Quick Tip Tuesday

 

TIP:  Prep Your Fabric Before You Begin

A few minutes of prep can make your sewing project easier and help your finished piece keep its shape. If the fabric will be washed later, prewash and dry it the way you plan to care for the finished project.

Before cutting, press the fabric with an iron set for its fiber. Smooth out wrinkles without stretching the fabric, then lay it flat and check that the edges are straight. Now you’re ready to measure and cut with more confidence!

***Easy Prep:  Wash, dry, & iron before measuring and cutting!

Craft Room Storage Tip

Tip:  Keep your most used tools near you.

For me, stamps and ink are within arms reach as are adhesive, scissors, card bases, and my paper trimmer.   

Now, that doesn't mean you should have everything on your desk taking up priceless, shrinking real estate. Only what YOU use frequently whether that is paint brushes, watercolors, vinyl, brads, or buttons.

My paper is stored in labeled, clear drawers, sorted by color, behind me.  If you label your storage, you are able to tell what's in it without a lot of effort, especially if the storage is clear.  This is what I use for my paper.

You can store bins on top of a piece of furniture such as a headboard, side table, bookshelf, or anywhere in the room that you can still see them hanging out ready to be used!

My sewing zone is set up with my machine,  needles, thread, pins, bobbins, and scissors nearby.  Fabric is stored by type in clear bins.  My iron and ironing board are set up right behind me.

I hope this tip helps you set your space up to make it work best for you. Happy organizing and happy crafting!

Quick Tip Tuesday: Use Painter’s Tape for Clean Edges!

 

Have you ever tried to paint a perfectly straight line on a craft project, only to end up with a wobbly edge? 

Here's a simple trick that can make a big difference: painter's tape! 

 Painter's tape isn't just for painting walls. It's a handy little tool to keep in your craft room, too! Here are a few ways to use it:

•  Painting wood crafts: Create crisp lines, stripes, or color-blocked designs.
• Cardmaking: Mask off sections of cardstock before ink blending to create neat borders and geometric patterns.
• Scrapbooking: Use it to temporarily hold a stencil in place or mask an area you want to keep clean.
• Mixed-media projects: Separate colors and create interesting shapes without worrying about painting outside the lines.

A Few Tips for Better Results

• Make sure your surface is clean and dry before applying the tape. 
• Press the edges down gently but firmly to help prevent paint or ink from seeping underneath. 
• For the cleanest results, use thin coats of paint rather than one heavy coat.
• Remove the tape carefully, usually while the paint is still slightly wet, unless your paint instructions recommend otherwise. 

1

 One word of caution: Regular painter's tape can damage delicate scrapbook paper or cardstock. Try low-tack tape, test it on a scrap first, and remove it slowly.

The Bottom Line ... Sometimes the simplest supplies make the biggest difference! A little painter's tape can save you time, prevent frustration, and give your projects a cleaner, more polished look.

Happy crafting!

— Crafteverly

Stamps, stencils, inks and so much more - on sale!

 You probably know by now that I love Altenew products.  Have you seen the "One Go" line of products? It's designed to allow you to get more done in fewer steps.  I have the sentiment stamps and die cut. I can stamp and die cut six sentiments in one go.  It's so easy!

But here's something even better.  From October 12 to October 18, Altenew is offering 45% off selected stamps, dies, stencils, and more. Go check it out!  Maybe you'll find the product that helps you fall in love with crafting all over again.  Have a crafty week!

FREE Shipping at Altenew

Enjoy FREE U.S. Shipping from Altenew on orders over $49 (no code needed)

Better hurry as this only lasts until 11:59 PM Friday, Oct 9!

 Disclaimer: Free shipping valid on qualifying orders of $49+ after discounts, promotions, and reward point redemptions are applied. 

Quick Tip Tuesday

Quick Tip Tuesday: Know When to Walk Away

Sometimes the best thing you can do for a craft project is walk away from it.

That doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you recognize that frustration is beginning to take over—and continuing may cause more mistakes, wasted supplies, or a project you no longer enjoy.

This happened to me while I was working with a wood cutout, crushed glass, and UV resin. I needed clear transfer tape to stick firmly to the back of the wood so the glass wouldn’t slide underneath it. Unfortunately, the tape wasn’t sticking well enough, and the project wasn’t going as planned. 

That was my sign to stop.

How do you know when it’s time for a break?

It may be time to walk away when:

• You keep making the same mistake.

• You’re getting more frustrated by the minute.

• You’re rushing because you just want to finish.

• Your materials aren’t behaving as expected.

• You’re tempted to use a questionable “quick fix.”

• You’re no longer enjoying the process.

Before you leave, take a picture or make a quick note about the problem. Put away anything that could spill, dry out, or get damaged. This makes it much easier to begin again later.

How do you know when it’s time to go back?

Return when you feel calmer and are ready to look at the problem with fresh eyes. You may have thought of another solution, researched a better technique, or simply gained the patience to try again.

In my case, I’m leaving the transfer-tape project alone until tomorrow. After a good night’s rest, I can sand and clean the wood, try stronger tape, or seal the edges before adding the glass.

Walking away isn’t quitting. Sometimes a short break is exactly what a project—and its crafter—needs to succeed.

Altenew and Upcoming Discounts

  https://altenew.com/collections/weekly-sale?sca_ref=11610082.INjFl9YMoBKjKhhb

All week long, use this link to enjoy up to 45% off crafting essentials for Fall!Happy Crafting!