The first step is believing in yourself.

Just want the free files? Skip to the bottom.

It wasn't a new car, or fancy outfit, nor was it a special vacation. 

It was this business. And not just actually starting the business but ALLOWING myself to have big dreams and chase them and not give up on them. 

Have you allowed your self to dream big? Is there something you wish you could do if you knew FOR SURE if would work out?

While there is never a guarantee, giving myself the opportunity to take a risk has turned into one of my proudest accomplishments. 

This little business is run from my home, in the hours that work around my kids' schedule, and it's not only given me freedom from my cubicle 9-5 job but it's given me so much more! It's given me purpose, connection, and the ability to help others. And those things have turned out to be the best gift ever. 

I've always believed that as you climb the ladder in life, you should turn around and pull others up with you if you can. And I was so excited...

There may have been some restrictions last year with weddings but now, nuptials can go full swing again. And often with weddings come bridal showers, couple showers and bachelorette parties. So of course, gifts are needed! 

Most couples are registered for specific gifts at major retailers but sometimes you'd like to make something more personal and special for the occasion. 

I've put together 6 DIY bridal gift ideas you can whip up with your Cricut or Silhouette machine, plus you can get all the SVGs for FREE to make these!

1. Custom 'bride' jacket or robe. 

A custom 'bride' denim jacket would be the perfect attire for a fun bachelorette night out! Or a 'bride' robe for a spa day or wedding day as she gets ready. You could customize these gifts to match the wedding colors and I know any bride would be over-the-moon to receive this.

Supplies needed: Heat Transfer Vinyl, a Heat Press or Iron, Jacket or Robe, and the FREE cut file you can get at Crafting Overload....

Don't shoot the messenger, but it's really time to start considering Christmas shopping. 

And great news! The SVG Club's featured member for August, has got some really perfect gift ideas in stock...oh and double bonus, she's given me a coupon code to share with you guys.

Rhiannon can be found on Facebook and Instagram where she shares lots of the new products she makes. Earrings, dish scrubbies, kitchen towels, crochet stuffies, keychains...really so many great and easy gift ideas! You can shop all her great stuff here: personalizeitbyrhiannon.com and use code STEPHANIE15 for a discount!

Tell us about your business, how you got started and what you create?

I started by making cards and gifting them to people. Then people wanted to start ordering them and it’s just changed in what I’m offering item wise. I still make cards, just not as many and not as often.

What’s your favorite thing about running a business?

I can do what I want and change my...

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PIN for Later Tools for Making SVGs or FREE SVGs

Have you ever wondered what it take to make SVGs?
(If not, you can skip to the bottom to find the free files!)

I'm going to break down all the tools I use in my business for SVG design. The great things about designing SVGs is it doesn't take a lot of material goods, like a handmade shop may require. And there's no shipping supplies or postage. But there are some tech tools that are a must! 

And you don't have to hand letter to design and sell SVGs, but if you do there are a few extra tools you'll need. Let's cover those first. 

1. iPad & Apple Pencil (for lettering)

I bought my iPad back in 2017 after trying one out at a craft retreat. I ABSOLUTELY loved making the transition from paper and pen to iPad. I opted for a larger screen size but lower memory size, and it's worked out great! The specs on my iPad Pro are 12.9 inch with 128 GB...

The SVG Club is full of incredibly creative ladies, so why not celebrate one each month! 

This month: Jessica of Create with Crafty Jessie (you can find her on both Facebook and Instagram)

Jessica works with polymer clay and teaches others how to do the same. How cool is that? We asked her about how she got started, check out her Q & A below, but even better she's offered to teach SVG club members about polymer clay AND she's sharing with you her "Polymer Clay Beginner's Guide", snag it here. 

Just for you guys she's also giving 15% off in her Etsy shop! Use code "STEPHANIE"

www.craftyjessiecreates.etsy.com

Tell us about your business, how you got started and what you create?

I’ve always been crafty, but my current journey began during my senior year of college. I was student teaching and needed something to do to destress myself. I found polymer clay and began sculpting for fun, eventually opening an Etsy shop and doing local craft shows. I worked in...

Among the school community, talking about back to school during July is kinda frowned upon. Teachers and staff are still recovering from what might have been the most wild ride in education. But, my crafty friends have, again, gathered up some amazing SVG cut files and they all happen to be FREE. (Yay!) So while you're starting your back to school shopping list, you can also start planning out some super cute crafts for your kiddos and their educators. 

But before we get to those cut files, did you all know I'm a part-time tech aide at my kids' elementary school? My free SVG cut file reads "The future of the world is IN my classroom" and we all hope and pray that students are IN THE CLASSROOM all year. However, now that we live in a pandemic world, where computers have become so critical to education, and we never know what the year will bring - I thought I would share some of my top troubleshooting tips for when your kids' computer isn't working quite...

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Ugh. That voice in your head that creeps in and says 

“You’re never gonna be as good as her, it’s silly to even try.” 

“Why would people buy that from you, there's other people who are better.” or 

“Don’t post that, people will laugh [or think it’s stupid or find you weird]. 

 It’s the voice that reminds us of all the other times we’ve messed up or failed. It keeps us grounded. It keeps in perspective what we can ACTUALLY do. Right? 

WRONG. 

That voice is a liar, filtered through a lens that’s looking to protect your ego from pain or the possibility of failure. Keeping you safe from something you perceive as scary, but it isn’t rational. That voice keeps you stuck. It keeps you from reaching your full potential. 

Do you know that nearly every person in business that you admire had to work through that ‘mental junk’ as well. They had to...

Raise your hand if the 4th of July is one of your favorite holidays. (Do you see me? I'm raising both hands up high!) 

It's summer, there's great cookout food, family, parades, fireworks, a little pool time....it's a total celebration over here. And of course with all of that, we love wearing some tees I craft up with my Cricut. 

This year, with a little help from my friends, we are loading you up with so many fun options (see below)! But what are the best blanks and vinyl to craft with? 

The Blanks I'm Using This Year: 

Walmart is one of my favorite places to pick up blank tees and tanks. They are always a great price, so when it's for a once-a-year holiday I don't feel guilty for over spending. These both look great for a cute July 4th top!

Crochet Trim Tank

Tie-Dye Tank Top

The Perfect Vinyl Colors for July 4th

I've paired up some shimmer, some shine and old fashion plaid for the holiday. Siser Electric Red (from Michaels Craft Stores) is my absolute...

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Late nights after a 9-5. In the garage "workshop". Buried deep in saw dust and packaging supplies. That's where this business started. 

Were you around for my sign making days? That was the first stepping stone in my small business. Which then led to

• SVG cut files for crafters (Etsy, SoFontsy, DesignBundles)
• a course on handlettering - You Can Hand Letter
• SVG monthly subscription club - SVG Club
• a course on how to start your own digital files shop
  • (Here's a free training that explains it all).

But my roots were probably a lot like yours, not exactly sure what I was doing, just figuring out as I go. And if I'm honest, the words I painted on signs were the words I needed to hear myself as I battled with deep self doubt and finding myself again after trying to fit in the societal mold (which I was NOT built for). 

On our creative journeys we have phases, or seasons, each serving a purpose and teaching us lessons we need to know. While I love and appreciate...