Embrace Imperfection: The Beauty of Crafting

By Alexa Hess • March 4, 2024
Hey there, fellow crafters! Have you ever looked at your latest project and felt a pang of disappointment, thinking, "Why isn't it perfect?" or "It's not as good as I hoped"? Trust me, you're not alone. Throughout my crafting journey, I've wrestled with these same thoughts. But here's the truth I've come to realize: perfection doesn't exist in crafting, and that's perfectly okay. We all have our own unique style and perspective that we bring to our projects. While it's natural to aspire to the level of other crafters, comparing ourselves to them only leads to unnecessary self-criticism. Your work may not look identical to someone else's, but it carries your personal touch, making it uniquely yours. Consider this: when you come across a tutorial or a DIY video, you're inspired to create something similar, but with your own twist. You choose different materials, colors, and techniques, tailoring the project to reflect your creativity. And yes, there will be times when things don't go as planned. Trust me; I've had my fair share of crafting mishaps. Take, for instance, my attempt to make acrylic gift tags for Valentine's Day. Armed with glitter, Mod Podge, and a vision, I was ready to dazzle. However, reality hit hard when my glitter experiment turned into a glitter catastrophe. But did I give up? No way! I pivoted to painting the hearts, embracing a different approach that still captured the essence of my vision.
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Alexa Hess • March 5, 2024

From Sewing to Cricut: My Favorite Craft Influencers

Hey there, crafters! Are you feeling stuck in a crafting rut and searching for some fresh inspiration? Or perhaps you're just starting out on your crafting journey and need a guiding hand? Well, look no further! Today, I'm excited to share with you some of my favorite craft influencers who have been a huge source of inspiration and guidance for me.


Before we dive in, I want to make it clear that I'm not affiliated with any of these influencers. I'm simply sharing my personal experiences and recommendations based on my own crafting adventures.

The Sewing Room Channel


If you're into sewing, whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete novice, The Sewing Channel on YouTube is a must-follow. Led by the talented Sherrill, this channel offers a treasure trove of project ideas, tutorials, and invaluable sewing tips and tricks. Sherrill's clear instructions make it easy to follow along, no matter your skill level. From beginner-friendly projects to more advanced endeavors, there's something here for everyone.


My love for sewing has recently been reignited, and personally, I've found myself hooked on Sherrill's tutorials, especially her candy bags, mini tissue holders, zipper pouches with wristlets, and wine bottle bags. These projects are not only fun to make but also practical and customizable to suit any occasion. Plus, they're perfect for using up those fabric scraps you've been hoarding! I’ve linked tutorials below. 


DIY Christmas Candy Bags | Scrap Buster | The Sewing Room Channel

DIY Mini Tissue Holder | The Sewing Room Channel

Zipper Pouch with Wristlet | The Sewing Room Channel

How to Sew a Wine Bottle Gift Bag | The Sewing Room Channel 

SewHayleyJane


Another gem in the world of sewing tutorials is SewHayleyJane. Whether you're looking for simple yet thoughtful gift ideas or just eager to hone your sewing skills, this channel has got you covered. I stumbled upon SewHayleyJane while searching for Christmas gift inspiration last year, and I've been a fan ever since. Their easy-to-follow tutorials, coupled with a vibrant blog, make it a breeze to create beautiful projects for your loved ones.


And let's not forget about SewHayleyJane's monthly subscription boxes, offering a delightful assortment of fabrics and goodies delivered right to your doorstep. It's a fantastic way to treat yourself or a fellow crafter to a monthly dose of inspiration and creativity. Note, SewHayleyJane is based in the UK so keep that in mind when you order - international shipping rates and shipping times will apply. 


One of my favorite projects from SewHayleyJane that I have made is their book cover and bookmark. It is an easy project and great for using up any fat quarters you may have in your fabric stash. The book cover and bookmark is a great gift for family or friends that enjoy reading especially if they are traveling, they can keep their book protected! I will link the video to their YouTube tutorial below.


Book Sleeve Sewing Tutorial (Super easy fat quarter project)

Sweet Red Poppy


If you're like me and enjoy dabbling in various crafts, then Sweet Red Poppy is the perfect destination for you. From sewing and crafting to Cricut projects galore, Kim at Sweet Red Poppy is a true creative powerhouse. Her website and YouTube channel are brimming with tutorials and ideas to fuel your crafting adventures.


Personally, Sweet Red Poppy played a significant role in reigniting my passion for sewing. Kim's easy-to-follow tutorials, like the crayon/color pencil roll-ups and aprons, have become staples in my crafting repertoire. I’ve linked the tutorial pages and YouTube videos below.


Her expertise in all things Cricut-related has been invaluable on my crafting journey. When I received my Cricut in 2019, Sweet Red Poppy was the first set of tutorials I came across on YouTube and after that, I was hooked to her channel and Instagram. In addition to Youtube and resources of their website, Sweet Red Poppy has also created a Cricut guide that explains everything Cricut. I found this especially helpful for knowing what tools are compatible with my machine and what temperature to turn my easy press on to iron on vinyl. If you are new to Cricut or are experienced and want additional insight, I recommend purchasing the guide. I still refer to it frequently, especially when I’m in doubt about the materials I am using. 


Free Apron Sewing Pattern

YouTube Video: Easy FREE Apron Sewing Pattern

Pencil Roll Sewing Pattern for Colored Pencils or Crayons

YouTube Video: Pencil Roll


Another reason I love Sweet Red Poppy so much is because it is the reason I got the inkling to start sewing again and purchased a sewing machine in 2022. I watched and followed a few of her tutorials to make gifts that I still make when I can. My favorite projects are the crayon/color pencil roll up and apron - I will link them below. The online tutorials are so easy to follow and the patterns are easy for subscribers to access, print, cut and piece together. Thank you Sweet Red Poppy, I will forever be a fan and follower!

Jennifer Maker


For all my fellow Cricut enthusiasts out there, Jennifer Maker is an absolute godsend. Jennifer's comprehensive tutorials and expert guidance have been instrumental in my Cricut journey, especially when I was just starting out. Whether you're looking to master the art of glass etching or delve into the world of acrylic keychain engraving, Jennifer's got you covered.


One thing I truly appreciate about Jennifer Maker is her meticulous attention to detail in her tutorials on YouTube. She breaks down each step with clarity, making even the most complex projects, like etching glass and engraving acrylic keychains, seem manageable. I will link her glass etching and keychain engraving videos below if you want to branch out and try glass etching. 


YouTube Video: How to Etch Glass the Easy Way (Armour Etch and Vinyl Decals!)

YouTube Video: Engraved Acrylic Keychains with Cricut 



Thanks to her guidance, I was able to seamlessly transition from my Explore Air to the Cricut Maker 3, unlocking a world of creative possibilities. 

Amy Makes That


Last but certainly not least, Amy Makes That is a treasure trove of Cricut wisdom and entrepreneurial insights. I stumbled upon Amy's YouTube channel while searching for ways to elevate my wedding invitations, and I'm so glad I did. Her tutorial on printing addresses on envelopes saved the day and added a touch of elegance to my invites. See tutorial linked below.


DIY Wedding Envelopes // How to Print on Envelopes At Home


What sets Amy apart is her knack for not only teaching you how to use your Cricut machine but also how to turn your crafting passion into a profitable venture. Her e-book on selling Cricut projects online is a must-read for anyone looking to monetize their creativity while navigating the intricacies of the crafting business.

In conclusion, I hope this roundup of craft influencers sparks some creativity and inspiration in your crafting journey. Whether you're sewing, crafting, or Cricut-ing, these influencers have something for everyone. Happy crafting, and remember to spread the crafting love! If you enjoyed this blog post or have any suggestions for future topics, be sure to drop a comment below. Until next time, keep creating!

More Craft Inspirations

Embrace Imperfection: The Beauty of Crafting

By Alexa Hess • March 4, 2024
Hey there, fellow crafters! Have you ever looked at your latest project and felt a pang of disappointment, thinking, "Why isn't it perfect?" or "It's not as good as I hoped"? Trust me, you're not alone. Throughout my crafting journey, I've wrestled with these same thoughts. But here's the truth I've come to realize: perfection doesn't exist in crafting, and that's perfectly okay. We all have our own unique style and perspective that we bring to our projects. While it's natural to aspire to the level of other crafters, comparing ourselves to them only leads to unnecessary self-criticism. Your work may not look identical to someone else's, but it carries your personal touch, making it uniquely yours. Consider this: when you come across a tutorial or a DIY video, you're inspired to create something similar, but with your own twist. You choose different materials, colors, and techniques, tailoring the project to reflect your creativity. And yes, there will be times when things don't go as planned. Trust me; I've had my fair share of crafting mishaps. Take, for instance, my attempt to make acrylic gift tags for Valentine's Day. Armed with glitter, Mod Podge, and a vision, I was ready to dazzle. However, reality hit hard when my glitter experiment turned into a glitter catastrophe. But did I give up? No way! I pivoted to painting the hearts, embracing a different approach that still captured the essence of my vision.
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