The book stitch ‘n bitch:The knitters handbook is a must have! Not only have I have found it to be a great reference book for any skill level, I chuckle at it’s witty tongue and cheek sub titles like “casting call How to Cast On Stitches”, “knit happens How to Make a Knit Stitch” , “if you can stand the heat The Kitchener Stitch”, “standing firm The Cable Cast-on” and “bound for glory How to Bind Off Your Work” just to name a few. A fun and hip view on knitting, this is definitely not your grandmother’s knitting book!

So, dare I saw “cotton”? Yes, the yarn pictured above is cotton. I like the variety that ARAUCANIA offers in wool and cotton yarns. Being that the current project is a pack of face cloths, the cotton suits my needs. Next project…something with wool!

Stinky Couture™ has proved to be a far more ambitious project than anything I have previously committed to. I have happily joined the cause of making the cloth diaper a quintessential eco friendly fashion staple. My mission is that Stinky Couture™ be a brand that will stand the test the time though innovation, style, quality and customer service.

I encourage potential WAHMs to embrace their own inspiration and help enrich our community by example. This cause is worth it.

We love the holiday season and this year Stinky Couture™ was excited to announce the adoption of a new tradition, our version of Secret Santa. Do you know someone that is kind, considerate, cares for others and is rich in all things that matter? Stinky Couture™ wants to be a Secret Santa for a special someone. With your help someone deserving will receive a beautifully gift wrapped Stinky Couture™ gift pack for their sweet baby this holiday season. Gift pack will include a Stinky Couture™ Signature Series™ fitted cloth diaper and a pack of yummilicious Stinky Couture™ baby wipes.

Please submit your nominee to CustomerService at StinkyCouture.com with “Secret Santa” in the subject line. Please do include your nominee’s full name, email address and a short description of why you feel that they are deserving. Submissions are being accepted through Saturday 12/20.

When we are faced with such hostility we can choose to react on instinct, to defend, to justify, to attack and ultimately to feed the ugliness of this dysfunctional theater, but in doing so we allow it to become a part of us. Eckhart Tolle¹ describes much of this beautifully, and may summarize it best in his words: “Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists.”

Taking such words to heart, and in this season especially, I’d like to continue focusing on the good, the compassion, the caring and the love of those in my life. Building a business as a mother, wife and career woman has required investment, persistence and the sacrifice of precious time with loved ones. I could not make it through the trying times without the love and repeated support of those around me. I’d like to thank the many of you, customers and friends, that take the time to write, call and visit to express kindness and encouragement. It’s you that provide me motivation to continue when things are tough, and remind me of the rewards in pursuing my passion and dreams. The truth and light in each of you give back so much more to the world than you may ever know.

¹ Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

One in Three Children’s Toys Tested by www.HealthyToys.org Found to have Significant Levels of Toxic Chemicals Including Lead, Flame Retardants, and Arsenic
Some Products on Shelves this Holiday Season Will be Illegal to Sell in February
Environmental Health Groups Hold Toy Testing Events Nationwide and Urge Manufacturers and Gov’t to Phase Out Most Harmful Chemicals Immediately

(Ann Arbor, MI — December 3, 2008) - The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, and partners across the country today released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys at www.HealthyToys.org. Researchers tested over 1,500 popular children’s toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals in time for this year’s holiday shopping season. One in three toys tested were found to contain “medium” or “high” levels of chemicals of concern.

-HealthyToys.org

As parents we only want the best for our children. Yes, we believe in Santa Claus and his trusted reindeer. We want our children to squeal with delight on Christmas morning at what they find under the tree without it being hazardous to their health. We found the information on HealthyToys.org to be a useful guide when purchasing toys for our children. We hope that you too will research before you buy.

Happy Holidays!

Here is a picture I snapped right after we got back from the post office! Thought you’d like to see my little monkey in the sock monkey. I like that print for him because he was a late crawler (just started last week at 13 months) so he got really good at grabbing things with both his feet and his hands in order to extend his reach from the seated position! So I always call him my little monkey because he uses his feet so much!

The diapers are beautiful. Thank you again!

Kristi

I do believe that from conception Stinky Couture™ has striven to set itself apart, to be unique in design, style and quality. I’ve often received questions from prospective customers asking what makes us different.. Many times it’s the details. The little things.. From the Stinky Couture™ label, to the unique styled stitch elastic casing, to the coordinating appliqués on the Stinky Couture™ soakers. The leg elastic is encased with either a zig zag stitch or a wave stitch. Not only did I choose these stitch styles to add a uniqueness, I found that these two stitches had an added benefit of additional elasticity. The soakers are each appliquéd with the coordinating fabric of the diaper and the serger thread is changed for each diaper soaker to match. Diapers with fabrics that have a directional pattern are always cut and center seamed at the crotch so that the designs can be enjoyed front and back. Stinky Couture™ truly believes in the importance of a stitch.

-Stinky Couture™ blog post 05-23-08

Expanding on the previous post, Stinky Couture™ continues in the direction of offering unique features to each product by including coordinating embroidery with appliqués on the backside of our soakers where appropriate. Some recent examples include an embroidered “Argg!” and appliquéd skulls to coordinate the Jolly Roger print, an appliquéd kitty and embroidered “Hello” for the beloved Hello Kitty print and an appliquéd cherry with the embroidered word “Rickey” for the oh so elusive Cherry Rickey print. These are just a few highlights of the attention to detail in our work. Our goal is that each Stinky Couture™ product is not only a investment in quality, but also a unique artistic expression.

The week before last brought our first snow here in the Rockies. Though beautiful, I shiver at the thought of days ahead when the temperature is well below zero and the power routinely goes out. That said, I relish in the thought of pulling out the family ski gear, as well toasting marshmallows over the fire pit.