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Welcome to episode 015 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Julie Persinger of Knitpickin’ Chicken and the soon to come long arm quilting business, Top Shelf Quilting. We had a really fun (and really long!) conversation about quilting, Project Linus, pattern design, and more.

I have known Julie for years – and please allow a little freak out moment of oh my gosh Julie from Craftborg is on my show! If you’ve been around the crafting or knitting community for a while now, you might remember when Julie and Rosemary Waits published the Craftborg podcast and videocasts. Sadly, it is no longer published, which is a topic for another show, but it was so great. Thanks again for being on the show Julie, I know we’ll be talking again soon!

Where you can find Julie - Julie’s Etsy shop – Julie on instagram – coming soon: Top Shelf Quilting

One of the things Julie talked about is the uncertainty of being a quilt pattern designer because it can feel like there are already so many people out there doing this very same thing. I want to encourage you in the same way I encouraged her – no one can make the ideas you have. There is inspiration everywhere and we see what others are designing and making, but only you have your ideas. Maybe designs look similar, but only you can make what you are thinking of.

Julie’s new long arm quilting business, Top Shelf Quilting, will be online soon and we talked about the difficulty of pricing when it comes to a creative business. There are a lot of articles that talk about what we are worth, how to price a quilt you make, and how to have a creative business. This is going to be one of the main topics here at Me Being Crafty in 2015 and I look forward to sharing more with you.

Listen to episode 015 and let me know if you have ever felt stopped creatively, if you want to have a business or be a pattern designer but you think there are too many people doing the same thing. I’d love to hear your thoughts on is this, does it feel crowded to you, are you interested in sharing the ideas you have but don’t know where to start?

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m getting ready for the holiday vacation! Here come the cookies!

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 014 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Christa Watson of Christa Quilts about her journey with teaching and the transition she made into modern quilting. Christa has been sewing for twenty years and teaching for seventeen years so it was really fun to talk to her.

I’ve read Christa’s website for a few years now and have really enjoyed the quilt alongs she has published. I’ve made a couple of the quilts, but on my own schedule which is just another reason to be glad the breakdown of instructions is still available! Thanks again for being on the podcast Christa!

Where you can find Christa – Christa Quilts Craftsy Pattern Store – Christa Quilts on facebook – Christa on instagram

Christa and I talk about being a confident person and just going for it when you are looking to build your skill set. Don’t be afraid to just go for it because the voices that are doubting you are only in your head! The teacher you are learning from, the others in a class you take, your friends online, everyone is supportive in your journey to learn something new and is willing to help you. Christa is right – you can’t mess up a quilt. At the end of your trip making something new, it is going to be spilled on and washed and used outside and so many things – you can’t mess up that functionality.

We also talk about new designers and how they are breathing  more life into this already large and amazing industry. It can feel like there is a new designer entering every day and to that I say welcome! We also talk about accessibility in the industry, because quilting and sewing are not inexpensive hobbies. Christa recommends starting small with the basic supplies necessary and when you fall in love with being creative in that way, then invest in more tools or a more expensive sewing machine. She mentions that only recently, after years and years of sewing herself, did she buy a higher end, more expensive machine. At the end of the show I talk about my experience with investing in quality tools and products. We both agree that making the investment in quality fabric is something that should happen from the start.

I am excited to see what else Christa has to offer and for her new book coming out in 2015! If you have the chance to take a class from her, I encourage you to do so. I love sewing with other people and taking classes and what she is offering looks really fun.

Listen to episode 014 and let me know what your tools and supply stash look like – are you sewing and quilting with just the basics, do you have fourteen rulers and six rotary cutters, how do you make the decision as to which tool is one necessary for your art to be created?

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m sending swap packages and taking care of sick kids.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher.

Welcome to episode 013 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Nicholas Ball of Quilts from the Attic. We have a great conversation about not being afraid to just try something. Nick has been quilting for just a few short years and recently he made a drastic turn in his style – from simple hst’s or square quilts to really impressive paper piecing. His Vegetable Patch Quilt has to be seen, it is stunning!

I met Nick at the Fat Quarter Retreat in London over the summer and I am so glad I sat down at the same table he was at. I remain struck by his revelation of making and how that has made him into the designer and quilter that we all see. I love when people have that moment! Thanks again for being on the show Nick!

Where you can find Nick – Quilts from the Attic on facebook – Quilts from the Attic on pinterest – Quilts from the Attic on instagram (don’t miss out on Nick’s instagram feed – guessing at the veggie he’s working on is fun)

Nick has a great attitude around quilting – don’t be afraid to just do it. Simple advice, which can be hard to follow. We can be scared to cut fabric, scared to mess it up or not put it together right. But you can’t have successes until you have failures – and even so called failures in quilting often end up looking great. Don’t be afraid to not follow a pattern, to save the small scraps of fabric that you have and just try. The quilting community is welcoming so don’t be afraid to jump into the community too. Nick left a comment on a post about a quilt and ended up being a part of the NGAQB (No Girls Allowed Quilting Bee). I love that one comment led to him finding a whole new group of people. Making connections can lead to really fun projects, so I encourage you to explore your favorite social media and find more people. Reach out and comment on a new friend’s photo or join in on a swap.

Listen to episode 013 and let me know when you were afraid but did it anyway. I hope this is something that happens often! Lately I realize I am braver than in the past and more willing to try things, and in the end I am happy with what I was brave about and made.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m making a mug rug for a swap!

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher. Play the podcast here at the end of the post.

Welcome to episode 012 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Sandi Sawa Hazlewood, of The Crafty Planner about her start in the quilting community. Sandi started out creatively in the scrapbook industry, teaching classes and learning about color and what works with what, even though her Mom is an accomplished quilter and having the influence of a quilter right around her in her Mom.

I was able to attend one San Diego Modern Quilt Guild sew in when we were living in the area which is where I met Sandi. I wish we stayed in SD for a longer amount of time because the local guild always looks like they are having so much fun! Thanks again for being on the show Sandi!

Where you can find Sandi – The Crafty Planner facebook page – Sandi on twitter – Sandi on instagram – Sandi on flickr

Sandi jumped right into quilting headfirst after stopping at a local quilt shop on vacation. She bought five yards of fabric and hasn’t looked back! We talked about the process of making and of being creative in today’s world of instant sharing online. It is so easy to get caught up in the new quilt a week or new project every few days, but do not let that make you feel badly about what you are creating. Everyone is creative at their own pace and everyone is in the middle of the process at some point. Share your messy space, share your half finished project. Let’s get back to enjoying the process of making.

Listen to episode 012 and let me know your process of creating. Are you slowing down and enjoying what you are doing?

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m working on my to do list.

Head over to iTunes and subscribe to Me Being Crafty so you don’t miss an episode! You can also subscribe on stitcher. Play the podcast here at the end of the post.

Welcome to episode 011 of the Me Being Crafty podcast, where we explore creativity in your life.

In this episode I talk to Tracey Wirth of Swell Sewing about our parents as influence in our artistic life, moving from sewing clothing to quilting and now on to an even more artistic venture for her into surface design. She started with making clothing after learning how to sew in 4H, something many people are familiar with I’m sure, and only started quilting a few years ago.

Tracey and I met at Sewing Summit and we’ve kept in touch since that time. She and I recently connected on Facebook and her website made me excited for what she has been working on. She is sharing her designs and experience of taking an online class around surface design. Thanks again for being on the show Tracey!

Tracey reminds us to not let technology be something that holds us back. Even if you don’t know the ins and outs of a computer program, you can still create designs. Draw and doodle and figure out what comes out of you as a designer and an artist and go from there. You can always find someone else to help you with the technology – but that person can’t help get the designs from your mind.

We also very briefly talked about the influence that our parents have on us. She wanted to be creative because her Dad was painting when she was young. I think a lot of us learn to be artistic because of our parents influence – we see them sewing at the kitchen table or painting or knitting while watching a movie – their actions are influencing us and this can be really great because we are able to express ourselves thanks to them.  We often start doing something because our parents did it, I sew and quilt now because of my Mom, and my Grandma taught me to do beadwork. It’s nice to have that connection with our families.

Tracey mentioned attending different workshop weekends as well and I think it is great to attend those. It’s nice to be around people that are interested in the same thing you are interested in, who maybe have the same struggles you are having, and to be able to talk to someone about what they are doing as designers and makers and have that connection.

Where you can find Tracey – Tracey on facebook – Tracey on instagram

Listen to episode 011 and let me know if your parents influenced you with their artistic abilities. I’d also love to hear your experience attending a weekend workshop or a retreat.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you were creative today. Me, I’m working on bee blocks and swaps!