Thursday, May 3, 2012

Once Upon A Time...

I recently designed a series of shepherd hook bookmarks inspired by the Once Upon A Time  TV show on ABC.  My daughter and I just love that show!  We can hardly wait for the season finale.  Hopefully, the Evil Queen/Mayor will get what she deserves!  I have always loved the idea of good winning over evil.  With so much horrible, horrible things happening in the world, its nice to get away to a place where good does come out on top.  Also, there aren't many girls who wouldn't want to be a princess at some time in their life complete with the castle, the gowns, the tiaras, and of course the prince.

Here is my line of Once Upon A Time bookmarks:

                                                         Cinderella

                                                         Snow White

                                                    Sleeping Beauty

                                                Beauty and The Beast

My Beauty and The Beast bookmark was recently featured in a very cute Etsy Treasury. The adult Belle costume is just gorgeous!

Beauty and The Beast Inspired Goodies by Teresa on Etsy


Until later,

Melissa


Thursday, March 29, 2012

Last minute Easter shopping

Has this month flown by or what?  I can't believe that its nearly the end of March.  Usually by now I have our house decorated for Easter, but I'm still working on it.  Just a bit more to go.  My Mom has been moved into a hospice center, so things have gotten a bit chaotic at my Cozy Cottage.  Well enough of my problems....that is not the point of today's post.

Maybe you already have your spring door wreath, but you haven't thought about your dining room/kitchen or a room or two in your home.  Here is my selection of placemats, wall hangings, door knob hangers, and a table centerpiece.  All of these items are currently available at my Etsy shop.













I hope you have enjoyed looking through my spring/Easter selections.  Maybe I'll see you at my Cozy Cottage.  I'd like to wish all of my readers a very blessed and Happy Easter!

Until later,

Melissa

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

First Day of Spring

Yes!  Its officially the first day of spring.  I say, "officially", because in my neck of the woods we've had springlike and now summerlike temperatures for a couple weeks.  I'm hoping that the temps get back to a more normal range so that we can enjoy actual spring days.  This year, we've gone from wearing a leather coat to wearing t-shirts and shorts.  I so love this time of year with all of the new growth.  I find it so interesting how nature just knows when its time to wake up and show its beauty.  I discovered this morning that I already have buds on my bleeding hearts, plus my hyacinths are in full bloom.  I just love the scent of hyacinths!  I have an herb garden and the chives and garlic are up and green.  I also discovered that my rhubarb is coming up.  Such a pretty color!

With Easter being just a few shorts weeks away, here is my collection of spring wreaths:

                                               Colorful Spring Wreath

                                 
                                          Sweet Victorian Pansy Wreath


                                                        Simply Purple


                                          Bonnie Bunny Welcomes Spring


All of these are currently available in my Etsy shop.  Each of these wreaths offer a different look to any home.  Looks all the way from Victorian to simple elegance to just plain cute, as in "Bonnie Bunny".  I just love her!  What a sweet way to welcome guests to your home; especially on Easter Sunday.  How can you not smile when you look at her!

I also designed a religious themed bookmark that would make an excellent Easter gift, First Communion gift, a Confirmation gift, or even for someone who has accepted Jesus into their lives.  The aurora borealis finish on the pink and purple beads adds a sparkly touch to the dramatic cross charm.


I hope all of you have an enjoyable first day of spring!

Until later,

Melissa

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Easter Treasury

My Easter wall hanging was featured in a recent Etsy treasury.  It is really a lovely treasury.  Well chosen items.  Check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTE2MjU4NnwyNDY4Mjk1MDQ3/happy-easter-happy-spring

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Melissa

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Celebrating National Craft Month

A month devoted to crafting.  How great is that!  I've been a crafter for most of my life.  When my daughter was old enough to do crafts, I got her started.  We would craft every Sunday afternoon when she was younger.  Great, great memories!  It didn't matter what the medium used, she loved it all.  Her favorites were working with Playdoh, beads, and of course glitter.  Now years later, she is 18 and has an Etsy jewelry shop and a clothing/accessories shop and our work tables sit side by side in our craft studio.  I've been continuing to go through my craft supplies and weeding out what my daughter or I don't need.  So far its been a great idea, as we've made some space in our studio and I've made a few sales in my fabric destash.

Here are some of the items I have for sale in my Etsy shop.  Maybe you'll see something that you could use to do your own crafting this month.

                                              Daisy Kingdom ABC Bears


                                    Dianna Marcum's Raggedy Ann & Andy


                                        Baby Big Bird and Cookie Monster
                                                       crib quilt panel


                                          Paddington Bear is Gardening


                                           Easter Bunnies and Jelly Beans


                                              Children's Fabric - yardage


                                           Debbie Mumm's Teddy Bears


                                          Flower Gardening by VIP Prints


                                 Pansies & Bows Applique Panel - VIP Prints


This is just some of what I have available and am still listing new items.  Between going through craft supplies, posting items, and creating/posting spring and Easter decor....I've been keeping fairly busy.

Something is always happening at my Cozy Cottage.

Until later,

Melissa

Monday, February 6, 2012

My shop now carries crafting supplies!

Yep, I'm selling crafting supplies.  My daughter and I have been going through our crafting "studio" and decided to sell the supplies that we aren't using and don't have any future plans to use.  Right now I have fabric, ribbon, and patterns, but will probably be adding jewelry making supplies.  The jewelry supplies are from our jewelry designing endeavor at our Etsy shop, www.JustUsGirlsStudios.etsy.com   We're considering closing it.  Its a very sad thought, as it is a shop owned by my daughter and myself.  It was our first Etsy shop.  My daughter has two shops of her own that she is trying to get going:  www.BlackOrchidJewelry.etsy.com and www.BlackOrchidFashions.etsy.com   I just don't know what to do with it anymore.  The sales just aren't there.  We've worked and worked on this and that, but nothing is panning out.  Our latest "try" is Vintage jewelry.  We recently sold a Coro jewelry set that belonged to my paternal grandmother.   She never wore it and it was in the original box.  We have a selection of 80s jewelry, including Anne Klein earrings.
Back at my shop, here are the supplies I've listed so far with lots more coming:
                       
                                               k.p. kids bunny fabric



                                               VIP Easter egg fabric


                                                       Easter ribbon

                                                  Easter applique pattern

                                           k.p. kids "Oh Baby, Baby" fabric


                                              k.p. kids teddy bear fabric


                                          k.p. kids Gardening Kids fabric


                                  Gardening Girl fabric by South Seas Imports

All of these fabric selections would be perfect for sewing or crafting.

Until later,

Melissa

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Love is in the air....

February 1st is already here and that means Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  If you live in an area that has lots of dreary days, Valentine's Day is a great holiday to add color to brighten those long winter days.  So if you are looking for a new door wreath, new home decor, or even a bookmark for the holiday, then you've come to the right place.

Here is my selection of Valentine's Day items:

                                                     Roses Are Red



                                          Victorian Valentine's Day  (SOLD)

                             
                     
                                              Rosy Posy Wall/Door Basket



                                       Lady of the Roses Door/Wall Basket



                                               Valentine's Day bookmark



                                         Valentine's Day Angel door hanger


Thanks for looking at my Valentine's Day items.  I hope you enjoyed it!

Until later....

Melissa