Asking for Trouble

I've been a fan of Asking for Trouble for a while now. The designs aesthetic sings to my soul. Simple and cute.  So when Marceline announced she was offering 10 year anniversary blind boxes, I couldn't say no.

I'd been dragging my feet about spending money and missed out on her super cute Fuji-san enamel pins, so I couldn't pass this chance up. (Argh! Hopefully she will remake them.) But I was so happy when I got my box. Look at this cuteness! She drew a unique character on each box making the  number 10. Inside was a Fried Egg enamel pin, a Little Ghost fabric patch, a Planet paper cut, a Bunny & Panda craft paper, 2 Happy Stars, a Happy Cloud badge, an Asking for Trouble pencil, two 10 year anniversary stickers, a 10 year anniversary postcard, and a mini zine.

What a box! So much great stuff and as a mega-woah bonus! I won a golden ticket! Which means I got to pick a free mug from the Marceline Smith Redbubble shop! Of course I had to go with Fuji-san! Here he is brewing up some tea while I get the children's lesson plans in order.

I feel so lucky and yeah, I'm going to be buying more things from Asking for Trouble in the future. 

What's even more lovely is Marceline is a huge supporter of all things cute and has runs her own blog about all things cute, Super Cute Kawaii. You should definitely be following all of her blogs. So much cute!

Feature: June Gilbank of Planet June

(Links in this post are affiliate link, which means I may make a tiny amount of money if you make a purchase by clicking through. I am not being compensated for a favorable review, I just really like talking about books.) 

If you've ever wanted to learn how to crochet, but weren't lucky enough to have a family member teach you, then let me introduce you to June Gilbank. She is an amazingly talented artist and one of the greatest teachers currently online.

She runs a fantastic site, Planet June, where people can learn crochet basics with clear illustrations and videos as well as find some adorable patterns.

Reaching over to my pattern shelf, I have two books by June. The first is Crochet (Idiot's Guides).

I crochet mostly on what I half-remember from what my mother taught me when I was a child, so adding this reference to my book shelf has been invaluable. It gives all the basics, clearly explained and illustrated in full-color photographs. There are also some lovely patterns included to test your new found skills. 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi (Complete Idiot's Guides (Lifestyle Paperback)) is awesome for anyone who is looking to crochet their own amigurumi designs. The book explains how to transform a vision into crocheted doll. Some of this information you can find on the Planet June website, but I like to have a hard copy on hand while I'm working. There are also some cute patterns!

Now you have the biggest leg up to becoming an amigurumi superstar! Go forth and make your tiny crocheted army!

Are you in Seattle?

baby cakes

If you're wandering around Seattle, looking for something to do, why not stop check out Schmancy, at the corner of 2nd and Virginia and next to the historic Moore Hotel.

Why?

little monster with a bomb

Well, aside from being a pretty awesome store, Schmancy is currently running a fantastic show called, "Scrumdiddlyumptious," featuring the amazing plush art of super talent, Becky Gould of ScrumptiousDelight fame!

mushroom monster

I'm still blown away that she handcrafts each of these amazing plush and doesn't have a house full of elves working away on them.

spider baby

The show runs from August 13 to September 13th, so what are you waiting for?

PS. Click any of the images to read more about the plush you see here!

Edited to Add:
Many of these fantastic pieces have been uploaded to Schmancy's online store today!
Check it out!

Plush Team's Vegas Challenge

The Plush Team is so fabulous!
Every two months they give us a new challenge, which helps us think outside of our little boxes and are always so fun.

The most recent challenge was based on Las Vegas!
I must admit I know little to nothing about Vegas, so research and lots of sketches were made. Around my planning, Mr. Moons was listening to a band that covers popular rock, rap, heavy metal, punk, and pop songs in a swanky, swing band style, called Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine.

You may have heard their cover of Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness" featured in 2004's "Dawn of the Dead."

Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine currently only play in Vegas.
Needless to say, my love of lounge music and the in appropriate, led me to purchasing several of their cd's and my Vegas theme!

Here's the photo I used to base my Moon Buns. To find out more about Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine and to purchase their amazing cds, click the image!

Win a bunny from out of the frame!

Please visit her blog to find out how you can win this darling little bunny from out of the frame!

Love is in the Air

Pair o' Hares - Wedding, Anniversary or Anytime Greeting Card by FuzzyMug

Inspired by summer love and the recent engagement of one of my most favorite clients, I am working on some darling customizable Bride and Groom Moon Bun cake-toppers!

The proto-types are so adorable, I had to spill the beans a little early (even before photos have been taken!) Also I couldn't say "no" to highlighting the beautiful card by FuzzyMug. (Really! Go check out her shop!)

Expect to see the little Brides and Grooms walk down the aisle to Moon's Creations very soon!

Extra, Extra! Get your Plush Team Annual!

The Plush Team is ecstatic to present to you our first ever Team Annual, containing 120 pages of plushy goodness!

What is in store for you upon opening this marvelous book:

• An opening by our team founder, Megan Green, describing how our team came to be.
• An insightful, informative, and all-around fascinating account of the history of plush craft by our team co-founder Christina Ward.
• 42 two-page, full color features of our Plush Team members. Each includes photos of the artist's work, and text written by the artist explaining motivation, process, and inspiration.
• A time line of Plush Team activities through over the years.Profile pages providing a comprehensive list of Plush Team artists, including artist head shots and Etsy shop addresses.
• Photos of PT Stitchy, the team mascot, scattered throughout the book in his various incarnations as interpreted by our team members.

The book is full color, professionally printed, and soft cover. It measures 6.75"x6.75" (or 17 centimeters square). This is volume 1 of our Team Annual, featuring the artists from 2009. Our intent is to make this a yearly publication, updating it each year with our newest members and their incredible work.

Visit the Team Shop today for your copy!

The content of this post was copied from the Plush Team blog.

Plush Team for Haitian Relief

In an effort the help raise money for the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti, many Plush Team members are donating plush sales at the Plush Team store on Etsy. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

There are already many wonderful plush pieces available! And more are being added every day!

Pink Kitty Baby - Catnip Toy by lowellandson

BabyBeast Jo by wooldebeast

Blu - by Plush Goodness

Nailbiter by abbydid

Owl Baby Pin by Needlings

If you'd rather donate directly to the American Red Cross, you can do so through this link or by texting “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 (USD)

COLORS a charity artbook

This amazing artbook was assembled by Katie Ryan and the best part is all proceeds from the sales will go towards the National Organization of Rare Disorders.

71 artist took part in this effort.
Colors is only $20 USD + shipping and will include 114 full-color pages in a 8.5" x 11" softcover format. It's limited to only 750 books, so preorder your copy now!

I also contributed with an image of these three bees and their hive. This set is currently available for purchase at Moon's Creations. Proceeds from the sale of this set will be donated to NORD.

A Mini Break

Napping Under Marshmallow Tree (blue) by krisblues

Moon's Creations will be closing from December 24 - 27th, while the Moon Buns and I get some much needed rest. We will return with some great new designs.

A big thank you and bunny kisses to everyone who gave a Moon Bun a home!


PS. I love every print krisblues makes. So if you're looking for a last minute gift for me. *wink wink*

New at Moon's Creations

New in the shop today!

My very dear friend, Kelly of egyptianruin (aka Kelly's Keychains) made me several clay Moon Bun charms! These little cuties are at an introductory price of $6!

They come in every color of the rainbow, plus some!

Punchtree's 24 days of Christmas

Want to really get into the mood for Christmas?
Punchtree is running a delightful "advent calendar" on their blog called the 24 days of Christmas! Each day, they post an item found on Etsy.

I was honored to find that my little Rudolph Moon Bun was featured as the first design in this cute countdown. To follow this cute countdown, please visit Punchtree!

So sweet!

This is a New York Lottery commercial, but the beginning is so adorable, I just had to share it will all of you!


If you were a candy man
with eyes made of gumdrops
a heart filled with marzipan
then I'd tell you so soft
that I wouldn't share
'cause no one can have you but me
you're so sweet
you're so sweet.

Moon Buns have been spotted!

Those Moon Buns have really been getting around lately!

They've been spotted hanging out with the super, cool bunnies of Amu's World.
So cute! I love this photo!


They've also made an appearance at Sweet Galaxy's blog!
Sweet Galaxy wrote an adorable article called "I'm dreeeeaming of a whiiiiiiite Chriiiiistmaaaas..." featuring the Moon Buns!


Over at daisyfleur, Angel Moon Buns have been featured as a bunny stocking stuffer along with some other really great bunny pieces!


For not having little legs, those Moon Buns sure get around!

Thank you for all of the features!
It makes me so happy to know so many enjoy my work!

Amu's World

While at Nekocon, I met a fantastic artist, who makes the most delightful little amigurumi. (She also made some beautiful clothing for ball-joint dolls, that I hope to own in the near future.) I'm always so amazed with artists who can work with such light yarns!

I was lucky enough to get my greedy little hands on a ninja, which was quickly removed from me by Mr. Moons upon my arrival at home. Since then I've suffered at least one ninja attack every day.

Visit Amu's World, where these cute little ninjas have their own webcomic!

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?

Fan Art Gifts!

Is there anything more thrilling than when an fellow artist recreates your design in their own style and gives it to you? I don't think there could be.

This first feature is a bit of a cheat, since it was a commission. Megan Baehr recently was accepting custom orders and I requested her to draw my Moon Buns. She made this beautiful piece.

"Mommy MoonBun tells Baby MoonBun the story of the Moon Bunny who lives on the moon and pounds rice to make yummy rice cakes."

Wait, you recognize Megan's name, she's also the talented artist behind nonesuchgarden! To see more of her beautiful art, visit her art blog, Fried Wontons.

This utterly adorable pieces was sculpted by Kelly of egyptianruin. This beautiful piece is her representation of the Bunny Mines!

If you've been following me for any length of time, you may notice I refer to my crafting area as the Bunny Mines. So seeing this makes so very happy. I only wish the real Bunny Mines were so adorable!

Thank you so much ladies for your fantastic gifts! You've made my day!

Blog Features

Moon Buns seem to be popping up everywhere. They have made appearanced in two blogs recently.

Metalicious Jewelry featured a Violet and Purple Forest Moon Bun!





And For the Love of Cute featured a Charcoal and Grey Forest Moon Bun!


Thank you for the wonderful features! ♥ ♥

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

I love making Moon Buns, but sometimes I'm so close to my art that I get sick of it. I think, "If I make one more dang bunny, they are going to cart me off to a looney home." I wonder, who cares about these bunnies? What good are bunnies doing for the world?

It's times when I'm at my lowest, that I need a smile the most. A reason to keep at it. Thankfully, there are wonderful pick-me-up photos like this one of little Mary:

Have you ever seen such a cute little girl? I don't think so. This photo reminds me why I keep working on my art; to put a smile on other's faces.

Right, Mary?

Mary is the daughter of the amazing and inspirational artist RaggyRat.