Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books

Book SynopsisProvides insight into a vast selection of yarns, giving you the inside stories behind some of the most common fibre types, preparations, spins and ply combinations used by large-scale manufacturers and importers, medium-sized companies, boutique dye shops, community spinneries and old-fashioned sheep farms.Trade Review“Un. Real. There is no other way to describe...well, that’s a lie because I'll come up with more. But my first impression of The Knitter's Book of Yarn? Un. Real. I open the hardcover to reveal a fiber family tree. Smitten. Smitten on the spot. This book is, without a doubt, everything you ever wanted to know not just about fiber but were afraid to ask….This is absolutely a MUST HAVE book, and I don't say that often.”—MelissaKnits, blog

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Book SynopsisThese beautiful Japanese papers will inspire you to create dozens of origami masterpieces. With illustrated instructions included for folding a crane and a masu box (a square box for measuring rice), you'll be hooked on this popular hobby in no time.

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Book SynopsisApproach life at home the Madame Chic way: a beautiful, illustrated toolbox of tips and ideas for organizing, entertaining, and savoring a stylish life.When she arrived at Madame Chic’s Parisian apartment as a foreign exchange student, Jennifer Scott was a casual California girl who thought sweatpants were appropriate street attire. Madame Chic took Jennifer under her wing and tutored her in the secrets of how the French elevate the little things in life to the art of living. Years later, Jennifer was back in California with a husband, two young daughters, a dog, and her first home. Every day she confronted mundane duties like folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher, and she began to think about Madame Chic’s home—how the breakfast table was set beautifully the night before, the music that always played in the background, the calm of Madame and Monsieur Chic’s ritual cocktail hour together. Jennifer wanted that life. She decided to seTrade Review"A guide for women who yearn to channel Audrey Tautou. . . . Personable, anecdote-filled, and studded with lifestyle tips . . . its vivacity and sincerity have struck a chord among women who would like a French role model of their own, but don't have a year to spend apprenticing with one in Paris." * The New York Times *"Part tribute to the effortlessly glamorous Parisian way of life, and part tutorial . . . on how to emulate the French je ne sais quoi." * Daily Mail (UK) *“Downright intriguing. . . . You’ll close the book feeling inspired.” * The Plain Dealer *"The writing here, a combination of elegance and breeziness, seems to reflect Madame Chic’s personal philosophy that life is to be lived fully and elegantly." * Smoky Mountain News *“Winningly combines sincerity and self-deprecation . . . sweet-natured and well-intentioned . . . full of advice.” * Kirkus Reviews *“Scott’s message of living passionately, enjoying the little things in life and truly living are great mantras to guide one’s life.” * Portland Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThis book features 20 imaginative designs for classic wooden toys that walk, wiggle, waddle or whirl. It is a perennial favourite with woodworkers, these push-and-pull animals are timeless keepsakes. Detailed patterns, concise instructions and step-by-step colour photographs make this a suitable book for beginners. All children love animals, and all children love toys. Build plenty of good old-fashioned fun for any child with these clever designs for classic push-and-pull toys. Inside you'll discover 20 imaginative projects for making wild and wacky wooden animals that come alive with delightful lifelike motion. Create a chomping crocodile, waddling duck, jumping frog, timid turtle, howling wolf or terrifying T-Rex. Each animated marvel features an ingenious design to make it walk, wiggle, waddle or whirl. With detailed patterns, concise instructions, and step-by-step colour photographs, these charming projects are simple enough for even a beginner to complete in a weekend. Fun to build, fun to give and fun to play with, they'll provide hours of pleasure for woodworkers and children alike.

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Book SynopsisOcean memory game (40 pieces).

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Book SynopsisEmbark on your own creative journey with the beautiful Color Odyssey. Stunningly intricate black and White designs are inspired by nature and penned by professional tattoo artist and former reality TV star Chris Garver. With the world discovering the meditative power of adult colouring, pick up the pens and make sure you don't get left behind on this Odyssey.

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Book SynopsisTilda''s Spring Ideas, Tilda''s Summer Ideas and Tilda''s Winter Ideas presented in one beautiful collector''s volume for Tilda fans everywhere.Enjoy the best of Tilda throughout the seasons with this wonderful collection of sewing and papercrafting projects by world-famous designer Tone Finnanger, all made using gorgeous Tilda fabrics and embellishments. Inside you''ll find patterns and step-by-step instructions for angel dolls and a range of adorable outfits, bags and purses, soft toys, garlands and cushions, storage boxes, notebooks and cards, table decorations, pretty accessories and unique DIY gifts taking you from the first buds of spring up right to the festive season.The projects are accompanied by clear instructions, beautiful photographs, colour illustrations and full-size templates, making them perfect for crafters of all abilities.Table of ContentsTilda's Spring IdeasGarden Party Bug Springtime Bags Garden Party Angels Dog Roses Gift Bags Cupcake Garland Sewing Workroom Pinwheels Sewing Kit Little Sewing Ideas Sewing Angel Fabric Boxes Tilda's Summer Ideas Seed Sachets Kitchengarden Angel Radishes Summer Garlands Bags Flowergarden Angel Dala Horses Cushions Hearts Papercraft Ideas Tilda's Winter Ideas Holiday Spirit Winter Bunny Mini Angel Gift Ideas Decoration Ideas Everlasting Gingerbread House Purse Red and White Christmas Santa Claus Little Santa Gir Food Gifts Angel Stocking

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Book SynopsisThis is the definitive instructional guide to the art of botanical illustration, published in association with The Society of Botanical Artists and featuring detailed step-by-step demonstrations by members of the Society.Botanical illustration has been a popular art form for many centuries, with its appealing traditions of detail and beauty. This beautifully illustrated book covers all aspects of the subject and is an essential book for all serious students of botanical painting.The book includes useful information about materials, basic plant anatomy, flower and leaf shapes, and then explores the techniques for drawing and coloured pencil work, as well as painting with watercolour and gouache. Subjects include exotic and common plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers in the garden. Packed with step-by-step demonstrations and stunning illustrations, this is an inspiring, practical guide, as well as a visual treat.

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Book SynopsisWrap anything from a wine bottle to a yoga mat with this practical Japanese fabric-wrapping book.Long before today's eco-friendly philosophy of "reduce, reuse, recycle" entered America's collective consciousness, furoshiki—the Japanese method of wrapping things with fabric—flourished as a time-honored and practical art form. In Wrapping With Fabric, Etsuko Yamada—born into a long-line of furoshiki makers in Kyoto—explains the "one cloth, many uses" ideology behind the craft, the etiquette of color and the craft's fascinating history. From there, she shares the myriad ways in which a few basic techniques can transform a simple square of cloth into an elegant wrapper.Use your folded fabrics to: Gift-wrap anything from books to flowers Bundle up a picnic Tote items around Use as a handbag or backpack Make into a pillow covering Create decorative coverings for vases, tissue boxes, and more A quiet reminder that opportunities for artistry are everywhere around you, Wrapping With Fabric is the craft book that makes it easy to bring a touch of grace and ingenuity to everyday life—and help preserve the environment, too.Trade Review"If you are looking for creative ways to decorate at your wedding, you need to read Tuttle Publishing's new book from Etsuko Yamada, Wrapping With Fabric: Your Complete Guide to Furoshiki. You can easily give your guests beautifully wrapped and inexpensive favors with this easy-to-follow guide. Your guests will be blown away by your creativity and unique decorating techniques. This guide will also be helpful during wedding errands when you have your hands full. If you have a jacket, or a piece of fabric handy, you can easily make yourself a bag to carry all your items using the Japanese art of wrapping, Furoshiki." --Alexandria Petrassi, Editor of AllFreeDIYWeddings.com blog"Etsuko Yamada's Wrapping with Fabric will amaze you with what you can do with simple square of cloth. With beautiful patterns and colors of fabric, each project is shown with easy-to-follow photo instructions and completed designs in full color. This visually enticing book offers more than 50 projects including gift wrapping, interior decor and fashion. The book also explains the cultural significance of this style of gift wrapping with fabric and its history going back more than 1200 years. Today, wrapping with fabric, known as furoshiki, has gained popularity for its eco-friendly and fashionable aspects. This is not just a gift wrapping book but a creative, functional and eco-friendly way to incorporate furoshiki into your life style. --Shiho's Craft Cafe blog"Do you know furoshiki? Essentially, a furoshiki is a square (or, as the book explains, not quite square) piece of fabric used for wrapping any and every thing. The practice of wrapping items in fabric has been practiced in Japan for more than 1000 years and has gained momentum again, both in Japan and overseas, as we've moved away from plastic bags towards more eco-friendly forms of packaging and carrying things. Wrapping With Fabric is written by Etsuko Yamada who comes from a family of furoshiki makers and now works as the art director for Kyoto Wa-Bunka Institute MUSUBI in Tokyo - the first shop specializing in furoshiki in Japan. You really couldn't find someone more qualified to write a book on this subject!" --Omiyage Blogs blog

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Book SynopsisThis book is for anybody who wants to become confident in drawing faces - whether you are a complete novice or a more experienced artist. From basic facial structures to finer details, the book teaches you the fundamentals of portraiture, and also allows you space to practise on the page. Learn how to:· Understand anatomy and form· Use light and shade· Sketch in profile and front on· Draw details such as hair and wrinkles· Capture likeness and expressionThe book lays flat to allow you to draw comfortably and has an elastic band to keep your drawings safe. It is also small and compact enough to fit inside your bag and each exercise has an estimated competition time, so it doesn't matter where you are, you'll always be able to find time and inspiration to practice.

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Book SynopsisOur homes are full of treasured items from the past. Hidden away from view but never thrown away, they are our links to the special people and events that tell our story. In this beautiful and inspiring book, Tilly Rose encourages you to seek out your precious stash of pre-loved items and transform them into beautiful and practical textile artworks that celebrate the lives of your loved ones and preserve your memories for generations to come. Tilly shows you how to make 15 gorgeous projects, including cloth journals, lavender hearts, framed collages, wall hangings and miniature quilts. All of the designs have a story to tell and are made using a plethora of vintage fabrics, threads, lace, ribbon, buttons, beads, photographs and other found items. If you don’t have a collection of suitable materials at home, you can have fun sourcing them from online marketplaces, thrift/charity stores and flea markets, and try mixing them with modern fabrics and embellishments for a more contemporary look. The projects incorporate a range of exciting techniques, all explained through clear instructions and step-by-step photographs, including layering and collage, hand embroidery, transferring your own designs to cloth, stamping, appliqué, embellishing, patchwork, free motion embroidery and photo transfer. This book will take you on a truly inspirational journey, encouraging you to be creative, to source and re-use materials of special significance, and to incorporate them into textile artworks that become treasured keepsakes.Trade ReviewWell written and projects are easy to follow. Will recommend this to friends. -- Jean Lunn * Customer review *Beautiful projects and ideas. I try not to buy new fabrics or threads, as I already have enough to last a lifetime. This book shows you how to reuse and recycle, while creating gorgeous pieces. -- Margaret Boswell * Customer review *What can I say. I love this book. It is so easy to use and so inspiring. Many of the materials can be sourced from items from charity shops or from your own home. It enables you to make beautiful keepsakes and embellish to make a more personal product. The illustrations are beautiful and the instructions are straight forward and easy to understand and read. There are step-by-step demos and useful tips so it is difficult to go wrong. If you love doing some hand sewing and upcycling materials then this book is a must for you. Highly recommended. -- Andrea Tinkler * Customer review *This book is amazing. If you love any type of needlecraft or vintage items I think you'll love this book. Tilly Rose explains the techniques used and how to get the vintage look and feel on modern fabrics which is great for new comers or those who want to expand their skills. Then there are the projects which come with clear step by step instructions and colour photos. There are patterns and templates at the back of the book so you can get started straight away until you're inspired to go and free your own imagination. A great book for beginners and seasoned sewists alike. -- Rowena Relf * Customer review *Ideal for somebody who is a novice or the more experienced crafter. The projects are a mixture of hand and machine stitched, with slow stitch, embroidery and appliqué included. Each project can be easily adapted to suit personal tastes and there are lots of useful hints and tips throughout. The book is mainly vintage inspired but you could easily make all of the projects with more modern fabrics. -- Sue Macnab * Customer review *This is a wonderful book... full of beautifully photographed projects with easy to follow step by step instructions. -- Sarah Jane Jessop * Customer review *This is a lovely book for anyone who loves sewing by hand or machine, who loves vintage fabrics and trims, and who loves to make beautiful things. It is full of lovely ideas for using scraps of fabric, old pieces of lace, bits of ribbon or a few old buttons to achieve gorgeous results. It's also very nicely illustrated, with lots of photographs of techniques as well as finished articles. Much nicer than line drawings. All in all, a very nice book, and one which I highly recommend. -- Pat Darlington * Customer review *For anyone who, like me, loves all things vintage this is the book for you. All sorts of ideas to suit all tastes and easy to do. My collection of vintage linens will be used now instead of lying in boxes. -- Sheila Evans * Customer review *What better than taking a walk down memory lane and creating crafts? Each project is a treasure trove of memories. Vintage cloth, found objects and embroidery combine to create textiles that tell a story. Shabby chic keepsakes that make a house a home. Discover layering, collage and other fabric skills to create meaningful artworks that celebrate your most treasured memories and perhaps even become family heirlooms. This book includes design inspirations, tools, objects, techniques and 15 wonderful projects. The projects include a needle case, cloth book, stitch bobbin, journal, quilt, stamped fabric, wall hanging, hoop art, panel, book cover, book wrap, purse, heart, patchwork and tags. Practical projects that anyone can achieve. A wonderful book for all lovers of vintage and country style. -- Karen Platt * www.karenplatt.co.uk *As a stitcher I have long been inspired by Tilly Rose. Her pretty vintage designs are perfect for every occasion and even if you have never sewn before they are easy to copy and inspire. Oddments of lace and scrap fabric are perfect for the project in this stunning book. Wall hangings, quilts and textile artworks are showcased beautifully and each project comes with easy instructions, ideas and what's more each piece carries with it creativity and imagination. The book cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I love that if like me you enjoy other crafts such as stamping, mixed media and papercraft, these can all be incorporated into your work and give you an individual look to any project. It is a beautiful pretty book and I absolutely love it. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *We were really excited to receive this book, we have been waiting for its publication and we were not disappointed, the exquisite content really lives up to its title. This beautiful book will inspire anyone to venture into the world of creating your own pieces of textile artworks. With 15 different projects, there is something for everyone. The start of the book is one of the most comprehensive guides we have ever reviewed. It is full of really useful information about how to find inspiration, the tools and techniques you will need and this is followed by the gorgeous projects, again with step-by-step guidance and stunning photography. We love this book so much we are delighted to have chosen it as our Highly Recommended Crafting Book of the Month! * Hot Brands Cool Places *‘Preserve your memories – keep them well’. Tilly presents fifteen unique projects using treasured fabrics and threads, including books, quilts and hangings. Re-cycled and vintage materials, such as old tablecloths, napkins and dressmaking scraps are given a new life, together with oddments of ribbon, lace and other ephemera. This book fits well with the current trend for vintage and will appeal to anyone wanting to incorporate family memorabilia into a future heirloom. Tilly’s instructions are clear and detailed, with full-sized templates where required and includes additional hints and tips to ensure success. This is an inspiring book, beautifully presented and suitable for all skill levels. * East Kent Embroiderers’ Guild *Table of ContentsIntroduction 8 Inspiration 12 Tools & materials 18 Techniques 28 The projects 54 I Seek for Quiet Joys: needlecase 56 Enjoy the Moment: stitch sampler cloth book 60 How does your Garden Grow: stitch bobbin 68 Yesterday’s Memories: family memory journal 72 Worn and Washed: English paper piecing memory quilt 76 Some of my Favourite Things: stamped fabric collage 80 Down by the Sea: wall hanging 84 Vintage Florals: hanging hoop art 88 Nature Wrap: found objects panel 94 A Whisper of Secrets: book cover 98 An English Country Garden: patchwork book wrap 102 Wild Summer Blooms: free motion embroidery panel 106 The Sweetness of Love: whitework lavender heart 110 Summer Bliss: English paper piecing patchwork 114 Special Gifts: gift tags 118 Templates 122 Index 128

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Book SynopsisCreative markers make instant happy art, with practically no prep time, quick drying, and an amazing range of brilliant colors to choose from! Discover how easy it is to successfully use markers for coloring, sketching, illustration, mixed media, and more. Angelea Van Dam, the professional artist behind Hello Angel coloring books, reveals her marker secrets in this creative workbook for absolute beginners. She offers a comprehensive guide to the different kinds of art markers, brush pens, and paint markers available today, with advice on selecting tip shape, ink base, price range, and more. Angelea explains everything from basic color theory to simple techniques for shading, blending, and design, with step-by-step instructions and handy tips. Practice your new skills with fun interactive exercises, printed on high-quality artist paper.

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Book SynopsisFuroshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, and is used to wrap gifts and create bags for carrying things more easily. Once you have learned the basic methods of tying and folding, you can tie furoshiki in different ways to suit the size and shape of the contents within. There is no sewing involved and, using just a square of fabric, Aurélie Le Marec shows you how to wrap all kinds of items from books to guitars and laptops to wine bottles. You can adapt furoshiki to suit items of all shapes and sizes and, with more than 50 furoshiki folds explained with step-by-step illustrations and clear instructions, you can help to reduce waste by making furoshiki part of your everyday life!Trade ReviewFrench author Le Marec tries her hand at explaining an ancient Japanese art. As she points out, furoshiki is the ultimate, ecologically perfect answer to the plastic-bag epidemic, as it advocates reusing or reconstructing fabric into a covering that can often get double or even triple use as a tablecloth, picnic setting, or part of a larger item, like a quilt. An upfront section outlines the history of furoshiki, considerations on "becoming green," and options for fabrics, sizes, colours, and patterns. Black-and-white illustrations show the how-tos of different fabric knotting methods within the first few pages and are also embedded in each of the 50-plus projects, along with a quality colour photograph of the finished piece. Across three categories (for carrying, gift wrapping, and decorating), Le Marec showcases practical projects like a laptop bag, flower or bottle wrap, and a ready-to-hug bunny wrap that could encompass a kid’s toy. -- Barbara Jacobs * Booklist *Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that's folded to create bags for carrying things. No sewing is involved and you can adapt furoshiki to suit items of all shapes and sizes. With over 50 step-by-step folds explained in detail, help to reduce waste by making furoshiki part of your everyday life! * Machine Knitting Monthly *An inspiring book that teaches the aesthetic, practical and sustainable sides of this ancient art. Furoshiki is an ancient Japanese technique for wrapping with a simple square of fabric. First used in 710 AD, the author touches on the history of Furoshiki as well as the meaning and symbolism of giving a beautifully wrapped gift. She also shares how Furoshiki has become the symbol of Mottainai in Japan (avoiding waste and the philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle). The art of wrapping is not only creative but is an easy step in saying goodbye to plastic bags and gift wrap and using natural or recycled fabric materials instead. Full of colour photographs and illustrations, the author shows the various knots and takes you step-by-step through over 50 different projects. The beauty of this technique is that there are thousands of possibilities for using Furoshiki in your daily life from wrapping plant pots, creating handbags and carry-alls to wrapping books and bottles, making cushions, and even a guitar case to name a few. I've attached a photo of the laptop carrier I made which proved to be very strong and much prettier than my old laptop bag! Furoshiki is an inspiring and easy to understand book that teaches a craft that is an enduring combination of the aesthetic and the practical with the added benefit of creating a greener and more sustainable lifestyle. -- Kailah Eglington * Amazon Customer Review *We love the concept behind this book, Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese art which uses beautiful reusable cloth to make gift-giving elegant and sustainable. Using just a square of fabric, Aurélie Le Marec teaches the art of folding and knotting to carry all kinds of items. The comprehensive content includes the background to the development of the technique, as well as the history of its use and the ancient customs behind both the art of Furoshiki and the art of giving. Aurelie also highlights that Furoshiki is a very practical way of tackling the excessive use of plastic bags and gift wrapping paper, and explains that at the end of its life the Furoshiki can be recycled. The content is divided into: The Knots, which includes the basic knots as well as more decorative knots and creating adjustable handles. Furoshiki for carrying things, which includes a wide selection of bags, cross-body bag, beach bag, backpacks, book bag, laptop bags, two bottle carriers and even a guitar case. Gift wrap – the nature of fabric means that it is suitable for all sorts of irregular shapes which are often difficult to wrap. The wraps that have been created here are absolutely exquisite and would make a wonderful addition to any gift. Decoration and tableware – Furoshiki can be used to decorate your home, used as simple wall-hangings and other items including a basket wrap, a cutlery wallet, cushion covers, or for children a fun bunny wrap. With full colour photographs, and step-by-step instructions this delightful book is packed with everyday useful solutions and will take your gift giving to a whole new creative level. Highly Recommended. -- Louise and Kaye * Escape, Learn, Create *Table of ContentsFuroshiki: an ancient technique 6 A thousand possibilities 8 The knots 12 The basic knots 14 Single knot 14 Flat knot 15 Undoing the flat knot 15 Adjustable handle for a bag 16 Decorative knots 17 One-loop knot 17 Butterfly knot 17 Furoshiki for carrying things 18 3-in-1 shoulder bag 20 Cross-body bag 24 Bag with two adjustable handles 26 Basket with two handles 28 Beach bag 30 Backpack 1 32 Backpack 2 34 Handbag 36 Handbag cover 38 Laptop bag 40 Book bag 1 42 Book bag 2 44 Two-bottle carrier 1 46 Two-bottle carrier 2 48 Watermelon carrier 50 Guitar case 52 Poster carrier 54 Plant holder 56 Belt bag 58 Gift wrap 60 Wrap with a point 62 Four-point wrap 64 Long wrap 66 Flower wrap 68 Round box wrap 70 Book wrap 1 72 Book wrap 2 74 Bottle wrap 1 76 Bottle wrap 2 78 Flower wrap with handle 80 Knot-free wrap 82 Two-colour wrap 84 Rosebud wrap 86 Bouquet wrap 88 Flowerpot wrap 90 Decoration and tableware 92 Tissue box wrap 94 Kimono-style bottle wrap 96 Basket wrap 98 Cutlery wallet 100 Bunny wrap 102 Two-colour cushion cover 1 104 Two-colour cushion cover 2 106 Cushion cover with side knots 108 Long cushion cover 110

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Book SynopsisAdorable doll and wardrobeCreate an adorable doll and her stylish wardrobe. Isabelle Kessedjian's 50 crochet patterns include a doll pattern that you can personalize and a wide range of super cute outfits, from school days and cosy bedtime to funky fancy dress costumes and adventures to the North Pole!Using Isabelle''s easy crochet patterns you can make a very special doll for yourself or as a gift that is sure to be cherished. Lots of ideas for how to personalize your crochet doll with different hair, clothing and accessories, such as bags, hats and shoes.Each project is presented as a mini story to bring your crochet doll to life, with a wide range of extras to complete the scene: At the beach with a bucket, paddling pool and air bed In the rain with boots, a rain hat and scarf At the North Pole with a camera, penguin and fish In the country with a basket to gather fruit At schTable of ContentsIntroduction 7 My Doll 8 A Trip to the Doctor 10 Suitcase 12 Good Night! 16 On Holiday 20 At the Beach 22 In the Rain 26 At the North Pole 30 In the Country 34 Fancy Dress 38 Schoolgirl 40 Baking Days 44 Superhero 48 Bear Cub 52 Little Red Riding Hood 54 Patterns 58

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Book SynopsisKaffe's new collection of quilts is showcased in the richly decorated houses and gardens of the old quarter of Fez in Morocco: the perfect partner for his brilliantly coloured designs. The 20 new quilts, created by Kaffe and his team, feature the current range of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Each quilt has detailed, illustrated how-to-make instructions, backed up with a general patchwork know-how section for novice quilt makers.

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Book SynopsisLearn how to stitch stunning contemporary crochet projects using traditional techniques with a twist such as filet crochet or brand new techniques such as corner to corner crochet. All the key crochet techniques stitches and techniques are featured as well as advice on how to use the exciting, new yarns that are available.Table of ContentsIntroductionLet's Look at Hooks Tools You'll UseAll About Yarn Reading Patterns, Charts and Grids Basic Stitches Crochet stitches and stitch patterns for modern crochet including: Slip knot Chain Slip stitch Double crochet Treble Half treble Double treble Increasing in dc and tr Decreasing in dc and tr Back loops only Front loops only Front post stitch Back post stitch Stitch Variations More advanced crochet stitches and stitch patterns including: Crossed double crochet Centre double crochet Loop stitch Spike stitch Bobble stitch Puff stitch Popcorn stitch Short stitch, tall stitch Modern Techniques Corner-to-corner crochet Mosaic crochet Overlay crochet Crochet embroidery Surface crochet Filet crochet Planned colour-pooling Multi-strand ombre crochet Crochet ribbing and cables Amigurumi Tunisian crochet Entrelac crochet Free-form crochet Tapestry crochet Modern grannies Intarsia crochet Plaid and tartan Crocheting over cord Moroccan tile General Techniques Pompom edging Reverse dc edging Picot edging Tassels Fringing Pompoms Embellishments Troubleshooting Finishing up

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Book SynopsisIf you have always wanted to learn to draw but lack the confidence to start, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner is the book for you. The author, Carole Massey, is an accomplished artist with many years' experience of teaching and demonstrating, and even the most hesitant of beginners will soon pick up the skills and techniques needed to start drawing. The book is a complete drawing course, designed to help you progress from simple techniques such as lines, circles, squares and ellipses through to capturing landscapes, figures and buildings. There are numerous simple step-by-step demonstrations as well as larger projects, and outline tracings are provided of the more complex drawings that you can transfer straight onto your paper, if you wish to use them. Most of the artworks in the book are created using pencil, but the author also uses ink, ballpoint pen, pastel pencil and watersoluble pencils to encourage you to experiment with other media too. By the end of the book, you will have learnt all you need to know to take your drawing skills further and become an accomplished artist in your own right.Trade ReviewCarole explains and demonstrates composition, perspective, positioning, and negative shapes as well as the many techniques of mark making. The heart of the book is a series of 16 pre-printed outlines that contain only the basic shapes, leaving you to work on the details - shading, hatching, backgrounds and colour. -- The SAA * The SAA Catalogue 19/20 *This is quite the best introduction to drawing I’ve seen. Carole has a simple, unfussy style and she’s also very good at simplification – reducing subjects to their essence, avoiding unnecessary detail, working loosely and explaining simple shapes and their relationships. There’s plenty to get your teeth into, from basic techniques to outlines, hatching, shading and the use of colour. Subjects range from landscapes, trees and water to figures and animals (both static and moving) and buildings. Like the rest of the series, this is well thought-through and will take you from first steps and on to some really quite advanced work * Artbookreview.net *Jan/Feb 2018 This book is an absolute delight, covering so many aspects of drawing that anyone looking to start drawing and even experienced artists will find inspiration here. We love the very helpful step-by-step approach, the contents include: introduction, first steps, tone, shading, ways of seeing, sketching, landscapes, composition, figures, animals and movement, buildings and perspective. Outline tracings are provided of the more complex drawings that you can transfer straight onto your paper, if you wish to use them. As the days start getting long this inspiring bok is all the encouragement you need to start creating your own pieces of art! Highly recommended! * Hot Brands, Cool Places *Part of Search Press' series of books for beginners, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner by Carole Massey is aimed at anyone who lacks the confidence to get started. Eminently practical, with plenty of step-by-step demonstrations and projects, Carole takes you by the hand and shows you the way forward. The book is designed to progress the student from very simple drawing exercises, such as drawing circles and ellipses, through to more complex subjects until you will find yourself tackling landscapes, figures and buildings. Outline tracings are provided of the more complex drawings so that you don't become overwhelmed with the details and can enjoy the experience. * The Leisure Painter *Anybody can learn to draw; it is all a matter of looking at the world in the right way and putting it down on paper. This book contains a basic course on how to do this from scratch through a series of step-by-step lessons. It could be argued that the only real “absolute beginner” when it comes to drawing is a very young child; this book is aimed at the adult who says that they cannot draw. The course starts with making simple marks and drawing basic shapes, breaking objects down into shapes and progressing to tone, shading and shadow. Pencils, pens, charcoal and various types of colored pencils are the media used and most aspects of drawing are covered including composition, perspective, textures, scale etc. A wide variety of different subjects are covered too from still life through to landscapes, figures, animals, buildings and more. The idea is that you progress through various short tasks and some longer projects to build up skills. These are in classic Search Press staged captioned photographs showing how the drawing builds up. The book also contains many examples of the artist’s work with captions explaining how a certain effect has been achieved as well as a useful index. Anybody who wants to draw can learn a lot from this primer. * myshelf.com *Drawing is something I have always previously been scared of. I can't picture things in my head so I think this hinders me slightly. However I have decided to combat my fear and to start learning. It's amazing coming back to drawing as an adult. I thought this book would be a fantastic place to start. It takes you through each step so that you can see how to easily break things down and replicate it. Carole takes you through such small and easy steps that you don't realise how quickly you are changing the way you draw and making it so much easier. Throughout the book there are clear instructions and clear pictures to help you achieve everything. I am finding that the more I practice each step the easier I find the next step in the process. Carole breaks everything down into small steps so that you can easily progress. It takes each part of drawing and breaks it down so that it is easy to understand. The book is designed for using pencils but I used the same principles to draw on my tablet and it worked really well. You start the book off with the basics. With everything from choosing your pencils, sharpening your pencil to how best to hold your pencil. You are taken through step by step on how to draw different types of lines, shapes etc. Then it's onto how to shade etc. You will not believe how quickly you are drawing different items. I did struggle at times to exactly replicate some of the pictures. However I do feel that as I progress through the book this will become easier. If you are wanting to learn all the different basics of drawing then this book is really worth it. * Crochet Addict UK *Table of ContentsIntroduction  First steps  Tone  Shading  Ways of seeing  Sketching  Landscapes  Composition  Figures, animals and movement Buildings and perspective  Using the outlines Index

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Book SynopsisThis exciting new Japanese stitch dictionary is from popular designer Yoko Hatta—the founder and driving force behind the Kazekobo Studio. Though this is her first book in English, her work already has an extensive following in Western countries—more than 1,000 of her designs can be seen on Ravelry.com.Hatta is one of several Japanese knitters whose patterns and designs have sparked an explosion of interest in Japanese knitting techniques and aesthetics around the world. Her work in knitwear design spans more than thirty years, and knitters love her modern-yet-timeless, fun-yet-classy styles.This book presents her 200 favorite Kazekobo stitch patterns—a delightful selection of multipurpose knit-and-purl, lace, cable, Aran and rib & twist stitches in solids and motifs. Sample projects give knitters a chance to practice Hatta's techniques. These include: Mini mufflers using knit-and-purl stitches A cozy scallop-edged scarf using lace stitches A beautifully textured pair of mittens using cable and Aran stitches A stylish and sturdy pair of two-tone socks using rib and twist stitches Experienced knitters will find a wealth of unique patterns just waiting to be brought to life. A guide to the basic symbols shows how to knit the stitches, step-by-step.Originally published in Japanese by Nihon Vogue, whose books have brought the designs of artists such as Hitomi Shida, Keiko Okamoto and others to knitters around the world, this book will be a much-anticipated addition to every knitter's library.Trade Review"Not for the faint of heart (or hand), this knitting guide from yarn virtuoso Hatta will appeal to those already expert in the craft. The superbly designed and photographed book represents Japanese knitting at its finest…This is a perfect stitch dictionary for any knitter embarking on charted territory for the third or fourth time." -- Publishers Weekly"…the best, most workable, most wearable, most usable knitting stitch patterns…an extremely valuable compilation of recommendations from a knit designer who is incredibly good at what she does…I think of this book as being a rare and precious treasure--especially considering that the team at Tuttle Publishing has helped us all to transcend the language barrier to give us this priceless gift." -- KnittingandCrochet.net"If you are searching for unique cultural inspiration, this exquisite book delivers an excellent range of knitting projects…This detailed work includes a conversion table at the back and also a quick guide on how to read the Japanese charts, which differ from Western ones. A book you're sure to love!"--Simply Knitting magazine

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Book SynopsisShare love three times over with this heartfelt keepsake gift book for couples.One Question a Day for You & Me is a guided journal from Aimee Chase that offers an insightful question for each day of the year, along with space for each partner to write his or her answer. By answering the same question every day for three years, couples will be able to see how their relationship evolves and intimacy deepens as they explore their hearts and minds together.Questions include:What was the first thing that made you laugh today?What do you want to do together on a sunny afternoon?What song reminds you of your partner?If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be?

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Book SynopsisCreate twenty unique and whimsical Christmas cross-stitch designs with this latest addition to the Twenty to Make series. Emulate Michael Powell’s distinctive cross-stitch style to make Christmas cards or samplers as special gifts for friends and family. Designs range from festive candle arrangements to vintage winter street scenes, and each design is accompanied by an easy-to-follow stitching guide.Trade ReviewThis is one of the best of 20 to Stitch Books by Search Press. Unique designs by Michael Powell with his attention to detail. The charts are clear and in colour, easy to follow and suitable stitcher. Excellent value and if you know someone who stitches a fantastic Stocking filler. -- Muriel Campbell, Board Chair * Embroiderers Guild *Popular artist Michael presents twenty contemporary designs on a Christmas or winter theme. The delightful images are suitable for cards and decorations or other small items such as book marks and scissor-keepers, which would make lovely gifts. The designs, worked from easy-to-follow full-colour charts, are ideal for beginners, but also include suggestions for those with some sewing experience to expand the techniques. Good value for money. * East Kent Embroiderers Guild *Issue 102 - September 2017 The latest in the hugely popular series, this book is unlike any cross-stitching guide we have seen before. With 20 unusual and charming designs, it will bring your festive decor right up to date. You're sure to enjoy the process as much as the results, thanks to the detailed yet easy-to-follow stitch guides and straightforward instructions. * Sew *Create 20 unique cross stitch desgns to make cards or samplers as special gifts for friends and family. The designs range from festive candle arrangements to vintage winter street scenes and each design has an easy-to-follow stitching guide. * Machine Knitting Monthly *Table of ContentsIntroduction 4 Stitching instructions 6 Hanging Baubles 8 Festive Townhouse 10 Christmas Candle 12 Catch a Falling Star 14 Sparkling Snowflake 16 The Christmas Star 18 O Christmas Tree! 20 Season’s Greetings 22 Dancing Trees 24 Candle Cluster 26 Wintry Chapel 28 Christmas Bell 30 Christmas Cake 32 Coloured Light Border 34 Heart Decoration 36 A Stack of Gifts 38 Starlit Stable 40 Snow-topped Tree 42 Little Christmas Tree 44 Vase of Stars 46

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Book SynopsisThe twelve signs of the zodiac take on cosmic sparkle and shimmer on this gold foil embellished puzzle. Puzzle insert includes fun astrological facts Astrology 1000 Piece Foil Puzzle includes an insert with interesting astrological facts. Galison puzzles are packaged in matte-finish sturdy boxes, perfect for gifting, reuse, and storage.

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Book SynopsisPillows are one of the easiest items to sew, and one of the most affordable ways to add a splash of color and personality to a room. With twelve cute and cuddly animal pillows to make, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, seamstresses of all skill levels will enjoy making them. It is so easy to create these adorable pet pillows - all that's needed is a sewing machine, some inexpensive fabric, and a few basic sewing tools. The hardest part will be deciding which pillow to make first!

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Book SynopsisCarry it all in style!Hooked in your favorite colors, the handbags in this book will take you from shopping to dinner or book club and beyond. A variety of different styles, from tote to bucket bag, will suit whatever purpose you decide. Make the bags in neutrals or go for a bold, colorful look.Each of the 10 crochet patterns is presented with clear written instructions and construction diagrams if needed. Make the Mesh bag for produce, the Primrose or Trinity bag for casual style, and any of the bags for a trip to the yarn store (better bring two!). Trade ReviewThis super-useful collection will leave you spoiled for choice! There's a selection of different crochet techniques and construction methods - we love the Bucket Bag with its elegant colourblock design and pull-through strap, while the Mesh Market Bag will bundle up small to carry in your pocket, and the Trinity Tote cleverly combines three square pieces for a stylish finish. There are ten designs in total, so you can work a different bag to combine with every outfit! -- Inside Crochet * Inside Crochet *

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Book SynopsisWith more than 40 skill building lessons, "Intarsia Woodworking for Beginners" takes the reader on a journey from the concepts and basics of working with an intarsia pattern, cutting, sanding, gluing, creating a backer board and finishing, to techniques that will take a project to the next level, such as staining, shims, overlays, laminations, wood burning and carving texture. With the projects divided into beginner, intermediate beginner and advanced beginner, this easy to follow book includes step-by-step instructions, over 20 patterns with reference photos, material lists and tips and hints. Kathy's progressive teaching style offers something for anyone working with inlaid wood. The lessons not only cover the basics, but also describe details to look out for like the nuances of working with multiple shades of wood or the best way to create colour breaks.Trade ReviewIntarsia - the making of pictures (rom pieces of solid timber - is one of the less commonly pursued woodworking disciplines. This is unfortunate, since the modern scrollsaw makes it easier than ever to do this work. It's impossible to say when Intarsia was first developed. Some believe it was invented by the Ancient Egyptians, some, by the Romans. The only certainty is that it was very popular in Italy during the lSth century and examples of lntarsia have been found in Italy and southern Germany dating from as long as 200 years before that. But, by the 17th century, Intarsia had virtually disappeared, having been replaced by marquetry and inlay. Since the 1970's, the craft has enjoyed a revival which now appears to be gathering pace. This book is essentially a collection of 2S projects of varying difficulty. The author is a highly successful artist resl)onsible for the design of more than a 110Usand animal figure and giftware items that have been sold worldwide. The first project in the book, a Goldfish, explains the basic intarsia techniques for simple intarsia patterns, how to cut and shape the pieces and how to glue them together. The second project, a Butterfly, introduces multiple colour work. The third project brings in discussion of overlays, shims (to add a 3-D effect), lamination and calVing. By the beginning of the fourth project, most of the important methods have been described and the space devoted to each project becomes smaller, consisting of list of materials and some quick tips to help ensure the work is completed satisfactorily. The projects cover a wide range from a horse's head, a train shaped photo frame and a lighthouse, to a small girl wearing boots, a lily cross and a racoon. The book is well illustrated with excellent photos and useful drawings. Aimed at the beginner rather than the very experi enced maker of Intarsia, it is obviously intended to help in the building of skills so as to go on to even more interesting and formidable work.

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Book SynopsisIn the world of textiles, knitted fabric is one of the most complicated to work with but also one of the most used. This is a book for all fashion lovers who, while fascinated by knitted fabric, have not dared to venture into this field as well as for advanced and professional knitters who want to systematically round off their knowledge. It includes all the steps necessary to create a knitted garment, from the choice of yarn to manufacturing apparel, explaining such things as how to use a flatbed knitting machine correctly and the linking, cutting, sewing and, ultimately, ironing of knitted garments. The book not only takes into account how crucial it is to recognize and develop a stitch. It also acknowledges the increasing importance of knowing how to represent stitches for different machines in a useful way. For the first time, the author describes the various stitches in a clear and well-structured way with a language of symbols developed for use with all kinds of studio and domestic knitting machines regardless of the brand: Brother, Silver Reed, Passap, Coppo and Dubied. The book includes examples of working with traditional materials like wool, alpaca, cotton and linen but also encourages experiments with paper, plastic materials and vegetal and metallic yarns to create texture, three-dimensional effects and unusual volumes.

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Book SynopsisFight for Glory! Inside the 376-page Pathfinder Monster Core, you'll find over 400 creatures, including fantasy classics like elves, ogres, and all-new dragons; wild animals from giant ants to ferocious wolves; and the unique monsters that threaten the world of Pathfinder, like sinspawn and noxious needlers. These creatures cover all levels of play, from the slow and mindless zombie shambler to the ultra-powerful demonic Treerazer! The ideal resource for Game Masters planning their next battles and player characters looking for monstrous allies to summon! Pathfinder Monster Core is the definitive monster rulebook for the fully remastered Pathfinder Second Edition RPG! These rules are compatible with previous Pathfinder Second Edition rulebooks, incorporating comprehensive errata and rules updates and some of the best additions from later books into new, easier-to-access volumes with new presentations inspired by years of player feedback. Along with the Player Core, GM Core, and Player Core 2, these books provide a new foundation for the future of tabletop gaming!The pocket edition presents the same contents as the standard edition in a smaller sized softcover for a lower price and better portability.Pathfinder Monster Core includes: More than 400 monsters! Gorgeous full-color illustrations on nearly every page! Detailed monster lists sorted by level, type, and rarity to help you find the right monster for any situation! Detailed lore sidebars offering additional information about Pathfinder''s most popular monstrous friends and foes! Published under the new Open RPG Creative (ORC) license, giving players and Game Masters even more freedom for making their own creations based on Pathfinder Second Edition.

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Book Synopsis In Mad Hatter, Crochet artist and founder of the brand Knotted Neon, Aynsley Grealis presents a pattern collection for making fanciful hats, balaclavas, and handbags in all shapes and sizes. Artist Aynsley Grealis is the creator of the popular Instagram @KnottedNeon, and her fanciful balaclavas, handbags, sweaters, and bucket hats are sensations that attract eager buyers (who pay one hundred dollars—and up—for each custom piece) and a growing audience of crocheters seeking to replicate these brilliant patterns. In Mad Hatter, her first book, Grealis shares her designs and patterns (unpublished until now) to teach readers how to make three simple bases (a balaclava, a pull-on hat, and a handbag) and then how to decorate each by incorporating layers of whimsical appliques. The patterns look complicated, but crochet with ease—the secret is in the embellishments: Patterns for crocheted flowers, bees, stars, clouds, an enti

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Book SynopsisThe delicate art of paper flower craft has been around for centuries, originating in China in 100BC. Since then, the art has remained a powerful tool in calming the mind and encouraging a slower pace of life. Whatever your background, lifestyle or commitments, this book contains projects to nurture your personal skill set. Step-by-step instructions and inspiring illustrations will guide you through the process from start to finish. Paper crafting is an accessible hobby that can be easily practised at home by everyone of all ages. Whether you're looking for a rewarding activity to share with your children, or something to help you unwind after a long workday, paper flower crafting is a perfect choice. Use your newfound skills to create your own decorations for display or pleasure, and discover the wonder of nature in all its glorious detail by paying special attention to the colouring, textures and intricate details of your projects.

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Book SynopsisThe Watercolour Sourcebook is a compilation of four selected titles from the What to Paint series, chosen specially to illustrate the wide range of scenes and subjects that can be captured in watercolour. The works of four master watercolourists – Geoff Kersey, Terry Harrison, Peter Woolley and Wendy Tait – are brought together in a collection of 60 beautiful, detailed projects on the subjects of trees, woodlands and forests; landscapes; hills and mountains and flowers respectively. Each project results in a full painting that is accompanied at the end of the book by a full-size outline that can be copied and applied to the artist's own watercolour paper using tracedown paper and pencil. The Watercolour Sourcebook aims to provide a wealth of inspiration to the painter who struggles to decide upon their subject matter, and arms the artist with everything they need to know about what they're about to paint, from colour palette to useful techniques.Trade ReviewIn this exciting and informative book, four of your favourite artists present easy to follow demonstrations of landscapes, flowers, trees and mountains. Each one is accompanied by an outline drawing for you to trace onto watercolour paper, getting the composition right every time. By keeping everything simple, the instructions can be kept to a single two-page spread. In this way, you're not constantly switching about and trying to work out where you are. You can see everything from the colour palette to the finished result at all times, with highlights of the important details picked out just where you need them. Terry Harrison works with rural scenes that include buildings, water, sunshine, clouds and snow. Wendy Tait's flowers demonstrate single varieties as well as settings and bouquets, taking full advantage of the variety of colours available. Geoff Kersey paints trees in all seasons from bare branches to full canopy and he includes spring flowers as well as boats and figures. Peter Woolley illustrates wide mountain vistas and single crags and shows you how to create effective foregrounds and skies in a variety of weather conditions. This is packed with subjects, projects and ideas and will give you as much material to work with as you could wish. * SAA Catalogue *The Watercolour Sourcebook contains material previously published in Search Press's What to Paint series, including the work of four popular watercolourists, Geoff Kersey, Terry Harrison, Peter Wooley and Wendy Tait. This new book contains 60 detailed projects, each of them resulting in a full painting, in a range of subject, from trees, woodlands and landscapes to hills, mountains and flowers. Full-size outlines are included at the end of the book so that you can get painting straight away. The book follows a well-tested formula, that allows painters to build their confidence and produce work they are proud of with helpful tips, techniques and colour palette information shred along the way. * Leisure Painter *Another great release! This book has given me the renewed interest to try painting subjects other than landscapes, such as different flowers, woods and cottages. So many to choose from, with sketches in the back of the book to get you started and advice at the front of the book. You can even merge two pictures so that you have different flowers in one picture. I’ve regained my interest in painting, have purchased new paintbrushes, I’m going to try in both watercolour and acrylic paints, even my mum and sister have read with interest and want to give it a go. I’d recommend this book as it offers great pictures and advice. Search Press have excelled again in releasing a great book. -- Jenny Nixon * Customer Review *With 60 images ready to trace and get the composition right before you start, there’s plenty of variety in this attractive compilation. It’s also worth saying that the material comes from the What to Paint series, so, if you have those, you probably won’t need this. If you haven’t, however, you’ll find Terry Harrison on landscapes, Wendy Tait on flowers, Geoff Kersey on trees and woodlands and Peter Woolley on hills and mountains. All these experienced and popular teachers include more than just the basics, with surroundings, perspectives and settings, providing images that should satisfy the most demanding student. * Paint Magazine (SAA) *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Transferring the image 8, Composing from the outlines 10, Techniques and effects 12 Landscapes 16 Poppies by the Track 18, Millstream Cottage 20, Winter's Day 22, First Footprints 24, After the Rain 26, Tide Mill 28, A Walk Along the Lane 30, Cornish Harbour 32, Waterside Walk 34, Cooling Off 36, Hard Day's Work 38, Castle Combe 40, The Village Gossips 42, Another Winter 44, The Mountain Stream 46 Flowers 48 Tulips 50, Snake's Head Fritillary 52, Anemones 54, Pansies 56, Canary Bird Roses 58, Fuchsias 60, Sweet Peas 62, Cherry Blossom in Glass Jar 64, Oriental Poppies 66, Snowdrops 68, Golden Lilies 70, Pink & White Roses 72, Hollyhocks 74, Japanese Anemones & Lavender 76, Sunflowers 78 Trees, Woodlands & Forests 80 Woodland Stream 82, Manhattan Park 84, Footbridge in the Woods 86, Winter Silhouettes 88, Rowing Boats 90, Winter Walkers 92, Golden Light 94, Kensington Gardens 96, Autumn at Chatsworth 98, Winter Glow 100, Woodland Bridge 102, Bluebell Wood 104, Forest Firs 106, New Forest Ponies 108, Woodland Reflections 110 Hills & Mountains 112 Mountain Mist 114, Snowy Peaks 116, Sea of Cloud 118, Winter Crags 120, The View from the Summit 122, The Last of the Sun 124, Rocks and Scree 126, Mountain Stream 128, Traversing the Ridge 130, Sunset: Best Time of Day 132, Snow and Shadows 134, The Illusion of Space 136, Hills and Lakes 138, The Weather in the Hills 140, Iconic Peak 142 Index & Outlines 144

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Book SynopsisMeet the Crochet Donut Buddies, an addictive collection of crochet toy patterns that kids will adore. Learn the technique for the donut design and then discover over 50 ways to transform them into toys including farm animals, safari animals, seas creatures, seasonal and holiday designs and more, with simple techniques and step-by-step instructions.

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Book SynopsisIf you have ever wanted to try your hand at chip carving and are looking for an approachable introduction,Chip Carving Starter Guideis the perfect place to begin! Its opening chapters will help you build a solid foundation of knowledge on the basics of chip carving, transferring patterns, applying finishes, and correctly making a variety of chips. You'll then go on to complete more than 22 activities and projects to practice carving with confidence as you start simple and slowly progress to advance your skills! Featuring clear step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, complete materials and tools lists, full-size patterns, and expert tips, this must-have guide emphasizes the importance of skill-building and developing your techniques correctly and carefully to ensure success!

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Book SynopsisPart of an exciting series of sturdy, square-box 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles from Flame Tree, featuring powerful and popular works of art. This new jigsaw will satisfy your need for a challenge, with L.S. Lowry''s Market Scene, Northern Town, 1939. This 1000 piece jigsaw is intended for adults and children over 13 years. Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts. Finished Jigsaw size 735 x 510mm/29 x 20 ins. Includes an A4 poster for reference.This painting is an example of one of L.S. Lowry’s famous crowd scenes. The colour palette is unusually light and airy for the artist, with pink and gold-tinged buildings lifting the atmosphere. Lowry said of this painting, ‘To say the truth, I was not thinking very much about the people... They were part of a private beauty that haunted me!’ In his many depictions of north-west England Lowry makes industrial scenes his own, showing how industry had affected the landscape and how the inhabita

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Book SynopsisBestselling artist and author explains how to use light and shade in watercolour painting to add lifelike detail and create engaging artworks. Mastering light and shadow is the key to successful watercolour paintings and in this book you can learn how to paint like an expert. The book is packed with Hazel Soan’s colourful and varied paintings, as well as step-by-step exercises and handy hints. Beginning with how to see the values of light and shade through the eyes of an artist, the book then shows how watercolour is the perfect medium to represent light and shade. Learn how to balance light and shade through compositional design and how to establish the shadow of individual components within the composition. Hazel demonstrates clever techniques such as conserving white paper to show highlights, how to mix the right tonal values and how to balance detail in your painting. Finally, the book looks at using light and shade to create atmospheric effects, tonal patterns to look out for and how to bring it all together to create fantastic artworks.Trade Review'Any new book by Hazel Soan is an event’ * Paint (SAA) * 'This is the best guide you’ll maybe ever get to a notoriously tricky subject.’ * The Artist *‘A genuine tour de force … her best book yet’ -- Henry Malt * ArtbookReview *

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Book SynopsisTechniques, advice and inspiration for would-be and experienced basket makers. Basketry is experiencing a resurgence of popularity, and enjoying an exciting comeback at the hands of a new and dynamic generation of makers who are not afraid to experiment with mixing materials and techniques. While based on traditional techniques, this book gives you all the information you need to learn basic methods as well as discover exciting hybrid approaches, mixing both materials and methods to achieve fabulous pieces. Through illustrated step-by-step examples, get the confidence and inspiration to expand your making as far as your imagination can take you. The projects are suitable for beginners and provide a handy reference and inspiration guide for more experienced basket makers.Trade ReviewThere are some quite intricate pieces in the piece, but there's also lots of information and instruction for the would-be basket maker. * Craftsman Craft & Design *Amazing ... Practical Basketry Techniques is not just another basketry book. The writers managed to make an innovative, inspiring document, which includes clear instructions for using general techniques. This book is not only useful for beginning basket makers, but also of great use and inspiration for the more experienced basket weavers. It gets your creative juices flowing and makes you want to get started straightaway. A great asset to the library for everyone who loves to make baskets. * Lucienne Kramer, boardmember of the Netherlands National Basketry Organisation and Founder of Wonderful Willow *Good-looking, good-natured ... I feel and hope this book goes some way to introduce new makers to the basic techniques and, once they are understood and mastered they, and experienced makers, might be encouraged to think about the more contemporary idea of using basketry for artist expression ... This book wants us to learn, try this at home and most of all, go and play. * Basketmakers' Association Newsletter *Table of ContentsIntroduction Sourcing materials Coiling and cobbling Twining Frame Basketry Stake and Strand Plaiting Assemblage Interlacing Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Suppliers Index

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Book SynopsisIn this book readers will find a superb range of floral designs to apply to a variety of cross-stitch projects, such as bedding, lampshades, cushions, curtains, towels and more. The styles on these beautiful and timeless pieces range from shabby chic to Berlin wool work to Victorian and Edwardian. And even though the designs appear complex, much of Lima's skill is in designing them to be as simple as possible for the casual cross stitcher to make. Her designs are noted for being extremely enjoyable to stitch - and suitable for beginners to advanced embroiderers.

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Book SynopsisWinner of Meeple Mountain''s Best Light Game award!A beautifully-illustrated, 1-5 player card game designed by award-winning designer Peer Sylvester, pitting rival gardeners against one another as they compete in the prestigious Village Green of the Year competition.It''s the first day of spring, and there''s only one thing on everyone''s mind the Village Green of the Year competition! In just a few months, the judges of this prestigious contest will be visiting, and the village council have finally put you in charge of the preparations. With your newfound authority, you can show those snobs from Lower Aynesmore just what a properly orchestrated floral arrangement looks like!In Village Green you are rival gardeners, tasked by your respective communities with arranging flowers, planting trees, commissioning statues, and building ponds. You must place each element carefully--time is tight and the stakes couldn''t be hi

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Book SynopsisOriginally developed in the 18th century as a visual supplement to botanical nomenclature, botanical illustration and art uniquely fuse art and science by documenting the parts, details, and life cycles of plant species. In Drawing and Painting Botanicals for Artists, eminent botanical artist and veteran workshop instructor Karen Kluglein reveals her secrets for rendering leaves, flowers, berries, and branches both accurately and beautifully. The book begins with a brief history of the art form, followed by guidance on developing observational skills for this genre, key botanical terms and concepts, and the differences among botanical illustration, botanical art, and flower painting. The chapters that follow offer detailed guidance and demonstrations for drawing and painting botanicals in a variety of mediums: Drawing. Explore loose gestural drawing, precise measuring and rendering, and working from photographs with graphite, colored pencil, finepoint markers, pen and ink, and silverpoint. Painting. Master color mixing, washes, layering, gradations, values, and adding details in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic, plus guidance on adding “personality” to your work and knowing when a painting is done. Drawing and Painting Botanicals for Artists shows artists at all skill levels how to translate careful observations into stunning works of art. The For Artists series expertly guides and instructs artists at all skill levels who want to develop their classical drawing and painting skills and create realistic and representational art. Table of Contents1 Drawing BotanicalsMEDIUMS AND SUPPLIES Graphite Pencils Colored Pencils Fine Point Markers Silverpoint Paper Erasers Pencil SharpenersESSENTIAL DRAWING TECHNIQUES Live Specimen Working from Photographs Loose Gestural Drawing Precise Measuring Values, Shadows, and Highlights Gradations Lifting GraphiteDRAWING SUBJECTS AND MEDIUMS Drawing Leaves Drawing Flowers and Petals Drawing Fruits and Berries Drawing Stems and Branches 2 Painting BotanicalsMEDIUMS AND SUPPLIES Watercolors Gouache Paintbrushes Painting SurfacesESSENTIAL PAINTING TECHNIQUES Color Mapping Washes Layering Gradations Drybrush in Watercolor Lifting Overlaps Correcting Mistakes and Making Revisions Details and Finishing Adding PersonalityPAINTING SUBJECTS Painting Leaves Painting Flowers and Petals Painting Fruits and Berries Painting Stems and Branches Final Thoughts Resources Acknowledgments About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisInspire your creative side with this unique notebook.

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Book SynopsisThis pack contains 300 high-quality origami sheets printed with groovy Tie-Dye Patterns.

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Book SynopsisBring family and friends together for hours of entertainment and real social interaction. The Big Book of Family Games: 101 Original Group Games That Don't Need Charging brings people together for hours of hilarious, interactive, technology-free fun that requires virtually nothing more than pens and paper. This travel-friendly book guarantees hours of engaging entertainment with 101 original, rigorously tested games that challenge each player's ability to strategize, bluff, read minds, memorize, think quickly, solve puzzles, and more. No texting, tweeting, or web surfing allowed!Trade Review"The world needs a book like this!"- J.J. Abrams "Showcasing a wealth of original family and group games, the Big Book of Family Games will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to family and community library collections. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, it should be noted that this edition of Big Book of Family Games is also available in a digital book format."- Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisBig, small, flat, uneven, droopy or perky, all boobs are great boobs, but do you remember where they were all placed?Lay the cards on the table, face down. On each turn, a player turns over any two cards, and keeps them if they’re a successful match, but if a player turns over two cards that do not match, those cards are turned face down again and it becomes the next player’s turn. The trick is to remember which cards are where!Celebrate boobs in all shapes and sizes with this entertaining and brain-boosting game for 2-4 players, packaged in a portable plastic-free box perfect for gifting and travelling.

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Book SynopsisBe inspired by this fun compilation sketchbook of four favorite volumes from Quarry Books' 20 Ways series!Designed to offer artists, designers, and doodlers a fun and sophisticated collection of illustration fun, each spread features 20 inspiring illustrated examples of 135 themes, over 3600 drawings total! From trees and flowers to animals and sea creatures and everything in between. Don't worry, there's tons of room for you to draw your own versions of these amazing doodles right on the pages.This is not a step-by-step technique book - within the pages you'll find drawings simplified, modernized, and reduced to the most basic elements, showing you how simple abstract shapes and forms create the building blocks of any item that you want to draw. Each of the 20 interpretations provides a different, interesting approach to drawing a single item, providing loads of inspiration for your own drawing. These four artists each have a uniquely creative style, resulting in an engaging and motivational practice book that provides a new take on the world of sketching, doodling, and designing.

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Book Synopsis

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