Charity Art Quilt Project - Group 2

I am thrilled and proud to show off the second group of 3 art quilt squares I have received for my Charity Art Quilt Project

The first set of squares I received can be seen in my January 24, 2009 post.

Now on to the new fabulous squares.

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The first in this group comes from CherylinMI, a quiet member of Craftster . She had no posts when she first contacted me about getting involved in the project, so needless to say I was surprised and excited. A perfect stranger jumping on board truly warms my heart.
Her work is amazing. Check out the detail in this piece, with the bold colors and lovely accents. Thank you so much, Cheryl!

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The second square comes from the fabulous embroidery diva, KittyKill. I have admired her work on Craftster and Flickr, and was so happy when she agreed to join this project. Look at this delightful dancing gypsy lady (with a familiar haircut!). Her dress is dotted with tiny wee pearls, and she holds a bouquet of bead flowers. She is absolutely beautiful! Thank you, Kittykill!

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The third square in this set comes from a Canadian woman I know very well.
When my sister, Cindy Brown, heard about my project and saw the first quilt squares, she knew she had to get on board. Now my sister is more known for being a packrat than an artist, so I will admit to being a bit nervous. My nervousness became horror when I caught her looking at some tiny teddy bears wearing bumblebee costumes to attach to her square. Fortunately for me, and the quilt, she toned it down a little and made this surprisingly beautiful piece. She handbeaded the gypsy 'trails" onto the fabric to tell the story of their journeys.
Lovely work, Cindy. Thank you.

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I am still seeking textile artists of any kind to participate, so please, if you are interested, just send me a message via email (address in sidebar), on Craftster , or just leave a comment with a way to contact you, and I will respond asap. You can embroider, make a fabric collage, quilt, applique, fabric paint, felt, etc. The only requirements are that the square be 8x10 inches (portrait orientation), with a theme of "Gypsy" - however you choose to interpret that.
Once I have all of the quilt squares, I will assemble the quilt with a simple backing and border to best showcase the beautiful works of art, and it will be auctioned off to raise money for the orphans and street kids of Romania.

Chic Chalkboard Giveaway

Check out these fabulous chalkboards from Spell It Out Designs
You can win one if you hurry!
Giveaway ends tonight at midnight, with draw held tomorrow (Feb 23rd).
These would be so sweet for jotting quick phone messages, or to decorate a little girl's room.

Click image to be whisked away to Spell It Out Designs blog giveaway post to find out how you can enter!

Insomniac Scrapbook Theater

Insomniac Scrapbook Theater

Visit to find out how you can win a beautiful pendant from KristieGK.

One World One Heart WINNERS!

And the day has finally come!
Everyone keep an eye on your inboxes - goodies are sure to start rolling in.
I have had such a wonderful time meeting so many talented bloggers from around the world. I have been trying to keep up with as many of the new blogs as I can. I am thrilled with the turnout for this international friendship event.
Big huge hugs to Lisa for organizing such a fabulous blogger event.

and now for the drumroll.....
lights please....

The Winners, as chosen by random.org, for my OWOH giveaway are:

#42 Lavender Dreamer of Lavender Dreams Too

and #11 Andreah of Moody Mama Says


Congratulations, ladies. I have emailed both of you for your postal address so I can get your artwork in the mail!

* Good News For CPSIA-endangered Artists *

**from official press release**

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

The stay does not apply to:

• Four requirements for third-party testing and certification of certain children’s products subject to:

  • The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after December 21, 2008;

  • The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after January 20, 2009;

  • The ban on small parts effective for products made after February 15, 2009; and

  • The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after March 23, 2009.

• Certification requirements applicable to ATV’s manufactured after April 13, 2009.

• Pre-CPSIA testing and certification requirements, including for: automatic residential garage door openers, bike helmets, candles with metal core wicks, lawnmowers, lighters, mattresses, and swimming pool slides; and

• Pool drain cover requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead. Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.

The stay of enforcement on testing and certification does not address thrift and second hand stores and small retailers because they are not required to test and certify products under the CPSIA. The products they sell, including those in inventory on February 10, 2009, must not contain more than 600 ppm lead in any accessible part. The Commission is aware that it is difficult to know whether a product meets the lead standard without testing and has issued guidance for these companies that can be found on our Web site.

The Commission trusts that State Attorneys General will respect the Commission's judgment that it is necessary to stay certain testing and certification requirements and will focus their own enforcement efforts on other provisions of the law, e.g. the sale of recalled products.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

adorable baby party hat shown above is a handmade creation by Sweet N Sassy Baby of Etsy.