X-Ray Tetra/Goldfish/Minnow Applique Pattern
Plus - a gorgeous snail dress!
There’s a brand-new pattern in my Shiny Happy World!
Xavier, the X-Ray Tetra!
In some lighting the visible skeleton looks darker than the fish, in other lighting it looks lighter. I made mine darker, but you do whatever looks best for YOUR quilt!
You can also make the fish without the visible skeleton (and without the stripes on its fins). Here’s a goldfish I made with the same pattern.
You can find it listed both ways in my shop, so it’s easy for people to find.
One more fun thing - you can use the skeleton piece all on its own!
I’m working on a new sample for my Cuddly Cats quilt pattern and I’m going to break up the simple grid with a bunch of half-blocks with fish skeletons in different colors.
The fish fits in a half-block as is, no resizing needed. You can also fit two fish in a single block - another way to mix things up.
Finally, you can add this fish to the larger Fish quilt pattern. Make it in neutrals or fun coral-reef brights!
All in all, this is a super flexible pattern that I’m really excited about!
The new fish pattern is free for all paid newsletter subscribers. Paid or free, keep scrolling until you get the the section called The Download. That’s where you’ll find the links you need to get it. 🥰
With the addition of Xavier, this is where my ABC sample stands so far.
Just one block left!
I’m working on a Yak pattern, which involved a whole bunch of research into what makes a yak different from a muskox, different from a bison. It would help if people would correctly label the photos they post online! I think a lot of people tag with all three animals so they get more hits, but that is NOT helpful! 😂
I’ve learned that the main differences are size, geography, fur texture, presence of hump, and horn shape. The bit that matters most in an applique pattern is horn shape, so I’m trying to redesign Billy Bison and Mo Muskox so there’s just one mix & match pattern for all these guys. I might see if I can add a Highland Cow option as well. 🥰
I’m hoping to have the new pattern done by the end of the year (ummm. . . just a few weeks away!) so I can have the ABC layout instructions ready as early as possible in January.
Here’s your weekly dose of awesomeness from the Shiny Happy People group!
Look at the gorgeous dress that Esther made, with a sweet little Sullivan Snail appliqued to the pockets!
A large pocket like that is the ideal canvas for adding a little applique, and her fabric choices are *chef’s kiss* perfect.
Click through to her post to get more info and see helpful close-up photos of the applique.
Head over to the Shiny Happy People group on Facebook to see lots more wonderfulness people are making with my patterns—and to ask questions and share photos of your own projects. It’s my favorite place on the internet.
In an effort to make this newsletter short enough to go through most email providers without getting chopped off, I’ve broken out some favorite pieces to give them their own days.
Wednesday is for inspiration - favorite artists, books, recipes, and more. In last week’s Five Happy Things - Art Made from Unexpected Materials, this artist got the most clicks.
Friday is for oldies but goodies from the archives. Last week you all gave this post the most love, with four times as many clicks as the next most popular post. I can’t wait to see what you make with this fun free pattern!
And last Monday, most of you decided to get some new wallpaper for your devices with this link.
You can always change which newsletters you receive by clicking this link. In the Notifications section, choose which mailings you do and don’t want. Easy peasy!
As I mentioned above, the download this week is the brand new Xavier the X-Ray Tetra pattern.
If you don’t want to pay for Everything Under the Sun access ($5 per month or $50 per year), you can simply purchase the pattern here. Easy peasy! 🥰 Have fun with it!
That’s the end of the newsletter for free subscribers. Thanks so much for reading - and I hope you have a fabulous week!