New Squirrelies!

The store has been fully invaded with Squirrelies!

These delightful designs will be available throughout the Autumn season but will go into hibernation on December 21st until next year.

Drape me in Bunnies

Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite bunny themed items from Etsy.

Belle Hugs Boo Tote Bag by belleandboo

Pink Bunny Mary Jane Shoes by emandsprout

Bunnies Sterling Silver Charm Necklace by CharmStar

Little Bunny FuFu Babydoll Dress by Deadworry

I love typing in a random word like "Bunny" or "Zombie" and seeing what wonderful things pop up. What are some of your favorites from Etsy?

Beansprout Creations' Mouse

Beansprout Creations has recreated the lovable mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!
This was one of my most favorite books growing up.
Say it together, Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

If you'd like to make your own Mouse get the free pattern from Beansprout Creations blog here.




Hey pattern writers!
I'm already knee deep in my busiest season ever and don't seem to have the time to search the internet for cute, free patterns. If you'd like your pattern to be featured, please send me a note or leave a comment with a link!
Happy crocheting!

Squirrelies

The Squirrelies are back for Autumn!
Keep your eyes on the shop as new colors will be released as soon as I can make them.

Autumn is tomorrow!

Sweet Chestnuts by Colin_30d

The official start of Autumn is tomorrow!
I'm so excited. This is definitely my most favorite time of the year.

Yesterday I went to a friend's house and gathered chestnuts.
Roasted chestnuts! Yum!

Lion Brand's Genie the Ghost Pattern

Halloween is coming and Lion Brand has come up with some adorable patterns for the season, including this cutie ghost!

To get your free pattern, you're required to sign up on the Lion Brand website. It's free and totally worth it for the great patterns!
Get your free pattern here!

Etsy Tip

I always feel rather high-handed giving tips about how to sell on Etsy, but with the nearing of my 1,000th sale, I feel a little more confident in sharing a bit of my experience.

My tip is this, take good photos.
You don't have to take phenomenal photos right out of the starting gate, but try to take good photos and remember, you can always update them.

You can see the first photo was my very first listing for a Fawn Moon Bun. This was taken with a hand-me-down digital camera the size of a paperback novel.

The second photo was my first time using a lightbox. Of course I made it in the dead of winter, when sunlight isn't it's strongest.

The third photo was when I started using props in my photos. Of course why I angled down on the photo I don't know. I had figured out a little about my camera, but certainly not how to focus. (lol!)

The fourth photo is my newest version. I must say I'm rather pleased, although I'll likely be mortified by it in a year's time. More props, More light, Less blur!

Remember when taking your photos for your Etsy listings, this is what people will see first, so try to make it a good experience. Try to offer a variety of angles or size relationships. Use all 5 of those photo spaces. Also show off the back of your creation. I feel, if I'm embarrassed to show any angle of my design, I should be embarrassed to offer it for sale.

Best of Luck!

Zombie Jinx and Minx Moon Buns

I've been working with the creator of Jinx and Minx to remake his Zombie versions of his lovable characters. They are available for preorder now!

But Zombies don't last long, the last date to preorder your Zombie Jinx or Minx (or both!) is October 31, 2009.

Things that make me smile

Power Line Structure and Overcast Sky by The Upstairs Room

I can't believe I haven't done a smile post since July! That must mean I've been very busy and very greedy with my smiles. Shame on me.

This week has been one of my favorites. Everyday has worn a thick coat of grey. It's not been rainy or dreary, just big, beautiful grey clouds streaming across the sky. The temperature has taken a pleasant nose-dive into the low 70's and high 60's.

This is my favorite type of weather. Just a cool, cloudy with a small sprinkle now and then. These sorts of days, I wish I could just stay home and lounge about listening to dreamy jazz and drinking more cups of coffee than are good for me.

Planet June's Amigurumi Acorn

For me it's Autumn. I know it's not officially autumn, but from the moment September peeks it's weary head over August, I'm looking towards cool weather, brightly colored leaves and pumpkin spiced everything!

Search for a good free pattern to feature today, I stumbled upon Planet June's adorable acorns! I could just squeal, they're so precious!

Make up a batch of acorns and throw them at friends or if you're a nice person, you can give them as gifts. (But plush acorn wars are pretty fun. )

Get your free pattern at Planet June's blog!

Cthulhu Moon Buns

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

Take fear mortal as you look upon the Dread Cthulhu Moon Bun. The Great Old One who invokes abject terror.

Its great tentacled head and dragon-like wings. Surely the end of the world is near. Or at least Halloween!

I've been endeavoring to recreate some of the more popular designs from the 31 Amigurumi in October series. These are a few of the first. Hopefully time will allow for more re-releases!

Gumi-Gumi Island Giveaway!

I just ran across the wonderful Gumi-Gumi Island blog and can I just say her amigurumi designs are fabulous. They're so unique and utterly adorable. She's currently holding a contest, where you can win one of these darling amigurumi.

Visit her blog now to see how you can win!

Kitty-gurumi

I've been so busy, I completely forgot to upload the first of the Kitty-gurumi designs I released on Tuesday. Many of these Kitties are still in the shop while others have sold. Those sold are commissionable (that means you can request a custom kitty).

Still busying away in the Bunny Mines. I've got a show coming up in November and nearly nothing ready. Not to mention the big 31 Amigurumi in October and several art shows. One step at a time. I can do it.

The Kitty-gurumi Contest Winner is...

You guys made this decision so hard, I ended up choosing two kitties!
The first winner is Sweety, owned by Kelly.

According to Kelly, Sweety, whose formal name is Ghost, was from a litter of 6 to Kelly's aunt's cat. All her brothers and sisters were normal little kitties but she was special. Before she opened her eyes Kelly held her and she mewed in a very high pitch voice and clung to Kelly. When she opened her eyes they discovered that she had both a blue eye and a brown eye.

Mystified they wanted to keep Sweety all to ourselves. She came home in a hat, curled up into a ball, sleeping soundly. When they introduced her to the other cats they hissed, but she ignored that and pounced on them anyway - shocking everyone. Come to find out Sweety is deaf. She can't hear anything you say to her but can feel the vibration of your voice when she lays on your chest and her sense of smell is spectacular. He favorite food is plastic so they have to keep it away from her. Sweety now reigns as head of household at Kelly's mother's house still mewing in her high pitched tone when she is hungry.


Kelly won an amigurumi recreation of Sweety. The photo above is that of the version that is available in the Moon's Creations shop.

The second winner for this contest was Emily of Follow the White Rabbit.

Someone bit their tongue!
Originally uploaded by Emily ♥ Follow The White Rabbit

This photo of her cat, Lucky, won me over. I loved the look of his bright green eye and that darling little pink tongue!

It was only after I'd contacted Emily, that found out Lucky had two different colored eyes as well.

She had this to say about Lucky, he bites his tongue by accident from time to time. He'll be licking his fur and then get distracted mid lick. He forgets that his tongue is out and keeps it stuck out like that for a few minutes until he remembers to put it back in his mouth again!

Both of his eyes started out green, but his right eye started changing to a rust colour over time. Now he's 14 and his right eye is completely rust coloured. He can see fine out of both eyes - the vets are totally baffled by it!

Emily won an amigurumi version of Lucky and you can purchase him in my shop.

Thank you to everyone who entered in their kitty into the contest. You all have wonderful cats and I really wish I could have made each one of them.

To see all the entries into the Kitty-Gurumi Contest, please visit here.