amigurumi tips # 1 - markings

To keep track of your row counts, and to keep rounds uniformed, use a piece of scrap yarn as a marker. Place yarn marker at beginning of a round, move yarn marker tail over the next beginning stitch as you finished a row. After completion of your item, simply pull yarn marker out of stitches.

29 Ways to Stay Creative

Motion Graphics Based on my “29 Ways to Stay Creative” by TO-FU
TO-FU: http://vimeo.com/tofudesign/videos
Original Image:http://paulzii.tumblr.com/post/3360025995

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

amigurumi anime L

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - Grape Vine Ceramics & Gift

Ceramic, Gourds, and Upcycled Glass Gifts and Decor since 1998.
My favorites are their flip flop ceramic buttons, each button is designed/cast from mold and altered into various shapes/forms then color and glaze by hand individually , no two are alike so each piece is an art in itself.....*O*.....

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - WellDressedCupCakes

*O*MGosh, yellow Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers form WellDressedCupCakes, I can just picture all of these mini pinwheel swirling at the same time in an outdoor party....*O*

crochet hooks

I recently purchased a Clover no.B 2.25cm crochet hook, it works wonderfully with sock yarn for mini creations, I tried the baby hook with my jellyfish pattern and it turned out super cute.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - LizsWares

Add a touch of LizsWares to your summer wardrobe, fun and carefree accessories in shades of blues....

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - CustomPhotoPics

Spectacular photo greeting cards from CustomPhotoPics, exceptional quality in every color detail....

Thank You to all my Visitors....*O*.....

Avocadolite Farm

I came across this on-line game today, it is called "Avocadolite Farm". All the characters are from amigurumis which the game developer had hand-handmade and sold...*O*.....clever idea....click on the photo to start the game.

Rolled Rose for Packaging

One of my favorite rose pattern is the "Rolled Rose and Rosebud" by Lesley Stanfield, which I found through Lionbrand.com:

Link to Rolled Rose pattern.

It is a fairly simple pattern to follow, basically:

Work 7 picots

R1 - chain 5, sc in first chain, [chain 8, sc in 5th st from hook] repeat 6 times, chain 1 turn,

R2 - [sc in next 7 st, sl in next st] repeat across picots, FO yarn.

Attach yarn at last chain of R1, chain 1,

R3 - [sc in next 2 st, 2hdc in next 3 st, sc in next 2 st, sl in next st] repeat 5 times, FO yarn.

Attach yarn at first chain of R3, chain 1,

R4 - [sc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, dc in next 4 st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 st, sl in next st ] repeat 3 times, leave tail, FO yarn.

Start from smallest picot, roll and form petals, use yarn tail to sew through all rolled sides.

Note: you can make a larger rose by increasing the number of picots and increasing the number of repeated section in R3 and R4.
I added my own Leaf:
[chain 14, sl in 2nd st from hook, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 st, tr in next 2 st, dc in next 2 st, hdc in next 2 st, sc in next st, sl st in next st], chain 1, work around the chained stitches: [repeat].
Leave tail, FO yarn, use tail to sew to back of rose.

I have started to use these roses as part of my packaging, they add a special touch to the packages.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - Kydel

Gorgeous slipper socks in a kimono style from Kydel. Hand knitted accessories and clothing for all seasons ranging from ladies tops, scarves, snugs, shrugs, hats, gloves and more; most items are ready to ship.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - MelissaCeramics

Exquisite craftsmanship, MelissaCeramics works are predominantly in porcelain, crackle glazes, natural coloured matt glazes, and beautifully finished off with mother of pearl luster. Perfect setting for weddings or as wedding favors. MelissaCeramics also offers porcelain beads and buttons.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - SizzleStrapz

Serious camera fashion from SizzleStrapz, not your ordinary black vinyl, SizzleStrapz offers a wide variety of high quality camera straps and camera bags that suits all taste pallets. Great gift for any occasion.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - 21stCenturyWoman

Uniquely designed with just right touch of coloring, an exquisite handmade statement jewelry line by 21stCenturyWoman, whether it be a pair of bold earrings, or a chunky bracelet, every woman should have a piece in their wardrobe.

blue Fuzzy Bunny in Etsy Treasury

Etsy Treasury "Friendship Circle" by SimplySuzie2

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - MaisonMaudie

Looking through MaisonMaudie Etsy shop is like looking through history, every single item has its own story, vintage treasures, just let your imagination run. I especially love these French Keys (there are also two other French Keys listings), as the description has it, in deed these keys have kept many secrets...*O*

Photo Editing

I love colors and color backgrounds, so to update my amigurumi photos on Etsy without photo re-taking, I tried Picnik today, where my old photo editing software can not do, Picnik did the trick, the after picture came out much more brighter, cleaner and sharper than before..... I am impressed with Picnik, it is easy to use and best of all, you can use Picnik for free on-line.

http://www.picnik.com/app#/home

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - SimplySuzie2

Simple yet elegant jewelry by Simply Susie's, I especially love this set of beautifully hand wire wrapped Tiger's Eye. I have always known that Tiger's Eyes have healing powers, and according to Gemstone Dictionary, Tiger's Eyes may very well attract money also..*O*

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - Angel9

Buttons, more buttons, I am a button nut, and Angel9 offers an unique creation of Button Bouquet for that special occasion (please click on the photo for more detail). Angel9 also offers vintage items.

Etsy Shop Hop - Helping Emerging Artists - JYOUlry

For the Month of June, I will be featuring some of Etsy's artist and crafts.
Here is a pair of photo cufflinks by JYOUlry, a wonderful gift for upcoming Father's Day (for custom ordering detail, please click on the photo):