Crafts Inspire Me

What's Your Inspiration?

About Crafts Inspire Me

Arts and Crafts are my passion. Inspiration is everywhere. Each new project is a journey to be shared.

Bewitching Mushrooms

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Mushrooms have been trending this year in everything from apparel to home décor. Nature is filled with magical wonders and what better time to tap into that magic than Halloween? This fun project is fun and easy for everyone.

Original Mushroom Decoration

I purchased this cute figurine at Wegmans. The shape of the mushroom cap lends itself perfectly to becoming a witch’s hat.

Supplies

For this project you will need acrylic paints, brushes, a black sharpie marker, and a toothpick for tiny touch-ups. You will also need a stuffed animal eye. (You’ll see why below.)

Paint Jack-O-Lantern Faces

Painted faces give these pumpkins personality. I didn’t like the low placement of the faces, so I repainted them to start over.

Repaint Pumpkins

The new orange paint creates a new blank canvas.

Paint Yellow Jack-O-Lantern Face Details

Yellow paint creates the inner glow typically found in Jack-O-Lanterns.

Outline Face Details in Black

Using a black Sharpie marker, outline the face details for a carved appearance.

Add a Purple Eye

The addition of a purple eye is both cute and creepy.

Create Eye Socket with Packing Peanut

Instead of a human eyeball, I decided to give this magical creature a tube-shaped eye socket using flattened packing peanuts.

Side View of Eye Socket

The packing peanut texture coordinates well with the mushroom stem.

Side View of Eye Socket

Finished Bewitching Mushroom

The eye socket was painted beige to blend with the stem.

Side View of Finished Mushroom

Side View of Finished Mushroom

I hope you enjoyed seeing this bewitching mushroom. It makes a great addition to your Halloween décor and creates an element of the unexpected. As you know, I love Halloween and would love to hear about any of your Halloween-themed projects.

Thanks for Reading! Happy Halloween & Happy Crafting!

Hand Painted Potholder & Oven Mitt

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

I have always loved ancient Egyptian art and architecture. The symbolism, the colors, and the powerful portrayals of the gods and goddesses is fascinating. Bast (aka Bastet) is the ancient Egyptian cat goddess.

Egyptian Wall Art

Ancient Egyptian symbols often include the lotus flower, and this color palette is used throughout their artwork.

The Goddess Squeak

I can’t explain why but my brother’s cat, Squeak, has a royal vibe. As queen of the household, she struts around the house looking for attention and spends a lot of time resting on the kitchen counter on top of dish towels or oven mitts.

3-Dimensional Fabric Paints

My love of ancient Egyptian art combined with this pampered cat to inspire a new craft: painted oven mitts & potholders. Special Note: because fabric paint is heat sensitive, avoid direct contact with hot pots and pans. This project is more decorative, serving as art for the kitchen.

Original Potholder

This plain potholder could use some love.

Painted Lotus Potholder

This eye-catching lotus flower is just what it needed.

Original Oven Mitt

Gray is a very popular color, but we can do better.

Painted Cat Goddess Oven Mitt

Here we see the goddess, Bast, posing in front of the Giza pyramids.

Close-Up of Painted Cat Goddess

The gold collar is perfect for a goddess, including the Ankh and Eye of Horus symbols. I painted the cat’s eyes metallic gold to catch the light and create a glow amid the dark black fur.

My brother and his cat love these. They also make a great place for a quick nap – for the cat, not my brother. Lol

I hope you will be inspired to add some decorative details to your homes. Anything can serve as your canvas. What will you create next?

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

It’s a Fire Truck!

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Aside from stating the obvious, I’m sure you’re wondering where I’m going with this post. I have a funny family story to share…

When my brother and I were little, my mom took us to a department store to buy Christmas presents for her. Inside the store was a life-size Santa’s workshop, which looked like a log cabin with fake snow and icicles hanging from the roof. Parents brought their children to purchase gifts for individual family members, with the help of a store employee. To a kid, this was such a cool idea.

A salesperson walked each child around, helped select a gift, and wrapped it up to be placed under the Christmas tree. I went in first and found a lovely pair of earrings for my mom. I felt very proud of myself, shopping just like the grownups did.

While my mom and I waited, my younger brother went inside. For some reason, he was taking a very long time to choose a gift. When we discovered why, we were hysterically laughing. My brother did his very best to convince the salesgirl that my mom wanted a shiny red fire truck for Christmas! And being a thoughtful boy, he said he could play with it when she wasn’t using it!

Ever since, whenever someone receives a present that is really for the gift giver, we call it a “fire truck.”

So, on that special occasion, when you open your gifts, if you see something that reminds you of this post, just smile, say thanks and think… Fire Truck! lol

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Forest Dragon

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

The mysterious legends of dragons have been a fascination for centuries. appearing in ancient and modern texts, maps, as well as artwork and architecture around the world. Some may say dragons are pure fantasy, but shown below are several dragons alive today. This week’s project, a colored/painted LED dragon, is easy to complete and suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Inspirations:
Komodo Dragon

Australian Seadragon

Green Iguana

Supplies:
Raw Wood LED Dragon

Magic Markers

Acrylic Paints

3-Dimensional Fabric Paints

How to Color/Paint a Wooden Dragon:
Apply Dark Blue Marker

Color the wing details and spines running down the dragon’s back and tail.

Apply Aqua Marker

Fill in the wings with magic marker. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You can always change it, as you will see in a later step.

Apply Lime Green Marker

Apply Dark Green Accents

I didn’t like lime green and dark green together and changed it in the next step.

Apply Dark Green Marker

Apply Dark Blue Marker

Cover the original aqua wing with dark blue. I liked the color, but it appeared to be rather dull for such a magical beast. At this point, if you are satisfied with your dragon, you could stop. I like to experiment with different paints, as you will see below.

Paint Wing Metallic Light Blue

Paint Face and Body Details Metallic Green

Paint Spines Metallic Purple

Paint the spines metallic purple. Add facial details with green 3D paint. Paint the eye metallic blue and outline it in 3D green paint.

Add Textured Scales with 3D Paint

To make tiny scales, dip toothpicks in 3D green paint and lightly touch the wood surface creating a textured pattern.

Add Wing Veins with 3D Paint

Finished Dragon

Paint the wing veins blue and outline the spines with 3D purple paint.

Finished Dragon Close Up

Dragon LED Lights Lit

Dragon Nightlight

This completes our dragon. It’s fun, colorful and functions as a night light too. I hope you enjoy it and feel inspired to explore the many creative options for your next project.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

The Post I Didn’t Want to Write

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

I truly struggled to write this post. Every time I thought about it, even as I am typing now, my eyes fill with tears. I suppose some small part of my brain hopes that if it isn’t written down, it might not be true.

Last Sunday, Smokey was having the best day ever, sitting on the deck watching wildlife, supervising the cooking of dinner on the grill, and feasting on a steak dinner. The next morning, he died. It was a shock to everyone, including the vet. He had been doing so well. How could he be happy one minute and gone the next?

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers. Right now, Smokey is burrowing under God’s comforter or floating on a cloud watching over us.

Hug your furry friends! The joy and love they bring to our lives will live on forever in our hearts. Thanks again for your support!

The Art of Cupcake Decorating II

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

In part 1, we reviewed cupcake flavors and decoration options. Now we have arrived at the fun part, decorating. Each cupcake is a blank canvas, ready for your creativity to come to life. Let your inner artist come out to play.

Decorated Cupcakes:
Flock of Sheep

Floral

Cookie Monster & Friend

Sealife

Unicorns

Valentine’s Day

Halloween

Christmas

Snowman

Cupcake Design & Presentation:
Cupcake Art

Two things to remember: 1) We eat with our eyes first and 2) Presentation is everything. In the photo above, the layout may look random, but it’s by design. Touches of red and blue draw your eye across the composition. Dark chocolates contrast with colorful tart berries floating upon waves of buttercream icing. Subtle variations in the pastel blue wrappers serve as a perfect backdrop. Let’s see what’s creatively possible…

Mini Cupcake Pops

Flowerpot Cupcakes

Square Cupcakes in Geometric Pattern

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcake ala Mode

Easter Cupcakes on a Tiered Tower

Christmas Cupcakes in Wire Stand

Spring Cupcakes in Tiered Tray

Floral Cupcakes Centerpiece

Quilling Paper Cupcakes – no calories, no allergens, and completely guiltfree (lol)

I don’t know about you but I’m seriously craving cupcakes! Unfortunately, it’s too late for baking, but there’s always tomorrow. I hope you are inspired by these ideas. Please let me know your favorites in the comments. Enjoy your cupcakes and eat one for me. (lol)

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

The Art of Cupcake Decorating

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Cupcakes are the perfect choice to satisfy your sweet tooth. They are quick to make, fun to decorate, easily portable, and the quantity allows experimentation with multiple designs. We will begin with flavors, followed by decorating options. Let’s begin and let your creativity soar.

Cupcake Flavors: (can be included in cakes, toppings and fillings)
Blueberries & Cream

Carrot Cake

Chocolate Cheese

Chocolate Chip

Salted Caramel

Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl

Chocolate Raspberry with Buttercream Icing

Butterscotch & Chocolate

Chocolate Chili

Red Velvet

Lime Mandarin Orange

Cupcake Decorating Options:
Piped Icing & Candy

Ombre Icing & Sprinkles

Chocolate Dipped & Cookies

Fruit & Edible Flowers

Fondant

Sugar Paste Flowers

Modeling Chocolate

There are infinite combinations of cupcake flavors and decorating ideas. I hope you give decorating a try. In part two, we will see delicious cupcake designs.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Celebrating Spring with Wreaths

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Nothing says spring has arrived like colorful buds, blooms and leaves. Why not bring nature indoors by making a new wreath. You will have a few decisions to make before you begin…

Colors: Bold & Bright

Will you choose bold contrasting colors, soft pastels, or a combination of both?

Fresh-Cut Flowers

Fresh-cut or silk flowers are popular choices. Do you want to simply wire the flowers together or do you prefer using a base wreath and hot glue?

Pussy Willows, Wild Grass & Twigs

Would you like an alternative to flowers? Pussy willows, fruits & berries, and vines make great additions to any wreath.

Floral Garland

Think you don’t have the skills to make a wreath? Coil a silk garland and secure the ends. It’s that easy!

Exotic Flowers & Seashells

Wonder how to create a showstopping wreath? Include the unexpected, such as orchids, starfish, or ribbons & beaded trims. You could choose inspirational themes like holidays or special occasions.

Reusable Tabletop Wreath Centerpiece

How do you plan to use your new wreath? You can use it as a centerpiece, hang it on a wall or door, or wear it as a floral crown. The wintry centerpiece above can be transformed for spring by swapping a few key elements: Replace the birds with robins sitting upon a layer of spring greens and switch the candles to pale yellow.

Finished Wreaths:

Pink & Blue Floral Wreath

Multi-Color Hydrangea Wreath

Berries, Leaves & Flowers Wreath

Freeform Wreath Centerpiece

Easter Egg Mobile Wreath

Thai Garland

Candle Ring

Heart Shaped Wreath with Fresh Cut Flowers

Multi-Color Peonies Wreath

Tropical Floral Crown

Tropical Fruit & Flowers Wreath

Wreaths are fun and easy to make. There are endless possibilities and they make great gifts! Please let me know your favorites in the comments.

Thanks for Reading, Welcome Spring & Happy Crafting!

Smokey’s Recovery Update

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Sorry it has taken so long to post an update on Smokey. As you know, he had emergency surgery, and the recovery process has been slow. He is taking two prescription medications, but like all cats he hates pills. His sense of smell is so well developed that he could get a job at the airport searching for drugs in passenger’s luggage. lol

Did you know they make playpens for pets? I didn’t! He loves sitting outside on the deck getting some fresh air while watching birds and squirrels.

Being pampered has become his favorite activity. He loves layered blankets, a heating pad made for cats, and beef pate with extra gravy. Sometimes he is treated to a few pieces of steak, which he promptly grabs and carries off as if it is his prey. lol

Thanks for reading and please keep positive thoughts and energy flowing this way. Smokey and I really appreciate it!

Take Care & Happy Crafting!

Recovering at the Art Studio – Blog Paws

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Crafts Inspire Me

Those of you who follow my blog will recognize one of our art studio mascots, Smokey. Two weeks ago, he had to be rushed to the veterinary clinic for emergency surgery. As you can imagine, it was such a shock.

We set up a cage for his recuperation, which requires bed rest and absolutely no jumping. He also had to wear one of those dreaded cones to prevent him from chewing on his incision.

Since then, I have been nursing him back to health. Each day he improves, which is such a relief. Besides eating food, one of his greatest pleasures is sleeping under a blanket. Looks like he’s slowly getting back to normal! Lol

As much as I enjoy writing posts and conversing with followers, I have not been able to keep up with my blog. I’ll try to read your posts and comments but will be slow in responding. Thanks for reading and please keep positive thoughts and energy flowing this way. Smokey and I really appreciate it!

Take Care & Happy Crafting!

About Crafts Inspire Me

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