Leisure Arts Blog

Happy Mother's Day Leisure Arts Moms! This Mother's Day, we think it's more important than ever to do something together. Whether you're able to be in the same room while you do it or just have to make do with Facetime, this weekend is about togetherness. These crafts that we've compiled are perfect for mothers and children to do together no matter your interest or skill level. From stitchery to paper quilling, there's something here for every mother/child duo.

Paper Crafting

Whether you want to start being pen pals or you just want to learn a new skill, paper quilling is for you! From the very first roll of paper, this book will guide you two through every step to creating 10 gorgeous paper creations. Decorate your home or send your masterpieces to each other, either way you'll have a new memory and skill to share.

Embroidery

Match your home decor with a mini maker like this one! Perfect for first time stitchers, this gorgeous peony is perfect for all home decor tastes and styles. It will be like mommy and me matching wall art. And once you start embroiderying, you won't be able to stop! But don't worry, we've still got you covered for all your needle crafting needs.

Crafting

This Mother's Day, celebrate every holiday with a matching gnome set. From Valentine's Day through Christmas, you'll each have custom holiday decor that goes together like a gnome and a garden or like mother and child. These gnome kits look adorable in your window or on your mantel, a small piece of connection between mom and kid.

Quilting

Whether you did a charity walk together, saw a musical, or attended a family reunion, a t-shirt quilt is the perfect way to commemorate your love. Shared experiences are stitched together to create a gorgeous collage of memories. Make them match or make them coordinate, either way you'll be comforted and warmed by the memories of love between the two of you.

Once again, we want to with you the happiest Mother's Day and the most joyful crafting! As always, if you make one of our projects we would love to see it. Tag us with @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your crafty corner!

Happy Mother's Day!

-Leisure Arts Team

Mother's Day is coming up, and that means a chance to spoil mom and be her best child. Your mother deserves the best, whether that's eggs benedict in bed or a relaxing day with no people and a season of her favorite show. If you have a mom who loves crafty and creative gifts, then you've come to the right place. We have some extra special mom gifts that will ensure that you get the bigger Christmas present pile this year. Find your craft category, and find this year's Mother's Day project!

Crochet

If your mom loves to constantly update her home decor, this is the project for her. Not only will she love the sentiment of a homemade gift, she'll also love the gift itself. Every time she looks at it she'll think of you. It's just what every mom wants. You might even get some surprise calls from her just because she's thinking of you. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Crochet Round 2

If you want to get mom some jewelry this year, go for something unique! Crochet jewelry is a nice way to add a soft touch of elegance to any outfit she might wear. It's also nice because she won't have to worry about wearing heavy beaded jewelry that aches by the end of the day. This book is full of gorgeous collections to go with any outfit or style. You can fully customize the colors and beads, making this Mother's Day gift fashion-forward, versatile gift.

Knit

If you want to get mom some flowers, get her ones that last as long as your love for her! Knitting flowers, cacti, and botanicals is the perfect way to give mom a touch of everlasting nature in her home, wardrobe, and life. Even the smallest accents can make the biggest difference. This book will not only teach you how to stitch flowers, it'll also help beginners learn the basics and improve their skills.

Craft

If your mom deserves a break, get her something to help with her self-care time! Nothing is better than receiving spa essentials. It means so much when someone says, "you deserve some you-time." And what better way to convey that than with a homemade candle? This book is full of great DIYs for candles and wax melts that will have her relaxing in seconds.

Sewing

To thank your mother for toting you around all those years, there's nothing better than a new bag! Whether you want to show her she deserves nice, new things or you just think she would love a certain project, she will be eternally grateful for you and the time you put into her gift. This book of quilted and sewn projects is perfect for every mom out there, no matter their style or aesthetic. It's fully customizable and fully lovable!

No matter what you decide to get mom for her special day, put a lot of love and happiness into it! She's sure to be appreciative and you're sure to get some brownie points. If you decide to do something homemade this year, be sure to tag us on social media @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your crafty corner!

Happy Mother's Day and happy crafting!

-Leisure Arts Team

Diamond Art is one of the most adored crafts of the 21st century. Whether you're 18 or 80, you can dip, dot, and dazzle all day! But not as many people know about Freestyle. It's the program that allows you to be the designer. With just a little bit of guidance, freestyle is one of the easiest crafts out there. You can incorporate it into everything from home to wardrobe to gifting and everywhere in between. This purse, for example, is a one-of-a-kind bag that's perfect for all you fashionistas out there who are always searching for the most unique, stylish thing out there. What's better than being able to create it yourself?

Supplies

-Diamond Art canvas of your choice (our example is linked here)
- Strong adhesive for backing (ie fabric glue, hot glue, needle and thread)
-Your favorite sewing needle and thread (thick thread or embroidery floss works best)
- Basic tote/purse
-Scissors
-Optional: extra accessories (ie pom poms, tassels, beads)

Let's get started!

There isn't a big learning curve to Diamond Art, just dip, dot, and dazzle! Diamond Art is meant to be a leisurely craft that lets you put the canvas away for later if you want to. Complete in one day or take a whole week, it's all up to you!

After you've dazzled your canvas, carefully cut out your design and get ready to sew! To keep the edges of the canvas from fraying and to provide extra support, carefully line the edges of your cut out with embroidery floss or thread.

Once you're ready to place your design, add the adhesive of your choice to your bag. Lay the canvas piece flat and smooth it out to get rid of air bubbles. Don't be worried about your gems falling off, our adhesive is strong and durable! If you want even more support, stitch a few tacks onto your canvas.

Time to accessorize!

Now that your Diamond Art is attached and ready to dazzle, all that's left are the finishing touches. Make your Diamond Art purse one of a kind with tassels, pom poms, extra gems, or whatever your imagination can think of! Show the world how creative you can be, now is your time to shine! This design would also look great on a throw pillow or jean jacket.

It's that simple! This is a great and unique way to utilize your favorite Diamond Art canvases to the fullest. Now just sit back, relax, and wait for the compliments to flood in! And, as always, remember to tag us on social media with #leisurearts and @leisureartsinc as we always love seeing what's happening in your crafty corner!

Happy Dazzling!

-Leisure Arts Team

With Tik Tok, Instagram, and Pinterest constantly churning out new ideas, it's hard to sort through it all and figure out what you're actually interested in. That's where we come in! We've combed through social media to find the trendiest crafts so you don't have to! From jewelry to embroidery, there's a trendy craft for you, just just have to discover it.

Clay Jewelry

Clay jewelry is the newest thing in accessorizing. With its durability and versatility, this medium is taking Instagram and Tik Tok by storm. Creators are showing their process of themed earrings, hand crafted pendants, and more. Now you can be just like your favorite creators and trendy influencers by making your own clay jewelry. These 17 projects are the perfect addition to every outfit and can be customized to fit any personal style. Join the millions of people who love clay jewelry!

Diamond Painting

With over 1.4 billion videos on Tik Tok, it's no wonder we're talking about diamond painting. Diamond painting is basically paint by numbers but with gems. It's an easy way to fill your time and your home with a little bit of sparkle. Our 13 faceted gems are even more dazzling than most. Try one of our kits to see if you love this art style as much as the rest of the world!

Resin

Resin has simply exploded over the last couple of years. This long lasting, highly customizable craft is great for everything from coating a pop socket to building a table. We have a great book that can guide you in the ways of resin art. With projects from home decor to jewelry, you'll find something to update your life the resin way.

Embroidery

Embroidery, while a very traditional craft, is another trendy activity. Over 2 billion people on Tik Tok are customizing clothing, creating home decor, and personalizing gifts with just a needle and thread. If you are a beginner or just haven't had this hobby for a while, try a beginner's guide to get you into it. This book has projects that any beginner or low leveled stitcher would love.

Crochet

Crochet is another traditional craft that has been rediscovered by the masses. With the 70s coming back in style again, crochet bags, tops, and more are coming back too. The versatility of this craft is only made better by its endless customizations. From recreating items worn by celebrities to coming up with custom patterns, crocheting has become popular with billions of people. Our book Back in Style features over 30 designs for crocheters who want to wear their projects. Step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photography will lead you to the wardrobe update of your dreams.

Trends come and go, but they often come back again. Some of these trends are new, some were done by our great grandparents. No matter what trends you follow, there's always room to set your own path and create your own unique pieces. As always, if you try anything from this post, be sure to tag us @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your craft corner!

Happy crafting!
-Leisure Arts Team

'Tis the season to get spooky! You've heard of Christmas in July, but what about Halloween in April? Halloween may be the last thing on your mind, but here at Leisure Arts we just couldn't wait. The costumes, the decor, everything is just to die for! We've gathered some of our favorite spooky season DIYs because it's never too early to get started.

General Craft

If you're looking for quick, fun crafts to do for Halloween, look no further! This collection of easy DIYs is perfect for filling your home with spooky decor. From garland to flower pots, you'll be covered from door to door. These treats, gifts, and decorations are no trick, they're just the perfect DIY treat!

Coloring

Color on the go with this exciting Halloween coloring book. skulls and witches and jack-o-lanterns, oh my! Full of spooky icons, this book is perfect for getting in the spirit. You can even frame your finished pages for some seasonal wall decor! Rediscover how fun and calming coloring can be.

Crochet

Crocheting seasonal items is a must for crocheters. This irresistible book is a celebration of celebrations, not just Halloween. But how can you not love the Halloween section? Rugs, afghans, costumes, and more are on offer for the spooky season in this book. So grab your hook and get to stitching!

Craft

This Halloween, get in the spirit with Duck Tape! From bags to decorations to costumes, you can truly do it all with this versatile tape. It's so easy it's scary! Conjure up some cool accessories for yourself and your home in just a few simple steps. This book guides you every step of the way so your projects are successful.

Quilting

Spark your holiday spirit with quilted home accents. Another all-year-rounder, this book has extra special Halloween projects that will become permanent fixtures in your holiday decor! Cover your walls and your wardrobe with spooky accents that will have you wishing it was Halloween all year long.

It may be early in the year, but it's never too early to be prepared! This year, Halloween calls for extra special decorations, costumes, and treats. Now is the time to start crafting your spooky attire and decor! Don't let a lack of time get in the way of you having the spookiest, coolest house on the block.

Happy Crafting!

-Leisure Arts Team

Crafting is fun and fulfilling, but can sometimes feel wasteful. With Earth Day coming up this month, we here at Leisure Arts have been thinking about how to reduce waste and make our hobbies more sustainable. Whether you want to waste less or just need to make room for new supplies, we can help you make your crafting more eco-friendly. From home decor to wardrobe updates, being sustainable with your crafting is easier than you think.

Diamond Art

Dress up your wardrobe with Diamond Dotz. With strong adhesive and 13 faceted gems, you can step up your dazzle with ease. Diamond Art Freestyle is all about using extra gems or buying your favorite colors and letting the dots fall where they want! While this book provides more of a guide, it's a great first step on your Freestyle journey. It's also a perfect way to use up those extra gems without throwing them away or having to find space and storage for them.

Quilting

What do you do with all those old T-shirts that never get worn but you don't want to throw out? Take those treasured memories and well-earned mementos and turn them into a quilt! Perfect to give as a gift or remind yourself of good times, T-shirt quilts are a great way to sustainably craft. You can use scraps and small precuts to embellish them, and can even use an old top sheet as your base. Reducing, reusing, and recycling has never been so cozy!

Crochet

If you're looking for ways to waste less in your craft, turn to your stash! Stash busting is a term for purposefully using up your stash of yarn, fabric, and other materials. It's also one of the best ways to promote sustainability in your own home! It's the waste-not, want-not mentality. These 6 projects are meant to be created with small amounts of yarn in various colors, making it the perfect stash busting companion.

Punch Needle

Being sustainable doesn't mean you have to limit yourself. Whether you've never tried punch needling or it's your favorite craft, it's a great way to use up yarn in a textural, stylish way. It's especially great for adding to existing materials, like jackets, purses, pillows, and more. It adds a dimensional element to old pieces in a modern, fun way. Even the smallest scraps of yarn can be salvaged with punch needling!

No matter how you do it, try to challenge yourself this month to be more sustainable in your life practices. From busting your stash to crafting with found materials, there's so many ways to be more eco-friendly and less wasteful. As always, tag us with @leisureartsinc or #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your crafty corner.

Happy Crafting!

-Leisure Arts Team

Do you or a loved one have a serious addiction to all things yarn? Do you buy more yarn than you need, knit more than you can gift, or crochet with all your spare time? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be a yarnist! Being a yarnist, yarn artist, is not something to be ashamed about, but rather something to embrace and even expand. Yarn isn’t just for knitting and crochet anymore, check out what else you can do with it.

Yarn: 

Yarn can be used for so many crafts, life hacks, and home décor projects. Just like these rainbow vases, you can use yarn to create endless possibilities for common home décor items. It’s the perfect accent for your home and creativity! 

Macrame: 

Yarn is associated with popular crafts like knit and crochet, but you don’t have to limit yourself! You can create hybrid craft projects by using yarn in place of other materials. Macrame, for example, typically uses craft cord, but it’s nothing that a bulky yarn can’t replace! Update this retro craft with a new, soft spin. 

Knit: 

If you’re a classic yarnist or want to dip your toe into the yarnist life, try knitting! With just your needles and hands, you’ll walk 2-by-2 into home décor updates, wardrobe refreshes, and gift giving triumphs. If you’re an absolute beginner, try a book like 1-2-3 Knit. Knitting can be as easy as it sounds. 

Crochet: 

Another one for the traditionalists, crocheting is as fun as it is fulfilling. You can do whatever you want with it. Do you need a new rug? Crochet it. Have you been searching for the perfect sweater? Crochet it! Does your home need a bit of revitalization? Nothing a crochet afghan can’t fix. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yarnist, Afghans For All Seasons is perfect for living your best yarn life. 

There are endless ways of becoming a yarnist. So, what are you waiting for? Buy a skein, or five, and show the world your best yarnist self. Don’t forget to tag us @leisureartsinc and #leisurearts so we can see what’s happening in your crafty corner! 

Happy yarning! 

-Leisure Arts Team  

Spring is finally here! Gone are the short, cold winter days. It's time to welcome rain showers, sunshine, and freshly bloomed flowers. With the new season also comes new necessities. You have a new season to craft for! Whether you want to spring clean your yarn stash or just want a quick home update, we've got you covered for all your springtime essentials.

Diamond Dotting

Capture the beauty of nature with a new Diamond Art painting. With 13 faceted Diamond Dotz and hours of fun ahead, you'll be welcoming in spring with a hefty dose of dazzle! This gorgeous floral seaside is perfect to hang in your home or to give as a gift. Either way, it will be a cherished piece of art all year round.

Crochet

No need to wait for April showers to bring you May flowers, you can crochet them yourself! Brighten your home decor with spring-inspired afghans. 8 designs are each as beautiful as springtime itself. It's like adding a little bit of your garden into your home this season.

Knitting

It may be spring, but it can still get pretty chilly. Stay warm while your waiting for the sun to come out with a knit cardigan. Whether you have just a little experience with knitting or you're a pro, these 12 knit cardigans are perfect for you. Cardigans are especially great for those days when it's cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Just throw one on and wait for the compliments to flood in!

Sewing

One of the easiest ways to update your home decor is with a new throw pillow or two... or three or four. It's easier than ever to make beautiful, textured pillows to go with any home style or taste. Choose from one of these 10 patterns, select your color palette, and go! It really is that easy.

Stitchery

Bring a bit of brightness to your home with an embroidery project. Perfect for hanging on the wall, stitching onto a pillow, or giving to a friend, this mini maker is an easy and fun springtime craft. With everything you need right there in the box, you'll have a gorgeous embroidered project in less than a weekend!

No matter how you like to prepare for spring, a home or wardrobe update is essential. It's quick, easy, and can be so much fun! Stitch an afghan, sew a pillow, or dot some diamonds. The new season is here and you're going to be ready for it. As always, if you decide to craft with us be sure to tag @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your crafty corner!

Happy spring crafting!

-Leisure Arts Team

With National Craft Month well under way, it's time to start thinking about how you can grow your skills and expand your craft. Whether you're a diamond dotter, knitter, quilter, or something else entirely, this is the perfect time to experiment and see just how good you are. Test yourself, you may find yourself surprised by how advanced you've become!

Doily Overload

Combine the elegance of tradition with the styles of today. Doilies are a fun and unexpected way to update your home with a retro flair. While doilies may be easy to crochet, adding texture and advanced stitch techniques ups the anti. Try using threads and thinner yarns for even more added difficulty. Doilies Updated will help you understand the different methods involved in doily making while giving you tips and tricks for styling and using your finished projects.

Bloom and Grow Your Knitting Skills

Whether you are a beginner looking to up your knitting skills or an advanced knitter hoping to switch things up a bit, these designs are perfect. Give your home and closet a fresh new update to go with National Craft Month by knitting a new purse, pillow, or scarf set. Knitted items also make great gifts for birthdays, showers, and all other occasions! Start to Expand Your Knitting Skills and see just how far you can take them.

Dazzle Yourself

Enjoy the relaxing repetition of Diamond Dotz with a Diamond Art canvas. Take a trip to the mountains and float on a peaceful lake with this exquisite project. Turn it into a framed art piece or stitch it onto an accessory for a dazzling patch that will make heads turn. Advanced Diamond Art kits are perfect for quiet weekends and recharged evenings.

You, Too, Can Be An All-Star

Quilt for the stars! You don't need more pre-cut projects and paper pieced quilts, you've got All Star Quilts. Several well known quilters have come together to create quilt blocks designed to take your skills up a notch. By the end, you'll have a beautiful new quilt to hang, gift, or wrap up in. Discover your own awesome abilities!

Florals For Spring

Take a stroll through the gardens of your cross stitch dreams. Shade the petals and curve the leaves with beautiful colors blooming throughout. Pillows From Paula's Garden will have you growing your skills and expanding your home decor with gorgeous designs. Guests will be asking where they can get one of their own.

National Craft Month is a great reason to challenge yourself and your creativity. Try a new pattern or pick up a new craft, the challenge is half the fun. No matter what you do, don't forget to tag us with @leisureartsinc and #leisurearts so we can see what's happening in your crafty corner.

Happy Crafting!

-Leisure Arts Team

Are you in a mental rut? Are the winter blues getting to you? Do you want to celebrate National Craft Month in a relaxing way? Maybe you’ve been working hard and deserve a break. No matter the reason, it’s always a good time to explore the therapeutic benefits of crafting.  Even if your everyday life is filled with mental activity, crafting and the act of creating uses a different part of the brain, relieving your mind and preventing burn out. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just looking for a way to unwind, these activities are sure to do the trick. 

Think Abstract

You don’t have to be Van Gogh to make great paintings. Happy Abstracts shows you how to be fearless with color, texture, and technique. Go beyond the classic still life painting and play with whatever shapes and colors you want. While this book will guide you through each painting, it also teaches you how to take risks with creativity and create your own works of art. Give yourself the gift of a free imagination. 

Heavy Petal Artist

 The repetitive action of crafting is scientifically proven to reduce stress. Working with paper is a great way to use that repetition to make something beautiful. You can start with a simple flower arrangement or jump right into projects like this shadowboxed set seen above. The art of paper crafting has been around for a long time, but this is a fresh and modern take on it. 

I Can Smell the Relaxation From Here

This one is a twofer: a craft that’s relaxing to make and to use. Making your own candles is a fun and relaxing way to create your own ambience. Use found and collected items to make your candles, like jars, shells, coffee cups, and more. Whatever you use, this book is there to guide you to delicious scents, beautiful presentations, and inspiration to keep you making! 

Lava Yourself

Jewelry isn’t usually thought of as a self-care necessity, unless you do a lot of retail therapy, but these projects were designed to take care of you! Aromatherapy has been used for centuries as a method of healing, and today it’s no different. With lava beads and essential oils, you can have relaxation on the go in a stylish little accessory. 

Punch It

Is your growing yarn stash overwhelming you? Try something new with all that yarn. Punch needling is super easy to master and beautiful to look at. Full of color and texture, the options are endless when you pick up a punch needle. Even if you've never done it before, this book will help you learn the basics and progressively build your skills until you can freestyle your next punch needle project!

However you like to relax, there’s always a way to bring crafting into it. It’s just about finding the right activity for you. Next time you craft yourself some self-care, be sure to tag us @leisureartsinc or #leisurearts, we love seeing what’s happening in your crafty corner! 

Happy Relaxing! 

-Leisure Arts Team