Quilt Fabric Storage Idea with the Big Shot

Hi everyone! I just started using my Sizzix Big Shot to cut fabric and I had an epiphany. I'm a modern quilter and I love jelly roll quilts. I was cutting some fabric last night and decided to "kit" my jelly rolls. 

Cutting 2.5" strips

Strips galore! 

Then I put them into groups I would probably use together. 

I tied the rolls with scrap strips from cutting.

Then I can just stack them up and save space! This would make an awesome gift for a fellow quilter as well. Hope this helps organize your stash, happy crafting!

Quilting with Beyoncé

So I have known for a while I am not your average knitter, scrapbooker, or quilter.  Whenever I go to any local gatherings like this I am usually one of the youngest. This doesn't make me feel out of place, but it does make for interesting conversations.  I was making a few things recently (while listening to Beyoncé and then Rihanna) and I thought, does the typical quilter/knitter/scrapper know all the words to XO and Work? I find it hilarious because you can never judge a book by its cover. I remember one time about 2.5 years ago, I was looking at thread in a big box store and I was just checking all of the thread to see what was available. A lady came up to me (a customer, not an employee) and said "Oh, that's quilting thread, is that what you're looking for?" I slowly turned to her (because I had to be sure this was really happening) and said "I'm just looking, I'm getting new thread." She pressed on with "Well, that's for quilting, I mean you're not quilting are you?" This last part was delivered with a mix of derision and panic. I responded "No, I just wanted new thread...do you work here?" Realizing her error, she fumbled a little and said "Well the machine thread is over there...this is quilting thread..." and proceeded to roll her cart away. I laughed because a.) I could not believe you tried to deny me this thread, b.) You don't know me so you have no idea what I'm looking for, and c.) Why would it be so shocking that I might be quilting? It's not like if I buy this thread I'll use up all the quilting space in the world. My quilting doesn't hinder your ability to quilt, but the confusion in her face was so real. I giggle to myself everytime I buy thread now, since I can quilt and I've graduated to embroidery, I'm using all of the good thread. I also think sometimes when I'm knitting, quilting or scrapping that I am not the average crafter, because I do craft to music you might not expect and I may not look like everyone else in the guild, but I'm just as happy as anyone else to show my work! I hope everyone feels that free when you're creating and don't let anyone make you feel nervous about it. Happy crafting (cues Drake-Hotline Bling)!

New fabric and thread stash. 

It's real in these crafting streets...Design Teams or the Hunger Games?

I'm an avid crafter, there, I said it, or typed it. I do projects for people and I also design, draw, and create for myself and companies. However, wrapped up in all of this is the desire to have my own stamp line and my own designs. The issue is how to get your designs in front of the right people. One thing you need is exposure and unfortunately with so many print craft magazines going out of business and LSS (Local Scrapbooking Stores) going under, a lot of visibility opportunities were lost.  This leaves the obvious choice of the Internet, but even that requires the ability to not only choose the correct platform (blogging or social media), but to drive traffic to your profile/site.  I have been pretty fortunate with a few hundred followers on IG and my site, but that was really some luck and a nice shout out on the Quick Quotes blog.  Without that, I'm not sure what my audience would look like.  This brings up the subject of design teams, I currently belong to one and I'm looking to join 1 or 2 more next year, but even that is an uphill battle.  I personally only apply for design teams I genuinely want to belong to and support.  This is great for keeping your skills sharp and keeping you on task as most DTs have a calendar for your projects.  It's also wonderful to keep you in touch with other like minded creators.  If you've applied for a team or a dozen and you were not selected, please don't give up, it can take a while to find your footing and your style.  Take each application as an opportunity to improve your skills and show what you've learned, you'll be surprised at how quickly you improve. The good thing is that many teams have 6 month memberships so that gives you 2 opportunities per year. I would also suggest going for a team you're passionate about, even if it's one of the major companies because they will see through fake enthusiasm if you don't really enjoy the products.  Last bit of advice is to be yourself in your designs, copying the latest trend won't work and it won't help you stand out from everyone else, offer the team leader something unique, you. That's about all I have for now, but I just wanted to offer a quick pick-me-up to anyone that is struggling with their crafting right now.  It's an extremely competitive space with a lot of talented people, don't get discouraged and remember that the whole point of this is to make things and have fun! Until next time, happy crafting!