Let's make happy
Mochimochi Land News
New Cross-Stitch Pattern Coming Soon
Nov 11th
I decided to do something a little different as a holiday/winter pattern this year: it’s a series of three cross-stitch patterns featuring the Mochimochi Elves!
Here’s a peek:
Maybe you can see from this photo what is happening in the three little scenes… or maybe you will have to wait to find out for sure.
Coming to the Mochimochi Shop next week!
One More Week to Enter!
Nov 9th
You have one more week to enter the 2009 Mochimochi Photo Contest! (The deadline is next Monday, November 16th.) That’s plenty of time to knit up a Mochimochi Land toy, snap a funny/cute/awesome photo, and upload it to the Mochimochi Friends Flickr group.
Here’s another peek at some of the prizes from Japan that will go to the first place winner:
The winner will also get gift certificates to the Mochimochi Shop and to Knit Picks. (2nd and 3rd place will also get prizes.)
I’ve been really impressed by all of the creative entries we’ve gotten so far this year. But I hope we get even more by next week!
Tips for a Great Photo
Nov 3rd
Have you entered this year’s Mochimochi Photo Contest yet? If so, you are all right by me! If not, here are some tips on how to take a great photo. (You have until November 16th to enter!)
Use natural light when possible
image by kathrynivy.com
Natural sunlight will give you a nice, bright image, which will also help make your photo as sharp as possible. The best kind of natural light is soft and indirect, like the light you get on a slightly overcast day.
If shooting with artificial light, steady your camera
If you need to shoot using artificial light, turn off your flash—flash usually makes some parts of your photo too bright, and it also creates harsh shadows. Instead, light your subject as brightly as possible, and make your camera as steady as possible by placing it on a surface like a table or a stack of books.
Focus!
image by giolou
If you’re using a regular point-and-shoot digital camera, you’re probably using automatic focus. If you’re shooting something up close and your camera doesn’t seem to be focusing the way you want it to, see if your camera has a “macro” setting that will let you focus in on something close-up. (On my camera, it’s a button with an icon that looks like a flower.)
Those are just some technical basics for how to take a good photo. But how do you take a good photo for the Mochimochi Photo Contest specifically? Here are a few ideas!
Tell a story
Some of my favorite photos of Mochimochi Land toys are the ones that show a story unfolding, either in a single photo or in a series of photos. Who is your toy and what is he or she doing in their environment? Epic battles and love stories are espcially fun.
Combine different toys for maximum cuteness
image by mariannes stuff
Unorthodox pairings make for interesting subject matter!
Multiples are adorable
image by Purple Heather
Enough said, right?
Make the design your own
It’s true—some people’s versions of Mochimochi Land toys are way more interesting than the original! Don’t hesitate to embellish a pattern with your own touches or even alter the design a bit (just not beyond recognition) to make something unexpected.
Cute animals don’t hurt!
image by teekayknits
Got a cute doggie or kitty? Or some chickens, perhaps? Everyone wants to see them alongside a funny toy.
Those are just a few tips and suggestions (and super example photos) to jump-start your own creative photo ideas. Feel free to adhere to the above, or try something completely different. Got other photo tips? Please share them in the comments to this post!
Plush You! Online
Oct 22nd
The toys from the “Plush You!” show are now available for all to see and purchase online! That includes my three Mossy guys, which are one-of-a-kind knits available only through this show. The Seattle show will be up at Schmancy (where my toys are on display), Nancy, and Fancy until November 12, and at Bluebottle until October 31.
Mochimochi Mentioned on Knit Picks Podcast
Oct 21st
I had an awesome surprise today when I listened to a recent Knit Picks podcast—they were talking Mochimochi!
Angela, one of the staff at Knit Picks, had told me last month that she had mentioned me in an upcoming podcast, but I wasn’t expecting such a thorough discussion of my patterns. My designs were also brought up by Stacey, another staff member on the show. How nice! The theme for this particular episode (number 117) was “Impractical Knits,” a genre of knitting that I pride myself on being a part of.
You can hear the full episode, which is hosted by Kelley Petkun, on the Knit Picks website.
You may have also noticed that Knit Picks is contributing prizes to the Mochimochi Photo Contest this year. (This is unrelated to the podcast, by the way.) So be sure to enter so that you have a chance to get some yummy yarn in addition to the other prizes!
