Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books

Book SynopsisCreate a time capsule of your life before becoming a parent with this stylish keepsake journal! More than 200 fun, inspiring prompts help you record who you are right now, so you can share that person with your future child.As a parent-to-be, you’re facing a lot of adjustments: new interests, new anxieties, new habits and routines, even a new name—all of them related to your kid. But you’re more than just Mom or Dad! You’re a unique, vibrant, complete individual—and that won’t change, even when the rest of your life does.More than 200 entertaining writing prompts will inspire you to create a perfect gift for a curious kid and teach them that parents are people too. Fill them in on details like: The coolest place you ever traveled Something that makes you mad Your best hidden talent Your secret hideout as a kid The greatest costume you ever wore And more questions they might never think to ask! With prompts about your memories, your feelings and values, your goals and dreams, and everything that makes you a special person, Before You is a gift for every type of family—one that will only become more treasured as your child grows.Trade Review2023 National Parenting Product Award winner One of Northeast Ohio Parent's Best Gifts for New and Expectant Parents 2023

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Book SynopsisPrint Playgives you a solid foundation in all the basics of screen printing at home and enables you to build your skills and confidence before moving on to more complex techniques and projects for homewares, accessories and clothing. The 24 projects range from printed wallpaper, art prints and beach towels to napkins, tote bags and canvas planter boxes. Step-by-step photographs and instructions make it easy to hone your technique. Additional sections on creating colour palettes, finding inspiration and designing your own patterns are also included to encourage creative printing. Screen-printing teachers Jess Wright and Lara Davies are expert guides and at your side every step of the way. They write with a sense of fun and flair to inspire you to create some screen printing magic all of your own.

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Book SynopsisOver the past 15 years, and since the publication of her first book, A Rocky Mountain Sketchbook, well-known art instructor Donna Jo Massie has been developing her creative experiences in outdoor landscapes by traveling and painting in famously stunning locations in American mountain parks, from a monastery in the Chama Wilderness in northern New Mexico to the Alaska Marine Ferry on the Inside Passage.Throughout this fun and practical book, the reader is presented with illustrated pages from Donna Jo?s own sketchbooks, featuring step-by-step instructions; notes on watercolor palette selection and important techniques; pages devoted to clouds, rocks, trees, water and color schemes; a map with locations where the sketches were painted; location information that includes websites should you feel inspired to visit and paint these same landscapes; a supplies and tools page; and separate sketching pages, because, let?s face it, you can?t have too many sketchbooks!

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Book SynopsisViewed as the key to self-knowledge and inner peace in Eastern traditions, a mandala is a symbolic spiritual image which, when meditated on, can bring about profound inner transformation. This book offers a perfect way to combine contemplation with creativity, helping us to ease anxieties and insecurities, bring about change, and regain our personal balance - both through colouring in these mandalas and through meditating on them afterwards. Each mandala offers a place of refuge you can visit to recharge and reconnect with your essential self. The imagery ranges from the dove of peace, the rose of pure love and the floating lotus of the East to dolphins at play. There is an introduction putting the symbolism and imagery of the mandalas in context, as well as a directory of the mandalas in full colour at the back of the book.

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Book SynopsisExpand, inspire and invigorate your calligraphy practice today.Packed with fresh ideas for calligraphy techniques, styles and subjects, this book is a visual feast of inspiration for all abilities, whether you're new to calligraphy or looking to reinvigorate your practice. Boost your creativity with the help of more than 80 artworks by contemporary, international calligraphers, each demonstrating an interesting or innovative approach. Techniques include hot foiling, laser cutting and brush calligraphy, as well as general inspiration such as practising calligraphy on baubles, making calligraphy wrapping paper and customising your own tools. Explore both new and old methods and discover the basic skills to excel at this ancient art form. The art of calligraphy is the ultimate way to relax, restore and create beautiful pieces of art - and this book is sure to renew your creativity.

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Book SynopsisAs a highly experienced community midwife and teacher, Bridget Sheeran knows that pregnancy should be a time for vital physical and mental preparation. The body and mind do much of this automatically but there are many ways to support this process, and to resist the day-to-day stresses that can hinder it. Through detailed images for colouring-in, Bridget invites pregnant women to allow their natural curiosity to rise up and lead them to discover how they can help themselves through the process of birth. As women relate to their interpretation of the illustrations, this book can powerfully: Allow them in their own time to focus on their needs in pregnancy, birth and becoming a mother; Motivate them to prepare for birth and the responsibility of caring for a newborn; Enable personal well-being through relieving stress via the 'right brain' activity of colouring-in; Motivate women to evaluate their personal resources and find the support structures they will need to do the most important job in the world: give birth and nurture their baby.Table of ContentsIntroduction - how this book can help in preparation for childbirth; 30 detailed, double-page line drawings for colouring-in, related to the theme of preparing for childbirth; Key to the images in the book - why Bridget has chosen these and what colouring them in may help mothers-to-be to achieve

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Book SynopsisFrom world-renowned artist Giovanni Civardi, this highly practical guide to drawing babies and children uses the traditional grid technique to make the drawing process both simple and accessible. Starting from a photograph, Civardi shows you how to create an accurate pencil sketch of the subject by overlaying a grid and transferring the image one square at a time. The drawing is then rendered in easy stages to create a finished portrait. Even the most complex of subjects can be broken down into easy steps using this method, and by following the numerous step-by-step exercises the reader will very soon be producing highly detailed drawings based on photographs of their own.Trade ReviewSummer 2018 Artists have been using grids to aid perspective and proportion for centuries. The basic idea itself is as simple as it sounds. As ever Giovanni Civardi proceeds largely by example and with few or no words. Initial remarks cover features in proportion and are useful in themselves. The remainder of the book covers a series of worked examples that show you how to lay the basic shapes out on an 8x10 grid and then fill in size, shape, shadows and detail. Its devastatingly simple and disarmingly effective. * The Artist *This new series from the prolific and always worthwhile Giovanni Civardi does what it says on the tin. The use of grids vastly simplifies any composition that requires perspective or proportion and artists have been using them for centuries; it’s what the camera obscura was for. Giovanni’s method doesn’t require any equipment and he demonstrates how to draw up an 11 x 8 rectangular grid that contains your subject: in this case, just the head and neck. There are initial notes on anatomy, features and proportions, the bulk of each volume then being occupied by a series of worked examples that progress from the initial outline on the grid to Giovanni’s usual sensitive result. With so many books to his credit, finding new approaches is getting tricky and there’s inevitably a degree of repetition to the coverage. However, Giovanni is an artist of great skill and always worth a read. In this case, the simplicity he has introduced is, I think, a welcome novelty. * Artbookreview.net *May 2018 Giovanni Civardi has spent decades drawing, painting and teaching portraiture and has written numerous books on the subject. The lastest two provide a quick solution to students wanting to draw expressive portraits, using grids to capture their subjects accurately. Starting from a photograph, Giovanni clearly explains how to create a pencil sketch, using a grid to transfer one section at a time. With practice the student will be able to create detailed drawings from photgraphs and build the confidence to tackle subject from life. * The Leisure Painter *Table of Contents3 Introduction 4 Proportions and procedure   6 Portrait gallery

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Book SynopsisIntrigued by the stunning gradient yarns out there but unsure of what to knit with them? Perhaps you struggle with colour? Dive right in and knit with these eye-catching yarns with 10 unique lessons teaching skills such as cabling, lace, alternating stripes, thrums, stranded colourwork, mosaic, intarsia, short rows and simple knit and purl combinations all using gradient yarns. Build up your skills with patterns for garments and accessories from designers around the world. Gradients are a perfect way to add a unique dimension to your work. Go from light to dark, mix things up, work with multiple colourways or knit your way through the rainbow! With countless options available, the possibilities are as endless as what your imagination can create! This book offers a blend of beginner through to advanced projects, allowing the knitter to build their skills with each project.Trade ReviewTanis Gray is a knitwear designer who enjoys using colour in her work. With the increase in designer yarns and the multitude of colours available it is not always easy to know how to use them to best effect. This book includes 10 lessons and projects using ombre, stranded colourwork and texture to help both the new and experienced knitter do just that. Techniques covered include intarsia, Fair Isle, thrumming, lace and cabling. There is also information on modular knitting, short-row shaping and knitting-in-the-round. The latter part of the book comprehensively covers basic knitting techniques with clear instructions and photographs to illustrate. There are even illustrations to show the difference between English and Continental ways of holding yarn. Tinking (un-knitting) and frogging (ripping out) also get a mention, something you don't often see in how-to books but so very necessary! This book would be perfect for knitters who wish to increase their repertoire of skills and techniques. Having personally never come across thrumming, the mittens would be an ideal first project, whilst the lace shawl would be the perfect way to show off a single-gradient yarn ball. Either for yourself, or as a gift combined with a ball of gradient yarn, this book would be a good addition to your collection. -- Judith Evans (Birmingham & District Guild) * Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers *A great book, the patterns are easy to follow. -- Jo Udall * Customer Review *really is a book which can be used by beginners & more experienced knitters as there are projects to suit all levels. Each project has an introduction which explains what skills will be involved & the aim of the project. This page includes a list of what items you will need to complete the project, the tension and the approximate finished size. Each pattern also includes a section on pattern notes giving helpful tips about why certain techniques are used at points in the pattern. Where a new skill is introduced there are clear photographs with equally clear instructions given which I find straightforward to follow. Additionally, the book includes an introduction to colour theory & choosing yarns whilst at the back are many helpful basic knitting techniques explained very clearly & the abbreviations used in the patterns. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wanted to put more colour into their knitting but feels a little lacking in confidence, this is the guidance you have been looking for -- Louise Waters * Customer review *Gradient Knits by Tanis Gray ..... Love this book ..it has a hive of information ...beautifully illustrated pictures with easy to follow wording from how to cast on to easy to follow charts for the patterns. This book has a lovely array of knits that make you want to pick up your needles and have a go at making a pair of soxs or mittens or maybe start by knitting a hat. Then for those that want to learn to knit (which can be very daunting) this book will teach you step by step . A book to enjoy and share ....... -- Pauline Forster * Customer review *beautiful book by the publishers - but this has not swayed my thoughts on this colourful book. I have been knitting for a number of years now but was looking for something new to do, when this book arrived on my doorstep....... It has ten projects, all of which have an explanation at the beginning (lesson). There are pictures to show you what she is talking about. The patterns are clear, including any important notes. For those who are still getting to grips with knitting there is a chapter at the end of the book that explains basic knitting techniques, again this includes pictures where appropriate. Overall I found this a very well thought out book. There are some easy projects, but there are definitely projects for the more advanced knitter. Fantastic book. Well worth a look! X -- Nicola Taylor * Customer review *Thank you to Search Press for sending me a review copy of Gradient Knits. I'd recommend this book to all knitters, whether you're a beginner or your skills are more advanced. There are ten lessons and projects using ombré, stranded colourwork, slip stitch and textures, so there's something to appeal to all tastes and skill levels. After a brief introduction from the author, Tanis Gray, about gradient yarns, and a double page spread about how to use the book, Chapter 1 takes you through choosing the right gradient, Chapter 2 contains ten lessons and projects, Chapter 3 is a guide to the tools, materials and core knitting skills you'll need so that you can work through the techniques in the book, and there's a useful list of abbreviations at the back, and an index. The photographs demonstrating each technique are clear and the instructions easy to follow, and all are in wonderful colour. The only criticism I have is that if I were putting the book together, I'd have put the contents of Chapter 3 before the lessons and projects, but that's just an observation. A lovely book to give or receive! -- Dorothy Thomas * Customer review *This is a lovely book which would make a good addition to the library of any knitter who loves colour (as if we need an excuse!) The cover is eye-catching and the book is a great size to tuck into my knitting bag for projects 'on-the-go' After a short introduction and some useful information about colour theory, the projects start. Each lesson has a techniques section which could be practised before starting the actual project - maybe to try out before buying the yarn. The photos for each new technique are clear, as are the written instructions. Each project is a little more technically demanding than the previous one, enabling the knitter to develop skills and build confidence before tackling some of the trickier techniques. There's something to learn for everyone. Even as an experienced knitter I have never seen thrumming before - I'll be trying that out for some warm winter mittens. Chapter 3 on basic knitting techniques is useful for those who are newer to knitting and gives good photographic and written instructions. I would have liked to see a reference to the abbreviations page at the start of each of the patterns/lessons. It's tucked away at the back of the book - which is fine but I had to go searching for it as I didn't see it mentioned (editors, there's also a mistake in the alphabetical listing of the abbreviations, but that's just me being picky!) Also, I was a little disappointed that I could find few, if any, of the named yarns in the UK, meaning that I would have to work out substitutes for every project. Not such a problem, but might be off-putting to some who like to recreate exactly what they see. Maybe some more widely available yarn alternatives could have been added in to yarns used page. Overall, this is a beautiful book full of colour and with lots of good photographs and some interesting use of gradient yarns (some yarns are maybe more accurately described as yarn sets rather than gradients). I'll be casting on the 'Colour-study Cowl' and the 'Thrummed Mittens' very soon. -- Steph Saward * Customer review *Received this book and was really excited to be inspired to use one of the gorgeous gradient sets in my stash. I like how the book is laid out with the instructions for the specific stitch and a bit of history prior to the pattern which then uses that stitch or technique. I think I may struggle with the lace pattern as it is written in chart format and is not clear when to change colour, I am hoping once I have cast on this will become more apparent, although I am still apprehensive. I would have liked to have seen more pictures or patterns that use same colour gradients or ombre effect to create the work. -- Ellen Jury * Customer review *This book is a little delight…. The world of ombré (gradient colour) and knitting has always intrigued me…yet if I’m honest scared me as well! I am not the world’s best knitter by a long mark but this book has introduced me to new, previously unknown cast on stitches, knitting techniques and most of all the delights of colours. Wool is available in a host of variants, you think about buying but don’t because you’re not sure what to do … well, the book is simply perfect for that task. It gently guides you through, stitches, wools, patterns of course and the end products are modern and up to date, yet……….. depending on your choice of colourways could be retro for that added twist. Personally, this book will be a great addition to any crafters bookcase……. Although I am not sure how much time it will spend there as will be in use more often than not when a knitting project is on the go… from refresher how-to reading, or simply a colour fix project, you will find it all in here. -- Vera Lily * Customer review *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Choosing the right gradient Chapter 2: The Lessons Knits and purls Slip stitch colourwork Alternating gradient stripes Thrumming Cabling with gradients Stranded colourwork Intarsia polka dots Lace knitting Modular knitting German short rows Chapter 3: Basic knitting techniques Resources Index

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Book SynopsisGiving an insight into how this inspiring and talented artist works, The Addictive Sketcher passes on Adebanji Alade's infectious enthusiasm and will have the reader reaching for a pencil or pen to have a go. Adebanji has a skill and a passion for speaking and motivating his audience in a fun and engaging way, and this is reflected in his writing style. Lively, stimulating and instructive, it is packed with numerous examples of the author’s sketches as well as examples of his vibrant finished paintings. Covering pencils, coloured pencils, charcoal and graphite, along with finished oil paintings, this book provides a fascinating insight into the author’s techniques. Adebanji’s work covers a broad range of subjects, including landscapes, portraits, crowd scenes, urban scenes and seascapes. He’s particularly well known for his portraits and working outdoors capturing the life of London where he lives. This book includes examples from a range of subject areas.Trade ReviewAdebanji Alade is caught up in the joys of a creative adventure, and he wants you to join him on his drawing escapades. A little dramatic perhaps, but as the title suggests, sketching for Adebanji is a way of life rather than just a way to while away an hour or two with paper and pencil. Following an opening chapter in which the Nigerian-born artist talks about his upbringing and the time at college when his passion for sketching was born, Adebanji describes his mindset and goals to the reader. He writes about appreciating and embracing your work, the pitfalls, and challenges, how to maintain momentum, and more. It’s advice that comes across as genuine and from experience, delivered in an enthusiastic tone. No surprise really seeing that Adebanji teaches at London’s Art Academy and runs workshops in schools and colleges. Adebanji maintains his conversational tone as he covers the sketching basics, starting with the equipment he uses, before going on to mark-making techniques such as contours, angles, and ghosting. It’s accompanied by unfussy photography, short walkthroughs, WIPs and finished art. The artist spends longer covering core art concepts including composition and perspective, and provides a range of finished examples, annotated art and a simplified explanation of technical terms. The heart of the book is given over to specific sketching scenarios, including public transport, buskers, statues, and markets. All are within reach of the average artist and Adebanji provides practical tips on how to approach each topic. He maintains the personal touch, giving anecdotes on what and who he encountered on the day, and lessons learned from the session. Extended walkthroughs show art theory in practice, as the artist takes his rough line art to a degree of finish on a variety of scenes and styles. * Imagine FX *This is a book about why to sketch as well as how to sketch. You'll discover the importance of finding the hidden diamonds - corners, figures, unconsidered trifles the rest of the world passes by. Adebanji is an author of enormous warmth and it's impossible not to want to go out with him on a sketching trip. * The SAA *Adebanji Alade - who featured in the January '19 issue of Paint - is an enthusiast, even a bit of an evangelist, That could be a fatal combination - there's nothing worse than being hectored by a street-corner soap-boxer - but thanks to a large helping of love, it's really rather delightful. You'll like Adebanji before you've even finished the introduction. He loves God (that's the first thing he tells us, but that's also all he tells us about it), and he also loves books and sketching. He discovered that by borrowing a copy of Alwyn Crawshaw's Learn to Sketch and devouring it until it practically fell apart. That's where the enthusiasm comes in - if he loved books more than sketching, he'd have preserved it in a handmade cover. I said you'll like Adebanji and I'll go further, you'll love him. His addiction isn't demanding (at least not of the reader) and his enthusiasm doesn't make him a preacher. He just wants you to get as much pleasure from sketching - anything and everything - as he does. He achieves this by showing countless examples and by offering a torrent of practical advice. I particularly like what he says about the etiquette of sketching, Not for him the head-down, get-on-with-it-regardless approach; rather it's a matter of respect: "Always be grateful to those who take the time to come over to where you are sketching and pass a comment about your work." Also: "if the person you are sketching frowns or asks you to stop, be polite and respect their wishes." See, I told you he's a nice guy. But perhaps the best thing about Adebanji is that he understands his own working methods and this makes him one of the best teachers around. Books on sketching can easily be - erm - sketchy (boom, boom!) when it comes to instruction, but this is one of the best drawing manuals there is. Adebanji understands form, structure and perspective and his explanations of everything from faces to buildings, interiors, landscapes and figures, both individual and in groups, are second to none. This is a joyous book that will teach you much more than you'll ever believe in the company of a warm and generous teacher. -- Henry Malt * Paint magazine *Sketching is the artist’s secret weapon. Often less intrusive than a camera, it also allows a degree of interpretation and note-taking that isn’t available to the photographer. Sometimes a quick image can be an end in itself, at others it’s the basis for a more considered work completed in the studio. The trick is to learn to see and to look, to be completely at home with your materials and to know exactly which details are important. All that comes with practice, so practise you must. Adebanji Alade is, as the title suggests, a compulsive sketcher. In the introduction, he tells us how he learnt sketching from a battered copy of Alwyn Crawshaw’s Learn to Sketch, a slim volume that, while an excellent introduction, was hardly a full course in drawing. To learn this way requires not a little inherent skill, but Adebanji is too modest to say that. What he does tell us, though, is that, having discovered sketching, he fell in love with it. He also tells us that he loves God. This isn’t an essential part of the narrative, and he doesn’t pursue it, but what is important about it is that it tells us about him. He loves sketching and he loves God, so should we be surprised that he clearly loves his audience too? This isn’t a book that preaches, but rather one that explains. What leaps from every page is the sense of joy Adebanji feels when he out with paper and pencils. It’s infectious and I defy anyone not to want to get out there with him (probably in person, too). This wouldn’t be an instructional book without instruction and that’s here in plenty, but it all comes from example. There are people, buildings, interiors and open spaces as well as seasons, light and weather. A huge variety of techniques are covered, but always in context and always leading to a worthwhile result – never a series of marks made for their own sake. There’s also handy advice on the etiquette of sketching – ask permission if necessary, thank people who comment on your work, be polite and, above all, stop if asked. If this is a book filled with love, it’s also one lacking in any kind of disrespect. Adebanji immerses himself in sketching and this is a book that’s itself immersive. It’s also a joy, both tho read and to look at. “Once you catch the vision, you will never remain the same; you will spread the gospel of addictive sketching wherever you go, for the rest of your creative journey.” Couldn’t have put it better myself. * Artbookreview.net *This is a book born of love. Adebanji Alade loves books and he loves drawing. If you're going to write one, it's a good place to start. In other hands, this could easily be a street-corner evangelistic rant, but Adebanji is too smart for that. He's also an excellent teacher, having learnt his craft from a copy of Alwyn Crawshaw's Learn to Sketch and understanding not just the processes of drawing, but how to acquire them. It's impossible not to be carried along by his enthusiasm and the sheer dynamism of his work. Although this is carried out for the most part in the field, it's remarkably polished and a lot more than just quick notes. There's an element of improvisation - a jazz-like tone - and Adebanji certainly has a natural ability. If you share his love of drawing, this is a book to embrace as well as learn from. * The Artist *There's nothing like going back to basics with just a sketchbook, a pen or pencil and a great teacher to guide you through the basics to harness your own unique style. Adebanji Alade is renowned for his passionate and engaging style, which is carried through to his writing in this lively and instructive book covering pencils, charcoal and graphite as well as oil painting techniques to use in land and seascapes, portraits and crowd scenes. * Simply Cards and Papercraft *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Motivation & inspiration 12 What you need 16 Sketching techniques 20 Composition 34 Value & Colour 40 People indoors 44 Pub scene 54 People Outdoors 62 Busker 74 Places Outdoors 80 Statue 94 Places indoors 100 Gallery 108 Discover 114 Painting 122 Index 128

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Book SynopsisThe art of fire-writing is a returning trend, and there is no better way to learn the technique and inspire yourself than through this up-to-date edition of Daniel Wright's ultimate introduction to pyrography. Daniel Wright's enthusiasm for his subject is beautifully captured in a sequence of clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step photographs and unique projects. Taking his inspiration from pen-and-ink, engraving and watercolour techniques, he demonstrates many exciting methods and traditional ways of woodburning to create myriad patterns, pictures and motifs including landscapes, trees, flowers, animals and buildings. Information is included on the types of wood to use, how to prepare surfaces, working with the grain and enhancing designs. He goes on to illustrate shading and faux marquetry, and there's a section on using photographs and sketches to produce your own designs. With each new technique, a project is introduced by Daniel to help you learn and explore your new skill – from burning your own chessboard to a stunning fairytale stool design for your little one's bedroom. Finally, advice and demonstrations are provided on decorating old wooden objects, revitalizing much-loved pieces by working patterns into their worn, textured surfaces. This book will inspire, entertain and instruct you, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced pyrographer.Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 10 Techniques 16 - Holding the pen 6 - Shading 17 - PROJECT: Tree vase, using reverse silhouette 22 - Basic patterns 24 - PROJECT: Chessboard, exploring the tester method 25 - Borders 30 - PROJECT: Cheeseboard, exploring borders 36 - Building up tones 38 - PROJECT: Milking stools and circular designs 40 - PROJECT: Napkin rings in faux marquetry 46 - Working with spheres 48 - Finishing your work 50 Design 52 - Developing a theme 52 - PROJECT: Whimsical houses 53 - Fairies 58 - Birds 62 - Animals 66 - Buildings and landscapes 68 Branching out 76 - Old and antique wood 76 - Driftwood 84 - A magical discovery 86 - Gourds 90 - Leather 94 Index 96

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Book SynopsisEnter a wonderland of fluffy festive fun, filled with the magic of pompoms! Pompoms are easy to make, have oodles of charm and will appeal to young and old alike. 33 lovely projects to decorate your merry home, adorn your gifts and give as presents to loved ones on the special day. Starting with a simple know-how chapter on how to make your pompoms, filled with techniques and handy tips, you'll get straight into making your designs and immerse yourself in holiday spirit right away. From robins and gingerbread folk to decorate your tree, through to wreaths and champagne markers that'll warmly greet your guests, there's something for everyone. Create these pompoms for a no-fuss Christmas that will spread surely festive cheer everywhere! Uses material from Alistair Macdonald's Fabulous Pompoms and Pompom Christmas.Trade ReviewPom Poms are one of those creations we learn as children. Even the name itself conjures up creative fun. How fabulous then, as adults to use this simple craft and create wonderful decorations with which to decorate our homes for that special time of year. 33 projects in the colours of Christmas are showcased beautifully in this wonderful book. Robins, Reindeer and of course Father Christmas are simply put together, using different sized Pom Poms. There are other Pom Pom creations to make and enjoy, such as Table decorations, Tote bags and even a Teddy Bear, these can all be given as gifts for your friends and family to love and enjoy. In full glossy colour this is an amazing book. Full instructions for each project, along with a list of things you will need are given, and the full sized templates makes this an easy and fun craft for the whole family to enjoy. The Pom Poms needed range from 1' to 4 1/2'. so are small enough to create in an afternoon. I love this book. It's original, creative and so much fun. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *A nice book to have in the lead up to Christmas, useful for encouraging all members of the family to take part in the preparations. -- Sian Delahaye * Customer review *A nice book to have in the lead up to Christmas, useful for encouraging all members of the family to take part in the preparations. -- Mandy Thurland * Customer review *I was really pleased to receive this book having flicked through I can’t wait to get started on these festive Pompoms! Our craft group are going to spend a session on making these lovely fun adornments for our trees this Christmas. Some of the projects are easy enough to do with children too. There’s going to be lots of Pompom fun in our house! -- Wendy Burt * Amazon *I love making pompoms so really wanted this book. It has lived up to expectation. There are plenty of pompom projects inside to keep me busy. The colour photographs help me to see what the finished article should look like and there are clear, easy to follow instructions. Each project has a list of materials needed to complete it. There are ideas that I would never have thought of myself. I highly recommend this book. -- Jen J English * Amazon *Pompoms are fun. And this book is a fun book for all the family. Children and adults can create pompom of various sizes and this book will give them ideas of how to use them in a variety of projects, including tree decks, wrapping ideas, a wreath and of course a Santa. The projects have clear instructions and a list of requirements. The projects are also easy to adapt to your own requirements, and even if some of the poppies created by little hands are less than perfect they will look great as a part of a wreath. A nice book to have in the lead up to Christmas, useful for encouraging all members of the family to take part in the preparations. -- Maria Crouchley * Amazon *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Techniques 8 Projects - Rocky Robin 12 - Lavender Pillow Stocking Fillers 14 - Pompom Bauble 16 - Cup and Ball Toy 18 - Garland 20 - Christmas Tree 22 - His ’n’ Hers Gift Toppers 24 - Rudolph 26 - Santa Claus 28 - Festive Wreath 30 - Tree Fairy Crown and Wand 32 - Gift Box Earrings 34 - Christmas Card Pegs 36 - Angel 38 - Christmas Pudding 40 - Napkin Ties 42 - Party Glass Markers 44 - Christmas Hearts 46 - Snowman Gift Topper 48 - Elf Christmas Stocking 50 - Pompom Tote to Give 52 - Gingerbread Man 54 - Christmas Cupcakes 56 - Mrs Claus 58 - Snowball with Santa Hat 60 - Bauble Napkins 62 - Snowflake 64 - Scottie Dog 66 - Dove of Peace 68 - Festive Lantern 70 - Christmas Tea Light 72 - Teddy Bear 74 - Berry Brooch and Earrings 76 Templates 78 Acknowledgments 80

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Book SynopsisWhat could be cuter than a woolly pompom creature? With Sachiyo Ishii's ridiculously loveable pocket-size creations, you have all the ingredients of a fabulous, fun book! There are 34 imaginative designs for animals, birds, sea creatures, bees and other insects accompanied by clear, step-by step instructions. With sections on materials, tools and basic techniques, you have all you need to get you started. Learn how to make the pompoms, attach them to each other and needle felt on features such as faces, ears, arms and legs - adding the features is where their characters really come to life! All the pompoms can be made from scraps of yarn in your stash and each design uses only small amounts. You can be up-to-the-minute with plastic pompom makers or keep it traditional with the cardboard ring technique. Sachiyo's delightful designs include a ladybird, a fox, a hummingbird, a hamster, a dolphin and a hedgehog. With beautiful photographs to show off these charming pompom creations, this is sure to delight young and old alike.Trade ReviewThis little book is fantastic. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow with words and pictures. I absolutely LOVE this little book. It is a must have and I would thoroughly recommend it to everyone. -- Mabel Newman * Customer review *This book comes with easy to follow instructions and really nice illustrations for each of the 35 creatures. The introduction carefully explains how to make the pompoms using different things, and also explains the needle felting process needed to add the features to your creations. It also tells all the items needed for the projects. A good book for both the beginner and those with experience. -- Mrs Lynne Harvey * Customer Review *This book comes with easy to follow instructions and really nice illustrations for each of the 35 creatures. The introduction carefully explains how to make the pompoms using different things, and also explains the needle felting process needed to add the features to your creations. It also tells all the items needed for the projects. A good book for both the beginner and those with experience. -- Lynne Harvey * Customer review *This book is fantastic. Easy to follow instructions to make cute little pets for everyone and anyone. I'm particularly in love with the hamster. -- Pam Hockin * Customer review *This book is great! It has very clear instructions on how to make the pompoms, and explains how to do it with different types of pompom makers. There are diagrams which clearly show how to put the wool onto the pompom maker to get the correct colour layering to create the animals, and there are little templates to show how to make ears, etc. You will need a felting needle and a couple of other felting bits to create facial features, etc, which is a new skill for me, but I am sure with a bit of creativity it would be possible to make the faces in a different way if felting felt a bit daunting, although again, very easy to follow pictures of how to create the face bits to finish off the lovely animals. Also, this is a great was to stash bust all those little left over ends of wool. With a baby on the way, I plan on making a baby mobile of little pompom animals to hang over the cot, but I am sure that younger children right through to adults would love to have a go at making these little animals. -- Lizzie Copeland * Customer review *What could be cuter than a pompom critter? A pocket-sized one, of course! Master crafter Sachiyo Ishii's irresistible collection of animals, birds, and insects will have you squealing with delight. Newbies to yarn crafts needn't fear, as there are comprehensive guides to materials, tools and techniques, including the needle-felted finishing touches. -- Make & Sew Toys * Make & Sew Toys *Pompoms are so easy and fun to make, not to mention a great way to use up your yarn stash. Choose from 35 cute pompom creatures to make, including a ladybird, fox, hummingbird, hamster, dolphin and a hedgehog, with clear, step-by-step instructions to guide you. * Crafts Beautiful *Yesterday I had the luxury of a train journey by myself and I knew exactly what I wanted to read! A few weeks ago I was gifted a copy of 35 cute pompom animals, birds, sea creatures and insects to make. I had a quick look through and couldn’t wait to try making something from one of the tutorials. Pocket Pompoms: 35 cute little woolly creatures to make Before my journey I made sure to flick through the projects and pack some basic equipment. I’ve made a few pom poms before using cardboard (the old fashioned way!) as well as a Clover pom pom maker. The book contains 35 designs for animals, birds, sea creatures, bees and other insects accompanied by clear, step-by-step instructions. With Halloween coming up I decided to make the spider, so picked up my pom pom maker, wool and scissors. I couldn’t find any black wool so substituted brown wool and picked up a small scrap of white for the eyes. I read through the Introduction and Techniques before starting. The pom pom maker was easy to use and it didn’t take long to make the spider. I removed it from the maker and gave it a little trim. Unfortunately I didn’t have any beads for eyes, nor wire for legs so I used black straws instead! My children thought it was hilarious! The book is really lovely and I love the idea of making a whole menagerie of animals with wool and a little imagination. With sections on materials, tools and basic techniques, you have all you need to get you started. Learn how to make the pompoms, attach them to each other and needle felt on features such as faces, ears, arms and legs adding the features is where their characters really come to life! All the pompoms can be made from scraps of yarn in your stash and each design uses only small amounts. Pocket Pompoms: 35 cute little woolly creatures to make by Sachiyo Ishii is published by Search Press. -- Jenny Kearney * The GingerBread House *Table of ContentsTools & Materials Techniques Monkey: step by step Dog: step by step The Projects: Fox Owl Brown bear Cat Lovebirds Teddy bear Bunny Hedgehog Koala Mouse Seal pup Pufferfish Hamster Spider Robin Sheep Panda Chicken & chicks Lion Bumblebee Ladybird Caterpillar Turtle Squirrel Dolphin Pig Duck & ducklings Hummingbird Snail Toucan Crab & hermit crab Ostrich Templates

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Book SynopsisJeremy Ford is a master-artist who will show you how to paint beautiful watercolour pictures, starting from initial sketches, through simple techniques to completed pictures, ready for display. A reissue of the best-selling How to Paint Water Colour, this book includes three comprehensive step-by-step demonstrations and covers a range of subjects from flower portraits to landscapes. Jeremy examines and breaks down the various essential materials needed, from selecting paper, paints and brushes through to other painting equipment. A simple colour theory section eliminates any mysteries about watercolour paint. Trade ReviewThis book is a very encouraging and personal account by artist, Jeremy Ford, of how to paint watercolours. It’s great for beginners and provides tips for the seasoned watercolorist. It covers materials, basic techniques and colour theory. It then uses an example painting to demonstrate the colours and techniques explained on the previous pages. Ford then takes the reader through three demonstrations with a step by step guide taking you through a clear ‘process’ of how to use the techniques previously explained to make three beautiful paintings. This makes it very easy to follow. Each demonstration builds on the one before and I found it best working through each of the demonstrations in order. You use techniques you learned previously and build on these as you go along. By the end of the book you will have completed three very accomplished watercolour paintings, two landscapes and a life painting of a bouquet of flowers which you can be very proud of. Each painting project to not at all overwhelming being fairly swift to complete and in fact very enjoyable indeed! It is beautifully illustrated throughout and includes lots of pictures to help provide further guidance on specific techniques and advice from the artist. -- Alex ScottTable of ContentsIntroduction Materials Basic Techniques Colour Lakeland Sunset Demonstrations: Blustery Day at Hope Cover, Floral Bouquet, Riverbank at Early Morning Index

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Book SynopsisContaining 6 wonderful step-by-step projects and ideas for many more, this highly practical guide is aimed at those who are new to doll making, as well as more experienced needlecrafters. It contains the best of Jan Horrox's previous titles: Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls and Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls. Jan’s beautiful dolls are exquisitely made, yet by breaking the process down into easy-to-follow steps, they become surprisingly easy to achieve. Full of character and life, Jan’s dolls are made using a wide range of colourful fabrics, trims, ribbons and buttons and are ideal for using up scraps and oddments of materials. There are clear, step-by-step instructions for making hands and feet, making hair, and needlesculpting and painting the exquisite faces to really bring the dolls to life. There are also instructions for making webbed fingers and delicate fairy wings as well as a mermaid's tail. Full-size templates for all the body pieces are supplied at the back of the book. With 6 projects to choose from, including fairies, wood nymphs, mermaids, witches and a steampunk doll, this book provides all the means and inspiration you need to make your own gorgeous dolls. Trade ReviewThorough step by step instructions to make six colourful character dolls including Titania and Morwenna, a fairy, nymph, mermaid and steampunk doll with some alternatives too. You'll find detailed instructions to make each doll plus equally detailed instructions on basic techniques and advice on fabrics and tools. Use a wide range of fabrics to make beautiful dolls. Fabulous close ups of the dolls and techniques used to sculpt the face and body. Some of the dolls are jointed. The doll pattern pieces are full size. If you do not own the previously published books, this is a great book on doll making. A stunning book with great photos and instructions. Take your doll making into an art form with Jan's methods. * www.karenplatt.co.uk *With six step-by-step projects and ideas for many more, this practical guide is for those new to doll making as well as more experienced crafters. Ideal for using up scraps and oddments, the dolls are east to make with step-by-step instructions. Full-size templates for all the body pieces are supplied at the back of the book. * Machine Knitting Monthly *Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials & equipment Making heads and faces Making hands Making feet 1. Miranda 2. Anastasia 3. Titania 4. Peaseblossom 5. Moon Flower 6. Nerissa 7. Merina 8. Morwenna 9. Rhiannon Templates Index

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Book SynopsisIn this reissue of his popular book, Vic Bearcroft shares his love of drawing and painting wild animals, showing how to capture the personality and distinctive features of a variety of creatures. Using simple steps and plenty of detail, this guide shows you how to create beautiful artworks, from drawing the basic shapes through to realising your favourite animals in your preferred medium. Trade ReviewPopular artist and tutor, Vic Bearcroft, shares his love of drawing and painting wild animals in his new book, Painting and Drawing Wild Animals, published by Search Press. Encouraging you to paint from life, Vic suggests visiting wildlife parks, zoos and sanctuaries to study animals and their behaviour yourself to build up an understanding of their habits and movements in more natural environments. He also describes how you can use photography or wildlife documentaries on television if you are unable to see the animals in person. With clear step-by-step examples, Vic shares his tried and tested techniques for capturing animal features-such as eyes, fur and noses-in watercolour, pastels, charcoal and acrylics. There are chapters on materials, colour, and reference material as well as sections on individual animals, such as big cats, ungulates, bears, elephants, apes and dogs, with six full step-by-step projects for you to work through. * Leisure Painter *Loved the detail and instruction of how to draw animals.I can’t wait to try and draw as instructed. Thank you for your review. * Amazon *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 8 Impact: tone and colour 20 Getting started 24 Big cats 32 Step-by-step: Tiger 42 Ungulates 48 Step-by-step: Zebra 58 Bears 64 Step-by-step: Panda 74 Pachyderms 82 Step-by-step: Asian Elephant 90 Great apes 94 Step-by-step: Chimpanzee 102 Canids 108 Step-by-step: Wolf 120 Index 128

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Book SynopsisAn expert guide to popular surface-stitching techniques, suitable for stitchers of all abilities! Drawing on work previously published in the popular Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts series, and originally published as The Stitching Book, this definitive guide to stitching provides a must-have reference for anyone interested in stitching and embroidery. Aimed at both beginners and those wishing to explore new areas or to develop their existing skills, this book provides a complete, step-by-step guide to traditional stitching techniques, including drawn thread embroidery, hardanger, goldwork, stumpwork, silk shading, crewel embroidery, Mountmellick and blackwork. Each section is authored by best-selling embroidery experts Patricia Bage, Jill Carter, Ruth Chamberlin, Kay Dennis, Clare Hanham, Jane Rainbow, Pat Trott and Lesley Wilkins, and leads the reader carefully through the history of the technique; the materials and equipment required; and the most popular stitches used. The sections include hands-on projects – 26 projects in all – and are beautifully illustrated with examples of the authors' works as well as step-by-step photographs and diagrams of the methods used. This timely book is the perfect choice for anyone whose interest in stitching has been re-awakened by the current trends in embroidery and sewing, and who wishes to make beautiful, hand-embroidered items for their home.Trade ReviewI was drawn to this book initially because of the variety of different needlework styles it covers, some of which I haven't tried. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, especially as they include photographs as well as illustrations. Special tips have been added to each section and samplers and templates have been added throughout. I also loved the addition of a brief history of each style of stitching. After reading this book I feel confident in trying new techniques and I would thoroughly recommend this book to both beginners and more experienced stitchers. This book is a delight to own. -- Faye Mulhern * Customer Review *I am quite a novice with hand embroidery, but this book has it all. Everything you need to know from a beginner to more advanced. It gives you easy steps to get started on your journey. The different areas of embroidery give you materials needed , threads, different needles (didn't know there were so many), other equipment. For the different stitches it gives you pictures alongside written instructions, also tips and tricks to help you on your journey. I will certainly be trying out new stitches. -- Bev Hackleton * Customer Review *Received this wonderful book. I could not put it down. I'm new to embroidery, this book shows you all different stitches etc. The pages full of handy tips which I like. I love the flowers which look so real. I can not wait to try some of these beautiful projects. A well written book for all stages of embroidery. -- Carol Wilson * Customer Review *When I received this book I was amazed by the thickness of it, 272 pages. I soon learned why it needed so many pages as it covers an astonishing amount of techniques. Each stitch is shown in clear detail. At first I thought the sub headings might be to much for a beginner, but as I read through a few sections I was encouraged to see this would not be the case. Crewel, Silk shading, Gold work, just a few of the techniques. It begins with a brief history, as all good books should in my opinion. As well as the materials and techniques for transfering designs. I cant wait to do the stumpwork as it includes a piece on needlelace, which is new to me. It covers in detail all the techniques a beginner and more advanced needs. I don't hesitate in recommending this book from the Search Press range. -- Kathy Campbell * Customer Review *This lovely new book from Search Press is actually a re-working of individual books previously published and contains chapters on silk shading, crewel embroidery, Mountmellick, stump work, Hardanger, blackwork, drawn thread embroidery and goldwork. If you would like to acquaint yourself with these techniques, you will find much to keep you interested. There are very good photographs and instructions with projects, and I suspect even more accomplished needle-workers will find something of interest. It would be a good value book for inclusion in the libraries of sewing groups especially, as it encompasses a wide range of traditional techniques. There is some repetition on materials, inevitably, but all things considered, I would recommend this as a good introduction for those who have taken up stitching lately and want to challenge and hopefully surprise themselves with the results they achieve. -- Helen Raynes * Customer Review *Suitable for stitchers of all abilities this book aims to be a definitive guide to stitching and embroidery. Use the step-by-step guides to get to grips with drawn thread embroidery, hardanger, goldwork, stumpwork, silk shading, crewel embroidery, Mountmellick, blackwork and more. Each section has been put together by experts and features the technique's history, materials and equipment needed and the most popular stitches used. * Cross Stitcher *Absolutely love this book from wonderful step-by-step instructions to beautiful photographs. The book starts with a lovely introduction and a brief history. A section on where to stitch and what to stitch, designing, framing, preparing fabric etc and about mounting your work. Section on materials too. The book is well laid out with each stitch well laid out and beautifully photographed. The projects are amazing and beautiful and some techniques I've never seen before. Each project gives you a recipe of what you will need there are some beautiful patterns to try. You would not be disappointed if you buy this book whether you are a beginner or competent sewer. -- Sue Prince * Amazon *Firstly, I was surprised at the size and weight of this book, but so much is covered. There are techniques in the book that I had not heard of before, Mountmellick for one, but I will definitely be trying it. Mainly, I wanted to improve my Blackwork and Goldwork, but I can see myself getting waylaid with a bit of Stumpwork. The diagrams and photographs in this book are very detailed and each section has so much information and advice to guide you to better stitching. All in all a 'must have' techniques book. I don't think you will be disappointed! -- Lisa Hemstock * Customer Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 8 Where to stitch 10 What to stitch 11 Transferring a design on to fabric 14 Framing up 16 Starting to stitch 21 Mounting your work 23 Silk Shading 26 Crewel Embroidery 46 Mountmellick 72 Stumpwork 96 Hardanger 136 Blackwork 168 Drawn thread embroidery 192 Goldwork 230 Index 270

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Book SynopsisFor decades, experts have been puzzled by what causes many previously happy, carefree young men to become perpetual moaners as soon as they hit middle age. And now they have found it, uncovered the truth behind the Holy Grail of modern medicine: the grumpy gene.To discover whether you (or your loved ones) possess the grumpy gene, this quiz book has been devised to gauge your reaction to hundreds of different situations, from airport scanning machines that never work to parcel delivery men who choose to ignore the address clearly marked on the label and prefer to drop off your parcel at any random house in the vicinity. Points are awarded for each answer and your total score indicates where you rate on the grumpy scale. Wry, funny and wonderfully well observed, this quiz book gives you all the tools you need to test for the grumpy gene – in yourself or in the old git in your life. With questions relating to weather, work, travel, gardening, technology, relationships, family and law and order (to name but a few), no stone is left unturned to find the answer to that eternal question: Are You a Grumpy Old Git?

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Book SynopsisDiscover how to update and repurpose wooden furniture and homeware for an effortlessly chic home. Nowadays, it is easy to find affordable furniture for your home from chain stores, but those pieces can lack character. This is where furniture hacking comes in – updating, repurposing and personalising to create stylish, unique masterpieces. Hester van Overbeek shows you 23 ways to update your wooden furniture and home accessories, all with step-by-step photos to guide you along the way. Projects range from simpler ideas, such as a table made from stacked old magazines, to larger pieces like the window shutters, which you can create for a fraction of the price it would cost to buy them new. Discover how to make your own four-poster bed by combining a budget bed base and pieces of reclaimed wood, or convert a bookcase into a sideboard. There are five chapters covering the main areas of the home – Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Room, Bedroom, Home Office, and Outdoor Space. Hester’s philosophy is that you don’t need much money or many DIY skills to make your house into a cosy, stylish home. With the right inspiration, you can create something beautiful.

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Book SynopsisThe Dragon is one of the most thrilling chess openings and a favourite of attacking players. In this two-volume work, Gawain Jones, the world's strongest Dragon specialist, guides you through the Black repertoire he has played successfully against world-class opposition. This volume deals with the 9.Bc4 and 9.g4 variations of the Yugoslav Attack.

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Book SynopsisThe Dragon is one of the most thrilling chess openings and a favourite of attacking players. But can this sharp and provocative system still be played in the modern era? GM Gawain Jones says Yes!In this two-volume work, the world's strongest Dragon specialist guides you through the Black repertoire he has played successfully against world-class opposition. Drawing on his deep understanding as a lifelong Dragon exponent, Jones explains the key concepts and supports his recommendations with cutting-edge analysis.This volume deals with the 9.000 variation of the Yugoslav Attack, along with the Classical and White's various other tries.

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Book SynopsisThe King''s Indian Defence is one of Black''s most dynamic responses to 1.d4. A favourite weapon of both Fischer and Kasparov, it remains a popular choice at all levels of play.In this, the fourth volume of the epic Kotronias on the King''s Indian series, Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias tackles a variety of White''s attempts to challenge his favourite opening, starting with the sequence 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6. The all-time greats Petrosian and Gligoric lend their names to systems examined after the further 5.Nf3 00 6.Be2 e5, with 7.d5 and 7.Be3 respectively, while the dreaded Exchange Variation 7.dxe5 is also discussed and dismantled. Dynamic coverage of Makogonov''s 5.Nf3/6.h3, Karpov''s 5.h3/6.Be3, Larsen''s 5.Nf3/6.Be3 and Averbakh''s 5.Be2 completes this extensive work.Throughout the work, the author shares his considerable knowledge of typical positional motifs, while providing plenty of ammunition should the game erupt into the full-blooded warfare that is the hallmark of the King''s Indian. A special selection of test positions is provided, enabling the reader to sharpen his tactical skills and improve his middlegame understanding.

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Book SynopsisThe fourth volume of the Grandmaster Repertoire 1.e4 series provides a top-class repertoire against the Taimanov, Kan and Scheveningen systems, plus all the other Sicilian lines that were not covered in the previous volumes. Negi takes the established main lines and injects them with his own innovative ideas, making the repertoire a nightmare for Sicilian players and an essential addition to the library of every ambitious player.

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Book SynopsisThe King''s Indian Defence is one of Black''s most combative responses to 1.d4. A favourite of both Fischer and Kasparov, it remains a popular weapon at all levels of play.In this, the fifth and final volume of the epic Kotronias on the King''s Indian series, Grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias completes his masterpiece by tackling all major variations after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 which were not covered in the previous volumes. Starting with 3.f3 and working through numerous set-ups including the Smyslov, Sokolov and Seirawan Systems, followed by the Four Pawns Attack and culminating in the mighty Sämisch System, Kotronias has produced perhaps the finest book of his career.As in previous volumes, the author supplements the hard analysis by sharing his expert knowledge of typical manoeuvres and positional motifs. Once again, a selection of test positions has been provided, enabling the reader to sharpen his tactical skills and improve his middlegame understanding.

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