Search results for ""Search Press""

Over 20 different contemporary embroideries to transfer and stitch, plus 11 extra transfer designs to get your creative juices flowing! In Carina's latest book, discover how to 'doodle' embroider and create over 20 different designs full of colour and personality Kickstart your journey to original, personal doodle work with a variety of designs, ranging from formal patterns – such as geometrics, mandalas, labyrinths and knots gardens – to more experimental, free-form shapes that will encourage you to explore your skills and creativity. Then, be taken step by step through Carina's 'Garden' sampler, so you can see how to forge a unique embroidery yourself with no design to follow. The 22 designs can fit either in a 3- or 6-inch hoop, which are easy to source instore or online. Each of Carina's designs will include photographs of the finished embroidery, a thread key, a stitch diagram and suggestions of how to work the design. In addition, Carina will give advice on how to rework her embroidery, to encourage your own creativity. At the back of the book, a corresponding transfer can be found so that you can easily draw the design outline onto your own fabric. Essential materials and easy-to-follow techniques chapters can be found at the beginning of the book, along with step-by-step stitch diagrams for the 15 embroidery stitches used to make all the designs in the book – providing you with a fuss-free, colourful crash-course. Finally, there are 11 extra transfers at the back of the book, offering variations and ideas for you to dive into and work up your own unique stitcheries!

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Napkins add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your dining table and this book is a wonderful source of inspiration to help you decorate and customize your home with taste and creativity. Napkins are functional as well as decorative, and there are 40 imaginative designs to choose from, each explained through clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrations. There are folds to suit every occasion from a smart dinner party to a family barbecue, weddings, picnics and more. Gain all the skills, techniques and expertise you need to create stunning, contemporary table decorations to a professional standard.

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Packed with 60 gorgeous projects selected from the best-selling Love to Sew series, this bumper book will give you all the inspiration you need to get creative, bust that stash and make wonderful items for your home or for friends and family. Authored by best-selling, sewing superstars such as Debbie Shore, Alistair Macdonald and Debbie von Grabler-Crozier to name a few, Love to Sew offers all the expert guidance you'll need to make useful and unique items for your home or loved ones. Choose from practical items such as coasters, a wall tidy, a door stop and a tablet case, to beautiful, decorative pillows, cosy, warm quilts and practical, stylish bags. Each project is clearly explained step by step, with supporting photographs and illustrations. The book contains all the templates needed, along with a handy techniques section at the start to make sure you have all the information you need to get going.

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Who knew just two fat quarters can be used in so many ways? Conquer that pile of odd fat quarters you've stashed away and make 16 fun and practical items for your home. Start off with an easy-to-follow crash-course on the essential techniques you'll need throughout the projects – from adding a zip and bias binding to creating patchwork. Then, jump straight into your stash and get stitching! From slippers and aprons to bowls and cable-tidy caddies, there's plenty of inspiration to get you decorating your home with your own stunning handiwork. Each project includes inspiring photography, instructive hand-drawn illustrations and heaps of handy hints and tips from sewing enthusiast, Wendy Gardiner. Ideal for sewists of all abilities, this is the ultimate, affordable stash-busting project book that will get you making practical, colourful items for your home.

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In this fun and practical introduction to patchwork and quilting, well-known TV personality Sarah Payne leads you through a series of techniques to build up your skills. Each chapter includes a number of different-sized step-by-step projects, including quilts, cushions, tote bags and table runners. Sarah discusses different shapes (squares, circles, triangles) and different techniques (appliqué, piecing blocks and curved piecing) in turn. She also includes information on basting, layering, quilting and binding, as well as pre-cuts. Filled with guidance and helpful tips and tricks, this book will equip you with all you need to know to get started on your quilting adventure. Put your skills into practice and at the same time create beautiful projects to keep or give as gifts.

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"There’s no grandstanding or showmanship, just solid, honest instructions and demonstrations that produce solid, worthwhile results." - Artbookreview.net Snow scenes make wonderful subjects for beginner watercolour artists - all you need is the know-how and confidence to give snow depth, sparkle and just the right amount of colour. Popular artist and author Grahame Booth will show you how to achieve beautiful results, using just three brushes, three paints and nine fantastic projects. Starting with a small but perfectly formed tool kit of three brushes, a mixing palette, watercolour paper and three tubes of paint, Grahame guides you step-by-step through nine projects, starting with a simple scene and progressing on to more complex ones. Even if you have never picked up a paintbrush, you will be amazed at what you will achieve by the end of this book. And along the way you will have learnt all the skills you need to start painting wonderful snow scenes of your own.

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The ancient craft of weaving has long been recognised for its humble, practical beauty and meditative qualities: while creating gorgeous decorative projects, you can also reflect and relax through the repeating motions of yarn winding over the loom. Rediscover this traditional craft and develop your weaving skills in the wonderful world of Elena Vilar, professional weaver and beloved French blogger known as Deer Jane. By following easy-to-follow instructions, learn how to create 15 woven masterpieces with a modern twist. Follow the illustrated techniques section at the beginning of the book to master the basics before you delve into Elena’s simple yet sophisticated designs. Discover how to make a cardboard loom, thread a shop-bought loom, dye wool using natural dyes, make homemade jersey yarn, wind pompoms and more. Learn the essential weaving methods through each project, starting with a simple, beautiful wall hanging in the basic stitch through to a dream catcher made with braids, soumak and rya knots. Create unique and beautiful designs by incorporating a range of materials, fabrics and imaginative embellishments. In addition, each project includes handy tips and advice to help and inspire you on your weaving journey.

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Tunisian crochet is a great way of producing stunning creative textiles and in this gorgeous book Emma Guess will show you how. Offering the perfect challenge for seasoned and new crocheters alike, Emma takes you from the absolute basics of Tunisian crochet. She then demonstrates how to develop your skills to create unique designs and textures. Accompanied by clear, step-by-step photography you’ll learn the basic stitches, then how to combine stitches and colour changes to create exciting new textures. There are three easy projects to practise your new skills, followed by ten stylish and modern projects for you to create. You can make a beautiful chunky blanket, a pair of mittens and matching scarf, a stylish shoulder bag, a chevron cushion and more. Emma’s unique style is fun, exciting and instantly alluring and these sleek and sophisticated projects will complement your home and make lovely gifts.

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The art of fire-writing is a returning trend, and there is no better way to learn the technique and inspire yourself than through this up-to-date edition of Daniel Wright's ultimate introduction to pyrography. Daniel Wright's enthusiasm for his subject is beautifully captured in a sequence of clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step photographs and unique projects. Taking his inspiration from pen-and-ink, engraving and watercolour techniques, he demonstrates many exciting methods and traditional ways of woodburning to create myriad patterns, pictures and motifs including landscapes, trees, flowers, animals and buildings. Information is included on the types of wood to use, how to prepare surfaces, working with the grain and enhancing designs. He goes on to illustrate shading and faux marquetry, and there's a section on using photographs and sketches to produce your own designs. With each new technique, a project is introduced by Daniel to help you learn and explore your new skill – from burning your own chessboard to a stunning fairytale stool design for your little one's bedroom. Finally, advice and demonstrations are provided on decorating old wooden objects, revitalizing much-loved pieces by working patterns into their worn, textured surfaces. This book will inspire, entertain and instruct you, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced pyrographer.

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This inspiring, practical guide to goldwork and silk shading is packed with both traditional and innovative techniques, six samplers and 24 stunning projects. Learn how to create exquisite works using either goldwork or silk shading, and then learn how to combine the two disciplines for visually stunning results. Learn to select the threads, materials and equipment required; plan out the order of your work; transfer your design to fabric; frame up your fabric; and discover inspiring stitch techniques to achieve the results you want. Using nature as inspiration, develop a glittering range of exquisitely worked flowers, fungi, trees, bats and dragonflies, with each piece accompanied by detailed instructions and essential top tips. The book features original designs throughout, and you will be encouraged to extend your skills to create your own beautiful embroideries, helped by exercises, projects, diagrams, full-size templates and stunning photographs. This book is an invaluable practical starting point for anyone wishing to learn about the art of goldwork and silk shading, and an excellent reference for all those already familiar with these popular techniques.

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Beautifully photographed, this beginner-friendly guide has everything you need to make 18 lovely soaps. Inspirational for seasoned soap-makers as well, the recipes use only natural ingredients that are kind to the skin and our environment. From olive oil to juniper and cucumber to honey, there are lots of gorgeous fragrances and colours to satisfy everyone. With comprehensive information on where to start and what you need, the book includes essential tips on utensils, safety issues to consider, and by a step-by-step guide to making soap. There are also useful sections on fragrances and natural colourings and additives such as coffee and cinnamon. This book tells you everything you need to know about making your own hand-crafted soap, using tools most people already own An addictive hobby, you will find yourself making lovely, personalised soap ideas for gifting.

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Following the classic designs created in Very British Baby Knits comes this latest book by Susan Campbell for you to start knitting regal-inspired designs for your growing toddler! For many years, designer Susan Campbell has produced special pieces for a variety of high-profile clients. The collections in this book have been designed by Susan with the young Royals very much in mind, based on the popularity of the outfits worn by little Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte. This book features 25 beautiful, hand-knitted designs ranging from clothes to toys and accessories that will make gorgeous gifts for any toddler, from 1 to 6 years old. The projects reflect the classic elegance of British design with easy-to-follow instructions and beautiful photographs. Knitters of all abilities will relish making these gorgeous designs fit for their own little prince or princess!

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Clay is an exciting material that has been used to make both practical and decorative items since prehistoric times. With this practical guidebook, learn all the skills you need to start creating your own beautiful ceramics. Step-by-step photographs and clear instructions will guide you through the core techniques, including pinching and coiling and throwing and trimming. Discover inspirational projects as your skills progress, from simple coiled vases with painted decoration to marbled clay boxes with transparent glazes. Learn how to decorate and fire your clay vessels with myriad textures, using methods such as inlays, slips, sgraffito, feathering, burnishing and resist. Following the impressive projects inside, you can put your new-found skills into practice and develop your creativity.

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Want to show your love for animals in your sewing projects, but feel you need to sew more practical pieces for your home? Look no further than this gorgeous book by designer Helen Rhiannon! In Sew Practical Pets, 18 whimsical and imaginative animal-themed projects have been designed not only to add character and colour to your home, but also to serve as functional items that will last for years to come. From useful items such an owl doorstop, a snake draught excluder and a sheep hot water bottle cover through to an elephant tea cozy, fox pillow and doggy oven mitt, there is a cute and handy little creature for every room. For kids (and the child within us), Helen has also included beautiful cat and dog toys and an animal-shaped apron. Key techniques and basic materials are detailed at the beginning of the book, and all of the projects include easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Templates for all the animals are provided on a fold-out sheet at the back of the book. For sewers of all abilities, bring a touch of playfulness and practicality to your home today with these fresh faux animals that you'll soon love as much as the real guys!

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'If you want to learn about gouache, this should keep you satisfied for a very long time.' Artbookreview.net If you love painting with watercolour and are ready to experiment with something different, then the versatile medium of gouache could be just the thing for you. Gouache is water-based, quick-drying and, can be painted light over dark as well as dark over light. Ideal for the beginner, it can be used thinly in a watercolour style, or more thickly as with oils or acrylics. This guide covers all the materials and tools required and has a comprehensive techniques section that includes overlaying colours, colour blending and troubleshooting. Experienced author Jeremy Ford takes you through three simple, step-by-step projects, each showcasing a unique style of painting with gouache. Numerous finished paintings are included to demonstrate the range of subjects, styles and techniques that you can achieve, and encourage you to develop your own style of painting using this exciting medium.

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Stitched Textiles: Nature is the fourth title in this successful theme-based series. It contains an extensive section on techniques, featuring step-by-step guides to machine- and hand-stitching, attaching embellishments and found objects to your work; painting and printing on fabrics including cotton, silk and Khadi paper; and using objects found in nature, such as leaves, to make unique and iconic prints. The book includes three beautiful, inspirational projects based on different facets of the natural world: Ocean, Rainforest, Botany, Birds and Animals. Stitched Textiles: Nature also features examples of the author, Stephanie Redfern's own intricate and detailed works based on nature, exploring the means by which the pieces have been created, and the wonderful stories behind Stephanie's journey as an artist. The wealth of information and visual stimuli in Stitched Textiles: Nature is intended to inspire the reader to create their own works inspired by nature. Stephanie begins by exploring the use of sketchbooks and study pages; progressing to picking out iconic elements from sketches and photographs; and eventually assembling a stunning, personal piece of stitched textile work on fabric or on cotton-blend Khadi paper; applying handstitch in metallic threads; machine stitch in whimsical and beautiful patterns; embellishing with natural beads or found objects.

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Learn how to get the most out of your sewing machine with this comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide. There are 15 gorgeous projects to make including cushions, shoulder bags, soft toys and quilts. Full-size, fold-out patterns accompany the designs and 50 illustrated step-by-step lessons will guide you through all you need to get started. This book is a fantastic resource for those new to machine sewing and a great source of inspiration and ideas for more experienced sewers.

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For both experienced and beginner knitters, this is an inspirational collection of favourite motifs found in the traditional knitting of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, including charming motifs of stars, hearts, flowers, leaping reindeer and dancers, as well as delightful geometric patterns, and more. Each motif is shown as a hand-knitted swatch, illustrated with clear, life-sized photographs and accompanied by easy-to-read colour charts, and a reverse colourway suggestion. With clear details on reading colour charts, and a full review of techniques for two-colour knitting, this book also gives advice on incorporating the Scandinavian motifs into a variety of different projects, allowing you to create unique designs. Includes guidance on choosing yarns, use of colour, and finishing techniques to help you hone your knitting skills and create stylish projects.

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Novelty crocheters will love this collection of mini Christmas projects to crochet ready for the festive season. Val Pierce has designed twenty different projects, including a mini Christmas stocking, a cute reindeer, a snowman, a Christmas cracker, a snowflake, star, Christmas pudding, an angel, a fairy and much more. Full crochet instructions are provided, and each project is simply photographed so that the reader can see the design clearly, and also shown in a sumptuous styled photograph, showing the beautiful possibilities of the finished pieces. There are plenty of ideas for displaying your projects, the perfect companion for a crafty Christmas.

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Following on from his successful book Watercolour Trees, Terry presents a new edition of this award-winning title, and includes a great selection of clear, detailed step-by-step demonstrations along with extra tips to show how to paint beautiful trees quickly and easily. He teaches how to paint an impression of trees, rather than showing how reproduce each leaf, and illustrates the importance of understanding shapes, perspective, light and shade, and the way foliage changes with the seasons. This is a book for all landscape artists whatever their skill levels, and anyone who wants to learn more about painting trees whether they are magnificent in their winter habitat, gloriously bedecked in spring foliage, splendid in their summer raiment or stunning when their leaves turn to russet reds and spun golds.

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A complete course, packed with instruction and profusely illustrated. This fantastic book is all you need if you want to start drawing the figure, or if you want to develop your life-drawing skills. It is the ultimate reference book, a most inspirational guide and above all it offers everything you ever needed to know, including tips on simple ways to ‘get it right’, essential advice on anatomy, help with easy drawing methods and many different examples of the drawn figure. It is important to understand how the body works and detailed sections show hands, feet, faces, limbs and much more.

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Be prepared for an exciting, vibrant and different approach to using acrylics. With infectious energy and enthusiasm, Hashim Akib shows how acrylics can be used in unusual, surprising ways to create beautiful paintings full of life, atmosphere and colour. Step-by-step demonstrations, exercises and expert advice illustrate his simple, yet effective techniques and there are many inspiring examples of what can be achieved. This extensive book details step-by-step projects that include urban landscapes, pet portraits and abstracts. Neither beginners nor more experienced artists will want to be without this book.

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This book introduces the concept of realistic abstract painting - a loosely impressionistic form of painting that leaves much to the imagination of the viewer. The subject, though recognisable, is executed with freedom and fluidity, resulting in a painting that is far from photographic. It has been described as the 'grey' area between figurative and abstract painting, yet there is nothing dull about this style, as the numerous colourful examples in this book show. Aimed at those with some experience of painting, all the examples in this book use various forms of water-based media, including gouache, acrylics and watercolours. Designed to inspire, this book will stimulate your imagination; encourage you to try out the various methods described; and help you develop your own way of painting in this exciting style.

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If you have never drawn before you will love the simple approach to drawing flowers in this easy-to-follow book. Janet Whittle includes a great range of flowers, including poppies, fuchsias, geraniums, tulips, water lilies, sunflowers, daffodils and many more. Discover the delights of creating your own floral pictures with this invaluable book.

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A guide to smocking for the modern sewist

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Learn to draw any face in an illustrated style, with just 10 simple visual steps.

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Inspirational and authoritative, The Printmaking Bible is a complete guide to this traditional art practice that constantly evolves through the creative input of each new generation of artists. This guide has been created to reflect developments in different techniques and to showcase examples of new work by leading international artists across a range of print styles. Broken down into five chapters, each focuses on a major print medium: intaglio, relief, lithography, monotype/monoprint, and screenprinting. This definitive volume presents the tips and tools needed to create great artwork at any level. A brief overview of each medium is followed by illustrated step-by-step instructions, detailed historical information, troubleshooting tips, an extensive resource section, and interviews with working artists. This comprehensive guide is ideal for students and professionals alike.

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Christmas is a wonderful time of year for crafting! From imaginative handmade gifts to stunning, reusable decorations, this book contains 100 fabulous quick and easy makes for the festive season. All the projects have been carefully selected from Search Press's best-selling 20 to Make series and are perfect for crafters of all abilities. There's something for everyone in this book, including knitting, crochet, papercraft, sewing, sugarcraft, cross stitch, polymer clay and needlepoint. Each craft has a handy techniques section to get you started, followed by a range of quick projects that include embroidered snowflake bunting, papercut Christmas cards, knitted Santa and Rudolph finger puppets, crocheted stars and a sugar snowman. All the projects are made using tools and materials that are easy to source, and provide all the inspiration you need to make Christmas extra special. This title is a revised edition of Quick and Easy Christmas, 2020, updated with 50 new projects to choose from.

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The sixth book in the best-selling 'Kawaii' series teaches you how to draw almost 100 different woodland friends in an adorable manner. This kids' how-to art book lets the inquisitive child experience the woodland world through drawing, with clear step-by-step diagrams which are great for visual learners and make it super-easy to follow the instructions. Each spread - drawn in Angela's trademark playful style - offers an easy step-by-step guide to drawing adorable animals (birds, bears, and bugs), fairies, fungi, ferns and flowers, woodland folk, rock-dwelling creatures, and forest trees. Angela also shows how to draw cute woodland homes - complete with furniture, belongings, and even vehicles inspired by their forest surroundings - so kids can create a full world for their new woodland friends. You don't need any specialist tools or materials to start drawing cute stuff: all you need is a biro, marker pen or pencil, then you're ready to go!

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Enter the whimsical world of Lulu Compotine's crocheted companions and bring her enchanting dolls and their adorable animal friends to life!

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Crochet 20 gorgeous granny squares! Ever popular, granny squares are quick to make, easy to customize, and brilliant for building up into larger projects. Containing 20 fresh, colourful, new designs from best-selling crochet designer and author, Val Pierce, this book will inspire you to get creative and bust that yarn stash. Five additional, vibrant projects are included inside for you to crochet with your newly-made squares, including a sweet 'n' simple simple potholder, a retro pillow cover and pretty fingerless gloves. Granny Squares to Crochet is a fantastic little project book in a handy pocket-sized format, so you can crochet your favourite squares wherever you go. The original best-selling Twenty to Make series has sold over 2 million copies worldwide! In a handy hardback pocket-size format that makes them perfect little gifts, each title in the All-New Twenty to Make series contains 20 brand-new projects.

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Crack out the crayons and enjoy the fleece and quiet as your flock gets their hooves on this exciting new colouring book! It's always mayhem on Mossy Bottom Farm, so get creative with colour to decorate scenes and patterns featuring your favourite fleecy friends: Shaun, Bitzer, the Farmer and even those naughty pigs.

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'Natural', 'no waste' and 'plastic-free'. If this is how you want to live your creative life, you will find a greener, more natural path with this book. Found and Ground details a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to painting. Readers will learn to create professional-quality paints using colour from the earth itself: the rocks, clay and soil in their locale. The palette created will be unique to the individual's local area, their eye and their tastes. Foraging for pigments and creating paints from scratch is both life-affirming and fascinating, and this book teaches new skills while also introducing the reader to the land outside their door. Starting with a foreword by award-winning author and environmentalist Paul Kingsnorth, this book covers every aspect of making natural paints, from finding the raw materials to the techniques needed to refine it into a pigment. Suitable for the complete beginner as well as those with some experience in art, Found and Ground will also appeal to those with experience in drawing and painting, but who until now have only used shop-bought materials to make their work. Found and Ground is the ideal reference book for artists and crafters wishing to move away from plastics (such as those found in acrylic paints), and use natural paints in their place. The book covers how to make a series of simple natural paints such as watercolour, gouache, tempera, and glair. It also includes innovative vegan 'egg paint' alternatives. Aimed at a general readership, all specialist art terminology is clearly and simply explained, and all the techniques demonstrated through step-by-step instructions. The book will also give fresh ideas to those stuck in a rut with their use of watercolours, and introduce readers to try new 'old ideas'. Most importantly, it will teach readers how to forage and gather successfully and safely.

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The definitive guide to stonesetting by renowned designer and teacher, Melissa Hunt. From ready-made snap settings to handmade mounts for unique pieces, Stonesetting for Jewellery Makers is an all-encompassing examination of the many and varied techniques, treatments and innovations used in jewellery design. Whether learning how to make settings from scratch or choosing and working with ready-made mountings, this book arms the reader with techniques that can be applied to a range of pieces. Throughout the book, beautifully illustrated step-by-step tutorials are accompanied by practical tips and advice, while inspirational galleries present stunning examples of the ways in which contemporary jewellers experiment with settings, materials and stones.

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Clothing repair through visible mending is a movement that now has hundreds and thousands of followers, and Erin Eggenburg is one of the leading proponents. Through her beautiful stitch designs, Erin shows you how to hand stitch or darn your clothes and other fabric items to mend them, rather than discard them. The patterns are organized by skill level, from beginner to expert, and each project includes a photo of the completed, stitched pattern, as well as step-by-step diagrams showing how to recreate the design. Comprising over 50 hand-stitched mending patterns, you can give worn clothes a new lease of life by using these beautiful designs to repair your clothes and other fabric items.

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If you want to draw cats but don’t know where to start, this is the book for you! 10 Step Drawing: Cats will help you turn simple shapes into beautiful cat drawings in just ten steps. Each drawing starts with easy, geometric shapes and simple guide lines, and the cats are drawn in a variety of poses that typify the particular breed. Each drawing includes a helpful colour palette so readers can easily find the right colours to finish their drawing. There are even instructions for adding simple details to give each creature its own personality.

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A clear instruction manual for hobby artists hoping to improve their work by learning from a master artist and getting inspiration from a practical showcase of his work. President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), Adebanji Alade's mission is to make oil painting accessible to anyone, while simultaneously providing insights and instruction that are valuable to experienced artists. From the absolute basics of getting an image onto your painting surface and preparing and mixing oil paints, this book includes invaluable information on different working approaches. Starting with the basics of value, edge, and colour, the book delves into brief exercises and fundamental techniques for sketching and drawing. It then gradually advances to Adebanji's distinctive method of oil painting diverse subjects, featuring six complete stage-by-stage projects. These projects encompass a range of subjects, from intimate portraits to captivating crowd scenes and the urban landscapes for which he is renowned. The reader will discover how best to tackle subjects ranging from single figures and small groups to expansive crowd scenes and interiors. Light, weather, character and atmosphere are all investigated by this infectiously enthusiastic artist.

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A clear, comprehensive and practical 'how-to' guide and resource for all aspects of designing jewellery. This book contains expert guidance on design and the design process, and includes step-by-step project briefs and themes for readers to use as a basis for developing their own ideas. It is suitable for all intermediate and professional jewellery makers, as well as those attending jewellery-making courses and who have taken up jewellery making as a hobby. The book explores the design process in depth, from fundamentals of jewellery design such as practical considerations to high-level conceptual briefs. Included within its pages are: Inspirational contributions from 12 contemporary jewellery designers. A chapter of the book shows how 6 of them apply the concepts in the book to their own practice 16 design techniques: a mix of drawing and model-making techniques including how to draw facetted gemstones, sketching, producing a technical drawing, paper models, mould-making and casting 5 technique-led projects: examples of how you can use basic jeweller’s skills together with the design techniques to create a specific type of jewellery. These include cutting out to make a band ring, press-forming for a brooch, and using repeated patterns for a necklace 8 process-led design projects show different creative approaches to the same challenge. For example 6 different ways of connecting links without soldering, or 12 different ways of setting a stone The book finishes with 10 open projects – briefs and finished inspirational examples for the reader to try out and learn from.

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This book will teach beginners and beyond the confidence and skills to create convincing, stunning skyscapes, from rich, glowing sunsets to bright clouds on a fresh, blustery day. This practical and inspiring book distils award-winning artist Sandra Orme's insights and experience into a complete course in the fundamentals of working with pastels. She explores those aspects of colour that are key to painting skies: how to retain vibrancy; how to avoid muddy colours through the use of 'bridging' colours; and how many pastels to use for the best effect. Each of the stage-by-stage projects focuses upon a particular sky effect, and each main stage is shown both before and after blending for clarity. Her 'Sky clinic', which finishes the book, offers more specialist and technical help on some of the common problems readers might encounter. Containing the all-important specifics on how to hold the pastel to make various marks, along with close-up pictures showing how the surface should look before you start to blend at each stage, this book assumes no prior knowledge – and contains information and insights of value to even the most confident artist.

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Accomplished cross stitch designer Hélène Le Berre brings you 14 stunningly beautiful alphabets to embroider. All of the alphabet designs are inspired by natural themes, including birds, animals and flowers. There are comprehensive instructions and stitch charts for each one, plus ideas are provided on how to use the motifs to decorate projects such as a make-up bag, an apron and a tote bag. All of the essential techniques are given at the back of the book, making this delightful collection of embroidered motifs a must-have for beginners as well as more experienced stitchers.

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Petra Thölken’s practical and inspiring book examines what it means to make an abstract work of art. She encourages the reader to consider the subjects of composition, planes, and subject and expression, while also examining the more practical topics of colour theory and colour mixing, how to work with pigment, canvas and priming, spatula techniques and working with unconventional backgrounds. All these elements build up into a vocabulary of visual pointers from which the reader can begin to explore their own adventurousness and creativity. Through the 20 beautiful projects that Petra demonstrates, step by step, readers will learn how to create texture, work with unusual tools and create soft transitions or high contrast. Her clarity of thought and inspirational advice will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your paintings and achieving the self-expression that leads to visually exciting and technically innovative work. For some of the projects, there are links to Petra's popular YouTube videos, demonstrating how she created the individual paintings.

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This striking collection of colourful crocheted blocks is inspired by patchwork quilt block designs. The inspiration comes directly from the tradition of piecing together scraps of fabric and it also stems from the characteristics and stitches of crocheted pieces. There are 49 fabulous blocks to make, which echo their stitched counterparts with names such as Flying Geese, Hourglass, Tumbling Blocks and Log Cabin – and all of them can be put together into larger designs. Whether you are building up patterns with leftover yarn or setting out with a specific colour scheme in mind, this is a wonderfully creative process of creating a larger design from lots of smaller units. There are four beautiful projects to make: a shoulder bag, a baby blanket, a geometric cushion and a beautiful lap blanket. A useful crochet techniques section describes the various stitches used, notes on colourwork and reading patterns and charts, and there is also advice on assembling the blocks and edging them. And, once you've got to grips with all of this, you can use the lovely blocks as inspiration to create your own lovely crocheted block pieces.

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Artists who wish to explore the world of painting with oils en plein air will love the freshness and vibrancy of the work in this book – as well as the expert, down-to-earth advice of its author. Award-winning artist Haidee-Jo explores the appeal of working outside with oils and the enormous benefits it can bring in terms of personal well-being. She also shares her techniques to allow the reader to invest their oil artwork with light, motion and life. With dozens of Haidee-Jo's artworks to provide inspiration to the reader, and clear, step-by-step demonstrations throughout, this book provides both an expert guide to the challenges, opportunities and fun of painting outdoors; and provides an insight into the working methods of this dynamic artist.

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Hungry for a new drawing challenge? Well, get ready to enter planet cute! In her new collection, artist-author Angela Nguyen turns even the most mundane foods into living, breathing, adorable characters that you will want to draw yourself. As well as cute food-creature fusions such as blueberry kittens and sausage dog hotdogs, in Angela’s captivating world, sleeping cats lounge atop sushi, curl inside donuts, or peek out from pizza crusts. Including beautifully clear and straightforward step-by-step instructions and minimal text, How to Draw Really Cute Food is great for both visual learners and those interested in learning the essential techniques of kawaii. With chapters on appetizers, entrees, desserts, snacks and drinks, these inventive designs are sure to delight and amuse.

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In this fourth title in Hazel Blomkamp’s series on crewel embroidery with a twist, the focus is on farm and game birds. The birds give a nod to current trends, most notably the Zentangle look with crewel-style filling-in stitches and techniques. Crewel Birds is a celebration of Hazel’s signature techniques: a wide variety of surface/crewel stitches, some of which are brand new and many with a different take or different ways of combining stitches to make them more interesting. Also included are needle lace techniques used as embroidery stitches, loom weaving techniques modified for embroidery, and unique combinations of both of these. The incorporation of beads and crystals adds even more dazzle to the intricate designs. There are six projects, each explained with detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, with design templates and a full stitch gallery providing everything readers need to recreate them with ease. The projects comprise a phoenix, rooster, common pheasant, mallard duck, flamingo and golden pheasant. In addition to these sumptuous embroideries, Hazel explains how to hand quilt the backgrounds and finish the edges with binding to put them together in a ‘rag book’, as an alternative to framing. For embroiderers looking for something different and new to stitch, and for those keen to challenge themselves with more complex embroidery techniques, this book is a must-have.

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Stumpwork embroidery, also called raised embroidery, takes hand embroidery to another dimension and lifts it off the surface of the fabric with strikingly realistic results. This technique uses all the usual embroidery stitches you would expect and includes padding, wiring and slips to achieve its raised effect. Stumpwork Inspirations highlights the very best stumpwork has to offer in both design and technique. Featuring talented embroidery designers Susan O’Connor, Wendy Innes, Susan Casson, Anna Scott, Lesley Turpin-Delport and Jane Nicholas, this special collection, including lovely framed pictures and a pot lid, have been curated into one publication. With 8 stunning stumpwork projects to make, there are clear step-by-step instructions, pullout patterns, a stitch guide and all the information you need to stitch them. Discover the origins, stitches, techniques and designs that are uniquely stumpwork, and learn how to make your own beautiful works of art.

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Praise for the Build a Bag series: "These books are ideal for those new to bag making and will help readers grow their bag-making skills and confidence as they work through the projects. The plastic templates are a brilliant idea and a great bonus." - The Sewing Directory New to the highly acclaimed Build a Bag series, this fantastic new book by Debbie Shore brings you a selection of 15 sensational satchels! The 15 designs are created using the full-size rigid template contained within the book. It is easy-to-use, durable, reusable, wipe-clean and perfect for fussy cutting, plus it is simple to position and use – there is no need to pin it. The satchels are made using different techniques, pockets, straps and fastenings to create 15 very different results. But why stop there? The template can also be used for your own design variations. As you mix and match the techniques covered within the book, Debbie gives advice on how to adapt and create your own unique designs. Each project in the book is explained using Debbie’s friendly style and easy-to-follow step-by-step photography, and there is also a comprehensive techniques section and a guide to using the template.

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Praise for the previous edition: "The book brings together the work of Margaret Evans, Paul Hardy and Peter Coombs to help you to master the pastel medium. The three artists bring a good balance of work to the book, with Peter Coombs and Paul Hardy covering landscapes and townscapes, while Margaret Evans concentrates on flowers. Sections on using a limited palette, composition, colour mixing and colours for painting flowers, are interspersed with 13 demonstrations accompanied by good, clear step-by-step photographs." - Leisure Painter This is a practical and comprehensive guide for all soft pastel painting enthusiasts, from the beginner to the experienced artist. It uses material from the following titles in the Step-by-Step Leisure Arts series: Painting with Pastels by Peter Coombs, Landscapes in Pastel by Paul Hardy, Flowers in Pastel by Margaret Evans and Light in Pastel by Paul Hardy. Starting with advice on materials, it moves on to pastel basics such as blending, adding tone and using a limited palette. There are sections on landscape painting featuring advice on composition and painting trees and water, capturing light in pastels with tips on colour mixing, and finally flower painting, with additional information on adding water to pastels. Throughout the book, the art of painting in pastels is taught through 13 beautiful, easy to follow step-by-step projects, and each section is accompanied by a selection of inspirational paintings by the three featured artists, in a rich variety of styles. Previously published as 9781844488612.

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