Crafty and Cuddly Mallard Ducks

Mallard Duck

Mallard Ducks are the most abundant duck species on earth.  The male Mallard is very distinctive with his green head and yellow beak.  Because they are so familiar and the easiest to identify, these ducks seem to be quite popular as decorative and useful home décor and fun plush toys.

 

Mallard Ducks on a Coffee Cup

 

Early Spring Mallard Duck Mug by Plutonium Shores on Zazzle

Start your day with a Mallard duck by drinking  your morning coffee or tea in this attractive coffee mug featuring a photo of a pair of Mallards, the male and the female, entitled Early Spring Mallard Ducks.

Mallard Duck coffee mug features artwork designed by Plutonium Shores and is available in her Zazzle Store.

Handmade Mallard Duck Beverage Coasters

 

Mallard Duck Design Handmade Beverage Coasters

Need a coaster for your coffee mug?  This unique and pretty set of handmade beverage coasters is stitched in the colors and design of a Mallard Duck.  The set will be especially popular with the sportsman in your life or simply as a design that appeals to men.  Use them in the den or that  'man-cave'.  A perfect gift for dad for Father's Day or his birthday.

This is a set of 4 drink coasters shaped like a Mallard Duck. Each coaster measures 4 x 4 inches at their widest  and were created using plastic canvas and acrylic yarn in shades of gray, green, brown, blue, gold and white. The coaster set is available in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts. 

Cuddly Plush Mallard Duck

Plush Toy Mallard Duck on Amazon

This plush Mallard Duck by Wild Republic will be a winner with children or any bird enthusiast.   It measures 5 x 3 x 5 inches and has details provided by the National Audubon Society, Inc.  It also features an authentic mallard call.  Plush cute Mallard Duck is available on Amazon.

Quack, quack – that's Mallard Duck talk for “hope you enjoyed this review of cuddly and crafty Mallards.”




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.”

Easter Bunnies on a Crocheted Trail

Pink Plush Bunny Pillow Doll

The Easter Bunny (or Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare) legend  began in the 1680s in Germany as a folklore figure and symbol of Easter. 

In the legend, the Easter Bunny brings colored eggs, and sometimes candy or toys, in a basket to give to good little girls and boys.




Let's go 'hoppin' down the bunny trail' while I tell you about the bunny rabbits the Easter Bunny inspired me to crochet for my Etsy Shop I call Coastal Crochet Crafts.

A Collection of Bunny Rabbits

 

Plush Pink Bunny Rabbit with Dress

 

Pink Bunny Girl on Etsy

This little bunny rabbit is hand-crocheted in acrylic yarn.  She measures about 10.5 inches tall, including her ears. She is 8 inches tall in a sitting position.
 
Pink Bunny Girl comes with a dress done in a blue, pink, rose and white ombre yarn. The dress is pinafore style and ties on the back around the neck.   

The dress is easy to put on by having little Rabbit just step into the dress and pull it up to tie in a bow around her neck. She is filled with soft polyfil and has plastic safety eyes for her eyes and nose.

 

Plush Toy Golden Bunny Girl Doll

 

Plush Toy Bunny Girl

This plush Bunny Girl is similar to Raspberry Rabbit.  I used the same pattern and hand-crocheted her in a wheat-gold shade of acrylic yarn.  Then I gave her a complete wardrobe for your favorite little girl to play 'dress-up' with her Bunny. 

Golden Bunny Girl measures 9 inches tall (11 inches tall when you count her 'bunny ears') and 6 inches tall in a sitting position. She is about 5 inches across. Bunny Girl has safety eyes for her features and she is softly stuffed with polyfil.

 Her wardrobe of 3 dresses includes one in green, one in purple and a colorful dress created with an ombre variegated yarn called "Artist Print" with shades of purple, lavender, rose, burgundy, gold, blue and green. Each dress measures 4 inches long with 8 inch long crocheted 'ties'. Her dresses are crocheted in a pinafore style with a ruffle around the hem.

 

Pink Plush Floppy Eared Bunny Rabbit Pillow Doll 

 

Plush Pink Bunny Pillow Doll

This pink bunny stands 14 inches tall and is about 7 inches measured across the widest part of the body & head. Pink Bunny pillow doll is hand-crocheted using pink acrylic yarn and is stuffed with soft polyfil. Bunny is made in two pieces and then crocheted together, resulting in a pillow-like, poofy flat plush animal which is only about one inch wide. Perfect to place on a pillow on a little girl's bed, and just the right size for 'cuddling' and hugging.

Pink Bunny has floppy ears attached to the top of her head and a manufactured white poofy acrylic ball for a tail.  Her eyes are embroidered in lavender yarn.

Bunny Rabbit doll has a pretty lavender ribbon tied around her neck and two lavender ribbon bows - one on each ear. The ribbons are simply tied on with a bow and can be removed, if needed.

Soft and safe, cuddly and hugable -- a sweet pink bunny rabbit for a special child -- or a sweet  baby gift for that darling new baby girl.   

White Rabbit

My favorite saying from Alice in Wonderland is said by the White Rabbit:

“I’m late, I’m late! For a very important date! No time to say ‘hello, goodbye,’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!”

Thus ~ when it was time to crochet a new bunny rabbit for my Etsy Store, I couldn't resist making it a White Rabbit.

White Rabbit in a Pink Dress

This plush Amigurumi white rabbit has safety eyes and nose and measures 11 inches tall, including her ears. She is 9 inches tall in a sitting position.

She comes with a dress done in a sparkly pink metallic yarn. The dress is pinafore style and ties on the back around the neck. White rabbit easily puts on her dress by stepping into it and pulling up to tie. The dress is removable.

Bugs Bunny Design on a Tissue Box Cover

 

Bugs Bunny Design on a Tissue Box Cover

Besides crochet, I also create in needlepoint on plastic canvas.  A favorite bunny for Easter or anytime has long been Bugs Bunny, so I stitched him on a cover for a boutique size tissue box.

Bugs is stitched in gray, peach, white and orange acrylic yarn with black accents on eyes and whiskers. The "Bugs" design appears on two sides, with plain red stitching on the other two sides and the top. Each panel is trimmed in black with brown edgings. The background of the tissue box cover is bright red. It measures just under 6" tall x 5" wide. 

Bunny Coaster

This Bugs Bunny cover comes with a matching red coaster with a gray bunny design. The coaster will delight a child when used for a tooth brushing rinse cup or for that bedtime glass of water.

Bunny Tote Bag

Bunny Tote Bag

For another crocheted bunny design, check out this tote bag post for a cute little girls' tote bag in pink with a bunny design in white. 

Fun for little girls to carry around their favorite toys.

Roly Poly Bunny Doll

Roly Poly Pink Bunny in Plush Crochet

This is a cute little plush bunny rabbit in a Roly-Poly Amigurumi Design.

Roly-Poly bunny measures a cuddly round 4 x 4 inches (including the bunny ears). She is filled with soft new fiberfill.

Pink bunny is created using pink acrylic yarn, and an ombre variegated acrylic yarn called 'Wedgewood' in pinks, blues and white. Her features include blue craft eyes and a dark pink embroidered nose. Her ears and feet are pink.

Roly-Poly bunny rabbit is a cute and cuddly soft toy just the right size for little hands to hold.

Bunny Trail Rabbits

All these handmade bunnies "hoppin' down the bunny trail" wish you a Happy Easter!  They are each available in my Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Available in Amazon Kindle

If you would like to crochet your own bunny doll, check out this cute pattern available on Amazon.com in their Kindle store. 

Choose your favorite yarn colors for bunny doll and her dress (as I did for my pink bunny rabbit above) .  With worsted-weight 4-ply yarn and a size E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook, this 'Bunny Lady' doll will measure about 5 inches tall when finished. By changing the sizes of yarn and hook, you can make different sizes of this bunny all from the same pattern.

(c) Wednesday Elf. Article originally published on 4/1/2015.  Updated on 4/14/2019






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 Handbags, Purses and Totes

A handbag is defined as a woman's purse, which is a small bag for a woman's personal objects, money and keys. Another form is the tote bag, which is a larger bag with handles for 'toting' around a variety of items.  

There are many expensive designer handbags and purses, lots of less expensive bags, and then there is the one-of-a-kind, unique handmade handbag from crocheted to knitted to quilted.  This is a review of a few unique handbags found on Etsy, including my personal Etsy Shop, Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Bunny Tote Bag in Crochet

 

Bunny Tote Bag 

For Easter Time, or anytime, this pretty 'Bunny Tote Bag' will appeal to little girls. Hand-crocheted with pink and white acrylic yarn, this pink tote has a white bunny design crocheted into the front. It measures 18 inches long (which includes the 8 inch handle) and is 9 inches wide.  It has plenty of room for a little girl to carry around a collection of toys, dolls and storybooks.  

Speaking of dolls, this cute bunny tote comes with it's own little crocheted pink & white yarn doll who loves to ride along inside the tote to be ready to play at any time.

The bunny tote and bunny doll would make a cute Easter Basket addition. It can be found in the Etsy shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Handmade Lollipop Purse

 

Lollipop Purse in Crochet

Another cute purse for little girls who love to imitate 'mom' and have their own purse to carry on outings or for 'playtime' is this bright yellow Lollipop Purse.  It's the perfect size for small girls, measuring just 6 inches in diameter with an 11 inch strap.  

The front of the purse is decorated with two crocheted lollipops in purple and orange. Handmade by Wednesday Elf and available in her Etsy Shop.

Paw Print Tote Bag

 

Paw Print Tote Bag

A good size tote bag for the beach or to take to games is this Paw Print Tote Bag. It's a fun novelty tote for fans of tigers, cats & dogs.

This Paw Print purse is a fun tote bag in the happy color of orange. It is hand-crocheted using washable acrylic yarn in orange and white. The 'paw prints' design is crocheted into the tote. 

The front of this tote bag shows a design of orange 'Tiger' or 'Puppy Paws' displayed on a white background, The back of the tote is solid orange and the entire tote bag is edged in orange. This tote measures 24 inches long when you include the 'handle' (9 inch handle and 15 inches of tote bag), and 11 inches wide. The handle (or strap) is 3 inches wide.

This also happens to be the perfect tote for fans of the Clemson University football 'Tigers' in Clemson, South Carolina, whose symbol is an orange paw print.  Designed and created in crochet by Coastal Crochet Crafts. 

Coin Purse with Design of Dogs

 

Coin Purse with Dog Designs

Speaking of paws, here's a darling dog print handmade quilted coin purse with a design of dogs in assorted breeds and colors on a black background. There are also words like "Roll over", "Fetch", "Get the newspaper" and "Lay down".  This quilted purse is lined in black fabric that has white paw prints. Coin purses are handy to carry inside a regular purse to keep all your change together.

This quilted coin purse is the creation of Kathie of CutePurseNalities on Etsy.  Kathie is a talented quilter from Iowa who has a variety of adorably cute purses with personality, plus a collection of coin purses and unique fabric lanyards in her shop. 

Kathie's quilted purses come in a variety of designs and styles. A lovely one in her line of Christmas holiday purses is this Poinsettia Christmas Quilted Purse.

  Christmas Poinsettia Quilted Purse

 

Christmas Poinsettia Quilted Purse

Be ready for the holidays with this lovely purse with a poinsettia design.

The purse has beautiful dark red poinsettias and green foliage with gold accents on a black background. Black fabric was used to line the inside and for the handles. There are 3 inside pockets made with the poinsettia fabric. Purse has a button that says "Merry Christmas" and loop for closure. This is a very sturdy purse and it will stand on its own.

This purse is also on sale right now for the Christmas season.


For holiday themes and seasonal themes, animals prints and more, the Cute PurseNalities Etsy Shop has a wonderful selection of handmade quilted purses and totes.

Handmade Handbag Patterns to Crochet

If you are a crochet crafter like me, and you love handbags, this collection of handbags and tote bags to crochet is the perfect pattern book.  Available on Amazon Kindle, the book Handbags and Tote Bags to Crochet contains patterns for six different crochet purses which range from large in size to a small purse for everyday use. 



Whether you create your own handmade purse or purchase one from a creative designer on Etsy, a hand-crafted purse is as unique as the woman who carries it.






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.”

Plush Panda Bears

Crochet Panda Bear

This is an introduction to my hand-crafted interpretation of a Giant Panda Bear and those of other crafters who love to create plush animals as I do. 

The above cute Panda Bear currently resides in my Etsy Shop where he would welcome your visit.  Panda Bear is just one of the collection of bears (and bear-related items) who frolic in my Land of Crochet.  

Giant Panda Bear in Crochet

Plush Panda Bear in Crochet

This toy Giant Panda Bear is hand-crocheted in black & white acrylic yarn and filled with soft, new polyfil. His features are crocheted and embroidered, with plastic safety eyes in the center of the black 'patches'. 

This little roly-poly panda is just 5 x 6 inches and weighs about 8 ounces, a much better size to be a child's playmate as compared to the real Giant Panda who lives in the mountains of Central China and can grow to 4-6 feet tall and weigh over 250 pounds. 

 The Red Panda

Red Panda Cards by Sylvestermouse
 

The Red Panda also lives in China and the Himalayas.  Much smaller than the Giant Panda, the red panda is only a bit larger than a domestic cat and looks more like a raccoon than a bear.  You can see what a red panda actually looks like in this beautiful photo by Sylvestermouse. She put this darling red panda photo on a lovely greeting card, which is available in her Zazzle store.  It is also featured on other items.

Red Panda Plush Toy

Red Panda Plush Toy

Adorable Red Panda toy bear handmade in crochet by Liliya of Westfield, MA. It can be found among a variety of plush toys in her Etsy Shop BabyCrochetsShop. 

National Panda  Day

 

Available on Amazon

I see by some calendars that March 16 is National Panda Day.  A fun way to celebrate would be to read your child a book about Panda Bears while they cuddle a plush animal Panda Bear. 

Please, Mr. Panda is a delightful storybook about 'manners' showing a panda bear offering donuts to his black & white animal friends (a penguin, a skunk, and a whale) who forget to say "please" and "thank you".  The book is geared toward 3-5 year olds in the pre-school to kindergarten range. 

For more "bear" stories, visit the Parade of Plush Teddy Bears.  

NATIONAL PANDA DAY

March 16

*Plush Panda Bears Article was written by Wednesday Elf on 3/4/2015 and updated on 3/16/2021.

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.”

Celebrating Polar Bear Day – in Plush Versions and More

Adorable Polar Bear in Plush Available on Etsy

February 27th has been designated Polar Bear Day, a day set aside just for this native of the North Pole and a few other frozen regions.  Most of us only get to see them in a zoo.

Since the Polar Bear is the world's largest carnivore, a bear who can grow up to 9 feet tall and weigh 1400 pounds, the best way to have a personal polar bear is to get a plush toy version or one in wearable form or perhaps in book form.

Handmade Polar Bear Cub

Plush Polar Bear on Etsy

This Amigurumi crochet polar bear is just a baby. He measures 8 inches long (9 inches long if you count his tail) and about 4 inches high. He is softly stuffed with new polyester fiberfill and is very huggable. He was created in crochet using white acrylic yarn and has black embroidered eyes, nose and claws.

Baby polar bear is looking for a warm toybox to live in. He's tired of the cold and snow at the North Pole. :-)  At the moment he is curled up in a warm corner of the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

*Note: This baby polar bear has sold, but another can be created just for you by request. 

 

 

Polar Bear Hat in Handmade Crochet

Handmade Crochet Polar Bear Hat and Booties

Plush toy polar bears are not the only polar bear related items created in crochet.  Here's a darling polar bear hat and booties perfect as a gift set for a baby shower or darling as a photo prop.  

Created by a crochet crafter in Costa Mesa, CA, this polar bear hat & booties set can be found in her Etsy shop Crochet by Dana. 

Fun Polar Bear Facts

• Polar bears are considered marine animals because they spend most of their life at sea. Their scientific name means "maritime bear".
• Polar bears are related to the brown bear, but their bodies are adapted for cold temperatures, snow and ice.
• Did you know that most polar bears are left-handed?  No wonder I like this mighty bear, being left-handed myself.

Polar Bear Gift Guide

 

If you are looking for polar bear gift ideas, this gift guide has a nice collection in a variety of items, some of which are handmade by clever crafters on Etsy.

Amazon also has a nice variety of plush polar bears, such as this cutie from Gund, a leader in plush animals. 

GUND Original Snuffles Teddy Bear, Premium Stuffed Animal for Ages 1 and Up, White, 10”

 

Goodnight Little Polar Bear

 

Hush Little Polar Bear: A Picture Book

Time to say goodnight to our polar bear and his 'day'. This bedtime story for tots will be a sweet way to end a day and let your youngster and little polar bears everywhere get ready to sleep. 

A lovely rhyming story in a sturdy board book for all children who like the polar bear.  Cuddle with a plush polar bear while listening to this sweet bedtime story. 

"Hush little polar bear./Sleep in the snow,/and dream of the places/where sleeping bears go." 

 

Polar Bear Day

 

Keep February 27 on your calendar from year to year to remember to celebrate "Polar Bear Day" on this special day!

 

(c) Wednesday Elf. Written on 2/25/2015. Updated on 2/27/2024

 

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.”