Knot By Gran'ma Blog

Goodbye Blogger, Hello New Website

2013-07-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day that I will post on Blogger. Sniff, sniff, sniff. I'm not really sad, rather more excited, as it means bigger and better things!

My new site, Knot By Gran'ma, is action packed with blogging, crochet patterns/monsters/butts for sale, an affiliate program (so you can make some cash too!), advertising opportunities, and a plethora of other things I can't think of right now because my brain is numb from computer work. Apparently, artists are not always computer people.

You can follow my new blogging adventures over at Bloglovin if you'd like (I love the arsty-fartsy-ness of this picture. Got it at Bloglovin!). Or you can keep up with Knot By Gran'ma through the newsletter.

Moving Week

2013-07-22T11:22:00.000-04:00

Wait. What? She blogs still? I do actually. It's just been very, very, very slow over here on the blogging end of the Knot By Gran'ma world. The other parts haven't been so slow. There's been pattern designing and doll designing, and website building, and what?! Website building?!

It's moving week at Knot By Gran'ma

Yep. At the end of this week (actually on July 26, 2013 to be exact), this blog(ger blog) will no longer be updated AT ALL. I've strategically been moving some of the more important posts to the new site, getting all of my patterns and dolls moved over... and a few more surprises are planned. The're stuck up my sleeves for now. This lovely piece of real estate will sit here forever on the internet as a plethora of wonderfully fun information for you all to check back on... That's what I'm choosing to believe will happen anyway.

moving box photo via http://www.clker.com/

Pleasant Surprises

2013-07-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

The direction on this doll completely changed. I'll get into that more once she's fully finished... which could be today, depending on how our schedule ends up. Either way, the doll that started out with a very specific story and look is now different.

I really couldn't be any happier with how she's turned out. I guess the procrastinating happened for a reason. She wasn't ready to go down the path I had mapped out for her, and needed me to realize it.

This blog moves on July 26, 2013 to http://knotbygranma.com. Please add it to your bookmarks or subscribe here to be notified.

Always Behind in Business

2013-07-13T10:40:00.000-04:00

Yeah. That would be me. I am wearing too many hats. I do this often and one day I will have an assistant to help me with all of the trials and tribulations of running this business. In the meantime, I'm going to be behind. Things like running to the doctor 4 times in one week (YES THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK), and just being part of an active summer family. We have been out daily... sometimes once or twice... or even 3 times in the day. (I'm a little of a shut in, so that's a huge deal for me.)

Today at some point, I'm making a list of things I want my business to have in the next year. Things like a web person, someone who can help me with my newsletters, promotion, etc... I just can't do it all. I'm not a robot. I don't think a robot could do it either. I just want to make cool shipoopy.

Ocean Motif Crochet Pattern Set... Coming soon!!!

I picked up my crochet hook yesterday for the 1st time all week to make a swatch for the gauge on my new crochet pattern. Pretty sad. The pattern is out to be tested though and it's coming next week for your crocheting pleasure! You can sign up at my newsletter to be notified when it's out.

So what do you do when you're falling behind in your business? Are you always behind?

Haters Need not Apply

2013-07-01T10:24:00.000-04:00

My little bubble popped a bit this weekend. I like to think that people are inherently good and don't hate others for no particular reason at all. I am aware of the naivety of this line of thinking, but this is how I am. Every once in a while this little ideal is deflated a bit more, and I have to rethink my views on people and how it affects me. This time was no different, but it also made me aware that this is something that I also need to apply to my business. People are people and have all sorts of different views on things... hate and ignorance are part of the entire package.

Owl monsters don't like it either...

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Slow Food Slow Down

2013-06-27T09:47:00.000-04:00

It was a slow day here yesterday, which was nice, because I was feeling a little exhausted. One of those mental and physical exhaustion that leaves you in danger of falling asleep in your soup and then snarfing some of it as you jolt awake. That's tired. So I slowed down.

Only enough for snacking.

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Another Start Before the Finish

2013-06-24T09:37:00.000-04:00

I had another idea for an art piece over the weekend. I was simply going to jot the idea down to have for later, but then I started a piece of it. I'm horrible when it comes to this sort of thing, because I already have 3 other things going that NEED TO BE FINISHED (Ocean Motif Pattern, New Website, Lady Monster Doll). I still started a piece of it. I'm sharing the one picture I have here of it only so I don't forget to finish this when I will have started something else before finishing this piece. It's a vicious cycle, really.

Start of another art piece... what is this?

In other news, the kids start camp today. Well technically, Dr. Destructo starts tomorrow and only goes 2 days a week for a few hours but... whatever. I'm working with an entirely new schedule, as there are swimming lessons thrown in and last minute beach trips. I love the summer.

Digging a circle pool at the lake

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How an Owl is Pushing the Draw of the Ocean

2013-06-17T09:39:00.000-04:00

I finally have my latest owl up and available. He's been stalled by craft shows and then stinky weather for photography.These things happen when you're not set up with a professional lightbox... or even a cheap lightbox. I know. Get one. It's on my list. I promise. He's pretty cute.

Colors to the sea

I think the blues/teals with the warm reds/yellows is my most favorite of all time color combination. It reminds me of the ocean with flames running into it. Which... typed out seems a little odd, but that's what I picture every time. Maybe like in Hawaii where the volcanoes meet the sea.

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Anyone Want to Draw a Monster?

2013-06-14T10:51:00.000-04:00

The other day I tweeted about how we, as crocheters, should get our own superhero. I plan on getting to that eventually... It's been added to the to-do/think about list. Naturally, this line of thought led me to start thinking about some overly elaborate plan that involved drawings from everywhere, in some sort of contest form, that would eventually lead to a draw your own monster listing from Knot By Gran'ma.

The truth is, I don't have time for all of that overly elaborate stuff right now. Contests are draining, and it's a little like pulling teeth sometimes to get people to enter. I do want to be creating more hands on right now. I've been computer working for what seems like weeks and need to get the kinks out with yarn and a hook in my hands. I need to find that happy spot on a daily basis, because otherwise I find myself falling down the proverbial rabbit hole of despair (In my head, I just mushed together Alice in Wonderland and The Princess Bride. Sweet.). Then it's really tiring to fake it until I can claw my way out and get back on track. I can feel myself coming down from the little burst of hypomania that's been going on here, and I'd like to bite it in the butt before it becomes a problem.

Rabbit hole of despair?! Ack!

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A Few of My Favorite Things

2013-06-10T11:43:00.001-04:00

Keeping the theme of our "new normal", I'm happy to report progress is being made on all fronts. My Knot By Gran'ma work is so exciting, and I can't wait to share the next chapter with you all. It's going to allow me to do what truly makes me happy and allow me to feel more useful in our family dynamic. I will get to help people, all while still maintaining a healthy work ethic for myself, freeing up time for family, and having more freedom to create.

In the meantime, my brother and I took the kiddies to the aquarium over the weekend. Good times were had by all. Apparently this jellyfish tank makes me nauseous too... which is weird. It's still my 2nd favorite part of the aquarium. Any guesses on my most favorite-est display in the entire aquarium?

Jellyfish room at the aquarium

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20th Annual Fishkill Fine Arts and Craft Fair Recap

2013-06-05T09:33:00.000-04:00

I did it. I can't believe it. This was something I wasn't sure I should have taken on in the beginning. I organized a fine arts & craft fair... and nothing exploded, imploded, or went horribly wrong.

Yes. It was a tiny bit stressful at times (mostly my fault... over-thinking does that) but for the most part, I think this is something I would definitely do again. I would do a lot of things differently, which is part of any new experience. What systems work for one, don't necessarily work for other people (or me).

Photo credit: Marilyn at Pulp Sushi

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My Fans Make Me Happy

2013-05-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

You all know who you are. Thank you for making this such a cool journey. Things will resume their regularly scheduled fun next week sometime. I plan on recuperating and working my tush off on this amazing business life adventure that I'm building.

I'm starting to think that all business should be called a business life adventure. I think people would be a lot happier thinking of it that way. Maybe more people start doing things that made them happy instead of what they thought they had to do. What do you think?

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Knowing to Move On

2013-05-28T09:22:00.001-04:00

It was quiet here on the blog this past week. There have been 2 (three if you count me getting a headache for 3 days due to a disturbance in my force) ginormous reasons for this. I'm really excited about both of them, as they signal a real life direction change. I'm doing it. Woot. Woot.

This blog will be ending, because I have outgrown Blogspot. It'll stay here, so you can come back and re-read all my tidbits of wisdom and fun (only if you want). I have outgrown having my blog and website in different places. I have outgrown my website not being exactly the way I want it. I am growing up internet... I am writing code and googling my way to a better blogging/selling position. I may even break down and hire help. Writing code and css and whatever else it's called, is hard. P lease subscribe to my newsletter to be kept up to date or Bloglovin' for updates posted here.

FBA presents, featuring Hudson Valley Etsy, the 20th Annual Fine Arts & Craft Fair

The other huge reason is I organized a craft show. What? Yep. You heard (okay, read) right. I have 50 vendors coming out to The 20th Annual Fine Arts & Craft Fair coming up this Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 to sell their wares. I'll be selling too. I feel like the actor who also directed the film. Well... not totally like that. I had bunches of help from some of the amazing peeps of Hudson Valley Etsy and also the Fishkill Business Association, so it wasn't mind numbingly stressful. If you're in the area, please stop in and visit. Here's a post on places you can eat while you're in town... although, we will have some tasty food vendors at the show, so check them first before you venture out into town.

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Monday Motivation

2013-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Mother Bird Monster OOAK Crochet Sculpture

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It's Okay to Dream Big

2013-05-17T08:50:00.000-04:00

My favorite dreamer was John Lennon. He dreamed big, told everyone about it, and he wasn't apologetic. He knew what his dreams were, and went after them in the ways that he knew how... using his celebrity to bring social awareness to issues that were important to him.

Our family thyme these days. Har, har, har!

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New Normal

2013-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

I forgot to do the last post for my Happy Day Project. It didn't catch on with anyone in the grandiose way I had envisioned it in my brain, so I ended my so called "project" (Random. Anyone remember the show My So Called Life?). I'm seeing it as a failure, and that's okay. The whole thing was really important for me to do, because it made me focus on what makes me happy in MY life... not anyone else's. I'm seeing those things quite a bit more often, without actively having to seek them out. It's opening up my feelers a bit, and I'm having good days more than I'm having bad days. I'm not longing for things I don't have (as much), and comparing myself to others definitely is at an all time low. I'm not going to post all of that last week's pictures here right now. You can see the entire album over at my Flickr or by searching #happydaykbg on Instagram. It was a good exercise for me, and I'm glad I did it.

Fuschia living in my greenhouse until it warms up.

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Work in Progress Wednesday: Skirt Work, Man.

2013-05-15T09:53:00.000-04:00

I'm making a skirt for my lady monster. I love it . I'm getting anxious to see her completely finished and probably won't continue in the original direction that I had intended for her. That's not really shocking, because most things I start end up that way. You should see my kitchen. Anyway, I'm waiting for her to let me know how she'd like to be finished. Clothing her and adding her feet/claws has to come first.

Work in Progress Wednesday: Skirt Work, Man

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Getting it Together - Wholesale Line Sheet

2013-05-13T11:54:00.000-04:00

Today I put together a line sheet. It has room for improvement, but I think everything does. If we waited for everything to be "just right", I don't think anything would get done. As I get this wholesale gig down more, I'll be able to fill in the spots that need a little more love, or better yet, pay someone to do it for me. For today though, this is my finished product. I'll be moving forward to a payment/term sheet tomorrow.

Photos copyright Knot By Gran'ma

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Free Baby Booties Sock Crochet Pattern

2013-05-09T09:49:00.000-04:00

Baby Booties Socks

Baby Booties Socks

Skill Level
Easy

Materials:

Size D crochet hook (3.25mm)
1 skein of sock yarn

Special stitches

Decreased Single Crochet (d.sc) - insert hook through st, yo, pull loop through st, insert hook into next st, yo, pull through st (repeat as many times as pattern calls for), yo, pull through loops on the hook.

Worked in the round, do not ch 1 unless noted. Preemie and 6-12 mo in parenthesis.

Gauge: 6 sc = 1 inch, 6 sc rows = 1 inch

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Work in Progress Wednesday: Revamping a Pattern

2013-05-08T09:28:00.001-04:00

Ever go back to a pattern you had designed years ago? Ever try to crochet up that pattern, which works out, but is kind of not up to your current design standards? Yeah, that happened yesterday. What was supposed to be a quick gift has morphed into an entire pattern revamp so that the gift will be just right. Perfectionist much?

Lovely, lovely, lovely yarn

Since this is a gift, I'm being cryptic in my sharing. You'll get the entire thing next week. This is the yarn I'm using... well I'll be using one or both. It all depends.

Since I have no monsters or actual projects to show, here's a picture of Agamemnon after his trip to the vet yesterday.

The vet said he's still too heavy... more exercise for us!

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Happy Day Project: Week 2

2013-05-06T09:48:00.001-04:00

Little bits of my happiness this past week...

Cottonball clouds. Day 8

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Happily Hooking It Up

2013-05-03T10:05:00.001-04:00

I'm happily writing this post this week. Hubs has been away working then taking a class until 9:30 pm each night, and I still accomplished this batch of dolls. Being the solo parent did cut into my creating time, and we were just really really busy on top of that. I suppose that's the way it always works though. It's okay. We had a blast filling up the time.

It was nice to feel that same crochet rhythm once I was able to sit down and work. I've been thinking along the lines of this is the task, and I'll get up to do a different task once (and only once) this task is finished. Also, cutting down the computer time helped immensely. I'm actually closing my inbox after the first initial glance, and it's getting easier not to peek. That being said, the blogging end of Knot By Gran'ma is picking up a little. Small victories.

I got the unicorn pocket monster thing out of my system for now. This batch of 3 are crocheted up out of scrap yarns. In creating the scrap version, and then knowing I have a non-scrap version, I was able to play with my pricing and see what I'm actually making per hour and what can go into wholesale markets, and all of the "fun" that goes along with that.

Unicorn Pocket Monsters

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Work in Progress Wednesday: Monster Owl

2013-05-01T08:37:00.003-04:00

I don't understand the, "Hey let's buy an owl themed something" kick that's been going on for like the past 7 years. I said it. Regardless of my understanding, I was asked to crochet up an owl mascot for an local organization. (I did roll my eyes a little when I heard it was an owl, but whatever.) Then suddenly, I fell in love with my design. I wasn't expecting that to happen, so I'm making up another one in super bright colors, with what seems to have become my creepy monster eyes. Let's face it. Owls can be scary. Monsters can be scary too, so I'm marrying the ideas together to make a kind of creepy monster owl doll. Not too creepy though. Owls do that all by themselves.

Monster Owl Doll... just needs his wings sewn on and some stuffing.

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April 2013: Blog Posts

2013-04-30T06:50:00.000-04:00

April was a busy month for me. I'm finishing up organizing the Fishkill Fine Arts & Craft Show application process, started offering affordable advertising on my blog, and redid my newsletter (which no one has seen yet). In the midst of this, I've been blogging, making monsters, and gardening... So, here's the month of April in blog form for you all. They are ordered from oldest to newest. Happy reading!

Jim the Grawr Monster - For sale at The Art Riot

Practicing No
Drowning in Clutter Workspace
Work in Progress Wednesday: Monsters and Legs
Does Your Product Need a Purpose?
Work in Progress Wednesday: Top Secret
I Will Never Miss All of This
Writing up the Past
Happy Day Project
Creating a Community: New(ish) to Me Blogs
Find Your Fight and Do It
Happy Day Project: Week 1

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Happy Day Project: Week 1

2013-04-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's been an entire week of capturing photos of things that make me happy. I have learned a few things in the process, and learning is always nice. If you're wondering what I'm talking about and what this Happy Day Project is... click here, yo.

Number one: I'm thinking more about my life and being mindful, and I am seeing far more happiness in my life than sadness. Sweet!

Number two: I suck at posting my photo every day. Also I didn't research my hashtag originally and had to change it last minute to #happydaykbg.

First time bowling... under black lights and a disco ball. Day 1

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