Gifted Crafters Newsletter 2024 Q4

Exciting News & Tricks You Need to Know

Nancy ❤️
December 31, 2024

Welcome to the Gifted Crafters Newsletter!
As we embrace the new year, we're bringing you the latest in crafting innovation, practical tips, and exciting events to fuel your creative journey.

Hello Gifted Crafters,
It’s Nancy here, thrilled to welcome you to this edition of the GiftsHQ Gifted Crafters Newsletter! This quarter, we’ve packed in plenty of creative ideas, innovative tools, and practical tips to fuel your crafting journey. From buzzworthy sewing machines to essential tutorials and endless inspiration, there’s something for everyone.

Last time, we spotlighted the much-anticipated Brother Aveneer, and it’s lived up to the hype! From the videos I’ve seen, it’s truly an impressive machine. To everyone who added it to their crafting arsenal, I hope it brings you years of creative joy!

Let’s dive in and get inspired!

The new Bernina 990

Sew What’s Buzzing
The crafting world is abuzz with anticipation for the new BERNINA 990. After 15 years of innovation, the Swiss-crafted BERNINA 990 (B990) is set to revolutionize sewing and embroidery. With its 14-inch extended freearm of space to the right of the needle, large 10" touch screen, Giant Embroidery Hoop (16.1" x 12"), and WiFi connectivity, it offers unparalleled space and seamless integration for large, intricate projects. The oversized touch screen, Automatic Needle Threader, and Jumbo Stitch resizing (25%-500%) make designing effortless, while tools like the BERNINA Placement Scanner, Camera, and Pinpoint Laser ensure precision at every step.

This machine adapts to your needs with features like automatic stitch plate recognition for added safety and integrated stitch regulation (BISR) for flawless quilting. Whether you're resizing stitches or creating custom designs on-screen, the B990 combines cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship to elevate your creativity.

📖 Visit the official BERNINA website for more information at https://www.bernina.com/b990.
📌Here is a link to a video to see this marvel of a machine in action …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k-h0N-zIaw

Quick How-To:
Cleaning Your Iron (Tested Methods, Ranked)
Is your iron leaving marks on your clothes? Don't worry - we've tested the best ways to clean your iron and remove that stubborn buildup. Here's what really works!

Method 1: Magic Iron Cleaner (Best Overall) This special cleaning solution is worth every penny. Just carefully apply the paste on your iron's surface while it's warm, then iron over a clean cotton cloth. The gunk melts right off! Even tough, burned-on residue comes clean with a few passes.

Method 2: Magic Eraser Hack (Not the Best but Ok) Wet a Magic Eraser, squeeze out extra water, and place it on a cotton towel. Run your warm iron over it several times. While not as effective as the Magic Iron Cleaner, it works well for light buildup and is a great option using items you probably have at home.

Method 3: Dryer Sheet Technique (🚫 Skip This One) While this method isn't as powerful as the others, it works for extremely light cleaning. Place a dryer sheet on a cotton towel and run your warm iron over it. Warning: Skip the dryer sheet method. Our testing showed it's not very effective and can leave residue behind.

ProTips:

Use 100% cotton cloths underneath - never plastic or synthetic materials
Work in different directions to clean the entire soleplate
Focus extra attention on the edges and steam holes
Clean your iron every few months to prevent heavy buildup

Regular cleaning keeps your iron gliding smoothly and prevents damage to your clothes. With these simple methods, you can restore even the dirtiest iron to like-new condition in minutes!

Want to see cleaning an iron in action? I've got you covered! Head over to my GiftsHQ YouTube channel and check out my video "How to Clean an Iron - 3 Ways Compared - What Worked?". You’ll be cleaning your iron like a pro in no time.

How to Clean an Iron - 3 Ways Compared - What Worked? YouTube Video

Watch my video on YouTube How to Clean an Iron - 3 Ways Compared - What Worked?

Simple Crafting Tips & Tricks You Can Live By …
Sewing:

1. Take breaks and enjoy the process—sewing when tired leads to mistakes.
2. Mistakes are part of the process. Reworking something doesn’t make you a failure.
3. PRESSING: Beginners may skip it, but the pros use the iron's pressure, friction, and steam to shape fabric.
4. Watch plenty of instructional videos—different explanations may work better for you.
5. Invest in quality tools and maintain them—sewing becomes so much more enjoyable!

Quilting:

1. Check estate sales of quilters. You’ll find bargains and give their tools a new home.
2. Quilt kits and precuts are great for beginners nervous about buying fabric by the yard.
3. Want perfect? Buy a store quilt. Want homemade? Embrace the imperfections.
4. Quilt with your heart and gut—you're the one doing the work!
5. Avoid buying fabric without a plan—focus on project needs and save any scraps.

Circular Machine Knitting:

1. Attach your machine to a sturdy surface using clamps to prevent slipping.

2. Use a scrap yarn for an easy waste yarn cast-on.

3. Always check the yarn feed for twists or knots.

4. If your machine doesn’t have a row counter or malfunctions, then use an external row counter for accuracy.

5. Use leftover yarn for matching pom-poms on your beanie hats.

Crafty Quote Designed to Inspire
“Crafts make us feel rooted, give us a sense of belonging and connect us with our history. Our ancestors used to create these crafts out of necessity, and now we do them for fun, to make money and to express ourselves.” - Phyllis George

Sew true (see what I did there ☺️), crafts are like whispers from our ancestors, reminding us of their resilience while giving us a canvas to tell our own story. It’s history, passion, and creativity woven into every piece we make.

📅 Save the Dates
Upcoming Crafting Expos, and Events in 2025 ^{_{(Cities & Dates)}}

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo
Atlanta-Duluth, GA - March 6, 7 & 8, 2025
Lakeland, FL - March 13, 14 & 15, 2025
Cleveland, OH - April 3, 4 & 5, 2025
Raleigh, NC - May 1, 2 & 3, 2025
Dallas - Irving, TX - July 31, Aug. 1 & 2, 2025
Fredericksburg, VA - Sept. 25, 26 & 27, 2025
Nashville - Lebanon, TN - Oct. 2, 3 & 4, 2025
Cincinnati - Sharonville, OH - Oct. 16, 17 & 18, 2025
Detroit - Novi, MI - Nov. 6, 7 & 8, 2025

Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival
Phoenix, AZ - January 30- February 1, 2025
Albuquerque, NM - February 6-8, 2025
Sacramento, CA - March 20-22, 2025
Portland, OR - April 10-12, 2025
Boise, ID - May 8-10, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT - May 15-17, 2025
Castle Rock, CO - May 29-31, 2025
Scottsdale, AZ - August 28-30, 2025
Pleasanton, CA - October 9-11, 2025
Tucson, AZ - November 6-8, 2025
Puyallup, WA - November 13-15, 2025

AQS Quilt Week Shows
Daytona Beach, FL - February 19-22, 2025
Branson, MO - March 12-15, 2025
Paducah, KY - April 23-26, 2025
Grand Rapids, MI - August 20-23, 2025
Lancaster, PA - September 10–13, 2025

Quiltfests
Hampton, VA - February 27-March 2, 2025
Oaks, PA - September 11-24, 2025

Impressions Expo
Long Beach, CA - January 23-25, 2024
Atlantic City, NJ - March 20-22, 2025
Dallas, TX - October 2-4, 2025

Decorated Apparel Expo
Kansas City - February 21-22, 2025
Nashville, TN - May 9-10, 2025
Chicago, IL - May 30-31, 2025
Minneapolis / Saint Paul, MN - Aug 1-2, 2025

Graphics Pro Expo
Irving, TX - March 6-8, 2025
Indianapolis, IN - June 19-21, 2025
Long Beach, CA - August 21-23, 2025
Meadowlands, NJ - September 12-13, 2025

🌟 Happy New Year, Gifted Crafters! 🌟
As we close the chapter on 2024, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy for the moments we've shared together this year. Reflecting on the past year, I’m overwhelmed by the love, creativity, and support you’ve poured into this incredible community, both on YouTube and in our Facebook group. You are the reason this journey is so meaningful.

A special thank-you to our amazing channel members—your dedication has been a gift beyond measure. Your support helps us bring more crafting joy into the world, and I am deeply thankful. To every subscriber, viewer, and friend who has cheered us on, you are truly a major part of this crafting family. Together, you’ve made this community what it is: a vibrant, inspiring space for creativity.

2024 was a year of exciting milestones:
✨ We reached over 7,500 subscribers, celebrated 450,000 views, and watched as you shared over 50,000 hours of your time with our videos.
✨ You shared 15,000 likes, and I had the joy of responding to over 1,000 of your thoughtful comments—each one brought a smile to my face!
✨ We introduced GiftsHQ channel memberships, which not only supports our channel but also offers you a variety of exciting perks!
✨ We launched GiftsHQ Crafting Tunes Volumes 1 & 2 and released our Holiday Crafting Time single to fill your craft rooms with joyful music! And even though the holidays are behind us, we want to share a special holiday gift with you: our “Holiday Crafting Time” song—completely FREE! Be one of the first 100 Gifted Crafters to download it using the promo code: GiftsHQXmasTune at https://shop.giftshq.com . Even if you already have it, share it with your friends and family—the more, the merrier! That way, they too can enjoy the holiday crafting spirit next year.

What a year it’s been! And the best part? It’s all thanks to YOU. Your support allows us to create, grow, and dream bigger than ever before.

Looking ahead to 2025, I can’t wait to share even more exciting projects, inspiring tutorials, and community-building moments with you. My wish for you is simple: May this new year bring you joy, creativity, and fulfillment in all your endeavors. May your homes be warm, your hearts full, and your crafting adventures boundless!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being the best gift of all. You’ve turned this channel into more than just a creative space—it’s a community that uplifts, encourages, and connects. I cherish every single one of you.

Here’s to a bright, beautiful, and magical 2025! 🥂

With all my love and gratitude - Nancy ❤️

Well, that wraps up this quarter, my crafty friends! Remember, every stitch, cut, or brushstroke brings you closer to creating something extraordinary. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and most of all, keep cherishing the joy of crafting! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just discovering the magic of creativity, I hope you found something valuable in this newsletter to spark new ideas and inspire your next creation.

As a cherished GiftsHQ Tier 2 and above YouTube member, you’re always ahead of the curve with first access to updates like these. Not a member yet? Join today and unlock exclusive perks, tutorials, and insider trends!

I hope to be crafting with you soon!
-Nancy ❤️

P.S. Have a crafting question or topic you'd like us to cover in future newsletters? Drop us a line and let us know—we love hearing from you!

🎵 Love crafting? Make it even more fun with our catchy crafting tunes music! 🎶
Check out our latest album, GiftsHQ Music Crafting Tunes Vol. 2, and the classic Vol. 1!
Where to Buy:
► Instant Downloads: GiftsHQ Shop ➙ https://shop.giftshq.com
► Get it On Amazon: Amazon Digital Music ➙ https://amzn.to/3ZiHHK9
► iTunes: http://giftshq.com/itunes
► Physical CD: http://giftshq.com/cd

Here’s a special FREE offer for our “Holiday Crafting Time” song! This is available for a limited time to the first 100 people. So don’t miss out! Use promo code: GIFTSHQXmasTune at shop.giftshq.com.

But wait there’s more … being GiftsHQ, you know we need to give you more gifts …
📆 So if you haven’t already done so, please feel free to download your FREE 2025 Crafting Planner. It’s our gift to you. Get your FREE GiftsHQ 2025 Crafting Planner in PDF format. Just fill out the Google form and you will be given a link ... https://forms.gle/53amYgQotsemRRcA8

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