Crafty Cuties for Halfoween

Halfoween is the name given to the Halfway to Halloween holiday that occurs on or about April 30 or May 1. As with the ‘Christmas in July’ events, Halfoween is the halfway point of Halloween.

For those who love to celebrate Halloween, Halfoween gives us a chance to use those costumes and decorations twice a year, as well as enjoy a Halloween party or attend a spooky event.

For crafters, Halfoween lets us have fun creating and displaying our handmade Halloween crafts or use a  pattern to create a costume or decoration.

Halloween Crafts on Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy

Coastal Crochet Crafts is my Etsy store where I feature handmade plush animals, creative home decor in needlepoint, and a variety of craft supplies. This article will show you the current Halloween-related items in my shop, plus you will find them all available at HALF-PRICE for HALFOWEEN during the entire month of May 2025. 

Halloween Plush Octopus

Halloween Plush Octopus in Crochet

Check out these Halloween Octos in the colors of orange, black and a two-tone combination of orange & black. The black octopus could also be a Halloween 'spider'. :-)

Plush octopus measures approximately 2 inches tall and 6 inches across the eight tentacles. Each octopus is made with acrylic yarn and filled with a small amount of polyester fiberfill.

These cute plush octopus are fun to have around for Halloween or anytime of the year. They also make fun Halloween party decorations.

Pumpkin & Ghosts Kitchen Combos

Pumpkin & Ghosts Kitchen Combos

Check out the Pumpkin Potholder, Dishcloth and Magnet and the Ghost Dishcloth and Magnet perfect for your Halloween Kitchen or Party Décor.

PUMPKIN KITCHEN COMBO

Three-Piece Set

Pumpkin shaped cotton dishcloth/washcloth with matching pumpkin potholder is a cute combo for your Autumn season décor or for any time of the year. It comes with a pumpkin/Jack-o-Lantern magnet to complete the set. 

GHOST KITCHEN COMBO

Two-Piece Set.

Halloween Ghost Washcloth/Dishcloth in Cotton Yarn. Cute Kitchen Décor. Fun Novelty Cotton Washcloth. Halloween Décor. Comes with a ghost magnet to complete your spooky décor. :)

Halloween Grins 

Halloween Grins Pillow Topper/Wall Hanging Pattern

Halloween Grins is a cross stitch pattern for a pillow topper or a Wall Hanger. A design for your Halloween Décor. 

Sewing Patterns Costume Collection for Halloween

Halloween Costumes Sewing Patterns

Select from a variety of costumes for Halloween parties or Trick or Treat or for Cosplay events.

Costumes include: 

*GIRLS MONSTER COSTUMES MCCALLS COSTUMES #315. SIZES GIRLS 7-8, 10-12-14.

*SIMPLICITY COSTUME PATTERN #9304. SEWING PATTERN FOR ADULTS, BOYS AND GIRLS COSTUMES IN SIZES SMALL TO X-LARGE

*SIMPLICITY 3629 SEWING PATTERN MISSES COSTUMES SIZES MISSES 6, 8, 10 AND 12.

COSPLAY COSTUMES & HATS FOR ADULTS. SIMPLICITY #4015. MISSES SIZES 10, 12, 14 & 16. SIX DIFFERENT HOLIDAY AND CHARACTER DESIGNS

Summary

Click on the individual links to read more details about each of these Halloween themed items featured for Halfoween in my Etsy Store during the entire month of May. It’s fun to celebrate Halfway to Halloween with a half-price sale. 

*More Halloween-themed items may appear from time to time.

Related Post:

• Halfway to Halloween Holiday Review

*Crafty Halfoween by Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy.

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Beautiful Blueberry Handicrafts

Blueberries Abound in the World of Handicrafts

Much has been written about the blueberry as a delicious and healthy fresh fruit. As a delightful food item, blueberries can be served plain in a bowl, enjoyed in fruit salads or cooked and/or baked into everything from blueberry pancakes for breakfast to pies, cheesecakes and cobblers for dessert  for a delicious, healthful taste of summer all year long. 

There is even a special month - July - designated as "National Blueberry Month."

But blueberries can be more than a fresh fruit food item. Crafters have found blueberries charming in their world too. Let's put our Blueberry Muffin down for a bit and visit a few handcrafted Blueberry items.

Blueberries in Music -- "Blueberry Hill" - by Fats Domino

The song "Blueberry Hill" was published in 1940 and is best remembered for its 1950s rock n' roll version by Fats Domino. Browse these Blueberry Crafts to this well-known Blueberry music!

 

Blueberry Cheesecake Soap

Blueberry Cheesecake Soap

This slice of Blueberry Cheesecake believe it or not -- is soap! Looking good enough to eat (but don't take a bite!) this delightful, delicious looking bar of soap is topped with ripened blueberries and a sweet and tangy blueberry drizzle coating. It's even scented with blueberry cheesecake fragrance. Each soap weighs 6 ounces.

Unique handmade soaps like this blueberry cheesecake is just one of many different designs created in soap by Denise of Copiague, NY and are available in her Etsy Shop she calls AJs Sweet Soap.

Blueberry Jewelry

Blueberry Pendant

This is an 18 inch white gold filled necklace with a resin blueberry. Created by Nina of Arizona for her Etsy Shop Resin Jewerly by Nina.

Blueberry Wearables

 

Blueberry Baby Bib 

Blueberry Baby Bib by applejax studio

Adorable hand-drawn blueberry design and lettering applied as a heat transfer iron-on to a handmade cotton bib for baby.  A clever and crafty design created by Barb of Ohio and featured in her Etsy Shop applejax studio. 


Knitted Blueberry Fruit Hat for Baby

Sweet Fruit Blueberry Baby Hat - Etsy

This hat, created by Berry Box on Etsy, looks like a fresh and sweet blueberry.

It is knitted in blue with included white `seeds`, and on the top are leaves and a little stem made by a grass green yarn.

The hat is knitted with pure wool (baby-merino-wool) in one piece without any bothering seams, so it is flexible and fits a little longer.

Your little one will look adorable with this. It also makes a fantastic photography prop or a gift for a little one on its first birthday.

Blueberry Kitchen Decor

 

Blueberry Potholders

Blueberry Potholders on Etsy by WildernessTies

This is a set of two blueberry potholders handmade by WildernessTies of Etsy  which measure 8 inches square each and are washable and heavy so you won't burn your hands when you use them.

The fabric in this set is blueberries that look good enough to eat. There are several blueberry fabrics to choose from in this group of blueberry themed potholders in Carol's Etsy Shop. 

When You Are Not Crafting or Baking Your Blueberries...

 

Blueberry Crop Postcard by dryfhout
 

Enjoy them in Other Ways!

Blueberries are very versatile... whether you grow them, bake, cook and eat them, or craft with the color of blueberries... it's a popular fruit. Enjoy your blueberries in many ways.

Don't be Blue... Be Berry Happy!

July is National Blueberry Month

Article originally published on another site.(c) 2012 by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Ladybugs are a Popular Design in Handmade Crafts

Ladybug Coaster

Ladybugs are probably the nicest insect around.  Besides being useful in gardens, they are favorites of children.  In the United Kingdom, Ladybugs are called 'Ladybirds'. These brightly colored insects are also considered 'lucky'.

Let's look at some ladybug designs on a few lovely handmade items found on Etsy.

Quilted Handmade Ladybug Purse

 

Handmade Quilted Ladybug Purse

This cute quilted purse has an adorable design of ladybugs in red with black spots on a white background.  Made with 100% cotton fabric, the top of the purse has red fabric with white polka dots and black fabric accents, along with a black bottom and handles. The inside of this quilted purse is lined with red fabric and there are 3 pockets made with the ladybug fabric.

Quilted Ladybug Purse - Inside view

Quilted Ladybug Purse has a black button and loop for closure. It is a very sturdy purse and it will stand on its own.  It measures 10-1/2” tall, 13-1/2” wide, and has a 4 inch bottom.  There is a 12-1/2 inch drop on the handles.


Ladybug quilted purse is a unique and interesting design for your Spring and Summer wardrobe.  It is the creation of Kathie, an Iowa quilter, and is available in her Etsy Shop she calls CutePurseNalities.

Crafty Ladybugs Make Interesting Home Décor

Ladybug Beverage Coasters

 

Handmade Ladybug-Design Beverage Coasters

Coasters are always handy to protect your table tops from wet rings. For fans of Lady Bugs, these handmade beverage coasters really 'fit the bill'.

These Ladybug coasters are handmade using plastic canvas and acrylic yarn. Each coaster in this set of 4 measures approximately 4 x 4 inches. The coasters were stitched with red and black acrylic yarn.

Lady Bug design drink coasters are the perfect compliment for your home, patio or porch for a summery outdoors feel to your decor.

Handmade Ladybug Magnets

 

Ladybug Refrigerator Magnets

To complete your Ladybug décor, here's a set of two ladybug refrigerator magnets for your kitchen.

Ladybug 'fridgies' are handmade with care using plastic canvas and acrylic yarn. There is a magnet glued on the back of each Lady Bug magnet.  They measure 2" x 2-1/2" each.

A cute pair of little 'Lady Bugs' to brighten up your kitchen and hold your shopping lists and notes. 

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home...for a bright spot in home decor.


The ladybug beverage coasters and matching magnets can be found in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet and Crafts.






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

A Pair of Purple Plush Penguins in Crochet

Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds who live in the Southern Hemisphere.  They are typically tuxedo black and white in coloring, except for the Australian Little Blue Penguin.

Purple Penguins in Plush

When penguins are handmade by crocheting them in yarn, they become a plush toy which can be any color you can imagine.  Today we are going to look at a pair of penguins created in shades of purple who are currently living in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts. In addition to liking shades of purple, I just discovered that Ultra Violet is the Pantone Color of the Year for 2018, so these purple penguins are definitely up-to-date! :)

Purple Plush Penguin

Paul the Purple Plush Penguin

Come meet Paul, a purple plush penguin pal handmade in crochet.

Created in purple and white acrylic yarn, Paul the Purple Penguin is stuffed with soft new polyfil and has lock-washer safety craft eyes for features, along with his gold crocheted beak and feet.

Paul Penguin is a squeezably soft purple penguin plush animal who measures a roly-poly round 5 x 5 inches.  

Lavender Penguin in Crochet

Lori, the Lavender Plush Penguin

Paul's penguin friend Lori loves being a plush penguin because she can be an imaginary color for a penguin and she chose her favorite, Lavender!

Lori is a plush Penguin handmade in a lavender shade of acrylic yarn. She is stuffed with soft new polyfil and has safety eyes for features, along with a beak and feet that are crocheted in gold yarn.   Lori measures a roly-poly round 5 x 5 inches.

If You Were a Penguin …

 

Colorful Penguin Colony

If you were a plush penguin, you could be purple or lavender or any color you chose.  The Coastal Crochet Craft Etsy Shop has a bunch of plush penguins available in all the colors of the rainbow, plus the standard tuxedo color combination.  Check out the Penguins in the shop's Penguins in Plush  section and see a virtual rainbow of color choices, including those in shades of purple. These plush penguins love visitors.

A Book about Penguins

Penguin book available on Amazon

This darling picture book for ages 4 to 8 years is a cute way to help children imagine what it would be like to be a penguin.  Told in rhymes, the story introduces scenes of penguin life from swimming underwater to tobogganing on ice.  If You Were a Penguin book is a delight for young children. 

For a selection of penguin-related gift ideas, check out this Penguins & Polar Bears Gift Guide.

Penguin Awareness Day is January 20 

 (c) Written by Wednesday Elf on 4/8/2015. Updated on 1/19/2018




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Handmade Afghans on Etsy

An afghan is a favorite item to crochet or knit by fiber artists.  An afghan is a knitted or crocheted blanket or 'throw' which can come in many sizes and patterns. 

There are the afghans made in one piece, often with a border, and a join-as-you-go style. Then there is the popular motif style, such as the granny square afghan we often remember our grandmothers having across the back of a chair or couch as a light-weight coverlet on cool days.

A Granny-Square Motif Afghan

Crochet crafters enjoy the granny-square motif as it is very versatile, useful for everything from afghans to clothing to purses. Each granny square motif is created by working in rounds from the center outward to produce multiple squares (called motifs) that are then joined together. Crocheting in granny-squares is also a wonderful way to use up those leftover bits of yarn every crochet crafter ends up with at the end of a project.

Granny Square Confetti Afghan in Crochet

Granny Square Confetti Afghan

This 57 inch square granny square throw is as cheerful and uncomplicated as a brightly splashed confetti sprinkled cupcake. It is the creation of Connie from Texas, who has been inspired to 'share in craft' the legacy she was given growing up on a small family farm. 

This close-up view of a section of a granny square from Connie's afghan shows how the individual stitches fit together.

Come enjoy her crochet and quilted items, as well as her original folk art in her Etsy Shop she calls Farmers Daughter (farmersdaughter52). 

 

The Zig-Zag Stitch Afghan

Fall Colors Zig-Zag Afghan

The zig-zag stitch, also called the ripple stitch or chevron pattern has long been a popular pattern for afghans in both knitting and crochet.  The stitch is originally an Aran knitting stitch used by the Aran Islanders centuries ago and represents the typical highs and low of matrimony and marriage life.  Today it is a lovely way to combine yarn colors to enhance your décor.

Jackie, a retired crafter from New Hampshire, creates beautiful zig-zag pattern afghans in crochet and features them in her Etsy Shop called JD Crochet Creations.

This lovely afghan, crocheted in Fall colors of red, rust and beige, measures about 32-34" wide X 36-38" long (POINT to POINT), a nice size to cozy up with on cool evenings. 

The ripple pattern of these autumn colors makes a very pretty effect on this afghan, as you can see in this close-up view.

Creating Pictures on an Afghan

Patterns, designs and pictures can be created on an afghan by several techniques, including Intarsia Knitting, cross-stitching on a crocheted afghan stitch, or by following a charted design on a graph, changing colors as indicated to create the picture.

Lighthouse Lapghan Afghan in Crochet

I crocheted this afghan with a picture of a lighthouse in one piece from a graph. The pattern I used showed a red and white lighthouse, but I changed the colors to black and white and crocheted the lighthouse in the same style as the Tybee Island Lighthouse on Tybee Island, Georgia. 

This Tybee Lighthouse has sentimental value for me as I lived on Tybee Island for 13 years and my daughter was married in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage at this lighthouse.  The scene brings back some lovely memories. 

You can have your own memory of the Tybee Island Lighthouse with this Lighthouse Afghan now available in my Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts. 


 

Pictured here with my handmade lighthouse afghan is a photo of the actual lighthouse on Tybee island, the Tybee Island Light Station,  which I used for my inspiration.

 

Handmade Lapghans

A fairly new style of afghan is called a Lapghan, a style that is about one-half the size of a regular afghan, or 'lap-size'.  It's the perfect size to use in a crib or stroller for baby, for a wheelchair-bound person, or to take to a sporting event.

Sports Team Lapghan

 

Sports Team Lapghan in Florida Gater Colors

Barbara of Crystal River, Florida created this sports team lapghan perfect for taking to the stadium to watch your favorite sports team.  She crocheted this particular lapghan in the Florida 'Gaters' (University of Florida) colors of Royal Blue, Orange and White, but she would be delighted to create one in your favorite team colors.  Just drop her a line through her Etsy Shop Love Crochet by Grammie.

Sweet Baby Afghan

Classic Diamond Filet Crochet Baby Afghan

This adorable hand crocheted blanket is snuggly and super soft. It is the perfect addition to any little ones nursery or it makes a great baby shower gift! It measures approximately 40 inches by 31 inches.

This baby afghan, handmade in a traditional Filet Crochet Diamond pattern stitch for a very classic look, is the creation of a crochet artist from Salt Lake City and featured in her Etsy Shop Angelminks.

Hand-Knit Afghan

V-Cables in Cream Knit Afghan

Knitted afghans are just as pretty as crocheted throws.  The most well-known knit stitch is the cable stitch, famous in Aran Fisherman knit sweaters.  This V-cable hand-knit afghan is a beautiful example of how a cable stitch can enhance an afghan.  Created by Tori of California, this cable afghan knit in a lovely cream color measures 45” x 60” and can be found in her Etsy Shop Tori2.

Handmade Afghans are Wonderful

Whether you need a large afghan to use as a bedspread, a small lap afghan for a cozy throw or a baby blanket, or a colorful soft afghan to use on the floor for a baby mat, handmade afghans are the sweetest kind of all. Made with care and lots of love, many beautiful afghans ready for purchase are available on Etsy, as seen in the examples given here.  

Create your own Handmade Afghan

If you crochet or knit yourself, select an afghan pattern book filled with patterns in various styles and designs, get out your crochet hook or knitting needles, and begin!

This afghan pattern book called "Unexpected Afghans" is filled with 29 interpretations of the favorite at-home essential we call the afghan.  It has easy-to-follow charts and diagrams to create cables, motifs, color, lace, and Tunisian crochet for your crafting pleasure. 

Let's get cozy with a handmade afghan!

(c) Wednesday Elf 3/20/15. Updated 12/22/16

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”