FAQ « BitterSweet

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions… Because YOU Wanted To Know!

1)Hm, so why’s your blog called “BitterSweet?” Does it have something to do with chocolate?

Nope, I wasn’t even thinking of the possible connection to chocolate when I first created it. I was really referring to my crafts as being the small sweet things in an otherwise bitter life. While I’m happy to say that my outlook has improved significantly since then, I feel that the name is still applicable when I consider this to be my little oasis of sweet people to share my thoughts with in an otherwise bitter world.

2)Alright, I get it… But if you care about these “sweet people” so much, why don’t you ever respond to comments?

I used to attempt responding to every single comment – Which would take me multiple hours a day. Now that my traffic has continued to increase, there’s just no way I can always reply, although rest assured that I absolutely always read everything posted, and I make sure that any questions are answered. Some times I can’t think of a darned thing to say, or work gets so overwhelming that there simply aren’t enough hours in a day to do so, but I do make an effort! If you’re concerned that there are never any replies from me on the post itself, no need to fret, because I like to email everyone individually, as I would rather not clog my own pages with even more of my babble.

3)Hey, I just love your knit / crocheted _____! Can I possibly get the pattern?

If the pattern is something that I found for free online, I will always include a link so that you can access it as well, but many of the crafts I make are modified from patterns found in various books. I’d love to share these, but copyrights prevent me from doing so. I try to write down instructions when I’m creating something from scratch, but if I’m in a rush, tired, or just want to keep that one to myself, it really isn’t possible for me to go back and recall exactly what I did. Sorry about that!

4)You talk about using these “safety eyes” in an awful lot of your stuffed animals. What are they, and where can I find them?

Safety eyes are specially designed to stay securely in place in stuffed animals so that little babies (or pets) can’t pull them out and possibly swallow them. I use them all the time because I like the look they provide, in addition to the reassurance that they won’t fall off like some half-beads will when poorly glued on. They can be a bit tricky to track down in the US for some reason, but a few craft stores such as JoAnne’s and AcMore’s stocks a meager selection. If you want a nice range of sizes and colors though, I highly suggest ordering online from sites such as CraftBits. Sure, the shipping costs do add up, but I think that the quality makes it worth the price.

5)I’m a beginner at crochet / knitting and I don’t understand these abbreviations you use. Could you explain what they mean?

There are plenty of people who have graciously written up this info – Try looking here for knitting abbreviations and here for crochet.

6)Those are some nifty pictures you’ve got there… I’m a photo-buff myself, so I was wondering, what sort of camera do you use?

Older pictures were shot with my trusty Canon PowerShot A75 which is a fairly basic point-and-shoot camera, but I know it well and on occasion I can even coax decent photos out of it. I would definitely reccomend it for any beginners, as it has everything you need without worrying about lenses, appetures, and shutter speed [unless you want to, in which case you still have a little room to play around.] Now, however, I have the wonderful fortune to recieve a new little toy as a gift, so I’ve upgraded to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi- An amazing machine to say the least. I’m still making the transition over, so you may see some older, less attractive pictures crop up every now and then until I get everything figured out.

7) Hey, I have a comment / question, but it doesn’t really apply to any of your current posts. How else can I get in contact with you?

Drop me a line at hannah @ mysweetvegan . com. Just remove the spaces!

More to come soon – Keep asking and I’ll keep adding to this list!

24 Comments »

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I just started a blog on wordpress. In fact, this is my first comment. =o) I was just wondering what your name is on craftster? I’m raina.storms… and now I’m subscribed to your blog. Cheers!

Comment by rainasrubble — April 3, 2007 #

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Thank you so much for making my day! I come to your website every once in awhile to lighten my load, so to speak. You are very intelligent, witty, and very kind to share that with the world.
Emma Lemmon

Comment by Emma Lemmon — June 2, 2007 #

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Hi Bittersweet,

I don’t see a contact email, but I’d like to do an interview piece with you for the online edition of Herbivore Magazine. Please let me know if you’re interested!

Thanks,

jess
jdfunks@yahoo.com

Comment by getsconed — July 9, 2007 #

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I came across your blog while searching for vegan marshmallow tips. You are so freakin’ talented and prolific! Your photos are really vivid and professional. I’ll be coming back often :)
Thanks for sharing your creations with the world! Beautiful!

Comment by Caroline — July 9, 2007 #

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Hi!

I simply adored the little firestarter and would love if you could send me the pattern.
My Dad’s chinese astrology sign is a dragon, and I’m sure he would love to have his own.

By the way, I’ll be making up the Slide of Cake for my boyfriend as a permanent birthday cake. He’s mad about chocolate, so I’m sure he’d adore it.

I love your blog, especially the little stories about your fuzzy friends who pop up.

:O)
Katrina

Comment by Katrina — July 15, 2007 #

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Hi
Just wanted to say how awesome your work is.
I know my grandaughter would love your work.
Maybe someday will try doing more things so small.
Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Just love the miniatures.

Annette

Comment by Annette — July 24, 2007 #

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I wanted to say how much I love your blog. I am a newbie at crochet, but I am going to try and tackle some of your patterns soon. They are so cute!

I was also wondering if you had a recipe for sweet and sour mock chicken or know of a company that makes it pre-packaged. I had some a few days ago and loved it. :)

Comment by crafty carolinagirl — August 2, 2007 #

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Hi, today is my birthday and I would l like to use the your photo of a slice of knitted birthday cake on my blog — with proper attribution, of course. The photo is in your September 27, 2006 post, “Let Them Knit Cake.”

Thanks!

Comment by kmkat — August 10, 2007 #

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Thank you SO much for putting the time and effort into this gorgeous website. Having suffered from a gnarly milk protein allergy all my life, it is awesome to find such a great resource! I absolutely love your food reviews, the organic/alternative/non-dairy product world can be a scary one where disappointments with product are both expensive and frustrating. Thanks Again!

Comment by SashaSoy — October 28, 2007 #

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I love the creations, love the photos, love the stories. Ok, so you don’t always write up the patterns, but it would be fabulous to buy a printed book (or booklet) with the photos and stories that go with them, just so I could enjoy them all together in one place. A party!

I’ll keep an eye on the blog, hoping that this will be something you’ll be able to put together and sell to us one day!

Comment by Debbie — November 10, 2007 #

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Please post the Pattern for the scarf made from the “Love It Colors/ “Monday, Monday”. I knit, I “Vegan”, I enjoy life immensely, and would, very much, like to knit this scarf.

Thank you, Hannah…Peace, Carol

Comment by Carol — December 6, 2007 #

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Hi, just wondering in your recipes do you use shortening as in Crisco? I would love to make some of your recipes BUT I highly disregard the use of hydrogenated oils. Thanks for your time!

Comment by Giggles — December 20, 2007 #

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Love your comments re: the name of your blog, I can relate! Also love your avatar photo, beautiful. Thanks for stopping by my blog too….

Comment by veggiesyarnsandtails — January 6, 2008 #

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Just wanted to say congrats on your 2007 Best Food Blog award from Go Dairy Free!

I’m so glad I read that newsletter! Very excited about the Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream you featured.

I look forward to coming back to your blog often!

Again, Congrats!
dd

Comment by dd — January 25, 2008 #

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Hi Hannah – I run a charity knitting and crocheting froup called Loving Hands – our site is http://www.loving hands.org.uk if you would like to have a look – we even have a Blog and a Forum – though not as great or as busy as yours! :0)

One of my ladies would prefer to crochet the boobs we make for breastfeeding classes and for ladies like your friend who have had mastectomies. I know it is a big ask but could you possible send us the pattern you devised to crochet them? Our pattern is knitted and she and many of our other ladies do prefer crochet :0)

Thank you so much and keep up the great work! :0)

Comment by Lou Jaap — January 26, 2008 #

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Hi Hannah – i made the Coconut Custard Pie . It was really good. I did not make a crust and it turned out great. Should I keep it in the fridge ? Thank you again for a delicious recipe.

Comment by Bev — March 27, 2008 #

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Hi Hannah,

I just bought a copy of your wonderful book “My Sweet Vegan!” I was wondering, though, if it would be possible to substitute olive oil for the shortening and margarine in some of the recipes. I realize that it wouldn’t work in frosting, but would it work for the cakes, brownies, and cookies?

I love the book!! Thank you for your help!

Lori

Comment by Lori — March 29, 2008 #

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Dear Hannah,
I love your blog and pictures. BTW, what type of camera are you using? I’d like to improve on my photography skills. :) Continue the great work!!

Comment by Lucy — April 3, 2008 #

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Hi Hannah: Sorry again that the photo credit got dropped, I love your site! Will

Comment by Will Potter — May 19, 2008 #

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I ADDED YOU TO MY LINKS
I HOPE YOU DON’T MIND!!!

Comment by topstitch — June 11, 2008 #

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Hi really enjoyed your blog so much that I added your link to my blog, I hope you don’t mind…

love sheila xx
http://sheila-sheelagh.blogspot.com/

Comment by sheila — June 20, 2008 #

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Даже и не придирешься!

Comment by протезирование зубов — August 12, 2008 #

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Hi. I love the way your blog is presented. I have kind of started my own blog to showcase which recipes I’ve prepared, and I have a question for you! How did you do your “Recipes A-Z” section? I love that. I’ve googled for 2 days straight and cannot figure it out! Lol. Maybe you could help me with that? Thank you so much. =)
WGD

Comment by WGD — December 1, 2008 #

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Hi, I added your link to my Vegan Info LJ – a plethora of Vegan Links.

http://veganinfo.livejournal.com/

Have a happy day :)

Comment by Soaked and Sprouted — January 19, 2009 #

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