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Check out my interview with Corinne at Daydream Art Studios. Featured May 24

In the market for a snazzy set of knitting or crochet stitch markers?

Or maybe you’d like a new bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings.

And don’t forget to check out my five- and single-decade rosaries.

I even have pouches for those special stitch markers and rosaries for storage.

Greeting cards for special occasions available most of the year; I’m currently gearing up for Christmas card sales.

ACEO–Art Cards, Editions and Originals–a.k.a. ATC–Artist’s Trading Cards–also available. 2.5″x3.5″ mini works of art to frame, collect, or trade. Be on the lookout for ACEO greeting cards!

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Click the “Custom Order” link on the side and I’ll create a special piece just for you!

For reusable shopping bags and special totes…what about a Cat’s Cradle original bag?

Don’t forget the dishes! Dish “rag” sets available in bright cheery colors or in regular “boring” colors…your choice!

Come on over to Cat’s Cradle Creations and have a look around!

I accept PayPal and RME payments.

Last night, I didn’t get much sleep. But then, I was seriously obsessing over a crocheted beret for my hubby to wear during graduation today. He didn’t graduate; he’s on faculty at the local university. He couldn’t find his Doctoral Tam and tassel (moving can be such a PITA), so he asked how hard it would be to make one.

Using the photo as a guide, I started scouring the Internet for beret and tam patterns that would be suitable. I settled on the Ripple Beret and Scarf thinking that it would be close enough. Unfortunately, it was a tight fit, even after omitting a couple of decrease rounds. It was also too round, but I thought I had a solution for that: sewing in darts after the crochet was complete. He said it looked okay, and that he could wear that one, but I only slept about an hour and a half all night.

Got up at 4:30 am to eat (baby makes me hungry at odd hours) and decided to sit down with the extra yarn and work out a different tam. I got finished at 7:40 am with a beautiful tam that fit hubby perfectly and looks very much like the one in the first link. He was thrilled with the finished product and loved that I even wire-wrapped the tassel to make it look more professional!

I’ll have pics up later; hubby’s not here right now to model…

Real Mothers don’t eat quiche;
they don’t have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn’t come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don’t want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask ‘Why me?’
and get their answer when a little
voice says, ‘Because I love you best.’

Real Mothers know that a child’s growth
is not measured by height or years or grade…
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother…

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She’s way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Please send this to 5 Mom’s today.

If you don’t, nothing bad will happen,
but if you do, something good
will:
You will boost a Mother spirits.

Pass it on! Copy and paste and let everyone know what the new law is doing to American commerce and the already hurting economy.
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Many online vendors will be closing shop soon unless the new CPSIA law is amended. Perhaps you don’t shop online, that’s okay, this law still affects you too. I’m keeping this short and to the point. Feel free to skip to any portion that directly concerns you. You’re bound to find at least one.

Here is a recent article from Forbes…
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

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 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. But hey, there’s always tv right?
Article from the ALA… http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Secondhand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for those 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 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 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.

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 Entrepreneur:
Due to the new law, it’s been nice knowing you and supporting your dream. We’d like to take it back now. Perhaps Corporate America will give you a job, oh wait….Best Wishes, Your Government.

To the American Economy:
Due to this new law, you will be sinking to new lows as only idiots, like Bobby Rush and Henry Waxman, have established.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. They will now know exactly what it’s like to be an American. Duped and broke.

“The New Law”
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? Do they know? Perhaps they should. It affects them too.

——————————————————————————————–

First, no one was hurt in the fire; the tenants and the family who owns the store were all safely evacuated before the blaze became overwhelming. I don’t know if the cats made it out or not.

Around 3:15 local time, one of my boys comes in the house and tells us, “Dominic’s is on fire!” We told him to stay in the house and we promptly brought the other two boys and the dog in. We were more concerned about them getting in the way or the dog running out into the street and possibly getting hit as nearly 100 firefighters responded.

We live just north of the site of the fire, and luckily the wind was in our favor and we did not get any smoke in our home. My dog had to be confined to the kitchen because there were about 10-15 vehicles parked in our driveway and in front of our house. She wouldn’t quit growling and barking!

We watched from our living room window or the front door (wearing coats, hats and gloves) as our friends lost their family business. They suspect the fire started in one of the upstairs apartments. Being that the apartment was directly over the hardware store, it didn’t take long for the flames to spread to the grain, pet foods, and the store in general. It sounded like fireworks when the paint cans (and who knows what else) started exploding from the heat and pressure.

More than 75 firefighters from 10 departments (every department from our county!!) responded and they had to fetch water more than once during the worst of the blaze. Smoke and flames licked up from the store and halfway across the street for more than 3 hours. I’ve never seen a structure fire so hot; the glass panes on the door was literally melting from the heat of the flames. Our power was out from 3:30 until 7 for safety reasons. (We went to my ILs’ house for dinner since we didn’t have electricity with which to light the stove.)

Just before 5, the fire chief made the decision to demolish what was left of the building, and the backhoe took it down so they could continue to manage the blaze. Luckily for all involved (including neighbors) the fire didn’t reach the gas shed where they filled propane tanks.

At nearly 1:00 am, the remains of the store are still actively burning and there are at least three or four fire control units still on the scene. Of course, since today was Inauguration Day, this fire story was only mentioned once (and very briefly) on the evening news. Here’s the story thus far, along with pictures from the west side of the building. We saw the north side of the building, and the smoke was so thick that you couldn’t see through it.

http://www.wptz.com/news/18523623/detail.html

I think I was more shaken up about this than my kids…it hit really close to home–the store that burned was only 1/4 mile south of our house. Please say a prayer for all four families involved in this tragedy.

I just received this truly amazing ATC/ACEO from Norma, who lives out west in British Columbia. The antlers fold down over the card via little bitty brads. The snow is all glittery and beautiful. I love this card!! Thanks so much, Norma for your beautiful artwork!

I’ve just received (Saturday) my gift for joining the Christmas ATC Swap at Babycakes Cornbread Kids. It’s a beautiful watercolor ATC created by the swap hostess and it’s entitled “Candy Cane Crow.”

Here it is:

Be sure to check out the swap for more fun cards!