Since my blog is named CRAFTY COOKING by Anna, I wanted to show you why I picked this name. This is where my CRAFTY side comes from. Ever since I was a little girl, I Loved CRAFTING

I hope these Easy Craft, Painting, Sewing, and Upholstery Projects will inspire you to create your own!


Craft Projects

Recipe Holder Stand painted

It’s so rewarding creating something unique and special with your own hands. Like this recent Craft project above that, I just finished.

I bought a simple unpainted Recipe Holder Stand (don’t even remember where) and decided to upscale it and put my spin on it. As you can see I couldn’t decide on color right away, not a problem, you can always repaint it. 

I do like to give my art pieces a 3-Dimensional look. I have lots of beads and jewelry findings, so I have glued those and repainted it this deep and vibrant Red color which looks great in my white kitchen. 


Purse leather flowers project

A couple of months ago, I have bought this plain silver RFID Crossbody Bag from Stein Mart. It’s very cute but lacked the luster for me. 

Years ago, when I lived in Brooklyn, I used to go to a store on 86th street to buy different embellishments to add to my outfits. I actually made my wedding headpiece from the supplies I found at that store. So many memories…

I bought lots of colorful leather scraps at that time. It was back in the ’80s when leather applique was all the rage! LOL

Again, wanted to create a dimensional artwork. I’m very happy with the finished product!


Painting Shoes Projects

Lately, I have been Head over heels (pun intended) repainting shoes! It’s so rewarding and So Easy to do. 

Since I wear a Cinderella size 5 shoes it’s always very difficult for me to find the shoes that I like. I have several pairs that I rarely wear and decided to recolor them.

I’m not a huge fan of the Funeral Black as I call it. Living in a Sunshine state you want to wear COLOR and being an artist – I love COLOR!

Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint is such a Great quality paint, you can paint practically anything with it. 
You can BUY IT HERE 

I had these beautiful Black heels that I probably wore probably one time for a while, I’ve decided to recolor and make them Fancier by adding rhinestones. I wore them practically every evening on the Cruise! These came out better than I’ve imagined!

Dinner at Brilliance of the Seas


Continuing with REPAINTING Shoes! These shoes actually looked pretty CUTE in black color, but I wanted a more neutral tone to go with more outfits.Black shoes original

Choosing the RIGHT color is not that easy. I tried a few and wasn’t happy. 

The most important part is choosing THE RIGHT color, they must look like this was their ORIGINAL color. I think I was able to accomplish it. Do you agree?

Bronze shoes

I’ve created this unique color by combining Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Pewter, Gold and Angelus Autumn Red. I didn’t put any primer but did put 2 coats of paint with 2 days of drying time in between. The result is this warm, bronze-like color that goes with almost every outfit.

Jacquard Lumiere Metallic Acrylic Paint is such a Great quality paint, you can paint practically anything with it. 
You can BUY IT HERE 

Angelus Brand Acrylic Leather Paint is the ideal paint to touch up or customize any athletic shoes, boots, jackets, purses, saddlery, tack, and more! 
You can BUY IT HERE 

Bronze shoes 2

Since I liked this color so much, I’ve decided to repaint the other black wedges as well. The color is both casual and dressy!


Upholstery Projects

Here are a few of my Upholstery projects! This so much Fun and again SUPER EASY! All you need is a simple staple gun and fabric and you are ready to create!!!

Bathroom chair reupholstered

As you can see on the bottom right, there was a rip in the white bathroom chair that bugged me every time I looked at it. I had a beautiful fabric that matches the rug in the bathroom and decided to reupholster it! Came out Beautiful ad better than the original as you can see!


Kitchen chair reupholstered

Another kitchen desk chair with imperfection, missing button and wanted to update to match my space. Used the same fabric as for the bathroom chair. Probably a half an hour project and looks great!


Bathroom ottoman reupholstered

This project I have done probably 10 years ago when we first moved to this house. We had old velvet furniture that we bought in the early ’90s and sold except one piece – the ottoman! I loved the shape of it and it’s very useful to have so I didn’t want to get rid of it.

I bought a good, thick quality fabric at Walmart of all places. Yes, found the exact colors needed and my favorite leaf design!!!

I stapled it very well as you can see since we sit on it all the time. It’s the perfect piece of furniture for our master bath space!  


Craft room chair reupholstered

I found a really nice, soft, and stretchy velveteen fabric that I liked and reupholstered a worn office chair, made a cover for the ironing board, reupholstered another bar stool, and made pillow covers since I had a futon in my craft room at one point. 


Sewing Projects

I have an exhaustible amount of sewing projects in my craft room. I’m always making alterations to all of my clothes. It’s important for the clothes to fit well, unfortunately, they never do off the rack, especially when you are petite. 

Brown dress alterations

I’ve decided to add brown cotton lace to a simple brown string top dress. It definitely made it look fancier to wear to dinner on a cruise. 


Red skirt from pants

From brand new sweatpants that I never wore and found in my closet to a Super Cute and Comfy red skirt! Love it! These are the easiest transformations from pants to skirts. Give it a try!


Painting Projects 

A few years ago, I have taught Arts and Craft class to homeschoolers and bought lots of Art supplies, I still have them. 

This was a very cute white vase but COLOR was missing. I’ve painted the flowers red and now it’s beautifully displayed on top of my fridge!

Painting vase project

This Wall Art I have done many years ago when my son was little, here is more info – Wall Art

Wall decor project


Jewelry Projects

One of my very favorite things is making jewelry! It’s so therapeutic, your hands are busy while your mind is free. I can listen to a favorite radio program or music and create a new set to wear.

Jewelry project

Oh, I have a LOT more than what you see on this display. 

Jewelry projects


Every decorative piece that I buy for the house has my “stamp” on it.  And all of my clothes have gone through some type of alterations. 

An artist needs an outlet and it’s not difficult to find it.

I hope this LONG and TEDIOUS post INSPIRES you to look at your own space, your closet and find something where you can put your Stamp on it! 

Have Fun – CRAFTING!

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