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!
rainasrubble said,
April 3, 2007 at 7:09 pm
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!
Emma Lemmon said,
June 2, 2007 at 10:54 am
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
getsconed said,
July 9, 2007 at 2:02 pm
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
Caroline said,
July 9, 2007 at 10:27 pm
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!
Katrina said,
July 15, 2007 at 6:24 am
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
Annette said,
July 24, 2007 at 7:01 pm
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
crafty carolinagirl said,
August 2, 2007 at 1:50 pm
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. :)
kmkat said,
August 10, 2007 at 11:16 am
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!
SashaSoy said,
October 28, 2007 at 5:48 pm
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!
Debbie said,
November 10, 2007 at 1:45 pm
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!
Carol said,
December 6, 2007 at 3:47 pm
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
Giggles said,
December 20, 2007 at 1:17 am
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!
veggiesyarnsandtails said,
January 6, 2008 at 2:13 pm
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….
dd said,
January 25, 2008 at 3:36 pm
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
Lou Jaap said,
January 26, 2008 at 7:07 am
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)
Bev said,
March 27, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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.
Lori said,
March 29, 2008 at 10:50 am
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
Lucy said,
April 3, 2008 at 3:21 pm
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!!