Artist, educator, and A Field Guide to Color author Lisa Solomon shares her unfettered enthusiasm for color in this daily practice series. You’ll experiment with color theory, patterns, and layering as you move through a variety of watercolor prompts. You’ll also work with masking fluid, gesso, gouache and other materials as you alternate between painting and revealing color. Be prepared to fully engage in color exploration and cultivate mindfulness. After a month of observation, your perception of the tones and shades of your world will be attuned in a new way.

This workshop starts with the very basics of embroidery – setting up a hoop and threading needles – and dives into a visual encyclopedia of the most common stitches. Rebecca Ringquist teaches straight stitches before moving onto decorative and knotted stitches, including the elusive French knot. Along the way, she offers tips for smooth embroidery and examples from her stitched artwork as inspiration.

Invigorate your art practice by joining designer and Faber-Castell creative Mou Saha for a month of mixed media exploration. Each day, Mou shares her favorite techniques for adding textures, creating layers, playing with color, and transforming trash into treasure. This series is a skill-building powerhouse that will enhance your mixed media work and open your eyes to new possibilities in your art journal. With enthusiasm and ingenuity, Mou makes it fun and exciting to use familiar materials in new ways and introduces you to a whole host of materials you may have never considered.

Creativebug all-star Ashley Nickels shows you how to stitch a simple pair of baby bloomers that make the sweetest summery diaper cover. You’ll sew straight seams, then work a double-fold casing for the elastic waist and legs. The included pattern comes in three sizes: 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-24 months. Requiring just a small amount of fabric, these are an approachable stash-busting project that make for an adorable gift.

The whole world has fallen madly in love with coloring book pages, and we have, too! We’ve teamed up three of our top art instructors—Lisa Congdon, Pam Garrison, and Courtney Cerruti—to create printable coloring pages just for you. Each week, we’ll post a new batch of downloadable pages from all three artists, plus an accompanying class taught by Courtney on creative ways to color in the pages. Courtney’s lessons go way beyond the classic crayon, covering everything from colored pencils and markers to glitter pens and watercolors, with lots of tips for blending and adding dimension.
 

If you’ve ever considered printmaking but were daunted by the wide array of materials available, this thorough primer is essential viewing. In this Daily Challenge, artist and printmaker Katharine Watson introduces the basic tools and techniques needed to create prints at home. Beginning with the basics of safety and mark-making, you’ll learn the full process of designing, transferring, carving, and printing an image.  Once you’ve mastered the basics, learn how to make repeat prints on a single page and how to print on fabric. Katharine encourages play and experimentation while giving you her time-tested methods, and demonstrates how easy it can be to develop a fine art practice even with a simple home setup. 

Jennifer Orkin Lewis (also known as August Wren on Instagram) is a champion of daily painting practice, devoting half an hour each day to creating the loose and colorful paintings for which she’s known. In this month-long series, Jennifer applies her signature style to one of her favorite subjects: animals! Working from photo references (included in a PDF with the class), Jennifer shows how to simplify and stylize your animal paintings to make them your own. Each day, Jennifer shows her approach to painting critters of all shapes and sizes – from farm animals to deep sea creatures – providing opportunity for all skill levels to practice.

When Andy Warhol first used this blotted-line monoprint method, illustrators were amazed – and they’re still amazed today! In this class, Creativebug’s resident artist, Courtney Cerruti, walks you through the very same process that Andy Warhol made famous using simple materials: a nib pen, acrylic ink and transparency film. Plus, of course, you’ll need a wonderful image to trace. Without any drawing skills required, you’ll learn how to create one-of-a-kind monoprints by tracing over the image, then adding a touch of watercolor to make your designs pop.

This is the class that started it all: our years-long fascination with Daily Practice classes. Featuring updated material and additional content, this is the perfect class to discover the transformative power of undertaking a big creative challenge. Every single day for a month, we challenge you to draw along with Lisa Congdon. Lisa has hand-picked 31 objects to draw, and demonstrates several ways to render each object using just your imagination. This creative exercise is designed to help you embrace wonkiness and imperfections, all while learning to see everything around you—be it bird or bikini—as artistic fodder.
 

This workshop offers all the foundation skills you need to work up a whole bouquet of crocheted flowers. Superstar crochet instructor Cal Patch demonstrates three different center designs and five different petal styles so you can mix and match. Whether you like more frilly or structured flowers, you'll be ready to stitch up an entire bouquet's worth, ready to adorn hats, clothes, pillows – or anything that needs of touch of cozy charm.
 

You don't have to be a drawing or painting expert to create a beautiful watercolor pet portrait. Artist and illustrator, Christine Aria, shares her fail-proof technique for painting furry friends. Learn how to select a photo of your pet that will translate into a successful final painting, and then transfer the image to your paper to create a framework for painting. Christine shares copious tips for creating a custom palette and painting realistic details with layers of color. This class is an ideal deep-dive for anyone who wants a fearless introduction to painting animal forms.

Artist trading cards are miniature works of arts, created on standard-sized cards and exchanged among artists all over the world. They can be collaged, stamped, stitched, painted or doodled. Explore the possibilities of the small canvas with Courtney, who will teach you a range of techniques for different effects. This workshop is for anyone who needs a little help starting their creative flow, or for the seasoned artist who wants to trade and collect one of a kind art from around the world.

In this first class, Pam Garrison shares simple exercises for releasing creative inhibitions in your sketchbook. You will use both your dominant and non-dominant hands to create blind contour drawings that look like mere scribbles on paper, then use a colorful paint palette to transform those scribbles into thoughtfully painted shapes. This exercise results in aesthetically pleasing sketchbook pages that are created through the process of intuitive creative exploration.

You don’t have to be an expert quilter to make this eye-catching quilt block. Modern quilter and fabric designer, Anna Maria Horner, shares how to create this folk-inspired flower block using floral print scraps. You will learn how to piece a background, fussy cut fabric, and reverse applique the flower and leaves using a sewing machine (no hand-stitching required). Make multiple Folk Flower blocks and piece them together however you’d like to make a quilt top that is blooming with color and texture.
 
Final Block Measures 12 ½” x 12 ½”
 

Learn the art of calligraphy from a modern master–Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls. This four-part course is perfect for beginners, including ample warm up exercises that will help you understand how to hold the pen and control the flow of ink onto the page. From there, you’ll learn how to form upper and lowercase letters in a modern style, and how to join them to create beautiful words and phrases. By the end of this course, you will be ready to apply calligraphy to anything imaginable, from a simple address on an envelope to stunning wedding invitations. Learn and be inspired by Maybelle's distinctly modern approach to an ancient art form.

Weaving is distilled down into its most basic elements in this class, so kids will learn and find satisfaction in the tactile, repetitive nature of "over, under, over, under." With a no-fuss portable loom and scraps of bright yarn, kids will create wall hangings, necklaces and cuffs. 

Learn how to make two kinds of blank mixed-media journals: one from upcycled cereal boxes and a sewn spine; the other with a hard cover book, scrap papers, duct tape, and a button closure. These simple journals are easy to create and are perfect for on-the-go journaling to capture all your creative endeavors.

This cute cropped tee is structured yet comfy and super easy to customize. Amber from Fancy Tiger Crafts shows you how to sew the top as is or lengthen the pattern for a different look. Plus you’ll learn how to create professional-looking hems using a double needle. Dress up your tee with a high-waisted skirt or pair with your favorite well-worn denim for a classic weekend outfit. Pattern available in six sizes (32” – 46” Bust).

There are nearly as many ways to darn as there are ways to get holes in clothes. In this class, expert sewist Cal Patch demonstrates her very favorite techniques for mending. She'll show you how to darn knits and woven fabrics using crochet on both flat and curved surfaces. You'll also learn an invisible method of traditional darning on a sweater, then with a contrasting yarn on some socks. Finally, Cal covers several methods of mending with patches. Who knew that mending could be so decorative?    

Make a durable and surprisingly sophisticated pouch from the most humble of materials: a discarded mailer. Maya shows you how to dissect a Tyvek® envelope and paint it for charming, distressed effect. You can add designs with hand-carved or store-bought stamps and install a zipper to finish. All the stitching is done by hand with the running stitch so there is no machine needed. You'll have endless ways to organize all your bits and pieces, as well as a go-to handmade gift for any occasion.

With decades of experience as a professional sewist, there’s still nothing Michele Muska loves more than sewing for the home. Use an 18 degree template to make a Dresden Plate, then quilt using both hand and machine. You’ll use heat-resistant batting to make the runner table-safe and will finish by making your own fabric bias tape. Choose your favorite fabrics to customize your runner for any season.

Ashley Nickels shares a simple, modern approach to designing your own pixelated jelly roll quilt top, with lots of time-saving tricks built into the process. You will learn how to lay out your quilt on a design wall, and then chain-piece the squares without having to pin or clip. Best of all, there’s no ironing until the very end, so you can speed through the piecing process in a flash. Ashley demonstrates this process on a crib-sized quilt top, but it’s easy to make this quilt smaller or larger—after all, you’re the designer.
 

Create a whole new topography on your quilt tops simply using whole pieces of fabric, batting and thread. Modern quilter, Carolyn Friedlander, shares eye-opening ways to approach wholecloth quilting, giving you a broad overview of hand-stitching and machine-quilting techniques. You will learn how to make modern tied quilts and combine big basting stitching in vibrant designs using Perle cotton and wool yarn. Plus Carolyn shares her tried-and-true techniques for using a walking foot and darning foot at the machine.
 

See how expert quilter, Sue Nickels, transforms a traditional Amish quilt top in this three-part free-motion quilting course. Not only will you learn how to design your own quilting patterns, but also how to create templates, trace patterns, and transfer designs to your quilt.. Along the way, you’ll learn a wealth of free-motion quilting wisdom. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or brand new to machine quilting, you are sure to find this course filled with helpful instruction and inspiration.

With simple carving tools and your design sensibilities, you can carve a custom set of stamps to add personality and zip to stationery, textiles and more. Christine shows you how to transfer a design and which tools to use, to celebrate the charm and imperfections of printing by hand.

We all know a planner is a very personal thing – it will go with you everywhere for the next year, and it has to work for you. Why not learn how to make a customizable text block planner completely from scratch? Pro bookbinder, Faith Hale, makes it super easy, showing you every step of how to combine blank sheets, printable graph paper, calendar pages, or bullet-style pages for a layout that makes your day-to-day easier to organize. You’ll learn how to make a hardback case using chipboard and book cloth, and you’ll also pick up some foundational bookbinding terms and techniques along the way.
 

Dyed pale pink, these ethereal coffee filter pom-poms resemble cabbage roses, and they have a dramatic impact when hung in strands. Because of the dyeing and drying time, start this project early, working in batches — especially if you anticipate needing a large number of strands. Hang them in your living room, over your dinner table, or in your cocktail area for instant DIY delight!

An elegant way to fold paper, this technique has traditionally been used to fold maps. Jody deconstructs the steps to show how one piece of paper can be turned into a pop-up greeting card -- or you can combine many to create an artist’s book, decorative garland or even a crown!

This beginner project is the perfect way to learn the basics of macramé. Emily will show you how to create the Bird’s Eye Tassel – a fun, textured piece that you can use as a keychain or wall decoration.

A dishcloth knitted with pure linen transforms an ordinary rag into a luxurious textile. Wendy Bernard demonstrates how to work with linen yarn to create a washcloth with an i-cord loop for hanging. The linen fiber resists mildew, is great for scrubbing, and gets softer with every use. This quick knitting project is a fun way to try out new stitch patterns—several of which are included in the PDF. Make a stack to give as a gift, or keep them for your own daily use.
 

Designed by Marly Bird, this soft and cozy cardigan wraps you in warmth and style. The oversized shape flatters any body type, while the fitted cuffs add a dose of structure. Make this cardigan in a bright, bold color for a statement piece, or in a neutral for everyday wear.

Arm knitting is a simple process that yields luxurious results. Using super bulky yarn, knit designer Anne Weil shows you how to create a color-blocked pillow cover. As a finishing touch, you will also learn how to sew a simple pillow lining. This plush pillow can be made in a day and enjoyed year round. 

Mosaic knitting is a slip-stitch pattern that allows you to work interesting and complex-looking geometric designs using only one color per row. While it can seem tricky to understand, once you get the basics, you can do any mosaic pattern under the sun. Edie Eckman will teach how to read mosaic-knitting charts, demonstrating four different stitch patterns on swatches. After you take this class, you'll be ready to make placemats (PDF pattern included) or any other mosaic project you choose.
 

This easy, breezy top is deceptively simple to stitch. Featuring a simple double crochet paired with a mesh portion, it’s worked in two rectangles, then joined at the sides with crisscross tassel ties and seemed at the shoulders, creating a drapey boat-neck. The Wool And The Gang’s recycled Billy Jean yarn gives this top great body and drape, and the clear instructions and straightforward pattern are accessible to even the newest of beginners. This top comes together quickly and is sure to become a summer staple.

Learn the basics of making one-of-a-kind woven tapestries with Annabel Wrigley. This course goes beyond simple warp-and-weft weaving, teaching you how to add long, dramatic fringe, color-blocked shapes, fluffy clouds of wool roving, and loads of texture and color. Best of all, Annabel teaches you how to mix and match all of these techniques so that you can design a unique tapestry of your own in any size you like.
 

This project proves just how well a few easy crochet stitches can yield an impressive-looking result. Even if you've never crocheted before, you can take on this wonderful, simple project, with Debbie’s expert guidance. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can complete it – with just a single ball of yarn. Pattern included!

Learn how to make this cheerful baby blanket alongside crochet expert Edie Eckman. Two easy crochet squares are repeated over and over to create the design, and the entire blanket can be made with just three skeins of yarn. This four-part course is perfect for beginners who are eager to expand their knowledge as well as more experienced crocheters who want to brush up on their pattern-reading skills.

Harken back to your summer camp days and learn how to master the five-stranded braid. Anne Weil shares the standard technique for working this fancy braid and then shows how it can be applied to bracelets, belts, and straps. You’ll learn how to create the grownup version of a friendship bracelet by attaching your braid to a leather band and finishing it off with jewelry hardware. You’ll also learn how to use twine to create a belt, and how to use leather cording to create a seven-strand wristlet key fob. Once you get the hang of this simple braiding technique, you will be able to braid just about any type of fiber, be it yarn, rope or floss.

This is a freeform wire bead that you can make simple or extravagant, but it is always evocative. With several gauges of wire and lots of imagination, you can create a one of a kind pendant. Larger gauges and interesting textures make this basic bead look complex and mysterious. We will discuss the use of liver of sulfur, a step you can take to accentuate the detail of your pendant with an antique finish

This project is a chic way to use fabric scraps – as well as mix prints with felt and neon thread. The necklace Annabel and her daughter designed is reversible, and its series of stitched lines creates a beautiful sketched quality. It makes a great beginning sewing project because of its freeform nature, and the bold finished piece adds cheer to any outfit.

 

This tassel necklace adds an opulent note to any outfit, and makes a perfect gift. Liesl shows you how to make perfect tassels and attach them to a necklace – or to the corners of home décor items such as napkins or pillows. The result is a bright pop of luxury and color that will have you looking for items to tassel up.

Learn the classic art of hand smocking as you make a beautifully textured statement necklace. The scale of this project makes a perfect introduction to this rewarding technique. The overall effect is clean and symmetrical – while also organic and dramatic.

Capture and elevate the small, everyday moments of family life with this workshop. Amy offers her trademark no-stress approach to creating a customized family journal to preserve family photos, jot down milestones, and record special stories. Amy's philosophy is that documenting memories should never be stressful, time-consuming or precious. In this class, she shares her quick and easy approach.
 

Use text-weight paper and a few simple folds to construct an entire galaxy. In this class paper-crafter Faith Hale demonstrates three different structures: a spaceship, a planet, and a small star you'll make handfuls of. Try it now and discover which one is inflatable! With Faith's enthusiastic guidance and clear instructions, you'll make enough stars for your own milky way.

Cultivate some magic in your life with these paper mache wands. This is a simple and imaginative project, and the wands can be made and decorated in any style. But perhaps the most special part is when Amy and her daughters show you how to instill your wand with magical powers, secret ingredients and whispers.

Amelia’s homemade puppet stage will inspire creativity and giggles from kids of all ages. Lightweight and easy to custom-fit for any doorway, the stage is decorated with cheery curtains, paper, and pennant flags. Perfect for showcasing pint-size playwrights. To make your very own puppets, check out Amelia's Felt Puppet Avatars class here on Creativebug.

For this month-long daily drawing challenge, we’ve added a twist. Artist and educator Lisa Solomon shows how to use overhead light and everyday objects to cast interesting shadows onto paper, then draw around the shadows to create outlines. What you do within the outlines is where the real fun begins. Each day, Lisa shares a new idea filling outlined shapes with color and texture, using everything from pens and graphite to watercolors and highlighters. This technique is a great way to experiment with composition and keep your drawing practice loose. Simply start with a shadow and allow yourself to play within the lines. 
 

Learn three different ways to make pompoms with knitwear designer Maggie Pace. You will learn how to make pompoms using a store-bought pompom maker, or make your own pompom maker out of cardboard. Also included are instructions on making tiny pompoms using a fork.

This pretty and sweet adornment adds a midsummer night's feel to any season. Working with felt in bright color combinations creates a wearable bouquet of plush happiness – but you can equally create a bracelet, garlands, or decorate the edge of a lampshade. Beads add texture to the bohemian feel of this project.

Susan Beal puts a fresh spin on the very traditional craft of log cabin quilting. Each week, you’ll explore a different block style, from easy, graphic square-within-a-square blocks to minimalist, modern crosses and even improvised quartered wonky blocks. The course is perfectly suited to both seasoned quilters and newbies, with ample hand-holding on core techniques, expert tips on block settings, and lessons on how to play with color and print to make your designs pop. At the end of each class, Susan shares a fabulous project to make with what you learned, including baby quilts, bags, pillows and table runners.

Learn basic and advanced card making techniques with longtime Hero Arts educator, Libby Hickson. Over the course of a month, learn how to stamp, emboss, die cut, and embellish like a pro. Make a project every day, beginning with Holiday cards that use methods and materials that can be adapted to cards for every occasion. Libby will guide you through common troubleshooting tips, innovative ways to use materials, and a variety of artistic effects to use on cards and paper projects. All of this inspiration and instruction will give you a jumpstart on making cards for the whole year.

In this final class, Lisa shares how to take the tips and tricks you’ve learned along the way and apply them to new and exciting surfaces. Embellish the matte cover of kraft paper notebooks with bright Gelly Roll pens, and learn to transform a stark sheet of black paper into a stunning piece of Japanese-inspired art that beautifully sweeps across the page. You now have the skills to apply your personal style, which you have developed throughout this course, to any surface you please.