Search results for ""SCHIFFER""

Learning from others' mistakes is always more efficient and less costly than committing them yourself. This book is packed with practical information that will enable potters to successfully complete the many steps in pottery production. Making functional pottery or ceramic sculpture entails different skill sets and processes in forming clay, drying clay, glazing, and firing. Any one of these steps can cause failures. As ceramics consultant Jeff Zamek points out, under ideal conditions a beginning or advanced student would be guided by a teacher at every step; mistakes and bad habits would be caught as they occurred and corrected. While such learning situations are rare today, this book fills the gap. As Zamek says, "This book offers you forty years of wisdom, generated by my students' and my client ceramics companies' issues with clays, glazes, and kiln firing." With its solutions to common problems, this guide helps potters to succeed.

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Get inspired with the Grande Dame of American quilting! Georgia Bonesteel, the creator and host of PBS's Lap Quilting, shares updated methods for making 25 classic quilt patterns using only your fabrics on hand. Expand your skills with the quilt design Real Trip around the World, using a unique sewing system that starts with fabric strips set in a magazine; try a more modern Crazy Patch defined in black and white with bright accents. Use Georgia's famously effective teaching style to succeed beyond your expectations. Along the way, enjoy funny stories, surprising moments, and personal lessons Georgia has learned through her decades of trailblazing in the quilt world, and get an entertaining glimpse into her home and studio. For all levels of quilters; pattern templates are included.

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In this collection of works by more than 25 contemporary ice artists, discover a fascinating art medium defined by its ephemeral nature. Merging creativity and engineering, today’s ice artist can create incredibly complex artwork, featured here in more than 150 photos. Ice sculpting's history and impact are described by champion sculptor James Stugart, including events such as the ice festival in Harbin, China. Sculpting firm owner Justin Gordon explains the tools and techniques, and Dick Brickley, former chair of the BP World Ice Arts Championships held in Fairbanks, Alaska, relates the history of this largest international competition. As sculptor Ben Firth says, "Carving ice is a good reminder that no art lasts forever; that, in the end, art is not about creating a permanent object, but about changing people."

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It's mutiny on the high seas in this light-hearted lesson in playing well with others. When Salty Jack pretends his bedroom is a pirate ship, his friends help him tie ropes to serve as rigging and sheets to serve as sails. Crewmates Scallywag Sanjay and Barnacle Bob hoist the sails, and soon the friends are cruising past flying fish and secret caves. But their daring adventure goes to the dogs when Captain Salty Jack barks out too many orders and Millie the Mermaid abandons ship, setting an example for the rest of the crew. When Jack discovers it's not as much fun playing alone, he must figure out a way to get his friends back. Children will discover, along with Captain Jack, that an adventure can be even more thrilling when everyone is allowed to share their creative ideas, and even steer the ship.

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Discover the lives and stories of the 80 men who made the first attack on Japan following Pearl Harbor. Eighty brave men made a near-suicidal first attack on Japan about four months after Pearl Harbor. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted a quick response to the Japanese ambush on Hawaii to demonstrate to the Japanese that they were not invulnerable to attack, and to give a much-needed boost to American morale. Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle was selected to plan and lead the Raid from the USS Hornet. Much has been written about the daring raid and the frightening escape through China, but little has been written about these brave men's lives before and after the Raid. This collection of biographical sketches tells us much about who these men were. Much of the biographical material was obtained from a private collection of Raider information and memorabilia that Ellen Lawson collected over a fifty-year period. Ellen was the widow of Maj. Ted Lawson—a Raider and author of Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.

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From a renowned manga artist, step-by-step visual instructions for using COPIC pens to add dozens of textures. COPIC markers are very popular drawing materials used all around the world. This long-awaited book provides techniques for rendering exciting textures using COPIC markers. From basic techniques to entire color sample sheets, this book provides step-by-step visual instructions for rendering textures for a variety of materials, from metals to bricks. Manga artist and illustrator Midorihana’s techniques for using COPIC markers are highly regarded, and her unique worldview manifests itself in her illustrations and captivates many fans. Drawings introduced in this book are powerful, and quite realistically rendered. Nobody would ever guess that they were drawn with COPIC markers!

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The second book in this two-volume survey, readers are invited to reexamine the history of the West and its art through a multifaceted modern lens. More than 30 artists are included who reflect the tremendous diversity, depth, and breadth of a field steeped in history. While some follow the traditions established by Remington and Russell, others seek to break from tradition, busting myths and bringing new insights and artistic styles to the genre. They come from both sides of the Mississippi and have pedigrees that range from bona fide cowboy or Native American credentials to careers in commercial illustration. The unifying theme is a common concern for and commitment to their art and the West itself. In this volume, contemporary artists are featured whose work revolves around Native Americans. Native Americans still exist, and in many cases are thriving, as they revive or maintain their culture. Historically and even today, most imagery featuring native people suggests a lost cause or vanishing race. We hope that the art created on these pages will help reinforce the fact that Native American culture, while still threatened, is viable among many tribes.

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Jayden can't find his new race car. Detectives Fox and Goat are on the case! Join the suave sleuths as they search his house for clues and learn new concepts along the way. What color is the car? How big is it? How many wheels does it have? Even the youngest minds will understand this strikingly illustrated story, and many may even solve the puzzle before the detectives do!

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Motorcycle riders from all walks of life—from Main Street to Wall Street, Hollywood to Washington, D.C.—are invited to peel back their “badass” masks and answer one simple question: What is the meaning of life? Their answers expose the motorcycle community’s lesser-known philosophical and charitable nature and help to smash the typical motorcycle-rider stereotype. Joining the “regular folks” interviewed are celebrities, including Peter Fonda, Gen. Tommy Franks, John Paul DeJoria, Jillian Michaels, Kyle Petty, Carey Hart, and Norman Reedus, along with a former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a congressman, a senator, a former NASA astronaut, governors, military generals, actors, rock n’roll and country artists, corporate executives, and NFL, NBA, MLB sports figures. Whether you drive on four wheels or straddle a “wild thang" on two, these voices are sure to enlighten and entertain.

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Unleash your inner superhero and embark on a thrilling mission to change the world with the second edition of Change the World Before Bedtime. Let this be your guide as you discover the extraordinary power of ordinary acts of kindness, compassion, and love. We’ve added eight additional pages packed with interactive activities that encourage creativity and empower children to unleash their superhero potential. From a space to draw their self-portrait to a make-your-own superhero cape activity, young readers can fully immerse themselves in the world of superheroes and express their unique identities. This educational and inspirational read-aloud is perfect for children from pre-K to second grade. Raise the next generation of superheroes with the second edition of Change the World Before Bedtime.

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Most take for granted that a pair of jeans is not considered complete without patches, rivets, buttons, and other trims. The existence of such design elements is not questioned because they are seen as the standard. Nick Williams’s book is exclusively dedicated to denim branding and deconstructs every element that goes into branding a pair of jeans. These elements are a jeans' identity, its source code, a marker from which to discover the jean’s provenance. Through beautiful and inspirational photography, this book tells the fascinating and sometimes surprising history of denim branding from the 1870s to current day. Primary source materials for this book come from the historical archive departments of Levi Strauss & Co., Lee Jeans, Wrangler, Carhartt, and Cone Mills, as well as some of the best contemporary denim brands of today, including Rogue Territory, Dawson Denim, Denham, Kings of Indigo, Endrime, Evisu, Eat Dust, Butcher of Blue, and Tellason.

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New England is notorious for its dark tourism with tragic and treacherous attractions, both historical and recent, that re-create death, suffering, and the outright macabre. History buffs and paranormal enthusiasts will discover engaging stories, from historic homes and cemeteries to serial killers and infamous haunted locales. Featuring a balance of old favorites and brand-new finds, full visitor information is provided, including where to park, where to eat, and even where to find a clean restroom! Learn about more than 100 sinister sites found throughout the region. New England has a darker side—it awaits you.

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Imagine what might happen if book characters could talk back to their authors. Can characters from other picture books help Puffin escape from the story line? Everyone’s favorite puffin is back, and guess what—he’s still ANGRY! When Puffin is offered a muffin, he realizes that he's the subject of another picture book and the target of a rhyming scheme gone wrong. His emotions take over and chaos ensues as he tries to escape the story line. Luckily, Puffin knows just where to turn for help. See what happens when characters from other picture books come to Puffin's rescue. Timothy Young fans will have fun spotting characters and scenes from his previously published books, as well as references to other children's classics. Will Puffin get lost in the fantasy worlds, or will he find his way out?

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Adventure, history, and the drama of family life intertwine in this engrossing tale of a fifth-grade girl struggling to find her place after her mom remarries and she finds herself stuck with a younger stepbrother. Find out what happens when Ava and her newly blended family take a trip to Boston, where she buys a magic bobblehead and is unexpectedly transported to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As Ava and her stepbrother, J. P., travel back and forth with John and Abigail Adams and their children, from Massachusetts, to Philadelphia, to the White House, to France, she learns about history, friendship, and how to deal with new situations, including her recently blended family. This sequel to The President and Me: George Washington and the Magic Hat features some of the same characters.

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Take your seats, and by all means, fasten your seat belts! Come on a journey back in time to aviation’s most daring and innovative era. Travel back nine decades, when for the first time, airplanes determined the victors of global wars—a time that altered the course of the world. Hear never-before-told true stories penned by still-living flight crew members and passengers. Learn about the remarkable men, women, and aircraft builders who launched an aviation phenomenon. Thrill to the romance, adventure, and danger air travelers encountered flying to far-flung, exotic lands. Marvel at art deco air terminals, the world’s only flying-boat museum, and onboard luxuries rivaling five-star hotels. Like mythical Camelot, it was a brief, shining moment. But this was no myth. It was an extraordinary point in global history when Pan American’s quintessentially magnificent flying boats ruled the skies.

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Painting on silk, in its millennia-old traditional form and also in contemporary form, has become increasingly popular. With this guide, be inspired by the nearly 500 images, the visual demos, and the aspects not covered in other books. Starting with the basic skills and techniques, here is guidance on every element of the art, including setting up your studio space, painting on preconstructed clothing, and framing your art. Most importantly, enjoy learning unusual, innovative frames of mind to intensify your creative freedom, bringing new energy to your work. A special chapter, “Color: The Workshop Experience,” offers exercises for harnessing the variety of silk dye hues. Complex layered looks, plein air painting and landscapes, critiquing, seeking authenticity, intuitive improvisation, and much more are included. The authors, founders of Silk Painters International, give thorough guidance on how to push yourself out of your comfort zone to evoke emotions in your art.

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There's an old saying in the news business: if it bleeds, it leads. The nightly California news and other media outlets are filled with stories of crime, killing, and sorrow. Within these pages rediscover 46 of the most notorious murders and shocking crimes committed by women in the state of California between 1850 and 1950. Examine the accounts of such notorious murderesses as the “Black Widow,” Louise Peete; “Tiger Woman,” Clara Phillips; the “Duchess,” Juanita Spinelli; and many more. Written in chronological sequence and enhanced by 50 photographs, each entry provides a concise overview of the crime, background information, and final dispositions. At one point these California crimes horrified the collective imaginations of the state—and nation—but many have faded away from our historical consciousness. They’re back. This book is an indispensable reference tool for anyone interested in California history and crime.

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Art can seem very separate from our daily lives today, and, as our society careens its way through change and conflict, it may seem increasingly irrelevant. Art advocate Kevin Wallace, director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, provides reminders of how and why we thrive when we connect art and life, including first-person insights from 150+ contemporary artists like Binh Pho, Kay Sekimachi, Avital Sheffer, Lino Tagliapietra, Jan Hopkins, Beatrice Wood, and dozens more. Throughout history, art was naturally intertwined with people's daily lives: a bowl for water, a carving to record a war, objects to capture religion and identity. This handbook juxtaposes our past with "big ideas" relating to contemporary art, helping to demystify them so that we can repair the connection, and turn our lives into art.

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Peer behind the curtain and journey into Voodoo’s hidden world. A forbidden and often-misunderstood subject, Voodoo has never before been photographically depicted in this way. The people and the spirits of Voodoo are creatively conjured in dozens of photos from world-renowned photographer Justice Howard, coupled with the insightful words of Voodoo Queen Bloody Mary. Subjects include Papa Legba, gatekeeper of the crossroads, and the revered priestess Marie Laveau. See the realities behind Voodoo dolls and meet graveyard rulers Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte. Voodoo priestess Bloody Mary shares intriguing background information for each of the concepts and explains the meaning of ritual items, from food offerings to libation to the misconceptions of animal sacrifice.

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A wonderful phenomenon is happening in heaven and on earth. Angels want to prove their existence, and they are reaching out to connect with us more than ever. Likewise, here on earth, people are learning more about the angelic realm and the roles and purposes of angels in our lives. Using exercises, meditations, and visualizations provided in this book, now you can connect to the angels and receive divine guidance for earthly challenges. Learn who the angels are and how you can change and grow to bond with your Guardian Angel and other heavenly beings. Discover their signs and how to troubleshoot your life so that you can receive heavenly wisdom. Understand how the lessons you’ve learned, months and days of the year, your emotions, and more, interact to become a gateway to heavenly angel energy. This book assists readers at all levels in the search to communicate with and understand angels.

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Relive the experience of a meander down the Ocean City, New Jersey, boardwalk. Beautiful imagery from the past and present will take you on a tour of the arcades, thrill rides, souvenir shops, and candy and popcorn stops that have become hallmarks of this summer resort. A smattering of history and lore are reminders of the great storms and fires that have swept through the city, as well as the personalities that make it what it is today. Vivid photography conjures the sound of gulls, the crash of surf, and the taste of a fresh-tossed tomato pie. Take Ocean City home with this must-have souvenir.

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Sempervivum have long fascinated gardeners and are useful plants for gardening situations in which other plants might fail. Many people are aware of only a single, rather uninteresting green cultivar, but selections from the wild and the work of hybridizers have resulted in over 7,000 cultivars with a range in size from 1/2 in. to over one foot in diameter and colors from gold to black. Clearly the gardener has never had a better choice. This book covers all aspects of their history, taxonomy, culture, propagation, hybridizing, people involved in the production of Sempervivum, and a long list of cultivars that are recommended for the gardener. Color illustrations show not only the cultivars, but garden uses and cultural practices.

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In this detailed how-to book, learn the techniques, and procedures to distill raw natural materials into a variety of applications. With a small, 0.5-liter distiller, you can easily create fine brandies, whiskies, and even essential oils in your own kitchen. A useful guide that explains what plants to use for different purposes A look at the various types of stills A detailed, step-by-step treatment of mashing, fermenting, distilling, and refining spirits Complete with a guide to distilling essential oils and their benefits Tips and tricks for troubleshooting and avoiding common pitfalls This is the ideal companion for the home distiller.

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Art and especially architecture are often seen as the exclusive realm of formally trained experts. Award-winning architects Steven and Cathi House explore the other side of that reality in a part of the world that has been at the crossroads of history for thousands of years. With more than 500 photographs and insightful commentary, they reveal the remarkable beauty of the people, land, villages, textiles, and vernacular architecture across seven countries of West Africa, situated between the Sahara Desert and Atlantic Ocean. The book celebrates the artisanship of tribal people who use building methods that are both practical and ingenious and that respond not just to local climate, materials, and topography, but also to the needs of the inhabitants with poetic insight, creating environments that are stimulating and sustainable. With their clarity, function, and beauty, these villages are living models of what community life can be.

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Learn one-of-a-kind polymer clay doll-making tips from an award-winning expert! The amazingly realistic artist dolls of Lynn Cartwright celebrate diverse cultures and ethnicities, from Native American to African, and are widely acclaimed in the doll market. Here, in a photo-rich combination of how-to and inspiration, Cartwright provides a window into her doll-making studio process and offers her tips and techniques. Follow her step-by-step guidance through key parts of the process, from material choices to armatures to facial modeling to accuracy in costuming. Cartwright has won numerous awards for her work, including six DOTY (Doll of the Year) Industry Awards, and a wealth of her detailed museum-quality dolls are featured, making this a valuable resource for doll collectors, makers, and enthusiasts.

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One of the most infamous of all Waffen-SS formations, the 3rd SS-Panzer Division “Totenkopf” has always been identified as the very essence of the notorious “Black Order.” Associated with war crimes in official historiography, formed initially with personnel coming from guard units from concentration camps, the unit was nevertheless able to prove itself on the battlefield, distinguishing itself in all of the main campaigns in which it fought, from France to the Russian front. This first of two volumes tells the story of the “Totenkopf” from 1939 to 1943: from the campaign in Poland in 1939; its employment on the Western Front in 1940; to the early campaigns on the Russian Front. Volume one culminates in the bitter fighting on the Demjansk front and to the Kharkov counteroffensive in 1943, finally ending with Operation Zitadelle. As with all of the volumes in this series, the detailed history of the division is accompanied by many first-hand accounts, documents, extracts from official reports, and from the division’s war diary, and by over 860 photographs and maps.

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Since the 1980s, the American M1 Abrams series of tanks has been widely regarded as among the finest main battle tanks in the world. This volume is a concise look at the background, development, and Army and Marine operational history of the Abrams from the 1970s to the present. The author, who brings a unique perspective and authority as a former M1A1 tank gunner with the United States Army's 1/104th Cavalry, was granted behind-the-scenes access to photograph the US Army's collection of rare tanks at Fort Benning, Georgia. He also shows the Abrams tank's service in lesser known places—not just Iraq and Afghanistan—such as Cold War Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Somalia, and others. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

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This concise, illustrated history focuses on the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft and units assigned to George AFB, California, from 1964–92. George’s association with the aircraft began with the arrival of the first F-4s in April 1964, and would last over twenty-eight years. The initial mission was to train F-4 aircrews, and from 1964 through 1973, the majority of these graduates went directly to Southeast Asia in support of the Vietnam War. As the need for newly trained aircrews decreased, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, and later the 37th TFW, added an operational commitment flying F-4Es and F-4C Wild Weasels, as well as F-4G Advanced Wild Weasel aircraft. The training of aircrews for Germany’s Air Force was added to the 35th TFW’s mission in December 1972. F-4 operations continued at George under the 35th and 37th wings until inactivation of the 35th Wing in December 1992, and the closing of George AFB at the end of the Cold War.

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In this first survey of his career, you’ll find beloved, neo-psychedelic artist Oliver Hibert blending in as living art among examples of his fine art, illustration, and design, including his unique recreation of the tarot deck. Building off of features in publications including Juxtapoz, Hi-Fructose, and Beautiful Decay, this title breaks down Hibert’s quest for the “Superflat” using his favored medium of acrylic and addresses the question of what happens when an artist tackles commercial assignments. His body of work is connected through color and inspiration from the 1960s, an aesthetic that has attracted the likes of The Flaming Lips for whom Hibert has created posters, tour apparel, and album covers. With well over 200 images, Eye See You also shows just how prolific the artist is, covering his paintings, sculpture, and drawings, as well as his many projects for clients such as Nike, Fender Guitars, Miley Cyrus, and Creature Skateboards. This is a must-have and insightful work for collectors and fans of contemporary art.

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Keeping people warm for four centuries, wool has been an essential commodity from colonial times to the present. Wool's colorful and surprisingly epic tale has impacted millions of lives, from immigrants, slaves, and Native Americans, to farmers and advertisers. Author Hart reveals little-known but fascinating facts about US society—for example, how huge flocks of sheep were driven to the California gold fields to feed hungry miners, and why sheep grazed on the White House lawn during World War I. Moving from the realms of handcrafted artisanry to industrialization and back, Wool is a story of technological and social change, marketing forces, and above all, consumer choices. A must-read for anyone who has knitted socks, woven a tapestry, or curled up with a warm wool blanket.

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Paracord handle wraps are popular with respect to survival knives and tactical knives. They rest comfortably in your hand, they're slip-proof, and they're impervious to moisture and temperature fluctuations. In an emergency, the wrap can often be undone and then you have a practical rope at hand. This clear, straightforward guide teaches everything you need to know, including selecting the paracord itself and weaving the correct wrap styles for underlays, tactical uses, skeleton handles, and more. Over 16 styles and approaches are covered, from basic handle wraps to standard military or looped wraps, to paradox wraps, all the way up to artistic Japanese tsukamaki handle wraps. The techniques are explained step by step, including detailed photos. The costs for making your wraps, in materials and tools, are minimal, and you can equip both your handmade knives and your manufactured knives with paracord handle wraps.

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Kids can draw patterns right in the book with a fine-tip marker and learn how to create designs with checkerboards, wheels, curlicues, feathers, baskets, spiderwebs, and more! Children will love following along with a charming pair of white mice named Milli and Matti as they search for colorful patterns to wear to the Festival of the Animals. Along the way they meet many animals such as a zebra, bee, tiger, ladybug, and armadillo, packing the animals' body patterns into their suitcase. The mice take turns drawing the patterns on each other and invite readers to draw along in the book with a fineliner pen. This kind of repeat pattern-painting is called zendoodling and has a relaxing effect. Included are simple Zendoodle tips and 25 animal outlines for children to copy, enlarge, and fill in for hours of fun.

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In the triumvirate of dominant structural building materials—wood, metal, and masonry—each has its advantages, but none are as intertwined with the human spirit as wood. Thirty-five public buildings illustrate how heavy timber framing can address familiar programmatic issues such as structure, economics, aesthetics, and sustainability. Timber framing can also have a positive effect on human emotions and physiology. In addition to being warm to the touch, wood building interiors have been widely proven to reduce blood pressure and heart rate and to speed convalescence in health care facilities. More than 450 photos, plans, and diagrams show how wood framing components from solid timbers to glulams and peeled logs are designed for durability and expressiveness. The finished projects aptly demonstrate what it means not only to shape buildings, but how they shape us.

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Most homeowners are uninformed and ill-prepared for big-ticket remodels. The knowledge they do have often comes from reality-TV home makeover shows that gloss over the ingredients essential to success. This book by a construction management pro gives homeowners increased confidence in making remodeling decisions, and peace of mind. Learn the six biggest mistakes people make when building a remodeling dream team, painless ways to shave the budget, what to do when your contractor isn't listening, and where to find financing. In the coming years, home remodeling activity is projected to accelerate, maintaining a growth rate above its long-term trend, according to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Use the guide's exercises and checklists to help you develop and articulate your remodeling goals, make decisions that align with your vision, and manage details, relationships, and budget.

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When the Apollo astronauts went to the moon, the whole world watched. When the Fly Me to the Moon art quilt challenge went out, it went global. This book showcases the curated results of that call for entries: 179 art quilts by over 130 artists from 8 countries, expressing their interpretation of the space program and all things lunar. Walk down memory lane or discover the story of the missions for the first time, but most importantly, enjoy a trip to the moon and beyond without the time and rigors of space training. As you travel into space, meet the astronauts, hum the tunes, and listen to the artists tell you about their pieces. Find endless inspiration and discover what the moon is really made of: cotton, thread, crystals, paint, ink, tulle, and crocheted lace.

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Rupert’s Tales continue with four new adventure stories in The Nature of Elements. Rupert the rabbit learns how courage, acceptance, compassion, and helping others are connected to the classical elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. In “The Courage to Fly,” Grandmother Spinner teaches Rupert that knowledge is only the beginning of wisdom when she asks for his help with a bird who has fallen from the sky. Rupert discovers in “Some Like It Hot” that the Element of Fire is the realm of action and turning words into deeds. When Dylan the dolphin is stuck far from the sea in “The Mystery of Lessons,” Rupert receives a lesson in compassion when Grandmother Spinner asks for his help once more, and, finally, Rupert is rewarded for his assistance in “The Sounds of Earth” when he helps Erik the earthworm finally get some sleep. Includes 39 vibrant illustrations. For ages 5–8.

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The third in a series of seasonal watercoloring books based on artist Kristy Rice's cutting gardens, this book celebrates autumn's vibrant blossoms such as asters, zinnias, torch lilies, and chrysanthemums. Her easy-to-learn, joy-driven approach includes simple tutorials on how to use watercolor and where to find affordable materials. A stationery-industry tastemaker, Kristy believes that making art, regardless of skill level, has the power to reconnect us to each other and ourselves. Touching brush to paper with water and color releases an inexplicable calm that so many of us long for, and making art, even in short bursts, brings us back to ourselves by slowing time.With 25 detailed, yet whimsical illustrations, artists are invited to continue the journey begun in her first watercoloring book series, Painterly Days.

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More than seventy sensational properties showcase the talents of some of the world's most innovative modernist architects. Many of the homes are built on challenging sites, reaching levels of engineering sophistication that could only have been executed by the most creative design firms. Ranging geographically from Thailand to Turkey, New York to Norway, and Mexico to South Africa, these pristine homes are successful experiments in space, volume, and building materials. They also define luxury, affording their owners an unusually high level of comfort and aesthetic pleasure. Many of these stunning dwellings have never before appeared in print, and each includes a brief description of the location and how the architects solved the puzzle of client and site.

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Preschool children will find this book's colorful art irresistible as they lift the flaps and learn analytical thinking skills. Ten flaps are uniquely designed with squares that reveal the hidden image underneath. Think! And then lift the flap to see. Teachers and parents can test children on colors, counting, size, differences, beginning reading, and comprehension. Think Squares! will increase language and math skills, along with developing small motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Toddlers and preschoolers will have hours of fun playing with this interactive book.

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Destined for fame, Surfer Dude is known to many who looked for this colt while crossing the bridge to Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The story of this beloved wild stallion, who cared for his herd of mares over a lifetime on Chincoteague Island, is beautifully illustrated in vivid detail, from his distinctive blue eye to his white star and stripe, silver mane and tail, and chocolatey chestnut coat. His passing at the ripe age of twenty-three in the spring of 2015 touched people from across the United States and beyond. But the spirit of his gentle nature and the way he loved his foals lives on. His spirit lingers in breezes that ruffle the island grasses and in the sunbeams that warm the island ponies, and is celebrated in this story of love and the circle of life.

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Chronicling the many faces of the WWII effort, these contemporary black-and-white portraits of the longest surviving veterans remind us that the war comprised a collection of Americans from all walks of life. Their penetrating gaze captures the ethos of the endeavor of war. Intimate memories offer glimpses into the horrifying, and at times awe-inspiring, reality of war. The faces of these veterans, from all branches, are juxtaposed with images of their youthful selves and serve as a visual representation of the expanse of their life experiences. Appealing to the families of soldiers, academics, history buffs, and veterans of other wars, this collection is a testament to the spirit of patriotism and strength of a collective American effort.

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Every two years, 50 to 60 top artists in all mediums travel to the tiny town of Aiguines in Provence, France, and spend six days and nights collaborating, cross-pollinating ideas, and trying out mediums they've never used before. In these pages, learn about this valued source of energy in today’s artistic world: the collaborative creativity seminar. Short texts by participants enhance over 275 engaging photos of artists in the process of collaborating, as well as the resulting masterful artworks. See how the artists created, in those six days, a total of 176 gallery-quality pieces by joining together across mediums--for instance, a woodturner, a glassblower, and a weaver working together on a project. This view inside the Aiguines event offers inspiration for artists and art organizations to increase their work’s quality and their own vision’s scope.

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The Sierra Nevada Mountains don't easily reveal their treasures, but this photographic compilation, the result of over thirty backpacking trips in the remote high country, reveals the spirit and beauty of a national gem through brilliant images. Focusing on carefully selected landscapes captured from virtually impossible vantage points, the photographs reflect a genuine Sierra backcountry experience. Witness the disappearing edges between water and rocks at Lake Aloha, the scant vegetation peeking out between slabs of smooth granite in Cherry Creek Canyon, and read about the natural processes that led to the creation of waterfalls, glaciers, and lakes. The painstakingly crafted compositions demonstrate how light can determine the way one sees and remembers a landscape. Musings about the Sierra Nevada by naturalists, mountaineers, and writers, including John Muir, Norman Clyde, Jane Wilson-Howarth, and Jack Kerouac, complement the arresting photography.

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The Rubber Soldiers were an army of 55,000 men from the Brazilian northeast, who were sent to the Amazon basin to harvest rubber for the Allied War effort under an agreement between Brazil and the US. Approximately 26,000 of these men died in the Amazon of malaria, yellow fever, and other jungle afflictions. Many of the original tappers are still alive, now in their late nineties, and living in slums in major Amazonian cities, still awaiting compensation. This book proves the US did pay for the rubber, contrary to common belief in Brazil that they did not. The book also shows that the Allied air bases on Brazil's northeastern coast were critical in defeating the Germans in North Africa, and containing the German U-boat effort in the south Atlantic. This aspect of WWII has rarely been reported and yet it may have been one of the most important events of the war.

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Welcome to the fantasy-made-flesh that is Jamie Mahon’s imagination. Weaving together sublime locations, superb photography, and striking models, this award-winning photographer has created true artwork of the alternative subculture. He and a clique of extraordinary creators have labored to produce images of beautiful women, expertly made up and professionally styled in fantastic surroundings. Whether it’s the ethereal otherworldliness of his Gothic heroines and villainesses, the provocative postures of his fetish performers, or the adrenalin-charged action of his fantasy characters, each image leaps from its page to shock and awe you. Mahon’s imagination is realized with such depth, passion, and color as to be an entire reality of its own. So come join us in this wicked world of sinful style.

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This illustrated book covers the complete history of the United States’ Los Angeles class attack submarines from initial design and construction, through testing and trials, to its current operations. The nuclear-powered USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) class attack submarine represented the lead ship of the largest group of vessels constructed for the US Navy during the Cold War, and was purposefully designed for anti-submarine operations against the Soviets. Sixty-two boats were built and launched between 1976 and 1996, and the class continues to serve in force to this day. The exclusive and extensive photographic coverage of the boat’s interior is featured here for the first time. Details of the boats’ armament includes: four 21" bow-mounted torpedo tubes supporting the Mk 48 ADCAP torpedo series; Tomahawk (BGM-109) cruise missile; and Harpoon (UGM-84) anti-ship missile capability. The author’s unprecedented access allows the reader a first time view of these submarines.

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Around the world, millions of people hijack cars in Grand Theft Auto, role play fantastical heroes in World of WarCraft, and crush candy on phones as small as wallets yet nearly as powerful as desktop computers. But long before video games became a multi-billion-dollar industry, two hackers invented the Apple II, a PC that contained less memory than the average Microsoft Word document and bowled over consumers by displaying four colors at once. Some users tapped its resources to design productivity software. Others devised some of the most influential games of all time. From the perils along the Oregon Trail and the exploits of Carmen Sandiego to the shadowy dungeons of Wizardry and Prince of Persia's trap-filled labyrinth, Break Out recounts the making of some of the Apple II's most iconic games, illustrates how they informed the games we play today, and tells the stories of the pioneers who made them.

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