How to Post a Link on the New Facebook Timeline

Now that Facebook has switched over every fan page to the new timeline format, it's not as obvious how to post a link without the link showing up in the status box. I decided to do a little experiment to figure out how to get a clean looking status update. I discovered it's really quite simple. (Sorry for the blurry photos. I've only done screen shots a handful of times.)

Copy and paste your link into the status box. 

When the attachment shows up highlight and delete the link.

Type in your status.

Hit post to post your status. Now you have a very clean looking status update.

And if you're not already I'd love for you join me on the Rock Paper Stitch Facebook page.

Fair Trade Yarn Giveaway

Are you into yarn crafts like knitting crocheting or weaving? Over the next week you will have the chance to win luxurious fair trade yarns. 

One ball is a multicolored yarn made from banana fiber (right). It contains 80 yards of yarn. Banana fiber is a renewable resource. Not only is it eco friendly, it's vegan too. It is so soft you'd think it was silk. 

The other ball of multicolored yarn (left) is made from silk fibers left over from the sari making industry. It contains 90 yards of yarn. 

About the yarns 

They are handspun in the homes of women who live in severe poverty in India. Supporting these women allows them to provide for their family and afford to pay for an education for their children.

 You can check out all of the yarns in my shop. I am running an introductory sale while supplies. A new color is listed each day.

(Enter with the rafflecopter box below. Sometimes it takes a minute to load.)

I Support Fair Trade

This is a little off topic from anything Rock Paper Stitch related, but I was really excited about a new product I'm offering in my other shop. I make and sell weaving kits and have been wanting to expand the weaving products by offering yarn.

Recycled silk yarn in a variety of colors.

In my search for yarn I came across this company that works with co-ops that provide fair wage jobs to women in India. Not only by buying this yarn are we supporting a fair wage with no child labor, the yarns are made from recycled silk sari's and leftover fibers from the sari industry.

Recycled Silk Multicolored Yarn

I even decided to try out some banana fiber yarn which feels as soft as the silk with a lower price. There are a few other varieties of yarns I intend to carry in my shop in the future, such as silk ribbons and wools.

Banana Fiber Multicolored Yarn

I was thrilled to find we can do a big social service as well as be eco-friendly even in the yarn we choose to use. The kits will still have all of the same supplies as before. Currently I have recycled cotton or synthetic yarns made from recycled plastic in the kits for making the first project, however, now I will also include a free sample of one of the new yarns to try out. 

Stay tuned for a giveaway in the very near future for 2 balls of yarn as well as some great introductory deals.

A Quick Little Update

I've been working on a ton of new Happy Birthday fabric banners to put up in my shop. I just finished photos today, although I may modify those some more before listing them.

In the mean time I'm continuously listing new baby bibs everyday. So far the 2 most popular choices have been my new twins set and the Easter Bunny Bib.

         

Can't decide on just one? Well I've got a new bulk deal available too. Buy 3, get one free. 

Children's Fashion in the Works

Magic Sewing Machine Print by Slovly

 Since the start of this year I've been designing new patterns for a friend to make rain ponchos and hats for a spring line. She also requested fleece ponchos to match her hat line. Since I have no children around to model and check the fitting I was constantly having to send samples to her. So eventually I bought myself this affordable dress form that will also look good for taking photos.

In the process of making these patterns I was highly pleased with my ability to teach myself how to sew a neck placket (you know, the neck opening on a polo). It got me thinking again about sewing clothing. I've been going back and forth throughout probably most of my life thinking about starting a clothing line. It all started the day my mom got me a fashion design kit for my birthday, I think in 4th grade, which I ended up using to "design" fashions for our 5th grade newspaper.

Since I not only successfully sewed a neck placket with cotton muslin and one in the slippery material used in the rain ponchos, I decided I was ready for other sewing challenges in my life. I started my shop making items that were quick and easy to make. It's been fun making things that are so easy for me to develop and give me instant gratification, but I'm starting to get bored. 

Lately to get me inspired I've been looking at some of the cute children's outfits sold by some of the top Etsy sellers. I really love Dreamspun and Chic baby Rose most although I probably won't follow that same route. Especially since I get both companies very confused. I guess what I admire about each of them is that their photos are very dreamy yet playful.

Set of 3 Sweetheart Pettiskirts by Dreamspun

Petti Jumper by Chic Baby Rose

I think my favorite kids outfit of all time is this Jack Skellington Costume that seems to have disappeared off of Etsy. I always admired this one so I'm not sure why the seller disappeared.

Lately though my biggest inspiration has been coming from Project Run and Play. It's a kids version of Project Runway. Season 4 is starting soon so I will definitely be keeping up with that.

Since I'm in the very early stages of planning my own children's fashion line there probably won't be any kids clothing in my shop for awhile. I'm hoping to do affordable outfits for everyday wear as well as more complicated designs for costume or dress up. Mostly just to keep things interesting and to continue to challenge myself. 

In the mean time I am filling my shop up with more variety of products I already make. I've got new items to list each day so the shop will always stay fresh.

A Pet Self Diagnosis

Kitty Lover Art Print by nidhi

Story

You may remember from a few months back the terrible urinary tract infection my cat Meeko suffered. It took a couple months to cure and even then I wasn't sure he was alright. By December I noticed the fur on his lower belly was getting thinner. I wasn't sure if this was a normal sign of aging or another health problem. This is the first cat I've had for more than a couple years so everything is a new experience for me.

By January the fur on my cat's belly was so thinned out I started to notice rough looking red spots where it was obvious he had been over licking. His hind legs were almost bare and the underside of his tail was flat too. I Googled his symptom and found it to be a common problem, though the cause isn't always the same. I decided I better take him to the vet to make sure he doesn't have some underlying heath issue related to the urinary tract infection, such as kidney stones. Yikes!

Apparently pet health care in a small town is pretty much undependable. The vet made me hold up my cat and used a flashlight so he could see his belly. He spent maybe 30 seconds looking at him and said, "It's probably allergies or stress related". I asked multiple times, "Are you sure it's not related to his urinary tract infection that he just got over?" 

"No, it's either stress or allergies. I'll give him an antihistamine. Do you want (named a stress relieving med that starts with V. I swear he said Valium though) to calm his stress?" 

I hesitantly allowed the doctor to give him a shot of antihistamine to see if it really was allergy related. I originally thought it might be since I bought what I thought was a natural cat litter and it turned out to be very highly scented, which can sometimes trigger an allergy, causing the excessive licking. The antihistamine would last 3 weeks which would rule out any possible allergy problem. I normally buy Swheat Scoop. That litter was Arm and Hammer with either corn or wheat.

And NO, I do not want to give my cat a stress reliever. He never had a problem before with stress so why would he now? 

The Self Diagnosis

I waited out the 3 weeks and saw no changes in his excessive licking. Knowing I'd be wasting my time and money taking him back to the local vet I did a little more research on urinary tract infections and found a holistic vet who offered a world of information on how to treat it. I learned urinary tract and bladder stones often lead to infection. The acidity of his urine would indicate if the conditions are right for either Struvite or Calcium Oxilate (CaO) Stones. So I went to Amazon and bought some urine pH test strips. You can test your cat using the spoon method used in the video Dr. Pierson has on her website. 

The first test I took I only got maybe 2 drops and he had blood in his urine, a major sign of stones. The second test I got enough to use a test strip and there was no sign of blood, however he wasn't peeing in a consistent stream. I got results in the very alkaline range of 7.5, indicating the conditions were right for Struvite Crystals and stones. If it were acidic I'd be worried because CaO stones can only be removed through surgery. Cats normally should be between 6.0-6.6, but normal depends on the cat and could be outside that range a little bit. A vet should be able to tell you what your cat's pH should be, but obviously I don't have that option.

Knowing his pH I was now able to properly treat the problem. I found a really helpful holistic website, Only Natural Pet, that lets you find products based on condition. I found 2 products with great reviews:

Tract-Ease Herbal Formula

Tract-Ease is great if your cat starts developing urinary tract infection symptoms. The reviewers noticed the bleeding had stopped almost immediately after using this product and cleared up the infection. I decided to buy this product just in case. Since I noticed blood in his urine I was afraid of having another infection scare.

Cranberry Wellness

Cranberry Wellness Powder raises the acidity of the urine to help dissolve stones. A little scoop is provided to measure the proper amount. One scoop is added to canned food twice a day for not more than 3 weeks and then no more than twice a week after that for maintenance.

I had been giving Meeko the Cranberry Wellness mixed in with a can of Wellness Canned Cat Food. I chose Wellness for its price and its claims for urinary tract health. It's also made with human grade meat and is grain free. Grains tend to mess with the natural pH if the urine, so I avoid those. Also, it is extremely important not feed your cat any fish based products when there are urinary tract issues. The high levels of phosphorous will only make a urinary tract infection worse.

I completed the 3 weeks of the treatment and I've noticed a huge improvement.  His fur is growing back and no longer feels rough where he had been licking. When he pees it's in a constant stream now. I will continue to give him the Cranberry Wellness twice a week until I'm sure his stones are cleared up. As much as I would like to give him canned food twice a day it is just too expensive for us right now so hopefully going back to dry won't be a problem (besides the twice a week powder treatment mixed with canned food).

For now at least I have a very happy kitty.

Fat Cat Original Illustration by MiKa

The Victory Garden of Tomorrow

As an organic food advocate I was thrilled to find art relating to the causes I support. Joe Wirtheim's inspiration comes from WWII posters and the 1939 Worlds Fair "World of Tomorrow" theme. I find his work to give a very power to the people kind of message. We don't have to be reliant on industry and government. We can all grow our own food or support the small farmers who humanely raise animals and grow without adding more toxins to our environment.

He also does commissioned work for city programs and seed companies.

 I love so many of his posters I really can't decide which one to get. Someday I will be buying a farm and these posters will look great in my new farmhouse.

You can find all of his posters as well as t-shirts and limited edition screen prints at his website Victory Garden of Tomorrow.