Archives: Week Seven

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

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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

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

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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 Five

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

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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.

Archives: Week Four

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

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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.

Archives: Week Three

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

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2011

How to Backstitch - video tutorial

My favorite outline stitch.

2012

Happy wrists make a happy stitcher. 🙂

2013

Monster Handwarmers - free pattern from Shiny Happy World

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

2014

QAYG How to Assemble and Finish Your Quilt - video

All the final steps.

2015

***eligible for Week 3 sale***

Make a cuddly monkey.

2016

Hand Quilting Basics - video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

This is traditional hand quilting.

2017

Rhonda Rhinoceros - a cute felt softie of a rhino wearing a polkadot dress and holding a balloon
***eligible for Week 3 sale***

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

2018

tall table with cube storage underneath

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

2019

All the tutorials in one place.

2020

***eligible for Week 3 sale***

He’s a very dapper fellow.

2021

easy elephant applique pattern for beginners
***eligible for Week 3 sale***

I love this sample I made in fantasy colors. 🙂

2022

close-up photo of a clear plastic applique foot. Text reads: Sewing Machine Feet

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!

Archives: Week Two

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

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2011

A great way to practice sewing straight lines and turning corners.

2012

Hearts embroidery pattern
***eligible for Week 2 sale***

Still one of my bestselling embroidery patterns.

2013

Intro to Working with Faux Fur - video

Fur is fun!

2014

What is Quilt As You Go and How Do You Do It? video

Now my favorite way to make a quilt.

2015

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

2016

Using Stretchy Knit Fabrics to Make a Rag Doll - Tips from Shiny Happy World

It makes an exceptionally huggable, soft doll.

2017

Beep Beep Quilt Pattern
***eligible for Week 2 sale***

A very simple pattern – great for beginners!

2018

baby's receiving blanket with fox fabric and fox applique

Make it with or without an applique.

2019

Byron Bear - a cute teddy bear wearing a crocheted sweater
***eligible for Week 2 sale***

Ready to hibernate. 🙂

2020

The start of a very fun hand-stitching project.

2021

***eligible for Week 2 sale***

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!

Archives: Week One

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

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2011

Raining Rainbows - free embroidery pattern from Shiny Happy World

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

What kind of fabric can I use for embroidery?

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

2013

How to Embed Rickrack in a Seam - video

For perfect monster teeth.

2014

Because freckles are super cute.

2015

For my fellow optimists. 🙂

2016

Mollie - a sweet Dress Up Bunch rag doll
***eligible for Week 1 sale***

An adorable dressable rag doll.

2017

Lizzie - a Dress Up Bunch rag doll pattern from Shiny Happy World
***eligible for Week 1 sale***

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

dark brown crochet cat with black eyes

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

applique felt and embroidered letters saying, "This is the year!"

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

2022

***eligible for Week 1 sale***

What a cutie!

2023

***eligible for Week 1 sale***

I love this guy’s toothy grin.

2024

Cute applique shaggy dog.
***eligible for Week 1 sale***

He’s a good dog. 🙂