As the snow falls this winter season, enjoy quiet evenings spent trying your hand at a new creative craft. Your home at The Canyons provides ample room to explore your talents at activities like printmaking. Grab your favorite materials, get cozy, and get crafting with our list of ideas that will soon be your new favorite hobbies.
Watercolor Painting
As fall turns to winter, become inspired by the changing colors. Wintery whites, frosty silvers, and bitter blues are perfect for capturing the essence of the season. In this exciting project, the right tools will help you master the basics. Fortunately, beginner’s brushes, quality paints, water jars, and paper towels are inexpensive and easy to find at your favorite craft store. Online, explore tips from the most experienced watercolor painters. Their advice for practicing more advanced techniques will help you create everything from unforgettable holiday greeting cards to panoramic nature scenes. In your gorgeous home at The Canyons, opt to practice your craft in your spacious great room or the formal dining area.
Linocut Printmaking
“Lino” printing — derived from “linoleum” — takes the form of fine art printmaking. While there are several types of linocut printing, using a variety of special tools is the most basic form. With your tool, carve directly into a piece of rubber-like material in the design of your choice. Once your carving is complete, brush with printing ink and lay a piece of paper on top. As you gently peel away the paper, you’ll enjoy the result of a one-of-a-kind, handmade piece of art. This winter take time to master the techniques and patterns you enjoy the most. Before you get started, familiarize yourself with what’s involved in the process.
Needle Felting
This creative project is perfect for long winter nights spent near the fireplace. Needle felting — the process of converting loose wool into 3D objects — is a soothing activity your family can do together. Using a barbed needle, you’ll be able to craft miniature versions of everything from hearts to your favorite animals. While you transform your wool into various objects, remember that the process is about repetition — not speed — and to be wary of your fingers as the needles are very sharp. Practice this art with your older kids while you sip hot cocoa and catch up on the week.
Hand Lettering
With unique floorplans and optional features, your home at The Canyons is built to accommodate your favorite hobbies. Whether you join neighborhoods like First Light or Wild Oak, you’ll fuel your creativity simply by stepping outside. Apply your inspiration to hand lettering — the art of drawing your letters instead of writing them. Take time to write a poem, create a welcome sign to hang on your door, or draw lyrics from your favorite holiday songs onto the surface of your choice. This winter, you’ll find yourself relaxing and unwinding as you concentrate on each stroke of your creative craft.
Throughout the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take time to slow down and practice your favorite winter hobbies. Our list of creative crafts is perfect for bringing your family together to reconnect while letting your imagination take over your projects. Share photos of your crafts with us by tagging us on Instagram!