Monday, November 21, 2016

Planned pooling crochet scarves

Well I got 3 under my belt.  This is for sure not a project for the faint at heart.  They are challenging and very time consuming but the best part is, it's like the yarn is a puzzle to solve and you have to solve it most every stitch.  I have 3 up for sale right now and if you want you can get a better look at them here but if not you can just check out the pics and see if anything catch's your eye.  Since they are so time consuming I will not be accepting any orders for made to order ones for the holidays.  These 3 are ready to ship though if you know anyone who'd like to stay snuggly and stylish this winter.


Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Sneak peak at my newest offering at Crochet By Mel

I know I need much better pictures but I am just so thrilled to share with you all my latest planned pooling scarf.  These babies look easy but I am here to tell you they are not for the faint at heart.  Still there is some sort of odd sense of accomplishment at getting the yarn to do what I want it to do.  Kind of like a Soduku puzzle.  Check it out!


Sunday, October 16, 2016

Still planning the pool

I must say it's not as easy as it looks.  There are so many helpful video's out there and facebook groups but even still its mostly trial and error.  Sure you can try and go off of what worked for someone else but if your tention is not the same as theirs it's not going to work for you.  And something that other's don't subscribe to but that I have run into is sure the yarn will work but some of them only work from the center pull, or from the outer pull.  So if at first you don't succeed, you might want to grab the other yarn tail and try it that way.  I love the argyle stitch it's very pretty but I think I am just going to have to frog this baby blanket and settle for scarves.  There is just too much having to frog back and grab a smaller or bigger hook and try again to get that color in that place at that time. . . it's all about being in the right place at the right time isn't it?  Today I mastered the zig zag and I think it's a bit easier than the argyle, and makes for a not overly bulky scarf.  I have seen some infinity scarves and cowls done up with the argyle and they are very pretty but for someone like me who has little to no neck they are just too bulky.  Of course I am not happy just learning the one way to pool, I have to learn all the ways.  Never stop learning.  When you do you start to grow old.  Let's face it old people are kind of depressing.  No one wants that.  That's why all the old people I surround myself with never stop learning and we learn from each other and it's a beautiful thing.  I am sure they teach me way more than I can teach them but still I can contribute some tid bits here and there.

So yes.  I am working on my first planned pooling scarf and hopefully it will be up soon my shop for purchase.  I don't even know what I should charge for it though because of all the hours of failed attempts if I charged by the hour it would probably never sell.  If you care to look around and don't want to wait for the color pooling items to show up you can feel free to click on this link but I should warn you I am in desperate need of "new" things.  With working so much I haven't had as much time as I'd like to make new things.  Unless you count the flowers.  I make many of those "new" things every day.  Some of them are really pretty.  I'm a very lucky girl to have such a fun job that's such a perfect fit.  I know a lot of people hate Mondays and dread going back to work but not this girl.  I actually smile on Mondays.  I hope you all have an awesome Monday too.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Adventures in planned pooling

If you don't know what planned pooling is yet you soon will as this technique has gone viral, very very fast.  It involves using variegated yarn and planning ahead what goes where so that the colors pool in just the right spots  Some yarns make plaid, some make this mess down here, and if you do it another way you can make stripes.  Of course I had to try it out for myself.  So I did.  And I am happy to say this only took me 2 tries.  Seems like most people have to rip it out and try again at least once so 2 tries isn't half bad, I will take it.  Be on the lookout for new planned pooling scarves and blankets in my shop, coming soon!

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Irish crochet part 2


Well, I got started.  However I got another dress order so this project will have to wait.  It is slow going I will say that much but I think that the end result will be worth all the extra trouble.  Because the hook is so small the netting portion takes just about as long as making the actual motif's.  No wonder the Irish crochet wedding dresses are listed for 3,500 dollars!  I bet it would take a good crochet'er at least a  year to make it.  The pearls are just pearl headed pins they won't be on the finished project.

Between moving and the dress order though like I said. . .it must wait.  I will return oh Irish crochet. . .and when I do I will finish you :)

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Irish Crochet


My latest challenge.  Too bad most the patterns are in Russian.  Some of them are in Chinese.  Since I can't read either of them I have to read the charts.  They are kind of hard to follow.  Very excited about the project though.  It's so pretty and delicate.  Here's hoping I can pull it off!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Are people really boycotting Target? Yes. Yes they are.

So I have heard a lot in the social media news about how that over priced trendy Target store is making bathrooms special for Transgender people.  Now I never understood why they had to do this because every store I ever went to had that little "family" bathroom where I could drag all my kids into the one stall bathroom and lock the door whenever anyone had to go so I could make sure everyone was safe and okay.  Being a mom of boys I didn't want to go with them to the boys room and I do not allow them to go by themselves for safety reasons so they liked going there since they wouldn't have to go in the ladies room.  Why can't transgender people use that one?  It's usually empty anyways and then they don't have to worry about what gender they associate with or think that they are.  Problem solved.  Right? Wrong.  Lets make transgender restrooms in all our stores for the .03% of the population that claims to be transgender.  So family groups and Christians and a whole bunch of other people said they are going to boycott the store.  I didn't believe it.  I mean who doesn't shop at Target?  I was more homesick for Target when I moved than I was for my old house.  So imagine my surprise when I went in for my weekly "Target" dose to see a virtual ghost town.  I got the 6th parking place in my lane and it was the first lane I drove into to get a spot.  6.  Normally I have to park all the way back in the back and walk about a mile just to get into the store.  Not this time.  I got spot 6.  The only part of the store that had maybe half of the normal amount of customers was the grocery section.  I did a lap around the store to check out the rest.  I counted 12 people.  IN THE WHOLE REST OF THE STORE.  The toy section, the clothes sections, electronics, everywhere was virtually empty.  And the people I did see had like one item in their carts.  This is in a pretty nice neighborhood.  Where doctors and lawyers and people with a large chunk of disposable income live.  And no one was there.  I did enjoy not having to wait at all to check out with my one box of cereal.  But if this keeps up I can't see them staying in business for very long, I mean just the costs to keep the lights on and pay the employees alone no way they made enough money today to do that.  The suspense is terrible. . . I hope it lasts.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Whats new at Crochet By Mel

Well since I have been getting some good reviews lately I am sharing them on here in case anyone has been interested in the past of my work and maybe they want something.  I promise you, I do good work.  But don't take it from me, take it from these wonderful people who I am proud to call my customers.  First off, I have a soon to be bride who hired me to do her wedding gown.  She saw my listing and we modified it to her liking and she got a one of a kind custom made wedding dress for her big day.  This is what she had to say about it:

I just received what will be my wedding dress, and it's stunning! Instead of the brighter white dress that's pictured, I ordered a "natural" off-white in cotton and I'm so happy with that choice. I also requested some slight differences in the structure, which didn't seem to be a problem at all. I was a little nervous not knowing what my adjustments might look like, but I trusted that Mel would know best how to work with it. Mel's careful, skilled and thoughtful work is absolutely worth the wait, and the leap of faith in not being able to make a decision based on trying it on. It fits just right, and I'll be very proud to wear something made with such care for such a special occasion!

If you'd like to see the listing she bought it from you can click here I am just going to add a picture, its from Geneve Hoffman Photography she did a spread with my dress in it and was gracious enough to allow me use of her pictures.

Next we have this beauty.  I have made a few of these "jackets" and this is the second time someone bought one and wants more, so I thought I'd share it with you.  This one in the photo is size 2X, the one I sold was pre-made in a purple size small.  This is what she had to say about it:

Thrilled with this. I won't wear it with a belt. It seems like high quality yarn and is sexy, flattering and I want more in other colors. It's a great top and it came right away.

She was going to order more but the poor thing ended up with a medical emergency so we have them on hold for now.  If you want one they come in sizes from small to 2X and come in tons of colors.  I will warn you though if it's not pre-made these take quite a bit of time to do, usually at least a month so if you want one order early!  Click here to check out the colors and sizes. 

 Lastly these Coconut Creme candles have always been a big seller.  Lately though I have been getting review after review about how great they are.  They do smell awesome.  Kind of like going on vacation without the price tag.  Here's a couple of awesome reviews:

My second candle order from your shop. Such great quality and they smell so nice! Fast shipping too!!

This candle smells incredible! Thank you so much for providing such a dreamy mix.

So if you'd like to try them for yourself you can find them on my Etsy site Crochet By Mel or you can find them on my stand alone crochetbymel.com on my stand alone you can buy them singly, on etsy the smallest amount you can get is a couple.  I so enjoy making these candles as they make my apartment smell amazing.  But don't take my word for it. . . take there's :)

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had an amazing and wonderful time enjoying the celebration of our Savior's victory over the grave.  As for me, it was wonderful.  I had the kids this year.  They were all perfect little angels.  The food was awesome.  The Easter egg hunt went off without a hitch and I even got bonus points for carpooling with mom.  Let me tell you I am so glad she's on this new medicine.  I wish she would have started taking it sooner.  It's like a whole new mom.  She's still negative and a little loony but at least she's not all nervous talking to herself and rocking back and forth and such.  Still have 2 sick kiddo's and all 3 seem to have the blessed spring allergies but I am so looking forward to Easter Monday, doing whatever is cleaver.  Hanging with my kiddo's.  Aren't they just the cutest kids ever???

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Happy Birthday to me

Why??? It's Saturday I have my kids I wanted to do this thing adults like called SLEEPING IN but no- mom comes over at 8:30 in the morning with tacky gifts that I have to pretend to like so as to not hurt her feelings but seriously she would have been better off getting scratchers from the lotto like my work buddies did.  I won the lotto.  Not a crazy amount but I did win, witch is rare for me since I don't usually play.  So after mom comes with that junk I find out I have a bunch of text messages from random numbers no clue who these people are. . .add to that 2 hours of whining and crying and fighting from 3 sick kids- one is on antibiotics, steroids and breathing treatments, one just got off antibiotics 3 days ago and now has another fever, one has mommy's allergies and his 6 year molars coming in.  I can't win.  I just wanted to take them some where fun to celebrate but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.  We all feel like crap.  They can't be nice for 4 minutes.  Happy Birthday to me.

I know someday I'll miss my mom coming at the butt crack of dawn to give me junk.  And someday I'll miss having whining snot nosed booger heads who need me so even though my own head is full of congestion and junk I am trying to stay positive.  It's not like my birthday was ever a wonderful awesome day for me anyways, always having the spring allergies and all hopefully everyone will feel better tomorrow because I really want to go to church but I am not getting my hopes up. . ..

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Enjoy the pause


Well, we had a few inches of snow, quick everyone panic.  It's like, maybe 8 inches total.  Chaos on the social media people saying roads are closed that are not closed, people calling people idiots and all that fun stuff. Had to call the police non emergency number to find out that everything is just fine.  But I am the only one who can get to work so- since I am not about to go out on deliveries its closed for the day. How bad is it that I'd rather be at work???  I actually like my job.  I look forward to my kid-free time.  I haven't had any in well over a week.  Daughter been sick with the sinus infection so she's been with me since last Thursday.  It wouldn't be so bad if it was only one but 3 they are constantly at each others throats.  Why?  Why do we always have to yell?  Why does everything have to be such a huge drama fest?  I wish people would stop buying my kids the same toys because they are constantly fighting over who's is who's.  Like it matters.  They are the same.

I got a whole hour today to talk with my Ash.  Funny how when your working or doing other such stuff an hour seems to go by so fast but if your just talking to a 6 year old an hour can seem like a day.  I wish I had more one on one time with my kiddos.  They really do grow up so fast.  Guess its another day of playing ref and trying to keep the peace.  At least we have power and heat..  .could be worse.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happy Valentines Day

I can't believe we already got threw about half the flowers she ordered.  There was so many.  You couldn't even walk into the walk in cooler.  And the other 3 coolers were full too.  My feet hurt.  My hand and wrist hurts.  Already took the medicine. . . . One more day.  One more day of crazy crazy and then back to "normal."  BIL is working out good he's got the "delivery bug" and was so excited about delivering again today he took the slips home with him so he could plan his route.  Isn't that cute??  Love is in the air.  Crazy girls are already calling the shop trying to see if anyone got them anything.  Other crazy girls are complaining that we left their flowers with a neighbor.  Well hello, if we left them outside they would FREEZE and then you'd be complaining about that.  What is it about the holiday's that brings out the crazy in people?  I hope Joe is getting lots of tips.  He said half the people won't even come to the door till he calls and tells them why he is there.  I guess they are worried about getting served or something. .. lol.  The UPS guy is so sweet he brought us in an edible arrangement.  He delivered SO MANY packages to us the past couple of weeks.  I hope his girl friend takes him back.  He got her 18 roses arranged a giant teddy bear and an edible arrangement.  Well time to make myself pretty and get ready to make the 20+ orders we left on the table, not to mention whatever comes in. . . I don't want to think about it.  Maybe just maybe my prince will come and he'll buy me some flowers and maybe I'll get off in time to go to dinner and live happily ever after. . . hey, quit laughing!  It could happen.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Your guide to buying flowers for Valentines day

 Well it's that time of year again, Valentines day.  Here's some tips and tricks from your friendly neighborhood florist for getting the most bang for your buck this Valentines season.
 1.  Do buy early.  If you go into your local florist shop early enough you can still get the pre-Valentines prices.  It's worth it.  Also, don't hate on your florists we have to raise the prices because the wholesalers raise their prices.  It's not about them being greedy its about the bottom line.  Well at least at the shop I work at anyways.  If you go in early and tell them what you want odds are they will be able to pull it for you verses coming in at the last minute and getting what just happens to be "left over"  no matter how much we buy we always run out.  So if your looking for something special like these circus roses (they aren't really circus roses I just call them that) order ahead.  Oddly enough there is a rose called a circus rose and its yellow with orange tips.  In case you were wondering.  .
 2.  Don't use 1800flowers or Teleflora or FTD.  Sure we are affiliated with all of those guys and they are great and all but you got to think,   You are paying for a service and those guys take a cut as well as the florist.  So in the end you may not get the full value of what you paid for (since there's a middleman)   Generally I say hey half the world is middle men and they don't take too kindly to being cut out but if you want to get what you paid for, your best bet is to go to the shop direct and pick up your order, that way you save a delivery charge as well.  If you see a special you like in an advertisement you can buy it directly from the shop you don't have to use the service to get the product.  Also keep in mind a lot of arrangements that you see in the advertisements are only one sided, be sure to check the description.

3.  If you want the flowers to last a long time look into getting stuff with carnations, daisy's and tulips.  Those flowers last the longest.  Sure roses are the go-to but your lucky if they last a week.  I am partial to tulips myself.  When you see tulips you know spring is coming.

4.  If you are getting flowers delivered, sign the card.  Even if you think she's going to know who they are from.  I can't even tell you how many calls we got at the old shop from people wondering who these flowers came from.  Stalking isn't sexy.  If your really that worried that they are cheating just ask them point blank.  Most people have a hard time lying to your face.  If you don't sign the card but pay by a credit card most shops will rat you out anyways if the recipient calls so you might as well just sign it.

5.  If your buying flowers for your wife and your mistress do not buy them at the same shop.  At the old shop I was at he mixed up the cards accidentally (on purpose) just use 2 different florists, or don't be a doushe and cheat on your wife/girl friend.  Seriously though.

Anyways those are all the tips I can think of.  I finally remembered to bring my camera to work and go to snap a pic of one of my vases.  It's a shame a man had to die for that to be sent to his family.  And its a shame I'm short so your not really getting a good angle of it but it was pretty.  I am partial to yellow.  It's funny how when your a designer you get on these kicks, like today I was in a peach and green mood almost everything I did was peach and green.  Just like artists go thew their "blue" phase or whatever it's all the same.  You don't even really realize your doing it most times.

I love to hate Valentines day.  It's fun being busy and knowing your doing something that makes people happy.  This year I get to work with my brother in law he's going to be one of the extra delivery drivers.  Usually we send out anywhere from 15 to 30 arrangements a day,  during Christmas we were sending out about a hundred.  I got a feeling Valentines is going to be worse but at least it's not the mother of all holidays (Mothers day).  Who know's maybe by this time next year I'll have a Valentine of my own.  Stranger things have happened. . .


Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Hello February

And just like that January is gone. . .never to be seen again.  Well maybe.  In comes February with the insane amount of flowers and work.  The shortest month of the year.  Blink and you'll miss that one too.  Time goes by so fast.  Seems like every year goes by quicker and quicker.  Funny how when your a kid it takes forever for school to be over, and summer break seemed to last forever.  Now a days everything feels like catch-up.  It never ends and you can never get ahead.

Oh and if people could just stop dying for the next 2 weeks or so that would be great.  It's nice when people call the shop and fawn over my beautiful arrangements because lets face it, every one is a piece of me.  It's me in a vase, or me in a basket, or me on a coffin.  Thank goodness I haven't gotten any complaints since I worked at the other shop where they were stingy with the flowers and I wasn't allowed to make anything just follow the recipes and try not to make it look so skimpy.  I wish I remembered to take pictures because I am always left scratching my head wondering what one they are talking about when they call.  It's great they they liked them and all but I wish they would just stop dying.  Funeral pieces take a lot of time.

It's raining.  Good.  Because I want to cry, but I can't so outside can go do it for me.  Ain't nobody got time for all that  .. .

Monday, February 1, 2016

letting go

It doesn't take that much strength to hold on.  It takes strength to let go.  To trust God.  Take that leap of faith that if you let go everything is going to fall into place just like it did before, and the time before that.  But then you have to think,  who can handle it better?  Me with my silly human mind and stupid mortal plans or the creator of the entire universe who loved me so much that he actually died for me.  Who's more qualified to handle the situation?  Duh.  Who's taken care of me time and time and time again?  Who promises in his word that he loves to give his children good things.  So I been praying for some miracles.  I have seen some before so its not like its a really tall order I just have to hope that I haven't reached my quota of miracles yet.  I know he can do anything, and his will will be done regardless you can't un-see the things I have seen.  There is no turning back.  Multiply my faith oh God.  Heal my broken heart.  Help me to forget.  Show me your ways.  Help me to pick up my cross every single day I am still here, rid me of myself once and for all.

I'm gone.

Monday, January 25, 2016

I'm going free





It doesn't take that much strength to hold on.  It takes strength to let go.  To trust God.  Take that leap of faith that if you let go everything is going to fall into place just like it did before, and the time before that.  But then you have to think,  who can handle it better?  Me with my silly human mind and stupid mortal plans or the creator of the entire universe who loved me so much that he actually died for me.  Who's more qualified to handle the situation?  Duh.  Who's taken care of me time and time and time again?  Who promises in his word that he loves to give his children good things.  So I been praying for some miracles.  I have seen some before so its not like its a really tall order I just have to hope that I haven't reached my quota of miracles yet.  I know he can do anything, and his will will be done regardless you can't un-see the things I have seen.  There is no turning back.  Multiply my faith oh God.  Heal my broken heart.  Help me to forget.  Show me your ways.  Help me to pick up my cross every single day I am still here, rid me of myself once and for all.


Thursday, January 21, 2016

This isn't happening.

She doesn't have terminal cancer.  She's not going anywhere.  It's not her turn yet.  She's a freaking tulip!  Too many people need her and depend on her.  She can't go anywhere.  This isn't happening.  No.  Nope.  It can't be real.  Not yet.  I'm not ready yet.  They say months, maybe years they don't know.  They don't know anything   Stupid doctors.  Doctors should know things.  It's their job to know things.  So if the doctors don't know anything than how do they know the cancer is in her bones?  Nope.  This isn't happening.  I can't.