Goodbye Blogger, Hello New Website

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

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

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

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

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...

Slow Food Slow Down

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.

Another Start Before the Finish

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

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.

Anyone Want to Draw a Monster?

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!

A Few of My Favorite Things

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

20th Annual Fishkill Fine Arts and Craft Fair Recap

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

My Fans Make Me Happy

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

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. Please 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

Mother Bird Monster OOAK Crochet Sculpture

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It's Okay to Dream Big

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!