Merry Cristmas and Hapy New hair

I didn't make anything Christmas this year (actually never made it)
it's silly to make snowman and the bearded Santa Claus in red suit cause it's hot in here.
I don't like gingerbread (the taste) and that candy cane, I don't want to have a toothache.
I think Indonesian need new Christmas tradition, cause there's nothing unique in Christmas in Indonesia (or I haven't find it yet).

Anyway, it's new year's eve!
Thank you, 2011 for the very challenging year.
Being unemployed for the half of 2011, then get a new job at the very last of 2011, oh that's so challenging!
I tried many things this years, from opening a booth in a bazaar, took some keyboard and vocal course (but I quit lol)
Finally bought my very first desktop with my own money.
Took a trip to Karimun island with my friends, getting sunburns.
Won an amigurumi contest and another animation contest.
Moved to Jakarta and living alone for the very first time.
Meet a  lot of new friends, and get many chances and facing many options.

So when anybody asking what to do for next year, it's hard to answer it, cause I think I need something new and more exciting.
it's a tradition to have something new for the new year.
I just start to work again I can't afford a new shoes or new clothes yet, so the easiest thing to do is to have new hair :)

so Merry Christmas and Happy New Hair!!!!

 made this doll's hair based on my new short hair and asymmetrical hair bang

 new hair, old bag, the bag is designed by @ayangcempaka from cocomomo

New books,  birthday gift from my sister :)

ah, now you can guess what's my next plan

a peek at the "Kids Learn to Knit" book by Lucinda Guy & Francois Hall

don't you thin the illustrations are to cuteeeee :)

Bandersnatch head guide

when I made Bandersnatch amigurumi last year, I didn't know that there are a lot of people beside me who like Bandersnatch too, and ask about my amigurumi version.

And I feel really bad that I couldn't help them, I made it too many time ago, that I don't remember the pattern,

so I can't share the pattern.
I also unable to sell it cause I only made one, and I don't have more stock of yarns to make a new one.

there's also a request for a Bandersnatch photo (and I was happy to re-took the photos)

Today I read another comment from Tonya saying now that she's learn to crochet to make her own Bandersnatch amigurumi.
So Bandersnatch fans, say thanks to Tonya cause I'm writing this guide for her, but then I guess it's not hurt to share it here, just in case anybody need it aswell.
it's not a pattern, just a guide to the head part, and sorry if it's hard to read, I have to type it quickly or I will get another back pain for typing on the floor.

right click to save the picture then ZOOM it :)

Orangutanku #11 1/2 : Mini Orangutan

I recently getting older.
Got a back pain, stiff arms, and a creativity block.
(sigh!)

Since I'm living at Jakarta, I don't read newspaper and I don't watch TV cause there's no TV and newspaper.
The internet connection is so limited in my place, I could only read some news from the newsfeed from social medias, not the most reliable source, but it's better than nothing.

I found out that recently Indonesian people started to care (more) about Orangutans, because of some bad incidents exposed.  I hope it would rise people awareness to save orangutan and you might find some more effective way to help than my Orangutanku project.

wanna save Orangutans? grab your phone/ smartphone and find your way to help them :)

Wanna Save Orangutans? Go browse the net, there's a lot of way to save them!

right now, I'm unable to make Orangutanku doll because I don't have the materials so I made a mini orangutan. Using Anna Hrahovec's tiny amigurumi technique, I knit the mini orangutan.
It took 2 days to make it, a lot much longer than usual, and a hell of back pain cause I don't have a couch to sit on while knitting, but it was nothing compared to the people at the orangutan conservatory have done.  I'm proud of them :)

The Key Chain

I still haven't got used to the new time zone.
Bandung and Jakarta are in the same time zone, but it feels totally different spending 24 hours in Jakarta compared to when in Bandung.
I used to have spare time at night to watch movie while making amigurumi, now I only have time to make amigurumi in the morning, just a few minute before I go to work.
so this week, I only made a key chain which is also a key.
I hope this key could open the door to creativity, cause I'm having a creativity block right now :(

OMGrumi: Syahrini

2011 is almost over, it's too early to conclude the year,
but so far, for me this year is "sesuatu banget", or let me say it's Syahrini's year.
Syahrini is an Indonesian singer, a good one actually.

 Syahrini a.k.a Miss Sesuatu (Sesuatu = Something)

This year she gained a lot of attention because of her phrases, "sesuatu banget".
Nothing special about the phrase's meaning, but it was become a trend, everyone now saying "Alhamdulilah ya, sesuatu banget". 
Alhamdulilah is an Arabic word to express gratitude , and "sesuatu banget" means really something.
More or less the phrase means, Thankfully, it is (or was) really something.

 "Alhamdulilah, ya, Sesuatu Banget" said Syahrini

Lately Syahrini become a trending topic again because of her "Jambul khatulistiwa" (Equatorial Hair bangs).  Nothing special about that hair bang, except that she wore it to welcome David Beckham and La Galaxy soccer team.  Many people mock Syahrini because of her appearance and attitude, especially because there are not many people so lucky to get a chance to meet Beckham (see the picture here)

 Syahrini, Jambul Khatulistiwa and that orange dress

anyway, I pick Syahrini as my first doll for my OMGrumi series. The series is about OMG thing, could be OMG you're so awesome, or OMG WTH are you thinking, but mostly is about celeb, real people.
Don't worry, famous people, I made this only for fame, not for money, so please don't sue me, I'll do my best to keep polite and respect you all.

 Syahrini for OMGrumi

People will forget the "sesuatu banget" phrase and the "Jambul Khatulistiwa" (and the orange dress she wore that time), but I don't think there's anyone better to represent the 2011 than Syahrini.
like I wrote, 2011 is "sesuatu banget".  it's not a bad nor a good year, 2011 is "really something".

ANNOUNCEMENT: Goodbye and Hello

Not really a goodbye, but definitely a Hello.

I will move to Jakarta next week, to work, not for good,
I will be back to Bandung on weekends (not every week, but Bandung is surely my home).

It could mean a big change for my life, or let's say for this blog.
I might not be able to make and post a  new amigurumi every week.
cause right now, I can't decide which yarns to bring to Jakarta or left back in Bandung.
I have a lot of tools and craft supplies which I can't bring them all to Jakarta, so for now I can't promise to keep making new amigurumi every week.

it's a difficult decision to leave Bandung, but I believe by living in Jakarta I will meet new friends, and get new ideas.
I'm not married and not looking to get married any soon, so I guess it's a perfect time to try different city.

on the other news, my amigurumi won't be available for adoption anymore because they will stay in Bandung.
so this blog back to its original purpose which is to be my personal amigurumi gallery, nothing commercial.
I'm doing this for fame but no longer for money.
Feel free to look around, leave some comments, I will love it :)

Le Chat Botte

born in France, people expect me to be able to speak French.
I moved to Indonesia when I was 4 years old, then got brainwashed by Indonesian education, so I don't remember anything about France.
it's common in Indonesia, that children learn to read and write in kindergarden or pre-school. But I didn't back then.
I barely speak Indonesian, and I think I was the only one who unable to read.
all I can remember of my early years in Indonesia were being punished by teachers and crying. Oh I hate those days.
I had to learn to speak, reading and writing in Bahasa, so my French is erased by the time.
anyway, I kept a storybook, one of my favorite book, tho I can't read it.

"Le Chat Botte" or Cat in Boots. I love the illustrations where the cat is not just plain cute but also a little bit evil and smart.
Since last week I watched "Puss in Boots", I think I need to make the amigurumi, but based on Tonny Ross' illustration.

shame on me, I failed, but this post is dedicated to the great Tonny Ross :p
as an animator, also as a knitter, I wish someday I could make characters as good as the characters he made.

Mini Frog

this one is for my sister's birthday last week.
she loves frog, and I think she needs a lucky frog charms.
I don't know if the frog will really bring luck, but I do hope my sister would be happy :)

The Forgotten Rhino

before, I wrote about orangutan, bekantan, komodo, an sumatran tiger.
How could I missed the Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus)?
I live in Java, precisely West Java which used to be the same province as Ujung Kulon, where the Javan Rhino live.
There's a live sized Rhino statue standing across the road in front of my High School.
 How could I missed the Rhino?

the live sized Rhino statue at the city hall

Thanks to Pikiran Rakyat (a local newspaper) which wrote articles about this endangered animal, now I have no reason not to make a post about Rhino.
based on the article, there's only about 50-60 Javanese Rhino left on Earth, which makes the Rhino as the rarest mammals. 
The same species used to lived at Vietnam, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar too, but now they only lived at Ujung Kulon.

Javan Rhino has only one horn, but some female rhinos don't have any horns at all.

rhino is a solitary animal, and it needs a very wide  habitat

Their extinction maybe just a matter of time because their habitat were turned into farms and there also illegal hunting for their ivory.
there are some disagreement and controversy between the government, the local residence, and the wild life conservatory organization about the solution to protect the Rhino habitat.

it's hard to design this doll, cause I failed at drawing the real style Rhino,

I can't crochet things I can't even draw using pencil.

So I don't know how to help the Rhino, all I can do is making a Rhino doll and write about it.  Probably by spreading the words, we could later found a better solutions for the Rhino. if you have more information about how to help the Rhino, please do tell me, so I can help spreading the information via this blog.

another froggy day

I never bored of this creature.
Frog!
a few years ago, I found a frog doll at a gift store,
a white frog in sweater.
I kinda regret that I can't buy it that time, cause I didn't have money back then.
this frog is not based on that frog, the shape is completely different, but reminded me of that doll.
I was planning on making this frog for my sister's birthday, but I messed up with the yarn combination.
You can't see it at the pictures, the back part is very messy :p

my favorite froggy day: laying at the bushes

watching the fish, too bad Frog eat insect, not fish

admiring the flower...

...while you are admiring my forehead (I do look cute in bird's eye view)

and singing a Frog song to welcome the rain

Free pattern: Teru Teru Bozu

in Indonesia, when you are going to held an outdoor event, it's common to specially hire a person to prevent the rain.
it can not be just any guy, you need a person who has power to control the rain, a pawang hujan.
even if it's raining everywhere, the place with a pawang hujan is completely dry.
Some says that as long as the pawang hujan not having contact with water, it won't be raining at all. 
whether it's true or not, I really don't know about it.

while hiring Pawang Hujan requires money, Japanese kid have Teru Teru Bozu to prevent the rain, which is a lot cheaper.
Both ways don't have any guarantee in keeping the rain away, but it would be fun to make a cute Teru Teru Bozu than just sitting and hoping it wouldn't be raining.
so, just in case you want to make Teru Teru Bozu in amigurumi style, here's my pattern.
feel free to use it, and if you are going to share it please link it back to this post :)
and I would love to see the result, if you tried this pattern :)

you might need to zoom this picture for better view

Teru Teru Bozu

I love the rain, I love singing in the rain.
(especially because when it's rain, people won't notice how "good" my voice is)

Tho I'm having fun during the wet season, less dust, no allergies,
there might be some days that I wish it wouldn't be raining at all.
thanks to the Teru Teru Bozu's help, he keeps the rains away.

actually I made this teru teru bozu last week, but the face had a creepy smile (maybe because I made it right after I made Pocong).  So I reconstructed the face last night.  He looked better right now :)

2011 is the Komodo's year

I made a post about Komodo last year, how I wished that Komodo Island become one of the New7Wonders.
Few days ago, it was announced that Komodo Island finally become one of the New7wonders (nature category).
Right now I'm not so sure if being the new7wonder is the best thing for the Komodo and the people living at the island.
the Komodo Island is really wonderful, just look at the pictures from my sister's trip.
the thing is, Indonesia is the worst country for animals especially when it's involve money.
let's hope that the government keep their promise not to damage the Komodo's habitat just because they want more money from tourism to the Island.

meanwhile, right now there's a big sport event held in Indonesia, the 2011 Sea Games.
the mascots are Komodos, I won't put their picture here, cause I hate the white Komodos, it's just silly.
I must admit that creating a friendly anthropomorphic character based on Komodo is hard, and my Komodo design might be worst than the mascot.
But no, I don't want to make amigurumi based on Modo& Modi to celebrate the event.
All the best for the athletes :)

AYO! KITA BISA! 

the Komodo and the anthropomorphic Komodo

Pocong!

Halloween is over, this ghost is late for the Halloween Party,
cause he can't walk like zombie, and can't fly like dracula.
He jumps, he is the famous Pocong!

 that's not blood, only part of the bricks.

as a horror movie fans I have consider making Indonesian ghost in amigurumi.
But Indonesian ghost are not cute at all especially compared to Casper.
I'm blessed cause I can't see ghosts (I'm not even sure they actually exist).
at first I didn't want to make Pocong, cause it's scary. 
But when I see how cool is my bathroom's wall now, I had too.  I mean, not everyday, you have your bathroom wall under renovation and looked like a Horror movie set :p

Pocong is the most popular Indonesian ghost.  He has been appeared in a lot horror movie, from the scary one to the silly one. And now Pocong also has twitter. well, this amigurumi is inspired by the movie based on that twitter account. I just watch the trailer recently.

Pocong itself is a dead human covered with white fabric from heads to toe, and then tied up. that's why he jumps.  it sounds silly and harmless, but believe me you don't want to meet this ghost.

Rice Cooker

I had a very unproductive week last week,
I had a stomachache due to the stress being unemployed (don't worry, the stomachache is gone now that I got a job, YAY!)

but I blamed the Rice Cooker.
that day, I chose to skip lunch because, I was bored eating rice.
like, I have been living in Indonesia for 22 years, and we eat rice every day,
"karena orang Indonesia Makan Nasi" (= cause Indonesian eat rice).

it's not considered as "having lunch/dinner" if we didn't eat rice.
in Indonesian modern living, Rice cooker is a must have tools.

You will be considered as an idiot cook, if you can't even cook some rice using rice cooker.

this tiny rice cooker were made using my new Tulip Etimo Crochet, thanks Hanna <3

News Update!

Thanks for all the support, the Kuda Lumping has won the 1st prize of "Lomba Amigurumi Nusantara"
free glass shard for everyone! Yum!

from the "Not Good" archive

Kuda Lumping

Today, October 28 is a celebration of "Sumpah Pemuda",
a day when all Indonesian young generation  vow to have one Country, one Language, and one Nation: Indonesia.
Alvine Craft, one of Indonesian Crafting community, held an amigurumi competition to celebrate the Sumpah Pemuda.
the theme was Indonesian' traditional clothes.
I made Kuda Lumping and Kuda Lumping's Dancer for the entry.
The dancer of course wearing traditional clothes so didn't break the rule, right?
please vote for me by clicking like on the facebook page  , thank you :)

 the dancer and the horse

Kuda Lumping is a traditional dance from East Java, where the dancer ride a Kuda Lumping (horse, made from bamboo).
The dancer also bring a whip in his hands. (I made the whip, but it's so ugly)
while it visually looked cute, I bet children would like to have a kuda lumping for toys, but it's actually also a trance dance.
the dancer later under trance condition eat glasses, the sharp glass shard, and they're okay, not hurt at all.

the fire was real, 

and in fact I also burn some incense to make smoke effect, 

thank fully the doll was not possessed during the photo shoot.

woo.. scary right? I never watch a Kuda Lumping directly, I don't think I could watch it.
But I'm proud of this traditional dance, it's a mythical and artistic dance.
If you were going to visit East Java, you have too watch Kuda Lumping, that if you have strong guts :p
for now you can watch the video on youtube.

the horse is the hardest part to make because of its shape.

the second scariest things for me

as I promised, I'll make some halloween themed amigurumis.
Halloween is all about scary things, for me, the second scariest things is dead rat.

it's never a pleasant thing to see a dead rat, so I'm relieved I didn't go into science class 

so I didn't have to cut any rat.

 oh, what a cute (dead) rat!

a good luck charm

Do you have a tradition, habits, or something you really needs to do before taking an important test or job?
maybe like searching for a 4 leaved clover, or maybe hug your parents before going to school?

For me, there are two.  First, keeping a secret.
The second things is, making a good luck charm.

I feel bad that I lied to my family and my friends about my participation in a local animation festival.
but, I was so scared to make them disappoint if I failed

I was very tired at the night before the presentation due to the stress, but I didn't know why, I thought I had to make a good luck charm.
the main character of the animation was a girl, but I didn't have time to make the doll,
so I made the bird (the figurine character) to accompany me during the presentation in front of the jury.

I was really nervous and I had no confidence,
I can't even watch at the other animations, they are so good compared to mine.
I almost run, and went home right after the presentation's done, really,
but maybe it was thanks to the little bird's luck, I stayed.
I got the best character award from the Industry Creative Festival.

thanks, little bird :)

you could watch the animation via deviantart or read the story behind the animation in my portfolio blog

oh, and thanks for the good lucks and the congrats :)