Showing posts with label blanket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blanket. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Let's Talk Colors

The EtsyBloggers have asked an interesting question for this Blog Carnival. They ask "What are your favorite color combinations? What do you create using those colors?"

There are lots of colors that I like to work with, so I decided to look through my shop and see what I have the most of. There is a lot of red and a lot of black, but it could be bacause I have many Christmas and Halloween items lingering around in my shop. I also have a lot of blue, blue beaded jewelry, blue winter themed ornaments and blue toys, blankets and scarves. Blue is a fun color to work with because there are so many lovely shades.

This beaded snowflake ornament has royal blue and light blue glass beads:


Blue also compliments a lot of other colors - it can be patriotic, funky and soft.


So, you see, having the blues isn't really a bad thing!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

EtsyBlogger Featured Member - Two Zany Zebras

Two Zany Zebras is the home of all things zany! From Zarkles to and Zany Blankies to adorable zany clothing for your little ones.

Of all the zany and loveable creatures in this fabulous shop, Godfrey Monster is my favorite. He is adorable with his two fangs and features my son's two favorite colors - green and blue. He'd look smashing with this fun loving guy on his shirt!



And don't forget to visit the Two Zany Zebra's blog!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

PS - Don't forget about my Earth Day Sale!

Monday, January 26, 2009

New Blanket - Pretty Pastel Stripes

I finally listed a new blanket in my shop. I've been working on this blanket for a while and been thinking about making it for even longer than that! I started it in early December, but then put it aside to make Christmas gifts (that included 3 necklaces, 6 bracelets, 6 pairs of earrings and two scarves) and finally went back to it after the holidays were over.



I used my new favorite pattern and some soft light weight baby yarn from my stash. Including this blanket, I have made six blankets from this type of yarn and I love it! I made one for my son before he was born and made it big enough that he'll be able to use it for a very long time. It washes quite well, it even survived a few trips through the dryer (which I don't recommend, even though you can get away with it).

This blanket has stripes of varying thickness (its hard for this engineer to step away from structured patterns) using pale pink, mint green, light blue, lavendar and pale yellow. I simply LOVE the way it turned out and debated keeping it for myself, but we currently have five handmade blankets in my house and we are only three people!



So, now that you are in love with this blanket, mosy on over to my Etsy shop and check out the listing. And remember, I am accepting custom orders for blankets (price will vary depending on the size you'd like and the type of yarn you prefer).

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

PS - there is still time to enter for a chance to win a sampler set of my washcloths, dish cloths and facial scrubbies - click here to enter!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Get cozy for fall!

Fall is almost here!! I love fall, its my favorite time of year, the temperature is getting into a more comfortable range, the leaves are turning colors, craft stores have yarn on sale and all the best holidays (like my birthday) are coming up!

As the fall days get cooler, we all start thinking about keeping warm. Some, like myself, start thinking about that in July and August and start hooking up blankets, shawls and scarves. So, if you need some cozy new things this fall, I am more than happy to help you out!

I just finished this pretty pink, blue and white blanket. I've had these yarns in my statsh for quite some time. In fact, the rosy/pink yarn has been used in many projects - a pound of yarn truly does go a long way!! And the pink, blue and white variagated yarn has been calling out to me for some time, but I love it so much, I couldn't use it in just any old project. So, finally, they come together and make this soft and cozy lap blanket. Perfect for cuddling up with a good book, snoozing on the couch or for watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn!


I've been wanting to make a shawl for some time now and I had the perfect white yarn in my stash. I tried a really cool waffle pattern and I love the way it came out. This shawl is great for a sunset walk, a fancy dinner out or even to throw over your shoulders when you grab the mail or walk the dog!


The most important fall and winter accessory is a good warm scarf. I love making scarves and right now I am really having fun digging through my stash and putting together some really great scarves. This brand new navy blue scarf is classic and simple with some fun fringe!


And this colorful cotton scarf is so soft that you won't want to take it off!


This pretty glittery purple scarf is perfect for the little lady who wants to look fashionable while keeping warm:


Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Monday, July 14, 2008

Baby Shower Blanket

A family friend just had a baby shower, she is due any day now and is expecting a boy. I had planned on making a blanket for the new little guy and a while back asked my mom if she could talk to her mom and find out what color scheme she was planning on for the baby's nursery. Would she prefer your typical pastel blue? Gender neutral green/yellow/white? Or bolder colors that the little guy would appreciate as he got older? Well, she found out all right, but she wasn't as tactful about it as I had assumed she would be. The conversation went something like this:

My mom: Melissa wants to make a blanket for the baby. What color should she make it?
Her mom: I don't know, let me ask. I know she registered for Nautica bedding, its dark blue and some other colors. I'll ask to make sure.
.... a few days go by ....
Her mom: She said navy blue and white
My mom: She asked her and she said navy blue and white.

What? She asked her? What the? Umm, hello, surprise???????? *sigh* Well, at least I know what colors she wants. I was tempted to add some red to it, but I couldn't find a good picture of the Nautica sheets on Babies R' Us. Then I thought that just plain old navy blue and white would be a little drab. I looked through my yarn stash for something that would compliment and found a nice yellow yarn - not too bright, but not pastel either. Perfect! I already knew what pattern I wanted to use, so now it was time to practice a bit and pick the right sized hook. I made a blanket using this pattern with baby weight yarn and used an E hook. So, I figured with worsted weight yarn that an H hook would be a good choice. I was wrong, it came out way too tight and wound up going all the way up to a J hook! The only good thing about using a hook that big is that the blanket worked up in no time!

Here's the finished blanket:


The shower was yesterday and I was really nervous about whether she'd like it or not, I mean after all, I added yellow and she never said anything about yellow.... I'm always nervous about giving my handmade things as gifts, but not so much when people buy them from my Etsy shop. You see, I figure, when they buy from me, they know what they are getting, they chose it!! I was sick with nerves when I made all 6 of my son's daycare teachers earrings and bracelets for Christmas!! Of course they loved them, but still... I know, I'm silly....

So, back to my story... she loved it! She even got a little choked up over it, but I attribute that more to hormones than the beauty of my work. I got tons of compliments on it and didn't realize how big I made it until I saw it draped over her 8 months pregnant belly! Yes, I got "oohs" and "wows" and "you made that?" and "how long did it take?" Of course, I didn't throw out my business card to everyone there, I figured that would be tacky. But, those who are that interested, would ask her mom who would ask my mom who would direct them to me.

Here's a close-up of it:


I simply LOVE this pattern. I love how on one side the yellow and white seem to pop out over the blue and on the other side the blue pops out over the yellow and white. This is the second of three items I made using this pattern. One is a pale purple baby blanket that is available in my shop and the other is a blue washcloth that I recently sold. I'll most definitely use this pattern again! I've been itching to made a grown-up sized throw blanket and I'm torn between using this pattern and a classic zig zag pattern like the one I used here.

So, do you have a baby shower to attend? Would you like to wow the mom-to-be with a one of a kind stunning baby blanket from Made By Melissa? You would? Fabulous! Check out this listing and you can select the colors and the pattern!! Or you can chose from blankets that I have already completed.

Yay for babies!!
~Melissa~

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Lovin' the craft!

As you can tell, I love making things and I love what I make. Sometimes though, I love what I make a little too much and I can't bear to part with it. I've kept quite a few things over the years, but most recently, I've kept two things.

I made this blanket while I was home on bed rest right before my son was born. I made this in less than 4 weeks using yarn completely from my stash. I couldn't give it up for two reasons. The first being because I love it, the colors are so totally me - browns and blues. And secondly because it kept me sane while I was home alone every day for a month. I wasn't totally alone, I had my pup with me, but she doesn't have the energy to keep me entertained all day long, I mean, a dog needs her sleep!



Its not the best picture in the world, and does the blanket no justice whatsoever, but cut me some slack! I took the picture the day before I was admitted to the hospital to be induced. And it was the most physical activity I did since I was threatened by everyone I know to "take it easy".

The most recent thing I have decided to keep for myself is a simple white and blue cotton washcloth. I made a round cloth with some leftover white yarn from a custom order and added a border with some of the blue ombre yarn (I have tons of it!). I've been trying to duplicate it and for some reason I can't. I count stitches and use the same hook, same weight cotton yarn. Nothing... it comes out terrible. So, I am keeping the one that came out simply fabulous and hoping that one day I can duplicate it, if for no other reason, than I want another one!!


Have no fear! There is plenty in my shop that I have decided not to keep for myself!

Happy Crafting and Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Baby Blankets and Twinkies

Yes, you read that right, baby blankets and Twinkies.... not that they really have all that much in common, but I ran into both of them this morning.

I sold this awesome creamsicle cloud baby blanket at some point last night, but have no fear, I have plenty of the yarn left, so I can make you a similar one, just send me a convo!


I have other baby blankets in stock and I have a few more just waiting to be listed. So, keep those eyes peeled!!

Right, so now for the Twinkie thing... I stroll into the office kitchen to make another cup of lemon herbal tea and I see a whole box of Twinkies just sitting on the table in there. And I think, "Wow, Twinkies! Its been like forever since I had one of those!" So, I took one, went back to my desk, ate it and almost instantly regretted it. I now remember exactly why its been so long since I had one. *Sigh*

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

PS - Today is my three year wedding anniversary! Wow, talk about how time flies!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Espescially for Baby

I've been loving babies lately!! But, don't we all love babies? Perhaps I should say that I've been loving making things for babies lately.

I have these cute little cotton washcloths in purple and white. These would be an adorable shower gift for someone who is expecting a girl:


This pretty pastels square 100% cotton blanket is perfect for swaddling the new little one. The blanket has pink, blue, yellow and green on a white base making this perfect for both girls and boys!


This is my favorite blanket so far, its a classic ripple or zig zag pattern and I used a bright rainbow colored yarn. My 7 month old son was mesmerized by it and kept trying to take it from my lap while I was working on it! Its the perfect size for car seats and strollers and and bright enough to keep baby entertained!


Don't you just love shopping for babies? If you buy any of these items and mention my blog in the notes to seller or in an Etsy conversation - you'll get 10% off! Just wait for a revised PayPal invoice!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Happy Birthday Melissa Sale!! Ends 11/18

In honor of me surviving another year, I am having a Happy Birthday sale. Simply put HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA in the notes to seller form and I will give you free domestic shipping. Its that easy! Wish me a happy birthday, wait for a revised PayPal invoice and get free shipping on your entire order!

Valid until midnight Sunday 11/18. Wait for revised invoice before paying, I will not refund shipping costs if you pay before the invoice is sent. All items will be shipped USPS parcel post (7 day delivery). Offer valid to US residents only. If you live outside the US and would like to participate in my birthday celebration, please convo me and we can work out a reduced shipping rate.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Everything on Sale - in honor of Baby Dean

To celebrate the arrival of my first baby - Dean John, I am having a huge sale! Just put "Its a boy" in the message to seller section and get 10% off your entire purchase (including shipping!) AND buy 3 items or more and get 10% off PLUS free shipping!!

Visit http://madebymelissa.etsy.com and start shopping!! All items on sale - jewelry, cell phone charms, crochet, kid's items - EVERYTHING! Now is the time to buy that item that you've been eyeing up!

Here's a pic of the wee little man:
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Happy Shopping!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Help Me Reach My Goal

I have a new goal now that my work schedule has been altered. Its actually a two part goal, one that I can handle myself and one that I need help from all of you on.

Part 1 - list at least one new item in my shop every day

Part 2 - sell at least one item every day

This goal began last week when my OB told me I couldn't go to work anymore and will continue to exist until I return to work after the baby, of course that first week or two with the baby home, I'll take it a little easy on myself!

So, PLEASE help me out with part 2 and visit http://madebymelissa.etsy.com

Monday, May 14, 2007

Baby Blanket!!

Good afternoon everyone!

I just listed my very first crocheted item, its a granny square pink and green baby blanket and in my opinion is just too pretty for words! There is a little baby girl just waiting to be wrapped up in this one!

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And a more traditional item for Made by Melissa - an adorable flower bracelet for the little lady in your life:

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Just click on the images to go to the listing page at Etsy! Also check out the rest of my shop, I have lots of new items!

Visit Made by Melissa

Happy Shopping!