I ♥ raspberries

The stage awaits...

Pointed beauty

Documenting our rarely clean schoolroom

What a difference

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I'll be the first to admit that I'm a weak photographer. I'm better at the perspectives aspect than the painting with light aspect.

I haven't invested in flashes or lights simply because I like how natural light looks the best. Unfortunately that leaves me in a bind when it comes to snapping pictures of my kids. They never turned put right. Too dark, too blurry, too blown out and shadowed.

I needed something that wasn't a huge investment and was simple to use for these types of pictures.

I recently discovered a reflector for my built in flash. I purchased mine from Photojojo and as soon as I received the package, I began to play around with my new toy. The contrast between photos with the reflector and without the reflector are strong enough that even my children could see it.

Here's two photos of my daughter. One with the built in flash, one with the reflector attached. My husband marvels at how the one without the reflector males her hair look unwashed while the other looks more like she does in person.

You're doing it wrong

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It snowed last night and today it's become an icky icy mix. Not fit to play in, but it reminded me of the pictures from the last snow.

This is my daughter, having fun and ignoring the "rules" of a snow day.

Christmas lights

Doing the out-in-the-cold-holly-jolly thing and still feeling bah humbug.

Challenge the CPSIA Act: it likely affects *you*!

If you think you're not affected, guess again. Odds are, you are.

Recent Forbes article: Scrap the CPSIA

I see this as another form of big business using our fears to wipe out the competition. Odds are you don't remember the Consumer Product Safety Commission's warning against co-sleeping. At a basic level, they are responsible for products, not the use of products. Add to that, they skewed the statistics (like so many to when they have an agenda). Oh, and the JPMA co-launched the campaign. Who, you might ask, is the JPMA? Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. No conflict of interest there. They couldn't possibly have an interest in crib sales, could they?

We're seeing this conflict again with the CPSIA: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is intended to assure that all items meant for children under 12 years of age is tested for lead and other safety issues. Toys, books, clothes, even my small corner of the world, one of a kind baby carriers. Oh yes, they want to keep our children safe. Unfortunately, they are applying a blanket law when a targeted act would do better. Most of the items that caused concern were manufactured in China. Most of the products being affected will be small companies, including crafters and thrift stores. Eventually, you won't even be able to give something away that hasn't undergone hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of testing. Be careful handing down that Christening gown or old rattle- it could open you up to a world of trouble.

The big manufacturers are on board. This is a blip in their manufacturing process. With the high volumes they manufacture, it will not break the bank to get the tests done for every batch. Every component of every batch. For a hobbyist (like myself) or a small business? Some are closing up shop now rather than to be left with stock they can't even give away. Personally, I have a stock of carriers in various stage of decoration being held back, praying common sense will prevail.

Not only are the large manufacturers not financially burdened by this act, it actually benefits them. Wiping out the cheaper competition from China? Check. Bringing mom and pop competitors to their knees? Double check! Bonus- if even used items must be tested, more people will have to buy new!

This reminds me of a lesson my father tried to teach me about writing laws.
"Think of a law you think everyone should follow," he told me.
"Everyone should wear their seatbelts."
"Ok, what about motorcycles?"
"Everyone in an enclosed vehicle should wear their seatbelts."
"Ok, what about cars that were made before seatbelts existed? Do we install seatbelts for the law? What if it devalues the antiques?"

And so on. Laws should be well thought out. They should benefit the maximum number of people while impeding the least amount of people possible. To me, the CPSIA is just another of those acts that might as well be called what it is- a gift to big business. Just like the CPSC campaign against co-sleeping and the Ad Council being forced to water down the National Breastfeeding Campaign. Where was our concern for childrens' health then? Seems to me offending the parents was more important than informing them of the risks...yes risks associated with formula feeding. It's not that breast is best, it's that formula is inferior. Those with the interest, power and money wanted to keep that from the public. Just like they want to keep the option of local or handmade goods off the shelves. After all, ethics and ideal rarely ever make enough money to reach the bottom line.

I share with you with a series of items that, if I held strict adherence to the act, I would not be able to make as gifts for my children or any others again.





What can you do to fight the death of creativity? Check out the Handmade Toy Alliance. Take action. It may seem a small thing, but it affects you too.