Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books

Book SynopsisArt Quilts Made Easy is a beginner-friendly project guide that will walk you through everything you need to know to be successful in the craft of art quilting. It is an entry-level guide that covers everything you need to know about art quilting. Including chapters on how to plan and map out your quilt, design rules and guidelines and basic tools and featuring an overview of the entire art quilting process, you’ll be ready to get quilting. With 12 landscape designs that capture beautiful botanicals and animals, the helpful illustrations and diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions will lead to an inspirational gallery of completed quilts.

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Book SynopsisA celebration of the diverse world of American watercolors from the late nineteenth through the twentieth century, featuring works from the Harvard Art Museums’ collection

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Book SynopsisPoker is America's national card game, and its popularity continues to grow. Nationwide, you can find a game in progress everywhere. If you want to play, you can find poker games on replicas of 19th century riverboats or on Native American tribal lands. You can play poker at home with the family or online with opponents from around the world.Trade Review“…full of sound thinking about how to approach the game….informed by someone who’s been there and done it.” (PC Format, April 2005) "....a readable introduction to all poker formats..." (Micro Mart, April 2006)Table of ContentsForeword. Introduction. PART I: How to Play the Games. Chapter 1: Poker Basics. Chapter 2: Essential Strategic Considerations. Chapter 3: Seven-Card Stud. Chapter 4: Texas Hold'em. Chapter 5: Seven-Card Stud Eight-or-Better, High-Low Split (Seven-Stud/8). Chapter 6: Omaha. Chapter 7: Home Poker Games. PART II: Advanced Strategy. Chapter 8: Bluffing. Chapter 9: Money Management and Recordkeeping. PART III: Computers, Casinos, and Cardrooms. Chapter 10: Poker Tournaments. Chapter 11: Video Poker. Chapter 12: The World Series of Poker. Chapter 13: The Computer: Your Shortcut to Poker Mastery. Chapter 14: Internet Poker. PART IV: More Poker Fun. Chapter 15: What's Behind the Sayings, Terms, and Myths. Chapter 16: Learning More about Poker. PART V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Read Your Opponent. Chapter 18: Ten Poker Legends. Chapter 19: Ten Keys to Success. Chapter 20: (Almost) Ten Things to Consider Before Going Pro. Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Improve Your Poker Today. Chapter 22: Ten Real-Life Poker Lessons. Index.

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Book SynopsisSocks are one of the most popular projects among experienced knitters, yet they can mystify beginning knitters. Socks require techniques not typically used in simple projects such as scarves and hats, but these techniques are as easy to learn as the basic knit and purl stitches. In fact, you can knit your very own socks, and veteran sock knitter Ann Budd shows you how. Each step - from casting on stitches for the leg to working the misunderstood Kitchener stitch at the toe - is broken down into its basic elements and illustrated with clear photographs and drawings. Along the way you will learn the fundamentals of sock knitting, a vareity of ways to achieve similar results, and a host of time-proven tips that ensure success. Included are basic instructions for knitting socks at five different sizes and for five different gauges. Whether you want to knit a pair of delicate dress socks for your ten year old niece, a pair of sturdy boot socks for your older brother, or a pair of bulky slipper socks for yourself, we've got your feet covered. If you get tired of the basic sock, add some colour or texture, either by following one of the sixteen patterns provided or by adding your own stitch pattern - dozens of rib, cable and lace patterns are provided for your own experimentation. So get started knitting socks - soon you will have made your first sock...then its mate. Then, before you know it, you will be your own sock-knitting machine.Trade Review"Essential for all knitting collections." - Library Journal"I strongly recommend this book for anybody who wants to become a sock knitter." - Knitter's Review"The best beginning sock book that has been published so far. That is all. Go buy it." - Knitty.com"No detail is ignored and Ann anticipates questions as if she is sitting next to you. This is a finger twitching book--it makes me want to drop everything and knit something from it right now." - KnitPicks Podcast"One of the best sock knitting books to come out in a long time." - Knitting News Cast"Photography is sharp with a tight focus providing an excellent reference for those needing a visual guide through every step." - Monsters and Critics.com"With this book from Interweave Press, you'll be knitting gorgeous socks in no time." - Let's Knit (UK)Table of ContentsMaterials Yarn Needles Other Tools Sock Basics Measuring Gauge Ways to Knit Socks in Rounds Casting On Join for Working in the Round Cuff Leg Heel Flap Heel Turn Gussets Foot Toe Finishing Basic Sock Instructions Choosing a Size Basic Pattern for: 8 Stitches/Inch, 7 Stitches/Inch, 6 Stitches/Inch, 5 Stitches/Inch, 4 Stitches/Inch Color and Texture the Easy Way Wide Stripes Socks- This cotton/wool yarn is comfortable for year-round wear. Narrow Stripes Socks- This is another example of self-striping year. Spiral Stripes Socks- In yarns dyed with color bands that are not long enough to accommodate all of the stitches in a round. Magic Stripes Socks- This sock looks like it involves a lot of tricky color changes, but that's due to the way the yarn is dyed. Boucle Socks- Acrylic boucle yarn gives a lush, cozy texture to these thick slipper socks. Adding Your Own Color or Texture Pattern: Stripe Patterns Fibonacci Stripes Socks- One of my favorite stripe sequences is based on the Fibonacci series, where you begin with the numbers 1 and 2, then add the last two numbers of the series together to come up with the next. Magic Ball Socks- These socks are knitted from five different colors of yarn that were leftover from various other projects. Rib Patterns- The juxtaposition of columns of knit and purl stitches causes the fabric to contract widthwise, making ribbed patterns ideal for snug-fitting socks. Seeded Rib Socks- The masculine rib pattern on the leg and instep of these socks alternates single knit stitches with 2 purl stitches and 2 seed stitches. Spiral Rib Socks- The diagonal pattern on these thick socks is nothing more than a knit 2, purl 2 rib that shifts laterally 1 stitch every round. Cable Patterns- Most cable patterns are based on a ribbed foundation, with the cable crosses worked on the columns of knit stitches bordered by purl stitches. Right-Twist Cable Rib Socks- In these socks, 1/1 cables travel across knit-4 ribs, giving the appearance of 2/2 cables without the draw-in. Cable Clock Socks- These socks show how just a little bit of cable can make an interesting design. Lace Patterns- Lace patterns can transform the common sock into a fancy or feminine accessory. Herringbone Lace Socks- These comfortable socks are worked with a relatively simple 6-stitch lace pattern around the leg and along the instep. Chevron Lace Socks- A simple 7-stitch chevron pattern forms tiny zigs and zags around the legs and down the sides of the insteps of these colorful socks. Cuff and Leg Variations- So far, all of the sock patterns in this book have had a crew shape with legs that begin about halfway down the calf. Picot Anklets- These anklets are a lot like short sport socks. Ruffle Cuff Anklets- These pretty socks are fashioned after those typically reserved for little girls. Knee Socks- A lace pattern extends along the leg and instep of these knee-high socks.

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Book Synopsis"Cozy Knits" is a fabulous collection of 48 all-new patterns. Join editor Tanis Gray as she brings together an all-star cast of today's top knitting designers to create dozens of delightful projects. All of the designs in "Cozy Knits" are knit with Cascade Pacific and Cascade Pacific Chunky yarns. These affordable yarns come in an endless array of colors and are a blend of superwash merino wool and acrylic, making them ideal for creating projects for babies and kids, gifts, home decor items, and everyday accessories and garments. "Cozy Knits" has techniques for knitters of all skill levels, including cables, lace, brioche knitting, intarsia, Fair Isle, and slip stitch, as well as tried-and true stockinette stitch and garter stitch. This collection offers projects every member of the family will love, including sweaters, shawls, shrugs, mittens, hats, afghans, and baby blankets.

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Book SynopsisFor woodworkers, hand tools put the emphasis on the process of woodworking rather than the result. Yet hand tools also are essential to the highest level of craftsmanship, bringing a refinement to work that machines alone cannot produce. Whether using hand tools alone as a source of pleasure, quality, or efficiency, or in combination with machines, woodworker can trust the information in Woodworking with Hand Tools, a collection of 35 articles from the experts at Fine Woodworking magazine. In Woodworking with Hand Tools, expert craftsmen explain how they choose, sharpen, and use every kind of hand tool. There's advice on tool maintenance, techniques for getting the most from the tools, and projects made using hand tools. With clear photographs, drawings, and step-by-step instructions, Woodworking with Hand Tools will be a useful and necessary resource for anyone who works wood. SELLING POINTS: . Growing appeal. Speaks to the renewed interest in craftsmen and woodworkers working with their hands. . Unique information. The advice from the editors of Fine Woodworking is specific and highly practical.

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Book SynopsisIt’s been said cross-stitch is color by numbers for grownups: this book features a collection of cross-stitch patterns that maximize the fun and minimize the stress, with few color changes and simple, bold designs. Cross-stitch is the newest old craft to make a comeback, with the book Subversive Cross Stitch topping Amazon lists. With bold, simple projects based on easy-to-stitch shapes, Cross-Stitch to Calm will let crafters enjoy a soothing hobby while creating an attractive finished project.Trade Review"Ideal for crafters who use the technique as a way to unwind. This collection is ideal for beginners looking for no-fuss patterns that don't require a rainbow of floss colors, or for experienced cross-stitchers seeking a quick, easy-to-finish, small project." --Library Journal "We've long known that cross stitch helps us to relax, and now author Leah Lintz has produced a book to help us make the most of quality time with needle and thread! There are...some truly beautiful, unfussy designs you'll love to hang on your wall to add some serenity to your home." --Cross Stitch Collection Magazine "This fantastic new book from publisher David & Charles is simply on-trend goodness!" --The World of Cross Stitching

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Book SynopsisStitch up a colorful kaleidoscope of crochet! Explore a lively twist on crocheted motifs as you shift through various shapes and color combinations. From the traditional granny square to more complex forms, these faceted motifs are the building blocks to creating unique and stunning designs. Crochet Kaleidoscope will help make your projects pop with the perfect mix of color in every stitch. Along with a collection of 100 fresh motifs, this book includes a complete guide to choosing yarn colors, what order to put them in, and how many to include. Plus, get five home decor and accessory patterns including a table runner, pillow, and rug from crochet designer and author Sandra Eng. You can shift shapes and shades to make the perfect piece for your home. Every turn of the crochet kaleidoscope allows you to get creative with color and apply your own unique personality to your crochet motifs.

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Book SynopsisFrom all-star sneakers to elephants, you can learn to draw anything . . . in just 15 minutes! If you want to draw but think you don't have the time to learn--or feel too intimidated to start-15-Minute Artist invites you to jump in. Bestselling author Catherine Holmes (How to Draw Cool Stuff) provides more than 60 step-by-step projects for depicting animals, food, plants, household items, and more--and you can complete each one in just 15 minutes. Her tutorials break the process down so you can achieve quick, satisfying results. In addition to pencil renderings, Catherine demonstrates techniques for working with charcoal, pen, and colored pencil, and provides tips and sidebars on blending, texture, perspective, and shading.

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Book SynopsisThe latest installment in The Manga Artist's Coloring Book series gives manga and coloring enthusiasts dozens of fabulous fashions to color. Christopher Hart continues the best-selling Manga Artist's Coloring Book series with this collection that is bursting with eye-catching characters and clothes to color. The most fashionable girls and boys from the world of Japanese comics show off their sense of style in more than 40 full-page images printed on high-quality paper. Each image includes an intricate patterned background for maximum coloring fun. The Manga Artist's Coloring Book: Fashion! is a fun and challenging experience for anyone who loves to color.

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Book SynopsisA practical 'make do and mend' guide to help you fix your favourite pair of trousers or alter that special thrift store find. With basic sewing hints and tips, you can revive your existing wardrobe and save money at the same time! From sewing on a button to taking up a hem, everything is clearly explained so that even complete beginners can successfully tackle these tasks and more.

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Book SynopsisPart of a fantastic new series of stash-busting sewing books aimed at beginner to intermediate crafters, this book has 25 quick and easy projects to make, all from fat quarters or fabric scraps. Each project has easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and beautiful accompanying photography, as well as a comprehensive tools and techniques section. This book is ideal for using up leftover remnants of fabric to create a range of gorgeous items. Use them to decorate your home for the holiday season or simply to add unique finishing touches to gifts. Projects include hanging hearts, tree bunting, fairy light shades, traditional stocking, gift bag, card ribbons, snowflake garland, parcel belt, decorative rosette, napkin rings, placements and mantle edging.

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Book SynopsisLive life in the knitted fast lane with these super-cool, super-sized knitted cars and trucks for children to enjoy. Wave goodbye to little metal vehicles being driven into furniture and painful feet from treading on small metal parts, and say hello to these wonderfully soft, squishy four wheelers. Complete with a knitted road playmat to drive them on and accessories such as traffic lights, cones and barriers to add to the fun, children will get hours and hours of playtime from these fabulous projects. Vehicles include a 4 x 4, London bus, fire engine, police car, bulldozer, racing car, London black cab, articulated truck, tractor, tanker, crane, ambulance, recycling truck, limousine, camper van, a car with a caravan and a car breakdown rescue vehicle.

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Book SynopsisImmerse yourself in a magical woodland with these exciting crocheted critters! Featuring 10 charming animals to make, you'll find it tricky to choose who to make first! From a mischievous raccoon to a friendly fox and a wise owl, these projects will make ideal gifts and also include crocheted accessories that can be shared between the woodland friends. A comprehensive techniques section, accompanied by detailed patterns will provide all the information you need. The stylish photography will inspire you to create your own woodland menagerie! AUTHOR: Inspired by the imagination of children, Emma Varnam likes to make items that bring a smile. She has written a number of popular crochet books-including Granny Squares Home, Crocheted Keyrings & Charms, Cute Crocheted Animals and How to Crochet, all published by GMC Publications. Emma lives in Greater Manchester, UK. 200 photographs, 30 illustrations

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Book SynopsisPainting a portrait of a child is one of the most complex challenges an artist will face. In this detailed and practical book, Simon Davis opens up his studio and explains his approach. As one of the country's leading portrait painters, he gives a unique insight into how to render a sympathetic portrait in oils, which avoids sentimentality and captures the essence of a child, in oils. Topics covered include the importance of composition and balance, tonality and palette, and atmosphere and advice on the complete process, from first ideas to putting down the paintbrush. There are step-by-step examples of a range of children, including different ages, backgrounds and groups and an interview with fellow Royal Society of Portrait Painters artist Andrew James.

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Book SynopsisThis beautiful book explores the world of colour in the plant kingdom and introduces the artist to effective practical methods of using colour in botanical painting. It focusses on the relevance of making accurate observations of colour in botanical specimens and recognizing the value and importance of using colour theory to achieve successful results. With over 500 images, this elaborately-illustrated guide uses the author's finished artwork, diagrams, and step-by-step tutorials to explain the important role of colour in this compelling genre. This book is a must for all aspiring botanical artists, illustrators and students.Trade ReviewThis is one of the most thorough guides I have seen. It has a depth that makes it both invaluable and, I believe, unique. Providing a deep knowledge and understanding, this is essential reading for any serious flower painter. -- Henry Malt - The Artist reviewer * The Artist *Leigh Ann’s style is clear and packed with knowledge - it is evident that her teaching experience has informed the tutorials and examples that she has chosen to include. I would recommend this for anyone who wishes to improve their underlying and scientific knowledge of colour, and for those who like books with clear tutorials to follow in order to improve their own practice. I like to have a deeper understanding of the materials and techniques I am using, and this book certainly gave me that. -- Elanor Wexler, Association of Botanical Artists * Association of Botanical Artists *

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Book SynopsisChess - Crowood Sports Guides is the perfect tool for anyone wanting to improve their performance, from beginners learning the basic skills to more experienced participants working on advanced techniques. Standard chess rules and basic notation is covered as well as how to use each piece effectively; tactics and strategy; how to plan for success; the three phases - openings, middlegames and endgames; advanced techniques - analysing a position, opening repertoires, when to sacrifice, key endgame principles; hints and tips for developing chess further and finally using computers for analysis and preparation.

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Book SynopsisAll you need to help you learn the important knots, and a perfect gift for the keen sailor or adventurer. The pack contains 3 one-metre lengths of coloured rope (colours may vary) together with the beautifully illustrated 64-page Knots & Splices book. It is an ideal way to learn how to tie knots which will serve a lifetimeâs sailing or adventuring.

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Book SynopsisAn adorable collection of knits for baby including a romper suit, socks, blanket, sweater, jacket and joggers. Designed using Rowan Yarns Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing seven beautiful wardrobe essentials, this timeless collection of elegant designs epitomises the easy sophistication of the classic tweed look. The chic simplicity of tailored shapes, combined with subtle cables and charming colourwork, make these patterns pleasing to knit and a joy to wear.

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Book SynopsisFor anyone with manga mania, this guided sketchbook will be an endless source of instruction and inspiration. In easy-to-follow lessons interspersed with high-quality pages for hands-on practice, bestselling author Christopher Hart shows how to bring manga's faeries, warriors, villains, sci-fi figures and monsters to life. The pad encourages students to sketch right along with Hart, mastering the skills to draw characters' heads, expressions, bodies, outfits and dynamic action poses.

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Book SynopsisThread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations is a modern refresh of an age-old craft. Author Libby Moore teaches basic stitches and how to choose materials, and shares original patterns with easy-to-remove perforated pages. Thread Folk also features Artist Collaborations, a series of projects based on the curated artwork of several distinctive, talented artists, including clothing designer Audrey Smit, and illustrators Alli Koch and Lauren Merrick.Trade Review"Thread Folk will inspire new and seasoned artists alike to explore embroidery in ways they have not considered before. Libby Moore does a beautiful job of reintroducing this ancient craft as a contemporary medium with easy to follow projects." --Ekaterina Popova, founder and editor of Create! Magazine

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Book SynopsisIn this book Korean crochet doll designer Lana Choi shared her lovely 16 designs with you. She is a well-known Amigurumi designer on the social media not just in Korea but also in western community. All projects are explained with step-by-step pictures and easy to follow charts. You will fall in love with these super cute toys from cactus friends to elephants, bears, dolls, and robots.

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Book SynopsisFight your own way through the American War of Independence with this comprehensive wargamer''s guide, featuring detailed maps, battle summaries uniform guides, all accompanied by tabletop scenarios and historical insights for an immersive gaming experience.This wargamer?s guide provides a comprehensive overview of the American War of Independence (or American Revolution), 1775?1782. The guide includes a series of maps showing the location of major battles by year with accompanying summaries of those battles and of the major campaigns of the war, and additionally it includes details of many lesser-known engagements. The book also provides information on, and organizations of not only American Continentals, French regular units and British regular units but also on American militia, the British Army?s German Auxiliaries, and the British provincial and loyalist units, and will thus enable wargamers to focus their efforts on specific campaigns or battles. Orders of battle for selected campaigns and specific battles are provided. Uniform guides, including uniform colors and facings for each of the participants are included along with descriptions of the armies? colors. The guide provides information on rules for the period and an overview of various miniatures available in a range of scales. Several tabletop wargaming scenarios, accompanied by maps, orders of battle and painting guides are also included in the book; additionally, information for several historical campaign scenarios are given, showing how campaigns can be used to add a new dimension to wargaming and to generate tabletop battles.

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Book SynopsisThis paper pack contains 500 high-quality small (4 inch) origami sheets printed with colorful and traditional Japanese Flower Patterns. These paper designs were developed to enhance the creative work of origami artists and paper crafters. The pack contains 12 designs unique to this set, every sheet is printed with coordinating colors on the reverse to provide aesthetically pleasing combinations in origami models that show both the front and back of the papers. This origami paper pack includes:500 sheets of high-quality origami paper12 unique designsColorful and traditional Japanese flower patterns Double-sided color4 x 4 inch (10 cm) squares

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Book SynopsisIn 40 Ways to Fold a Napkin you will discover 40 ways to turn your meal into a tablescaped event, worthy of an Instagram post. From simple folds that can hold cutlery to elegant knots, quirky envelopes and more, your event will instantly become more refined and classy. There are even some special folds for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and more.From birthdays to DIY weddings, dinner parties or just a Friday night at home for two, this stylish guide is for anyone who loves to entertain. Make every meal an event by folding your napkins.Table of ContentsOver 40 ways to fold a napkin to elevate every meal • Features folds for several holidays, from Christmas to Easter and more • Gives instructions on how ro care for your napkins and how to achieve the perfect fold.

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Book SynopsisSlip into serenity through your stitches with this collection of 24 beautiful, meditative mandalas by Polka & Bloom's Carina Envoldsen-Harris. In our hurried modern world, we rarely take a moment to rest and spend time with our thoughts. In this book, rekindle lost tranquillity and quickly discover a new obsession with these exquisite mandalas. By following the delicate and repetitive patterns in the motifs, you can finally soothe your mind, slow down and treat yourself to much-needed me-time and peacefulness. The book offers 12 large and 12 smaller mandalas to embroider, which Carina explains how to make through simple, beautiful stitch diagrams and keys. Only 10 stitches have been used to create all the mandalas, and each one is explained and accompanied by clear, step-by-step diagrams at the beginning of the book. In addition, there are notes on what you need in your basic embroidery kit – from fabrics through to needles and thread – which means those new to embroidery can start their journey to mindfulness right away. With Carina's gentle guidance beginners can also learn how to display their creations in embroidery hoops, including the much-loved Dandelyne hoops which the 12 mini mandalas can fit inside perfectly. Any long-forgotten, tired pieces in your wardrobe and home? There is also advice and photos inside on how to use your stunning mandalas to embellish myriad accessories and items, from shoes to tote bags. If readers are less confident about jumping straight into embroidery – or are pressed for time – 24 corresponding black and white motifs can be found on transfer sheets at the back of the book, which you can iron onto your chosen fabric multiple times. There is also a final, mystical mandala template included for you to transfer, allowing you to test your new embroidery skills and develop your new-found creativity. So sit back, pick up your needles and lose yourself in the captivating, calming world of embroidery. Trade ReviewThis book is beautifully photographed, with lots of bright, compelling images of each project. Carina’s wonderful sense of color is evident throughout this book. It's a delightful book, and I recommend it to any stitcher! What's in the book There are 24 total patterns with iron on transfers, and materials, stitch, and color guides.There are 12 large patterns made to fit in a 6 or 7 inch embroidery hoop, and 12 mini patterns for tiny Dandelyne hoops. I love that the Table of Contents includes a visual guide of every project in the book, to pique your curiosity, and give you a clue of where you might want to start. Each pattern page includes a color line diagram, with DMC floss suggestions, a stitch guide, and a large, lovely photo of the finished piece. One thing I love about the Winter Solstice pattern, is that it incorporates DMC Coloris floss, a bright variegated floss that looks quite nice stitched up as a mandala. Each of the mini patterns have a common theme: The Explorers, The Gardeners, and The Artists, and I love that each of the mini hoops has a female name- it gives them a nice dash of personality. Using the transfer patterns was a breeze - I used a hot iron with no steam, ironing the front and back of the fabric first, to heat it up, then pinning the transfer face down and ironing. Again, I highly recommend this book - the patterns are enjoyable, intricate, and very adaptable! http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2018/06/book-review-mandalas-to-embroider.html * Feeling Stitchy *Mandalas, meditative embroideries in circles, created with different sized hoops. 24 designs are included, but you can use this as pure inspiration for your own designs. Simple stitch diagrams and keys plus a transfer sheet provide everything you need to sew the designs. The designs are also adaptable to clothing and accessories. Information is given on working with hoops and there is a stitch directory too. Simple yet satisfying. * Karen Platt *Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle”, and these beautiful round motifs are a part of Buddhist and Hindu religion. Recently they have gained popularity for more secular reasons, but are still a meditative and calming practice which is why they feature in so many coloring books. Embroidery is also a soothing hobby, and so putting the two together makes sense. The result is a book of twenty-four gorgeous patterns. I was sold just looking at the lovely image on the cover, and although the word “beginner” is not actually used I reckon this book is suitable for one. The mandalas are stitched using just ten simple stitches, and there are instructions on how to use a hoop and other basics. The stitches are explained with some very clear diagrams each with a caption complete with the sort of helpful hints you don’t usually see in books of stitches but which are very useful for beginners. You don’t need much either; just cotton fabric, floss, a hoop and off you go (although if you really are new to this I recommend practising on a scrap of cloth before tackling a pattern). There are twelve large (about 6”) mandalas and twelve small (about 2”) ones, each shown stitched and as a color diagram which gives the stitches used and DMC threads. At the back are the iron-on transfers complete with instructions on how to do this, including how to do this in other ways. The patterns themselves are so pretty, each one colorful and stitched in four to ten different colors. At the beginning is a page showing thumbnail images of all of them for easy selection, the designs featuring flowers, paisleys, abstracts and Christmas motifs. Not all are stitched on white which is good, and there are some ideas as to what to stitch them onto if you don’t just want to leave them in hoop frames. The smaller designs can be shown off in the new Dandelyne frames and worn as jewelry. A delightful book that makes me eager to start stitching, and one which will appeal to many levels of embroidery expertise. * Rachel A Hyde *Contains all the information you need to embroider...small mandalas. -- Linda Rumsey * Customer review *As a new embroiderer this book has helped me understand the right tools to use and what to use and where. It even has some great patterns in the back that really helped me break that barrier from useless to “Hey, I actually can do this!”. I would highly recommend this if you want to get creative but are not sure which route to take. Fab book with simple directions. -- Kuli Lombardelli * Customer review *I love this book, so easy to read and follow the patterns. -- Lynne Strawbridge * Customer review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials & equipment 8 Stitches used 10 Using embroidery hoops 14 The mandalas 16 Transferring the designs 48 Transfers 49

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Book SynopsisWhat is that lace? How old is it? Has it been made by hand or machine? What would it have been used for? These are the types of questions that this practical guide sets out to answer. Lavishly illustrated, it shows you how to identify the sort of lace that you might find hiding away in drawers and cupboards, or buy at a vintage textile fair. It deals predominantly with the hand-made and machine laces of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Topics covered include: an introductory survey of the different types of lace, their history and construction; guidelines for a systematic approach to lace identification and advice on cleaning and storage; chapters on the different types of lace: bobbin lace, needlelace, craft laces such as crochet and tatting, machine lace and lace based on tapes and nets. There are exercises on distinguishing similar pieces of lace made using different techniques and there are illustrations of how lace has been used and of some of the tools used in the making. Written by experienced lacemakers, Gilian Dye and Jean Leader, it presents items from their own collections to illuminate and inspire others who wish to know more about this fascinating textile. Lace Identification is a complete guide to the beauty of this stitch craft, and will richly reward all those who study the treasures they may own.

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Book SynopsisThe beloved characters from Swimmy and more of Leo Lionni's perennially bestselling books make playing Go Fish a brand-new adventure for parents and kids alike.Do you have any Fredericks? Any Swimmys? Any chameleons or crocodiles or extraordinary eggs?This deck of 52 oversized, kid-friendly cards features Leo Lionni's colorful characters, beginning with Swimmy the fish! Two extra cards show the rules for three classic card games: Go Fish, Snap, and Concentration. Parents who themselves grew up with Lionni's books will delight in playing with their kids.

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Book SynopsisAn officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons mini-jigsaw puzzle featuring the powerful Beholder in a fun-sized puzzle uniquely shaped like the monster itselfThis jigsaw puzzle has a finished size of 8 x 8 and includes 100+ pieces that assemble into a shaped puzzle, presenting an addictive new challenge. Perfect for D&D fans of all ages, this puzzle is part of a collection celebrating the game’s most iconic monsters and creatures, including the Demogorgon and the Mimic puzzles. Boost your bestiary and collect all three!

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Book SynopsisLearn to grow beautiful flowers and create vase-worthy arrangements all year round. Trade Review"More than just beautiful, this book is genuinely useful. It is approachable enough to inspire those taking their first steps into growing flowers and in-depth enough to be a useful addition to the workbench of any flower farmer or florist. Cel’s approach is considered and considerate, and Cut flowers is sure to become a firm favourite." -- Sarah Diligent * founder of Floribunda Rose Floral Design *"Cel grows her beautiful flowers with art and soul. Her respect for the earth and love of nature, guide everything she does, and her own roots are firmly in the soil with her plants." -- Shane Connolly * floral designer and author *"I have long-admired Cel's work and appreciate her deep commitment to sustainability. This beautiful book covers all the fundamentals of growing cut flowers from planning and growing, to harvest and design." -- Erin Benzakein * founder of Floret Flower Farm *"Cel Robertson simplifies the process for growing cut flowers in temperate zones. To grow and then harvest one’s own seasonal flowers brings a kind of nature-positive satisfaction and joy that is in its own realm. In the quest to find the most sustainable cut flower, home-grown wins by a zero-carbon mile." -- Rita Feldmann * director of the Sustainable Floristry Network *"Cel is such a knowledgeable plantswoman and she has shared so much great information in her book. Growing and cutting your own flowers will be a pleasure in her company." -- Gill Hodgson * founder of Flowers from the Farm *Table of ContentsContents 1 Learn / p10 Understand the makings of a perfect cut flower 2 Plan / p36 Shape the space and select the right plants 3 Grow / p56 Achieve an abundant harvest each season 4 Care / p126 Learn to condition and arrange your flowers Index

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Book Synopsis365 chess-themed puzzles – one to solve every day of the year.

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Book SynopsisBestselling pocket-sized book on rope and wire work, with clear full colour photographs and straightforward explanations throughout.Trade Review"Best selling book on rope and wire work. First published in 1963 and now fully updated to include modern ropes and fibres. In colour and truly pocket sized. Simple, straightforward and informative." Gaffer's Log (December 2006) 'Some information on slipping, untying and other aspects of the knots is accompanied by curiosities of interest. The small size makes this a very handy pocket guide.' Canoeist (June 2007)

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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