CPSIA Delayed!

Yay!! They heard us!! The required testing has been delayed for a year!

CPSC Press Release

"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."

All Gone

Well, I just sold my last extra copy of my booklet, Top-sy Turvy. I'll see what I can do to get my hands on some more copies. But I know you can get it at Amazon....see the link on the left?? I've also found it on Annie's Attic.

So, how many of you have a copy already?? Be sure to send me pictures of your finished items! I would love to showcase them on my blog and website! Wouldn't you love to see your cuties here??

Heather has requested a Sassy Stripes Sweater with the stripes done in a rainbow!! I still need to find the perfect shades of blue and green yarns, LOL!! I'll just add that to my to-do list!

Happy crocheting and have a great weekend!

CPSIA Blog-in

Well, it's getting closer....February 10, 2009....National Bankruptcy Day. Truthfully, I don't know all the details and am not an expert on the subject, but I have close friends that do. So at least I am informed of what is required of me. Yes, this law will affect me, yes...ANYTHING made for children under 12 does need to be tested, and that includes items made from yarn. This law will affect mom-designers like me, libraries, schools, charities, resell shops and more! Basically it was just a poorly written law and needs to be amended. Here are some good links for you to check out to learn more:

Fashion Incubator
Rick Woldenberg
TheSmartMama
Mark Riffey
JUst Add Charm
ZRecommends
Organic Baby Farm
National Bankruptcy Day
Business Week

And here are some examples of what you can expect if it is not amended! (pssst...check out th $$$)
I spy travel toy
Appliqued Jumper
Child's Personalized Cross

So, I just wanted to help spread awareness. My good friend Trevor says it best:
Tales of a Kraftymomma

And the winner is.....

Congratulations to Sandie!!! You are the winner of the prototype hook holder!! Whoo Hooo!! You now have 24 hours to contact me with your mailing address!! Please email me at sales [at] jaybird-designs [dot] com.

Thanks for all of your input and suggestions from everyone who participated!! And keep an eye out for these new Jaybird Designs items!

Listing on eBay!!

What!?!?!? Yup, it's true! I actually listed some items on eBay today!!

I've joined a ton of other designers who are listing this week because of the new CPSIA laws. ALL of the items listed will be ILLEGAL as of February 10th!! So get yours now while you still can!!

I have listed two items that I have had the patterns published. These are the actual ones photographed for the magazine!! There is the Sweetheart Cap and the Flower Girl Shrug. At really low prices too!!

See them here! And be sure to click on the Boutique Felony logo at the top to see all the items listed for this launch....or search "Boutique Felony" on eBay!

New Item

Yesterday I listed something new, LOL!! The Garden Trellis Neck Wrap! I've been wearing a lot of neck wraps recently to help keep me warm, but realized that the ones I was making might be a little to heavy for when the weather starts getting a little nicer. So I worked up a new design and absolutely love it!! The colors of this wrap are amazing!! A beautiful olive green and deep burgundy!! YUM!!

And stay tuned...think I may write up the pattern for this one soon!

WHAT!?!?!?! Another giveaway??

Yup!! It's that time again!! It Bloggy Giveaway time!!

This time you can win this sweet pair of newborn baby booties. They are an awesome moss green and white, feature two criss-crossing straps the close with buttons, and should fit newborn to 3 month old babies.

Contest is open to US residents and will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.

To win, answer this question in the comments.

What is the name of the newest published booklet by Jennifer J. Cirka?*

*PLEASE don't cheat and look at the comments!!!

You will also get a bonus entry if you can tell me who the publisher is! Check out my website for the answer! Winner will be chosen on Feb 1st.

Be sure to check out all the other wonderful bloggy giveaways! OOOPS!! Forgot to add that these booties were designed by Sylver Designs!

The Pocket Cover

OK, since the majority of you like the idea of having a flap to secure your items in the large pocket of my hook holder, I worked on another prototype last night. What do you think?

And one more question....If you'd like matching stitch markers and bags, would you prefer to purchase them all separately or together as a group??

Have a great weekend! I am off to doggie school and I think I am catching a head cold, ewwww!

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Knitting and Crochet Accessory GIVEAWAY!

OK, it's time for a Jaybird Designs Giveaway!!

I have decided to expand into making knitting and crochet accessories and have made a prototype of a hook/needle case. But now I need some info from all my wonderful readers!! So, wanna win the prototype??? (sorry, hooks and supplies not included...these are MINE! LOL!!)

This case features a large pocket on the right that holds a variety of stuff. I usually keep my calculator, tape measure, and thread hooks in here. There is also a pocket on the left that is perfect for holding scissors. I have also made 11 hook/needle pockets that range in width from 3/4" to 1.5". My favorite part is the small piece of elastic attached to the large pocket! This is where I stick my sewing needles for easy access!! And it all folds up into a nice 7x10 inch rectangle and ties with a ribbon around a matching button.

Here is how to enter!

one (1) entry per *

*answer one or more of these questions in the comments:
1. Would you prefer a case that is for crochet hooks or knitting needles only, or one that can hold both?
2. Should the large pocket on the right have a button flap closure?
3. Would you like to see matching items such as stitch markers and project tote bags?
4. What are your ideal widths for the hook/needle pockets? (be specific on what you would put in these pockets)
5. Ideal number of hook/needle pockets.

*Follow me on Twitter and let me know in the comments.

* Tweet about my contest and let me know in the comments.

*Blog about the contest and link back to this post. Don't forget to let me know in the comments!

*Become a fan of the Jaybird Designs Facebook group and let me know in the comments.

BONUS! Get two (2) entries if you give me a suggestion for my items that I haven't mentioned or thought of yet, LOL!!

OK, so please remember that this is just a prototype! It's not perfect....it's made from scrap fabrics and some of the seams are not perfect. But I think it is cute and it is definitely functional.

Winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, January 27th at 12noon MST. I'm looking forward to hearing all your thoughts and comments!!

World's Best Mom!

Yup!! That's me!! I win the World's Best Mom award for this week!!

Heather and I were looking through the latest edition of Parents Magazine and came across a "recipe" for black olive and carrot PENGUINS!! So, since she had to bring snacks this week for snack day, she wanted me to make some!! You can only imagine how long it took me to make 20 of these adorable little guys!!

They are made with carrots, black olives, and held together with cream cheese. I only wish this little 6 year old could tell me that all the other kids in the class "Ohhhhh'd! and Ahhhhhh'd!" over them! Guess I'll just have to settle for the "OH, WOW!!" I got from her yesterday morning when she opened the fridge and saw them for the first time! LOL!!

New Look!

What do you think?? I felt like sprucing things up a little for Valentines Day!! And I found this cool site that offers FREE templates!! You can bet you'll be seeing lots of changes here now! LOL!!

A GREAT Opportunity for Women Business Owners

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the amazing Margie Zable Fisher about donating a prize to her new business venture geared towards women business owners. I was happy to be able to whip up some adorable fingerless gloves for this occasion, which you can now purchase on my website and soon in my etsy shop.

If you are a women business owner and are looking for some wonderful advice, help, and support, be sure to check out WBO American Dream! You'll see me there, LOL!!

And just for checking it out, you can be entered to win over $1000 worth of prizes, including my fingerless gloves! Check them out and be sure to enter!!

Ok, time to go sit in front of the tv and watch today's history-making event. Have a great day!

Mamalicious Monday

Over on The Gift Closet, Heather is starting a new contest called Mamalicious Mondays. She's asked up to blog about anything MOM-related. So here is mine.

House cleaning...I HATE it! But my hubby considers it "my job" since I am a SAHM. He doesn't understand my methods, but he is happy I get it done, LOL!! So, for me to acutally do it, I HAVE to make it a routine. So every Monday is cleaning day!

I start by making the beds and sorting the laundry on my large California King. Then I go play on the computer for a few minutes.

Then I jump in the shower, get dressed and ready for the day, then stop by the computer again.

Next I throw in my first load of laundry...usually the delicates on cold since I just took a shower...and off to the top floor of our tri-level house. Upstairs we have the two bedrooms and the bath. I will pick/straighten up the bedrooms and then check in on the computer again.

The bathroom is next, and luckily it is small. Clean and sweep/mop it and vacuum the upstairs. Check on the laundry and then off to the computer for a few minutes.

*****seeing a pattern here yet?*****

Our main floor consist of the living room and kitchen. I will usually clean the living room next and vacuum. Then the kitchen...dishes, wipeing counters, sweep and mop. Then it's computer time again, YAY!!!

And while I am doing all this, I am keeping up on the laundry. I am actually pretty good at taking it right out of the dryer and folding it. Once it is folded, it gets sorted on the steps. It sits there until it is all done. Makes for an interesting day of "dodge-the-laundry" on the steps, but this is the best way I can think of to keep it organized. Once it is all done, then I put it away.

Now, the bottom floor of my house includes the computer/play room, laundry room, and my sewing room. I usually don't clean that area regularly. Only when it is really needed. It is nice that this area of the house has a door and I can close it when we have company! LOL!

So, can you guess what my motivator is to clean? Yup, it's my internet time! LOL!! Hey, we all need motivators....right?? Ok, it's Monday....guess I better get to work!

CPSIA Sale 1/19/2009

OK, so I've decided that once I put something on sale, it will remain at that price until sold!! Come on people! Snag these babies up! They will be ILLEGAL after the 10th!!!

Today I added my sample blanket that was used for the Pastel Pebbles Baby Blanket pattern! I love this shade of purple and the pink/purple ribbon woven through the border is TDF!! Don't you know anyone having a baby girl soon who would LOVE this as a gift??

Happy Monday!

Save Handmade

Just Finished!

Remember that beautiful yarn I purchased? Well, I finally finished the shawl!! My original plan was to work in filet crochet and make a fleur-de-lis pattern, but after 3 tries of it not looking good, I frogged it and started again. This time I used a beautiful pattern from one of my books and created a felted fleur-de-lis to make into a shawl pin. I think it turned out wonderful and hope my friend is happy with it. It will be a gift for her sister who lives in New Orleans. I can't wait to see pictures of her wearing it during Mardi-Gras!!

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Sale Item 1/12009

Wow, I thought I had move inventory on hand than this, LOL!! Guess most of my stuff is in Texas at the Pink Zebra!!

OK, today's CPSIA Sale item is this amazing blanket and hat set!!! I totally LOVE it!! Watermelons just make my mouth water!! How about you?

Buy it here for $60!!! That is a 60% savings from the retail price!

SALE item 1/14/2009

Today's CPSIA Sale item is an adorable baby blanket!! This textured blanket is made in various pastel colors and trimmed in white. It is machine washable and dryable too! And now it can be yours for the low price of $35!!! That is a savings of 36%!!

You can purchase it HERE!

Also, my copies of Top-sy Turvy came in!! Want your very own autographed copy? Click here!

SALE Time!!

OK, with all the new CPSIA laws going into effect soon, I need to start getting rid of my inventory of baby and children's items that I have on hand. So every day (except maybe weekends) I will be picking an item and giving you all an AWESOME deal on it!! So if you like it, you better snag it quick! The offer will be good for that specific day only and you will still need to pay for shipping. (But remember, it's a flat $5 shipping for ANYTHING!)

So today, Tuesday, January 13th, you can get this sweet Rose Pink Brimmed Hat for 63% off!!

My Website Link

The price will be $11.25 plus $5 shipping! It will fit most little girls with a 19-21" head circumference!

Trevor on TV!!

Check out my sweet Trevor on TV! She was interviewed today by one of her local television stations about the new CPSIA laws and how it is going to affect her business. (She is closing it)

Click Here

It's story #5.

Monday, Monday

Well, typical Monday around the Jaybird home. Heather is at school and I am cleaning and doing laundry. Not much fun!!

I am patiently waiting for some new yarn to arrive!! My friend has commissioned me to create a shawl for her sis to wear during Mardi Gras. I was so excited....I got to order some custom dyed yarn for the shawl!! It should be here any day now and I can't wait to get my hook into it!! It was made by danido crafty over at etsy. I'm posting a pic of it....YUM!!!

Other than that, this CPSIA has put a kink into my plans. I had decided to make a bunch of really cute children's hats ans was excited to start on them. But now I may not be able to sell them. Maybe I should just write the patterns and sell those??? Hmmmmmm...

OK, I need to get back to cleaning. I hope you all have a great week!

Booo Hooo!!

Well, it's official. My friend Trevor has decided to close the Pink Zebra Boutique in Katy, TX. I don't blame her...she has been through so much lately. You can read about it here.

I'm sad to see it go, she's worked so very hard to finally have it become successful. But with the new CPSIA laws and all the stress she has been under lately, it really makes sense. She needs this. I know I will definitely miss her cute little baby sets though!!

We are still not sure what we will be doing with the website yet....any suggestions?

RIP Pink Zebra Boutique!

Weight Issues

Well, it's been a while since I posted about my weight and diet/eating habits. And then the holidays hit, LOL!! I am happy to say that I did not gain much, even with all the cookies that I ate!! I guess all the walking is paying off!! We had to stop walking at night, it's just waaaaay to cold!!! So now I try to take the dog out during the day....as long as it is over 25 degrees!! We are having an unusual cold snap lately here in Western Colorado!!

And of course, just like many of you, I am trying to eat healthier during this new year. But I did not make it a resolution!!!! LOL!!

Well, I decided to jump on the scale this morning and am happy to announce that I am at 155 lbs!! Whoo hoooo!! I've actually lost almost 5 lbs since before the holidays! Now I just need to keep it up. Can I get to 150? That would be so cool!

Now I am hungry!! I need to go find something {healthy} to eat for lunch!! I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Pastel Pebbles Crochet Baby Blanket - FREE Pattern

I forgot to post the actual pattern on my blog, sorry guys!! Again, please
respect my copyright and remember that this pattern has not been tested. If you
find any errors, please let me know!

You can download the PDF version of the pattern HERE.


Also, my wonderful friend BETH created this "cheat sheet" for the stitch pattern, so if you have having any difficulties, download it HERE!

I'm also having difficulties posting it here, so please excuse the "funky" look to it, LOL!!

Pastel Pebbles Baby Blanket

By Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs

Materials

• 
  Caron, Simply Soft Eco,
  80% Acrylic/20% NatureSpun Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester, 5oz/249 yards per
  skein, 4 skeins required, color – Lilac Bud


• 
  I-9 / 5.5 mm crochet hook


• 
  Yarn needle


• 
  12 feet, 3/8” ribbon
  

Finished Size

Approximately 35”x40”

Gauge

In pattern: 9 sts x 7 rows = 4”

Special stitches
Hdc2tog: yo, insert hook into designated st, pull up a loop. Yo, insert hook in next st and pull up

a loop. Yo and pull through all 5 looks on hook.

Pattern

Ch 92

Row 1:

Hdc2tog over the 3^rd and 4^th ch from the hook. *hdc2tog
over the 2^nd ch of the previous hdc2tog and the next ch. Repeat from
* across. Hdc in same st as 2^nd st of the last hdc2tog. (89 hdc2tog,
1hdc)

Row 2:

ch2, turn. Hdc2tog over the first two sts. *hdc2tog over the 2^nd st
of the previous hdc2tog and the next st. Repeat from * across. Hdc in same st as
2^nd st of the last hdc2tog. (89 hdc2tog, 1hdc)

Row 3-52:

repeat row 2. Do not finish off.

Border

Round 1:

ch1, turn. Sc evenly around edge of blanket, placing 3 sc in each corner. Join with a sl st to first sc.

Round 2:

ch2, hdc in next st. *ch1, sk next st, hdc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * to corner, ending with second hdc of pair in corner st. (ch1, hdc, ch1)** hdc in same corner st. hdc in next st. Repeat from * to ** 4 times. Join with a sl st to second ch of beg ch-2.

Round 3:

sl st to the first ch-1 sp.
Ch1, *(sc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to
first sc. Finish off and weave in ends.

Assembly
Weave ribbon along border round 2. Tie in a pretty bow at corner or sew ends together.

Copyright
Copyright 2009 by Jennifer J. Cirka (aka Jaybird Designs) all rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use or for gifts only! Sales of this finished product are discouraged. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author. Please feel free to link back to this pattern.

Happy Dancing in Colorado!!

Lookie what I just found on the web today!! I need to get my hands on a copy NOW!!!! I am so excited I think I may pee my pants, LOL!!!

So, who wants to join me in this happy dance?? Click on the picture to be taken to the description.

You can also click the amazon widget at the top right to pre-order your copy!

January Free Crochet Pattern

Well, it's here! 2009!! Let's start this year with a BANG!!

How about a FREE crochet pattern? I just listed the Pastel Pebbles Baby Blanket for you to download! This sweet blanket will get your new year of crocheting warmed up! You can purchase/download it here! And, please remember that if you are having trouble with the stitch pattern, there is a link to another PDF download in the description that you can use.

Also, love is in the air at Jaybird Designs! Have you seen the new Valentine's category? You can now purchase these sweet items!

And I'm not done yet! Have you seen the February 2009 edition of Crochet World Magazine?? If so, recognize these?? Now you can get your very own holiday hats custom crocheted by the designer.

One more note, there seem to be some strict new laws going into effect in February concerning items made for children 12 and under. I am optimistic that this law will be amended or changed, but should this not happen, I will no longer be creating custom or ready-to-ship items for anyone under 12 after that date.

Happy Crocheting!

UGH!!

I really wanted to post my new free crochet pattern today, but I am having some problems. So all you are going to get today is a picture, LOL!!

I should have it up tomorrow.

I'm also concerned that it is going to be difficult to understand. I did some strange technique, but had trouble "writing" it on paper. Would any of you crocheters care to look at it for me and see if it makes sense? If so, drop me a line at sales [at] jaybird-designs [dot] com.

Resell Spotted!!

Someone has got to snag this deal on ebay!! This is a stunning poncho that I custom made for a friend! It is still a very trendy design and will fit a variety of sizes! You can buy it now for under $15!!! Heck, maybe I should go snag it for myself, LOL!!

Check out the listing here!

Check this out!

I've been featured on another blog! Kim of CraftyMoma of 4 did a wonderful little interview of me and if you enter her contest, you could win a JBD gift certificate! Check it out here!!

Happy New Year!

I wanted to wish all my readers a wonderful, safe, happy and healthy 2009!! I am enjoying a lazy day of crocheting, playing the Wii, and visiting with the neighbor. I hope this is a prelude to what I can expect for the rest of the year!

BTW, I'm working on a new free pattern...goal is to have it done sometime next week!

Here is a picture of Heather on Christmas morning opening a stuffed horse sent to her from her cousins Anna and James back in PA. I came up with a cute name for him....AJ.