Learn how to make simple watercolor cards that you’ll enjoy making just as much as your friends and family will enjoy receiving. Courtney Cerruti demonstrates how to create elegant motifs using watercolor and simple brushstrokes or how to use a stencil to apply watercolor if you feel intimidated by the medium. Learn how to personalize your cards with a family photo and make photocopies to create an entire set of handmade cards. Finally, add that same personal touch to your envelopes by making an envelope liner using the same photocopied watercolor technique.
 

Alison Kaplan of Kata Golda shares her signature pattern for making a classic teddy bear. This cuddly bear is stitched up entirely by hand using wool felt and a few easy stitches. Alison shows you how to make each stitch, and gives helpful tips for freehand stitching faces and letters. Templates are provided to make a bear and a bunny, both of which are sewn exactly the same way. And don’t forget to sew up a little wardrobe for your buddy using the overalls and dress templates. 

In this class, Kelly and Sarah share six recipes for holiday preserves, all of which make perfect gifts for your favorite foodies. From boozy concoctions to pickled veggies, each recipe is super-simple, quick-to-make, and requires a relatively short wait period before they can be consumed. Alcohol-based recipes include a grapefruit-ginger infused vodka, a cherry-vanilla-orange bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange-fig bitters. For non-alcoholic options, recipes include a zippy preserved lemon, a no-fuss quick pickle, or a tart, sweet syrup called a shrub made from cranberries and pomegranates.

Salt dough ornaments have a rustic elegance and can easily be made with common kitchen ingredients. Courtney Cerruti teaches you her favorite recipe for this perfect holiday home activity. These simple "cookie" ornaments can be hung on the tree, strung together with greens for a mantle display, used on a wreath or placed atop a package. Leave them plain for a homespun look, or decorate with paint for a customized palette.
Seasonal variations:
Create salt dough ornaments in any season, all year 'round. Make variety of shapes by working with differntly shaped cookie cutters. Make rabbits and flowers for Spring, rainbows for Summer and leaves and pumpkins for Fall. You can also make celebratory ornaments for birthday, package toppers or mobiles. Change your painted decorations accordingly. 

Make yourself the coziest pajama bottoms and learn how to draft a pattern at the same time. The benefit of drafting your own patterns is that you are guaranteed the best fit for your unique body. Sanae Ishida - author, illustrator, and maker of many things - shows you how to begin with a lower body sloper (which you can make in this class) or a pair of close-fitting woven pants, and draft your pattern to your specifications. Then you'll learn how to cut your fabric, seam your pants together, and add an elastic waistband. The sewing skills for these pajama bottoms are beginner-friendly, and you'll enjoy making and wearing this quick and satisfying project.

Homemade pies are beloved by all, but they can be particularly challenging to do well. Whether you're baking for a holiday, a barbecue, or just because, Devlin Mannle will show you how to make a killer pie you'll be proud to share on Instagram. Devlin shares his mother’s recipe for perfectly flaky pie crust, walking you through every step just like he’s in the kitchen beside you. You’ll learn tips and tricks for handling and rolling out the dough, as well as several traditional and decorative pie crust designs that will impress your guests, like lattice crust, cut outs and pretty crimped edges. 

Learn polymer clay basics while creating a thoughtful and inventive ornament with artist and clay enthusiast Faheema Chaudhury of Unicorn Crafts. Begin by mixing a custom color as you condition the clay, then use classic cookie cutters to make holiday shapes. You’ll explore the possibilities of personalization as Faheema demonstrates how to select and print a custom design and adhere to your ornament. Finish your ornament by sanding and glazing, creating a holiday gift or adornment to use for years to come.

When it comes to knitting in the round, there are lots of ways to get the job done. Joy Macdonell teaches all of the essentials, including how to work with circular needles, double-pointed needles and with the Magic Loop method (to name a few). She demonstrates all of these techniques on two different knitted hats—a slouchy beanie with I-cord accents, and a pompom hat with I-cord edging—both of which are ideal for putting all of these techniques to use.
 

These miniature hat ornaments are a perfect project for new knitters looking for a quick and easy holiday craft. The scale is perfect for learning colorwork, including striping. Maggie shows you how to add color and carry it up the side, as well as gathering and seaming the hat. And she finishes by offering a range of darling embellishments that will add cheer to any holiday décor.

What builds holiday excitement more than a fun advent calendar? Expert sewist Leslie Schucker shows you how easy it is to sew a calendar completely by hand with felt. EZ Quilting templates help you cut out the pocket shapes quickly, and Leslie shares her favorite trick for transferring an embroidery design. Grab your favorite felt colors and get ready to hand-make some holiday magic.

If you're an avid sewist, your sewing table and floor are likely littered with little bits of fabric and thread. Artist and crafter extraordinaire Courtney Cerruti shows you how to use those tiny trimmings to create a new sheet of "scrap fabric" that can be turned into patchwork-like ornaments for any celebration. Ideal for a holiday tree, a tablescape, or adorning a package, these ornaments are a charming way to use up every last bit your very favorite fabric.

Keep your creativity going strong during one of the busiest seasons of the year by making a holiday art journal. Dawn DeVries Sokol shows how to transform everyday ephemera into collage fodder for your pages, working with embellishments, images and lettering to create holiday themed pages without a fuss. Every week, Dawn provides new themes to focus on, encouraging you to take a few moments a day to sit down and celebrate the season. Be sure to share what you make in our class galleries, or on Instagram #cbdrawaday #cbugholiday #creativebug !

A good tablescape needs an eye-catching centerpiece to draw it together. Courtney demonstrates a variety of ways to paint and stylize wooden rounds that you can lay on your table for a pretty presentation. You will learn how to paint and stencil wooden rounds with spray paint, how to create color block designs, and how to use chalkboard paint and add a seasonal message. Mix and match your centerpieces, then complete your table decorations with coordinated votive candles.

These embroidered napkins serve as a sentimental record of everyone who has gathered around your table for special meals and holidays. Rebecca shows you what kind of tools to use to gather signatures, and how to embroider those signatures or drawings onto napkins so they can be washed and used and cherished for years to come. 
 

Make a festive wreath with shimmery paper leaves, perfect for fall decorating. Lia Griffith shows you how to score and cut a variety of leaf shapes, then add dimension by folding leaves for a more realistic look. Attach leaves to a withered and rustic grapevine wreath for a statement piece you can hang on the door or on a wall. 

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, learning how to create image transfers will introduce you to a whole new world of using creative imagery in your work. Courtney will show you the best methods for a range of techniques using inexpensive materials, including how to create transparent layers. The resulting images are beautiful for adding dimension and depth to various art projects, from paper arts and collage, to fiber arts and more.

In one great smelling afternoon, you can learn the basics of cold process soap making and make enough soap for everyone on your holiday list. Lindsey from Clean Getaway Soap demystifies the process and walks you through a batch of soap from start to finish. Along the way you’ll learn how to safely mix soap, add color and scent, and finish with stamps and gift wrap. Download the recipe to follow along.

 

Create a rustic looking chalkboard sign that you can change with the seasons. Using the magic of steel wool and apple cider vinegar, Courtney guides you through aging a wooden frame to perfection. You will learn how to create your own chalkboard backing and then complete the project with a message written in chalk.

A beautiful tree can be the highlight of your holiday decor, and nothing gives your tree a perfect finish like a gorgeous tree skirt. While this project is big in size, it is surprisingly easy in technique. Expert sewist Leslie Schucker guides you through making your own colorful tree skirt using EZ Quilting templates to cut out eye-catching geometric appliques. You can sew and embellish this entire project by hand, but Leslie also shows you how to use a sewing machine to add bias tape for strength and giant ric rac for an extra touch of fun. Thick and cozy wool felt creates a high quality piece that can last for generations.

Get pictures off of your phone or computer and turn them into a beautiful handmade album. Jody shows you how to create an accordion album that is as unique as your photo collection and can be customized with different ways to attach photos and text. This entry-level bookmaking project turns photos into a work of art that can be displayed, given as a gift, or tucked away for posterity.

 

In this class, Alethea and Jill of Studio Choo show you how to make a festive holiday garland using seasonal greenery. The garland uses a branch as a base for a clean, modern take on holiday garlands. You'll see how to work with seasonal greenery including boxwood, cedar, wax flower, and seeded eucalyptus branches. A fragrant gardenia adds an unexpected touch of elegance. Throughout the class, Althea shares her philosophy for creating an organic design and teaches the basics of wire wrapping in order to make a sturdy, long-lasting garland, perfect for hanging on the wall or using as a tabletop centerpiece.

In this class, Alethea and Jill of Studio Choo teach the basics of making a gorgeous tabletop centerpiece, perfect for a holiday dinner. The arrangement begins with a lush framework of seasonal evergreen branches, and grows with flowers like amaryllis, ranunculus, and tulips that add pops of color. Berry branches are added last to create movement. As Jill explains her design process, the arrangement takes shape before your eyes, demonstrating how easy it can be to create an eye-catching centerpiece--even if this is your first time playing with flowers.

Learn how to print your favorite image onto fabric and transform it into a personalized pillow. Annabel shares lots of ideas for embellishing your pillow with embroidery and pompoms to add color, texture, and fun. These customizable pillows make wonderful keepsake gifts, perfect for celebrating anything from a special moment to a favorite person or pet.

Expert sewist and quilter Leslie Schucker demonstrates how hand-stitching and colorful details can make a sweet and simple holiday stocking for your mantle.  The EZ Quilting Templates make cutting your fabric shapes a snap and no sewing machine is needed for assembly. Learn how to whip stitch fabric panels together, use an appliqué stitch to sew on colorful embellishments, and work the couching stitch to personalize your project with a yarn monogram. 

Learn how to make the easiest jersey shirt ever with Fancy Tiger Crafts. Dream team Amber and Jaime teach you how to create a “One Hour Top” beginning to end on a sewing machine – but they also show you how to sew the seams with a serger if you so desire. This wardrobe staple is ideal for everyday wear and works up beautifully (and quickly) in a solid knit or a fun print. (Sizes range from 32" - 45" bust.)

Clear up some counter space while adding texture and style to any corner of your kitchen with these knotted pantry bags. In this class, Creativebug Artist Coach, Cobrina demonstrates making these in two sizes - a bag from cotton rope that is superb for onions, avocados or large citrus, and a small twine bag best suited for garlic, shallots or limes. Both versions show off the beauty of simple macrame knots. She shows you the Half Knot which is the building block knot for so many others, and when repeated, the Half Knot creates lots of fun iterations such as the Square Knot, the Spiral, and Solomon Bar. Finally, use the whipping knot to gather all your cords together for a neat finish. 

Leather bracelets have a warmth and luxury to them, and it is easier than you may think to make your own. In this class, Elke shows how to make a stylish wrap bracelet with a chic metallic gold finish. Using leather working tools like a strap cutter and a beveler, she shows you how to cut the leather evenly and bevel the edges, which gives the bracelet a professional, polished look. Once the leather has been cut out, you will paint the strap, punch holes in either end, and attach a button stud to create the closure. The tools and materials required for this project are inexpensive and easy to find, making it a perfect first project for a beginning leather-worker. Cut out several leather strips at once and whip up a batch to give as gifts to friends, or keep the whole stack for yourself!

Make your own lip balm, facial oil, deodorant, and more, by looking no further than your pantry or local health food store. Amy expertly demystifies the ingredients you need and offers recipes and ratios that result in delicious smelling, high-quality beauty products that will leave your skin and body radiant.

 

Learn how to make stunning, one-of-a-kind patterns on cotton fabric using indigo dye. Anna will show you a variety of folding, twisting, tying, and painting techniques to achieve eye-catching prints and patterns. Once your fabric has been dyed, Anna will show you how to sew your printed fabric into stylish envelope pillows. Although indigo dyeing can be done indoors, it’s a perfect way to spend time with friends outdoors on a warm, summer day.

This holiday season, make a festive wreath with Alethea and Jill of Studio Choo. Using a variety of evergreen branches, berries, pods and pinecones, Jill demonstrates how to snip branches down to manageable pieces and attach them securely to a wire wreath form. As she walks you through the process of building the wreath, Jill shares her signature ideas for combining different kinds of foliage to create a wild, organic look.

This holiday season, join us for a month of merry making (literally!). Every day for a whole month, Courtney Cerruti shows you how to make handmade cards, gift tags, and creatively wrap gifts. This challenge is both practical and fun, giving you a reason to gather up your paper crafting supplies and find holiday inspiration every day. 

Instead of a store-bought holiday garland, whip up a set of these hand-knitted mini mittens. Cute as can be, these mitts are great for learning intermediate knitting techniques, including thumb shaping, decreases, and ribbed cuffs. Make several to string together, or use single mittens instead of bows on your holiday presents. 

Sewing with leather can be intimidating, but in this class, Liana shares the ins and outs of making a classic, swoon-worthy leather tote bag on your home sewing machine. No special skills or fancy tools are needed. Learn tips and tricks for picking a gorgeous piece of leather and sewing with it successfully. At the end of the class, you will have a sturdy, heirloom-worthy bag that you will want to use for years.

This bowl has a beautiful sculptural quality that belies its base material of plain rope. You’ll start by creating a flat base and then add graceful contours that make the project feel more like ceramics than sewing. As Nicole shows, you decide what its shape and size will be. This is a simple yet tactile project inspired in part by the clean, minimal aesthetic of Doug Johnston’s beautiful work. *Projects made using this tutorial are intended for personal use only.

Sewer and quilter Ashley Nickels shows you how to create a stylish, functional carrier bag for your yoga mat. Learn how to cut out the pattern pieces, add handles, and attach D-ring hardware to hold the mat in place. Best of all, this yoga mat bag features a zippered pocket - an essential for stashing your keys and phone while you're on the mat.

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.
 

Kick your granny squares up a notch with this hexagon shape. Cal shows you how to work a hexagon in multiple colors, as well as her favorite way to join them as you work. Crochet up a small stack and you’ll be ready to create this fresh hexi cowl in a modern colorway.

Wendy shows knitters a quick and easy way to whip up a personalized sweater for your dog using two knitted rectangles. Using nothing more than your dog’s measurements and a gauge swatch, you’ll do a little math and then start casting on. This class is a perfect stash-buster — simply use yarns in a similar gauge to make a fun, striped motif. The sweater can be customized for any size dog by adjusting the number of cast on stitches and the quantity of yarn.

Here's a fun, portable project for intermediate knitters – create multicolored footie socks with Wendy Bernard. This project is great for learning the basics of sock knitting. You will learn how to expertly turn a heel and shape a gusset, and then you’ll see how to graft the toe stitches together with Kitchener stitch. Wendy provides a written pattern with three different size options, and she also demonstrates how to make perfect pom poms to attach to the heels.
 

There’s no better gift to give at the holidays than a cozy, oversized cowl. In this class, Anne Weil shows how to make a simple arm-knit cowl using nothing more than super-bulky yarn and your arms. She even shares a fun variation, perfect for the holidays – a bulky scarf with festive pompom adornments. In about an hour, you can whip up this luxe accessory for the ultimate in handmade gift-giving.

Marly Bird is passionate about crocheted shawls. In this three-part series, she offers up big-time knowledge with healthy doses of enthusiasm and sass. Using three classic shawl shapes—side-to-side, crescent, and top-down triangle—she shows you how to make three distinctly different designs. These patterns are perfect for customizing and ideal for building skills. Once you understand these classic templates, it’s easy to create your own unique designs using any yarn and hook size you please. 

This fun paper garland is easy to assemble and comes together in a snap. Courtney Cerruti shows you how to punch cardstock circles and sew them together on a sewing machine to form this festive decoration. Make sewn paper garlands for the holidays or for any special occasion. They look great in windows, doorways, tabletops, and even on the Christmas Tree.
 

Create custom-sized boxes using decorative paper with Liana from Creativebug. These pretty paper boxes have their roots in origami, coming together with a series of simple folds. You'll learn how to make box tops with matching bottoms, which make cute gift containers for any occasion.

Deck your halls with a season’s worth of festive baubles. Inspired by the holiday decorations they treasured most from childhood, Creativebug artists Liana Allday, Courtney Cerruti and Faith Hale show you how to make 25 ornaments and garlands. In the last day of the challenge, Courtney demonstrates a metallic feathered décor piece perfect for topping the tree. Using simple craft materials, most projects can be completed in less than 10 minutes and at the end of the month your tree will be gloriously adorned. ’Tis the season for crafting!

Mark each day of December with an heirloom advent calendar. Alison of Kata Golda shares templates and tips for hand stitching charming details on plush wool felt. Little pockets hide holiday treasures, and all the elements come together to create an interactive calendar that will be cherished year after year.