What a thrill! In the current "Sidewalk Chalk Art" article on Handmade News, published by Artfire, my chalk mats are included as a neat way for kids to chalk it up. To read the full article, simply click here. Sweet!

Because I wouldn't know how to cope without a constantly full plate, I've joined the wonders of tweeting. Follow me and you'll be "in the know" on special offers, discounts, and the newest designs...ooo we're gonna have fun!

http://www.twitter.com/lilbdesigns

Oh boy! It's been months since I last posted on my blog, which just goes to show you how busy life has been. Between my daughter Lilly's preschool & playdate activities (ah the busy life of a nearly 5-year-old) and creating new items for Lil.B.Designs, I'm lucky to get dinner on the table and folded laundry put away. Summer is now here (yay!), which means I have an even better excuse for avoiding housework and the perfect reason for having a yard sale! So, before I pilfer through my garage for hot ticket items to sell, I'll start with my Lil.B.Designs shop. This coming week, Etsy is hosting its 2nd annual "Yart Sale" (Art + Yard Sale = Yart!) and I'm joining the fun because, seriously, who doesn't like a good deal these days. During the Yart Sale days, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING worldwide. That's like saving on gas by not having to drive to the store AND having it delivered right to you (not to mention the added bonus of shopping in your PJ's). Stress free. Postage free. Got to love that!

Visit my Etsy shop to see all of the Dine.n.Doodle goodness for free shipping!

So much to celebrate this year and it is only March!  I am so pleased to announce that Lil.B.Designs is now on ArtFire.com. I am adding new items daily while I build my shop, and I'm super excited to be a part of this growing community.

ArtFire.com is a fairly new online marketplace for handmade products designed by artisans around the globe. This free community is designed for artisans to buy and sell their works, while celebrating unique handmade items and designs.

Find me on Artfire.com!
http://lilbdesigns.artfire.com

Introducing my new line -- Fold.n.Go Art Folios™! I have merged my popular Roll.n.Go Crayons™ with a mini chalk mat for double the on-the-go fun.

Perfect for your little Picasso in restaurants, on planes, in the car, doctor's offices, or anywhere you travel. Keep it handy in your purse, diaper bag, in the car, or in your child's special goody pack. It's a simple way to offer your child instant entertainment wherever you may be. The chalkcloth also serves as the holder for keeping a small notepad in place. Just remove to use the chalkcloth. How easy!

Each Fold.n.Go Art Folios™ holds just the right amount for quick fun -- 3 crayons and 1 piece of chalk (fun assortment included along with a notepad to get you started). Approximate size: 5.5" x 9" (unfolded).

Now available in my Etsy store - http://lilbdesigns.etsy.com. Two style are listed, but lots more to come!

They're here! Knob Notes™ made their grand debut today in my Etsy shop. Perfect for expressing your little notes. Hang on the front door of your home with a warm welcome message, your child's bedroom door, on a kitchen cabinet...just use your creativity. Whatever your message and priced just $12, Knob Notes™ are a simple, fun, and economical way to say it. Use and reuse over and over again!

Knob Notes™ are reversible, too! In addition to the chalkcloth area on the decorative front, the reserve side is all-over chalkcloth, providing plenty of room for longer notes, lists, reminders, and messages. Endless possibilities!

Materials: laminated cotton, Mexican oilcloth, and chalkcloth.
Size: 7" x 9.5" (approximate, will vary slightly depending on design)

I've launched my new Knob Notes™ line with two designs --- I just couldn't resist waiting any longer to list them! Many more designs to come, including the reintroduction of some of my most popular laminated cottons, like the retro cowboys! So, stay tuned...more Knob Notes™ goodness is on its way!

Get ready! I'm jazzing up my Dine.n.Doodle chalk mats with new designer trims for an updated, fresh look. Not only will chalk mats continue to feature popular gingham prints, but swiss dots will be making their splashing debut in the coming weeks. Lot's o' options and lots 'o fun --- I can hardly stand it!

Final week!

From now through February 9, all Dine.n.Doodle chalk mats and Roll.n.Go Crayons are 15% off in my Etsy store, including new and limited edition designs.

http://lilbdesigns.etsy.com

Happy shopping!

Yes they do! Thank you to all who voted, emailed, called, wrote letters, and so forth ... we have been heard! Today, the Consumer Product & Safety Commission unanimously voted to grant a 1-year stay on testing and certification requirements. That means, my doors are staying open for business and I will continue to create my Dine.n.Doodles!

To read more:
- Etsy article: http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-mand...
- Etsy forum post: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6022029
- CPSC press release: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
- The actual CPSC document: http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/stayenforce.pdf

Ok, I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief, but at the same time, I am more motivated than ever to come up with fresh new designs. Off to sew! :)

The handmade world has been a buzz lately, especially for those of us who handcraft children's items. In a nutshell, Congress passed a law a law stating that all items intended for children 12 and under must be tested for lead irregardless of the materials used starting February 10, 2009. And, before you second guess all this, YES, this law is all encompassing by affecting not only big corporations but even us 'small potatoes'. By their definition, I am a manufacturer and (unless the law is amended) I will need to comply and have each of my Dine.n.Doodle components tested by a third party CPSIA-approved laboratory - every single design or color of cotton fabric, thread, grommet, ribbon, felt, oilcloth, and labels. Or, go out of business. Period.

As a parent, I'm certainly glad Congress is making an effort to keep children safe. As a "manufacturer" of children's items, I'm deeply concerned about the affect this law will potentially have on my business. The required testing is quite expensive, and as much as I would like for my items to not be considered "hazardous," I simply don't feel I will have much success selling $9.50 Roll.n.Go Crayons for over $2,400 (which is the price needed to cover cost of third party testing) or $18.00 chalk mats for over $1,800.

Today, is the day for the blogger's "blog-in". All of those small business owners affected and those who love to buy handmade children's items are posting the following on their blogs. Please join us!
________________________________
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 Forbeshttp://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. You can find out how to contact your representative here and your senator here.