BLOG

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 13.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

A cute cloth version of those little cellophane carrots you can fill with candy.

2012

This is SUCH a fun project! There’s a pineapple juice can in there, so any rocks (or other hard things) collected land with a very satisfying thunk. My daughter loved this thing when she was little. 😁

2013

This little felt bird is so beautiful! And super easy to stitch!

2014

A video tutorial showing ALL the steps.

2015

Make a whole fluffle of bunnies with this FREE pattern!

2016

Everything you need to know about my particular method for Quilt As You Go and applique.

2017

Starting the second round of an amigurumi can be a little bit tricky. This post will get you over that hump – and then it’s smooth sailing.

2018

An easy project for beginners – and a great way to use up yarn scraps!

2019

My daughter’s favorite crochet pattern. She’s made so many of these little guys!

2020

Remember when everyone was sewing masks? My daughter made and donated over 1000 of these!

2021

I drew this silly green giraffe for a screen wallpaper. I make a new one every month, but did you know you can still get all the old designs? There are TONS to choose from!

2022

I designed this pattern after I watched Turning Red. Red pandas are so cute!!!

2023

I love that stripey tail!!!

2024

Ten Happy Things – the Floral Edition.

Let’s tiptoe down memory lane to see what I was doing during the twelfth week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. 🙂 Click on the images to go to the posts.

Want this round-up delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

2011

Over a decade later and this is still how I organize all my thread. That’s a storage system that works.

2012

People have stitched these on so many things – baby onesies, bibs, blankets, burp cloths – and those are just the things that start with B!

2013

The tutorial includes instructions for using a sewing machine (best for bigger softies) and also hand sewing (best for little felt softies).

2014

A cuddly bunny with adorable kissable toes

2015

An extreme decrease. 😁

2016

Stitch an itty bitty chick – with or without the applique.

2017

If you have an embroidery machine – this is the post for you! Free files for satin stitched ovals in many sizes – formatted for most embroidery machines.

2018

All made with easy-to-find supplies from any home improvement store.

2019

A super easy pattern, great for beginners.

2020

A set of sweet printable bears.

2021

A sweet little house wren – bird #47 in my 100 Days Project in 2021. That project ended up becoming the Backyard Birds mix & match pattern!

2022

I can’t believe I waited so long to buy a light box! They’re really inexpensive and make positioning applique pieces so dang easy! (The post includes a link to the one I bought.)

2023

I tried a 100 Day project that fizzled out – but I do love the ones like this that I drew in a style inspired by mid-century modern design. I may revisit these someday.

2024

A cute cow – you can make it with or without the horns, spots, and eyelashes. 🙂

Let’s tiptoe down memory lane to see what I was doing during the eleventh week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. 🙂 Click on the images to go to the posts.

Want this round-up delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

2011

Hee hee! I love this little guy!

2012

One of my most frequently asked questions.

2013

My favorite stitch for sewing felt pieces together.

2014

Make some bunny ears and fancy eggs for all your stuffed toys!

2015

A free pattern for some fun baby toys made entirely of triangles.

2016

One of my very favorite free patterns – a gorgeous stitched Easter egg.

2017

I always start quilting in the middle and then work my way out – but that means something different depending on whether you’re machine or hand quilting. In this video I explain both options.

2018

This is the same technique and materials I use for softies – adapted to use in quilt blocks!

2019

An adorable chubby penguin.

2020

A sweet giraffe.

2021

Adorable mix & match bunnies with many moods.

2022

The quilting lines are printed right on the blocks, and they’re in color-coordinated bundles. An easy peasy way to get started!

2023

Just one of the options in the lush Moths and Butterflies collection. The same design is available in every color of the rainbow, and scales that will work for everything from bedding to baby clothes.

2024

An adorable paper collage version of Beckham Bear and a discussion of musical and artistic covers.

2025

The chicken pattern includes templates for both a rooster and a hen. 🐓

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 10.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

One of my most popular free patterns – this one is especially great for kids learning to use a sewing machine.

2012

My very favorite product for hand embroidery.

2013

So neat and tidy.

2014

Perfect for making little felt critters.

2015

Several ways to make this work.

2016

A free pattern for a simple outfit for your Dress Up Bunch dolls.

2017

Change the layout of a basic quilt by adding half-blocks.

2018

Perfect for bunnies, elephants, and more.

2019

One of my favorite crochet patterns.

2020

I love returning to a favorite pattern and making multiples in a rainbow of colors!

2021

A white-breasted nuthatch for my 100 Birds project, which became the Backyard Birds pattern.

2022

My favorite Quilt As You Go designs all gathered up in one handy place.

2023

Pretty printable posies.

2024

I finished a new quilt! Cheater fabric, all hand stitched with Big Stitch Quilting.

2025

New printable art – a cute raccoon in my favorite cut paper style.

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 9.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

One of my easiest softie patterns.

2012

That dog pattern is originally 2 inches tall.

2013

For adorable animal ears.

2014

It’s easier than you think.

2015

Crocheted? Plastic? Felt? Embroidered? Buttons?

2016

No glue needed.

2017

Reversible dress, two applique designs. and sweet felt eggs.

2018

A free pattern.

2019

An adorable hound dog.

2020

Learning to use Procreate on my iPad.

2021

A red-winged blackbird for my 100 Birds project, which became the Backyard Birds pattern.

2022

Sweet snail.

2023

A handsome fellow.

2024

Happy Little Clouds fabric! (Yes – every time I say the name I’m channeling Bob Ross.)

2025

Want to add eyelashes to an applique (or stuffed animal) pattern? Or change my usual oval eyes to peaceful, closed eyes or crinkly, smiling eyes? This post has all the info you need – and a free download of the eyes in different sizes.

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 8.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

My favorite way to sew up the stuffing hole in softies – and I also use it for a lot of mending projects.

2012

Step by step in plain English.

2013

I love this cutie.

2014

With adorable rickrack teeth.

2015

A book review.

2016

Hand quilting tips.

2017

Everything a rag doll needs for bedtime.

2018

Making the jump to Round 2 of your crochet can be tricky.

2019

Adorable arctic animals.

2020

I never thought I’d say this, but that’s an adorable rat.

2021

A goldfinch for my 100 Birds project, which became the Backyard Birds pattern.

2022

Before I switched to a new fabric for all my quilts, I had to test it.

2023

Adorable bunny fabric in a rainbow of colors – this just shows two of my favorites.

2024

Mix & match fun!

2025

New and improved Taylor Turtle pattern! Now with SVG files, light box instructions, optional eyelashes, and cute heart spots you can sub for the ovals.

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 7.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

One of my very favorite stitches – once I figured out the trick.

2012

They’re not all the same.

2013

One of my favorite projects ever.

2014

A sweet edge treatment.

2015

A free pattern – perfect for working with a collection of coordinated fabrics.

2016

Make a cute raincoat (and boots!) for a Dress Up Bunch doll.

2017

A book review.

2018

The basic stitch for all amigurumi.

2019

These are a GREAT pattern for beginners.

2020

My favorite quilt from Quilt Con 2020. Not my work, but I wish it was.

2021

Pretty, pretty lovebirds.

2022

This is the collection I use for all animals in realistic colors.

2023

A sweet set of bears – printable art.

2024

Love those giant buck teeth!

2025

Learn how super-size your applique patterns in this free series of three tutorials!

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 6.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

Perfect for flower petals, raindrops, and more.

2012

All my best tips in one post.

2013

A handy skill for lots of projects.

2014

A free tutorial.

2015

The envelope is a cute little pocket.

2016

My favorite way to hand quilt.

2017

Pretty little hand-stitched hearts.

2018

A super secure attachment.

2019

Change their look just by changing the angle of the eyelids.

2020

A fun drawing project to learn how to use my iPad.

2021

Nadya made an adorable pair of Dalton Dogs.

2022

Curious about why I started using Spoonflower fabric?

2023

Pretty, pretty flowers – printable art.

2024

It took me YEARS to draw an otter I was happy with. I’m so glad I waited, because I love this guy!

2025

Printable giraffe art! You get the files in lots of different sizes, ready to print – but you also get a PNG with no background so you can drop it onto any background you like, or use it to make die-cut stickers. Fun!

The heart and soul of Shiny Happy World is in the archives. There are hundreds of free patterns and tutorials and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information. Every Friday I share just a manageable sliver – a peek at what was happening during the same week of every year since the start of Shiny Happy World. This is Week 5.

Want this round-up (along with a discount code to use on the sale patterns) delivered to your inbox every Friday? Click here to sign up for the Shiny Happy World newsletter!

Click on the images to go to the posts.

2011

Simple craft project – and a fun game!

2012

Fun!

2013

Use these tips for any skinny tubes.

2014

A basic intro.

2015

One of my favorite free patterns.

2016

Combine this free bib pattern with any applique pattern for an adorable gift!

2017

Round and round with simple hand stitching. It’s my meditation.

2018

Crochet a simple little heart to add to any softie.

2019

A groovy lion.

2020

A cute monster with a pocket mouth.

2021

An adorable Pip the Cat made by Holly.

2022

So handsome.

2023

Will he see his shadow?

2024

A free pattern for waves that you can add to any animal applique block – or use on their own.

2025

I know. I literally have a kajillion dog applique patterns. But most of them are multi-block patterns. I needed just a plan, old dog dog. 🙂