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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.

2026

Make a chunky walrus!

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.

2026

The Declan Deer pattern got an update! Now the pattern includes two sizes. In the original size the head and antlers fit in a 10 inch block. The new, larger size make his head the same size as other animals – which makes the tips of his antlers either break into the block above it, or get cropped off like a photo where you zoom in on the face. You get both – so you choose which to use!

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!

2026

I love cheater quilt fabric, and I’ve been designing some using my actual quilt blocks, so you see all the stitching details. This post tells you how to use it to make quick and easy quilts.

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!

2026

More printable art! This is the art I use in the free wallpaper every month, so at the start of the month it’s always the new thing. 🙂 This month it’s a funny fly-flicking frog!

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. 🙂

2026

A free applique pattern for five different snowflakes! It includes templates for large flakes that fill a square block, and smaller snowflakes that can be used in half-blocks or scattered into blocks with animal faces.

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

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

2012

Great for last-minute gift-making.

2013

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

2014

Perfect for using up tiny felt and thread scraps.

2015

Free pattern and easily adaptable for any size softie.

2016

So many scraps!

2017

My best tips for outline stitching.

2018

Helpful tips for choosing quilt fabrics.

2019

An easy-to-make bunny.

2020

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

2021

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

2022

One of my first fabric collections.

2023

Printable Valentines!

2024

I love this bear’s goofy grin.

2025

The dragon applique pattern – newly updated!

2026

New cheater quilt fabric! This one uses some of my actual sample blocks from the Chirp quilt pattern, so you can see all the quilting and outline stitches.

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 3.

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 outline stitch.

2012

Happy wrists make a happy stitcher. 🙂

2013

These are so much fun to slip into a child’s pocket on a chilly day.

2014

All the final steps.

2015

Make a cuddly monkey.

2016

This is traditional hand quilting.

2017

The balloon string is a thread-wrapped pie cleaner, so it sways ever so gently. I love it.

2018

Cutting table and storage–easy to find items from Target plus a single sheet of wood.

2019

All the tutorials in one place.

2020

He’s a very dapper fellow.

2021

I love this sample I made in fantasy colors. 🙂

2022

My favorite feet – the ones I use all the time.

2023

I designed Valentine’s Day fabric using some of my favorite faces. 🙂

2024

Love those sparkling, curious eyes!

2025

Materials list, cutting guide and instructions for making an ABC quilt using any of your applique patterns!

2026

New cheater quilt fabric! I used some of my sample blocks from the Farm Animals bundle to make this cheater fabric – so you can see all my quilting and outline stitching!

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 2.

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 great way to practice sewing straight lines and turning corners.

2012

Still one of my bestselling embroidery patterns.

2013

Fur is fun!

2014

Now my favorite way to make a quilt.

2015

I’m still reaping the benefits of this, many years later.

2016

It makes an exceptionally huggable, soft doll.

2017

A very simple pattern – great for beginners!

2018

Make it with or without an applique.

2019

Ready to hibernate. 🙂

2020

The start of a very fun hand-stitching project.

2021

Donna made this adorably fluffy version of Dalton Dog, maybe using the faux fur tutorial I shared eight years previously?

2022

The easiest and most cost-effective way to get a wide variety of my blenders.

2023

Trying my hand at a floral fabric design for a Spoonflower challenge. This is jimsonweed.

2024

That big, kissable nose!

2025

This mix & match pattern includes all the pieces you need to make four different bovine animals – plus you can mix and match the pieces further to make even more!

2026

I restarted the Let’s Make a Quilt email workshop series! You get lessons delivered in a weekly email, in exactly the order you’ll need to make a quilt. You can work through the lessons using any pattern you like!

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 1.

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 very first embroidery pattern! I designed it especially for beginners. It uses only one stitch!

If I were making this today I’d back that white fabric with some interfacing so my thread tails wouldn’t shadow through to the front. 🙂

2012

In a nutshell? Anything! This post walks you through any special tools that will make weird fabrics easier.

2013

For perfect monster teeth.

2014

Because freckles are super cute.

2015

For my fellow optimists. 🙂

2016

An adorable dressable rag doll.

2017

Another adorable dressable rag doll! This is back when the Dress Up Bunch Club was happening. I introduced a new doll at the start of the year and then she was the model for a new clothing and accessories pattern every month that year. After a couple of years she had a VAST wardrobe – far better than my own. 🙂

2018

This post has tips that work for both sewn and crocheted softies.

2019

It’s different than every other way you measure gauge.

2020

In 2020 I decided I wanted to learn to use Procreate on my iPad. I started by just drawing a dot every day. Simple. No pressure. And a great way to try out different brushes. This is one of my favorites.

2021

More happy thoughts for the new year! This is clearly a theme. 🙂

2022

What a cutie!

2023

I love this guy’s toothy grin.

2024

He’s a good dog. 🙂

2025

Printable art for framing or craft projects!

2026

More printable art! This one is a sweet chickadee – one of my favorite birds. 🥰