up and running. Check us out at http://www.reparapy.blogspot.com/. We have a great contest going on right now. You will go in a daily drawing (for the next 2 weeks) for a $25 gift certificate for leaving a comment on the blogspot. Only comments for that day count for the daily drawing. Feel free to comment each day to be eligible each day for the drawing.

New Venture!!!!!

I have a new collaboration/venture to tell everyone about. I'm super excited about this and would love your feedback on it. First of all let me give you some websites to check out and then I will tell you about it.

www.reparapy.com
www.reparapy.etsy.com

I have joined up with a startup company that is into wellness and holistic products unlike you have seen before. The first website gives the best background and info about us and our company. We are looking to show people how to deal with stress, anxiety, listlissness, etc. with other than caffeine, junk food, etc. That stuff as we all know only works for a short time and then we crash....lol. We are currently marketing a kit towards students in their finals week. This kit has all they need to keep going (rejuve) or to destress (relax). Since college kids are not used to having to take care of themselves yet, we thought they would be a great group to start with. All the products can be purchased separately also.

Upcoming on the Etsy site will be great little kits to pamper your mom, the graduate, the bride and bridesmaids, the birthday person........ We will be listing those later this week. I'm sooooo excited about these kits! I want someone to send one to me :) We will include a memo from the gift giver and get them right out to the special person from you.

I so hope you will keep track of us this year. We have HUGE plans and I would love for you to be a part of them and join us on our journey down the road. Have a great Monday all!!!!!

Slipper Giveaway!!!!

The wonderful girls at homespunoasis just featured my slippers on their bolg today. We are also giving away a pair to one lucky winner. To see the post and enter the contest go to
http://www.homespunoasis.com/
2009/04/lines-designs-review-and-custom.html.

Eat More Fish

I love fish, but coming up with new ways to make it taste great can be tough. Here's one way I made my fish the other night and it was as good as a restaurant, at least I thought so....lol.

Talapia on the Grill

4 Talapia Fillets
Curry
Seasoning Salt
1 Lime cut in quarters
Butter
Foil

Take the foil and pull off 2 long sections (long enough to hold the 4 fillets). Place one foil section on top of the other (this is to give strength for the grill). Spread the butter all over the top foil sheet. Sprinkle on the seasoning salt and curry all over the buttered area. Place the fillets on the buttered and seasoned area. Squeeze 2 of the lime sections all over the fillets. Place the foil sheets with the fillets on a hot grill and cover. Cook for 5 minutes and then turn the fillets. Finish cooking until they flake apart. Squeeze the other 2 lime sections over the fillets and serve.

I had leftovers since my fillets were very meaty. Here's how I used them up since I don't like reheated fish.

Fish Flautas

Corn tortillas
Leftover cooked fish fillets cut up into small chunks
shredded cheese
oil for cooking

Dipping Sauce

Ranch Dressing
Salsa

Place oil in a deep round skillet and heat. Be careful not to scorch the oil. Warm the tortillas in the microwave a bit so that they will roll up without tearing. Place the tortilla on a flat surface, sprinkle with some shredded cheese. Place some of the fish down the center of the tortilla. Roll up tight and place the folded over side down first in the heated oil. This will seal the tortilla shut so you can turn it without it falling open. Be careful not to splatter yourself while placing the flauta in the oil. I use tongs to do this. Fry until golden brown and flip. This only takes a short amount of time on each side.

Mix the ranch dressing and salsa together and serve with the flautas.

I would love to hear if you tried these recipes and what you thought of them.

Spring Hats :)

My newest adds to linesdesigns.etsy.com. I am in love with these beanies! They are super cute with dresses, jeans, etc. They will be coming in many more colors and types of fibers. More flowers, buttons and whatever else I find to add for interest. I hope you love them too!

CPSIA It's Time to Take Action Against The Way This Law is Written

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 Forbes:

http://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 Law:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

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

Class Action Lawsuit to Save Handmade

Rachele Dressler-Sweetser, a mother of 3, has filed a class action lawsuit to change the impending CPSIA law. You can read about her and/or if you are interested in joining the class action lawsuit I have included the link below. I'm very proud of her for stepping forward and taking the reins on this!


http://reformcpsia.org/2009/01/class-action-lawsuit/

Save Handmade

Thanks to Jen of Goldtone Designs for designing this graphic.
www.goldtonedesigns.etsy.com

www.shopetsybaby.com/cpsc

Please help us in the fight to change this impending law that goes into effect on Feb. 10, 2009. There are so many small businesses and livelihoods that will be lost if we do not voice our concerns to the those making the laws.

If you wish to write a letter here is a forum link that will give you 4 names and addresses of the Committee leaders for this law. We as a people have a right to let those in charge know that they need to think about the cause AND affect of the laws they pass. Thank you in advance for showing your concern for everyone who is losing choices and wonderful handmade items for the children.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5987456

Slippers, Slippers Everywhere

Well I have survived my first Xmas season online :) It was a great one with weeks of very little sleep and many, many slippers being knit, felted, boxed and shipped. I am still finishing up with the slipper rush and will miss it when I'm done. (these are on my other Etsy shop under Linesdesigns) BUT I have many new ideas to work on for both shops and can't wait to get going on them. My new sewing machine begs me to use it as does all my yards of fabric. I look forward to showing you my progress. I also will be reworking my work space. I will have to show you my before and after pics.

If you don't know about CPSIA please learn about it and how it will affect you and lots of small business owners. Please take the time to voice your opinion to your legislature before Feb. 10 when it takes affect.