Otakon Preview

Just a sneak preview of what I'll be carrying at Otakon in Baltimore, on July 17 - 19th, aside from Moon Buns

Elephants

Bears

Kittens

Piggies

Pandas

I'll be in the Otakon Artist Alley at table U10. I hope to see several of you there!

Sounds of Sunday

Acker Bilk - Stranger on the Shore

Shop Announcement!

The Moon Buns and I will be in Otakon's Artist Alley at table U-10, in Baltimore, MD through July 17 - 19. I will be next to the delightful artist, Pronounced You, who's art you can see here.

Because of this, Moon's Creations will cease shipping on July 15 and resume shipping on July 21st. All orders placed between July 15 - 20 will be shipped on the 21st.

Also, many limited pieces will be removed from the store during this time to take the trip to Baltimore with me.

Thank you!

Rachel of Crochet Spot's Stars

I love stars! Love them! There's just something wonderfully fun about making stars, from the moment I learned how to draw a star using a single line. (Sometimes I doodle stars on my sketchbooks when thinking out designs.)

This pattern isn't exactly an Amigurumi pattern, but it's too cute of a pattern not to share.
I ended up making two, stitching them together (front sides out) and adding a little fluff.
Result: Awesome pudgy little star friends!

For this wonderful free pattern, please visit Crochet Spot.
Rachel was also kind enough to offer help to anyone who gets stuck.

Working 9 to 5 and then some

You may have noticed a distinct lack of new designs in the shop.
I haven't stopped crocheting, but instead am working every spare hour to stock up for the Otakon Artist Alley. This is just one box of assorted Moon Buns I've made so far and believe me, there's still lots more to make.

One design that I'm especially happy to be releasing for Otakon are these Fua Fua Bunnies. It's the largest quantity I've made to date in such a wonderful variety of colors.

I hope to see you at the convention!

Sounds of Sunday

John Coltrane - Dear Lord

Happy Independence Day

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

"Defence of Fort McHenry"
-Francis Scott Key

nonesuchgarden

Tancho the Red-Crowned Crane

Have you been to nonesuchgarden?
It's a magical place, tended by the talented artist, Megan Baehr. She started making little felt dolls in 2006 as a way to keep her hands busy. She loved every minute of creating them and soon people expressed interest in buying them. In 2008, she created the Nonesuch line and decided to take her little hobby to the next step! Since then, she has worked hard to perfect her techniques and invested in higher quality materials.

Last year, she introduced the Best Bears.
Why are Best Bears the best? Because their arms are always ready for a hug! They are excellent listeners and oh so squishable. They are large enough to not be easily lost, but small enough to tuck into your pocket or bag. Bring one along with you and it will be sure to brighten your day!

Megan is an enthusiastic storyteller and cartoonist with a love for crafts and all kinds of art. She has a BFA in Cartooning & Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She currently lives in Southern Vermont with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She teach comics classes for kids independently and through the Great River Arts Institute in Bellows Falls, VT.

Her obsessions include pre-history (namely early modern humans and dinosaurs), cephalopods, and cryptozoology. You can see these in her beautiful artwork that's also available for sale.

To find out more about Megan, visit her website or shop!
Currently Megan is has opened up some slots for commissions!

Things that make me smile

Fireworks#1 by Camera_Slayer

A long time ago, when I was still living in Maryland, my husband, then fiance, and I decided to visit my sister and her family in the Shenandoah valley over the 4th of July weekend.

She told us there was a wonderful spot to watch the fireworks, so we packed up a dinner and picnicked by a field, waiting for the show to start. We waited and waited and waited.

Finally a man driving by said there would be no fireworks that day. We all packed up and went home.

The thing is, I didn't mind not seeing fireworks. Just enjoying family and making a memory of the time I went to watch a barren field was enough to make me a smile.

Happy Fourth of July!
I hope you make wonderful memories that will fill you with smiles in the future.

♥

Stitch's Amigurumi Doll Pattern

I love this doll. Absolutely love her. She has such great detail and looks like so much fun to hug, with her flopy arms. Stitch did a great job on the color too. (Green's my favorite color.)

If you'd like to make this doll, please go to Stitch's website for the pattern.