blogiversary + contest
Note: don’t forget to enter my contest at the end of this post!
Year in Review
Doesn’t time fly? I can’t believe I’ve been running this blog for 2 years! Looking back to last year’s blogiversary post, I see that I’ve added 19 more original designs to my crochet pattern store, plus I created 4 more free patterns.
This year’s tutorials included lots of Amigurumi Help, the Offset Square Wrist Pincushion and the amazingly popular Shrinkydinks Rings tutorial. If you’ve made anything from my tutorials, don’t forget to upload the pics to my new Flickr group, PlanetJune Tutorial Gallery – I’d love to see what you’ve made!
I tried some new crafts: felt toys, modular origami and needlefelting – all of which I hope to do more of in the future.
This year, PlanetJune also appeared in print for the first time:
- A pattern in the 2008 Crochet Pattern a Day calendar, and featured on the back cover of the box
- My Joining Amigurumi article in CROQ Zine
- A full page of photos of my designs in the design gallery section of Amigurumi Animals
- My ice cream bear pattern and a companion article I wrote in A Needle Pulling Thread magazine (Summer 2008 issue – should be out any day now, and I can’t wait to see it!)
And, on top of all that, we moved to a new city and bought our first house, which resulted in me driving back to my old job every day for 6 months (that’s almost 4 hours per day in the car) over a very long and snowy winter – I can’t remember how I even managed to get anything else done…
What’s Next?
It came as quite a shock to see how much crochet I’ve done this year, compared with other crafting. I suppose I’ve been concentrating so much on making patterns, everything else has come second. For the coming year, I’m hoping I’ll find more time to make more things, without neglecting my pattern designing either. It’s exhilarating to try new things, so I want to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
I also have some new and exciting things in development, but they aren’t quite ready to share just yet…
Roll on year 3! I can’t wait to see what comes next in the PlanetJune story…
Thank you!
Of course the best part of all this is still getting to ‘meet’ so many wonderful people! I was going to namecheck some of my bestest online friends, but I don’t want to leave anyone out, so… well, I’m talking about YOU. Thank you for reading this, thank you for your comments and e-mails, thank you for buying my patterns.
Contest Time!
Now your reward for reading this far: it’s contest time! I’m running 2 contests this time:
- Win any pattern (your choice) from the pattern store. FYI, each PocketAmi set counts as one pattern 🙂
- Win a finished PocketAmi Mouse (shipped to you, anywhere in the world). I have crocheted an adorable little grey mouse especially for this contest… This is a rare opportunity to get your hands on a PlanetJune original!
I have small hands – he is even smaller than he looks here!
To enter, leave me a comment on this post, including:
- Your choice of prize – type MOUSE or PATTERN
- Tell me something, e.g. your favourite thing I’ve made, a suggestion for a future design, something you’d like to see on PlanetJune. Anything goes – I just want to hear from you!
If you want to enter both contests, just leave me 2 comments!
On Friday 20th June at 5pm EST, I will draw one name from each set of MOUSE comments, and one from each set of PATTERN comments. (In the unlikely event that the same person ‘wins’ both, I will contact them to see which prize they would prefer, and then draw another name for the other contest winner). Good luck!
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Lilian said
Comment #2: PATTERN please
Future Projects – WHATEVER YOU CAN THINK UP!!! It never ceases to amaze me once you know how increases/decreases work how anything you think up can become a crochet project (needless to say, i’m not quite there yet… tsktsktsk)
But… how about some food items? 😀 I’m on my way to some fruits and veggie ami’s 😀
Becky said
PATTERN
Although the mouse is cute as well! 🙂 I just wanted to tell you that you have a fabulous blog! I love the sea turtle pattern! I’ve used your tutorial to create a crochet hook roll (although, as always, I want to make another b/c this one didn’t turn out quite perfect enough). I’ve bought the monkey pattern for a friend and you’re always the first place I look when I want to see if there’s any cute crochet animals out there. 🙂 I hope over the next year to try out more of your patterns – especially the sea turtle, the woodland critters, the fuzzballs, and the daffodils. Keep up the great work!
Terri said
Or even the pattern!
I’ve been watching your site for about a month and haven’t managed to make anything yet, but I am very interested.
Terri said
Congrats!!
I want to win the mouse!
Robin said
Me again;)
PocketAmi 2 for the pattern…..
Robin said
Happy Blogversary! I love your work…
Hard decision, pattern or mouse…I’ll post twice;)
Mouse!
prongsbaby said
PATTERN
Congradulations on your 2nd year! The best part about your amigurumi is that they look like real animals! very sweet!
prongsbaby said
MOUSE!
I adore your amigurumi! They’re so cute! hmm. A patterm I’d like to see is ne for an otter! I heart otters…
kat said
Fantastic Contest thank you for inviting me to join in. I love your site its easy to read and soft colors thank you.. I love your puppy patterns the dogs are so cute ..so i guess i would love any puppy patterns and thank you for the free patterns
hugs kat
Brianna said
PATTERN
Happy Blogiversary!!! I absolutely adore all of your creations ^ ^ You are so talented!
?
maizee said
You inspire me! Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge and creativity. Would love something actually made by you–so of course I would love the little mouse.
Lilian said
Comment #1: MOUSE
All of your amigurumis have inspired me – I just recently discovered the world of amigurumi (where have i been…) and have moved away from dc Scarves as gifts 😀 *cheers*
With a baby girl (1 year old) and a baby boy on the way, I’ve made it a goal to make them as many of their toys as possible. Your patterns have been an inspiration – to see what can be done with crochet piece shaping & sewing together!
Keep up the awesome work in year #3! Hopefully crafts will inspire me to finally get my own blog going.
nataluna said
my favorite thing that i see above, is your seaturtle amigurumi. i don’t know how to crochet, but i think it’s nice you give free patterns.
if my name is drawn, i would like to have the real mouse.
Amy said
MOUSE
He is sooo cute! Congratulation on posting for two years! Your work is awesome. Maybe you should make some crocheted pastries or fruit, if that hasn’t been mentioned?
Debbie said
Happy blogiversary! I love all of your stuff, but I am especially in awe of the dogs. I’d like to enter the PATTERN contest, please.
Rachel said
I absolutely love all of your amigurumi patterns, so I’d like to enter the PATTERN contest!
Josefin said
Oooh, a contest! Its so fun!
I would love to win the mouse! 😀
One thing I would love, havent seen them anywere, is a killerwhale/orca. And of course, more PocketAmis. 😀
Mary said
MOUSE
Okay, I couldn’t resist the mouse either. He’s so cute! I have to say that one of your projects that I really like (besides all of the adorable animals) is the daffodils. If you’re feeling brave enough, maybe you would like to try daylilies? It would be a big challenge with at least six or more petals but there are so many types of daylilies that you could experiment with all sorts of styles. You can even use some sparkly/iridescent yarn since some daylilies have “diamond dusting” and color changes depending on the light, angle, etc.
Mary said
PATTERN
I would love to see you make a pocket duck! I have a whole college full of women that I know would love to have a mini-duck to keep with them. 🙂 As a beginning crocheter interested in amigurumi, you’re providing a lot of inspiration to me!
Elodie said
I would love to be entered in the contest to try and win a pattern–specifically, that fuzzy little penguin pattern! I have been meaning to get into crochet for ages, but I see a lot of “grandma squares” and such that just don’t tempt me much! That penguin really does–I looove penguins.
I think you should make a pocket penguin 😉 Big surprise there! haha!
Also, I think you should make the top part of your website a link back to the home page. I was trying to get there from this page and there are no obvious links! That’s no good if people get to a post and want to look at more, and then just leave when there’s no quick link..
JoAnn McCleskey said
My mother passed away at the end of April. I had many sleepless nights trying to negotiate my emotions. I have found relief and joy in reading your blog. Your patterns are fun and lively and have brought a smile many times. I would love to win one of your patterns.
On the lighter side of life, my son became engaged recently to a wonderful, young lady that love goats! I have yet to find a pattern for a goat! I think your next project should be a family of goats!
Thanks,
JoAnn
Sarah said
Congratulations!
The two gifts you have given me (well, not me personally, but you know) are the Sea Turtle pattern, which I drool over every day, and a great example of how to build a crafting web site. Thank you!
-Sarah
Amber said
Hi June,
Congratulations on reaching the end of year two. I always loving seeing what your latest creation is and I think my favorites are your fuzzy animals, especially the penguin. I also really appreciate the tutorials, always well written and helpful.
Please enter me in the PATTERN contest and once again, congratulations!
Amber
sunny said
mouse 🙂
how adorable!!! my friend, aptly knicknamed the Rat Queen would LOVE to receive a lil friend (er minion….) anyways i loved your shrinky dink ring tutorial. i’ve made a few although the first two were awful lessons in what not to do 🙂 thanks agian for the great idea!
Jana said
Okay, here we go! This is my entry for the VERY cute mouse!
I REALLY REALLY thank you for your wonderful tutorials! I stumbled onto your blog looking for directions for the magic ring. YOURS are the ONLY directions I have found that I could understand! THANKS! I am now using the “ring” whenever I can! I also greatly appreciate all of your step by step photo directions in your patterns! I wish ALL pattern makers were so considerate! Keep up the great work! Oh. New patterns? Great Dane! AND what we have in GREAT abundance here at Al Hada, Saudi Arabia-BABOONS!! If you ever need pics of these critters, I can send you some! Oh, and of course, a CAMEL! I have pics of those too! 🙂
Jana said
Hi, June!
Ditto on all the comments above! Did I send you the pic of the fuzzy rat? He turned out great! I made a “mini” one first with variegated 2ply yarn for my new kitty, Bibi. She has already eaten one ear and one leg half off! She LOVES her “mousie”! I am sure my daughter Kelly’s cat, Burton, is going to love the BIG fuzzy rat! I think I have bought almost all of your patterns! So, the contests? Well, I guess I would love the patterns. Or, well, the mouse, heck, I can’t choose! So. This is my entry for the patterns!
Jenna Z said
PATTERN! I love your crochet corgi! LOVE IT! I would have to amend it to make it a black headed tri but that shouldn’t be hard!
Beth said
Thanks for the generosity!
MOUSE
Beth said
Thanks for the generosity!
PATTERN
Garfield Lover said
PATTERN
I love all your patterns! I really like your felted guinea pig! I think you could do an artic theam and do a polar bear, an artic fox, and other animals like that. You do fantastic work! Keep it up!
Rebekah Perkins said
Pattern
I love all the patterns so far. I would like to see a fox or racoon added to the fuzzy friends collection.
Mouse
If I absolutely had to pick a favorite pattern is would be the Sea Turtle or the Sea Lion. They have such wonderful personality to them.
Whatever year 3 brings I’m sure it will be fantastic as always.
Rebekah
Knitmomma said
Mouse. I’ll enter both – he’s adorable, and I would love to have a Planet June original! Something else? Well, I like your tutorials, and would love to see more dog breeds (I have a mixed breed who looks like a Border Terrier, and a toy poodle.)
Knitmomma said
Pattern, please! And I like many of your patterns, the fuzzy ones are specially cute, but I absolutely LOVE your new sea turtle…and the guinea pig…and the rat…oh dear, do I really have to choose just one?
Katrin said
Congratulations June!
First thing I thought of when I read your question about what we want to see is: more amigurumis! You’re so awesome at this and such a great inspiration. I’d love to see a monkey range 🙂 Or how about tiny buffaloes? And Cowboys and horses? Or get to Africa… you could try the “big five”…
I’ll stop here. Just have to mention one more thing: PATTERN 😀
xo, Katrin
val said
Gee, where to begin? Yours was the FIRST blog I ever read…….and you inspired me to begin my own. Your blog inspired me to take on amigurumi!
I wonder what you will inspire me to do next!?
I think my favorite pattern was the beluga……
I’d LOVE to see you do an orangutan pattern…but you know that already! So, how about something else exotic….like a sugar glider or bush baby?
Oh and BTW, PATTERN is the contest I’d like to be in!
Here’s to another wonderful year! Happy bloggaversary!
KicsiKat said
… PATTERN:) I’m not really godd at crochet yet, but trying to develop it:)
Have a really nice day!
Hugs from Hungary, Europe
KicsiKat said
MOUSE:) Congratulation for your blogiversary:) Of course I would really love to hold your little mouse in my hand and would like to try your pattern, so I’m going on in the next comment…
hawkeyegirl said
I forgot to mention my thanks for your great tutorials! Thanks!
hawkeyegirl said
Congrats!
I’m a beginning crocheter and your patterns and posts have given me something to aspire to. I love the newest set, so I think I’m going to go for the PATTERN. I hope I’ve got enough skill to pull one off if I win!
Here’s to another great year!
futuregirl said
Wow! You’ve done quite a bit … and it’s all so awesome. You’re one impressive creatrix. 🙂 I’ll bet year three is going to rock. xo, Alice
Anna said
PATTERN.
Of course I want to be in both drawings. I love following your blog and I wish I could help with ideas but I can’t think of anything you haven’t done that I’d like to see. You have a penguin already too.
Anna said
MOUSE.
Congratulations! Your patterns are amazingly realistic and I love the kitties and the little squirrel in the woodland collection. Can’t wait to see what you come up with in the next year.
Robyn said
Mouse! He has to be one of the cutest things you have done. I have loved everything you have ever made but my all time favorite thing you made(which is what first made me check out your site!) was the Boston Terrier dog you made. I sooo wanted him! Boston’s are one of my fave dogs. I once said you should make a Bichon Frise because it would be easy to do. I also think your dragonfly would look adorable in blue/green or green/yellow. You could also make little collars for your Boston and all the other dogs. I also think a crocheted wolf,cow or duck would be adorable. The duck could have a little fuzz on it’s head and maybe make a matching baby or a little blue pond or bathtub to go with it. (you know like the Rubber ducky song.You know you want to sing it! LOL!) I also loved the daffodils ,your ice cream bear,well ok everything! Lol! You have amazing talent and I am so glad I found your website.I look forward to checking your site and seeing what else you have made. I can’t crochet but I do alot of other artsy/crafty stuff. Keep up the awesome work and I will keep looking at your wonderful site. Congrats on 2 years! If I win I want the mouse! It’s sooo adorable! Your fan in Minnesota.
Melissa said
MOUSE
I would love the tiny mouse. I have always enjoyed your patterns as they seem like quick projects, alas, I have only mastered enough skills in crochet that leave my attempts looking like giant dustbunnies.
Sherry said
Congratulations on crossing the two-year mark! I have really enjoyed this blog – the amigurumi animals are eye-candy for me and just looking at them makes me feel happier in the work day. My choice of prize would be a pattern since I’m dying to know how to crochet the cute little pig and bunny!
kris said
uggg – i just missed you!
happy blo(giver)sary! i should exclude myself from your contest but the chance to win one of your patterns – and a june original (my ultimate wish) is just too hard to pass up. so i want to enter both. hehehe.
i can’t wait to see what year three bring you! hopefully lots of good stuff!
hugs
k
Rebekah said
Oh such great prizes! Its hard to choose which one I would want if I won. I think I would choose a PATTERN. 🙂 The contest is such a great idea! 🙂 So fun!
Christina said
Hi June! I’d like to enter the contest…my choice of prize is a pattern. I made my first ami late 2007 and have been hooked ever since. Your ami patterns are gorgeous and unique. My absolute favorite is the daffodil pattern. They look realistic and quite pretty on a table! Thanks for sharing your talents!
dottycookie said
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I just started maked your pocket amis, and had fun earlier in the year making your fuzzy bunny, so I would love the chance to be in the draw for one of your patterns!
So I think I need to write:
PATTERN
Thank you!
neetdesigns said
June, As a newcomer to the art of amigurumi I would love to win one of your patterns. I enjoy looking at all of your creations. I have just started my own blog an hope that I can make it to a ‘bloggaversary’. Good luck for all future projects.
Nita