Sweater fail equals bow win!

Today I was going to make a sweater. I knew it would take a ton of time, but I am so close to finishing the beard hat that I decided I should take on a third project before I finished my first. Good idea for me? Never. If I do that with books, I will probably only finish 1 if any of the three. So I started making this sweater. I made about four rows, which took forever, and then I realized that that was just the front side of the sweater. I was getting bored fast.

Also, the sweater's sizing was not American sizing, because I realized the sweater was designed for someone whose bust was significantly larger than my hips. I tried on the front neckline as a headband and it nearly fit. I used a corset closure to cinch it shut and made it into a headband. I realized it was fate! I made a white flower last night but was too lazy to attach it to a headband, so I attached that too! This headband is great because it really can hold my hair back and is more decorative than just a simple chain. I am glad things worked out! Now I am back down to my panda and hat projects, and I have a neat new headband and bow!

And now the reveal...

Here is a detail shot of the headband part.

Bow love!

- Bow Girl

Houston, we have a bow!

Today is my last day of classes for freshman year and spring WILD! If you read my post "Speed crocheting in my underwear," you may recall I made a little pink flower rather quickly. I wanted to wear a double bow, so I made a big one by modifying my pattern and it came out very cute (if I do say so myself)!

Take a look-see!

Have a bow-tastic weekend and WILD (if you are attending)!

-Bow Girl

Pandas have nothing to do with bows...

But I'm making one anyway!

Here I am cutting newspaper. Not as much fun as I anticipated, and tearing it might have been more cathartic, but I wanted him to feel semi-normal. As it goes from flat to stuffed, I think it gains some personality. The only details he has are eyes right now. Everything else comes later.


Flat Stanley? Ehh, I am not sure that name suits him...
Because in the next picture down he gets stuffed. Also, it could be a girl if you want.

Uh oh! There's a bear in the Bear's Den!

Happy day 46! I will give him more details, like appendages such, later on.

- Bow Girl

Where exactly are the bows?

I know all of you guys are just horrified that the bows have slowed down, but I am working on some top secret projects that are not necessarily bow related but are pretty cool nonetheless.

For example, a certain sorority sister of mine wanted a grey aviator... with detachable beard. I will leave her name out for reasons of privacy, but I really hope she likes it. The good news is that it fits a human head, and my head is pretty average sized for a girl.


It is a work in progress. I tend to show completed works, and yes, I am wearing a bow in the picture (of course), so you can get some bow fix for today in case you haven't seen me yet today.

Peace and love!

-Bow Girl

Bow Karma at its finest.

Someone surprised me with an easter egg that says "for Bow Girl" on it. It has a big bow! So sweet and thoughtful, especially after yesterday's bow hate episode.




Thank you, guys!

- Bow Girl.

A cute bow for an even cuter person!

My lovely and talented floor mated asked me for a red bow.

Here it is! Her and her bow are adorable together, and I know that she loves headbands just as much as I do. She's been wearing them since the 6th grade! She's definitely got me beat there!

Lien two love!

- Bow Girl

6 weeks and some inspiration...

When I first got started 6 weeks ago, I had just gotten my ears pierced (2nd lobe holes), and it is apparent in some of my earlier pictures (I think). Now I am able to take out the earrings. So I did. Then I put them back in. I like the ones that are in. I like having 4 identical earrings. It feels very me, so I think I am going to stick to the status quo. If it works and it's comfortable, why throw a wrench in the works?

Also, I wanted to revisit some of my inspiration from 6 weeks ago. I was browsing online, bored, wondering what else I could make when I stumbled upon some of the following images:

This look really can't be achieved with normal yarn, but the details are bow-tiful!

Some really cute flowers!
These use the type of headbands that cut into my head, but they are adora-bow nonetheless.
I still love this one. I also want to borrow that girls hair color. Forever. Her hair reminds me of one of my sorority sisters.

I didn't think I could make anything as nice as these things at first, back when I just made my original bow and one type of rose. Now I am much more prolific and I have so many more patterns I have invented. So funny how much changes in 6 weeks, and so weird how fast it all goes by.

Google images is a really neat place to find inspiration. I highly recommend it (and I also highly recommend using safe search in case your search has nothing to do with crocheting or bows).

42 days of bow love!

- Bow Girl

Not feeling like my bubbly, bow-bly self

I made some bows last night in the dark while watching an adorable movie. The bows didn't quite meet my bow standards. I am still not quite feeling like myself. Not sure why. I need a bow pick me up. I am a bit uninspired with my bows as of recent. I have been venturing into other territories. I am making a hat and a stuffed animal, but I don't have any stuffing for it yet, and I really want to go out out and have fun but I have to stay in and work on stuff I'd rather not do. : (

Bows will be bows.

-Bow girl

Bow-preciation

39 bowtastic days into this shindig, and I have created quite a bowzz [a bow buzz, but you know how everyone just LOVES abbreviations (sometimes even referred to as abbrevs)]. I guess that is what I wanted, but what I think everyone wants when they take on a project like this is some understanding, and I think I've definitely gotten some.

Thank you to those who have been supportive in any way.

Those who've mailed me supplies, namely yarn.

Thank you to those who have taken interest in something that I care about. I hope I have at some point done the same for others.

Thank you to those who have seen past what may seem like another ridiculous Nicole notion to see where I am coming from.

I appreciate you like I appreciate the beauty that lies in each bow. I bow-preciate you.

Thank you for putting up with the worst puns ever!

- Bow Girl

PS.
Here is a new bow I made for Edith at the Bear's Den. I am wearing a black flower that is identical to the red flower underneath, which is going to stay mine.

Black Flowers Blossom, Fearless on my Breath.

Another song reference, to the song "Teardrop" by Massive Attack. I am not a House viewer, but I happen to like that song.

Here are some shots of my black flowered head wreath. It really is somber and elaborate.

The black bow regime commences tomorrow.

- Bow Girl

Good gracious, bow is bow-dacious!

Did you get the "It's getting Hot in Here" reference? I hope so! It is getting quite hot in the Lou.

My beige bow made its debut in public today. I quite like it! The shape is good and it sits well. Best of all, now I have something to wear with this green and beige shirt! Yay for neutrals!

Happy Monday (some consider this phrase an oxymoron)!

-Bow Girl

Anticipating...

I made the black bow for Wednesday the 20th this past Friday. It is big and somber. I like it like that. Photos to be revealed on Tuesday night.

-Bow Girl

Multi-Culti Love

From Thursday to about 5 minutes ago, I was hosting two prospective freshmen for Multicultural Celebration Weekend, and my two guests could not help but notice I wear bows all the time. That is a valid observation as you all know, so I decided to make a bow. They wanted to watch the process for some reason, which was cool. I feel like making the bow is a really special part of the bows to me, but I realize that 90/100 people do not care about my process one iota.

This is the product of our bow bash. : P

Both girls were really awesome, and not just because they liked my bows. : )

It is a nude color bow to match this dress I really want to wear and this shirt I really want to wear but haven't had a bow to match. I bought this yarn on my "shopping spree." See earlier post.

Anyway, I promise I am not naked in the picture. However, I am wearing a nude color bow, so I think being nude would be fitting.

Happy day 34! Keep your clothes on!

-Bow Girl

Answering an awesomely hilarious question from my "awesomely hilarious comments" blog.

I wear my shirt with Barack Bowbama's face on it with my multicolored bow that I lost and then found again. Does that answer the question? : D Thanks for the laughs!

-Bow Girl

Awesomely hilarious comments!

I don't know who all of these anonymous commenters are, but "bow-dacious" made my day!

March 13th to April 13th! One month anniversary of official bowstravaganza!

It has gone by so quickly, but it feels like I've been wearing bows forever. I have a spot in my hair that has "trained itself" around my bows, and I barely recognize myself in the mirror without one.

One down. Eleven to go!

Happy anniversary!

Love,

Bow Girl

Doing the unexpected

It is important in life. I would like to do it more often. I am not a fan of big surprises, I admit, but I really love little everyday surprises on both ends. Something really sweet and unexpected can make all the difference. My mom was reading me this blurb during spring break about how the littlest things can have the biggest effects on our happiness. I definitely have to agree. Wearing a bow makes me feel so much better about everything in my life! My attitude and outlook are improved somehow, and I feel more confident going through my everyday life. That is the ultimate bow win!

Bow power!

-Bow Girl

Giving and getting surprises!

Today I surprised the ladies at the DUC with their bows. Don't they look lovely?

Today I got a surprise in the mail from my sister, some goldenrod thread, which is a bit finer than yarn and looks more delicate. I love my new daffodil!

Bow love!

-Bow Girl

Speed crocheting in my underwear

Today, I decided I wanted to make a bow about 15 minutes before I had to leave for chapter. I wanted to make a light pink one to wear with my pink skirt for chapter, so I stayed in my underwear in case I had to bail on the project last minute and use an existing bow with a different outfit. I was racing the clock, but I totally beat the clock! This bow is the product of 12 minutes of work... I kid you not. It sort of looks white in the picture, but it is definitely pink (see post from earlier today where I mention buying pink yarn).

There it is. It has officially been 4 weeks (28 days) of fun!

-Bow Girl

Shopping spree and turning over a new leaf

I spent about 10 minutes in the yarn store and about 85 minutes driving. But I got 8 things of yarn and a new bag to contain it all! The bag was only $1.99 and reminds me of my bedspread back home, so I couldn't resist! Plus it perfectly fits all my old and new yarn!

New yarn spools: two blacks, two charcoal grays, a pink, a neutrally beige, a red, and a yellow.

Here is the bag! I love the script and how it says "craft, create, conserve."

I also made another yellow flower for one of the DUC workers who is leaving for the summer. I hope she likes it! I really like the yellow yarn. It is a different brand that has a really neat texture, and while I tend to be a Red Heart or Lion Brand fan, I really enjoy Lily Sugar 'n Cream, especially in such a springy color! Sugar 'n Cream, what a dream!

I really like the yellow. I have a bow to match almost everything I own now. I am usually not a black bow person, but I am starting with wearing black bows on the Wednesday following this one. I will try only to wear a black one when really necessary, but we will see. I guess I am turning over my black leaf?

Anyway, I have to go do actual work now.

- Bow Girl

Formalities

Bows can be formal! I had a ball with my sisters and future suite mates!

Usually when I dress up, I feel like I look nice, but I don't feel as if I look like myself. Today I felt like I looked like a better version of my same bow-tastic self. That was a great feeling!

Here I am with my future suite! I am the one in the bow (obviously).



Lots of love,

Bow Girl

Finding my bow! And taking orders...

I found the bow I lost at Kappa Karaoke. Thank goodness! I missed it so much, and I didn't want to have to make another.




I started taking orders for flowers from DUC workers in the cafe. They wanted to pay me. I said that I don't take money, because it is a hobby and I work on my own timeline. I am not a factory. I made two of their flowers and a bow tie for myself. I love the bow tie! The flowers are good. The DUC workers will like them.



The ladies at the Bear's Den have officially started to call me "Bow Girl." Mission accomplished.

Lots of day 26 love,

Bow Girl (whoa girl, don't say no girl!)

Another Debut/Pictures in Public/They're onto me!

Today I debuted a bow that I made over break. I am not 100% sure how I feel about it, but I am also not 100% sure about most things in my life.

I have been taking lots of pictures in public places lately, and I am often paranoid that people are onto me or think I am a huge narcissist sitting in an eatery (usually) or sometimes the library taking pictures of myself (sometimes pointing to my head or to books or something). Today theses two guys sitting behind my laptop at a booth were totally onto me.

This picture captures my horror pretty well... Hahahaha.

I hope my mug shot looks better than this...

Lots of red-handed, caught-in-the-act love!

-Bow Girl

Bow Debut

I made this rose a long time ago but decided that a blue rose was weird... and slightly ridiculous (even for me!).
But then I realized every bow (that is not a rejected prototype) deserves some love and some wear time, and there are very few things that are too ridiculous for me to try to pull off in bowland.

Here is my ridiculous blue bow. I guess I will use it to work out.

Irony Part 2: Fashion Statements

Today a stranger mentioned that they liked my "fashion statement."

FASHION STATEMENT? That implies I possess an ounce of fashion sense. Now THAT is funny! : D

Ironically, even though my bows are definitely something I wear and wear with pride, I had not at all considered the fashion aspect of them. Apparently bows are "in this season," but seasons are going to end and I will most definitely still wear my bow ties and flowers, no worries.

Here is to making more than just a fashion statement.

Happy day 24!

What bows around comes arounds bows around comes all the way back around!

I hope you get the Justin Timberlake reference. The lovely Brittany, the DUC cafe employee who I surprised with the red bow on April Fool's Day (see 4.1.2011 post), gave me a parfait for free. She refused to charge me. FREE BREAKFAST! : D

I have also gotten orders for a few other things:

• Two more beard hats (unexpected request, but I love making them)
• Two yellow flowers (I don't have yellow. I guess I have to fix that)
• A white flower (I have plenty but not THAT much)

Being low on yarn can be a bummer. Being low on time can be a bummer too.

Here is my current wish list:

• Some more yarn (Black, yellow, and some other colors (some new, some replacements))
• A space to keep my bows nice (they are sitting on top of my printer right now)
• A black bow. I don't wear black bows ever. They are only for somber days. I have a somber day coming up, and I would like a black bow as I see it the only bow appropriate for the occasion.

I hope nice things you do come back around to bite you in the butt. In a good way.

Irony

I am "Bow Girl," supposedly, but I haven't actually made a bow tie in weeks. What kind of bow girl am I? I am becoming flower girl! However, I do wear my bow ties in my hair, so I think that is good enough. However, I should get some bow tie making practice in. Flowers have more options, so I guess I just got caught up with that.

Happy day 23!

-Bow Girl

22 down, 344 to go

I realize 22 and 344 do not add up to 365. 2012 is a leap year, so it is a 366 day bowstravaganza, and I have been lying to you the whole time (unknowingly of course!) I have been thinking a bit into the future, and I am not sure I will be ready or able to part with the bows after a year. A year is a long time, and I am already really attached to the bows.

I don't wear some very often at all, and those look pristine, but the ones I love very much and sport a lot might not last the 344 days in their original states. I may need to get on top of my bow restoration techniques...

I think all will be well. I am slowing down on my crocheting due to tests and boredom with my current yarn color palette. I have been making more stuff for others than myself, but I feel as though I need to go yarn shopping soon. I have a few outfits which do not have a suitable bow to go with them, so I need to address that as well...

Time goes by so quickly. It feels like it was just EnWeek and now Vertigo is over... I am wearing a lot of white bows this week. I just am in a white bow/bright bow mood. It happens.

Love to all my bow peeps!

-Bow Girl

Bow contest winners!

I will start meeting with people on Saturday, April 9th!
Thanks everyone who volunteered!

-Bow Girl

Bow moods and meanings

It has officially been 3 weeks!

Sometimes I am in the mood to wear a particular type of bow. Luckily I have enough bows to coordinate with my clothing so that I have options. Sometimes I feel like a bow tie style, sometimes a large open flower, sometimes two coordinating bows... It all really depends. Other times I feel like a big bow or a discrete bow.

Also, my bows and this bowstravaganza mean a lot to me as a whole, but each has a special meaning to me.

I wore my white bow to Vertigo because it is really cutesy and it glowed really awesomely in the black light. Such a bow win!

My lime green bow broke off the headband in public. It reminded me just how fragile the bows are. Some of my original bows seem to have some signs of aging. I guess like most good things in life, bows just don't last forever. And no two bows are exactly alike, so I have to appreciate each bow for its beauty during its lifetime. I think that is a powerful lesson for anyone to be able to see in action all the time. The lime green bow is doubly reinforced now, but it will always remind me of that feeling of losing a bow. Not in a bad way, but in the "you can lose anything in your life at any time" kind of way.

And ain't that the truth...

Here is lime green bow... Such mixed feelings about something so cutesy in such a happy color.

Bow FAQs

There are some questions I have been asked pretty often, and I plan on addressing as many as I can in this post.

FAQs:

1. Do I make every bow I wear?

Yes, I make every single bow I wear. Part of the fun of my yearlong bowstravaganza is that I have to actually make the bows. I could have easily bought out Forever 21 of all their hair accessories, but that would not be the same!

2. Do you make a new bow every day?

No I do not. Some days I make 3 bows or flowers or crocheted items, other days I make none. It really depends. Like my bows, no two days are exactly the same.

3. Did I give away bows to the worker at Bear Mart?

Yes, I surprised Dorothy with a bow yesterday. She wore it while she was working. She didn't steal it, it was an April Fool's Gift. See older posts for more info.

4. Do you sleep in a bow? What about showers? How will you swim this summer?

I do NOT sleep or shower in bows. The tossing and turning involved in sleeping would lead to early deterioration of my bows, and you can't properly wash your hair with a headband in. This summer I don't plan on swimming all that much. If i do, I will wear an old bow or make one especially for that purpose.

5. Can you teach me how to make a bow?

Probably not. My process is very experimental, and there really is no specific pattern. It also depends on the yarn, the gauge of your crochet hook, and many other factors.

6. Do you knit?

Yes I do! I actually used to be a knitter and not a crocheter, but I like crocheting better now because:

a) You can take a crochet hook on a plane. Knitting needles, not so much.
b) You can't drop stitches in crocheting, whereas dropping stitches in knitting is hugely frustrating.
c) Crocheting is better in terms of time investment. I can crochet a hat in less than two hours. Knitted hats would take more time (about a week taking breaks, of course). Knitted stitches tend to be smaller.
d) Knitting hurts my wrists and fingers. Crocheting for hours doesn't give my any pain or hand troubles.
e) 1 crochet hook does the same work as two knitting needles (less to hold, less equipment to keep track of).
f) Crocheting is more fun for me! I could list 100 more reasons why, but I am a crocheter for now!

So now you know...

Happy Saturday! Today is day 20 since I declared my year long bowfest. Pretty soon you will forget what I look like without a bow (besides my Facebook pictures)!

April Fool's Prank? No way. Bow ambush? For certain!

I made a bow to complement my bow. It is smaller and I think they look nice together. Double bows for the win!



I was going to give Dorothy, my favorite Bear Mart employee, this big red bow. But this lovely lady at the DUC asked me to make her one. I asked her if she liked red. She said, "Yes?" and was puzzled. I pulled the bow out of the bag and then I took her picture! I think it made both of our days. I made Dorothy an identical bow during lunch, so all is good in Bowland!




Happy April Fool's Day!
And maybe think about pulling a bow ambush type prank. They shock people just as much and are so rewarding!