Knit And Crochet Design Week: Day Six, Finishing Up, And Pattern Design!!

 This is the last day of design week! It was really fun, and I actually like blogging every day. :)  I finished panda today, and now it's time to show him off! But first, I'll show you the pics leading up to his creation.

 Here are panda's various disembodied parts. >
 His arms at the top.
His ears in the middle.
His legs at the bottom.

















                              

                        <  Here are pics of panda being assembled.                              I've learned that it is not only helpful, but almost necessary to have work-in-progress pics if you are going to write a pattern to sell.Before I learned to write my own,  I used to buy patterns, and print them off of the internet. The patterns that were all text were at best O.K. But patterns with pictures to illustrate the idea or technique were much easier to follow.

                                                                         

Here he is all sewn up! >

 And here he is with his little shoes!! They turned out a little different then I expected, more like sneakers than rainboots.

Aren't they cute though? :)

I think I may write this pattern up to sell. Usually if I write the pattern down for myself, it turns out sloppy. However, If I have intentions of selling the pattern, I'm more careful (counting stitches, writing out complete sentences and not just scribbles...etc.) I have been trying to train myself to write ALL my patterns down carefully.If I write a pattern down hap-hazardly, and I want to try and sell it, I have to re-make the item, making sure to write down any details I may have missed, and to count my stitches. After I write them out, I have to type them into the computer, add pictures, and double check my design. It takes a lot more patience then I used to think, but filling my little notebook up with my own original patterns, makes me feel happy! I love writing my own patterns. It's a great feeling when I see pictures of sweet little plushies somebody made with my Designs!

                     Panda turned out pretty cute, so maybe I'll make some more! ^-^
                             I'll probably put panda in my Etsy store soon.

                             Be sure to check out everyone's final design posts, here.

Knit And Crochet Design Week: Day Five, Mess-Ups

Ok, So this is gonna be a fairly short post, because I haven't really made very many mistakes with lil panda so far (I'm happy about that lol). Anyhoo, the biggest problem I had was picking the yarn to go with my white. I delayed starting because I couldn't find a yarn that I liked. I ended up using Caron's Simply soft, in light country blue. It matched my felt, and it's, well...soft.

It's a tiny bit thick for the yarn I'm using for the head, but with a tiny (and I mean tiny) crochet hook, and tight stitching, it's working out alright.


The biggest mess-up I've had so far is panda's nose. I must have stitched it up and pulled it out three times! Here is a slightly disturbing picture of panda as i ripped out his nose for the second ( or third, I kinda lost count) time.

                                   It kinda looks like he's being eaten alive by blue worms (shiver)
Thankfully, that problem was resolved. I have finished panda's body and ears, I should have more pics tomorrow!

       Be sure to check out Stacey's post, and see what my fellow designers are up to HERE!!

New Yarn + Logo Idea!

Hi Everyone! I went to Big Lots a few days ago, and they were having a 20% off sale on everything in the store! You know what that means? 80 cent yarn! Nothings better than brand new yarn at bargain prices!

I especially like the blue :)

It's pretty yarn too! I wonder what cuties will be created from these? I usually don't buy fancy yarns unless it's on sale. The main reason I refrain from buying is because I have a ton of yarn already (bins and bins full). The second reason is because I'm cheap lol (I'm not ashamed, it's a fact).  I did buy quite a bit yesterday though. in addition to the yarn, I bought beads, an 8 gb sd card (for my new nextbook tablet!),some tissue paper, and a pack of mechanical pencils (one can never have too many pencils).Now I have to force myself not to spend money for a while!

                I made another custom ninja! These babies are selling like hotcakes!! Here he is! :)

A tiny warrior with a blue suit and blue eyes! He will be shipped off to his new home soon! :D

I also said farewell to Isabel! It's sad...I really liked her...."sniff"....Oh well no need to get teary eyed, I'll just have to make her sister or brother to keep me company! ;}

My parents gave me their old scanner, so I have been messing around, trying to make a good logo for my shop, here is one picture I scanned in, and colored on photoshop. It's a bearling, I really like it! I'm hoping to make a recognizable logo for my store, maybe this will be it! I am hoping to design some business cards soon as well! What do you think? Is this good enough to be a logo?

Isn't he a sweety?!

                  I'm working on a blue something, not sure what it is yet, but it's something!

A blue something...?

                                                             Will post more soon!

                                                                 xoxoxo -Brea

Work In Progress And A Nifty Book

                        It's wednesday again!! Here is my Work-In-Progress pic of the day!

An Anime Style Blue Doll

She's going to be a doll....but I'm not entirely sure what kind yet. I've gotten her hair done, but you will have to wait to see that. ;} I haven't made a regular sized doll in quite some time! It's slow going right now, I just need to sit down and get to work!!

I just finished writing chapter four of my novel!! I'm about to begin chapter five (the middle section will be the most difficult I'm sure) :P

While I'm on the subject of books, here is a great one my cousin picked up for me at the library! This is a great book, if you feel your shop is lacking, or, are a new seller to Etsy, and need some tips and tricks.

It tells you how to get the most exposure on social networking sites, and has step by step instructions on starting, or revamping, your Etsy store!

I was inspired by this book, and made a new banner for my store! Maybe a custom twitter background is in order next..?

How to sell your crafts online: by Derrick Sutton

I should have more pics of the little blue doll soon! Talk to you later!