Leisure Arts Blog

With so many things being taken away last year, Pantone has double dealt the trends this year! They announced their 2021 color of the year was actually two colors: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. They call the combination, "A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting... practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic." These colors replace Classic Blue from 2020, but are still just as easily incorporated into your life.

Illuminate Your Life With The Ultimate Craft

Diamond Dotz® prove time and time again to be the perfect craft for all situations. This intermediate White Horse kit will be the hero of your home. The printed background showcases the hopeful yellow white the shadows and mane of the dotted horse give way to that Ultimate Gray we're going to see popping up all over. Whether you want to add a touch of the ranch style to your home or you have a horse-obsessed child, this trend-matched craft will be fun as a gift or a finished piece.

Lucky You! Clover Stitches Make The Perfect Weekend Project

We've still got a few months of chill left before the sun illuminates our lives and wardrobes. Lean into the chill with an easy knitting project. It doesn't matter if you've never knitted before or if you only have a few hours per day to devote, this Clover Cowl kit is perfect for every one on every schedule. The gray is a perfect Ultimate Gray match. With a cowl this cool, you'll be wishing summer were a little chillier.

Gnome Sweet Gnome: A Tale of Two Trends

Whether you're an avid gardener or a loyal trend-follower, you're sure to love gnomes. Now there's a perfect kit for everyone! These gnome kits are begging for your personal touch with paint, Diamond Dotz®, inks, and anything else you can dream of. Above is the girl holiday kit, with five holiday sets to cover your year with cheer. From St. Patrick's Day to Christmas, you can have the ultimate combination of trendy colors and crafts. Illuminate is a perfect accent color for Easter, Halloween, or Christmas, and Ultimate Gray is a great base color for the whole year. Post your progress on our Facebook Page and see how your "gnomies" do theirs!

This Color Boom Will Make Your Crafts Bloom

What better way to combine tradition with trends! Cross Stitching is one of the most traditional crafts in the industry. Try taking something like cross stitching and using trend-based colors to update it. Above is #6281 Seasonal Wordplay, a series of patterns for all four seasons using words and phrases in seasonal colors and fun fonts to create an image. The spring pattern is perfect for use with Illuminating. You could even change up the colors to match Pantone's choices every year!

Illuminate Your Embellishments On The Ultimate 2021 Accessory

Masks are a big part of our lives for the foreseeable future, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. #7741 Breath Easy 2 is full of ways to jazz up your masks with vinyl, stitchery, appliques, and more. The best part about it is that it's completely customizable. You can take Ultimate Gray and Illuminating and make them into the perfect mask for you! Everyone around you will be jealous of how trendy and cute you look in your custom mask.

Ultimate Gray and Illuminating were chosen as a way to bring balance to an uncertain time. Light and dark, pragmatism and optimism. These colors balance each other in every application. We hope these projects inspire you to get making with these colors. If you've made any of these projects, then tag us @leisureartsinc or use #leisurearts. We'd love to see what's going on in your craft corner!

Happy Crafting

-Leisure Arts Team

Diamond dotting with kits is fun, but have you tried Freestyle yet? It's an easy way to add dimension and sparkle to every day items, some you may never have thought of... Join us in using the Diamond Dotz® Freestyle system to dot your life!

Pet Tag

Your pet is already the light of your life, now you can make them look like it! With just a few materials, you can get your pet looking like the shining star that they are.

Supplies and Tools:

Diamond Dotz® Accessory Pack - 2-Styluses, 2 Pick-Up Wax, 2 Trays
Diamond Dotz® Gems - Colors: 8085 and 7003
Diamond Dotz® Freestyle Sandwich Adhesive Roll 12"x 36"
Any Pet Tag, this one is a simple circle
Marker or pen
Scissors or punch

Getting started

To begin, you'll want to cut a piece of adhesive to the size of your tag. If you're using a common shaped tag, you'll probably be able to find a punch in the same size and shape to make a perfect template. You can also carefully hold the tag on top of the adhesive and mark around the tag, then cut around it.

Remove both sides of the adhesive covering and place on your tag. If you want to do an initial, begin with that. This tag is going to have an M for Maisie.

After you have your letter down, simply fill in the spaces, leaving the spot above the ring hole open so you don't remove any dots when putting the tag back on the collar.

Once you're done dotting, put the tag onto the collar and marvel at how beautiful your pet looks! Make sure to let the resin cure before leaving it with your pet in order to eliminate possible consumption of Dotz®.

Nails

Whether you're quarantined and can't get to the nail salon or you just love nail art, dot accents are an easy way to get a dimensional manicured look.

Supplies and Tools:

Diamond Dotz® Accessory Pack - 2-Styluses, 2 Pick-Up Wax, 2 Trays
Diamond Dotz® Gems - Colors: 8236 and 7003
Diamond Dotz® Freestyle Sandwich Adhesive Roll 12"x 36"
Your choice of nail polish, this is a dark green
Any nail glue, a precision tip is very helpful

Getting started

Start by applying 2 coats of nail polish.

Once your nails are dry, place a dot of nail glue in whichever spot or area you want to design. Some ideas are: lines, flowers, single dots, crosses, and diagonal lines.

That's it! It is so simple to elevate your nails right at home just by using Diamond Dotz®.

Planter

Plant parenthood is real, and so is the desire to decorate and DIY plant pots. Diamond Dotz® are an easy way to create a fun design for any potted plant.

Supplies and Tools:

Diamond Dotz® Accessory Pack - 2-Styluses, 2 Pick-Up Wax, 2 Trays
Diamond Dotz® Gems - Colors: 8218 and 7003
Diamond Dotz® Freestyle Sandwich Adhesive Roll 12"x 36"
A plant pot, this one has a faux succulent in it already but if you're not a perpetual plant killer start with an empty pot
Scissors or a punch

Start off by picking your design. This pot is getting triangles for a Tribal-meets-Art Deco look. Your could do dots, swirls, peace signs, candy stripes, or anything you can find or think of. To cut the triangles, simply cut a rectangle and make alternating diagonal cuts to achieve several similar triangles. You could also use a triangle punch.

Just like with the pet tags, remove both sides of film from the sandwich adhesive and place it on your pot. Start at the top point and work your way down to achieve even placement. Continue placing triangles and dotting them until the pot is finished.

Once again, it's as simple as that! Now your plants will glisten in the sunlight and stand out in the room.

Bold Eyes

Why stop at eyeliner? Line your eyes with Dotz® for a fun, embellished look!

Supplies and Tools:

Diamond Dotz® Gems - Color 8001
Any lash or glitter glue
Tweezers or Diamond Dotz® Accessory Pack
Mascara
Optional: Eyeliner

Optional: Start by mapping out your shape with eyeliner. This will be easier to follow and will get covered by the Dotz®.

Follow this look for a Mod 60s look or create your own. To achieve the 60s eye, you'll dot an arc above your crease, following your eye shape until you get to the outside. The outer part of the line should extend slightly, elongating your eyes.

For the iconic lower lash line, place 3 dots on the outermost corner of your eye, then groups of 2 along your lash line. The inner most line should be 1 dot. Add mascara to your top lashes and you're done. Groovy!

Phone Grip

Get a grip on your own sparkle! Set your phone grip apart with a custom dotted design.

Supplies and Tools:

Diamond Dotz® Accessory Pack - 2-Styluses, 2 Pick-Up Wax, 2 Trays
Diamond Dotz® Gems - Colors: 8085 and 7003
Diamond Dotz® Freestyle Sandwich Adhesive Roll 12"x 36"
A phone grip, like PopSockets
Marker or pen
Scissors or punch

This may be the easiest Freestyle project you'll ever do. Just like the pet tag, start by cutting or punching your shape. Most phone grips are 1.5" in diameter. Then place your adhesive, dot your design, and you're done! A custom phone grip in under 5 steps.

Dotting your life is as easy as idea, execution, done. With these examples and many more to come, pretty soon you'll be living the multi-faceted life of your dreams! Happy dotting!

-Leisure Arts Team

Just because presents have been opened, that doesn’t mean the gift giving needs to stop.

To celebrate making it through 2020, we’ve curated four exciting bundles with the right tools and the best media you need to make some of our favorite projects of the year. This is the lowest sales price you will find on these items this holiday season!

With each bundle themed to an included publication, you will receive instant digital downloads of your books, so you don’t have to wait to begin your creative adventure.

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When you’ve had a chance to work on these projects, we would love to see your photos. Tag us on social media, post to our Facebook page or email us directly. And if you know a fellow crafter who would be interested in these bundles, forward the email.

Like these bundles? Watch your email and our website, as we will be debuting new products on leisurearts.com.

*Sale runs from December 26 to December 31, 2020.

From all of us here at Leisure Arts, we wish you and your family glad tidings, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year this holiday season.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your arts and crafts adventures during a year that has been tumultuous for many. From the pictures you’ve shared on social media and the pieces we’ve seen in person, 2020 did not dampen your spirit to knit, crochet and craft, and for that, we are truly grateful.

To celebrate the closing of the year, we have picked four of our favorite, classic patterns to satisfy the knitter, crocheter, cross-stitcher and craftsperson in all of us.

When you’ve had a chance to work on these projects, we would love to see your photos. Tag us on social media, post to our Facebook page or email us directly. And if you know a fellow crafter who would want these patterns, forward the email. We would love to make someone’s holiday brighter.

*Patterns will be available from December 25, 12:01 AM PST, to December 31, 2020, 11:59 PM PST.

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! These must-have accessories come with your added personal touch, and will be cherished for years to come.

Handy Handbags

Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude, lays out step-by-step instructions to make crocheting the six beautiful handbags found in Must Have Handbags. All projects are rated easy, so grab those needles and crochet a purse or two for loved ones on your list!

Great Last-Minute Gifts

With more than 40 stylish hats, gloves, scarves, & more, you'll have lots of last-minute gifts to create! The Big Book Of Crochet Accessories has projects to warm and/or fancy up every part of your body, or that of a loved one! Learn new techniques and put old ones to new, exciting uses with easy-to-follow instructions.

Make Your First Shawl

Create your first stylish knit shawl with "Make Your First" Boomerang Shawls. Marly Bird guides you through every step to create 10 beautiful shawls, perfect for those on your holiday list! Choose from garter stitch, stockinette stitch, seed stitch and simply lace patterns and let the yarn do most of the work with self-striping or variegated.

Warm Their Necks & Hearts

Can you ever really have enough scarves? Each design in Beat the Chill is more fabulous than the last, and each is destined to warm your neck or that of a loved one! We’re sure of it. So grab some fancy fabric and coordinating thread and sew all nine of these beautiful designs!

New Generation Latch Hook

Latch Hook might not be the first craft that comes to mind when you think of colorful, contemporary, and cutting edge. But it offers modern creators endless possibilities combining contemporary designs with this classic craft to create this collection for a new generation.

Bend & Wrap Your Next Masterpiece

If you’ve been searching for a fun, fabulous, and affordable way to express yourself, then allow us to introduce you to Wire Crafts! With just a pair of pliers and a little craft wire, you’ll be amazed at what you can create! Brought to you by wire artist Alice Nieh, you’ll be bending, wrapping, and twisting that wire into sculptures and fancy lettering in no time.

All of these projects are sure to make whoever receives them happy, and they are sure to cherish them for years!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Accessoriely yours,

-Leisure Arts Team

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! The items we're featuring today will make great stocking stuffers.

Toasty Hands, Happy Heart

These 10 easy-to-stitch hand warmers are functional, fashionable, fast, and will stuff perfectly into a stocking! Toasty Hand Warmers is a "Make Your First" book with progressive learning techniques for true beginners. You'll be amazed at how many hand warmers you will want to crochet.

Hand-Knitted Cozy Perfection

Nothing says cozy perfection quite like a hand-knitted garment, and this Best of Knit Accessories collection says it loudest and proudest with more than 40 fabulous projects! From fingerless mitts and lightweight shawls to the warmest scarves, hats, and cowls, you’ll uncover a project for everyone on your list!

Modern Tye-Dyeing

Take tie-dye techniques to the next level with Shibori, Ice & Dip Dyeing. You’ll be dyeing your favorite home accents & accessories like this keyring and necklace below! Just imagine the looks on their faces when they find this in their stocking and realize YOU created it just for them!

Versatile, Wondrous Resin Creations

The beautiful coasters found in Resin Creation make great stocking stuffers! Resin is a versatile, wondrous material that can be used in a variety of creative endeavors. So many possibilities! And DIY enthusiast Lily Ardor helps you explore said possibilities and teach you all the ins and outs.

Make Or Gift: You Decide

With this Mini Maker Bracelet Loom, weave your own bracelets to stuff all the stockings, or give the loom as a gift for your budding weavers! Either way, it's sure to bring a smile to their faces on Christmas day!

Try one or all of these quick stocking stuffer projects! Quick and easy for you, and all of them are sure to please!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Stuffingly yours,

-Leisure Arts Team

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! The practical gifts we're featuring today will not only add style, but will be useful to whoever receives them! With your added personal touch, every time they are used they will think of you!

Clean & Organize

Not only is the Ultimate Crochet Collection for Beginners THE most fabulous and functional place to begin your crochet adventure, it will take care of at least a few people on your list! Before you know it, you’ll be using or gifting one (or all 20!).

Sew Simple

Simple to Sew Aprons Sew your way to sooo much functional cuteness with these Simple to Sew Aprons. Thirteen quick and adorable projects await you several cooks on your list!

Beautiful functionality

The 11 home décor projects Quick & Simple Sewing Home are as useful as they are beautiful.

Best of Quilted Bags has a great assortment of shapes and sizes, with pattern options to reflect many fashion preferences. Large or small, you're sure to find at least a few bags perfect for your friends or loved ones!

Add some sparkle to your organization! With Diamond Art freestyle, you can add a personal touch to everyday items that are great for organization and home décor.

Handmade Soaps, Sanitizers, and Cleaners #LEA7806

The wild at heart will love these chic desk sets in three exotic patterns: leopard, zebra, and giraffe. Each set Wild for Style includes a tissue box cover, a holder for sticky notes, a desk top caddy, and desktop calendar corners. Also, a coaster set and journal cover show a collage of all three prints! How striking!

All of these projects are sure to make whoever receives them happy, organized and clean! They are sure to cherish them for years!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Practically yours,

-Leisure Arts Team

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! Fashion forward clothing and jewelry, with your added personal touch, will be worn and loved for years to come.

Wrap Your Loved Ones in Afghan Warmth

We want nothing more than the most relaxing, Restful Afghans for you and your loved ones. So cozy into your favorite spot on the couch, and crochet your favorite design or designs. Most afghans are rated easy for almost any crafter to accomplish, so you’ll be snoozing in no time!

Become A Cable Master

Crochet your way to cable mastery, and make some fabulous knit-like hats in the process, with Alaskan Hats Using Slip Stitch! You’ll find seven slip-stitch hats from easy working your way to complex, guided through each project withe easy-to-follow instructions. You’ll be slip stitching those bobbles, cables, braids, and ridges in no time!

Wrap Up Their Wardrobe

Choose from a collection of 10 all-time favorite sweaters, pullovers and cardigans for those on your holiday list. Sweater Weather presents all-time favorite sweaters, pullovers and cardigans with a variety of stitch patterns to expand your skills and create comfy, trendy and functional designs.

Warm Hands, Warm Hearts

Our Fingerless Mitts Knitting Project Kit has everything you need to create warm and comfortable fingerless mittens in just one weekend. Not only will the completed mittens make great holiday gifts, the kit itself would be a great gift for any knitters or aspiring knitters on your list!

A Baby Life Well Lived

We’ve seen tons of baby quilts over the years, but few have captured our hearts the way this Baby Life Quilt has! Perhaps it’s the modern palette, or maybe the mixture of fun patterns with solids. But most likely it’s the colorful words of wisdom for a baby life well lived.

All of these projects are sure to make whoever receives them happy, and they are sure to cherish them for years!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Cozily yours,

-Leisure Arts Team

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! Fashion forward clothing and jewelry, with your added personal touch, will be worn and loved for years to come.

Cool Crochet

ALL the coolest babies & toddlers will be sporting crocheted cuteness from Lil' Hipsters! Thanks to designer Kristi Simpson and her love for yarn, style and all things baby, your little person can be totally hip too. 

Cozy

Inspired By Iceland’s Beauty, Northern Lights Crochet has 10 great gift ideas for the fashion-forward people in your life! Wrap your loved ones in Icelandic-inspired warmth and cozy greatness. 

Warm

More Icelandic beauty just for knitters! Northern Lights Knits, also inspired by the beauty of Iceland, would make anyone on your your holiday gifts lists happy. Wrap them from head to toe in stylish coziness.

Style

The collection in Back in Style includes great sweaters, stylish vest, ponchos, purses, and more. With more than 30 projects, you'll find several perfect for the women on your holiday gift list.

Handsome

Give the men in your life the gift of hand-knitted warmth with Everyday Men's Knits! Seventeen perfectly manly projects are guaranteed not to disappoint!

Accessorize

If you're intrigued by resin projects and have jewelry lovers on your list, look no further than Resin Creation. Resin is a versatile, wondrous material that can be used in a variety of creative endeavors, including beautiful jewelry!

Amazing

Fall in love with woodburning, and create amazing gifts at the same time! With Modern Woodburning Book 2, you’ll soon be putting your own personal touch on every wooden block or cutting board or piece of leather you can get your hands on!

All of these projects are sure to make whoever receives them happy, and they are sure to cherish them for years!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Stylishly yours,

-Leisure Arts Team

Family and friends on your holiday list will love and cherish gifts created with your personal touch! Enrich their holidays and their playtime with these creative and fun projects.

OMG It's A BFF

These crocheted Besties dolls are as “best” as it gets! You’ll find seven dolls—each with her own unique style and personality! Choose from any of these unique girls, or design your own by mixing and matching. Caffeinated Cathy, here you come! Or perhaps Yarn-Loving Yancy? No matter which girl we choose to crochet, you’re sure to have a sweet friend for life!

Seize the Clay

Teach yourself the fun and easy craft of sculpting with polymer clay! Step-by-step photo instructions will guide you through adorable figures and magnets in fun shapes like animals, bugs, and holiday figures. You'll be a pro before you can say "I Can't Believe I'm Sculpting Clay Figures!"

Sew Focused

In Fidget To Focus, you'll find cubes, mats and squares for the fidgeters in your life. Plus, the designs are easy enough that you can quickly create each one in no time.

Oh Baby, You're Gonna Love These

Crochet some adorable homemade fun with Sensory Baby Toys! Inside you’ll find three sets of colorful cuteness, each providing hours of enjoyment and engage baby’s sweet little senses. The only challenging part will be choosing which irresistible set to crochet for baby.

Talk About The Purr-fect Gift

Designer Kristi Simpson shares her daughter Kimmie’s experience at a cat shelter in Cool Cats. Choose from 14 meow-gical projects that represents a cat from the shelter. Each feline has it's own special personality and come in all shapes and sizes.

A Nursery That Packs A Punch

Designer and Craft Expert, Bérénice Robert spills her heart into each project inside Baby Punch Needle in hopes you’ll find the best for baby. The projects are easy enough for beginners to create, experts to enjoy, and baby to adore!

Make playtime more personal with these home-made creations they're sure to play with and cherish for years!

What are you working on for the Holidays? Share pics with us on your social channels by tagging @leisureartsinc or using #leisurearts. We love to see what's going on in your studio!

Stay jolly,

-Leisure Arts Team