Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books

Book SynopsisJapanese Wonder Knitting offers the perfect foray into the techniques and application of Japanese-style knitting.Japanese knitting dictionaries have quickly become the favorite go-to reference for experienced knitters all around the world, and Japanese Wonder Knitting takes this trend a step further, giving step-by-step lessons in executing classic stitches the Japanese way. Like its companion volume, Japanese Wonder Crochet, this book introduces needleworkers to a whole new approach to classic stitches such as bubble stitches, herringbone, cockleshell, cables, smocking, entrelac and more.A swatch pattern is provided for each stitch to help knitters learn the mechanics of the stitch before applying them to larger projects. The personal and home accessory projects included provide something for every level of time commitment.A total of 23 projects are presented in this book, including: Cozy hats and neckwear Head bands for warmth and style Beautiful clutches and bags An amazing entrelac stitch shawl Clever boot liners/ankle warmers And so much more! An introduction by Japanese knitting expert Gayle Roehm explains the stitch charts as well as the differences and similarities between Japanese and Western styles of knitting. A guide to stitch symbols and extensive lessons provide visual guidance.With this book and a little practice, knitters who love Japanese knitwear and patterns will be ready to try their hand at the many wonderful fashions and home goods so many Western knitters love to make.Trade Review"'Wonder' is a much-deserved adjective here…[a] well-illustrated book from Nihon Vogue exploring the more unusual stitches possible, apart from the regular knits and purls…After viewing these elegant knits, crafters will emerge with a sense of delight and, perhaps, a resolve to try." --Booklist "Starred Review""Don't tell my people, but most of my knitted gifts this year are coming out of this book. …This book ticks all my gift knitting boxes. Quick, most are knit in worsted weight and heavier yarns, portable all are accessories, the cowls have my heart, and interesting, 12 of the 14 stitch patterns were new to me, and really fantastic knit at a bigger gauge. So much win." --Jillian Moreno, Modern Daily Knitting Blog.

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Book SynopsisIn A Modern Guide to Knifemaking, survivalist Laura Zerra, one of the stars of Naked and Afraid on the Discovery Channel, shares her essential knifemaking tips and tricks, including step-by-step instructions for both forging and stock removal. We all use a knife pretty much every day, but for Zerra, her daily life often depends on the blade she takes with her into the wild. She's learned about what works and what doesn't, what steel will hold an edge, and what nuances in blade design will make or break a knife. From design to sharpening, A Modern Guide to Knifemaking covers every step in the knifemaking process. To begin, you will consider what you want your knife to accomplish, develop a design, and make a prototype. Zerra takes you through choosing and buying steel for your knife and then teaches you to build your own forge. You will learn forging basics and then move on to forge the shape of your knife and make the blade tip. From there, you will cut the blade profile, grind in bevels to make the edge of the knife, heat treat and temper your blade, grind and polish it, and make a handle and sheath for it. You will also learn sharpening techniques to maintain the edge of your new knife. Throughout, Zerra has included Pro-Tips from some of the leading knifemakers working today including Ken Onion, Kaila Cumings, and Mike Jones.A Modern Guide to Knifemaking covers every detail of knifemaking so you can make yourself the perfect knife.

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Book SynopsisEver wondered what Tunisian crochet is and how to get started? This fantastic workshop will help you on your way to mastering Tunisian crochet with step-by-step instructions, easy to follow stitch patterns and 12 stunning projects.This comprehensive guide has something for everyone from complete beginners to those who have learned the basics but now want to expand their skills. Set out in a workshop format, graduating from the basics through to more advanced techniques with 16 lessons giving clear instructions and step-by-step photos as well as handy hints and tips along the way.This invaluable reference guide can be used by novices starting from the very beginning and working their way through each lesson, developing their skills and knowledge as they go. Or, for those who have already tried Tunisian crochet but are wanting to learn more, they can pick up from the Beyond the Basics section to learn many new stitches and stitch patterns, new techniques including shapiTable of ContentsIntroduction An overview of what Tunisian crochet is and how it differs from crochet A brief history of Tunisian crochet and its origins How to use this book Section 1 - The Essentials Starting from the start; this section covers all you need to know before picking up your hook Section 2 - The Basics Now that the essentials are covered, it's time to pick up your hook and learn the basics of Tunisian crochet Section 3 - Beyond the Basics Now that you're feeling confident in the basics of Tunisian crochet, this section is designed for you to develop and expand your newfound skills Section 4 - Projects 1. Intarsia Bunting 2. Bag 3. Wrist Warmers 4. Scarf or Cowl 5. Cushion 6. Wash/Dish Cloth or Potholder 7. Wall Hanging 8. Phone/Tablet Cover 9. Pincushion 10. Hat 11. Moroccan Pouffe 12. Blanket Glossary A glossary of Tunisian crochet and crochet terms

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Book SynopsisShows how to make adorable little miniature animals, using a few simple tools and some wool roving. This title features animals including birds, bears, cats, dogs, mice, a fox, a sheep, a seal and a bunny.

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Book SynopsisBe inspired to embroider all the elements of an idyllic English country garden. Suitable for beginners as well as accomplished embroiderers, Lorna Bateman’s beautiful book includes 12 practical projects for you to make and adorn with exquisite floral motifs. Lorna walks you through a variety of stitches including raised and textured stitches, teaching you to embroider individual flowers with them and how to incorporate these into an original garden motif. For the nature enthusiast, there is plenty to get excited about: an A–Z of English garden flowers and how to stitch them; a section on stitching common garden insects; and how to embroider iconic garden imagery such as birdbaths and garden ornaments. Roses are the archetypal cottage flower and Lorna describes how to incorporate a climbing rose, rose spray and standard rose in your designs. Embroidered Country Gardens is peppered throughout with seeds of wisdom: invaluable hints and tips from the author to help you develop your own skills and unique style. As well as step-by-step instructions, there are also detailed photographs, outline template drawings and a fully illustrated A–Z of stitches.Trade ReviewThis book is stunning! If you love traditional embroidery designs you'll love this. The projects are varied so there's something for every maker and Lorna Bateman guides you through each project making them simple to follow. I particularly love the fact that there's a section at the back showing you how to finish your work off. -- Lizzie Powell * Customer review *Even if you have never embroidered before you would be confident enough to pick up a needle and start after reading this book. It is probably best suited to beginners rather than more experienced stitchers as the author has gone into lots of detail on techniques such as backing your fabric and transferring designs. There are also detailed illustrations of different stitches as well as templates for 12 very pretty projects which will appeal to those who like their embroidery traditional. There are instructions to create many flowers from agapanthus to wisteria (especially love the hollyhocks and pansies) but also birds, insects, pots, tools and other "accessories". The idea is to give you enough confidence to design your own gardens. Projects range from a wall hanging to a scissor keeper and thread catcher. Practice blooms could easily be used for cards that will be treasured by family and friends. There are also embroidered buttons which would be a very special present for a knitter. Lorna Bateman has been a full-time embroidery teacher for 30 years. She has a business selling her designs in kit form at www.lornabatemanembroidery.com but this is her first book. -- Diane Chalmers * Customer review *I was delighted to receive this wonderful book of traditional embroidery. The instructions are so clear it’s brilliant for beginners of embroidery as well as experienced people like myself. There are a number of projects to complete along with patterns to get you started. I have already used several of the stitches to complete a task I have already started. Brilliant clear instructions to follow for all levels of embroiderers. -- Pauline Pritchard * Customer review *This book is a joy to read and use. Lots of information about different flowers, how and where they grow and how best to capture them in stitches. There're some lovely projects and detailed instructions on how to make and assemble them. It inspired me to create this piece of embroidery. It's a "go to" title for both experienced and novice stitches alike. -- Marion Dickins * Customer review *If you love floral garden embroidery, especially if you like stitching small motifs that have an exuberant garden feel to them, you're just going to love this book. Embroidered Country Gardens is a beautiful book, and it's a thorough book when it comes to instruction for this type of free-style surface embroidery. I didn't see any "cons" to the book. It'll make a beautiful, fun, and attainable addition to your embroidery library, whether for reference or for further project development. * Mary Corbet - Needle n Thread *This beautiful book was one of the most highly anticipated books here at Seashore Creative and it certainly lived up to expectations. What we love is the sheer volume of helpful information, particularly the detailed explanations of how to create each flower, plus the detail in the stitches, the patterns for tracing and templates. An absolutely stunning and gorgeous book! * Seashore Creative *Indulge your love of nature and gardens with this beautiful book on hand embroidery. You don’t have to be a keen gardener to appreciate these lovely designs featuring gardens at their best, flowers and the creatures that live there. This reminds me of the vintage embroidery transfers my mother had collected and with which I learned the craft as a child. There is even a crinoline lady in the garden amid the buttonhole hollyhocks and French knot delphiniums! But Ms Bateman has taken it farther than my old book showing basic freestyle stitches as she has introduced some stumpwork too as well as beads, covered washers, buttons, trapunto and needlelace. This is very much a 21st century embroidery book that takes the traditional idealized garden worked in freestyle stitches and mixes it up a bit; this really brings it all to life. Starting from the beginning you can discover how the author works and what tools and materials you need to obtain. There is advice on buying needles, storing threads and binding a hoop as well as a section with staged photographs showing how to cover buttons and washers, transfer designs, pad designs to make them raised and more. It is all very well explained with clear diagrams and explanatory text accompanying the many photographs. I like the way the best needle for each stitch is given, and there is even a section on perfecting those tricky bullion knots. Following this section is one giving an A-Z of garden flowers, showing the most commonly grown varieties in embroidery and explaining how they are worked. Roses get two whole pages all to themselves (most of the other flowers get a third of a page) and there are several different ways of working them using a variety of stitches. Also shown are things and creatures found in a garden that you might want to add, from archways to trugs, insects and birds together with that crinoline lady. Advice is given on how to design your own garden using very basic art materials like pens and coloured pencils. The rest of the book contains twelve projects showing how you can decorate all kinds of items using the author’s designs. In place of the usual cushions and cards are some items embroiders would enjoy making and using including an ort bag, scissor keeper, pincushion, needle case and sewing bag. My own favourite has to be the lovely clutch purse which doubles as a pencil case. Each project has a list of what you need, photograph of the item in situ and pattern/diagram. Instructions are text only in rather small print – perhaps it is as well that there are patterns for a glasses case and magnifying glass! Even a beginner can practice the stitches and techniques earlier in the book but the actual projects are aimed at intermediate level embroiderers who are also competent at making up items. Instructions for doing this are also given, again text only. This is a lovely book that certainly made me itch to start making that purse; one for the keeper shelf. If you cannot find a good range of embroidery and needlecraft materials locally try http://www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers. -- Rachel A Hyde * MyShelf.com *I am very passionate about embroidery, I think the art of stitching fabulous designs lie in the ways of the teacher. Lorna Bateman both expertly explains and demonstrates the craft, and her 'pictures' come alive in this very, very beautiful book. The photography is stunning, and with the addition of templates, you will quickly be able to sew an amazing project. It will be easy to become a master of embroidery with just this one book. Embroidered Country Gardens lists all the tools you will need, it also gives you a comprehensive guide to needles.... if you thought there was only one kind think again!! The stitches are in A-Z order and what I loved was that each stitch is given a visual diagram, a hint and tip box and an easy to understand explanation. There are 12 projects, each one is perfect to practice your stitches and once again comes with specialist advice on getting a professional finish to your work. This is a must have book, inspired by nature it is quite divine. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *If you have ever been to one of Lorna Bateman's workshops then you will love this book. If you haven't then you are in for a treat. * SEW Region Magazine (June 2019) *Indulge your love of nature and gardens with this beautiful book on hand embroidery. You don’t have to be a keen gardener to appreciate these lovely designs featuring gardens at their best, flowers and the creatures that live there. This reminds me of the vintage embroidery transfers my mother had collected and with which I learned the craft as a child. There is even a crinoline lady in the garden amid the buttonhole Hollyhocks and French knot delphiniums! But Ms Bateman has taken it farther than my old book showing basic freestyle stitches, as she has introduced some stumpwork, too, as well as beads, covered washers, buttons, trapunto and needlelace. This is very much a 21st century embroidery book that takes the traditional idealized garden worked in freestyle stitches and mixes it up a bit; this really brings it all to life. Starting from the beginning, you can discover how the author works and what tools and materials you need to obtain. There is advice on buying needles, storing threads and binding a hoop as well as a section with staged photographs showing how to cover buttons and washers, transfer designs, pad designs to make them raised and more. It is all very well explained with clear diagrams and explanatory text accompanying the many photographs. I like the way the best needle for each stitch is given, and there is even a section on perfecting those tricky bullion knots. Following this section is one giving an A-Z of garden flowers, showing the most commonly grown varieties in embroidery and explaining how they are worked. Roses get two whole pages all to themselves (most of the other flowers get a third of a page), and there are several different ways of working them using a variety of stitches. Also shown are things and creatures found in a garden that you might want to add, from archways to trugs, insects and birds together with that crinoline lady. Advice is given on how to design your own garden using very basic art materials like pens and coloured pencils. The rest of the book contains twelve projects showing how you can decorate all kinds of items using the author’s designs. In place of the usual cushions and cards are some items embroiders would enjoy making and using including an ort bag, scissor keeper, pincushion, needle case and sewing bag. My own favourite has to be the lovely clutch purse which doubles as a pencil case. Each project has a list of what you need, photograph of the item in situ and pattern/diagram. Instructions are text only in rather small print – perhaps it is as well that there are patterns for a glasses case and magnifying glass! Even a beginner can practice the stitches and techniques earlier in the book, but the actual projects are aimed at intermediate level embroiderers who are also competent at making up items. Instructions for doing this are also given, again text only. This is a lovely book that certainly made me itch to start making that purse; one for the keeper shelf. If you cannot find a good range of embroidery and needlecraft materials locally try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers. -- Rachel A Hyde * MyShelf.com *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Tools and materials 8 Preparation 26 A–Z of stitches 40 A–Z of garden flowers 52 In my country garden 72 Designing your own garden 84 The projects 88 Wall art 94 Sewing bag 98 Glasses case 104 Magnifier cover 108 Needle case 112 Pencil case 116 Beginner’s pincushion 120 Pincushion 124 Scissor keeper 126 Tape measure cover 130 Thimble pip 134 Thread catcher 138 Finishing off your work 142 Patterns for tracing 152 Index 160

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Book SynopsisKnit yourself stunning Latvian accessories including gloves, scarves and shawls with this collection of colourwork knitting patterns from the author of Knit Like a Latvian: Mittens and Socks.Table of ContentsIntroduction Symbols Guide Tools and Materials Before You Begin PROJECTS Mara Gloves White Flowers Beret Touch of Pink Fingerless Gloves Orange Heat Ear Warmer White & Red Gloves White & Red Scarf Blue Dots Fingerless Gloves Purple Net Hat Light Decor Fingerless Gloves Bright Patterns Hat Bright Patterns Scarf Rust Gloves Sea Wave Wrap Wavy Gloves Flower Dream Ear Warmer Black & White Gloves Black & White Hat Zigzag Gloves Snowflakes Ear Warmer Meadow Wrap Jumis Sign Gloves Raspberry Beret Raspberry Cowl Mara’s Cross Gloves Silver Net Hat Morning Star Gloves Sun Symbol Hat Autumn Leaves Gloves Autumn Leaves Hat Autumn Leaves Scarf Serpent Gloves Hop Leaves Ear Warmer Lilac Fingerless Gloves Big Ornament Shawl Pink Rose Fingerless Gloves Pink Rose Hat Burgundy Fingerless Gloves Snowflakes Hat White Braid Gloves Chocolate & Berries Wrap TECHNIQUES Basic Techniques Symbols and Abbreviations Basic Glove Recipes Special Techniques About the Author Thank You Suppliers References Index

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Book SynopsisIn the latest addition to the Color Mixing Recipes family of books, artist William F. Powell provides instruction on colour mixing as it relates to landscape painting in oil and acrylic. Following the format of the other books in the series, Color Mixing Recipes for Landscapes offers a robust index of landscape subjects that correspond to the featured colour mixing swatches. This useful book also discusses how colour is influenced by the time of day, the angle of the sun, and changing seasons, making it a must-have in every oil and acrylic artist's reference library.

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Book SynopsisThe only official coloring book based on the Alien saga! Forget relaxing mandalas and sharpen your red pencils for the official Alien Coloring Book! From facehuggers to xenomorphs and from Ripley to Jonesy, all your favorite creatures and characters and their most memorable scenes can be found right here. As for the color scheme? Well, that's in your hands now...Trade ReviewAdult coloring books just got 100% more awesome" -Nerd Approved"

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive course in landscape painting with acrylics by popular author and tutor Charles Evans. Charles' no-nonsense techniques and engaging writing style bring acrylic painting within the grasp of anyone keen to get started in this versatile and popular medium. The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to use acrylics with different painting styles. There are six full step-by-step painting projects ranging from simple skies to snowy landscapes with horses, each of which is supported by additional exercises and techniques. The step-by-step projects allow aspiring artists to put into practice their new-found skills, and produce six stunning paintings of their own, in a range of styles. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every project, and Charles shows how to transfer these onto the painting surface. Charles' accessible and irreverent style makes learning to paint with acrylics easy and fun.Trade ReviewFebruary 2018 For those wanting to try acrylics but nervous of starting a new medium, Charles Evan's Acrylics for the Absolute Beginner will be just what you need. Popular artist and tutor, Charles has an engaging style of painting and writing that makes it all seem so easy. There's advice on drawing for painting, composition, perspective, light and shade, colour and different painting styles. The main part of the book comprises six step-by-step projects for you to work through, as well as extra exercises and techniques as appropriate. A pull-out outline drawing for every project is provided, which does the hard work for you so you can simply get on with the painting. * The Leisure Painter *This book begins with an explanation of basic brushstrokes, exercises in simple shapes and hints on working from photographs, moving quickly on to trees, figures, animals and boats. The book is based around a series of 12 pre-printed outlines that provide the basis for complete demonstrations, practising composition, perspective, glazing and texture along the way. -- The SAA * The SAA Catalogue 19/20 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials Easy drawing for painting Light and shade Getting started Painting in the watercolour style Step-by-step project: Sunlit field Painting in the oil style Step-by-step project Step-by-step project: Woodland on paper Painting buildings and rocks Step-by-step project: Buildings Painting water Step-by-step project: Waterfall on paper Painting animals Step-by-step project: Horses in snow Index

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Book Synopsis'This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I’ve seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking.' Henry Malt, Artbookreview.net 'Tim is a genius in every respect and this really could be the only book on animal drawing you'll ever need.' Paint Magazine Artist Tim Pond’s lively and engaging book fuses science with art, providing you with the skills, techniques and knowledge you need to create sketches of animals filled with life and movement. Tim shows you how to observe and draw animals in zoos, farms, wildlife parks and aquariums, teaching you some fascinating facts about the animals along the way and ultimately bringing you closer to nature. One of the challenges with sketching wildlife is that animals are constantly moving. However, having some basic understanding of biology can help you capture the form, movement and ultimately the spirit of the animal in question. This combination of scientific knowledge and practical guidance is key to creating lively drawings and Tim’s ability to convey this in an accessible and engaging way makes this a unique and inspiring guide.Trade ReviewThis is, without doubt, the best book on animal drawing I have ever seen. Not only are the results attractive and the very thing you'd want to be able to draw yourself, the comprehensive coverage and simple explanations are second to none. Simplicity is the key to Tim's approach, both in working and teaching. His creatures frequently stand alone, and never have more props or background than is absolutely necessary. That way, they leap off the page, both in monochrome and colour. As well as some neat 'widgets and gizmos' - simple shape-based ways of getting started - Tim also uses colour shading to handle the tricky subject of musculature and underlying structure. Finally, there's a way of getting to grips with this necessary topic. Subjects include birds, mammals, fish and crustaceans and there are sketches, studies and a variety of poses throughout. This book is always exciting, inspiring and thoroughly informative. * The Artist, June 2019 *This remarkable comprehensive guide will tell you all you need to know about drawing everything from amphibians to primates. If that sounds like an overwhelming and perhaps breathless task, Tim is completely at home with his subject and breaks it all down into manageable chunks. I particularly like his "widgets and gizmos" - little sidebars that contain tricks that include the use of geometric shapes, grids and outlines that get structure and proportion right first time and, above all, painlessly. This is a lot more than sleight of hand, though, and there's a lot of real science (as well as art) behind what suddenly seems easy. Tim uses shading to show how structure works beneath the skin - anatomical lessons suddenly become about art rather than anatomy. So far, I haven't mentioned the sheer quality of the work that Tim produces. While remaining faithfully accurate to shape and structure, there's a pleasant looseness to his style. It gives instant character and that sense of potential movement animals possess even at rest. Most of the illustrations don't have backgrounds but, where they do appear, they don't dominate and are always appropriate. The focus is always on the main subject, as it should be. Although the title might suggest that this is a pen and pencil book, there's plenty of colour and Tim shows you how to use watercolour to add shape, texture and tone to your outlines. I hope I've conveyed to you how much I love this. It's a visual feast that makes it impossible not to want to get started, even if you've never thought of drawing animals before. Even better, it fulfils its promise and takes you right through the process. Tim is a genius in every respect and this really could be the only book on animal drawing you'll ever need. * Paint magazine (March 2019) *In this practical guide to drawing and sketching animals, Tim Pond shows us how to observe animals in natural environments - from zoos and farms to wildlife parks and aquariums. To cope with animals' constant movement, Tim explains how a basic knowledge of biology can help you to capture the spirit of your subject as well as its form. Fascinating facts about animals are included along the way, making this a lively as well as inspiring guide to better sketching techniques. * Leisure Painter, April 2019 *This comprehensive guide to drawing animals will give you everything you need to know. Tim suggests ways of simplifying your approach to shape, form, structure and physical features so that you'll get perfect results every time. He calls these little tricks Widgets and Gizmos and they do seem to work like magic. In practice, they're just simple grids and block outlines that point you in the right direction before you can overthink the problem. You'll wonder why no-one's ever told you about them before! Every type of animal is here, from primates to ungulates and shellfish to amphibians. You've never wanted to draw a shrimp? Tim's approach is so enticing and encouraging that you'll be itching to do so the moment you see what's possible. Although thorough, Tim's approach is straightforward and never intimidating. In the anatomical diagrams, the differently coloured shading makes it easy to follow the structure that underlies the outward appearance of your subject. The whole book is a work of art that will have you producing your own in a very short time. * The SAA *'This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I've seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking. More than that, though, it remains at all times completely accessible and you’re never left feeling bewildered by the amount of information on every page.' Read the full review here. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Tim Pond's Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals is a keystone book for anyone wishing to draw animals that are both scientfically accurate and full of life. He does a deep dive into the anatomy and structure of animals but with a keen understanding of what the artist needs to see and understand. He has cut through irrelevant chatter to emphasise what you need to get the beast onto paper. His approach supports drawings that show the behaviour, mannerisms, and character, transforming a sketch from a generic diagram to an intimate portrait, the breadth of his examples, from sponges to gorillas is a celebration of the biodiversity of the Earth and an inspiration to naturalist-artists. * John Muir Laws *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6; The blank page 8; Study sheets 16; The sea, and life 20; Connections 22; Common features 24; Anatomical adaptation 32; Welcome to the animal kingdom 34; Sponges 36; Jellyfish 38; Corals 40; Cephalopods 42; Octopuses 44; Slugs and snails 46; Arthropods 48; Habitat: Coast 50; Shrimp 52; Insects 54; Praying mantises 58; Metamorphosis 60; Butterflies and moths 62; Monarch butterflies 64; Spiders and scorpions 66; Fish 68; Sharks 72; Boxfish 74; Symbiosis 76; Seahorses 78; Seadragons 80; Habitat: Coral reefs 82; Porcupine fish 84; Common goldfish 86; Amphibians and reptiles 88; Frogs and toads 90; Green iguanas 92; Crocodilians 94; Crocodiles 96; Tortoises, turtles and terrapins 98; Dinosaurs 100; Mammals 102; Red deer 104; Fallow deer 106; Red river hogs 108; Warthogs 110; Hippopotamuses 112; Giraffes 114; Pivot points 116; Malayan tapirs 118; Rhinoceroses 120; Zebras 122; Habitat: The farm 124; Elephants 126; Sloths 130; Cats 132; Jaguars 134; Cheetahs 136; Lions 138; Tigers 140; Habitat: Woodlands 142; African hunting dogs 144; Bears 148; South American coatis 150; Red kangaroos 152; Primates 154; Lemurs 156; Monkeys 158; Gorillas 160; Chimpanzees 162; Movement through water 164; Pinnipeds 166; Otters 168; Blue whales 170; Movement through air 172; Bats 174; Birds 176; Bird origins 178; Bird anatomy 180; Owls 184; Greater flamingos 188; Penguins 190; Index 192.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Mending Matters teaches you how to stitch, patch and repair your favourite denim items, helping you to give your jeans and jackets a new lease of life." -- Love Sewing"the “IT book of the modern make do and mend movement,” -- Mason-Dixon Knitting

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Book SynopsisThis pack contains 500 high-quality small 4-inch origami sheets printed with fun and vibrant rainbow patterns. This origami paper pack includes:

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Book SynopsisA single carving knife and an afternoon is all that is needed to create one of the charming little characters in this book. The whittled little folk are full of personality, from the Monk, to the Policeman, to the Woodsman, acclaimed artist Harley Refsal provides patterns and instructions for carving over 20 delightful characters in wood. At the beginning of "Whittling Little Folk", readers will find step-by-step carving and painting instructions for a Scandinavian inspired man and woman. Once they have learned to carve these two projects, they will find an additional 20 patterns that can also be created with the same technique and some subtle changes. Each project includes four separate patterns (for each view) and carving/painting notes. Also included is a brief overview of the Scandinavian flat-plane style of carving and instructions on how to customize patterns.Trade ReviewIn the informative yet humorous opening to this great little book, the author discusses the difference between whittling and carving. I would interpret his distinction as "a rose by any other name is still a rose": it's all about cutting away pieces of wood. The book, "Whittling Little Folk" is small in size but big in content! Eighteen projects in total, including two "step-by-step" figures provide examples, tips, and techniques to carve (or whittle) the cutest little characters you have ever seen. One of the "step-by-step" lessons, (creating Kristian, shown in the bottom left of the book cover,) has 42 steps, including photos, demonstrating the process. Very in-depth and easy to follow. My Ratings of The Book: Layout and Appearance: Good balance of photos, how-to instructions, projects. Thumbs Up! Instructions: Clear information and instructions Thumbs Up! Projects Selection: A wide variety of characters, creating a small village. Great. Inspiration: There is even a section on "ideas" - oh the possibilities. Thumbs Up! Overall: Thumbs Up!These little people are a joy to behold, tiny and cute. Refsal's book is great for both the serious carver and the whittler as well. Refsal provides us with 20 fabulous characters to copy as is or to add your own characteristics to. The illustrations and photographs are very clear as are the whittling and finishing instructions. So, even if you are a beginner you could have these delightful little people adorning your home. The Lumberjack, the Cop, the Baker and the Amish Farmers are just a few of the diverse characters that you can whittle away at and Refsal shows you how in step-by-step instructions. Have fun!' if whittling and caricature carving appeals to you, then you'll enjoy Whittling Little Folk.' 'Plenty of fun guaranteed!'Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction From Scandinavia with Love: A Brief Overview of Scandinavian Style Flat Plane Carving Chapter 1: Step by Step Projects: Scandinavian Farm Couple Carving and Painting Kristian (husband - wearing Scandinavian work shirt) Carving and Painting Thea (wife - holding broom) Chapter 2: Projects 20 Additional Projects: 4 view Patterns, Carving/Painting notes Projects will include (trout fisherman, baker, Amishman, baseball player, troll, witch, 1950's era couple in swimsuits, monk, policeman, professor, tennis player, road worker in hard hat, etc.) Chapter 3: Idea Gallery Index

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Book SynopsisChris Hart has a head for figures - human figures, that is. Not only does he draw them with incredible style and flair, he also has a friendly, accessible teaching style that makes his how-to books super-sellers. In this unique figure-drawing course, Chris avoids the usual anatomy lessons that intimidate aspiring artists and gets right down to the basics young illustrators need to get started. Beginning with heads and facial expressions; he moves on to full figures; male and female, ideal and average, some in fashion poses and others in dynamic action. On every page, his practical advice and clear examples will help readers achieve terrific results - and have fun every step of the way.Trade Review"This entertaining book is aimed at the amateur who simply wants to sketch people. Authored by one of the most prolific and successful cartoon artists, it eschews the bones-and-muscles approach. This should prove popular with the general public." —Library Journal "This entertaining book is aimed at the amateur who simply wants to sketch people. Authored by one of the most prolific and successful cartoon artists, it eschews the bones-and-muscles approach. This should prove popular with the general public." —Library Journal

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Book SynopsisDesigning and making successful automata involves combining materials, mechanisms and magic. Making Simple Automata book explains how to design and construct small scale, simple mechanical devices made for fun. Materials such as paper and card, wood, wire, tinplate and plastics are covered along with mechanisms - levers and linkages, cranks and cams, wheels, gears, pulleys, springs, ratchets and pawls. This wonderful book is illustrated with examples throughout and explains the six golden rules for making automata alongside detailed step-by-step projects.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy the glorious game in a whole new way with this mighty collection of rugby puzzles If you can't watch the match from the comfort of your own toilet, you need something just as gripping to keep you enthralled. Whether it's spotting the difference between two crunching tackles or locating world-famous stadiums, this puzzle book is just the ticket. These amusing activities and fun facts will prove a sure-fire winner with any fan of the game. From bestselling author and professional brain-teaser Hugh Jassburn, this eye-catching collection will pit your wits against such challenges as these:- Find all the items of rugby kit hidden in a word search - Unscramble the names of famous players at Anagram RFC - Guess the year when the Rugby Football Union officially endorsed the oval-shaped ball- Prove you know what the various signals made by the referee and their assistants actually mean A superb gift idea, this is an all-round treat for rugby obsessives and casual fans alike.

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Book SynopsisThis exquisite book, a follow-up to the hugely successful Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers, is written by needlework expert Trish Burr in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It features a starter project that introduces the reader to the most commonly used stitches, including long-and-short stitch, split stitch, satin stitch, bullions and French knots, then nine full sampler projects. The samplers feature a vast array of fauna and flora, including butterflies, bugs, birds, a rabbit and a hedgehog; lotuses, foxgloves, poppies, toadstools, and numerous wildflowers. The book explains all the stitches needed, and gives thorough advice on preparation and choosing fabrics and threads. All the projects are shown step-by-step, with an order of work diagram given where appropriate. All the reusable iron-on transfers needed are kept safely together with the book in an attractive hardback folder. The enclosed reusable iron-on transfer papers offer embroiderers a fast and accurate method of transferring the designs – the transfers simply need ironing on to fabric so that the reader can start embroidering straight away. The templates are also included at full size at the back of both editions of the book. This stunning yet practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing the intricacy of nature in thread. Trade ReviewWhether you are a beginner or experienced embroiderer, this book will guide you through the various stages of creating beautiful samplers. It has certainly encouraged me to take up embroidery again after many years. Not only are there photos of the various stages to creating a beautiful piece of work, but also samplers to trace and there are also iron-on samplers included. What a treat for anyone who loves to embroider. -- Sally Bunyan * Customer Review *This book is absolutely stunning and bigger and much more extensive than I was expecting. I have a number of embroidery books now and although some are really good, I’ve never found one that had everything in that a beginner needs to know. I think my search for that is over as I’m yet to think of a single thing that Trish hasn’t covered in this amazing book. It really is a one-stop-shop and while it assumes you know nothing, it’s also not patronising or over detailed and so I’m sure it would suit any skill or experience level because there’s always something new you can learn. The book itself is a hardback folder design with an elastic strap closure which keeps the whole thing together or can be used as a make-shift bookmark to mark your place. On opening the folder the left sleeve contains the iron-on transfers. I’ve not yet had a chance to use the iron-on transfers but having used them in the previous title in this series, there’s a bit of an art to using them but they work really well if you follow the included instructions and don’t move the iron whilst pressing them as this causes blurring. There are detailed instructions in the book and on Trish’s website which explain two different methods to get a good transfer. These aren’t single-use and Trish says that they can be used 2 or 3 times each which is ideal when practising. The back of the paperback book is tucked into the sleeve on the right side of the folder so it can either remain where it is or be removed to use loose. The book contains absolutely heaps of photos, information, tutorials, tips and so much more. It covers everything from how to naturally dye fabric, what fabrics and threads to use, to step-by-step stitch instructions, how to mount, frame and display your pieces as well as loads of information about what to do and not to do and crucially, why. Often in techniques books it feels like a lot of rules and they’re not really explained and I’ve been left feeling silly wondering why it has to be done that specific way. Trish has explained a lot of these things as well as showing where things are preference rather than a better or worse way of doing something. It contains such a wealth of information, experience and knowledge, it’s just jam-packed and so well curated! The designs themselves are absolute works of art. They look so real and lifelike and while they look very overwhelming to attempt, the step-by-step instructions accompanied by thread lists, stitching details and loads of in progress colour photos of the work, mean that you can’t go wrong stitching along. The book contains 10 projects which doesn’t sound like a great deal but one of them actually consists of 11 different elements. The patterns include lots of different flowers and seed pods, a bee, some butterflies, an owl, a hedgehog, a rabbit, a wren and some insects so individually it’s actually more like 54 projects (plus 9 aspects of the stitch sampler to practice) when you break it down. They’re arranged into 3 different difficulty levels and they range from simpler projects to large, advanced samplers that are packed with detail and technique. It would be an amazing project to work your way through all of the tutorials and I’m sure it would massively improve your technique. Overall, I can’t speak highly enough of this book. If you only want one book on the subject, this is most definitely the one to get as it tells you everything you could possibly need to know, I love it! -- Lucy Fyles * Customer Review *This stunning book is for anyone interested in capturing nature in thread. The starter project introduces all commonly used stitches. Reusable iron-on transfers are in a hardback folder, along with full-size templates. * Machine Knitting Monthly, October 2023 *Table of ContentsForeword 6 Introduction 8 What is needle painting? 10 Tools and materials 10 Preparation 16 Mounting your embroidery in a wooden hoop 20 Stitch instructions 22 Outlines 32 Raised embroidery 34 Natural dyeing 36 Stitching the projects 40 Useful advice before you start 40 SIMPLE PROJECTS 42 Starter stitch sampler 44, Poppy sampler 54, Wildflower Sampler 60, Sacred lotus flower sampler 68, Breadseed poppy sampler 76 INTERMEDIATE PROJECTS 88 Barn owl sampler 90, Bunny sampler 104, Butterfly sampler 118 ADVANCED PROJECTS 134 Pelargonium sampler 136, Dragonfly sampler 152 The templates 168 Using iron-on transfers 176

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Book SynopsisCross stitch Pikachu, Piplup and Eevee and more with this Pokémon Cross Stitch Kit. With clear, easy-to-follow full-color charts, this kit gives you not only the instructions and patterns you need to stitch your favorite Pokémon, but also all the embroidery floss and fabric, and even a wooden embroidery hoop to frame your finished piece!

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Book SynopsisA brand new collection of iconic women to crochet from amigurumi expert and author Carla Mitrani.

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Book SynopsisTake your first steps with pastels and learn how to produce modern, lively and colourful artwork with this exciting medium. 'This thorough guide to the rewarding medium of pastel will teach you much more than just the basics and may be the only pastel book you'll ever need!' - The SAA Artist and teacher Rebecca de Mendonça offers the beginner a complete course in using pastels. Easy-to-follow techniques for soft and hard pastels. 8 projects broken down into simple steps. Includes a wealth of finished paintings to provide ideas and inspiration. Step-by-step exercises and longer projects help you to build essential skills and allow you to produce a range of pictures, including landscapes, still life, portraits and animals. Vital drawing skills are explained and demonstrated, along with an easy-to-follow guide to colour theory, and a huge wealth of finished paintings provide ideas and inspiration for your own future pastel work.Trade ReviewThis thorough guide to the rewarding medium of pastel will teach you much more than just the basics and may be the only pastel book you'll ever need! Rebecca introduces new techniques in an eminently practical way, demonstrating detail and loose styles of working, giving you the chance to explore the medium as widely as possible. * The SAA *Although this is a superb introduction to the rewarding medium of pastels, it’s also a whole lot more. Rebecca is a versatile artist whose skills run to just about any subject. Her results are breath-taking and this is one of the most thorough guides I’ve ever seen. I’d even go so far as to say it might be the only book you’ll ever need. After the obligatory introduction to materials and basic techniques, the book immediately starts to get practical and you might be forgiven for thinking you’ve moved on to the exercises and demonstrations. In fact, you’re still practising techniques, shading and textures, just not through the sort of geometric shapes that many books subject you to. Once you’re confident and competent, you’ll move on to full-scale demonstrations that cover landscapes, waterscapes, trees, skies, buildings, animals and people (I told you it was comprehensive!). There are plenty of steps and concise but thorough instructions, as well as hints and tips galore. I really can’t praise this enough. It’s so much more than the title suggests and a must for any pastellist. -- Henry Malt * SAA Paint Magazine *Leisure Painter contributor, Rebecca de Mendoca, introduces pastels to the complete beginner in her new book, Pastels for the Absolute Beginner. Rebecca is an experienced tutor and understands the problems many people face when starting a new medium. Using clear step-by-step exercises she will show you how to begin-from setting up your workspace, and basic pastel techniques-to using colour, composition and adding life to your paintings. The range of subjects covered includes still life, landscapes, portraits and animals, and the many examples of Rebecca's works are sure to inspire you. * Leisure Painter *The idea of an Absolute Beginner series is a good one. Anyone taking up painting, or starting with a new medium needs a sound guide that is well-grounded in the basics and assumes no previous knowledge. The book is certainly thorough. Subjects include landscapes, waterscapes, people and animals, with skies, trees and waves thrown in along the way. Rebecca is primarily a portrait and equestrian artist and this shows – these are easily her strongest subjects. However, she is thoroughly at home with her medium and handles everything well. Her demonstrations and explanations are concise, but easy to follow. They will, I think, be of value to anyone – at whatever level – working with pastel. -- Henry Malt * Art Book Review *This unassuming, but not insubstantial book is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Although billed as an introduction it is actually one of the best and most comprehensive books on pastel there has been in a long time – possibly ever. Books on pastel usually either cover landscapes, because that’s the most popular subject and sales volumes matter, or are fairly simple technical introductions that can lack any real sense of creative endeavour. Rebecca de Mendonça, whose first book this is, is an artist of very considerable ability who is up to the task of tackling subjects that range from landscapes and beach scenes to figures, animals and still life’s. There is plenty of technical information, but also demonstrations and exercises a-plenty and so much to get your teeth into that you’ll never be stuck for inspiration or left feeling you want more. -- Henry Malt * The Artist *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 8 Setting up your workspace 12 Starting to draw 16 Pastel techniques 28 Bauble – step by step 36 Teasel – step by step 46 Colour 56 Rolling Fields – step by step 62 Landscapes 70 Rocky Tor – step by step 74 Billowing Clouds – step by step 92 The Birches – step by step 104 Life in your paintings 110 Child with Fishing Net – step by step 120 Toby – step by step 130 Composition 140 Index 144

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Book SynopsisBe prepared for 50 fine-feathered friends to fly off your hook and put their feet up on your coffee table in this fully revised and updated edition of Kerry Lord's bestselling crochet bird book! The patterns use basic stitches, are grouped by difficulty and include step-by-step technical guides for beginners, so there's no excuse to chicken out!

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Book SynopsisLearn the exciting and satisfying craft of wood sculpting with a chainsaw! This complete guide to chainsaw carving explains everything you need to know to carve amazing wood sculptures safely and successfully. Opening with helpful sections on chainsaw care, maintenance, safety, and other essential tips and tricks, Chainsaw Carving for Beginners will equip you with the fundamental knowledge and techniques of wood carving with a chainsaw! Featuring four projects with step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and expert insight throughout, this must-have resource will walk you through the entire process from start to finish for carving and sculpting an old shoe, a rabbit, an elegant lady, and a mountain goat. The perfect place to start for beginners, this guide will encourage and inform any woodworker on this exciting and rewarding craft!

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Book SynopsisTraditional TTRPGs have almost always relied on player reactions in order to function. In other words, there is an evil wizard out to take over the world. The player characters are good, therefore it’s their duty to stop the wizard. Game play then follows a traditional storytelling narrative of protagonists working to return their world back to the status quo. Bad guy makes a move, good guys move to stop him. They react to the situation the Game Master (GM) presents. This limited style of gameplay can grow tiresome and redundant and places almost the entire burden of game creation on the GM. That's where proactive roleplaying comes in. With proactive roleplaying, GMs give over the narrative to the players. They imbue their characters with goals and desires, wants and needs, and then let them make the decisions about how to achieve those things. It’s no longer up to the GM to provide the entertainment. The characters choose what to do to achieve their goals, and the GM is the one reacting to their choices. Every conflict and “adventure” a character goes on is in service to their goal, rather than the typical “random bad guy of the week” adventure. The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying gives GMs and players all of the information they need to play their favorite 5E TTRPG in their favourite settings, while transforming their games from reactive and restrictive to proactive, unbounded, player-driven narratives.

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Book SynopsisSilly scenarios and questions for guaranteed family fun!Have fun with family and friends with this interactive game book, bursting with 200 side-splittingly funny scenarios, silly choices and thought-provoking questions all about the world. With no right or wrong answers, it's the game that everyone will enjoy!Would you rather travel by gondola or toboggan?Do the salsa or the Highland fling?Eat the world's stinkiest fruit or the hottest chilli?Jam-packed with brain-busting facts and tons of colourful photos it is sure to get conversations going and bring out some hilarious answers!

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Book SynopsisEurope’s hippest textile genius throws the rulebook out the window with a knitting book like never before. Tired of dowdy knitting patterns? Bored of videos made by traditionalists with no sense of fun? Freaked out by complicated instructions that leave no room for mistakes? Do you want to learn to knit fur? How about some funky patterns for children's clothes that kids will love? Well, Lærke Bagger is here for you. Known for her exuberant use of color and textures, this young textile artist is rapidly gaining a fanatical worldwide following. In this unique guide, she offers advice for knitters of every level, as well as fifteen basic patterns that can be varied infinitely to suit individual skill sets, tastes, and materials. There are illustrated instructions for making socks, scarves and sweaters—but you’ll also find ideas for creating babysuits, scrunchies, T-shirts and even a prom dress. In addition to eschewing perfection, the Lærke Bagger technique involves tying knots instead of sewing the ends of yarn, recycling every inch of wool, and letting mistakes be a part of the design. With names like the Carpe Diem Sweater, the Bad Idea Top and the Easy Peasy Pillow, her knits are easily translated to fit whatever mood you’re in. Along the way, Lærke Bagger dispenses unique pearls of wisdom for living in today’s hectic world.

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Book SynopsisThis guide will hold the reader's hand through all the brioche knitting basics with very clear step-by-step photography and instructions, and 15 projects to practice their skills.

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Book SynopsisA collection of tutorials for 50 modern dollhouse furnishing makes. Create your fantasy interior on a tiny scale with this practical guide to miniatures. With this step-by-step guide you can let your imagination run wild and create your dream home without the constraints of location or budget!

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Book SynopsisThis extensive guide to figure drawing brings together seven books from the successful Art of Drawing series: Drawing Techniques, Heads and Faces, Sketching People, Understanding Human Form and Structure, The Nude, Drawing Hands and Feet and Clothing on Figures. This is an essential guide for anyone particularly interested in figure drawing, and includes in-depth studies of human anatomy by master artist Civardi. Civardi's technical advice and practical tips, accompanied by his own outstanding drawings, make this an invaluable resource for any portrait artist.Trade ReviewFantastic value for money. Giovanni always delivers with such detail and focus and offers tips and advice to achieve skill in drawing figures. A great resource for any artist with numerous examples of work. Includes anatomical drawing, form, hatching, proportion, structure, perspective, foreshortening, poses, drapery, parts of the body and step-by-step examples. The format is small, the type is small, everything is in black and white and the contents are superb. * YarnsandFabrics.co.uk *I’m not normally a fan of smaller-format bind-ups. The original books were the way they were for a reason and smaller pages and thick spines can make for difficult reading. All too often, they look like the sort of bumper value nonsense someone else would buy for you and which just sits on the shelf taking up space. So, it’s a pleasure to be able to welcome this one. The Giovanni Civardi drawing books are a valuable resource, and there are a lot of them. This compilation includes seven, which would cost you the wrong side of sixty quid to buy individually. £12.99 for a bulk deal is a real bargain, especially as the result is actually usable. I’d like to say that Search Press have taken my previous criticisms of this kind of thing on board, but it’s probably more to do with the happenstance of production. What seems to have happened is that thinner paper and cover card have been used, meaning that the book falls open easily and isn’t too heavy to hold. It’ll even, more or less, lay flat by itself without breaking the spine. The smaller format also adds to the manageability: 440 A4 pages would make for a coffee table book, which this emphatically isn’t. So, what do you get? Well, not Giovanni’s complete output, for sure. However, the selection is nicely thought-out and makes for a book that lives up to its own billing of being the complete guide. Drawing Techniques is a useful introduction. Further chapters are Understanding Human Form & Structure, The Nude, Sketching People, Heads & Faces, Drawing Hands & Feet and Clothing on Figures. It’s worth a complete list to show just how nicely this progresses. If you haven’t already got an extensive collection of the separate volumes, and you’re looking for a good primer on figure drawing, buy this. It’s very reasonably priced and so practical as to be ridiculously good value. * Artbookreview.net *Wow, what more can I say? This is the definitive guide to have with you at all times, regardless of what level you are at in your life drawing/figure drawing career. With hundreds of fantastic images by the artist, illustrating each point he makes-and rather excitingly I thought, there's a complete anatomical drawing section at the beginning of the book-detailing skeletal structure, muscule striations and even naming the areas and showing their thickness beneath the skin! As a former scientist and current art student, I found this blend of anatomy and drawing techniques to be incredibl pleasing. I've only had this book a few days but I have a feeling that I will be using this book again and again throughout my artistic life. I was impressed overall by the reader friendly writing, and the advice given throughout-I could hear my tutors at uni speaking as I read the words '' Get into the habit of always carring a pencil and small sketchbook around". I would recommend this book to other students and artists and anone who has an interest in form or anatomy. * Rachel Kelly * can honestly say, hand on heart, that this is one of the best, if not THE best book, I have ever read on figure drawing. I have just begun a fine art degree, and a big part of the course is figure drawing. Our tutors recommended some books for us to look up, but none of them were as good as this. This book is truly fascinating, it starts with the skeleton, and builds layer upon layer. It covers everything from the skeleton, to muscles, balance, hands and feet, it also has a section on heads and faces and the clothed figure too. With 100`s of illustrations, this book is cram packed with everything you need to know about drawing the human figure. There is a large section on drawing materials, and the different marks you can make using different mediums. This book is very informative, and very easy to understand. I would highly recommend it to anyone. * Sharon Douglas *Table of ContentsDrawing Techniques: Pencil, Charcoal and Ink Understanding Human Form and Structure The Nude: Understanding the elements of life drawing Sketching People: Faces and figures Heads and Faces with character and expression Drawing Hands & Feet: Form, proportions, gestures and actions Clothing on Figures: How to draw folds, fabrics and drapery

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Book SynopsisFrom field to forest and stream to sky, capture the harmony and beauty of the natural world with just some paper, flowers, leaves, and twigs. Creating stunning yet fleeting works of art, artist Vicki Rawlins of Sister Golden defies the notion that art should be permanent. Using only the natural world and its gifts as her medium, Vicki forages for her materials and arranges them into stunning works of art. Equipped with just scissors and tweezers, and using gravity as her glue, Vicki creates magical scenes and detailed portraits out of twigs, leaves, and flowers. After documenting her finished piece with a photo, she gifts her materials back to Mother Nature, or repurposes them in her next creation. The process is therapeutic, and the possibilities are endless! A charming exploration of imagination and possibility, The Power of Flowers offers a window into the creative process behind these natural artworks and abundant inspiration with a striking kaleidoscope of art pieces, including: Famous faces, like Frida Kahlo, John Lennon, Einstein, Diana Ross, and more Whimsical scenes featuring blooming gardens, moonlit forests, seaside cottages, and woodland animals. Seasonal pieces inspired by the magic of the holidays Contemplative art reflecting love, inner strength, and positive energy. With her uniquely imaginative artistic vision, Vicki takes you deeper into her world by sharing her process, her sustainable approach to art, and anecdotes about what inspired her to create. Let yourself get lost in The Power of Flowers.Trade Review"Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color and informative captioned photographs, this coffee-table style volume is unique and strongly recommended." * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1 UNDER THE MOON AND STARS 2 HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS 3 FAMOUS FACES 4 FORAGING FOR FRIDA 5 INTO THE FOREST 6 EVERYTHING YOU NEED I S INSIDE YOU 7 JUST THE GIRLS 8 EVERLASTING BLOOMS 9 FLOWER POWER 10 SUCCULENTS 11 MAGICAL PLACES 12 HOME SWEET HOME 13 HANDS CONCLUSION

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a basic foundation of strategy in all three phases of chess - the opening, middlegame and endgame - as well as an abundance of carefully selected exercises to monitor progress.

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Book SynopsisThis paper pack contains 200 high-quality, large 17cm origami sheets printed with delicate and colourful washi-inspired patterns. This origami paper pack includes:

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Book SynopsisIreland is awash with would-be kings, power-hungry pretenders, and self-professed rulers. The provinces are in disarray, and the common folk are paying the price. The land needs a leader.In Brian Boru, players will strive to unite Ireland under their domain, securing control through might, cunning, and matrimony. Join forces to fend off Viking invaders, build monasteries to extend your influence, and gather support in towns and villages throughout the land. To become High King of all Ireland, you will need to navigate a web of shifting alliances, outmanoeuvre your enemies, and grab history by the reins.Includes rules in English and German.Number of players: 3-5 Ages: 14+ Play time: 60-90 minutes Components: Board, 46 cards, 139 tokens, 125 wooden discs

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Book SynopsisStitch a kinder world with this collection of heartfelt designs from cross stitch designer Emma Congdon. This celebration of love in all its forms will heal your heart, one stitch at a time. Featuring stunning 20 patterns, with easy-to-read full-colour charts and step-by-step guidance, even beginner stitchers will fall in love with cross stitch!

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Book SynopsisLearn how to do the big stitch technique of sashiko with these 8 simple sashiko sewing projects. Traditional Japanese sewing technique, sashiko, is currently a major sewing trend in craft, interiors and fashion. Big stitches are used to create stunning, geometric patterns and texture to make home wares with a stylish, Japanese minimalist look.This collection, featuring content previously published in The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook and Japanese Sashiko Inspirations, includes 8 patterns for home decor so you can try this traditional technique for yourself.Choose from 8 simple projects including coasters, cushions, wall hangings, bag and greetings cards.

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Book SynopsisWhether you are a beginner or more experienced, any stitching project, no matter how simple, can be enhanced by a well-chosen colour palette, however, many people are nervous or even scared of colour. Textile designer Karen Barbé regularly teaches embroidery workshops and knows first-hand the fears and frustrations of beginners - as well as accomplished crafters - when starting a new project. Karen makes choosing and creating colour palettes a fun and enjoyable part of the design process. Colour Confident Stitching is divided into three parts: Understanding Colour; Feeling Colour and Stitching with Colour. The first two sections guide the reader through colour theory as well as choosing and using colour more instinctively. Stitching with Colour includes five stiching projects that will encourage the reader to explore colour and build confidence through exercise and experiment. All colours are referenced to DMC floss colours. Inspirational photographs are accompanied by stitching illustrations and step-by-step photographs for the colour choosing process as well as stitching projects. Trade Review"Equal parts embroidery reference and palette theory, this book shows you to train the eye towards more fulfilling stitching choices. From pink spoons to melon sherbets, it's a practical approach to colour chemistry." * Dressmaker *"Barbé has assembled an accessible primer to color theory, useful not only to embroiders but to any fiber artists working with color." * Library Journal *"It is a pleasure to review this fabulous new book...analysis of color palettes and how to develop them is very inspiring. I highly recommend this book for all levels of stitchers, with a caveat for beginners - the stitches and processes in the book are not simple, but if you approach your work slowly and meditatively, you will be rewarded for your time" * feelingstitchy.com *"Packed full of inspirational photos and easy to follow step-by-steps, this is a handy companion." * Popular Patchwork *"Makes choosing colours and creating palettes an enjoyable part of the sewing process." * Sew *“From pink spoons to melon sherbets, it’s a practical approach to colour chemistry.” * Dressmaker *“I want to tell you about a book that makes me happy through and through. I think it might make you happy, too! The book is called Colour Confident Stitching by Karen Barbé. It’s…good. In fact, it’s Really Good. The book is primarily a book on colour theory and grouping and choosing colours. That said, it’s not a complicated technical book on the scientific side of colour theory. It’s a very practical book, it’s easy to understand, easy to read, and eye-opening.” * www.needlenthread.com *“If you are anything like me, you’ll know the feeling of rifling through your yarn collection . . . not quite sure what is going to work. Colour Confident Stitching has the answers.” * Knitting *"Expect stunning photography and a whole new perspective on the art of hand-stitching." * Love Sewing *

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Book SynopsisWith Freestyle Color Collage Quilting - the latest guide from industry expert Carly Mul - you'll discover user-friendly secrets for organic, free-form color collage techniques. Don't be surprised if the results are professional quality. Mul's techniques for vibrant quilted designs don't require extensive pattern techniques. Instead, this guide offers a gorgeous collage approach that's beginner-friendly yet artistic and innovative enough for seasoned quilters. In Freestyle Color Collage Quilting, Mul will steer you through everything from gathering supplies to drawing inspiration from quilting galleries. This way, you'll discover how to take your passion and convert it into a creative quilting display. You can take any colors and fabrics you already have on hand, determine the pattern, and flow you want to create, and fashion personal, one-of-a-kind quilting pieces. The results will be immensely satisfying--not only because they force you out of your quilting comfort zones, but because they'll speak to your unique style.

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Book SynopsisTake your paper folding to an advanced level with this user-friendly origami bookTrade Review"Creating origami art takes more than perfecting folding techniques; it also takes an understanding of the quality of paper and a vision of what can be done. This is an excellent book for advanced high school students, as well as students working at the college or university level." --Art & Activities Magazine"LaFosse displays a depth of artistry with his masterful folds and complementary methods to prepare the perfect piece of paper." --Mark Kirschenbaum, author of Creative Origami Kit and Color Origami: Botanica"This classic work blends elegant design with stunning execution and clear, detailed instructions. Every origami artist should have this in their library." --Robert J. Lang, author of Origami Design Secrets and co-author of Folding Paper

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Book SynopsisWhat does an idea look like? And where do they come from? Grant Snider's illustrations will motivate you to explore these questions, inspire you to come up with your own answers and, like all Gordian knots, prompt even more questions.Trade Review“...a lighthearted visual examination of the labor behind the creative process.” -- Hyperallergic

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