Worth More Than a Cricut.
Get ready y’all because I put the kettle on this morning and the truth tea has been brewing heavily. The past four months have been unbelievably hard for an untold number of reasons. I have faced professional and personal struggles unlike any I have encountered in my thirty six-years of life. I don’t even know where they came from! It’s like one day I was merrily going about my way just brushing my weaves out—it was a Tuesday—when Hurricane Bianca came storming through my life with no interest in heading back out to sea. This turmoil, which admittedly has at times been self-inflicted, and other times all in my head, has left me in a constant state of disaster relief.
Because of this cyclical state of betterness and impairment, my brain cells went a bit mushy. Something in my life had to give, and on several occasions I was ready to push the button to close this blog and associated commitments down. I’d had a fabulous quilting career, but all good things must come to an end. Besides, there were so many other quilters offering more relevant and inspiring content that I certainly no longer had the time to create. I was yesterday’s news. I could barely muster a byline, and the public’s waning interest would be of little support for this crafty has-been. That was only the tip of a good week in Molli Sparkles la-la land. My thoughts often went to a much darker, crystalline place. So I thought the best outcome for all was to close shop. Kill the beauty before she fully became the beast.
I had spent this particular afternoon contemplating all of this, while on the couch mending another week of sickness. Inevitably, my own fault, as little self-care was now causing maximum self-harm. Mr. Sparkles sat next to me as we carelessly watched YouTube videos about nothing. I started talking to him about the latest gadget to do the blog rounds, the Cricut. There was a blog tour, numerous recognisable names being offered Cricut swag in exchange for their reviews. In my depressed state, of course I went straight to comparing myself to these other bloggers! I’ve literally preached the cliche, “comparison is the thief of joy,” and yet I was falling directly and deeply into its pitfalls.
I hardly blog anymore so why would I expect to receive such a sign of relevance like these other hardworking bloggers. Despite the fact that I would be an unlikely candidate to use the Cricut, I barely have space for my current studio setup, let alone additional table top tools. Yet here I was lamenting the fact that my persona didn’t warrant even a request. Jesus, Mary, and her little Lamb! When did the Cricut become my fucking sign of self-worth? But in my mind this was tied directly to my artistry. I must not be a good quilt-maker if they don’t want me to have their Cricut. Bonkers bonanza, I know.
“So what is happening with Molli Sparkles,” Mr. Sparkles asked me after I forced him to watch untold videos of Circuit success stories. Literally pouring salt in my own wounds. “You were on quite a rise and then you kind of stopped.” I honestly didn’t know how to answer that question or I probably would have answered it over the previous months. “I’m just not a big celebrity anymore,” I responded with self-pity in my voice as if that were the most logical excuse.
“Do you care to be?” Silence. Of course. I think? I mean, I could use a Cricut maker to cut out custom shaped tissues to dry my tears right about now.
“I still want to sew and create. But when I started my blog, I did it just for fun. Then somewhere along the way it turned into work. I got addicted to the clicks, comments, likes, shares, adoration, ribbons, winning.” Yes. Winning. I’m a winner, baby, and right now I feel like I’m failing. I’m self aware enough to know that I respond to positive affirmation like a big fat line of cocaine. You give me a little dab and the next thing ya know I’m pulling out a pre-rolled fifty racing you to the other end! I love knowing I’ve done a good job and that I can continue to do so. But once that flatlined, and the once positive affirmations became normalised there was no where left to go.
It was there in that very moment of overwhelming self-doubt and self-exploration with Mr. Sparkles that I received an email that reminded me of who I am, and that very much saved my quilt career.
Dear Molli,
Just wanted to let you know how you have inspired my son.
He is a delightful six year old who loves all things sparkly, glittery and clothes full of sequins.
After being confident to wear an Elsa dress to a prince and princess party and nail polish to school, he had his first moment of questioning whether boys can wear sequins. I then showed him your (age appropriate!) Instagram photos. Voila! Happy and confident again.
Thanks for being you. Thanks for being my son’s hero.
Cheers,
Suzy
In that very moment, this email literally brought tears to my eyes. It was like a slap in the face, and a comforting hug at the same time. Exactly what I needed.
I’m still not sure where I go from here. I’ll blog as much as I can, with as much enthusiasm and sparkle I can bring. There will undoubtedly be good and bad days, but I feel like most of the darkness has passed. There’s still definite confusion about my current place in our craft world, but I’ll slowly figure that out. However, what I do know is that I can’t stop, if for no other reason than to ensure there’s a trail of glitter left behind in my wake for others to follow.
Okay so obviously I missed out on yet another “cool” thing, because any blogger I followed who did a circuit post I skipped without reading, cos it just seemed like an advert I didn’t want to see. On the other hand I was thrilled to read your post and partly beacause your glitter doesn’t land in my inbox everyday so that meant it was worth reading cos you had something worth saying not just it was your day to post. And I loved the story about the boy you inspired. Now that is very cool! So just keep on your own sparkly path and I will continue to enjoy hearing from you as and when you post your thoughts.
I love you ! Sometimes it’s Ok to not be OK. You don’t have to win all the time. You are not yesterday’s news, you are current and snazzy and sparkly. Even when we don’t hear from you , you have long line of followers . Remember that for many of us you took the “old lady” out of quilting. You will always be my hero for that .
There’s a Maori’s saying “ Kia kaha” which means be strong, stay strong, stand tall.
Xxxxxxxx
You’ll always be my favorite quilting sparkle maven. I love your artistic voice. You keep on keeping on however you want to
I’m not a blogger, not really into blogs, but I have read yours!!! Hope this will cheer you up. The highlight of my life as a quilter, was you “liking” a pic of one of my quilts on some facebook quilting site. Nothing meant more to me in that moment, than you, wonderful talented you, liking something that I had done!!! We love you, you bring the dazzle and fun that we all need. You could stop everything right now, but your acknowledgement in the past, and in the future, will always be special to all who have valued you for the incredibly fun and talented person that you are.
I will avidly read your blog post, whether they are every week or more sporadic. Keep sparkling 🤩
You are an inspiration to many, myself included. I only read a few blogs but yours is the one I love to read. Just keep on being you in your own unique way.
I sincerely hope you do keep blogging and posting on instagram. I have followed your blog for a long time and you are one of the few to quilt out of the box. So many others just follow the latest in thing and while that’s ok it’s fantastic to be different. Long may your sparkle and fabulousness reign. Hope things take a turn for the better for you soon.
So sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. The relentless selling in the quilting world is depressing in so many ways. I miss your quilting though, so I’m glad to hear you’ll be sticking around. Your work is exciting and inspiring!
Be who you are, blog if you want, sparkle if you can. I look at my blog (currently covered in cobwebs from lack of blogging since I returned to full time work) as MY record of my quilting. Its there for me and if others care to read and comment well that’s just lovely but its all about ME! Do what makes you happy and what makes your heart sing and don’t focus on outside expectations. You’ll enjoy your quilting so much more!
“Be who you are, blog if you want, sparkle if you can.”
I love these words! 🙂
I too follow your blog and I too didn’t read the cricut blogs . I actually dislike blogs which are actively pushing things , or msybe I am just miffed because I am never asked ! I quilt for fun and I blog for fun , thiugh a few freebies would be very nice if they came my way . The problem when quilting and blogging becomes a job is that there is no space left for an interest . It’s a bit like when the mistress becomes the wife that opens up a vacancy for a mistress !
Be Happy, Be Bright, Be YOU !!!! That’s all we ask of you Hugs
“However, what I do know is that I can’t stop, if for no other reason than to ensure there’s a trail of glitter left behind in my wake for others to follow.”
The last line made me smile and gave me hope. Do it your way. Cricut be damned. You’re not a cut and paste kind of guy. You’re an original. Rest, relax, contemplate, pace yourself, and the sparkle will return on your terms.
Oh Molli I fucking love your truth tea !! I’m pretty sure others have these kind of thoughts too and I’m glad we have you to actually speak them out loud !! You’ll always be a star to so many – so you just keep sprinkling that glitter around girl !!
I subscribed to your newsletter and I don’t quilt. Nor am I interested in starting to quilt. I just love your posts! Full of fun, irony and sparkle 😎. So glad that email came and got you out of the doldrums. You’re a joy and an original. Oh and your Mr Sparkle sounds like he’s a great one too… perfect couple😍😍😍
Oh dear Molli – I hope you come out of this dark place you are in and back to your bubbly, sparkly self again. I have missed your blogs. It’s always a joy to read what you have been up creative wise. Xx
I totally get all of what you are saying, and I’m hoping that all the challenges in your life are settling back to more normal. I hope you continue to share your quilting adventures and creativity here when and how you like because I enjoy the inspirations, insights and stories. And do take your own advice, it’s sound.
Cricut? What is a cri-cut? Does it exude individuality? Does it bring originality to the world? Must I have one to quilt? Will it give a flare to my work? No. But YOU DO, Molli Sparkles! We need no Cricut. We do need you! Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said it better than I ever could: “People are like stained – glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” You sparkle from within, Molli! Thank you.
-Jean💟
‘Comparison is the thief of joy’, so fecking true!! I find myself occasionally falling into this pit too. Feeling like I’m not worthy of the cool crowd lol. But we’ve just got to continue doing our own thing! It’s what I tell my 14 year old daughter, be brave and walk your own walk, but telling myself is sometimes a different story!
You are what is important! Your sass, sense of community and talent have been missed greatly ( by me for one).
This industry has some AMAZING and some not so amazing things about it and once in the vortex, it can be difficult ( either way) to breathe.
I do hope you will keep your blog, keep sewing and KNOW that your value is ( and never has been ) any one item.
You are priceless on your very own <3
I must have missed the cricket bandwagon, oh shame just another gadget to sit around and collect dust! However you would be sorely missed if you left the quilting arena! I’d miss your Sunday stash and your frankness in telling how it is, so please don’t hang up your quilting apron!!
Truth!!!!! I feel the same way so often, why them and not me? But it all boils down to two things — do you and do the work. I hope you continue to sparkle because I’ve missed you!! Play with that fabric stash and see what magic you want to make!
Sounds like you’ve put too much pressure on yourself. I, like another reader love your posts that are not in the inbox all the time. Follow your heart, must be joy in it. Life is too short. All the best.
Haha, I’ve been here. Social media has become an unfortunate rollercoaster. I was passed over by cricut myself. To make matters more upsetting to me – they gave one to a male quilter who purchases their social media followers which bummed me out. But then I laughed and thought – their loss.
This is a lovely post. Brave to share your feelings and your truth tea. I think you are beyond a “quilter” I think just the You of it all is what keeps me engaged in your work/life. I love your IG posts of all kinds not just fabric related. That email you shared also brought me to tears. Sending extra sparkles your way.
I don’t have a Cricut and I don’t care about Cricuts. I love your posts and want you to do what is best for you. 🙂
Wouldn’t be interested if you were quilting using a Cricut. It’s about your quilts, the fabric shares, and you. You remind us it’s ok to be yourself, take risks with fabric and life, to stretch outside the box and finally to simply accept yourself and your work. It’s about the journey you take with your quilt experience and not cookie cutter pieces. As long as quilting and blogging bring you joy, have at it! We’ll be mailing for glitter mail!
Oh Mollie Sparkles, you have no idea how many lives you have touched by your blog. The best example is of a little 6 year old boy who you gave confidence to be himself. Also, to this quilter who was taught by quilters “to do quilting right” (but I love sparkles and embellishments) and not think out of the box. Reading your blogs, looking at your materials and quilts has given me the shot of confidence to HAVE FUN WITH QUILTING! I don’t know what a Cricut is nor do I care to. I do know I love it when I see an e-mail from you in my inbox. You make me laugh and inspire me and other quilters and that is worth more than any Cricut. You are a joy!
Molli we “met” when we participated in a new blogger blog hop in 2013 and I have been a huge fan since. Your work is unique and inspiring. But what I really appreciate most is the fresh (and I mean that in the nicest way possible 😉) perspective you bring to quilting today. Whether it is leading a discussion on the value of our work or assessing the role of batiks, you make us think and laugh. Your glitter has spread the world over! So thank you and take care of yourself!
PS Good Lord the last thing we need is another dust collecting gadget taking space where fabric should be!
Thank you for sharing your true self. We have all had these days/weeks/months of self doubt, but you are willing to expose your vulnerability and I love you for that. I hope to be this brave one day. 😘
Search deep to remember why you started. Remember the feeling? And I don’t mean how the “likes” made you feel. Fuck the cocaine. It’ll take you places you don’t wanna go and you’ll lose sight of everything! I mean the WHY. If it’s because it was fun, then you need to find a way to make it fun again. If that includes a Cricut, then so be it. But one thing is for sure…take care of you and do it now! No one can take care of your mental well-being-being but you. Mr. Sparkles can cater and comfort you all day long, but YOU, my Love, are the only one that can take care of your inner turmoil. Organise that chaos like you do your fabrics. Color code that shit and make your chaos sparkle! Get back on your feet so you can get back to where you need to be! Eat some chubby American food while you’re at it…you look too skinny in your recent photos (yes, that’s the mom coming out in me). Take. Care. Of. You. NOW! I love you dearly!
It is simple: you be you.
<3
As Kurt Cobain put it:
Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.
You do you and the people who are attracted to the glittery glow will show up. For you, and not for the tool of the month!
Molli,
I am relatively new to following your blog and am not a blogger myself but I am a quilter who has had a lot of ups and downs along my own path of self-discovery in all the areas by which I define myself and my life purpose. I like to think I’ve learned a few things along the way.
1. You’re right about comparing oneself to others – It’s death. There will always be someone better, prettier, more interesting…but there will always be someone worse, meaner, duller and less talented as well.
2. Time is never wasted when you are learning, whether you’re aware of it or not.
3. We never know the true impact we have on others because most never have the chance to tell us about it. Just a smile can keep a passerby from killing himself and perhaps that passerby eventually cures cancer. We just don’t know.
4. We have many purposes in this life, not just one great goal. We get to do all kinds of stuff and affect everything around us! How liberating is that? We are not limited to one destiny or drive!
5. Now, this one is always hard to swallow, but here goes: all your doubts, dark thoughts, feeling of being in limbo and questioning everything in your life? Well…they make you just like everyone else. I know! It’s a repellent idea for a lot of us, but It’s true. It’s what separates us from houseplants, our ability to re-evaluate our lives, make changes, gain insight and do it all again tomorrow.
I hope this and all these other fine people’s comments help and that you can regain some sense of balance from them now and in the future. I love your blog and your quilts and your sweet face makes me smile. That’s how you have affected me. Be kind to yourself.
– Jen
As with anything you should do it for yourself. Feedback is always nice and knowing there people out there paying attention and appreciating your passion and/or creativity is a plus. Sometimes we need breaks to start with a new or clear palette. In the end it is always about the glitter we make for yourself regardless if we share it or not.
You have a lamp, don’t hide it under the bushels. Put some glitter on it and turn up the flame!
So happy to see you in my inbox this morning! I’m sure many others were too.
Bad times pass. Persevere and prevail, Molli Sparkles.
You are the only male quilter that I follow, please keep putting yourself and your creations out in the world. We need your voice. I hope that sewing will bring you some peace. Sending a hug from California.
Molli, I’m having trouble figuring out which way to go myself to get out of a funk… I hope you can find your way and soon, you are so much fun to follow you keep me in stitches when I’m having a bad day and can’t get into my sewing room because of my disabilities, when I can I’m stitching up a storm, when I can’t I’m stuck in bed. So enjoy your time with Mr Sparkles, enjoy your quilting time, and always be different. Different is good always remember that!
I will always love you and your posts. I have no idea what a cricut is and I doubt I will ever make it to cool although I’m pretty sure I’m on the way to old lady. Sparkle on Molli, Sparkle on.
I love your perspective on the quilting world. Please don’t ever doubt it! PS: I don’t like Cricuts – it feels a bit like cheating 😉
Love reading your posts, brings a smile to my face. You do you and remember it’s not a race!
I read your blog because of who you are and not what you write about. Because you my friend are gifted in turning the ordinary into spectacular. You already got the goods and it didn’t come in a Cricut box! xoxo
This pretty much sums up why I became disillusioned with quilting. I still quilt a bit because I love the creativity of it, but I don’t bother reading the PR releases, sorry, blogs, anymore. It was the art gallery gang that did it for me, and that was what, 3 years ago? I’ve switched my focus to knitting, which has a little shilling but is so much more relaxed about it.
Self-care can be so hard to do sometimes. I’m glad that you and Mr. Sparkles were able to have that conversation, and what a gloriously timed email to have received. If nothing else, I hope it inspires you to find some self-care time in fabric. We’ll all be here whenever you want to share, but what really matters is you. And you are damn well worth *way* more than a cricut.
Oh, Molli, welcome to life. You bring a smile to so many of us. As Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl said so well, “And you are damn well worth *way* more than a circuit.”
May your light continue to shine in the blogging world and everywhere . Sparkle on!
Thank you for being you! Insightful post, Thank you.
Oh hey— I didn’t realize that was you down here in this cave with me. Too focused on my own self-pity, I suppose. I haven’t blogged in 2 years because I get so much more response on Instagram, but still I’ve never been asked to try something for swag from a company. WHAT GIVES?! Am I not amazing enough?
Wtf, messygoat?!
My dad died in September. I’m realizing more and more how much I’m his clone, and without his GPS signal I feel like I’m crashing against the rocks sometimes. It’s time to stand alone and guide myself, and that’s just difficult. I’ll figure it out, but damn. I want some free shit, yo.
You are the only male quilter that I am following and reading your blog posts. I love the glitter you are giving to my quilt world here in cold Sweden .
Dear Molli,
Yay for you and your sparkles. We don’t all want or need machines to make our ONE OF A KIND projects. We don’t mass produce, we are not factories, we don’t want to sweep the glitter up and throw it away. We like it and you and your posts. Take a great big breath and do what makes you happy,
Sincerely,
alice g
Just look after you Molli; I am glad that you are ascending from the darkness. If you feel like blogging tomorrow, go ahead; if you don’t then don’t force yourself, because that is no fun. When you do post, I’ll read it to see what you are up to my sparkly friend. But blog for you, because you want to, not for us.
I’m so glad to read your post, as well as all the encouraging comments left by others. I intend to keep on reading for as long as you keep on posting. You’re truly an inspiration. Sparkle on!
Sounds like all you need is a sabbatical… something to recharge your creative juices! Sometimes we all need that. Good luck in finding your way in this. I’m sure when you figure it out we will all be in for a real treat!
Hello Sweet man,
I feel your pain.
I was once a blogger, and felt myself getting caught up in all of the followers/clicks/popularity contests that sometimes comes with being a blogger. Once I realized that I did not NEED to have everyone love me and/or what I was working on at the time, it got sooo much better to BE me. It really got to be exhausting and so I just stopped blogging. You know what? I’m making more quilty goodness now than I ever did while being a blogger.
Follow your heart and let your muse flow. We will love you no matter what.
Quilty Huggs from Canada,
Jacqueline
Lovely post! Please stick around 😊 x
Come on babe! Shake your feathers and keep creating. Loved loved! this post. I want to hug you and that wonderful mama and son. Xoxoxo
It is hard to not live up to one’s own expectations (realistic or otherwise) of self. As a life-long type A and perfectionist, I terrorized myself without understanding. I studied hard in the era of only 10% of dental school classes being comprised of women and became what I thought was a good dentist. I loved community health, missions, and established a free clinic for those in need. No good deed goes unpunished as the powers that were in place assaulted my standards enough to cause me to resign. I spent many years of rising self-doubt, -criticism, even -hatred. Such a waste, but I had to work hard to throw off the expectations I had had and become a common, everyday housewife to realize that I still have worth. I am far older than you are, but I recognize myself in your words and wish you to be able to not suffer quite so much from self-inflicted doubt. Love yourself as you are!!
Molli – We read you because you are you. The likes and clickity-do-dahs don’t actually mean anything. The man behind the curtain … is you. Write when you want, about whatever you want, honey. We love you.
Two simple words: be yourself. That’s all anyone should expect from you. Sparkle on!
Molli, I don’t blog or quilt. I enjoy your blog and I love the artistry of your quilting!! You are very creative and a fabulous quilter! Quilt for fun and find your joy. Take the pressure off of yourself and we are here if you want to blog… Hoping for sparkly days ahead for you!!
Wish I was closer so I could come around with some extremely rich cake and a hug, share a coffee and plan revenge. You’ve got this Mollie
I look forward to your random quirky posts – keep being you and post when you can (((hugs)))
Why would someone (you) who makes original creations want something that only duplicates what someone else is doing? That makes absolutely no sense to me, unless they are willing to make a special line of those weird cutting blocks just for you! Be original, be you, but most of all, keep being true to yourself. BTW, can you remember who won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1990? Yeah, me either.
Never ever measure your worth according to praise or lack of praise from others, or according to any parameter that is external to you. I am 68 years old and still working on this. Do your own thing, express your own brilliant unique self. Take the ups and downs as they come. When you feel you are in the datkness, remember there are gifts there too. Remember everything changes, nothing stays the same forever. Be gentle with yourself. Be curious When going through a rough patch, step back a bit mentally and ask “I wonder how this will turn out?” Be open.
Oh Molli, I hope the glitter comes back into your life real soon. You are the only quilting blogger I have followed and I love your irreverent and funny take on the quilting world. Blog when you feel like it. I will always get excited when your name comes up in my inbox.
I dont blog but like to follow a select few, yours is a fave. You have such a way with words it makes my heart smile. Life is short so do what makes you happy, your glitterati will be here when and if you decide to blog again. Sparkle on
I’m not a blogger, but like others have mentioned, I follow a few, yours has been at the top of my list from the day I found you. I’m one of your glitterati and would feel lost without your wit, charm, creativity, and truth tea. You personally bring me a smile with each post….don’t cha know. I feel like I’m in world wide glitter club with a secret handshake cause I follow “Molli Sparkle” …please Sparkle On, you have more creative glitter than any circuit!
its always darkest before the dawn, please don’t give up on us, we need people who are in it for the “real”, not just for the fluff!!!
Love your sparkle. Don’t give up. Just post when the sequins and glitter spill over and need a place to land. We all have dismal periods when we have to pull back into our shells. Don’t lock your sparkly door, just shut it once in a while. We’ll understand.
We may not like the taste of truth tea, but it does wonders for the system 🙂
Why do I make quilts? Well, because I love it. If someone offered me a million bucks to give it up, I would not. It is not work. It is play. I play whenever I can and I blog when I have something to say. And when my work or my words inspire someone, brighten someone’s day, or bring a smile to their face, I feel supremely happy.
I have made beautiful friends through quilting/blogging and Cricut had nothing to do with it :-p
Oh, Molli! I’m so sorry for your troubles. I have known this same kind of pain (on a lesser scale, of course). Let me share something with you–a friend and I went to a quilt show and saw a quilt with a row of flying geese all the same color, all in a line. Off to the left was a goose that had broken away and was going in its’ own direction. It was fabulously embellished and colorful. “Look, it’s Molli Sparkles!” we said of the embellished goose. This is why people show up and read your blog and leave comments and clicks and likes– because you are unique and uniquely inspiring. Creativity needs recharging, so take some time and recharge, and when you come back, we’ll be here, even if all you feel like writing is a menu. Whatever you do next, it will be amazing.
Molli, take care of you! We’ll be here whenever you feel like blogging. We’ll be here when you feel like venting. Hell, we’re going to be here no matter what because we love you!!!
Self reflection is hard work … I’ve been doing quite a bit of it myself. I love blog posts best when they are real and you’re always real (persona aside) … and an inspiration to me …
Dearest Molli I hope you can continue to sprinkle your glitter wherever you go. I for one enjoy immensely your writing and creating, you are an inspiration to so many. I love your truth tea, I also wonder where I can fit in in this incredibly full space so I have just decided to try and be me! You have already shown your honesty and worn your heart on your sleeve, a very brave thing to do. I hope you continue to create, your style is so wonderfully you!! Much love and respect Fi x
I have missed reading your posts. Always a “Must Stop And Read”. This post was no different. We all have our down days. I stopped blogging for many reasons, mostly because I saw all the popular people who blog every day and though I needed to blog every day also. Which made blogging an effort and a job. Which sucked the fun out of quilting. Since I make for me, family, and friends, having fun is more important. Sometimes you gotta step back and figure out your priorities.
Molli, I am so glad I ran across your blog several years ago. Your sense of design and style of pulled me out of a boring rut of tans and patterns. The desire was there but you were the light on the new trail. Who needs an expensive machine to cut fabric into cookie cutter pieces when you can cut originals yourself?
Molli
I have to share this with you…
– you were (still are) my inspiration to make a quilt for a very sick young girl. To give her hope and sunshine in dark days that may follow…all from your beautiful designs
– you are the inspiration when I’m unsure about my quilting or life in general.
– don’t stop being you and most importantly….
Remember why you started xxxx
Molli, I love reading your blog. You spin a great yarn and I always rip open the metaphorical envelope and start reading while walking in from the cyber post box.
I totally understand where you’re coming from. I actually closed down my facebook blog and sell pages and stopped blogging as much in the last 12mths. And when I sat down to think about it, I think it was because I felt irrelevant. Nothing I was doing was new or awe inspiring and I was getting tired of working so hard for no gain and little interaction. I’ve posted a couple of times with finishes and such but just for myself and with no other expectations. Just as a diary kind of. I’m weird maybe?
I also think I’m sick to my back teeth of ‘social media’ and technology. I even deactivated my persobal facebook account this weekend. I jumped back on yesterday but the desire to shut down is still there.
Ugh. Sorry. Not sure I’ve added anything to the conversation lol Maybe we all just need a holiday sitting on a beach sipping a cocktail and clearing our heads … Anyhow, I am happy you’re still sharing some of your fabulous sparkliness 💜
I just want you to know that I love your blog and you original voice and I’m so glad you’re here. I was offered one of those free Cricut Makers and turned that thing down. We don’t need a Cricut. We’re worthy on our own.
Mollie I fell in love with you when I saw your penis quilt. Anyone who is brave enough to not only design and publish that pattern but fight for it to be included is full of sparkle. Everyone falls from time to time and that’s okay. Just get back up. Your voice is important and I have so missed hearing it. Whenever you want to share is okay with me.
I LOVE the penis quilt!
Molli, before I even read your post I had noticed the wave of Cricut blog posts and I felt only sadness for the blogger/quilters who aggreed to promote the product in exchange (I assume) for the tool. What a low value they placed on their time and skills! It reminded me of the old (off color) joke of a woman being offered $1,000 if she’d perform a particular act. She happily agreed but was angered when the same person asked if she’d do it for $5.00. “What kind of girl do you think I am? The answer was that “we’ve already established what kind of girl you are, we are only haggling over your price.”
It is easy for me to be judgemental as I don’t blog but I always cringe when I see bloggers creating complex works for a company because they were given a bundle of fabric, a ruler or some other such token. Y’all are ALL worth so much more than that. So perhaps you can reframe the failure of the Cricut folks to reach out to you as them recognizing that you couldn’t be bought.
Sorry for the misspelled words above…I need to learn to proof my work before hitting submit! 🤗
I was touched by your blog post this week. Struggling to find oneself in the midst of everyday noise, one’s own high expectations of self, and expectations of others is daunting for almost everyone. That being said, transformation is important for growth. (Do I sound like your mother yet?) I just really want to let you know that your view of quilting improves my viewpoint of quilting. I want to be just as adventuresome with colors and prints as you are. I want to see what you see when you look at a fabric. I love my Sunday cup of coffee with a chance to read your blog and enjoy your sense of humor. Growth is good. Transformation is important. However, please do not lose your essence of spunkiness, outrageousness and plain old good advice for those of us who do not have your spunkiness or outrageousness. Let me affirm that you still have something to say about quilting….and all that is associated.
P.S. You know I do not think I even know your real name. You are Mollie Sparkles to me.
Great post and interesting comments from readers, too. You should feel better by now, I hope.
My friend Cindy and I have discussed this merchandizing of our quilt world forever, noticing what a dark hole accepting free stuff can be (I recently had a smaller experience with this myself). But she and I reiterate that you have to be creating for yourself. You have to ignore the followers count, ignore the millions of comments, yes–always be polite, but most of all–just focus on the work.
It’s the creative work that counts, and nothing more. If you need an example, try Nancy Crow (yes, look her up–she was a modern quilter way before that term was ever invented). She focuses on what she’s doing and it comes through loud and clear: creating is her life (not merchandizing, not pitching, not selling a freebie).
I realize that we now live in a world where the traditional print ads don’t work as well anymore, so manufacturers have to try to let people know about their goods by sending through the media that reaches out, and that is us. Some free fabric is fine, and I don’t mind reading blogs that have a little of that. I also don’t mind it a bit if someone says, I tried this product and it worked for me, if it serves the notion that the Creative Work is getting done in the process. But when they’ve gone to the dark side completely, i.e turned their blog into one post after another with buy this, and I’m an Ambassador That, and you ought to try this, I strike them from my blog reading list, and move on.
Just remember, even the Quilty Prom Queen has to take off their false eyelashes at the end of the night. Better to be the one who is dancing to their own tune, all day and all night long.
A couple of years ago I knocked back an offer of a free different brand cutting machine, after initially getting caught up in the I’ve made it as a blogger, I’m in the cool crowd hype. Decided I didn’t want all the pressure that came with it. And now, it looks like I’ve missed out on a Cricut! Once upon a time my mind would have jumped straight to I rejected the first offer, so no one wants me any more – my blog’s not good enough. Not any more, though. Now I have the confidence to be me. I blog when and if I feel like it, and I choose what to blog about.
Comparison is the thief of joy. You nailed it!!! Be your unique sparkly self! Keep following your heart, not the crowd. Continue to be original.
And for the record, I have yet another brand cutting machine which I bought myself – it’s sitting on the shelf gathering dust.
I’m so glad that you are doing what you are doing. Every blogger who keeps it real makes this space better for all of us. I’ve been quilt blogging professionally for about 7 years. I still get confused about “my current place in this craft world.” I think the trick is not trying to sort that out. I try to keep in touch with the “regular” people and only glance briefly at what other professionals are doing. That’s one reason why I don’t adore events like QuiltCon. I don’t want to see too much of their awesomeness, because it shakes up my brain. Better to go some and to do my own thing most other times. I know for other people it isn’t like that and great for them! But I know myself – I might judge my worth by a Cricut if I spend too much time looking around.
I’ve missed you.
Even if you feel you’re no longer relevant, maybe stand back and look at why you chose to blog in the first place. I’ve been blogging for 10 years, and I’ve still not got 300 Bloglovin followers. It’s OK though because it’s cool to look back on old blog posts and see your journey, it’s like a self indulgent scrapbook. Do it for you, not for anyone else.
I have to say Sparkles, you are one of the reasons i quilt. I did traditional quilting for about 10 years. I hated it, but knew there was something that kept pulling me in. The fabric, the patterns, the creativity I knew was in me begging to be let it out!! And the frank utilitarianism inherent in quilting. I love it.
I was reading an article about modern quilting in one of my mom’s magazines. It made me go to the internet and google “modern quilting”. You came up from your article in Mod Block magazine. I looked thru your blog and others and after about two hours I looked at Madre and said “I’VE FOUND MY PEOPLE!!!” That was about three years ago. I’ve never been happier quilting. For that i thank you. Keep being you. Keep being “my people”.
The quilting blog-o-sphere needs your sassy ass. We need someone to come in and be Molli. Great that people got a Cricuit, but you are worth more than that. You provide something a perspective I truly enjoy reading. Your sass, frankness, and honestly showing the world that men can quilt. I give you two snaps. I’d flip my weave, but this shit is real, ha! Stay. Write when you can about what you can. If you aren’t making a living off of it then have fun. This world needs more fun and glitter.
Molli –
I have only recently arrived to the sparkle party when I found your post relating to “Handmade does not equal free!” I enjoy reading your light hearted posts and drinking some of your truth tea. I appreciated your version of the tragedy in Las Vegas as I was watching in from Texas. When I receive your emails, I am sure to read them and have yet to think about hitting “unsubscribe” as I have on many other cookie cutter “Cricut” blogs. I appreciate your perspective on the world and quilting and it has brought me back repeatedly. I wouldn’t feel bad about not being asked by Cricut. I feel your perspective as a quilter is not that cookie cutter. I admire your uniqueness and outside of the box thinking. Although I do understand the pride from the recognition that would go along with it.
Please continue to do you because that’s why we read, that’s why we subscribed, and we can’t wait to see what sparkles are in the future.
Thank you for being the sparkle in the sea of normal!
I cuddle you very very much from very very far away 🙂
Molli,
I say AMEN! to all of the above posts. Thank you for your honesty, openness, perspective, humor, and all of your artistic talents.
I’m the stink friend who’s only just read this but was aware you were having a crises of fabulousness. You’re allowed and entitled but we’ll all be waiting to read the next instalment in your thought sharing, fabricky or otherwise ….just when you feel like sprinkling the glitter and not because you feel forced xxxx shine on SB