thank you cards

thank you cards, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

... and of course to be able to craft portably in, around and in spite of family life it is often necessary to provide some vital distractions at the right times.

This is a clutch of thank you cards, lovingly decorated by The Wee Guy. I print them out in bulk on blank card stock then he goes to work with his pens, glue, feathers, stickers or whatever is currently in favour.

This little batch netted a good hour of uninterrupted silence.

Now all I need to do is write a few brief notes, pop them with some topical photos into an envelope each, add a stamp and arrange an expedition to the mailing box.

voila! (or "viola" as i saw i had written somewhere else - oh cringe!)

addendum: due to the mildly deranged nature of the figures drawn on the cards i suspect that most recipients will suspect he's been spending his christmas money on acid or weed. hmmmm

ready set go! .... gone?

ready set go!, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

If the new CPSIA regulations being drafted in the US have their way then clay parties like this could be illegal for under-12's south of the border.

Read on for some indications of the impact this legislation will have on the lives of children.
(text prepared by concerned sellers 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 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.

pasta and garlic mushrooms in feta cream sauce part 2

pasta and garlic mushrooms in feta cream sauce part 2, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

A quick blogpost at the start of the day ....... about the end of my day yesterday.

Sometimes a day just isn't long enough and before you know it, dinner time is rolling around once more to disturb you from whatever crafty vibe you got going in amongst all the family stuff.

Aaargh! What shall I cook?

Well, let me rescue you - pasta, cream, mushrooms, olive oil/butter, feta cheese (or cream cheese), garlic or other herb/flavouring, parsley, parmesan, water

1. Boil the pasta in the water.
2. Fry the mushrooms in garlic and olive oil/butter.
3. Crumble the feta cheese.
4. Drain the pasta then return to a gentle heat with cream (enough to form a puddle round the pasta). Stir.
5. Crumble the feta into the cream and pasta. Stir until melted.
6. Add the mushrooms and stir.
7. Serve with a garnish of freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Bon appetit!

Thanks to Jodie of Meringue there is also a photo set of the meal in preparation.

what be this strange glowing orb in the sky?

what be this strange glowing orb in the sky?, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

I will admit, I haven't been crafting portably for a while. It's been too darn cold to go out (tho' I did take a sock on the pins out into the snow one day)(and to an interview too!). Although both the sun and a horizon have been sighted recently, the weather still doesn't encourage much sitting around outside. It snowed again yesterday so I do despair.

My current crafting has been around the house, but whenever we have been on the go there has always been something on circular needles to knit in my bag.

So here's my paltry list of projects on the go at present, with an indication of their portability.

* sterling silver bud jewelry - custom pendant in progress and portable
* socks (a little larger than these but in the same yarn) very portable but still only on sock one!
* knitted beret - in gorgeous Mirasol Hacho yarn (100% merino) Deep Blue Ocean #306 on circular pins, extremely portable
* brass ring and copper pendant - still on the soldering and riveting stages so not all portable currently, bench project only
* photography - no chance of portability (and they're all shiny things ugh!)
* inventory prep for a craft boutique - tied to my desk!

.... but I have plans, and my local yarn store has a sale going (!) .....

stay tuned!

portably crafting in the snow

portably crafting in the snow, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

yup! knitting a sock in the snow.
that's me (yes it is me, the crazy knitting lady - yoohoo woman with dog who stared at me all funny)

without my daily crafting fix i am a gibbering mess (!)

Happy New Year - hopefully I'll be able to update this blog a little more frequently, and with some useful portable crafting stuff.

Best portable crafting moment of 2008 - discovering short circular needles, assembling the portable polishing kit and knitting socks at the zoo.

Worst portable crafting moment of 2008 - being stuck somewhere boring with no craft handy (or even a pencil to make some sketches)

Portable Crafting Goal of 2009 - to update this blog a LOT more frequently!