Archives: Week Twelve

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

How I organize my embroidery thread

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

2012

***Included in the Week 12 Sale***

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

How to Give Your Softies Flat Feet and Flat Bottoms

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

2014

Bertie Bunny - an adorable bunny pattern from Shiny Happy World
***Included in Week 12 Sale***

A cuddly bunny with adorable kissable toes

2015

How to Single Crochet 3 Together - video tutorial from FreshStitches and Shiny Happy World

An extreme decrease. 😁

2016

Little Chick with Big Feet - a super easy and cute Easter embroidery pattern free from Shiny Happy World

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

2017

Free Embroidery Files for Machine-Stitched Eyes - from Shiny Happy World

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

How to Build a Design Wall (or Flannel Board or Bulletin Board) - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

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

2019

***eligible for Week 12 sale***

A super easy pattern, great for beginners.

2020

***included in Week 12 sale***

A set of sweet printable bears.

2021

***eligible for Week 12 sale***

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. 🙂

 

Archives: Week Eleven

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

How Many Strands of Embroidery Thread Should I Use?

One of my most frequently asked questions.

2013

How to Whipstitch Felt Edges - video

My favorite stitch for sewing felt pieces together.

2014

Easter Eggstras - Free Pattern for Easter accessories for toys from Shiny Happy World

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

2015

triangle kangaroo and baby from Shiny Happy World

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

2016

Easter Craft Ideas - make a pretty embroidered felt egg with this free pattern

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

2017

Quilting from the Center Out to the Edges - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

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

Make a Quilt Block with Soft 3D Parts - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

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

2019

***eligible for Week 11 sale***

An adorable chubby penguin.

2020

***included in Week 11 sale***

A sweet giraffe.

2021

***eligible for Week 11 sale***

Adorable mix & match bunnies with many moods.

2022

An assortment of fabric squares with quilting lines printed on them. Text reads: Printed Quilt Blocks - Fabric Bundles

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 covers.

 

Archives: Week Ten

Let’s tiptoe down memory lane to see what I was doing during the tenth 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

Stuffed Toy Snakes - an easy sewing tutorial from Shiny Happy World

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

2012

How to Transfer and Stabilize an Embroidery Pattern - with my very favorite product, Sulky Sticky Fabri-solvy

My very favorite product for hand embroidery.

2013

How to Blanket Stitch with No Knots - video

So neat and tidy.

2014

How to Sew a Button Joint - an easy video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Perfect for making little felt critters.

2015

Several ways to make this work.

2016

Easy doll clothes patterns - tutorials for a free shirt, shorts and skirt

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

2017

How to Assemble a Quilt that Uses an Alternate Grid - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

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

2018

How to Give Your Softe Stand-Up ears That Are Still Soft - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Perfect for bunnies, elephants, and more.

2019

***eligible for Week 10 sale***

One of my favorite crochet patterns.

2020

***included in Week 10 sale***

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

2021

***eligible for Week 10 sale***

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

***included in Week 10 sale***

Pretty printable posies.

2024

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

Archives: Week Nine

Let’s tiptoe down memory lane to see what I was doing during the ninth 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

Bartholomew Bunny - an easy softie pattern from Shiny Happy World
***included in Week 9 sale***

One of my easiest softie patterns.

2012

How to Enlarge or Reduce a Digital Pattern

That dog pattern is originally 2 inches tall.

2013

How to Attach a Folded Ear to Two Rounds - tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

For adorable animal ears.

2014

How to Needle Sculpt Softie Toes - video

It’s easier than you think.

2015

What Kind of Eyes Should I Use - Tips for choosing eyes for sewn and crocheted softies from Shiny Happy World

Crocheted? Plastic? Felt? Embroidered? Buttons?

2016

How to Frame Embroidery - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

No glue needed.

2017

Spring Fling - reversible doll dress with eggs and basket
***included in Week 9 sale***

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

2018

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

A free pattern.

2019

Duke the Dog - an adorable crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World
***eligible for Week 9 sale***

An adorable hound dog.

2020

Learning to use Procreate on my iPad.

2021

***eligible for Week 9 sale***

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

2022

***included in Week 9 sale***

Sweet snail.

2023

***included in Week 9 sale***

A handsome fellow.

2024

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

Archives: Week 8

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

How to Ladder Stitch - video tutorial

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

2012

How to Read a Crochet Pattern - from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Step by step in plain English.

2013

Sylvester - a free embroidery pattern from Shiny Happy World

I love this cutie.

2014

Monster tissue case - a free pattern from Shiny Happy World

With adorable rickrack teeth.

2015

Stitch Love by the awesome Mollie Johanson

A book review.

2016

Hand Quilting - how to quilt all the way to the edge

Hand quilting tips.

2017

Bedtime pattern set - pajamas, pillow, pillowcase and quilt
***included in Week 8 sale***

Everything a rag doll needs for bedtime.

2018

How to Crochet the Second Round on Amigurumi - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

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

2019

artcic chill pattern cover
***eligible for Week 8 sale***

Adorable arctic animals.

2020

***included in Week 8 sale***

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

2021

***eligible for Week 8 sale***

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

***eligible for Week 8 sale***

Mix & match fun!

Archives: Week Seven

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

How to Stitch a French Knot - embroidery video

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

2012

What are the different kinds of sewing needles?

They’re not all the same.

2013

Vicks-Scented Rice Bag - to ease a cough and sniffles without having to use the sticky stuff - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

One of my favorite projects ever.

2014

How to Crochet a Picot Stitch - tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

A sweet edge treatment.

2015

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

2016

Dress Up Bunch Doll Raincoat Pattern
***included in Week 7 sale***

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

2017

A book review.

2018

How to Single Crochet - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

The basic stitch for all amigurumi.

2019

***eligible for Week 7 sale***

These are a GREAT pattern for beginners.

2020

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

2021

pair of lovebirds - applique pattern
***eligible for Week 7 sale***

Pretty, pretty lovebirds.

2022

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

2023

***eligible for Week 7 sale***

A sweet set of bears – printable art.

2024

Cute applique beaver face.
***included in Week 7 sale***

Love those giant buck teeth!

Archives: Week Six

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

How to Stitch a Lazy Daisy - embroidery video

Perfect for flower petals, raindrops, and more.

2012

Tips and Tricks for Embroidering Felt

All my best tips in one post.

2013

A handy skill for lots of projects.

2014

Zen Stitching - How to Embroider a Mandala with No Pattern (Shiny Happy World)

A free tutorial.

2015

You otter be my Valentine - a free pattern

The envelope is a cute little pocket.

2016

Big Stitch Quilting - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

My favorite way to hand quilt.

2017

***eligible for Week 6 sale***

Pretty little hand-stitched hearts.

2018

How to Attach Amigurumi Arms and legs with Single Crochet - video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

A super secure attachment.

2019

Parliament of Owls - an easy applique quilt pattern from Shiny Happy World
***eligible for Week 6 sale***

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

2020

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

2021

***eligible for Week 6 sale***

Nadya made an adorable pair of Dalton Dogs.

2022

Curious about why I started using Spoonflower fabric?

2023

***eligible for Week 6 sale***

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!

Archives: Week 5

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

Five Stones Game - a free pattern

Simple craft project – and a fun game!

2012

Tips for Crocheting Dog Toys - from Shiny Happy World

Fun!

2013

Tips for Crocheting Teeny Tiny Antennae - from Shiny Happy World

Use these tips for any skinny tubes.

2014

A basic intro.

2015

Baby Bear Booties - a free pattern from Shiny Happy World

One of my favorite free patterns.

2016

Baby Bib Pattern - adorable and free from Shiny Happy World

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

2017

Big Stitch Polkadot Coasters - a free pattern from Shiny Happy World

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

2018

Free Hearts Crochet Pattern - from Shiny Happy World

Crochet a simple little heart to add to any softie.

2019

***eligible for Week 5 sale***

A groovy lion.

2020

Merrick Monster crochet pattern
***eligible for Week 5 sale***

A cute monster with a pocket mouth.

2021

***eligible for Week 5 sale***

An adorable Pip the Cat made by Holly.

2022

***eligible for Week 5 sale***

So handsome.

2023

Cute groundhog popping out of his burrow - appliqued on brown fabric on a green zigzag background. Text reads: Griffith Groundhog - easy applique pattern
***eligible for Week 5 sale***

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. 🙂

Free – Wavy Waves Applique Pattern

Add some waves to your quilts with this free applique pattern!

In addition to the wavy stripes you see in the top image, the free pattern also includes a template designed to use at the bottom of a block, in combination with an animal applique.

Here’s an example.

These waves will work particularly well with the following patterns:

Download the free waves template pieces here.

Have fun with it!

Archives: Week 4

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 4.

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

Monster Mash embroidery pattern
***eligible for Week 4 sale***

Fun little monster faces–great to use on lots of ways

2012

crochet own stuffed animal

Great for last-minute gift-making.

2013

How to Appliqué onto Fake Fur - video

I use this method to add eyes to furry monster blocks.

2014

Felt Heart Garland - a free Valentine's Day pattern from Shiny Happy World

Perfect for using up tiny felt and thread scraps.

2015

stuffed monkey wearing a bowtie made with the free bowtie pattern from Shiny Happy World

Free pattern and easily adaptable for any size softie.

2016

Controlled Chaos - a free scrap quilt pattern from Shiny Happy World

So many scraps!

2017

Stitching Eyes and Mouths - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

My best tips for outline stitching.

2018

Applique with Prints - Tips for Color Choices from Shiny Happy World

Helpful tips for choosing quilt fabrics.

2019

***eligible for Week 4 sale***

An easy-to-make bunny.

2020

Playing around with animation–you’ll need to click to see it in action. 🙂

2021

black-capped chickadee applique pattern
***eligible for Week 4 sale***

The first block I made in my 100 Birds project – which became the Backyard Birds pattern.

2022

One of my first fabric collections.

2023

***eligible for Week 4 sale***

Printable Valentines!

2024

I love this bear’s goofy grin.

2025

The dragon applique pattern – newly updated!