The new year is the perfect time to exercise your creativity! This January, we challenge you to explore new skills, freshen up favorite ones, or embrace a daily practice. Watch this quick promo to get a sneak peek of our all-new releases. Click here to watch all of the classes shown in the promo.  

Lettering artist Jess Park shares her techniques for creating colorful watercolor script. You'll learn the basics of pen and brush lettering first, then pluck away at painting plants, stems, and flowers to create wreaths and laurels. From there, you’ll expand your skills, learning how to create illustrations that live inside of a letter or word. By the end of the class, you’ll have all the skills you need to fill your sentence with a sunset or your monogram with a luscious bowl of fruit.    

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?    

Learn how to hand-carve written words and lovely designs to make one-of-a-kind, block-printed stationery. Katharine Watson makes traditional block carving accessible, and her tips on transferring images and registering prints in multiples will show you how easy it is to start a printing production line, even at home. This intermediate printmaking class is the perfect follow-up to Katharine Watson's Daily Challenge, which covers the basics of block printing.

Learn the basics of free motion quilting and ruler work on your home sewing machine with expert quilter and author, Sue Nickels. To get started, you’ll learn how to use rulers to create straight lines, half circles for clamshells, and pumpkin seed designs with simple arcs to plan and stitch your quilt. This class is chock full of techniques, so get ready to learn something new and exciting in the world of quilting.        

Design your own wardrobe as you learn the basics of pattern drafting from clothing designer Cal Patch. In this four-part course, Cal covers the basics of drafting a versatile pattern for dresses, tunics, shirts and skirts using nothing but your own measurements, a measuring tape, pencil and paper. Cal will also demystify how to make a muslin, adjust fit, and customize details. At the end of the course, you’ll have a master pattern tailored just for you, as well as the inspiration and know-how to whip up a brand new wardrobe from scratch.

For textile artist Sherri Lynn Wood, improvisation is a way to make choices in all aspects of daily living, but especially in her patchwork process. In this class, Sherri demonstrates the freedom and excitement of improv patchwork by focusing on string piecing. Working within a "score" or flexible pattern, you’ll learn how to work with surprises, make choices from random selections, celebrate “whoopie” moments, and troubleshoot in the moment. By the end you’ll have a beautiful piece of patchwork that can be further developed into a quilt or used as a decorative piece.
 

If you’re comfortable wielding a hook but have never attempted a crocheted garment, look no further than the Super Slouch Crocheted Cardigan. Marly Bird, proud Red Heart spokesperson and expert knitter and crocheter, coaches you through this oversized cardigan that’s simple to make and cozy to wear. The cardigan is worked in one piece beginning with a double crochet and a simple shell stitch for a pop of texture on the back. Stitches are then cast on for the sleeves, and the front is worked as two separate panels before attaching a shawl collar that repeats the shell motif. Class includes a downloadable pattern PDF in sizes XS (36" bust) to 3XL (63" bust).

Jumpstart your artistic practice with six weeks of creativity exercises taught by Lisa Congdon. Using a variety of Lisa's favorite art supplies and tried-and-true processes, learn how to use Microns, oil sticks, paints and collage to take a fresh look at shape, line and color. These exercises allow you to "get loose" and enjoy the process without overthinking the outcome. You’ll also learn how to work with color, use collage to respond to your in-progress artwork, and go outside to gather inspiration from your surroundings. Unlike Lisa's other classes, this series focuses less on specific projects and dives deeply into the artistic process to help you develop your own creative voice.

Make sure to share your artwork in our class galleries and on Instagram #cbugbootcamp 

Happy Planner founder, Stephanie Fleming, provides a thorough introduction to the exciting world of planners, sharing a wealth of knowledge on how to plan your happy life. This class will not only help you choose your planner, but will also help you decide how you want to customize and embellish it. Stephanie shows you how to add pages, punch photographs, embellish with stickers and pens, and exercise your creativity – all while staying on task. As Stephanie says, “I want this class to feel like a guided meditation – let me walk you through the process.”

Bundle up in style with a gloriously bulky super scarf. Designed by Yarnspirations, this oversized scarf features a 12-row stitch pattern that creates a gorgeous overall texture. Faith Hale shows you how to get started, work the Dew Drop pattern, and make super-sized tassels to finish off the corners. Worked in a super bulky yarn, the scarf knits up quicker than you might think. For even more Super Scarf inspiration, check out 12 more fabulous knit and crochet patterns from Yarnspirations here. 

A coat may seem like an ambitious sewing project, but Deborah Kreiling – the Design Development Director at Simplicity Patterns – breaks it down into simple steps that you can do at home. In this class, Deborah shows how to make a fit and flared coat by Leanne Marshall, featuring all of the bells and whistles: lining, princess seams, double collar, and toggles. This coat can be made in two lengths and in a variety of fabric weights for all seasons. Deborah will be with you every step of the way, sharing expert insight from her 35 years of experience at Simplicity Pattern Company. 

Learn how to make a meditative art journal that serves as a container for your hopes, fears, frustrations and more with the founders of Get Messy. You’ll learn how to free write to get what's in your head onto the page, obliterate it with paint and meditative marks, use watercolor to channel your mood, then add quotes and lettering to complete your page. This small handbound book provides the perfect place to journal and explore your feelings through words and art. Remember to use the hashtag #creativebuggetsmessy on social media to share your work with the Get Messy and Creativebug communities.

There are many ways to make slime but pro-crafter Faith Hale shows you her very favorite method for making a sparkly, swirly version. Using liquid starch, clear glue, nontoxic pigment and fine glitter, we'll make three separate shades before swirling them all together. The slime comes together quickly and clean-up is a breeze.

Courtney focuses on a single motif—the iconic feather—to create a variety of colorful, modern home décor projects. She constructs an ombre chandelier using paper feathers in shades of blue, and she also uses feather stencils in various sizes to add a splash of color to a pillow and a cocktail tray. To cut out the pieces for all of these projects, you can use a cutting machine like Cricut Explore™ to speed up the process, or simply cut out the paper and stencils by hand with scissors or a craft knife—either method works great, and you will wind up with stunning results that add color and whimsy to your home.

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.