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One of the most exhilarating cities in the world, London is steeped in history whilst embracing innovation. Its skyline is a mix of old and new, with the beautiful architectural splendour of St Paul’s Cathedral sitting comfortably alongside the staggering modernity of new high rises. The pomp and ceremony of quintessential British culture remains very much on show, from Changing the Guard to the Lord Mayor’s Show and tea at The Ritz. With world-famous museums, art galleries, theatres, eight royal parks, shops, restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, London has something on offer for everyone. The latest Pitkin guide to London is a fresh, updated edition of our best-seller In and Around London. This guidebook celebrates the most famous icons in our English heritage, as well as introducing the newest architectural additions to the city’s skyline – from museums to The Shard. The book showcases all these top attractions in a fun and accessible manner, offering exciting facts and anecdotes as well as significant historical information. At 44 pages, London is compact enough to fit into a bag or a small piece of hand luggage, but it is still an insightful read. Whether it is an expedition through the museums - back in time to ancient London, following the footsteps of one of the most famous royal families in the world or indulging in the countless eateries, theatres and shopping hubs, this text is the perfect companion to any tourist visiting London.

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This charming little book provides a feast of original recipes from Victorian times, which are still perfectly reliable today. How about spring soup or mayonnaise of chicken in shells to start? Followed by toad in the hole made with steak and kidney, maybe served with asparagus pudding? And for dessert there could be canary pudding with a sweet sauce, or perhaps the exotic pears à l’allemande? Interspersed with delightful illustrations, Victorian Recipes is sure to make a welcome addition to the recipe collection of any keen cook, and a nostalgic and thoughtful gift for those who love all things from the Victorian era.

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Shirley Trevena is a well-known and successful watercolourist, with a huge international fan base. Throughout her career she has pushed the boundaries of watercolour and is regarded as one of Britain's most innovative artists in that medium. Shirley's watercolours are visually inspiring, vibrant in colour and strong in composition This, her third book, shows how she achieves her stunning results by pushing the medium to its limits. Shirley takes the reader through 10 paintings in great detail and shares all her professional tips and painting secrets. In addition, each painting has large close-up details so the reader can really see all the brushstrokes. Shirley breaks the conventional rules of watercolour in many different ways: through her compositions, strange perspectives, fascinating textures and, above all, the strength and vibrancy of her colour combinations. In Breaking the Rules of Watercolour, Shirley explains all her painting decisions and demonstrates her techniques at every stage. In this way, she encourages all watercolourists, whatever their level, to experiment with the medium and produce exciting and challenging work of their own.

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Exciting, colourful and vibrant watercolours from well- known artist Jenny Wheatley Step-by-step demonstrations encourage creativity and experimentation with your watercolours Jenny Wheatley shares her unique studio secrets and working methods Jenny Wheatley is renowned for her exciting, colourful and highly original paintings. In Adventurous Watercolours, her first book, Jenny discusses in detail the various aspects that contribute to her distinctive style of painting in watercolour. Jenny talks about how she gets her initial inspiration, the impact and importance of colour in her work, the different working processes she uses on location in her studio, right through to her design considerations. The stunning illustrations feature paintings in watercolour and mixed media, covering a wide range of subjects, including buildings, still life and landscapes. In addition, there are several step-by-step demonstrations explaining the key stages of Jenny's working process. Adventurous Watercolours will encourage readers to use their watercolours more creatively and to experiment with different techniques to achieve exciting and dramatic effects.

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This book is about taking an image- a drawing, painting, digital photograph, computer design or photocopy- and, using simple methods, turning it into a piece of textile art. The author takes you through a variety of techniques for creating the image, such as scanning mixed-media artwork and digital photographs, or using imaging software to create exciting patterns and effects. No technical knowledge is required to use this book, as it offers easy-to-follow instructions, and the materials, technology and equipment are all readily available. But at the centre of the book lies the use of stitch. Having produced the image and transferred it to fabric, the next step is to enhance it with hand or machine embroidery. Innovative methods, both in the image transfer and the stitch, are simplified and broken down into the easy stages. Throughout the book, inspirational ideas are offered to get your creativity going. From books to bangles, panels, bags and vessels, the book offers all textile artists ideas to expand their creative work.

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A handsome anthology of 366 poems from around the world and throughout history, all especially selected for reading aloud, with one glorious poem for every day of the year. Everyone benefits from reading aloud, whether it's a bedtime story with Dad or Granny, an intimate moment with a loved one, or a performance to a group of people. When spoken, the poet’s words hit us more powerfully and meaningfully, and what's more, it's good for our health: mindfully reading aloud helps with relaxation, improves working memory and aids vocabulary acquisition. With a wide and diverse range of poets including the 14th-century Persian poet Hafiz and Mary Oliver in the 21st century, old favourites such as Emily Dickinson and more recent voices such as Lemn Sissay, the obvious classics such as Wordsworth’s Daffodils and slightly more offbeat fare like Spike Milligan, there's something for everyone in this book: poems that are funny, sad, consoling, uplifting and everything in between. Whether you're a teacher enthralling a class of children or a carer entertaining a group of pensioners, if you're looking for a reading for a special occasion or a powerful piece for a performance, you'll find everything you need here. It's the perfect book to dip into daily to share a poem with anyone, to hear the true beauty and rhythm of words and the magic they can weave.

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An informative guide to understanding and implementing the fundamentals of the Caro-Kann, the easy way. The Caro-Kann defence, named after the German chess players Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann, is notorious for its simple solidity and is a popular chess opening that players of all levels benefit from having in their arsenal. It is a firm favourite of grand masters past and present, including Karpov, Petrosian, Capablanca and Anand.This is the fifth book from International Master Thomas Engqvist, and it avoids overcomplicated details and endless computer variations, focusing instead on key variations of the Caro-Kann that can be committed to memory. Examining classic games to demonstrate key moves in action, Engqvist brings the defence to life and provides you with the knowledge you need to put strategy into practice.

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'This book combines great works of art with great thoughts from the likes of Sophocles, Harriet Tubman and Charlie Chaplin….. Intended to be a "journey" to help you through any stage of life, this book will leave your soul feeling well and truly soothed.' – Katharine Spurrier, Daily MailSHORTLISTED for best Wellbeing Book in the Health & Wellbeing Awards 2023.Take a transformative journey to improve your mental wellbeing with this sumptuous collection of 80 paintings and uplifting quotes. Ravenous Butterflies is the online brainchild of artist Lisa Azarmi and was designed to provide a safe sanctuary for emotional wellbeing. An Apothecary of Art is a soothing blend of 80 beautiful paintings and inspiring, comforting and uplifting quotes to lift the spirit, calm the mind and heal the soul. The contents page is artfully divided into 24 emotional journeys that suggest routes in which to navigate the book to explore different feelings along the way, and to provide comfort and solace in difficult times. Within these pages you will find both the works of world-renowned masters and the paintings of lesser-known talents paired with uplifting thoughts from great poets, writers and thinkers. A biographical section on the featured artists will provide context on your new favourite finds. This inspiring debut collection from Ravenous Butterflies features 80 exquisite works of art from the likes of Modigliani, Hasui Kawase, and Thomas Cooper Gotch with accompanying quotes from inspirational voices including Sappho, Pablo Neruda and Harriet Tubman. This illumination of the power of art as a source of wellbeing is modern yet timelessly beautiful – the perfect book to dip into to lift your spirits.

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A glorious exploration of BMW, one of the greatest car brands of all time, with dynamic photography and lively text that explains why people love them. Known as 'the ultimate driving machine', BMW is one of the world's most prestigious car brands. Renowned for their smooth handling, precision engineering and sleek looks, BMWs pair driving comfort with powerful engines. Originally formed during the first world war, the company reached new heights of popularity in the 1960s and is still going strong today. This captivating book outlines all the most iconic BMW models, from their first car, the Dixi of 1927, to today's high-performance models, including the beautiful 1955 507 roadster, the instantly recognisable 2002 from the 1960s, and the iconic E30 M3, first manufactured in the mid-1980s. Each evocative vintage photograph is accompanied by insightful explanation. The ideal gift for every car enthusiast, whether they're a BMW owner or just aspire to be, this beautifully illustrated book conveys perfectly the joys of this classic brand.

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An evocative exploration of the iconic Saab brand, with beautiful photography and lively text that shows beyond all doubt why you should want to own one. Saab is a byword for style, performance quality and safety – the cars have a reputation for reliability and solidity, along with classic Scandinavian design that have made them the go-to car of creatives the world over. Although production ceased in 2011, Saabs are still highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors. This fascinating book outlines all the classic Saab models from 1949's pioneering Ursaab prototype to the last cars to drive off the production line in the early 2010s, including their world-beating rally cars of the 1960s and 70s and the best-selling Saab 900, with glorious vintage photographs and insightful explanation from Saab superfan Vaughan Grylls. The perfect gift for the car nut in your life, whether they've owned a Saab or not, this book sums up everything that's great about this truly classic brand.

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A celebration of Britain's diverse housing styles throughout the twentieth century and beyond. This illuminating book is a fascinating insight into Britain’s built heritage and the diverse housing styles of the twentieth century. Redesigned and updated in a brand-new edition, it showcases 100 houses, from throughout the 20th century and stretching into the 21st, that represent the range of architectural styles throughout the years and show how housing has adapted to suit urban life. Each house is accompanied by stunning photography and texts written by leading architectural critics and design historians, including Gavin Stamp, Elain Harwood, Barnabas Calder, Alan Powers and Gillian Darley. From specially commissioned architect-designed houses for private individuals to housing built for increased workforces, each of the 100 houses brings a different design style or historical story. There are houses built as part of garden cities, semi-detached suburban dwellings, housing estates, eco-houses, almshouses, converted factories and affordable post-war homes. Architectural styles encompass mock Tudor, modernist, Arts and Crafts and brutalism, and featured architects include Giles Gilbert Scott, Walter Gropius, Edwin Lutyens, Powell and Moya and David Chipperfield. The book also contains essays that explore the social and political aspects of housing design in Britain over the last 100 years, looking at the impact the world wars had on housing, exploring domestic technology and building materials and discovering how the modern house came about. This compelling book gives a glimpse into the wonderful housing Britain has to offer and is a must-have for all fans of design history and architecture.

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New and experimental ways to capture landscape in acrylics. Landscape artist Paul Bailey's fascination with the natural world is sensationally conveyed in his colourful and semi-abstract paintings. In Experimental Nature in Acrylics, he reveals his techniques for the first time – making it simple for readers to produce their own work that is abstract, evocative and full of vivid colour. Through easy-to-follow explanations and step-by-step demonstrations, Paul describes how to manipulate the medium in surprising – yet often simple – ways. Readers will learn how distil craggy cliffs, rolling farmland hills, tidal rivers or flat, open-skied wilderness in striking and unusual colour palettes. There are tips on how to paint organic shapes and using abstract elements in the natural landscape as the basis for a painting, and how to create a compositional sense of rhythm. Paul’s beautiful and contemporary work appears throughout the book and acts as a masterclass in scraping, pulling, weathering and splattering the paint. As well as showing how to build layer upon layer, the process of construction and how to tease a sense of movement from a static image. This essential guide is a must for anyone wishing to augment their understanding of the acrylic medium and appreciation of composition and colour, and to liberate their own beautiful paintings.

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A showcase of Britain's most architecturally significant shops throughout the twentieth century and beyond.100 20th-Century Shops is a fascinating insight into the heritage of Britain’s changing high street and the diverse architectural styles of the 20th century. Entries in this book showcase 100 often instantly recognisable shops from across the country, from throughout the 20th century and stretching into the 21st, capturing the changing architectural styles of our beloved and rapidly disappearing retail environment.As the UK's retail landscape faces an existential crisis, now is an appropriate time to review and celebrate the architecture of our high streets. From Tudor-revival department stores and futuristic supermarkets to Art Deco shop fronts and post-war Festival style markets, the 100 shops featured here evoke a variety of design styles and traces the history and evolution of our cherished high street. The book also contains essays by respected writers Elain Harwood, Lynn Pearson, Matthew Whitfield, Kathryn A. Morrison and Bronwen Edwards on the design, development and decline of the high street over the last 100 years within a social and political context. This compelling book provides a glimpse into the wonderful shops that Britain has to offer and is a must-have for all fans of design history, architecture and retail.

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An informative and accessible new book by Thomas Engqvist, the practical follow up to his previous two authoritative chess books: 300 Most Important Chess Positions and 300 Most Important Tactical Chess Positions. Filled with 300 engaging chess exercises and complete solutions in the end of the book, this book will allow you to apply and consolidate your newfound knowledge. The book is divided into four key sections: ·75 exercises practising positional ideas in the opening/middlegame ·75 exercises covering the endgame ·75 tactical exercises in the opening/middlegame ·75 tactical endgames. The exercises featured in the book are taken from real game positions from various renowned chess players, including Capablanca and Magnus Carlsen.

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This truly outstanding book, first published in Russian in the 1970s and regarded as a classic, contains everything you need to know about how to deliver checkmate. 1000 Checkmate Combinations contains a wealth of elegant and sophisticated chess tactics as well as systematic and effective instruction. Each chapter covers a different piece or combination of pieces that is able to deliver checkmate, and provides illustrative templates for just about every mating formation. By working through the book, readers will develop their ability to recognise the potential for checkmate, as well as the know-how to execute one.Clearly written and beautifully organised, it will appeal to all chess players but particularly club players.

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Sail away on an ocean odyssey with best-selling illustrator Millie Marotta as she takes to you on a voyage of discovery from the Arctic waters to the balmy Australian coast. Swim with dolphins, narwhals, manatees, and manta ray. Look up to the cries of albatrosses, pelicans and little auks. Grab your pencils and bring to life jellyfish, puffins and polar bears. The watery world is particularly close to Millie's heart and she brings her passion to these intricate drawings of shells, pebbles, corals and barnacles. She includes cliffs, reefs, waves and islands to help set the scene. This is a must for all colouring fans and particularly the thousands of Millie fans who love her patterned illustration style that allows for the most creative of colouring. Colouring Millie's beautiful illustrations is the perfect mindful activity for these troubling times, and new and old Millie fans will find so much to enjoy (and learn) about the animal kingdom of the seas. Millie shares her love for the world above and below our seas and hopes this book will spur us to protect a true wonder of our world.

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Fresh ideas and techniques for the rapidly evolving area of three-dimensional textiles. Leading textile artist Ann Goddard takes three-dimensional textiles to a new level in this practical book. Drawing inspiration from natural landscapes, organic material and a concern for the environment, Ann's work combines textile and non/textile elements with construction. Linen, loose fibres, paper and yarn are complemented by seemingly unlikely materials including concrete, wood, lead and bark. Fragile is juxtaposed with hard, natural with man-made, beauty with imperfection. The techniques range from stitching, wrapping, couching, and knotting to sawing, drilling, and casting. In this book, previously separate art media are combined to create eclectic works; boundaries are crossed, expectations challenged and categorisation rejected. Mixed Media Textile Art in Three Dimensions takes a linear look at the creative process from themes, research and experimentation through to preparing elements, conveying meaning and constructing three-dimensional forms, encouraging you to broaden your horizons in textile work. Brimming with beautiful artwork from the author and featuring the work of some inspiring and exciting artists creating three-dimensional constructions.

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Discover the life of trees through science, folklore, history and art – every day of the year. Immerse yourself in the world of trees with A Tree A Day – packed with tree facts and richly illustrated throughout with photographs and art. Nature writer Amy-Jane Beer takes us on a tour around the world’s woodlands to tell the stories of a variety of trees, from mysterious ginkos to historical oaks. Anyone who has sat in the dappled shade of a mighty oak or wandered in the blaze of a deciduous woodland in autumn cannot fail to appreciate the wonder of our trees and forests. Each of the 366 entries in this beautiful book – one for every day of the year – reveals some of the fascinating science, natural history or folklore of our great and gracious green neighbours, the history made beneath their branches, or the creativity they inspire. From the awesome Californian redwoods, titans of the tree world, to tiny but exquisite bonsai, and from the fantastically irritable sentinel willow of Harry Potter fame to the Japanese springtime tradition of hanami (blossom viewing) – this captivating collection showcases remarkable individuals and explores some of the ways trees support life on Earth as we know it. Celebrating one of the longest-living lifeforms on earth, A Tree A Day is forest bathing in book form and a wonder for nature lovers and tree enthusiasts alike.

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Enthralling tales of the sea, rivers and lakes from around the globe. Folklore of the seas and rivers has a resonance in cultures all over the world. Watery hopes, fears and dreams are shared by all peoples where rivers flow and waves crash. This fascinating book covers English sailor superstitions and shape-shifting pink dolphins of the Amazon, Scylla and Charybdis, the many guises of Mami Wata, the tale of the Yoruba River spirit, the water horses of the Scottish lochs, the infamous mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, and much more. Accompanied by stunning woodcut illustrations, popular authors Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham explore the deep history and enduring significance of water folklore the world over, from mermaids, selkies and sirens to ghostly ships and the fountains of youth. With this book, Folklore Thursday aims to encourage a sense of belonging across all cultures by showing how much we all have in common.

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Unbuilt tells the stories of the plans, drawings and proposals that emerged during the 20th century in an unparalleled era of optimism in architecture. Many of these grand projects stayed on the drawing board, some were flights of fancy that couldn't be built, and in other cases test structures or parts of buildings did emerge in the real world. The book features the work of Buckminster Fuller, Geoffrey Bawa, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Archigram, as well as contemporary architects such as Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, Will Alsop and Rem Koolhaas. Richly illustrated with photographs, drawings, maps, collages and models from all over the world, it covers everything from Buckminster Fuller's plan for a 'Domed city' in Manhattan to Le Corbusier's utopian dream of skyscraper living in central Paris, from a proposed network of motorways ploughing through central London to a crazy-looking scheme for 'rolling pavements' in post-war Berlin. This is an important book, not just for the rich stories of what might have been in our built world, but also to give understanding to the motivations and dreams of architects, sometimes to build a better world, but sometimes to pander to egos. It includes plans that pushed the boundaries – from plug-in cities, moving cities, space cities, domes and floating cities to Maglev, teleportation and rockets. Many ideas were just ahead of their time, and some, thankfully, we were always better without.

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A calming collection of nature poems to help you relax and unwind at the end of every day. Now more than ever we’re all in need of a daily fix of the natural world, to comfort and distract us from the cares of everyday life. Keep this beautiful book by your bedside and enjoy a dreamy stroll through nature every evening, just before you go to sleep. All the great, time-honoured poets are here – William Wordsworth, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Robert Bridges – along with some newer and less-well known poetic voices. The poems reflect and celebrate the changing seasons: read Emily Brontë on bluebells in spring and Edward Thomas’s evocative ‘Adlestrop’ in summer, then experience golden autumn with Hartley Coleridge and William Blake's 'To Winter'. Beautifully illustrated with scenes from each season, this wonderful book deserves a place on your bedside table for years to come.

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Following on from her textile hit Slow Stitch, author Claire Wellesley-Smith considers the importance of connection and ideas around wellbeing when using textiles for individuals and communities, including practical ideas around ‘thinking-through-making’, using ‘resonant’ materials and extending the life of pieces using traditional and non-traditional methods. Contemporary textile artists using these themes in their work feature alongside personal work from Claire and examples from community-based textile projects. The book features some of the very best textile artists around, esteemed American fiber artists and the doyenne of textiles, Alice Kettle. Resilient fabrics that can be manipulated, stressed, withstand tension and be made anew are recommended throughout the book, as well as techniques such as layering, patching, reinforcing, re-stitching and mending, plus ideas for the inclusion of everyday materials in your work. There's an exploration of ways to link your emotional health with your textile practice, and 'Community' suggests ways to make connections with others in your regular textile work. 'Landscape' has a range of suggestions and examples of immersing your work in the local landscape, a terrific way to find meaning in your work and a sense of place. Finally, there is a moving account of one textile community's creative response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The connection between wellbeing and the creation of textiles has never been stronger, and, as a leading exponent of this campaign, Claire is the perfect author to help you find more than just a finished textile at the end of a project.

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An overview of the work of 20th-century graphic design icon Tom Eckersley – packed with hundreds of his instantly recognisable designs. From iconic posters for the Post Office and London Transport to designs for brands such as Guinness, this richly illustrated book explores the work of influential British poster artist and design teacher Tom Eckersley (1914–1997). Part of the 'outsider' generation that transformed graphic design in Britain in the mid-century era, Eckersley’s instantly recognisable posters have become true icons of 20th-century style. Here, design writer and former Eckersley archivist Paul Rennie gives a fascinating exploration of Eckersley’s life and work, from his Northern upbringing and early career, through pioneering work during the Second World War, to his central role in mid-century graphic design in the decades that followed. Over 200 designs from throughout Eckersley’s career are featured. Made in his signature style combining bold, bright colours and flat graphic shapes, there are designs for clients such as the BBC, British Rail, Keep Britain Tidy, Gillette, BP and Shell. The book also examines Eckersley’s position at the forefront of the explosion of print culture in the 20th century, how he helped to transform design education in Britain, and the lasting legacy he left behind. A celebration of a true mid-century modern master, this is the first book on Tom Eckersley of its kind and will appeal to anyone interested in graphic design and visual communication.

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An essential sourcebook of prints from a key fashion decade. The 1950s was the decade when an analytical approach to design, with a lightness and freshness, combined with whimsical imagery and idiosyncratic subject matter. Showcasing hundreds of print designs, this book celebrates the heyday of postwar fashion design. From Lucienne Day and Robert Stewart to Maija Isola of Marimekko, the designs and influences of the print icons of the time are all covered. In addition to finished prints, the book contains exclusive illustrations and original artworks. The major themes of the period are explored, including: narrative and novelty; abstraction, exploring the distorted and attenuated forms used in print; artistic licence and the influence of contemporary art on fashion print; and finally kinetic prints that capture the influence of the era’s ‘mobiles, doodles and spasms’. Each short chapter introduction is followed by a range of illustrations with captions to give provenance and relevance, making this a unique sourcebook for contemporary designers and students.

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The beauty and fascination of birds is unrivalled. Every day of the year, immerse yourself in their world with an entry from A Bird of Day, where Dominic Couzens offers an insight into everything from the humble Robin to Emperor Penguins, who are in the midst of Arctic storms protecting their young on 1 July. Or discover the fate of the Passenger Pigeon which became extinct through overhunting on 1 September 2014. If you ever visit the Himalayan uplands, go in late November when you can see a flock of the cobalt blue Grandala birds, which is one of the wonders of the natural world. The author is a world expert on birds and particularly bird behaviour and he reveals endless fascinating stories of birds from all over the globe to give a rich tapestry of avian life with stunning photography, illustration and arresting art. All of bird life is covered, from nesting, migration, and courting to birdsong and curious bird behaviour. From the promiscuous Fairywren of Australia, who gives petals to his mistresses, to the singing instructions of the female Northern Cardinal in North America, this is a delightful dip-in-and-out book for any nature lover.

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An illustrated introduction to an increasingly popular art form. The art of paper marbling is having a revival. Contemporary paper artist and author Lucy McGrath specializes in paper marbling and shares her skill and passion for this beautiful craft. Her book is a wonderful introduction to the craft for beginners which takes readers on a journey through simple to advanced techniques – with step-by-step instructions and photography – plus a range of some of the most beautiful paper marbling today. The book covers: An introduction and brief history; Preparation and equipment (with recipes for the thickened water that the paint floats on plus the paints themselves); Planning your design (mood boards, colour palettes, testing paint behaviour and paper); Pattern tutorials (ways of applying paint); Swirl and git gel (Turkish traditional pattern); Nonpareil (fine tooth comb use); Spanish Wave; Ebru (flowers on the surface of the water); Advanced Techniques (including figurative images); and finally marbling onto three-dimensional items such as baubles and pots. There is also a selection of projects that uses marbled paper, including bookbinding, origami and collage. Richly illustrated with some of the most beautiful paper marbling today, this book will introduce a wonderful craft to a new generation.

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365 poems celebrating nature and the changing seasons. This is the perfect bedside companion for any nature or poetry fan, featuring famous odes from big-name poets alongside unsung poems from less-well-known writers. Each poem is chosen to chime with the natural world through the seasons. Spring is a time of hope, a season of new life with William Wordsworth’s daffodils, John Clare’s lambs and Christina Rossetti’s birdsong. Summer shifts into a time of leisure with long idyllic holidays in the countryside. According to Henry James, the two most beautiful words in the English language were ‘summer afternoon’, a sentiment echoed by Edward Thomas and Emily Dickinson. John Keats, William Blake and W. H. Auden are the poets we associate with autumn and this is possibly the most poetic season. The natural world, and the human one, hold onto the last lingering memories of summer before they turn to face the oncoming hardships of winter. Amy Lowell and George Meredith perfectly frame this time of year with their silver-fringed leaves and crimson berries. Winter can be savoured in poetry, rather than endured; bleak grey days are transformed into a world of glittering frost and snow-blanketed landscapes. Even in the darkest days life continues and soon we can turn our attention to the rebirth of spring. A wonderful collection of poems that help mark the daily turn of the seasons and all the rituals marking the significant moments of the year, from Candlemas to Christmas.

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Step-by-step projects for creating clothes and accessories from felt -now in paperback. In Felting Fashion, acclaimed felt maker Lizzie Haughton guides the reader through every stage of creating wearable masterpieces in felt. Featuring detailed patterns and templates making a range of garments, from simple corsages, hats and scarves to more advanced vest tops, jackets and full-length coats. All aspects of creating beautiful clothes from felt are covered, from basic techniques and choosing materials and equipment to step-by-step instructions for working with nuno felt. There’s also a strong emphasis on using colour and embellishment in felt, including a section on dyeing wool and silk. Lizzie’s original felt fashion designs are showcased throughout and readers choose to recreate these at home or create their own unique garments.

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A fun and accessible guide to acrylics, featuring step-by-step exercises and advice on technique to help your paintings flourish. Leading painter, teacher and writer Soraya French has distilled her art teaching into the things that matter most and can be digested in a short period of time – in just one afternoon you can start acrylic painting. Learning to paint is one of the life-long aspirations of many of us, and painting with today's acrylics paints has never been easier or more accessible. Acrylics are becoming increasingly popular, especially for beginners because of their versatility and strength of colour. Acrylics can be used thickly like oils, but they dry much more quickly, or they can be watered down to look like watercolour. The author, known for her own vibrant and colourful acrylic paintings, covers equipment and the best colours to buy and shows the different ways of using acrylic to create a range of effects with simple instruction and easy-to-follow exercises. She shows how to use acrylics to paint a range of subjects: flowers and trees, landscapes, cityscapes and people.

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The hugely accomplished textile artist Jean Draper gives an invaluable guide to designing and working with pattern in textile art. Jean goes back to basics with simple dots and lines, demonstrating how even basic squares, circles and triangles can have a stunning impact in stitch and textiles. She provides practical and simple instructions for developing and experimenting with pattern, using grids, symmetry, rotation and repeats. Jean draws inspiration from patterns around the world, from West African Kente Cloth to the Gee’s Bend quilts of Alabama. There are instructions on creating bands and borders, strip patchwork and strip piecing, plus an extended study of Banjara stitched textiles. Natural patterns from plants and flowers also offer exciting opportunities for stitch, and Jean explores important design emblems such a the Tree of Life alongside other stitched flower forms. Finally, the ornamentation of the body provides many unique and striking ways to interpret the human form in stitch. Pattern is everywhere and can be used to stunning effect, taking your textile art to the next level. This fascinating and exciting guide brings together inspiration, design methods and stitching techniques to help you develop truly great textile art.

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The new book by the author of the Sunday Times bestseller, Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom. Enter Millie’s wonderful world of treetop treasures and discover the birds nesting and flying high up in the treetops, and the myriad creatures found among the branches. The enchanting illustrations to colour in range from birds such Major Mitchell’s cockatoo and rose robins, to the magnolia warbler, silver-eared mesia and whiskered treeswift. As well as the beautiful birds of the world, Millie’s intricate designs show the more unusual creatures residing in the treetops, such as the Amazonian milk frog, the sugar glider or the tree-kangaroo. Millie’s inimitable style is treasured by thousands around the world and in this new, exciting book there are all sorts of creatures and fauna waiting to be coloured in, from tiny insects to winged beasts and scaled reptiles to buds and blossoms. The world’s rainforests, woodlands and thickets are teeming with life and this book guarantees hours of relaxation and colouring fun.

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This book provides all the paper, templates and instructions you need to start making your own beautiful papercraft – all you need is a scalpel and a cutting board. Papercutting artist Boo Paterson shows you step-by-step how to craft your own intricate rainforests, jungles and the critters that live in them in this easy-to-follow, illustrative book. Learn how to cut and bring to life a variety of animals, from tigers to sloths, kangaroos to orangutans. This book includes everything you will need to get started – clear instructions, templates for cutting, as well as easy-to-pull-out, high quality art paper in a variety of colours. This book is perfect for beginners as well as those wanting to develop their skills at papercutting. It starts with a chapter on tools, information on materials and step-by-step images on how to master the basic techniques of papercutting. The rest of the book is packed with projects of varying difficulties, complete with full colour images of the finished work and clear, instructional templates showing you where to cut or bend the paper. There is also advice on how best to frame and present your complete masterpieces.

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A practical book with simple excercises showing the basics of drawing. Learning to draw is quicker and easier than you might think. This practical and concise book contains simple exercises and techniques to encourage you to start drawing, whether you want to be able to create a sketch, a visual diary of your holiday, or draw for sheer creative pleasure. Sharon Finmark covers the basics of drawing, sharing advice on texture, pattern and form. She shows how to achieve light and shade, solidity of form and how to add simple perspective to your compositions. There is an introduction to working with different drawing media including pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, coloured pencils and watercolour. Subjects covered are still life, flowers and plants, landscapes, interiors and people. By the end of this little book you should be able to draw with confidence and have fun with it!

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A lovely box containing 50 loose postcards of illustrations that feature in the bestselling Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom. Everything from octopus to elephants, stags to swallows, rhinos to rabbits, these postcards can be sent just as they are to friends and family, coloured in or even framed and hung on walls. These bite-sized cards of beauty can be used for a range of things but will delight anyone who receives one.

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Appliqué is a classic embroidery technique that has recently been experiencing a revival. Appearing in the most cutting-edge contemporary textile work, it can be interpreted in many different ways – layering, patching, applying, overlaying – and offers endless creative possibilities. Each technical variation of appliqué has traditionally had its own set boundaries, but nowadays all the rules are being broken and the technique has become relevant, up-to-date and suitable for all varieties of textile art. This impressive book takes a fresh look at the world of appliqué and surface embellishment, showing you how to develop distinctive and individual designs, create exciting compositions and use unusual combinations of materials. It covers the traditional variations, including bonded appliqué, broderie perse, cut-away appliqué and Mola work, and explains how the standard techniques can be developed to give exciting results in your own textile work, in both hand and machine embroidery. Accompanying the techniques is a wealth of examples of contemporary appliqué to inspire you. The authors are renowned for their thoughtful, creative but practical approach to teaching textiles, making this book suitable for beginners and established textile artists alike.

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A practical guide to using gouache in botanical painting, by a leading botanical painter. Gouache is an opaque water-based medium, often called body colour, that produces crisp and vibrant paintings, and is becoming increasingly popular in botanical painting. Leading botanical painter, Simon Williams, specializes in painting in gouache and this is his first book. Botanical Painting in Gouache is full of practical advice on all aspects of using the exciting medium of gouache and contains many step-by-step demonstration paintings. In addition to the sumptuous flower paintings there are also sections on painting butterflies, birds and exotic and unusual plants from the rainforest.

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International Sensation and Sunday Times Bestseller Millie Marotta is a hugely popular illustrator and her idiosyncratic drawings of the world's wonderful creatures will draw you in. Millie's Animal Kingdom offers a range of beautiful illustration to colour in, personalise and make your own. The artist's intricate style of illustration will get you itching for a pen, whether it's to add to the fine line hatching on the birds, the flowing tendrils of a jellyfish, or the composite of flowers that make up a grizzly bear. The work will inspire you to appreciate the detail of line drawing and its huge potential. You can colour her work or add your own line drawings to make it special to you. Add your own patterns to the lively forest scene, choose your own birds to add to the branches, or make a pattern with your colour choices. Each picture offers scope to improve your artistic skills while giving you a finished picture to show for your endeavours. The images and imaginative scenarios can be completed in colours of your choosing and are guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing.

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Fancy yourself as a bridge player? This essential little book will show you how – in just 10 minutes. Introduces the basic rules and techniques for bidding, declarer play and defence. Useful bridge-table diagrams and quirky illustrations help the information stick. Bridge can sometimes look incredibly complicated and opaque. But that really isn't the case: it is a very easy game to learn. By the time you've read this invaluable little book, you'll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to take your partner and play your first game. In clear, easy-to-follow text, backed up with useful diagrams and illustrations, the author shows you exactly how bridge works, including bidding, defence, declaring and trumps. The book then goes on to more advanced strategies, including how to use your opponent's bidding to your advantage, and discusses the finer points of etiquette and conduct during a bridge game. Armed with the information in this book, you can go on to become a star bridge player – in double-quick time!

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A visitor’s guide to Midsomer, pinpointing the most popular real-world locations used for filming the series. ‘Midsomer Murders’ was an immediate success from its very first episode ‘The Killing at Badger's Drift’, aired in 1997. With this guide, fans of the show can pinpoint the most popular locations used for filming the series, including familiar pubs, churches, villages and countryside that are open for visits. The guide features: ·Famous pubs such as The Lions at Bledlow, which has been five different pubs in its Midsomer lifetime, and The Crown in Sydenham, which can claim at least three. ·Villages clustered around the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border – Turville, Hambleden, Fingest, Haddenham and Long Crendon, all favourite backdrops in the show. ·Grand country houses including the Mapledurham Estate, Chenies Manor House and Dorney Court, all open to the public. ·Ancient churches to admire, quite often the scene of grisly goings on in the vestry. ·Short profiles on the two DCI Barnabys, John Nettles and Neil Dudegon, along with the five Detective Sergeants and Sykes the dog. With all episodes available on BritBox, fans of the show can watch old episodes with the Midsomer Murders Location Guide in hand and spot exactly where Inspector Barnaby brings the sometimes unlikely villains to book.

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One of the best guide books ... all that you need to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable do-it-yourself Outlander tour.' – Outlander Home Page 'Beautifully presented ... and the print quality of the book is top-notch.' – Scottish Field 'Billow and breeze, islands and seas, Mountains of rain and sun...' Since 18th-century Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and resourceful 20th century medic, Claire Randall first met on screen in 2014, millions of viewers have been swept away by the Outlander TV series to the wild hills and craggy castles of Scotland. Now you can follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie with this guide to the inspiring locations where Diana Gabaldon’s novels were set and the hit tv show were filmed. From the ancient cobbled streets, gabled palace and herb garden of Culross, which became fictional Cranesmuir, to the iconic 1960s Pathfoot Building at the University of Stirling, which Claire’s daughter Brianna visits on her first trip to Scotland, you can time-travel through centuries. In Scotland, different eras coexist and collide – just as they do in Outlander. Focusing on easy day trips from the characterful cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow – themselves jam-packed with Outlander locations – this guide will tell you about the most rewarding sights, when to visit them and how to get there.

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Pitkin is proud to introduce the tale of one man’s ascent from relatively humble origins to international legend. To many, Walter Raleigh was a pirate, traitor, scholar, coloniser, explorer, soldier, poet, adventurer, scientist, cartographer, botanist, fashionista and Favourite of a queen. He is credited with introducing tobacco and potatoes to England. Although not everything he did resulted in success, his exploits never lacked ambition or self-confidence. He left his mark on England, parts of Europe and America.

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Part of the Pitkin History of Britain series (linked to key stages 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum), this book draws on eye-witness accounts and contemporary documents to bring alive the personalities and events of the time. It also takes a fresh look at this glorious period. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, specially further titles in this series.

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Corporal Eric Gunton of the Royal Engineers, landed on Gold Beach on 8 June 1944, carrying his camera into the aftermath of battle. His photographs, though lost until 2005, are an evocation of life in Normandy in the months after D-Day, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who married a Frenchwoman and lived the rest of his years in France.

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See below for alternative languages for this title Chartres Cathedral is one of the great monuments to medieval art, a spectacular attraction for visitors to this beautiful city. Its old town is equally fascinating. The beautiful Pitkin guide shows all there is to be seen and is supported by stunning photographs by Sonia Halliday and Laura Lushington. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British and French history, heritage and travel.

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Folkestone Then & Now looks back at the heart of the town and its immediate suburbs in a bygone age and compares old photographs with new images taken from the same spot today. This gives the reader a unique insight into how much things have changed in the town. This volume will appeal to all those who have an interest in the history and heritage of Folkestone, its buildings, bygone trades and industry and forgotten ways of life.

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Ever wonder why some partners seem to be able to read each other's minds? Why they are so successful at anticipating the other's intentions, avoiding all pitfalls and traps, and seem to win every time? The answer is that they are not usually guessing – by learning defensive signals it is possible for even novice players to drastically improve their game. Defence is the most difficult part of bridge, but it can be made easier by using signals to help your partner along the way to success. The book will enable readers to use, recognise and understand all the standard defensive signals used in bridge and to gain an awareness of alternative methods.

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There is much published on chess tactics, strategy, openings and endings, but little on how to come up with imaginative solutions through logical thinking and evaluation. This book is dedicated to that task and provides over 700 'fresh' positions, incorporating a variety of schemes of thought for the reader to solve. The examples emphasise the power of logical and resourceful thinking, quick wit and imagination. In each chapter the author presents little-explored concepts, such as progressive and reciprocal thinking, to help the reader achieve decisive results and to make fewer mistakes in calculation. The material has been accumulated by the author over many years as a trainer and will be of great benefit to competitive players seeking to improve their methods of thinking.

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One of the most exhilarating cities in the world, London is steeped in history whilst embracing innovation. Its skyline is a mix of old and new, with the beautiful architectural splendour of St Paul’s Cathedral sitting comfortably alongside the staggering modernity of new high rises. The pomp and ceremony of quintessential British culture remains very much on show, from Changing the Guard to the Lord Mayor’s Show and tea at The Ritz. With world-famous museums, art galleries, theatres, eight royal parks, shops, restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, London has something on offer for everyone. The latest Pitkin guide to London is a fresh, updated edition of our best-seller In and Around London. This guidebook celebrates the most famous icons in our English heritage, as well as introducing the newest architectural additions to the city’s skyline – from museums to The Shard. The book showcases all these top attractions in a fun and accessible manner, offering exciting facts and anecdotes as well as significant historical information. At 44 pages, London is compact enough to fit into a bag or a small piece of hand luggage, but it is still an insightful read. Whether it is an expedition through the museums - back in time to ancient London, following the footsteps of one of the most famous royal families in the world or indulging in the countless eateries, theatres and shopping hubs, this text is the perfect companion to any tourist visiting London.

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