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Gecko Hottie and CE Toy Testing

2/11/2013

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So if you follow me on Facebook then you will know that I have been going gecko crazy. 

I made my first gecko hottie as a present for Mr Mouse and everyone loved him. Now making a gecko hottie for the purpose sale became a little more complicated as the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) became involved. You can read more information about the directive here 
The European Directive is transposed into UK law via The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 which can be read here 

What has this got to do with the gecko? Well because its obviously going to appeal to children it needed to be tested to ensure its safety and bear the CE mark. Testing required it past specific standards - EN71 specifies the safety requirements of toys in the case of the gecko it needed to pass 3 of these standards:

  • EN 71-1: Mechanical and physical properties
  • EN 71-2: Flammability
  • EN 71-3: Specification for migration of certain elements

To help me work out what I needed to do I was able to buy a pack from a company called Conformance Ltd the pack was call Self Certification for Handmade Toys.

So here goes:
Here is test gecko being made ready for testing
EN71-1: Mechanical and physical properties 

This involved testing the seams with weights and poking the seams to make sure that the insides well stayed inside.


EN71-2: Flammability 

Involved taking a flame to poor test gecko.




EN71-3: Chemical Migration

Now this isn't something that you can do at home (unless you have a secret lab and erm some kind of chemical degree!). But some manufactures are happy to provide certificates for their fabrics demonstrating that they have past this standard, or you can send off fabric samples to be tested (which can get a little pricey, some people club together to share these costs).

 
So here are gecko ready for new homes
Contains organic wheat and French dried lavender (if you would prefer one without lavender please contact me for a custom order).

The legal stuff -
Warnings:
Not suitable for children under three years
To be used under direct supervision of an adult
This product can cause burns, avoid prolonged direct contact with the skin
Do not ingest the contents
Do not over heat
For microwave use only

Conforms to European Toy Safety Directive 2990/48/EC (compliance demonstrated with the relevant parts of BS EN71 (EN 71 - 1/2/3) and bears the CE mark.

Made using a FUNKY FRIENDS FACTORY original design.
http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com

Sorry I can only send these within Europe.

Measurements (approx):
44 cm long
25 cm at widest point
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Hello Autumn 

6/10/2013

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The nights have started to draw in, Downton is back on the telly and its time to snuggle with a nice warm drink and fluffy socks.

One of my favourite winter drinks is a Gingerbread Latte and last year I learnt to make my own fab gingerbread syrup 

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Gingerbread Syrup for Latte:

2 cups water,
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar;
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger;
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Combine all the ingredients into a medium pan, bring to the boil then reduce heat to a simmer, leave uncovered simmer for 15 minutes remove from heat. 

To make Latte:Add 1/4 cup of syrup and espresso shot into a mug and then top with steamed milk 

Syrup will keep for a while pop it in an old clean jam jar or something similar.

Another favourite is Chai Tea
3 cups of water;
3 cups of milk;
6-8 black tea bags;
1/2 cup honey;
1 tsp ground cinnamon; 
1tsp ground cardamom;
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg;
1/2 tsp ground cloves;
1/2 tsp ground ginger.

Bring water and milk to the boil, add remaining ingredients and return to boil. remove from heat and let steep for 3-5 minutes, remove tea bags and then filter. 

Now you can either serve this as it is hot or iced. 
Personally I fill half a mug with this mix and top with steamed milk (add additional sugar to taste if required). 
Mix keeps for a few days in the fridge

Enjoy 

Love Mouse
x 
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Summer!

16/6/2013

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So it's June and the summer still seems to be sort of absent, oh sure it puts in a fleeting appearance but then rain.



My poor cats (Ulysses especially) are fed up, Ferdinand on the other hand thinks that its great *sigh*



But I have a plan, a mouse plan if we were to all wear summery things and worship to the sun god maybe, just maybe he will put in a bit more than just a fleeting appearance!?



Whose with me?



Ok so here is to summer, summer fun and frivolity:





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First up a fun seahorse bracelet, I think this just screams summer and would look great teamed with a maxi dress and sandals for that effortless understated style.

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And how about a seahorse necklace, the charm has been complimented with a single blue disk and is on an 18" silver plated chain. How about wearing this with your office wear, a smart skirt and crisp white blouse with a little nod to summer fun.

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Fish and chips anyone? You just can't beat eating fish chips by the beach can you. I love the quirkyness of this little number on an 18" silver plated chain I think it would look great teamed with a pair of shorts, vest top and flip flops for that walk along the beach

So whose with me, let the summer start here :)

Love

Mouse x

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Hello 

10/5/2013

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I thought that it would be nice to share a little more about me, my creative process and cake.

So lets start with cats :)

Since I have four cats I decided to come up with a nice toy that they would play with. I have often brought catnip toys from the shops but these have very quickly been ignored and forgotten, so that got me to thinking was there a better way? 

I discovered catnip in dried form and the cats simply went crazy for it, just sprinkling a little bit on the carpet produced happy (and well stoned) cats, so I wondered if I could combine the two my love of fabrics and my love of cats.

I decided early on that any toy would have to be simply catnip and no other filler as this I thought would be safer in the event that they managed to rip open the fabric (they do have rather sharp claws you know) and I also wondered if any additional filler could be the reason for abandoned toys in the past as it must dilute or change the smell in some way.

So first task was to find a source of catnip, I source premium catnip and well what can I say other than it is certainly cat approved all I have to do is open the tube and the cats come running.

Next was coming up with a design. I went with the classic mouse design but I wanted to make it as safe as possible so there are no ears or whiskers. But mouse is not a mouse without a tail, so this I have double stitched for extra strength.

Now onto my team of product testers:
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Luna the ferocious but petit one

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Ulyssess the magnificent one 

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All hail Caesar the great one 

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'Lady' Drusilla the fluffy one

And after extensive product testing we came up with the finished product (available now in my shop, but if you have a custom requirement please contact me):
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Just a few comments from happy customers:
They also come highly recommended by my mum's 2 cats who went into a kind of crazy frenzy over them! My mum was so impressed she has ordered more for her cat loving friends
A recent purchase of a catnip mouse for my cat has proven to be a HUGE success. It was even gift wrapped with a xmas tag labelled with my cats name !!
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    A fabric addict, jewellery making, doodling, cake eating mouse x 

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