Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Don't Forget

You still have a few days before Valentine's Day so head over to my Etsy shop!!

All items are now 50% OFF ~ Priced as marked...

Knapp Scraps




Wednesday, February 04, 2009

All better...

At least I hope so!

We were getting a little nervous about this whole counter crack thing for a while there and there were quite a few phone calls back and forth between us, IKEA and the contractor. But the counter guys came back out and filled the crack so hopefully we'll be set. I am still nervous because of how the sink fits in the base and there is just this little piece of granite, that is now cracked on one side, holding up the entire front of the sink but they said it will work! Plus now we'll have a note in our file so if anything else happens with this spot they'll know it was an issue from the beginning and hopefully they'll be back out to make it right again. But they assured us that there wouldnt be more problems....

So it is not perfect but I think it looks pretty good. Just dont mention it if you come over to see the counters!!

Day 42:





So now this weekend we can get the sink plumbed up and my dishwasher and then finish up the cabinets!

Monday, February 02, 2009

Kitchen_Few steps forward and back...

Day 32:

Things are steadily moving along. We have been doing some electrical work. We have a 4-way switch that never really worked right that needed to be fixed and then we are adding some new outlets. Wiring can be pretty interesting in an older home!



We need to move the sink-over head light out a little bit and then add a box instead of just feeding the wire through a hole in the ceiling!



Day 34:

Then we got out counters!! They are so pretty! We love the island! It ended up really big but there is still plenty of room around it so I am so glad we added it.





Day 37-38:

We have installed some upper cabinets too. There are a lot of little pieces to assemble so its pretty tricky! We have to door and drawer dampers too which are fabulous!! I love the color too. Turned out very pretty!






We had a set back as well..... We went to insall the sink and noticed a CRACK in our brand new counters. Only 3 days after they were installed. So we are pretty sick about it. It is right along the left hand side of the sink from the sink cutout all the way to the edge of the counter. So we called them and they are coming to look at it. It sounds like they'll just fill it and not do a full replacement but we are worried about it! Its right on a thin egde, that we'll be leaning on and using quite often since its rigt in front of the sink! Plus it will get wet too. So we'll see what they say?







They are still pretty though and coming along!

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Gift Closet

My Valentine set from Knapp Scraps Etsy is being showcased at the Gift Closet. So check it out and leave a comment for a chance to win either a V-Day Treat Topper or Card!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

OK, come on now people!

Copied from Nikki Painters blog found HERE:

I have joined in the cause with some other great etsy bloggers and am posting more info on the CPSIA for those who still don't know about it. Feb 10th is now considered Black Tuesday and it's a day that will certainly affect us all! Thanks for reading!

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 Forbes
http://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.

Thanks Nikki for the info! I am going to go pick my jaw up off the floor now....

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I DID IT!!

OMG, I opened an ETSY site!!

I wanted to make a bunch of Valentine's Day stuff for the girls to take to daycare so I figured it was a perfect time for me to make my own stuff and get it out there.

Here's a little preview of my treat toppers and coordinating cards:








So go check me out!!

Knapp Scraps

I just love the colors so I also made a coordinating Desktop which you can download for free right here:
























Click HERE for 1024x768 version
Click HERE for 1280x800 version

ENJOY!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Mountains?

I am really wondering where the mountains have gone today?

Wasatch Mountains (East):





You can almost see them off to the left!



Oquirrh's (West):





Isn't the GROSS!

Here is what the DEQ says for the rest of this week too:



I think I will just stay inside and close the blinds.