Heidi Boyd

Sewing smiles one stitch at a time
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Heidi Boyd: Crafty Inspiration

Established craft book author, Whimsy Kit creator, and busy mom Heidi Boyd's Crafty Inspiration blog offers free craft tutorials and DIY project ideas, making sophisticated design easy and approachable for adults, teens, and kids.

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A quick painting sketch of Birches in the snow. Painted from memory in a half an hour.

A quick painting sketch of Birches in the snow. Painted from memory in a half an hour.

The Gift of Painting

heidi boyd April 9, 2015

In honor of my birthday,  I'm sharing my favorite gift idea. I've always loved to paint and draw and I'm excited to see a resurgence of it's popularity. Paint night's are all the rage and for a good reason. They get families and friends who wouldn't normally create, painting canvases together.

My daughter with her masterpiece.

My daughter with her masterpiece.

The key to their success is they select easy design that can be broken down into simple steps. The landscape themes often have vibrant sunsets or snowscapes in the background and black silhouetted branches or trees in the foreground. Easy to master and extremely rewarding, these paintings get 'artists' hooked. 

Dining room table paint studio. Both girls are painting from their imaginations.

Dining room table paint studio. Both girls are painting from their imaginations.

You're never to young or old to start painting. I haven't met a child who doesn't love to paint. My daughter and I filled a few small canvases during a school holiday. When her friend came over she was excited to share the process with her. Like everything practice makes perfect, the more you do the more confidence you'll gain and the more you'll enjoy it.

Don't limit yourself to the images from the Internet, paint the fruit on the counter, flowers on table, dessert from the bakery, even the shoes by the door. You don't need to take a class or even leave your home. Clear off the table and turn on some music and paint.

Acrylic painting essentials.

Acrylic painting essentials.

Share the gift of creativity and wrap up a painting kit for someone you love. The perfect kit has a couple canvases, a small set of brushes and a beginners acrylic paint set. I've written up a 'getting started + technique sheet' that you can print and tuck into the gift.

Paint Sheet
All wrapped up to take to the party!

All wrapped up to take to the party!

Creative gifts are the best. They don't require batteries and they get children and families to unplug and make things together. Wish I could see the finished canvases.

Awesome 58 color Liquitex  boxed set.

Awesome 58 color Liquitex  boxed set.

If the gift is a success there's no end to supplies you can add: more brushes, canvases and paint colors. Here's the box of paints I covet. I gave them to my son for Christmas, and he took them back to college. I did see a new box shelved at the store this week.

InTutorials, Inspiration TagsAcylic Paints, Paint Nights, Birches in Snow, Birthday gift, Paint Basics
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FREE TUTORIALS

SEWN CRAFTS
Tweet Sachet tutorial
Tweet Sachet tutorial
How to make your own Zombie Plushie
How to make your own Zombie Plushie
DIY Throw pillows for teens
DIY Throw pillows for teens
Sweet Needle Felted Bunnies - free tutorial!
Sweet Needle Felted Bunnies - free tutorial!
Easy embroidered felt heart sachets - Free tutorial!
Easy embroidered felt heart sachets - Free tutorial!
Loveable Monsters - Free tutorial!
Loveable Monsters - Free tutorial!
DIY JEWELRY
Whimsical Glass Earrings
Whimsical Glass Earrings
Free Double Loop Earring project from Wired Beautiful!
Free Double Loop Earring project from Wired Beautiful!
Groovy Guitar Pick Bracelets: How To
Groovy Guitar Pick Bracelets: How To
How To: Summer Earrings!
How To: Summer Earrings!
A little faith - Beaded Necklace Tutorial and Giveaway
A little faith - Beaded Necklace Tutorial and Giveaway
Green Bling, Java Bracelet - Free Tutorial
Green Bling, Java Bracelet - Free Tutorial
Blooming Bracelet - Free tutorial
Blooming Bracelet - Free tutorial
CRAFTS FOR KIDS + TEENS
Gnome-tastic Tutorial and Whimsy Kit Giveaway!
Gnome-tastic Tutorial and Whimsy Kit Giveaway!
Thai String Dolls Tutorial
Thai String Dolls Tutorial
French Mirrors a la Modge Podge
French Mirrors a la Modge Podge
Playing with Shadow Puppets
Playing with Shadow Puppets
Don't worry, be happy! How to make your own Guatemalan worry doll
Don't worry, be happy! How to make your own Guatemalan worry doll
Flower Power - How to make giant tissue paper blooms
Flower Power - How to make giant tissue paper blooms
Rainsticks!
Rainsticks!
Winter Break Snow Globes: a tutorial
Winter Break Snow Globes: a tutorial
Holiday Craftiness - Simple Gifts
Holiday Craftiness - Simple Gifts
How to make your own Zombie Plushie
How to make your own Zombie Plushie
DIY Throw pillows for teens
DIY Throw pillows for teens
How To: Mermaid and King Triton Craft
How To: Mermaid and King Triton Craft
Groovy Guitar Pick Bracelets: How To
Groovy Guitar Pick Bracelets: How To
You grab a line I'll grab a pole...let's craft a fishing game.
You grab a line I'll grab a pole...let's craft a fishing game.
Waterless Aquariums - Free Tutorial
Waterless Aquariums - Free Tutorial
Teens flip for flops: free tutorial!
Teens flip for flops: free tutorial!
I SPY game bottles, rainy day craftiness.
I SPY game bottles, rainy day craftiness.
Painted Pebbles are Pet Rocks with Personality!
Painted Pebbles are Pet Rocks with Personality!
Green Bling, Java Bracelet - Free Tutorial
Green Bling, Java Bracelet - Free Tutorial
Loveable Monsters - Free tutorial!
Loveable Monsters - Free tutorial!

MY DIY KITS + BOOKS

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NEW! Painted and Wood Turtles
NEW! Painted and Wood Turtles
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NEW! Frog and Toad
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NEW! Chickens
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Bears Whimsy Kit
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Raccoons Whimsy Kit
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Happy Hedgehogs Whimsy Kit
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Alpacas Whimsy Kit
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Nathan Narwhal Whimsy Kit
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Frisky Foxes Whimsy Kit
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Darling Dear Whimsy Kit
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Otterly Adorable Whimsy Kit
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Scampering Squirrels Whimsy Kit
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Penquins Whimsy Kit
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Mousey Mushroom Whimsy Kit
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Nesting Matryoshka Dolls Whimsy Kit
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NEW! Cardinal Hoop Kit
NEW! Cardinal Hoop Kit
$21.99
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Mountain Moose Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Loons Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Skunk Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Hoot Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Hedgies Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Fox Whimsy Stitches Kit
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So Deer Whimsy Stitches Kit
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Blueberry Bears Whimsy Stitches Kit
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NEW! Stitch-a-Tote™: Midnight Garden
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Stitch-a-Tote™: Northwoods
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Stitch-a-Tote™: Under the Sea
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NEW! Anchored Mermaid Embroidered Whimsy Tea Towel Kit
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Bunny Embroidered Whimsy Tea Towel Kit
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Duckling Embroidered Whimsy Tea Towel Kit
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Colt Embroidered Whimsy Tea Towel Kit
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Calf Embroidered Whimsy Tea Towel Kit
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© Heidi Boyd, LLC

Heidi Boyd

Sewing smiles one stitch at a time

Craft book author and Whimsy Kit creator Heidi Boyd makes sophisticated design easy and approachable for everyone. Shop over 20 kits that include everything you need to create your own adorable felt softie, wall decor, or embroidered tea towel. And check back soon for downloadable PDF patterns and Heidi's fabric line with Red Rooster Fabrics!

 

5 Quarry Road, Brunswick. ME , United States

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