The Most Amazing Mashup Video I've Ever Seen

Don't know the whole story behind this video, but some dude (with TONS of time on his hands and apparently no children), put together or "mash(ed)up" MANY different individual music clips into one amazing song.

Enjoy!

New (and Improved) Facebook Fan Pages--BOLOGNA!

First a few weeks ago, Faceboook tried to say they "owned" the stuff we wrote on our walls, or posted on Facebook. After some very public coverage and outrage, they backed down.

Now, Facebook is claiming to have a new and improved redesign of fan pages. I'll use a kid friendly word to describe how I feel about it, BOLOGNA! If by new and improved, they mean making every fan page look the same, and blend in with every other page on Facebook, then yes, it is new and improved.

But I run a business, and I want my business to stand out. I worked hard on making the Sandbox Threads' Fan Page different than other pages by adding unique features and ways to learn about Sandbox Threads, but now Facebook has taken that option away. Until I publish the "new" page or once Facebook decides to pull the trigger on all fan pages, you can see the "old" page. After that happen, generic will soon be king.

Why? And for what reason? My bet is that if you look down the right side of the "new" page you'll see advertisements, and what was missing on the old page? Yeah, advertisements. Facebook will never admit ad money being the reason for the changes, but I think most of us can read between the lines here.

Who clicks on those ads anyway? And why would I want my business displaying ads for other businesses. Come on Facebook! Don't make this change.

Journey--Pre-Game at the Super Bowl

I wanted to write about this when it happened, but I forgot about it until I heard the song on the radio this morning.

I like Journey. I have their Greatest Hits CD (crazy that saying "CD" dates me), but I'm not a huge fan and I haven't followed them closely enough to know the comings and goings of band members. I knew "Don't Stop Believing" ended the Sopranos. And I knew Steve Perry (the former lead singer) was no longer with the band. At least, I thought so.

During the Super Bowl pregame, I was working on the computer with the TV on in the background. When Journey came on stage, I was surprised to hear Journey sound like the "real" Journey. And I immediately thought Steve Perry was back with the band, so I looked up at the TV to discover a most unusual site, Arnel Pineda.

Filipino native Arnel Pineda looks nothing like Steve Perry, but sounds JUST LIKE him. After several double takes, yelling to Elizabeth to come see, and a quick search, I found out that Arnel was discovered on a YouTube singing covers of, you guessed it, Journey songs. Amazing! We really do live in a shrinking world.

Have a great weekend.

Adult Shirts Video

I suppose that this "Adult Shirts" Video is better than "Adult Video" shirts. I'm not sure those would be a big seller at Sandbox Threads. Get these and all many other designs at the Sandbox Threads' Big Kids Store.

By the way, you can make your own video like the above for free. You get to pick the photos and the music. Really, pretty darn cool.

Reason #296--Why I Love Jon Stewart

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Bill O'Reilly's Right to Privacy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Funny Political News
Joke of the Day

Ever wonder why Sandbox Threads would sell a onesie with Jon Stewart's image on it? Because he's AWESOME and we love him! Enjoy the video and the hypocrisy of Bill O.

Growing Pains...Adult Version

When I first started Sandbox Threads, we had some growing pains (fading/peeling designs, tag removal, shipping problems, etc.). It took a while, but I now have the making of our cool baby clothes down to an efficient, smooth running operation. That was until, the CPSIA pushed me quickly into making adult t-shirts, and in many ways, I'm back at square one.

No worries on fading designs or shipping issues, but aligning the designs on adult shirts is a brand new monster. Baby and toddler shirts are small, I can see the whole shirt and aligning the designs is cake compared to these monstrous adult shirts. When I'm making shirts, the XL shirts (the size I wear) look like they would fit a giant.

The other issue is picking the right shirt colors. I missed. With the adult shirts, I decided I wanted to only use 100% Organic Cotton Shirts, and I wanted to offer colored organic shirts. I found several really nice options, and narrowed it down to what I though were the three best colors. Well, the "Ocean" Blue shirt turned out to be much darker than the internet picture appeared, and just would not work with out designs. So, they are headed back, and a very nice "natural" shirt will replace it.

I guess these are small issues, but I had gotten into quite a groove and these new shirts have me off beat. Give me a few months, and I'll be grooving again.

DELAYED!!!!!

THANK YOU!

The CPSIA has been delayed by one year and I cannot help but believe this was due to the outstanding response from folks like you. Hopefully this will give Congress time to work out the kinks and get it right. Lead is bad and has no place in our kid's toys.

We're still in the baby clothes and toddler shirts business, (and to the chagrin of my wife) we're now in the adult shirt business too. She's worried that I'm getting too busy. I've been lobbying for adult sizes for the last few months. We'll see how the adult sizes go, and we'll just go from there.

Again, THANK YOU!

NOW OPEN--The Big Kids' Store

For the last two years, I have been asked by countless people to offer adult shirts. My answer has always been, "the kids' shirts are keeping me plenty busy, but I may look into adding adult sizes 'down the road'."

Well, with the pending legislation that very well may prevent me from creating infant and kids' shirts only two weeks away (click the save handmade button right over there -->> to find out more and sign the petition), I decided that "down the road" needs to be mile marker today.

Please take a look at The Big Kids Store, but don't forget about our baby and toddler shirts. We have plenty of little kid stuff in stock, and we're afraid we might have to get rid of it ALL in two weeks.

We think all the bugs are ironed of The Big Kids Store, but if you have any problems, please do let us know.

Thanks!

The Big Kids Store

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it)

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

In the mist of all the possible gloom and doom, I took a break to watch this video, and I really must share it. While this is not my wife retelling the story, it very well could be.

Enjoy!

Help Save Sandbox Threads

On Feb. 10, the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) will go into effect. While the intent of the legislation is good (keeping lead toys out of the hands of children), the implementation will destroy thousands of small businesses, like SBT.

This legislation requires lead testing for all products designed for children 12 and under. In order to stay in compliance, we would have to test all of our onesies/shirts in every color, size, style. The cost of testing the products we offer would be approximately $1,200,000. Needless to say, we do not make anywhere near that sort of money, and thus, we will have to close up shop.

How can you help? Just follow this link and write to your Congressman and Senators. It will not take five minutes to write all three folks, and you just might help save SBT along with most other small companies that produce products for children.

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help

Thank you!