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Now in a convenient paperback edition, this is a bag-making series with a difference: 15 stylish tote bag designs, two handy plastic templates and endless variations! Focusing on tote bags, this beautifully presented, 96-page book contains easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of totes in a range of fabrics and styles. Included are two easy-to-use templates: durable, reusable, wipe-clean and perfect for fussy cutting, they make building a bag even easier. The 15 tote bags are each made using different techniques, pockets, straps and fastenings to create 15 very different results. The templates can also be used for your own further design variations, and Debbie gives advice on how to adapt and create your own unique designs. Each project in the book is explained using Debbie’s trademark style and step-by-step photography, and there is also a comprehensive techniques section and a guide to using the templates.

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Sew 20 stunning felt decorations – perfect for adding some festive charm to your home or for giving as gorgeous handmade gifts. Best-selling author Corinne Lapierre brings you 20 fantastic new festive designs! Create decorations to hang on your tree, ornaments to decorate your table and mantelpiece, and cards, gift bags and tags to send to loved ones. Including snowflakes, robins, stockings, snowmen, angels and more, there's something for everyone! Create gorgeous family heirlooms that you will look forward to seeing year after year. All the projects are simple to make, all the necessary templates are provided in the book and the stitches are clearly explained before you start. This fantastic little hardback project book, in a handy pocket-size format is part of the All-New Twenty to Make series.

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Join Gai Button as she shares her secrets to needle felting adorable miniature dogs. Using different wools, silks and fibres, and with just three needles, you can make all manner of realistic-looking dog breeds, including labradors, pugs and poodles. There are six dog projects in the book, and the techniques for making them are explained clearly with illustrated step-by-step instructions, along with handy tips. Each dog also has to-scale templates included, so you can start needle felting your favourite pooch right away. Needle felted dogs are easier to make than they look, making them suitable for beginners and confident felters alike!

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Bursting with exciting and innovative techniques, best-selling author Jane Betteridge pushes watercolour to new heights, bringing nature to life with vibrancy, texture and dynamism. In this reissue of her best-selling book Dynamic Watercolours, Jane demonstrates an effective and vibrant use of a huge range of exciting ways of working, including the use of crackle paste, modelling pastes, metallic leaf, gilding flakes, print and much more. Inspired by nature on every page and showcasing 75 inspirational finished paintings, this book will excite and inspire watercolour artists of all abilities to experiment and approach their painting in a whole new way.

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This comprehensive guide to weaving big on your frame loom enables you to maximize your little loom to make large projects. Weave long warps up to 2 metres (6.5 feet) on a basic frame loom. Aimed at both the beginner and the more experienced weaver, Fiona Daly guides you through all you need to know from dressing the loom, how to weave, and extending the warp, to a variety of patterned weave structures and highly textured techniques. These include waffle weave; extra-weft floats and tassels; leno/gauze weave; as well as classic weave structures such as houndstooth; check, and log cabin. Including project patterns for eight contemporary, big projects for you and for your home, you can make an oversized scarf, a mesh shopping bag, a large wall hanging, a bath mat and textured cushions. Projects are designed using techniques explained in the book, incorporating beautiful, natural materials. Fiona stresses the use of sustainably sourced and native materials, including tips on how to find your local, sustainable yarn producers as well as repurposing existing yarns from second-hand garments and charity shops.

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From the authors of Needle Felting for Beginners, awarded BEST CRAFT BOOK in The Craft Business Awards 2021. Needle-felting is an easy and fun technique, requiring little in the way of expensive materials or equipment. Its accessibility means it's becoming more and more popular, and award-winning authors Judy Balchin and Roz Dace show how to make 20 wonderful little teddy bears using this tactile technique. Each bear measures around 10-12cm (4-5in) tall and can be made in a matter of hours from a bundle of wool fibres, a felting needle and some carefully chosen embellishments. Each bear has its own special character, and they make ideal gifts and keepsakes for friends and loved ones. There's a pretty ballet bear, a cool Christmas bear, as well as a vintage bear, rainbow bear and cute baby bears. Each project is accompanied by clear, step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, and there are handy hints and tips throughout the book to help make the crafting process even easier. Detailed guidance is provided at the start of the book on the materials and equipment you need; how to sculpt a basic bear; make your bears' paws, feet and faces; and how to really bring your bear to life by carefully positioning the nose, eyes and ears. The techniques are easy to learn and soon you will be designing and making bears of your own to keep or give. Previously published as How to Make Little Needle-Felted Teddy Bears (ISBN: 9781782210696).

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Terry Harrison's painting style and easy-going humour makes painting fun and enjoyable. Pick up a brush, pull out one of the included outlines, and before you know it, you'll have a painting you can be proud to hang on your wall! This collection of Terry Harrison's highly-successful Ready to Paint books expands on the rock-solid painting advice in the originals by including all of Terry's clever and simple techniques. Together with more information on his preferred materials, the book makes painting the huge range of landscapes and rural scenes included approachable and enjoyable. The book includes pull-out outline paper that you can transfer to watercolour paper as well as full instructions on how to do so for each of the 15 step-by-step projects, and Terry's beautiful artworks are scattered throughout for inspiration.

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A new, larger format edition of the classic reference work on silk shading by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). The Essential Stitch Guides provide a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. Graduate Apprentice Sarah Homfray throws light onto the beautiful craft of silk shading, also known as painting with a needle, long and short stitch embroidery or thread painting. This book reveals the history of the craft then moves on to the materials and equipment required. Next, Sarah covers design and using colour, simplifying and demystifying this often neglected area of embroidery. The main part of the book then covers all of the essential stitches and techniques through clear, step-by-step diagrams, coupled with beautiful, close-up photographs showing how they can be used in a finished piece. Key traditional techniques are included: the fundamental stab, split and long and short stitches; along with couching, padding, adding beads and sequins, and knots. The book ends with beautiful and exquisitely-worked examples and covers working with different fabrics, threads and incorporating painted backgrounds. The RSN teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forward in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides has been produced in close collaboration with the RSN with the aim of providing a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques.

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Design a completely unique quilt using a library of over 6,000+ blocks with the Electric Quilt 8 Quilt Design Software. Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) is the most user-friendly quilt design software on the market! It's redesigned from previous versions with a friendly new look that includes large interface elements for faster, more intuitive learning. EQ8 comes with more than 40 new and updated features, including thousands of new block designs and fabrics. With EQ8, you can design your own quilts using the 6,000+ included blocks and fabrics (or add your own!). Print your fabric yardage, rotary-cutting charts, templates, or foundation patterns and sew your unique masterpiece! In EQ8, you can Design quilts at any size – Start with a layout from the library, or choose a pre-designed Quick Quilt project for instant inspiration. For complete control, design your layout from scratch! Draw block patterns of all sizes and styles – EQ8 has full drawing capabilities to create any kind of block. Draft your block from scratch, use the built-in grids or import a photo or sketch to trace. The Block Library is full of over 6,000 pre-drawn designs ready for you to use in your quilt designs. Use these blocks as they are, or edit them to add your own touch. Scan and import fabric – Scan your fabric or take a picture of it, then import the image into EQ8. Use the scaling, straightening and cropping tools to make sure your fabric looks as accurate as possible. You can also add fabrics from the web! The EQ8 Fabric Library comes pre-loaded with 6,200 fabrics from top manufacturers! Calculate yardage – Get yardage estimates for your quilt, including borders! You choose the appropriate fabric width to get the most accurate requirements. Using fat quarters? No problem! If you make changes to your quilt, your yardage automatically updates. Print patterns – Print patterns for the blocks in your quilt. EQ8 uses the sizes you defined for the blocks and adds the seam allowance, where necessary. Choose to print templates, foundation patterns, rotary cutting charts and pictures of your blocks and quilts. Export images – Are you submitting your quilt design to a magazine? EQ8 exports high-resolution images perfect for print publications. Export web images to post on your blog, website or on social media. Link your Facebook account to EQ8 so you can easily share images of your designs with your friends and followers. The EQ8 package contains a software download licence. The licence is used to claim, download and install the software from ElectricQuilt.com. Users can choose the Mac or PC version during the claim process. Complete instructions are included. System Requirements: Minimum System Requirements DISCLAIMER: EQ8 will not run on Chromebooks or any devices running Android or iOS. EQ8 requires Windows or Mac operating systems, as listed below. Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 macOS Monterey (12), Big Sur (11) Intel and M1 processors, Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14), High Sierra (10.13) If you want to run EQ8 on BOTH platforms, you must purchase the EQ8 Migration Kit to get the installation files for the second platform. Internet Access Required Internet access required for downloading, activating, periodic validation and accessing the support materials. You can be disconnected from the internet for general use of the software. Activation Unlimited installations. Two (2) computers may be simultaneously active. Activations can be easily transferred between computers. Activations are done through electricquilt.com Space Requirements 850 MB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation. Recommended Resolution Screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 or greater. (A Minimum of 1024 x 768 is required).

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Create a rainbow of cute and colourful crocheted flower babies using this simple beginner's guide. Choose from 12 different flowers including Sam Sunflower, Hugo Hydrangea, Adam Allium and Diane Daffodil, all with flamboyant petals and friendly faces. All the flower babies use the same simple body pattern to which the characterful, colourful petals and leaves are added. All the techniques and stitches used are clearly illustrated, and the book also contains a handy guide to pattern reading. Use your flower babies as keyrings, brooches, necklaces or just as fun toys for playtime!

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The really easy way to learn how to paint flowers in watercolour! Using a simple ten-step process, learn how to draw a basic outline starting with simple shapes, then add washes of colour and fine details to complete your work. Arranged in three chapters based on skill level, this book features 25 lovely projects, each showing you how to paint a flower in ten steps. There are paint swatches for every plant, showing you the colours you need to mix for each step of the way and the finished painting serves as a reference to guide you. It couldn't be easier! Also included is a useful techniques section at the beginning, and clever painting tips from the author throughout the book. With flora as diverse as a tulip, a magnolia, a bunny ears cactus and a passionflower, there is plenty to choose from and practise with, to develop your skills.

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The traditional art of Illumination - the creation of elaborate, decorated letters and initials - is now attracting new enthusiasts. It reached its apogee in the monasteries of medieval Europe and was practised with great skill and artistry. Embellished with gold leaf, the illuminated letters of those early scribes seemed to reflect light, as though they were indeed 'illuminated'. Illuminated Letters presents step-by-step instructions for recreating illuminated alphabets from six historical periods, including Celtic, Gothic and Romanesque. Diagrams for upper- and lower-case letters are accompanied by ideas for borders and decorations, and full instructions for gilding. Each section also explores ways in which the illuminated letters can be adapted to create a truly personal style, while a gallery of modern examples will inspire further creativity.

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In this gorgeous book, Jane E. Hall combines her love of butterflies with her outstanding talent as a textile artist to produce three-dimensional renditions of exquisitely worked butterflies that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Using the finest of silk threads and needles, Jane lovingly creates her butterflies using the tiniest of stitches worked on to silk. The butterflies are then placed within a setting of silk leaves and flowers, all made with the same painstaking attention to detail and expert skill as the butterflies themselves. There is a fascinating introduction to butterflies in nature, reflecting Jane's love and admiration for these exquisite creatures. This is followed by twelve studies, including the Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and the Brimstone, each presented as a finished piece along with the materials used to create them, and the photographs, swatches, drawings and paintings that inspired them. One of the most striking features of this book is the amazing photography of Jane's work, including detailed close-ups. This, together with Jane's poetic and inspiring text, make this a book that anyone who is a nature lover, embroiderer, textile artist or simply a lover of beautiful books will want to own.

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This exciting new title from best-selling author and artist Jane Betteridge explores how to create stunning abstract watercolour and mixed media art on canvas. The book contains short practical projects along with a comprehensive techniques section, three step-by-step projects, and is dotted throughout with Jane's sumptuous and inspirational finished artworks. The book encourages an experimental, semi-abstract approach to painting the natural landscape, and helps artists to loosen up. Activities that promote creativity, such as art, are seen as great ways to combat the stresses of modern life, and Jane's latest book will do just that. She provides expert guidance and exciting ideas that will allow anyone, whether beginner or experienced artist, to create amazing semi-abstract artwork.

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Just as macramé homeware has been given a contemporary, stylish makeover in recent years, here, Isabella Strambio does the same with jewellery. Ideal for beginners, this book contains 20 contemporary jewellery and accessory projects, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and headbands. Isabella is committed to working with sustainable materials, to ensure that these items can make you feel good, as well as look good. She gives advice on sizing and resizing the pieces to suit, and attaching jewellery findings, fastenings, beads and so on. As well as providing 20 wonderful designs, the book also covers the knots that are needed, making it ideal for beginners or people who are keen to give the craft a try and create some truly unique, truly sustainable jewellery pieces.

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The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides provides expert tuition on a variety of techniques. In this guide to blackwork, Graduate Apprentice and tutor, Becky Hogg, shows how to develop many different patterns from the basic blackwork stitches, using detailed instructions and beautiful examples of traditional and contemporary embroideries. There is a fascinating look at the history of blackwork, a guide to the materials needed, and then a detailed look at the stitches used. These are then developed into a huge variety of beautiful patterns, and finally there is a guide to varying the look of these patterns through the use of different shading techniques. There are inspiring embroideries throughout the book, both historical pieces and contemporary works by the author and other RSN apprentices.

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If you love to crochet and decorate your home with lovely projects, this is the book for you! Make 15 different crocheted succulents that can decorate your windowsill, table, shelf or anywhere else in your home. These delightful amigurumi plants are inspired by real succulent species, and there are both small and large projects. The projects are quick and easy to make so suitable for crocheters of all abilities. All you need is some yarn, a hook and some pots! With a short techniques section to get you started, you can make a whole display in no time.

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This charming book is full of wonderfully cute tiny animals, such as a dog, cat, camel, monkey and rabbit, that can be crocheted with small amounts of yarn in your stash - all you need is a crochet hook and some yarn. The animals can be used to hang on keyrings, baby buggies, watches, bag pendants, as little toy figures for a doll's house, or whatever you like. There are 26 cute little amigurumi animals to choose from, so there is plenty of choice!

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Create stunning 'embroidered' designs with yarns, threads, fabric and more without needing to learn dozens of stitches! Punch needle embroidery is similar to rug hooking, and involves punching threads into fabric using a tool to form raised, decorative loops. It is a technique that is easy to grasp in very little time. A traditional technique that came out of the US in the 19th century, punch needle has been revitalized and is appealing to many textile enthusiasts as it's not only simple to pick up but incredibly fun! With internationally renowned, expert embroiderer Marie Suarez, learn and discover the delights of punch needle embroidery in this gorgeous practical book. Starting with the key materials and equipment you'll need, as well as the basic punch-needle stitches and techniques, go straight into making 20 creative and original projects – including flower-adorned pillows, pretty wall hangings and stylish bags! All the projects are accompanied by beautiful photographs, diagrams to help you work out what to stitch first, and templates for you to trace off for quick-and-easy needle punching.

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Blackwork is a traditional type of counted-stitch embroidery. Monochromatic, with superb shadow effects, it has been revisited here in a magnificently graphic, contemporary style highlighted with occasional splashes of colour. The 13 patterns designed by Bernadette Baldelli modernize the technique by adding a touch of red to the traditional black and white, and by including both geometric and more figurative styles. You’ll discover a lush, graphic world with embroidery that is simple to do and gives stunning results. You can make a basket, a pouch, wall hangings, place mats, an embroidered shirt, throw blanket and more. Simple diagrams make them easy to do, and there is a wealth of tempting patterns to choose from. Bernadette’s creations are known for their excellent finishing touches and these are no exception.

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This accessible and inspiring introduction to drop-spindle spinning is ideal for fibre artists, knitters, crocheters, felters and weavers. Vanessa Kroening explains how to clean and prepare fleece for spinning, giving valuable tips to beginners and more experienced spinners alike. There are sections on choosing a fleece, carding, blending colours, making rolags (rolls of fibre), batts (flat carded fibres) and a step-by-step explanation of how to use a drop spindle – a great way to spin your own yarn without needing to invest in an expensive spinning wheel. Vanessa also shows you to how to ply and dye your yarn and how to add beads, sequins and other decorative elements for a modern and wonderfully artistic finish.

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In this reissue of his popular book, Vic Bearcroft shares his love of drawing and painting wild animals, showing how to capture the personality and distinctive features of a variety of creatures. Using simple steps and plenty of detail, this guide shows you how to create beautiful artworks, from drawing the basic shapes through to realising your favourite animals in your preferred medium.

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Choose from 15 lovely, contemporary Fair Isle crochet projects to make for the home in this beautiful pattern book. Author and designer Natasja Vreeswijk has created 15 contemporary Fair Isle projects for crochet enthusiasts who want to go one step further. Also known as tapestry crochet, the techniques are easy to learn, and all the projects are made in Natasja’s unique vintage style with black and white as their base colours. From blankets and pillows, to a baby blanket and hip plant baskets, there are lots of gorgeous projects to make. The crochet patterns are accompanied by clear colour charts and beautiful photographs of the finished projects.

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*** WINNER *** Won BEST CRAFT BOOK in The Craft Business Awards 2021! Learn from experienced crafters Roz Dace and Judy Balchin how to master the art of needle felting. Perfect for beginners, this fun, felty book teaches a different technique in each project. The authors take you on a journey, building up your skills from basic needle felting to confidently using armatures. They share their secrets with you and teach you how to capture expression and character in faces, as well as how to create realistic figures or more exaggerated caricatures. You can sculpt miniature teacup worlds, endangered and garden animals and even your friends and family! It’s all covered in this fun and accessible book. With twelve varied projects to get stuck into, you just need to choose where to start. Beginners will love this much-needed guide to a fascinating craft.

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Explore the deserts, mountains and souks of the Middle East, with best-selling author and artist David Bellamy. Following on from David’s highly acclaimed Arctic Light, this book provides an intriguing and often entertaining insight into South Arabia and the Swahili Coast, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman. It describes the history, culture, customs and geography of the region and the daily life of its inhabitants, as viewed through the eyes of a world-renowned watercolour artist and life-long adventurer. Filled with personal anecdotes and humour, David Bellamy’s unique account shines a light on the Middle East and highlights the incredible beauty and fascinating culture of this much-neglected region. David’s stunning artwork, that he painted during his various expeditions, features throughout the book and captures perfectly the diverse and majestic nature of the region. Watercolourists will be inspired by the author’s awe-inspiring ability to depict sweeping vistas and create a sense of space in his paintings, and to capture the very essence of a place through his art.

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'There’s no grandstanding or showmanship, just solid, honest instructions and demonstrations that produce solid, worthwhile results.' Artbookreview.net Paint convincing watercolour mountain scenes using just 3 colours, 3 brushes, a palette and a pad of paper. From only 3 affordable watercolour paints in red, blue and yellow you can mix a huge range of colours and paint beautiful landscapes you’ll be proud to hang on your wall. Starting from the simplest of mountain scenes, Matthew builds your skills as you progress through the 9 easy projects in the book, and by the end you’ll be amazed at what you have achieved. Clear instructions and step-by-step photographs show you how to add detail, shadow and distance to a scene, and there are numerous handy tips and helpful ‘jargon busters’ to help you learn the basic watercolour techniques. Before you know it, you’ll have acquired all the skills you need to paint your own wonderful mountain scenes in watercolour. Matthew uses French ultramarine, cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson and sizes 12, 6 and 2 round brushes.

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Be inspired by watercolour master David Bellamy and learn how to paint glorious landscapes, capturing the natural countryside in all its moods.

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Ideal for patchworkers, quilters and sewists looking for ideas and inspiration, this book contains designs for 20 mini blocks, all measuring just 12.5cm (5 inches) square, and all constructed from basic shapes including squares, triangles and rectangles. Mini quilt blocks are ideal for making small patchwork projects such as bags, pincushions, coasters and placemats, for incorporating into larger blocks, or for forming motifs within a larger quilt design. Each of the 20 projects are shown four ways, to inspire the reader with different fabrics and colourways. Each project is accompanied by the number and size of each shape in the block and instructions on the order in which to put the shapes together. Includes techniques on how to cut the shapes using a rotary cutter and ruler, design ideas and instructions for a simple coaster.

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Our 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.

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The lavish new book from bestselling author and renowned textile artist Moy Mackay. From concentrating mainly on the felting techniques described in detail in her previous books (Art in Felt & Stitch and Flowers in Felt & Stitch), this latest title by the prolific and popular felt artist now shows you how to find inspiration for your own felt painting creations. Delve into the catalogue of Moy’s beautiful, colourful sketchbooks and photographs and learn about her own design process and influences, through which your own artistic abilities can be explored. Moy takes you through every step of the felt-making process then shows you how to put together four fabulous felt paintings of various subjects. There is also guidance on stitching – both hand- and machine-stitching – as well as how to use colour and introduce texture in the form of different fibres and threads. There are numerous examples of Moy’s work throughout the book, inspired by the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Borders where she lives and works, providing further inspiration for your own gorgeous felt paintings. From inspiration and design to the finished vibrant picture, Moy’s third book explores the development from initial thoughts through to the essential embellishments that add life and character to her work.

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'This is an extraordinary book.' Review of Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours in The Artist Magazine 'It simply dazzles on the page and makes you want to grab your brushes and get going straight away.' Review of Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours in The Leisure Painter Jean Haines is arguably one of the world’s most accomplished and inspirational artists, and in this, her fifth book, she explores one of her most beloved subjects - flowers. Taking inspiration from her own beautiful garden in the English countryside where she lives, Jean takes you on an artistic journey that not only teaches you how to create gorgeous paintings, but also shares with you the joy to be gained from the simple act of painting flowers. In this beautiful book, Jean explains with passion and enthusiasm how to loosen up your painting style and include just enough detail in your paintings to portray the essence of flowers, bringing them to life on the paper and infusing them with vibrancy and energy. She shares unreservedly the materials and techniques she uses, provides a wealth of expert tips and advice, and guides you step-by-step through numerous studies and projects. Throughout the book there are many glorious examples of Jean’s paintings of a dazzling variety of flowers, providing an abundance of inspiration for artists of all abilities. Jean uses Daniel Smith materials in this book but other materials can be used to achieve similar results.

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An indispensable guide for anyone keen to learn coloured pencil techniques, or for the experienced artist who would like to build on their existing skills. Filled with information on the basic characteristics and colour ranges of the main kinds of coloured pencil, and step-by-step visual demonstrations of key techniques from blending, blocking in and burning to sgraffito, stippling and impressing. The reader will not only discover how professional artists use imaginative and dynamic styles to interpret a wide range of subjects, but they will also be inspired by the 150-plus full-colour illustrations to create brilliant artworks of their own.

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If 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.

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Looking for a unique baby gift? Here are twenty gorgeous shoes, booties and pumps to crochet in a range of colours and styles, for both boys and girls. Choose from red strawberry-style shoes with flowery toes, smiley car shoes, Christmas booties and even shoes shaped like frogs! Each pair of shoes requires relatively small quantities of yarn and can be crocheted quickly, easily, and on the go using the clear instructions provided. Each project is accompanied by lists of the materials and equipment required and inspiring photographs. As all babies are different, sizes and age suggestions are given for each project, from birth to twelve months, but general advice is also given at the beginning of the book on how to increase or decrease the size of the projects.

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Claire Waite Brown provides all the key techniques such as mixing, blending, scumbling, sgraffito, hatching, and feathering in over 100 visual sequences. There is advice on composing your painting, using colour, adding highlights and shadows and creating textured effects. The step-by-step demonstrations range from landscapes and flowers to portraits and still life. You'll find plenty to inspire you with this captivating medium with beautiful examples in full-colour photography.

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Originally published in German in 1964, Professor Gottfried Bammes’ Die Gestalt des Menschen is still considered the definitive guide to drawing the human form. Having undergone numerous editions since it was first published and still much in demand today, this, the first ever English translation of the complete work, has been long awaited. Based on the most recent German edition and faithful to the original, it contains over 1200 photographs, diagrams and drawings, including work by the author himself, and spans over 500 pages. Now, both new and experienced English-speaking artists and illustrators can benefit from the vast body of knowledge accumulated and lovingly presented by Professor Bammes in his acclaimed work. This comprehensive guide begins with the history of human anatomy for artists, and its influence on the development of the artistic visualisation of the body. Bammes goes on to explore in depth the human skeleton and musculature; the proportions of the body; the static and dynamic laws of posture and movement; body language; and the interrelationships of the various elements of the body. Through his systematic and practical approach to teaching, the reader will acquire an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the ways in which it can be used to express the human form in art.

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This extensive guide to figure drawing brings together seven books from the successful Art of Drawing series: Drawing Techniques, Heads and Faces, Sketching People, Understanding Human Form and Structure, The Nude, Drawing Hands and Feet and Clothing on Figures. This is an essential guide for anyone particularly interested in figure drawing, and includes in-depth studies of human anatomy by master artist Civardi. Civardi's technical advice and practical tips, accompanied by his own outstanding drawings, make this an invaluable resource for any portrait artist.

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With its beginnings in seventeenth century England, stumpwork is today making a revival. Come join us for an exciting journey into the world of raised embroidery. There are over 400 clear step-by-step photographs and instructions presented in five easy to use sections and 20 stunning designs from around the world. Each design is beautifully presented with colour photography, easy to follow instructions and full size pattern. There is expert advice on the materials and tools you need to ensure success and enjoyment, and tips and hints to help you perfect your stitches and techniques.

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The act of writing can be creative, meditative and very enjoyable. Whether you want to personalise your wedding stationary, create unique greetings cards, or add a special touch to display your poetry, decorated lettering transforms even the mundane into something personal and beautiful. A comprehensive course in all aspects of decorated lettering; this book is suitable for beginners, experienced calligraphers and all those interested in the magical world of lettering. In fact, it is for everyone who loves letters.

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In this beautiful book, Naomi Okamoto passes on her experience and knowledge of Sumi-e – traditional Japanese ink painting that uses only ink, white space and simple brushstrokes to capture the essence of an object, person, animal or scene. With her deep understanding of both the technical and spiritual aspects of this ancient art, she guides the reader expertly through the materials required and the techniques involved, successfully conveying as she does so the cultural and historical background to this exquisite artform. There are numerous ink paintings and simple exercises throughout, making this book ideal for anyone wishing to acquire the skills associated with Sumi-e, as well as an understanding of the philosophy behind it.

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Twenty to Knit: Easy Knitted Tea Cosies contains twenty fun, colourful and easy-to-knit tea cosies. This book contains a wide range of designs, from funky fruit and friendly owls to contemporary stripes, along with Autumn, Christmas and Valentine’s Day designs. These cute and quirky tea cosies are quick to make and great for brightening up your home or giving as gifts.

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This book is a comprehensive course in watercolour landscape painting by expert SAA tutor, Matthew Palmer. Matthew is renowned for his beautiful, detailed paintings and his ability to teach effective painting using simple techniques. The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including, easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to paint skies, tree, water and figures in watercolour. There are then six simple step by step painting exercises, and each exercise leads into a more developed step by step painting project, including a windmill, seascape, snow scene, mountains and lakes, bluebell stream and an all-rounder featuring a landscape with buildings and figures. The exercises are ideal for beginners and the main projects will also build skills for improving artists. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every exercise and main project, and Matthew shows step by step how to transfer these onto watercolour paper. Matthew teaches over 150 pupils per week and also appears regularly on TV. He has an accessible style, plenty of tips and tricks for beginners and his own range of brushes and colours to make things easier (though readers can use alternatives).

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This is an essential book for anyone learning to draw, or wishing to improve their drawing. Starting with the basics of drawing techniques, Civardi gives expert advice on drawing portraits, the clothed figure, hands and feet and scenery, finishing with a section on the importance of light and shade. Civardi's technical advice and practical tips, accompanied by his own outstanding drawings, make this an invaluable resource for any artist. Previously published as Giovanni Civardi's Complete Guide to Drawing (9781844482061) and now includes The Nude (9781844482443).

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Discover 100 wonderful and majestic creatures to draw! Whether you have your favourites already, or are looking for inspiration from a range of diverse habitats including rainforests, mountains, polar regions or the African savannah, you're bound to discover an animal in this book that you will find irresistible – and you will just want to pick up your pencil and start drawing! Each animal is broken down into three or four simple stages that lead you effortlessly through to the finished drawing. There are no written instructions to follow – just basic shapes and pencil strokes. Even if you’ve never drawn anything before, you will be amazed at how quickly you will achieve incredibly impressive drawings. Every project also shows two finished examples of the animal – one shaded with pencil and the other with colour. This is the perfect book for budding artists yearning to draw their favourite animals. The material in this book is taken from the following books in Search Press's successful How to Draw series: Mountain Animals, Polar Animals, Rainforest Animals, African Animals.

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In this latest book in in the highly successful 20 to Make series, best-selling author Sachiyo Ishii has ventured into the world of crochet and created 20 adorable, amigurumi-style toys and animals. The patterns are both easy and fun to make, and suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. All the patterns are no more than around 10cm (4in) tall, and are made with just one size crochet hook (3mm/UK 11 US C2).

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Award-winning artist Hashim Akib's striking portraits are at the heart of this inspirational book. The subject of portraiture is seen by many as the zenith of art, and Hash's easygoing, unpretentious style puts fantastic results within the reach of hobby artists and aspiring professionals alike. Assuming nothing and starting from the basics – making it suitable even for the enthusiastic beginner – this book includes six step-by-step projects to follow; along with friendly but in-depth advice on colour palettes; skintone; composition; working from photographs and models; markmaking; lighting; atmosphere and much more. The book covers many types of portraiture – from the self-portrait to full-length portraits – all presented in Hash's striking, free and contemporary style.

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Take your first steps with pastels and learn how to produce modern, lively and colourful artwork with this exciting medium. 'This thorough guide to the rewarding medium of pastel will teach you much more than just the basics and may be the only pastel book you'll ever need!' - The SAA Artist and teacher Rebecca de Mendonça offers the beginner a complete course in using pastels. Easy-to-follow techniques for soft and hard pastels. 8 projects broken down into simple steps. Includes a wealth of finished paintings to provide ideas and inspiration. Step-by-step exercises and longer projects help you to build essential skills and allow you to produce a range of pictures, including landscapes, still life, portraits and animals. Vital drawing skills are explained and demonstrated, along with an easy-to-follow guide to colour theory, and a huge wealth of finished paintings provide ideas and inspiration for your own future pastel work.

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A comprehensive course in landscape painting with acrylics by popular author and tutor Charles Evans. Charles' no-nonsense techniques and engaging writing style bring acrylic painting within the grasp of anyone keen to get started in this versatile and popular medium. The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to use acrylics with different painting styles. There are six full step-by-step painting projects ranging from simple skies to snowy landscapes with horses, each of which is supported by additional exercises and techniques. The step-by-step projects allow aspiring artists to put into practice their new-found skills, and produce six stunning paintings of their own, in a range of styles. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every project, and Charles shows how to transfer these onto the painting surface. Charles' accessible and irreverent style makes learning to paint with acrylics easy and fun.

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