Introducing CbMixtapes: playlists made of specific bits from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

Here at Creativebug we love to take the theme of Thanksgiving - gratitude - and reflect upon it all month long. In this selection of classes you'll find exercises, sketchbook activities, and projects all devoted to the theme.

If these mini lessons inspire you to dig deeper, check out the full classes listed here:
Daily Gratitude Journal with Mou Saha
Living a More Thankful Life: 30 Days of Gratitude with Creativebug
Daily Lettering Challenge: 31 Creative Lettering Ideas with Pam Garrison
 

Elevate your abstract painting practice with fine artist Abby Houston. Before diving into this intermediate course, we recommend exploring Abby's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice, where you'll build a solid foundation of techniques. In this class, Abby guides you through the creation of two finished abstract artworks. You’ll begin by learning how to stretch your own canvas, then follow her as she works on two paintings side by side—one in warm tones and one in cool tones. She leads you through building layers of color, intention, and decision-making to achieve your desired result. This practice-based approach encourages curiosity and risk-taking while staying grounded, embracing mistakes, and trusting the creative process.

Pique your clay curiosity by working with an air-dry variety, which doesn't require expensive tools or a kiln. Texas-based painter and potter Cindy Willingham finds inspiration in nature and in this class, she teaches how to sculpt three different kinds of mushrooms. These mushrooms are so whimsical and enchanting, and in the process of making them, you'll learn how to condition, shape, paint, and seal air-dry clay. Plus, add a wire hanging loop to turn your mushrooms into charming ornaments. If you prefer to work with kiln-fired clay, all the hand-building techniques are applicable, and you'll swap out air-drying for kiln-firing and paint/seal for glaze. Discover the secrets of the forest as well as your love of clay.

Explore the art of surface design and storytelling with fabric as your medium. Delve into a world of rich textures and techniques—painting, dyeing, printing, stitching, and more—to craft four distinctive sampler book structures. Jody Alexander, a renowned book and textile artist, showcases many bookmaking and fabric art techniques to help shape narratives using your unique style and mark making. With suggested sizes accommodating diverse structures, seamlessly transition from page creation to book assembly, embracing experimentation as inspiration for future creative endeavors.

Craft a truly joyful wreath that can be enjoyed year-round. Designed by artist and Dropcloth Embroidery Samplers owner Rebecca Ringquist, this unique project utilizes two embroidery hoops to create that districtive wreath shape. You’ll explore various thread thicknesses and a range of stitches, including satin stitch, French knots, and seed stitch, to add rich texture and depth to your design. Perfect for hanging as a timeless decoration or repurposing as a creative frame for photos or artwork, this class is ideal for both seasoned embroiderers and beginners.

For years, Portland-based artist and designer Rebecca Ringquist has encouraged embroiderers to pre-thread their needles as a gift to their future selves. By keeping a pincushion or needlebook full of ready-to-use needles, you can start stitching anytime, anywhere. In this class, you'll work with one of Rebecca's unique embroidery samplers, designed with two panels to be sewn into two styles of pincushions that keep your needles organized. Rebecca will guide you in constructing a distinctive pyramid-shaped pincushion and an easy-to-tote needle book. Stay inspired by showcasing all your pre-threaded needles—create one set for yourself and another as a gift for a friend!

Artist Suzy Ultman is an illustrator, toy maker, story teller, and an avid birder. One of her favorite activities is bird watching in her backyard and connecting to nature. Now you can turn into your favorite bird as Suzy teaches you how to upcycle everyday paper grocery bags into a full-fledged, fabulous bird costume. You'll learn how to print and assemble a paper template, cut paper bags to create a mask as well as a cape for wings, add paint and color to bring your bird to life, and make and attach paper feathers. Not only is this costume fun for little ones to play in, but they will delight in the painting and gluing process, too. The next time you go shopping, remember to hang on to your paper bags, because there is still an entire world of make-believe in there.

Once you're comfortable with the basics of garment sewing, it's time to explore design details. Amanda Todaro, a sewing educator with Ditto patterns, demonstrates an array of techniques to add to your clothes-making toolkit: making straps, sewing facings, sewing buttonholes and buttons, creating skirt vents, attaching a lining to a zipper, sewing swing tacks, and making shirt collars. Feel confident about implementing these skills when you come across them in sewing patterns, and consider how to use them creatively to make your garments unique to you.

For professional-looking garments, you'll want the inside to look as fabulous as the outside. Amanda Todaro, a sewing educator from Ditto patterns, teaches you how to finish your seams with a sewing machine or a serger as well as four ways to sew hems, including making and applying your own bias tape. Not only will your projects look neat and tidy, but you'll also be giving them greater durability and longevity.

Introducing CbMixtapes: playlists made of specific bits from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

It's spooky season and time to conjure up all things witchy, spooky, and magical.  Begin your multimedia exploration by crocheting a witch's hat with Twinkie Chan. Paint a frog in gouache with Jen Orkin Lewis, then try your hand at stamp carving by making a magical starbust with Lisa Solomon. Lisa Congdon demonstrates how to paint an inky moth, and learn a gorgeous monoprint technique by painting flickering candles with Courtney Cerruti.

If these mini lessons inspire you to dig deeper, check out the full classes listed here:
Crochet Halloween Appliqués with Twinkie Chan
Daily Painting Challenge: 31 Animals with August Wren
Carve a Rubber Stamp Kit: A Daily Practice with Lisa Solomon
Inktober Daily Challenge: 31 Days of Drawing and Painting with Ink by Lisa Congdon
Artober: 31 Days of Spooky Monoprints with Courtney Cerruti

Sewing with stretchy knit fabrics is a bit different than sewing with wovens. Amanda Todaro, a sewing educator from Ditto patterns, gives you an introduction to creating garments with knits, beginning with learning about the different stretches in fabrics, sewing your projects, setting in a shirt sleeve, finishing hems with mock cover stitch, and adding a finished neckband. And while a serger is a knit garment's best friend, learn how you can create most knit garments using only your sewing machine.

Zippers are a common way to close garments, but sewing them can sometimes seem tricky. Amanda Todaro is a sewing educator from Ditto patterns and has been sewing clothing for herself and others for over 20 years. She demonstrates three of the most common types of zippers for garments: lapped zippers, invisible zippers, and fly front zippers. With a little practice, you'll be able to sew any of these zippers with ease.

Made with pockets for bits of ephemera, spacers for postcards or tickets, and pages for writing, drawing or gluing in to, this Kraft-tex Stitched Envelope Journal is ready to join you on your travels, near or far! Book artist Bel Mills of Scrap Paper Circus offers an exercise in measuring, structure, and form as she leads you through the construction of a journal designed to safely enclose your memorabilia. It has artful details including torn edge pages, a window in the spine, and a handstitched flap with a tidy closure. This class also introduces you to the wonders of Kraft-tex paper, a material more akin to fabric or leather, that ensures your journal is able to accompany you on all your adventures for years to come.

Encaustic, an ancient artistic technique, involves painting with hot wax to create tremendous textural possibilities. Lisa Solomon, a multi-disciplinary artist and educator, guides you through an exploration of this unique medium. The wax, sometimes infused with colored pigments, is applied to surfaces, typically wooden panels, and manipulated using various tools. During the process, experiment with techniques such as embedding, mark making, layering, carving, and incorporating natural and 3D elements. The resulting encaustic paintings often exhibit a lustrous and translucent quality, providing a means for creative expression through the fusion of wax, pigments, and heat. 

When you make your own clothing, there are so many decisions to make along the way - you choose the fabrics, style details, and how each garment fits. Amanda Todaro, a sewing educator from Ditto patterns, has been sewing clothing for herself and others for over 20 years and helps simplify some of these choices for you. In this class, Amanda will show you some fundamental garment sewing techniques - how to sew and press curved seams, sew darts, set in a sleeve, make in-seam pockets, and sew a flat-felled seam - empowering you to make the wardrobe you are proud to wear.

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

Apples are part of the classic still-life and are inspiring for artists of all levels. They have the same basic shapes but can be so different in color and texture, and are easy to find in the grocery store. Learn how five artists draw, sketch, and paint apples in this CbMixtape.

Inspired to keep creating? You can watch the full classes with each artist here:
Sustainable Play: Upcycled Alphabet Daily Practice with Suzy Ultman
Daily Drawing Challenge with Lisa Congdon
​28 Acrylic Studies with Courtney Cerruti
Everyday Sketching with Jon Stitch
Drawing and Illustration Baisics with Molly Hatch




 

The batwing lounge top is so comfortable to wear and quick to sew up that you'll definitely want to make more than one. Depending on the fabric you choose, your look can range from laid-back loungewear to dressy statement piece, and the ample, curved sleeves add fun, stylistic interest. Sanae Ishida - illustrator, author, and maker of many things - will show you how to draft and sew this versatile garment adapted from her book Sewing Love. You'll learn how to modify your front torso sloper - which you can learn to make in her torso sloper class - and draft the one and only pattern piece that you'll need to sew this top together. She also offers her tips for sewing with stretchy fabric. After finishing your first batwing top, see how easy it is to modify and personalize it even more by playing with hem and sleeve length, body width, armhole size, or even adding a patch pocket.

Knitting is not just for yarn anymore! Learn how to make a faux knit texture with polymer clay. While you won't actually be knitting with clay, Faheema Chaudhury of Unicorn Crafts demonstrates a fun technique for creating a texture inspired by your favorite sweater which you can use to make unique earrings. Play with various tools like a pasta machine, clay extruder, and hand drill, and learn some basic techniques for working with polymer clay such as making a slab, cutting shapes, and adding jewelry hardware.

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

Whether you have a green thumb or prefer a zero-care faux plant, houseplants exude comfort and elegance.
 
Inspired to keep creating? You can watch the full classes with each artist here:
REPLAY Daily Drawing Challenge with Lisa Congdon
Color Play in Watercolor and Colored Pencil with Joy Ting
Inspired by Botanicals with Sharon Virtue
28 Acrylic Studies with Courtney Cerruti 
31 Things to Draw with Pam Garrison

Upcycling fanatic, sewist, and toddler mom Faith Hale loves the transformation of secondhand materials into cute and tiny clothes for kids. Dressing your kids in clothes you’ve made is especially rewarding but dressing them in recycled clothes potentially destined for a landfill is even more so. Using well-fitting clothes as a template, Faith encourages you to forego making a pattern and demonstrates how to boldly approach your materials with courage and curiosity. In this class, begin by making leggings out of a long-sleeved shirt or sweater, using the existing hems as a shortcut to skip the hemming portion altogether. Next, make the coziest beanie out of a square of knit fabric taken from a shirt or sweater. Finally, make a vest out of a placemat, pillow sham, or other piece of quilted material, binding with bias tape. Once you get the hang of her techniques, a world of upcycling exploration awaits.

Paper quilling, or paper filigree, is a centuries-old art form popular during the Renaissance. You use a quilling tool - which was probably once made with a feather - to coil long, thin paper strips and bend and pinch those small coils into many different shapes. Then combine these shapes to create astonishingly intricate and mesmerizing pieces of art. Nikki Furlong is the artist behind Simply Quilled Designs, and she is passionate about sharing this little-known craft with you. In this daily practice, Nikki teaches you the basics of paper quilling: how to use a quilling tool, how to make shapes such as teardrops, petals, marquise, and scrolls, as well as her favorite gluing methods. Each little piece you make throughout the month will be part of a final project: a beautiful and colorful flower mandala. Plus, you'll get to make some smaller bonus projects with your extra shapes. Quilling is extremely versatile - all you really need is a tiny tool like a pin or paper clip, glue, and paper.

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

This selection of kid-friendly classes covers a variety of techniques using simple materials, including paper folding, assemblage, drawing, and tin-foil sculpture.

Inspired to keep creating? You can watch the full classes with each artist here:
Little Artists with Abby and Violet Houston
Inspired by Picture Books with Constance Moore
Sustainable Play: Upcycled Alphabet Daily Practice with Suzy Ultman
Astro Origami with Faith Hale
31 Creative Prompts from Modern and Contemporary Artists with Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh
​Make a House Book with Jody Alexander
 

The Woven Star is a gorgeous pattern that seemingly radiates right off your quilt top. It's intricate enough to provide visual interest but also simple enough to have fun with finding favorite color and pattern combinations. Award-winning quilter and designer Sarah Bond teaches you how to sew the Woven Star with precision straight piecing and basic paper piecing. She will also share a round version of the Woven Star that incorporates a little bit of curved piecing. The class PDF includes patterns for these blocks in different sizes so you can play with scale and use different sizes of blocks on the same quilt top. Throw them all together in a mini quilt, full sized quilt, or whatever you have a mind to create. The result is truly celestial.

Elevate the art of paper maché with Corrie Beth Hogg, multi-media maker and Brooklyn-based author. In this class, Corrie demonstrates how to make an impressive paper maché vase inspired by ornamented Italian earthenware from the 16th century. The most amazing thing about working with paper maché is its accessibility - all you really need is cardboard, masking tape, newspaper, and glue. Corrie has designed and provided a template that turns a flat piece of cardboard into a three-dimensional vessel, allowing for a glass cylinder insert if you wish to use it for fresh flowers. Learn how to build the vase form piece by piece, then add paper maché. Finish by exploring several decorating options to make your vase truly your own and be amazed by what you're able to create with paper.

Use a sketchbook as your muse to gather captivating imagery that ignites your imagination. Rebecca Ringquist of Dropcloth Samplers, celebrated for her embroidery and intricate stitched drawings, empowers you to explore your unique artistic style through fearless experimentation, free from the constraints of perfection or productivity. Over the course of a month, embark on an expressive journey dedicated to spontaneous mark-making and playful collaging in the first half, then respond to those textures and images in the second, culminating in exquisitely layered, visually intricate pages. When you're done, you'll have a place to begin.

For more of Rebecca's sketchbook work, check out her other class, Magpie Sketchbook: Collecting a Resource of Imagery.

Capture the vibrance of spring and summer flowers and make a lush, felted floral crown. Melissa of Hex House Crowns is a fiber artist and handwork teacher with a love of all things handmade. Soft and fluffy natural wool is one of her favorite materials, and she shows you how to create beautiful flowers with wet felting, then how to add details with needle felting. Learn how to assemble your floral crown by attaching felted wool flowers to a crown base, blanket stitching your crown structure together, as well as two ways to fasten your crown using either flowy ribbon ties or a stretchy elastic band. This class is a fabulous introduction to the world of felting, and you'll have a gorgeous accessory to wear for any special occasion.

A circle is the shape of everything from atoms to stars, enduring the test of time. Skilled quilt artist Heidi Parkes incorporates many hand-sewn fabric circles into her quilts. In this class, she imparts her expertise in appliquéing circles of varying sizes using three distinct stitching techniques. She demonstrates options for using or not using a hoop and an iron, allowing you to select the most suitable method for your project.

Creative Director Katrina Wheeler, skilled artist and paper maché enthusiast, transforms ordinary household paper into charming rabbit, bear, and fox masks. Discover the art of paper maché with Katrina's expert tips, including her go-to paste recipe and techniques for adding details with paper folding and acrylic paint. These whimsical masks are versatile and cost-effective and be adapted to various shapes and sizes, making them perfect for unique home decor or heartfelt tributes to beloved pets. Dive into the world of paper crafting and bring a personal touch to your space with these delightful creations.

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

Admire the beauty of a butterfly while practicing these five techniques. From card making to stamp carving to painting, these gorgeous pollinators inspire artists of all kinds.

Inspired to keep creating? You can watch the full Daily Practice classes with each artists here:
Oil Painting Daily Challenge with Erika Lee Sears
Carve a Rubber Stamp Kit with Lisa Solomon
A Card a Day with Hero Arts
31 Things to Draw with Pam Garrison
31 Creative Prompts from Modern and Contemporary Artists with Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh

​PDF reference photos can be found on the full class pages.

You may be surprised to learn that you likely have an extensive supply of book-making materials right in your own home. Everyday paper products like business reply envelopes, cardboard, and printer paper can be fashioned into a wide variety of charming structures with the expert guidance of artist Bel Mills of Scrap Paper Circus. In this class, Bel shows you how to employ upcycled envelopes and book-making techniques to create a unique paper wallet. With pockets, fun vintage mail-inspired decoration, and an eyelet closure, this wallet is both eye-catching and functional.

Engage in the creative and imaginative practice of upcycling. Rather than beginning with a book idea and then purchasing the materials, Bel Mills of Scrap Paper Circus reverses the process and instead finds inspiration in her recycling bin. Utilizing a discarded soap box as a book cover, she transforms what might become garbage into a lively, kinetic book with accordion-folded pages and a button closure. Bel offers several design options and makes this unique book structure as simple to construct as it is to source the materials. 

Book artist, mail artist, and educator Bel Mills takes great care when making even the smallest object. In this class she demonstrates just how much can be packed into a tiny book that features even tinier paper ephemera. As an avid upcycler, Bel loves to create art books using ordinary and cast-off paper products such as security envelopes and canceled stamps. This delicious visual snack, just a hair larger than a postage stamp, begins by folding an accordion book and then attaching a miniature cover. Along the way, make thoughtful design choices that lead the viewer on an adventure because every book is a journey, no matter how small.   

Celebrating pollinators and the magic of nature, Portland artist Rebecca Ringquist’s floral themed embroidery sampler bursts with vibrant hues and is adorned with beautiful butterflies. She works hers up using just a handful of stitches but in an array of colors that create a highly detailed and stunning bouquet. Once your embroidery is complete, Rebecca shares how to finish using a self-binding edge so that your completed project resembles a miniature quilt. Let your imagination soar as you bring nature's beauty to life, one stitch at a time.

CbMixtapes are playlists made of specific bits taken from different classes and grouped together by a common theme. It's a fun way to learn how one topic is approached by a variety of artists with different techniques, all rounded up in one curated mixtape.​

It's time for tea! Lisa Congdon loves tea so much that she makes a page of teacups each with two different mediums - watercolor and pen. Brew up a contour teapot drawing with Molly Hatch, a painted tea set with Carolyn Gavin, and round off teatime with a sweet treat painted by Jen Orkin Lewis.

Inspired to keep creating? You can watch the full Daily Practice classes with each artist here:
Daily Painting Challenge: 31 Painted Patterns with Lisa Congdon
Daily Drawing Challenge: 29 Things to Draw with Molly Hatch and Heather Ross
Daily Painting Challenge: Flowers, Fruits and the Natural World with Carolyn Gavin
Daily Drawing Challenge with Lisa Congdon
Daily Painting Challenge: 30 Things to Paint with August Wren​

​PDF reference photos can be found on the full class pages

Join Courtney Cerruti and Twinkie Chan in celebrating Creativebug's 12th birthday. Courtney and Twinkie make faux celebration cakes full of fun colors, "frosted" bows, rosettes, and topped with faux fruit and sprinkles. These fun cakes can be made for any occasion and will last for many years to come. This event was originally recorded live May 15, 2024.

Join designer, technical editor, and author Tian Connaughton and crochet The Reignbow Vest, a versatile, fast-to-crochet, and playful project. Begin by creating a swatch to determine correct gauge and fit, then work the vest in corner-to-corner (C2C) crochet while following a chart. The combination of C2C and alternating yarn colors creates a vibrant and dynamic pattern, and the vest is constructed simply with two identical panels seamed together. Easily add a keyhole detail in the back for an extra fun design element. If you're familiar with crocheting stripes, you might assume you’d be dealing with many loose yarn ends, but Tian shows you her wink-wink secret for weaving in ends, along with some fun modifications in the pattern for a variety of looks

From ancient Egypt to Buddhism and Hinduism, the lotus flower represents the cycle of life, rebirth, peace, and love. In this class, you'll learn how to make a beautiful folded paper version of the legendary lotus. It looks extremely intricate, but the folds are actually quite simple. Mia Semingson is an artist, book binder, and owner of Two Hands Paperie in Boulder, Colorado, and she is always looking for creative ways to use paper. With basic origami techniques, Mia will guide you through constructing a four-layered lotus blossom. You can use it as a gift wrap embellishment, ornament, or even include it as part of your own rituals and celebrations by writing messages inside the folds, like wishes for friends or thoughtful intentions.

The allure of traditional watercolor painting is undeniable but sometimes you need a creative change or simply cannot wait for paint to dry. This is where the digital watercolor painting process becomes invaluable. Sanae Ishida, an artist of many talents, has seamlessly integrated Procreate into her repertoire and developed a deep fondness for its capabilities. With her expert guidance, delve into the world of digital watercolor art, moving/resizing/erasing, employing clipping masks for precise painting within boundaries, and harnessing the power of layers to bypass the drying time. Additionally, she has designed a collection of distinctive brushes and templates for this Daily Practice, meticulously crafted to authentically replicate the watercolor aesthetic. 

Few things are more rewarding to sketch than botanicals. Fine artist and art coach David Tenorio emphasizes the importance of observing and respecting your reference material, and also encourages leaving some aspects of the work in process. In this class, learn essential elements of sketching plants, including lending 3D quality to leaf and flower shapes, creating varied line quality, and exploring a range of botanical images to add interest to your work. This class starts with simple sketches before moving onto more detailed drawings and is designed to build confidence in your core drawing skills, increase your set of techniques, and encourage a relaxed time to create. David inspires a conversation between drawing and painting, adding richness to the work, always remembering that, as Emily Dickenson said, "Beauty is not caused, it is.

Use a macrame-type braid to construct a sturdy, eco-friendly dog toy. Crafter Faith Hale demonstrates this simple-yet-satisfying technique, and you can use purchased T-shirt yarn or yarn that you’ve made out of a T-shirt that has outlived its use as a garment. The toy shown is excellent for small-to-medium sized dogs but Faith instructs how to make simple swaps for a custom size

You have just entered a storybook land filled with colorful flowers, fairytale toadstools, sweet forest mice, and happy snails - all made with fluffy felt. Melissa of Hex House Crowns is a fiber artist and hand-work teacher, and she loves working with wool felt because it's soft and fuzzy and easy to transform into whatever you wish. In this class, learn how to make a felted woodland celebration crown. You'll get to know your needle felting tools by starting with a landscape for your woodland scene: wispy clouds in the sky and soft grass on the ground. Then Melissa shows how to create more three-dimensional shapes as you needle felt an amanita mushroom and a cute mouse. You can use these skills to add flowers, trees and any other friends that you can dream up. While assembling the crown, decide whether to make ribbon ties or a fabric-covered elastic band for your closure. Whoever wears this crown will look like forest royalty, friend to all animals, and you will feel like a maker of magic.

There's no need to visit a museum or fancy gallery to find beautiful art when there's a whole world of inspiring illustrations to be found inside children's picture books. This daily practice from artist, educator, and children's book illustrator Constance Moore pulls from these different facets of her life to bring you a unique art class for all ages. Each day, Constance shares a children's book, including a few she has illustrated herself, with a creative prompt inspired by the art in each book. Explore the elements of line, shape, and color while focusing on using accessible tools and materials found in most classrooms. Try playing with watercolor, tempera paint, oil pastels, or whatever materials inspire you. This class includes drawing, painting, collage, and even a three-dimensional piece. With years of experience teaching art to children, Constance embraces the joy of getting back to the basics, allowing you to discover and free your own creative spirit.

Introducing CbMixtapes: playlists made of specific bits from different classes and grouped together by a common theme.

Maker extraordinaire and Creativebug's Editor-in-Chief Courtney Cerruti considers the library a sacred space essential to her creative practice. In her hugely popular class, Living a More Creative Life, she details 30 different methods designed to enhance your perspective and engage with the beauty around you. Naturally, several of these days involve a trek to a library.

If these mini lessons inspire you to dig deeper, check out her full Daily Practice Living a More Creative Life: 30 Ways in 30 Days with Courtney Cerruti.