bluknots originals

bluknots originals is OPEN!!!!

2012-01-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to let you all know bluknots originals is now open for business on Etsy!

Right now, there is just one thing available because my pictures aren't cooperating with me. I'm getting it together. If you aren't already an Etsy customer, I recommend signing up because 1. its free and 2. I'm on there as well as hundreds of other handmade lovers and crafters!

If you want a custom item, scroll down on the left hand side and click Request Custom Item. I will get in touch with you ASAP and make you something wonderful!

Click here to see my shop!

Thanks for reading,
Tishana ( my government name, lol)

Get your orders in NOW to make it before the holidays! :)

2011-12-13T00:29:00.001-05:00

Hello, fine peeps of cyber and real space…

I just want to let you know that I still have pre-made hats and accessories available here. If you want to purchase some, and order by Dec 20th, You can have you items in your hand before Dec 25th! Custom orders must be ordered by Dec 17th to make it by Dec 25th.

As I said before, I’m not going to make it to India this year, but I will next year. Not that this should stop you from buying a BluKnots Original Creation!

Remember…

Pre-made Orders must be ordered by Dec 20th.

and

Custom Orders must be ordered by Dec 17th.

Thanks!

@tishushu
BluKnots Originals

An India Update...

2011-12-13T00:25:00.001-05:00

So, Friends...

I need to let you know that I will NOT be able to go to India this year... I am really sad about this, but your efforts are not in vain. I appreciate everyone buying hats and accessories. I've decided to open an Etsy store! This page will still exist, but the name will change to "BluKnots Originals" after the holidays.

I am still willing to make custom hats and accessories, so you keep buying and I'll keep making!

Thanks to all of You!

Tishana

Help Me Get To India, Friends!

2011-11-12T20:06:00.001-05:00

Hello All, I am trying to get to India by Dec 14... Unfortunately, I don't have all of the money. I need to raise $500 more... Won't you help me?

I'm making custom crocheted hats and selling readymade items on my Facebook Page. All custom crocheted beanies are $20. You can pick up to two colors. And you can have stripes, a flower, or both!

I can also make matching armwarmers for an extra $10.

Here are some items I've already sold or are for sale:

Help me get there! If you like something, email me at bluknots@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading!

@tishushu

New Project List!

2011-07-13T02:44:00.002-04:00

Soooooooo, I have a list of new projects... All need to be completed by September 30, my own deadline...

The first is a hat. A slouch hat, very similar to the red hat in my previous post. This is for a friend/soror, and she wants it in gray. To achieve the slouch she is asking for I'm gonna use a thinner yarn. I'm sure it would really slouch if I knit the hat, but I barely made a hat and a laptop case in knit... How in the world can I knit in the round? I am sticking to what I know... CROCHET!

The second is a blanket and "Grover" hat for a little boy that no one really knows yet! My friend and former co-worker is pregnant with her first child! She wants the colors I used in a set I made a couple of years ago, so I'm gonna get on it...

Stay tuned!

@tishushu

The Latest...

2011-04-13T21:04:00.003-04:00

Ok, I felt the need to blog today... So let's get to it.

1. I'm currently working on a project that I will announce in another week or so. This will be on a completely separate blog, maybe even on a different blog provider... Not sure yet. But stay tuned.

2. I am 6 months in on my job search, and I'm thinking that I just wasn't looking hard enough. But after speaking to several of my classmates, I realize this job market just really sucks... I'm still searching, though, and I have a phone interview on the 26th... YAY!

3. I am 6 weeks into a Couch-to-5K program. Its kicking my butt, but I am sticking with it. My sweetie and I registered for a 5K on April 30th! Wish us luck! I can honestly say that being healthy is a lot easier when you have someone working with you. I truly appreciate my sweetie pie!

4. I recently went on a Vipassana Retreat. 10 days of silence, in a remote area with full accommodation. I suggest everyone try it. If you don't leave changed... Well, I don't see how anyone could leave unchanged. Try it! Visit dhamma.org. Another reason to appreciate my sweetie, she cared for my teenager the entire time I was gone! Love Love Love!

5. I want to ride my bike more, and maybe even do a triathlon! Ok, maybe not TOO soon on the tri, but I'm definitely more into bicycling, especially for commuting, and am learning more about road safety and raising awareness... If you know of good sites, let me know! An awesome magazine I've been enjoying is Bicycle Time Magazine. It is an excellent magazine for the cycling spectrum, from the person on the cruiser, to the serious bike commuter. As our gas goes up, and we are considering alternative energy, how about our own energy? Hop on a bike! I hope that when I find a job I can commute using my bike and MARTA. I don't own a car, and don't really want to be bullied into owning one...

6. What you've really been waiting for... PICTURES! Here are some things I've made since December!

This is a scarf I made for a friend who just finished her PhD! Its the same as the one in December for my sweetie, but I used Vanna White's Yarn, from Michael's.

It came out much thicker, but did not lose the detail.

This is Gisele... I bought her on Amazon, but she wasn't looking much like anything, even after I gave her eyes, lol. So, I gave her a makeover!

This is Gisele after her makeover. It's amazing what a little acrylic paint can do for a girl, LOL!
She has major attitude now!

This is Gisele rocking the scarf I made for my PhD recipient pal! I even made a little crocheted chrysanthemum to go with! (on the right)

This is another hat I was in the process of making. I have since finished, but I can't find the pics! (Ack!)

Ok, so after that short pic update-fest, I'm gonna go look for other pics. I made a ton of other things, and I need to show you! Stay tuned or you can take a look at my tumblr page for all the other stuff...

Thanks for reading,

@tishushu

Updates like WHAT!?

2010-12-06T11:31:00.005-05:00

o.m.g... I haven't posted in half a year... So, let's play catch up...

First, I graduated with my Bachelor's degree! *applause* Woot! I am officially an Electronics Engineering Technologist! Say THAT five times fast! Right now, I am currently seeking a job in my field, and I am very excited about that! But with the bitter comes the sweet... No more financial aid, so I had to move!:( I miss my house in Decatur, but onto new stuff!

Second, I'm in LOVE! *sigh* :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Third, I have decided to open an Etsy shop! *applause* After selling my items directly from myfotki page, I've decided to open up the shop. I am working on my inventory right now, so please bear with me! :) love love!

Here are some things I have made in the meanwhile...

This is a crocheted cables scarf I'm working on as a gift for my sweetie. :)... Pattern here!

This is a hat I made with the same yarn. I bought this yarn from Looped in Washington, D.C. during my graduation trip. This is Berroco Remix yarn in Clementine! :) I left my armwarmers in Atlanta before my flight (duh!) so I had to make more. Yeah, I just HAD to! And I needed yarn! Thanks, Looped!

Can't have a hat without some armwarmers... I swapped these with my friend Meagan Shea during my visit, so I actually made two pair. :)

This is a hat I made during a Stitch and Bitch with my pal Natalie this summer! I think its cute!

That's all!

Thanks for reading!

@tishushu

latest creations

2010-07-02T11:55:00.004-04:00

So I came back from the USSF in Detroit all refreshed and ready to create but my flight was delayed like 2 hours back to Atlanta. While we waiting those two hours ON THE FRIGGIN RUNWAY, I just veg'd out a bit and thought of what my first project would be. I didnt come up with anything.

When I got back, my mom handed me a bag full of toilet paper rolls as I asked. YAY mom! So I decided to go ahead with recreating a project I saw on DesignSponge with tp rolls.

Here's what I did:

First I flattened the tp roll...

Then I poofed it back out to make an almond shape...

Next I measured out four even parts to each tp roll and marked them, then I cut them...

Here's what they looked like when finished, excuse my messy craft space...:

I have tons of tissue paper from gifting and crafting so I wanted to make these shapes look more like leaves...

I pulled out three different shades of green tissue paper...

I glued one side of each tp shape and placed then along the edge of the tissue paper, then glued all the other sides and folded the paper over onto the glue...

After cutting the excess I had all these beautiful tp shapes!

You can see one of the darker green tissue paper tubes in the background, and a brain, but don't look at the brain... :)

Here are the lighter and medium green all cut and ready:

After they were all cut, I arranged them into the structure I wanted then glued them into three shape pieces... They're so cute!

I glued the three shape pieces together till I ran out... See my glue gun burned hand?

This is the finished piece... It's smaller than I wanted but, I can only use so much tp at a time! LOL!

You can see I left two of the three piece segments as accent pieces...

This was sooooo fun!

And you can still see the different shades of green. This project cost me nothing. I had everything on hand and asked folks to donate the tp rolls, so its a totally green project!

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I also made a doll with my sewing machine before I left for the USSF... Her name is Uma because she is the my first project! I love her!

I free-handed a simple shape in tailor's chalk and cut it out...

Then I sewed along the sides except for her head and stuffed her with this really lofty yarn I have...

I sewed her head by hand and there she is!

You can see the yarn in the background...

Uma Uma Uma! Uma Uma Uma!

She's sexy... I'll stitch her a face soon!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

father's day...

2010-06-19T12:24:00.001-04:00

In keeping with my DIY techniques, I am making my father a card for father's day (naturally). I made kirigami flowers for mother's day and the cards were a smash hit! Not to mention I had a great time making them.

For my dad, tho, flowers won't exactly work. I have a plan in my head for what his card will resemble... I really hope I can pull it off tonight. I don't usually like to wait until the last minute (a BOLD LIE!) but I had a 16 page paper to write, also a last minute project... And the rest of my finals, ugh.. I know, do better...

Anyways, stay tuned, and I'll post pics as soon as I give him the card!

UPDATE: Here are the cards:

My Dad's Card

See the "home" button?

Here is my brother's card...

A little more risque...

And here's how they look on the back! :) Don't sue me, Apple!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

burdastyle

2010-06-10T12:41:00.000-04:00

Can I tell you how much I love this site?

burdastyle is a site for sewers, novice to advanced... And they have free patterns! You have to love that!

So I'm trying a novice pattern, of course, from the free patterns since I am now the queen of the new sewing machines.

The one I chose is a simple panty pattern (called cheeky panties on the site). I figure if its really messed up, no one will see it but me, lol!

Go to this site and check out all the FREE patterns! You'll want to sew them, I promise!

And yes, lately, I'm all about the free... and it isn't costing me one red cent... LOL

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

it's all set up!

2010-06-10T00:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, so it was me at my desk... I had my Singer Instruction Manual... I plugged in my Singer, and set it all up. Then I tested the waters, so to speak... I ran a stitch through the fabric my Soror left in the bag... Hee hee...

See my machine?

See my seam?

Yeah, yeah, Imma do more...
And I'm excited about it! :)

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

the power of Twitter

2010-06-04T15:39:00.005-04:00

So, I posted a tweet Thursday that I was frustrated with hand sewing, but it was my only option. I am a full time student and I simply don't have the money to buy large ticket items.

Well, no sooner than 5 minutes after I posted it, one of my Sororz called me and said she has a sewing machine that her mother gave her (her mother is an avid seamstress with many machines) and that I can HAVE IT!

Omg, Omg, so I was doing the happy dance and nearly in tears thanking my dovely Soror for a wonderful gift... Just last Saturday I received an Ikea Ektorp sofa for FREE! (see freecycle rawks post, lol) And now I am getting a new (to me) sewing machine for FREE!

The Universe is spinning for me, yall. Yes, I said yall...

freecycle, twitter, they all help college students get by....

I stayed up last night trying to decide what my first project would be. I still havent decided, but I will soon. One will definitely be my friend Ashley's purse. :) And a dressform for all my prospective projects!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

freecycle RAWKS! and reclaiming our bodies!

2010-05-31T01:34:00.001-04:00

I got a new couch! OMG, I am so happy about it. Thanks to freecycle, I have a free Ektorp couch!

As I prepared to pick it up, with the help of my rawesome parents, I carefully disassembled my old Ikea couch, hugged the cushions, and put them away.

A little history:

On election day 2008, my couch died... I had some friends over, awaiting the news of who was to be our new prez. When it was announced it was out current POTUS, Barak Obama, one of my friends, jumped up and down and plopped on my couch. I heard a snap... Wait, I need a moment... *sniff sniff*

Needless to say my couch wasnt the same. Only the rightmost side of my couch was usable, which isnt good. My couch was reduced to a chair... :(

So when I saw a couch listed on freecycle, I jumped at the chance and figured I'd work out transport later. Luckily, I found out the couch was a few blocks away! My mom and dad came over without question to help me move it, and now I have it!

Here it is:

I can't believe it's so white! And I have two teens, and I'm so clumsy...

So I think I'm gonna dye the slipcovers a deep indigo in a dye bath or in the washer with Rit... Either that or buy another slipcover. I could always wait for one to appear on freecyle again! LOL!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Reclaiming Our Bodies

So, Everyone knows I'm a modern hippie... LOL, I kid... But I really love our planet. In light of this, and in light of attempts by our government to legislate women's bodies, I want to reclaim mine, and instill that power in my children.

My next thing, sewing my own reusable menstrual pads. I know there are hundreds of patterns and plans for this out there, like this, this, and this, so I'm sure I'll have no issue doing this... Tho, I sure could use a sewing machine or serger. I know someone that has both, and maybe I can barter wit her to use it.

The last thing we need is the men of the world blaming us for anything else, including filling landfills in the form of menstrual waste. I currently use Insteads, and I own a Diva Cup, but I would love something to sleep in. I use a washcloth bought just for this purpose, but would love something more formal, and customized!

Here's to our bodies!

a spur of the moment event...

2010-05-26T18:39:00.000-04:00

last night, I was really antsy to do somethng with a tshirt my son discarded. I recently saw this tutorial from Threadbanger.com and wanted to try it. Crocheting to customize a tshirt is somehing I have wanted to do since I saw the tutorial...

So after staring at the shirt, since it was lying on my couch, and NOT in a proper place, I stared cutting. I cut under the sleeves and around the wing motif. Then I "de-seamed" that parts I cut off, and turned the strips into "yarn" to crochet onto the rest of the shirt. I had a vision of a tank top deal...

I crocheted directly into the shirt all the way around, and onece more around the front only. Then I made straps. I was running out of yarn, so I only made two straps. I envisioned a jumper type top like the ones we nearly peed on ourselves in when we were smaller *80's flashback*. Instead, I only made two in the front for a halter type effect until I can find more tshirt "yarn" in a complimentary color...

Here it is...

You can see the crocheted detail around the top edge. It isnt super neat because I wanted that organic look. The key hole sorta developed as I tried to work around the wing motif, but ended up with too much width.
Here is a full view for the shirt...

As you can see, its still a full tshirt. Like I said, it was my son's shirt. I'm thankful he like regular fitting clothes. This shirt was a men's medium. The shirt was well worn and feels like butter. He discarded it because of a bleach stain... His loss, my free project...
Here it is on me...

I love this revamp, and I love how the wings look around the keyhole. I secured the keyhole with a pin until I can figure what else to do with it.

Altogether, it took me 3 hours. One hour to cut the "yarn" and the other two to crochet and try it on repeatedly to see how it fit...

I wore it today and I need to make some adjustments to make it a little tighter, but this was definitely a fun and fast project! And I got some folks asking me to make them one, too!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

My New Project...

2010-05-24T11:41:00.003-04:00

I'm obsessed. I've been on Etsy, Ebay, and Google searching the heck outta this...

I can still crochet, just not as much as before. My hands are aging... So I need something with a little less impact on my hands...

I want to make soap!

After watching this tutorial for Decor It Yourself's Meg Allen Cole, I am so into it!

I have many friends with skin sensitivities, such as eczema, and I would love to be able to make soap that they can use without paying so much money.

So, stay tuned as I embark on yet another adventure! :)

And if you are one of those friends (or wanna be... ), let me know what type of sensitivities you have, and I'll try to help!

Uh-oh...

2010-05-24T00:54:00.000-04:00

Ok, I have been killing the Decor-It-Yourself podcasts...

And now, I wanna start a new project...

Even tho I promised to finish my unfinished project (less six, YAY)...

What's a girl to do!?

@tishushu

I Made Something!

2010-05-11T14:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, so my friend Mel had a bday party last year. At the party she gave everyone a canvas. But she gave me and another artist friend a larger canvas...

She knows she set me up...

That canvas sat for weeks until I came up with a plan... Then, that plan and canvas sat in my house for over a year. I JUST implemented the plan this weekend...

So, some history... I'm scared to paint. I really think I'd be such a failure. There is a bunch of paint in my house... I havent done anything with it in two years... I do crochet... So I was thinking I could incorporate the two to give to Mel. But this weekend, I decided to forgo the paint and use tissue paper instead. So I used tissue paper and glue! And I crocheted the yarn last year, and set it aside... Good thing I did; it made this weekend easier. My Virgoness works in mysterious ways, lol.

This first pic is the blue, yellow, and white tissue paper starring as the Sky, Sun, and Clouds:

Later, I glued the crocheted chains onto it and outlined the clouds in silver Sharpie. The orginal plan is right next to my tea cup...:

You can see the crocheted pieces and silver lining better in this pic:

I really hope she likes it!

Mother's Day on a Budget

2010-05-08T12:16:00.001-04:00

So, I've been all into Threadbangers lately, and who can blame me!?! They have excellent tutorials, including this podcast on paper art! So I watched it and others and decided I would make Mother's Day cards this year. I even made a birthday card for my friend I think looks like a faerie...

I gave both of my seriously apathetic teens a slip of colored paper for each person so they could write a personal message. Then I made some paper flower cutouts. It was really easy to follow Meagan Allen Cole's (of Decor It Yourself) instructions, and fun! After I cut them all out, and some hearts and butterflies (teehee!), I layed them out on cardstock and glued them with a glue stick. For thicker items, I used my glue gun. I love glue guns! :) After that, I used my markers to embellish. I totally used the colored paper from my school... Hell, I pay for that with my tuition...

I think they all came out pretty sweet! I made seven cards total, adding my own personal message. I think its so much better and holistic to make your own cards, if you have the time... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Here are some of them:

For my Mother:

For my roomie:

For my good friend who is like a mom to me:

Whaddayathink?

Stuck

2010-05-02T15:56:00.000-04:00

So...

I did a 27 day awareness thing... Kinda like 27 days of awareness. It was ok. I honestly saw the situation I needed to see for what it was worth...

I brought that up because a few ideas came to me.

1. I don't finish what I start most of the time... This is some serious truth, and not only includes my projects, but also my schoolwork, journals entries, and even sentences that

2. I work better with deadlines. This little tidbit I realized during the 27 day thing, and RErealized (yeah, I also make up words) while watching Julie/Julia. When I have a deadline, the job gets done, and WELL! Hmmm.

3. I come up with tons of ideas for projects all day. The problem is, I forget them...

With all that said, I decided to do the following:

1. Carry a Moleskine notebook gifted to me by my kicka$$ RJ group! Then I can write/draw my ideas to remember later.

2. I need to set deadlines for any ideas I come up with so they can get completed. I haven't done this before, and I really hope it works...

3. I want to paint this year! I really do. I am so scared of the paint, but I come up with all of these great ideas for paintings. I really think its the cleanup I'm not liking...

So, that's it... My plan...

I'm really hoping it helps to keep my time managed. I am currently in the throws of my Senior Project, and I still want to be creative.

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

hmmm...

2010-02-17T09:28:00.000-05:00

After checking out my fotki acount, I realize that I was a lot more crafty when I lived in Savannah. I was cranking out the projects. I didn't know anyone there, my family was in Atlanta. So my free time was crafting, crafting, crafting!

Now that I am in school, and nearly done, I don't have the time to do as much. But I am so inspred by my past efforts that I want to do more!

Gosh! I'm slippin, yo!

Update

2010-02-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

Due to spending time in the hospital, I really haven't worked on my projects... However, since I had to leave school today, I figured I would relax and try to finish two projects, the doll, and a scarf I was making over the summer. I know our cold days are on the way out. I just wanna finish them.

After looking at Etsy, and seeing some products that are selling that really don't tickle my fancy, I feel motivated to start selling, too! I gotta finish projects to sell products...

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

Update 01.27.10

2010-01-27T08:36:00.000-05:00

As I sit here waiting to take my midterm, I thouht I'd update a little.

I already said the doll is an expectant doll... I'm trying to decide it I have the patience and yarn to crochet her legs or if I'll make her able to stand... Decisions, decisions...

I attempted to make my iPod Touch cover last week, and it was too big, so now it is an angry PopTart, LOL!

I completed another iPod Touch cover and embroidered it with a guitar! I love doing this!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

feeling inspired...

2010-01-22T14:38:00.005-05:00

So, a little birdie said she was feeling a little lonely where she is. I can't really visit her, so I decided to make her a little companion... A doll! Shhh, dont tell her!

I've made dolls in the past for little girls, or little amigurumi animals, but never a grown up type doll... So I decided to use everything I know about shaping (read: NOTHING) and make a realistic doll, meaning she needs a bust line and hips and some booty...

Here is my progress so far:

This is the front of the doll. I had a little trouble shaping her bust, but who's boobs are perfect? I happen to think I did an ok job! :)

Here is the back of the doll. Notice her waistline so far. I wanted her to be as womanly as possible. Not Barbie-ish... Her shoulders are a little broad, but I like that!

Last night I worked on her some more, and thanks to a few shaping mistakes, I decided to make her an expectant doll! I'll post more pics soon!

UPDATE: More Pics!

Thanks for reading,
@tishushu

New Item

2010-01-17T20:05:00.003-05:00

Ok, after going to Target and browsing the iPod section, my friend had the hardest time finding an iPod Touch cover that was affordable and her style... So, last night, I made her an iPod Touch cozy. I crocheted it and hand-stitched her sorority's Greek letters into the back. Its open faced so she can still touch her screen while her gadget is all snug as a bug in a rug in its cozy. No more scratches on the back! Woohoo!

And while I would love to post a picture of this delicious device cozy, I haven't seen anything else like it on the net. Really I haven't. So, I wanna make more cozies first and sell a few before I post pics. Sowwy...

The cozy only took me a couple of hours to make. It really was simple! Even the stitching didn't take me long!

Let's hope that I have time to make more...

@tishushu

PS another fellow Greek asked me to make her a little cozy for her sorority too.. Looks like I'll be busy for a while. :)

tenacity...

2010-01-14T19:57:00.005-05:00

Ok, so my roommate knows people. A LOT OF PEOPLE!!! One of these people just happen to own a store full of handcrafted goods, including crochet items....

So, my roomie took my Yamello, named for the colors of the yarn to her today. She isn't back home yet, and I've been on pins and needles about it... Aaack!

My roomie has been pushing me to get my items into a shop for a while. I'm hoping her tenacity pays off. I am way too busy to do the legwork. So I'm grateful...
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In other news, my carpal tunnel is known to whack out on me. I'm taking preventative measures and wearing a hand/wrist support... Kinda like a hose for the hand and wrist. I wanna make more stuff soon, so let's cross fingers this works... *crossing*
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I have seen a few books lately in Borders and Barnes & Noble. Fashion Geek is a great book that speaks to my developing Electronics Engineering Degree! My favorite is the piece on the cover, a hat with built in speakers and cord to run to your mp3 player! Another one is a coat that has buttons that only light up with the coat is closed. You HAVE to check this book out. It has me thinking of all sorts of projects to make with items left over from my parts kits!

C'est Tout!

@tishushu

In the works...

2009-12-14T19:32:00.004-05:00

So, I've started like fifty million projects lately.. Ok, so its more like 3... LOL!

My problem is I haven't taken pics of any of them! How dumb is that!?

I had to get a new Mac because my Orixa conked out on me... Now I have Orixa 2.0... Still an iBook, because I love them so, but now with a larger 14" screen... YAY!

I'm hoping that after this finals weeks (Thank the Uni), I will have hella time to post stuff...

Crossing fingers,

@tishushu

Completion and more Creation!!!

2009-09-20T16:03:00.004-04:00

Feeling the crochet bug, I finished a project that I started before the onslaught of my wrist gout... Its a neck wrap, in a creamy ultra soft acrylic, and the border is a novelty yarn in orange. I love it, and I will post pics very soon.

I also created an over-the-head neck warmer.. Like a turtleneck without the shirt. I like it. I purposely made it in some funky colors to keep it as a prototype, but the damn thing came out dope anyway! It is STILL a prototype, tho. Its in a fuchsia acrylic an an atomic looking orange color. I know thru this prototype to add some elastic on the neck holes. I think I'll be selling these. And maybe some of my favorite people will get one for the Holidays!

For the third part of this installment, I have started to recreate a hat I saw at Squash Blossom in Decatur, Ga. I have a feeling I don't have it quite right, but I'm pushing forward. :) Its a brown soft acrylic, and I wanna make a bow to accompany, but I have to hit a fabric store or raid my closet to find just the right b/w pattern.

On the horizon are more projects this coming Autumn has inspired! Yay, I love getting excited! I hope that next year I can feel excited earlier in the summer so I can stock inventory!

Thanks for reading!
@tishushu

feeling stagnant...

2009-06-14T18:52:00.002-04:00

I really need to get two projects completed; One is for a friend and it was for her Earthday... Plans drawn out, all materials ready! The other is an idea that I have... Make that 3, the last is my nephew's visor! Ack!

Anyone out there having creative blocks or working blocks? Working block- The inability to move forward on a project that is already planned out.

Drowning,
Tishushu

Ahimsa

2009-06-03T15:09:00.002-04:00

From wikipedia:
Ahimsa (Devanagari: अहिंसा; IAST ahiṃsā) is a Sanskrit term meaning to do no harm (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa).

I see this word so often, especially in my Buddhist practice.

I was thinking on this word since the last blog I posted about using reclaimed wool. Reclaimed wool is not hurting sheep, but I wonder if my use of reclaimed wool perpetuates the wool markets which must gather the virgin wool from my sheep friends.

As an environmental crafter (and I left out Vegan because it is necessary that we reclaim fibers in the hopes that we offset newly created ones, cradle to cradle in practice MUST include non Vegans) I am left baffled. I know there are vegans that use leather, and other animal fibers, in the form of buying used items. Would using these items then selling them for profit hurt or help? I am in no way financially able to replace every last item I own with a vegan version, nor is that environmentally sound.

OMG, what do I do?

Does anyone else have issues with this?

Please respond...

In need of a dress form...

2009-06-01T21:12:00.004-04:00

So, I love looking at crafts on dress forms, and now I really want one. I sent out a twitalert and facebook alert asking if anyone had one.

In light of the fact that no one may have one, I remembered a vid on YouTube about a duct tape dress form! I've been trying to make this thing for years, and now I have time!
Check out mimigoodwin on YouTube for her Duct Tape dressform!

So, my buddy @VonJe78 and I are gonna make one! YAY! I want mine to kinda be boobless.. Well, not boobless, but no nipples, digg? Just for displaying my wares, and I want it black, so after I make it, I'll cover it with black t-shirt like fabric. and I think I'll use a microphone stand to make it really stand! YAY!

Stay Tuned!

Happy Crafting!
@tishushu

The %*#$ clutch

2009-05-21T12:12:00.011-04:00

So, I finished the clutch last night...

So what, it's friggin cute... And the colors are quite vivid, if I do say so myself.

Again, because I'm trying to rid myself of the acrylic yarn, this is an acrylic yarn piece. Lime green Red Heart Saver yarn and some pumpkin colored vintage rug yarn make this piece stand out. Now, this isn't meant to hold your life story, ladies. Just the bare essentials: ID, lip gloss, keys, mirror (which is actually on my keyring, Z-Phi!), just the basics...

I'm actually not finished, I wanna sew the sides completely closed (only 7/8 of each side is done) and add a magnetic clasp, if I can find one. And, oh yeah! The lining!

Anyways, That's all for a while... Prof. Sharma had hella notes today, and my wrist hurts so bad now... :( I'll give it a few days, and if I really have the bug ( :)Feeps) then I'll wear my brace. Yeah, I'll wear my brace...

Happy Crafting!
@tishushu

Out of turn...

2009-05-20T15:11:00.004-04:00

So, today I was watching Sex and the City, and feeling so nostalgic for NYC in the spring.. I decided to make a small clutch.. YAY... No yay...

I have so many incomplete projects! A shrug, some hats, a hood... How dare I start another one? And get this... I'm almost done with the clutch! I started the second panel. All that's needed is the gusset, also crocheted, and a lining, and I have some yummy reclaimed fabric for it!

I finished a laptop sleeve for my x last year, but she never claimed it.. I'm keeping it. I wanna line it. I have a feeling, tho, she'll see it and want it... That always happens.

I had an interesting talk with a woman in Borders Tuesday about completing projects (wow, prophetic) and reclaimed fibers. I'm vegan and don't wanna purchase wool, but I still have wool in my house. I really wanna make some crafts with it and gift them so I can rid myself of them. My thing is, what if they become a hit, and folks request them? Well, refer back to my first post, folks... No can do...

About the visors, the band fits my nephew perfectly, so I'm gonna do the brim next. YAY for prototypes! I'm hoping some of the cool new moms I see in Decatur will ask about them! Then buy them!

I'm heading home to complete this clutch before it becomes a crutch.

I guess I'll go ahead and sell it.

Happy Crafting,
@tishushu

Tishushu-do list...

2009-05-18T14:25:00.001-04:00

On my to do list... Crochet clutches... Scarves... Fun hats... Lots of quick items!

The visors continue

2009-05-13T15:36:00.003-04:00

So... Day three of the cotton visors. I'm finished the band. Now on to the bib. More to come...

I am also trying to figure out a way to make a hoodie without making an entire hoodie.. Maybe just the hood? I think that's easy, I'll make a prototype.

Speaking of prototypes, I was talking to my friend, @soprettyashley, and I decided that I need to keep a prototype of everything I make. This is hard, tho, because I make so many things on the fly, because I am so fly... Heh, heh...

I guess that means I need to use this visor as a prototype before I really make one. President Bam Bam, my nephew, is spending the day with me Friday, so I get to actually fit him for the visor. See? How am I gonna make a prototype? He needs it!

I also got the notion that I wanna start crocheting dolls again. Nothing too complicated, just a simple thing... More to come...

Happy Crafting!
@tishushu

Creating, creating

2009-05-10T16:13:00.008-04:00

So, this past week:

1. I made a special gift for a dear friend that is the newest member of the 30+ club! Yay, L'Erin! Because she is a woman of whimsy, like moi, lol, I made her a scarf! It's a 21 star salute to my elfin friend in her favorite colors! I made 21 stars with acrylic yarn in eggplant and vermillion... Well, those are my names for those colors. They are standard Red Heart Saver yarns, Med. Purple and Claret. After I made all 21 stars, I crocheted them together with a chain stitch. She loves it! I'm glad!

This is how it looked when I blocked it!

2. I decided to put all my 100% cotton yarn to good use and make my nephew some sun visors. It gets incredibly hot in Atlanta, and I still need to protect President Bam-Bam's eyes from the sun. Hats can get too bulky, tho I may make him some in the same cottons. I purchased this cotton from mysticalcreationyarns on Etsy a few years back with the intention of making myself some tank tops. That didn't happen, lol, so now I'm using it. The yarn is hand dyed 100% cotton. I wish the seller were still on Etsy. She isn't, but I'd love to link her to give her credit for the yarn I have. I'm using the yarn and an F hook. I'll keep you posted on my progress, I'm 50% thru the band.

See the yarn?

3. I received my VistaPrint cards and I love them! They are very similar to my actual blog page which is super! The colors match almost perfectly and it was just one of their free templates! WooHoo! I highly reccomend them. And if you are on Twitter, and who isn't, check them out @VistaPrint for great deals on their alredy low prices! I will be leaving my cards everywhere in ATL and in all purchases...

Thanks for reading, and I should be able to post pics soon, if Physics doesn't kill me! And I'm hoping to open an Etsy store... Cross your fingers!

Happy Crafting!

Tishushu

Off to a rough start...

2009-05-03T19:40:00.004-04:00

So... *nervous laughter*

I tried to get everything ready to lauch this blog... But, a lot of issues came up... A breakup, a project, college life, carpal tunnel flare up... All these things contributed to my slackerhood.

Thankfully, I have been released from the disabled list, and have started creating more pieces.

For the record, I crochet, sew, knit, paint, draw... All of the above.

My next post will be pictures of what I've created so far, and, most importantly, what I have on hand.

Thanks for your patience!

Tishana

The Beginning

2008-10-17T15:12:00.004-04:00

Hello All!

Welcome to BluKnots Originals!!

This is my first blog on my wonderful site!

*So, a little about me.

*My name is Tishana. I am a 32yo vegan mom of two teens. I crochet for the love of the craft. I have been crocheting since I was little. My grandmother taught my sister and I how to crochet just to keep us quiet, I guess, lol. I made my first finished blanket back in 94 for my daughter, then I put the crochet down for seven years. Necessity made me pick that hook up again in 2001. I crocheted several hats for my children and myself, and BluKnots Originals began! I only made hats for people I knew, then they referred people to me. I love making all sorts of projects, including custom made items. My family always receives a hat from me for the winter! I have sold a lot of my finished products, even when it hurts to. Those who love crochet can understand what I mean...

*I use acrylic, cotton, rayon, novelty yarn, fabrics, and any yarns or textiles that do not contain animal fibers. One time I had a LOT of wool yarn on me from a bulk lot purchase on Ebay. So, I made a felted messenger bag and gifted it. I didn't want to be wasteful and throw it away. I have been asked to replicate my felted messenger bag, but I refuse to do it anymore. As a vegan, I need to be mindful of the harm I could bring to any being, even if it is indirect. I WILL do it in any vegan material.

*I am currently phasing out the acrylic/rayon/synthetic yarns because they are mostly petroleum products. I am also an environmentalist! I am always looking for new yarns, so if you know of some, let me know!

*So with all that said, welcome again to BluKnots Originals!

*Stay tuned for my posts!

*You can check out some of my sold projects here!

*Blog ya soon!

Tishana