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These loveable little amigurumi monsters are so cute and quick to crochet, you’ll want to make them all! At 10cm (4in) high, these manga-inspired plushie creatures are perfect little companions that can peek out of your pocket. Using just one size hook, crochet one, two, or a whole team of beasts with unique powers, from a sprout-like sidekick and spiky wolf guardian, to a springy mouse and a fiery cat! Suitable for crocheters of all abilities, these tiny collectables make awesome gifts and mini makes for any age. 20 mini monsters to crochet and collect Only one size crochet hook needed Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions with templates for eyes and noses Great little gifts for all ages An enlarged re-issue of Pocket Amigurumi, 2017.

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Discover the joy of acrylic painting and create 15 captivating little works of art with this comprehensive beginner''s guide!An all-inclusive guide to acrylic painting for the absolute beginner, complete with simple-to-trace preliminary drawings.If you''ve always wanted to try acrylic painting but felt intimidated, fear no more! Here are 15 small still life paintings to achieve and unleash your inner artist. With step-by-step instructions and clear explanations, this all-inclusive guide will build your skills and knowledge from the ground up.Jennifer Funnell, an experienced visual arts teacher, has crafted this book specifically for beginners like you. Her decade''s worth of drawing and painting experience shines through as she breaks down the process into simple, easy-to-understand steps with traceable outlines. No prior experience or drawing skills required!Acrylic paint is the perfect medium for beginners. Its expressive and opaque nature allow

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Discover the captivating world of sashiko embroidery with Colourful Sashiko, featuring 49 diverse designs and essential techniques to make even simple embroidery vibrant and exciting.

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Discover the secrets of creating beautiful, gentle, eco-friendly artisanal soaps at home.

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Learn how to draw fashionable manga clothes that help to convey personality, character, and mood quickly and easily. Packed with everything you need to know to draw a huge variety of cool clothes and accessories in the manga style, this detailed guide covers a range of styles and looks, so that you can build character identity, customise your characters and tell a story through fashion. Create a wide range of looks, from on-trend streetwear to traditional and formal clothing. With clear step-by-step instructions and insider secrets that manga artist Dalia Sharawna has learned on her drawing journey, all you'll need is a pencil and paper to draw any clothing style you desire.

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Learn to paint 50 vibrant watercolour animals in seven simple stages, with award-winning artist Marina Bakasova. Paint 50 Watercolour Animals is the first title in a new beginner-friendly 'how-to-paint' series. This book will focus on a range of animals, from popular pets to wild creatures; from fun flamingos and doting dogs to mischievous monkeys. Over the course of 50 simple watercolour projects, this title will teach you how to paint! Each project can be completed in just seven simple steps from initial line drawing to finished creation, using a small selection of colours and a handful of easy-to-follow watercolour techniques. Whether you want to create a hand-painted card, decorate your wall or maybe you simply want to learn the relaxing art of painting with watercolours, with 50 cute motifs to choose from, you’ll easily find something to inspire you. No prior knowledge of watercolour techniques needed – This book contains a short list of tools and materials needed to get started and a clear and informative guide to the basic techniques needed to paint this varied collection of animals. No drawing skills required – The line drawings are provided at full size, ready to copy or trace – and all the information on how to do so is included. The line drawings are also available to download for free from Bookmarked (www.bookmarkedhub.com). Suitable for artists of all levels – Marina’s clear instructions guide the reader from start to finish in a way that makes it easy for anyone to pick up a brush and learn how to paint in her loose, characterful style.

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Learn to draw expressive, characterful manga faces using this simple step-by-step book. Manga artist Yishan Li teaches you to transform simple shapes into eyes, mouths, hairstyles and fully formed manga faces. There are 38 exercises to choose from including 18 complete manga faces, or you can use the facial features as building blocks to create your own unique characters. Each project starts with a few basic outlines and progresses into a finished drawing in eight easy steps; a final coloured version shows you how to develop your artwork even further. Perfect for beginners, as well as budding manga artists, you’ll be amazed how easily you too can create your own manga faces using this simple book.

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Discover the joy of crafting with light, and create 10 beautiful blue gifts and accessories with cyanotype.

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What says Christmas better than a handmade decoration? Or hanging up a stocking you have created yourself? This book has 30 sewing projects to get you in a festive mood. However you celebrate Christmas and whatever your family traditions, there is something for everyone: tree decorations, tiny advent calendar stockings, a garland, cosy slippers, table runners, teddies, a wreath, a Scandi pillow and hanging decorations. This collection of homemade sewing gifts taken from the best-selling Love to Sew series is perfect to decorate your home, give as gifts or make with the children in the holidays. With a techniques section complemented by instructions and photographs for each project, you have everything you need to get going. Full-size templates are provided in a handy pocket containing two fold-out sheets.

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A comprehensive guide to more than 30 circular weaving techniques perfect for crafting unique and modern home décor. Artist and educator Emily Nicolaides demonstrates the wonderful possibilities of contemporary circular weaving in this one-of-a-kind guide for beginners and beyond! Before jumping into the projects and patterns, Emily gives a thorough overview of the basics, including detailed instructions on how to select materials and what tools you will need. She even includes instructions on fashioning and using DIY cardboard looms and shuttles. The projects are broken down into two parts: functional circular home goods and decorative circular wall hangings. In the introductions for each project, any necessary specifications like the number of warps or style of loom are noted. Budding weavers have the option to either follow projects exactly as they are laid out or to put their own unique twist on the concepts presented to craft something truly unique. Projects are marked beginner, intermediate, or advanced, making it easy for the everyone to progress through the book as they become more familiar with circular weaving.

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An easy-to-follow beginner's guide to painting animals and birds in watercolour with best-selling artist Matthew Palmer.

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Learn how to make beautiful, bespoke candles for you and your home in this easy-to-follow guide. Sarah Ditchfield, founder of Candle by Events, shares her secrets for crafting 20 of her best-selling candle designs, so that you too can make both modern and traditional waxed creations at home – from elegantly simple taper candles to show-stopping ice pillars. Invaluable advice is included on the essential materials and tools you'll need to get started, along with handy measuring and heating charts. Every candle project is accompanied by simple instructions, step-by-step photographs and a gorgeous finished picture. There's even a chapter on how to decorate and package your candles if you'd like to give them away as thoughtful, hand-crafted gifts. If you are looking for a craft that you can truly immerse yourself in, and one that's perfect for the beginner candlemaker looking for professional results, this is the book for you. This is a revitalized edition of Making Candles: Create 20 decorative candles to keep or to give (2017).

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Flowers are a perennial favourite of artists; and what better medium than luminous, delicate watercolour? Fiona Peart's new book is a complete course in learning to paint flowers, packed with handy hints and tips for new artists – or indeed anyone who wants to capture the beauty of flowers with paint. Numerous simple step-by-step exercises are seeded through the book to allow the reader's skills to grow towards more complex and rewarding projects. A range of flowers are included, from hydrangeas to camellias to hellebores. Fiona's clear, down-to-earth and friendly instructions encourage the reader to try different styles, while the 21 full-size, traceable outlines included mean that even those who don't wish to draw can get started quickly and simply, following the instructions provided. In the best-selling Absolute Beginner series, this book is suitable for absolutely anyone who wants to take their painting skills further and become an accomplished flower artist.

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Accomplished artist Marion Kaiser brings you this fun, beautiful and quirky guide to creating cute stone art. Getting started couldn’t be easier. It doesn’t require expensive materials or complicated techniques – all you need is a stone, some acrylic paints and varnish! It’s great for beginners, and more seasoned artists alike, and is the perfect family craft. Discover 20 fun designs in a variety of styles. Projects include animals such as a panda, elephant and lizard, insects such as a ladybird and dragonfly, and birds such as a swan and a penguin. There are other lovely things to create too, such as a cottage, a mandala and a feather. With clear step-by-step instructions accompanying each design, and beautiful photographs to inspire you, Painting Stones will soon have you on your way to creating your own rock art collection. You can even share the fun by creating a quirky treasure trail around your neighbourhood for passers-by to discover!

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Use your Cricut machine to create digitally die-cut embellishments for any event!

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Explore the full potential of your Cricut machine! Digital die-cutting machines are the ultimate creative tool for crafters, but beginners sometimes don’t know where to start. This book provides a simple, down-to-earth guide to using your machine, including Cricut and Sizzix, and shows you how to make 37 amazing projects. This first book in the new Cut & Craft series introduces you to the basics – including the tools and accessories you need and a quick guide to using the software. The step-by-step projects offer an exciting array of ideas and designs that will really spark your imagination, and all come with clear instructions and photos, plus over 70 free downloadable SVG files. Learn how to make gorgeous paper flowers, intricate papercuts, journal embellishments, engraved jewellery and etched glassware. Explore different materials including paper, fabric, acetate and vinyl, and personalize your creations to make unique gifts and themed accessories for weddings, birthdays, Christmas, baby showers and more. If you have just bought your first digital die-cutter or already own one and are looking for fresh ideas and new techniques, then this is the book for you!

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20 stunning ideas for upcycling and repurposing preloved fabrics! Are you trying to cut down on clothing and fabric waste, but are short on ideas of what to do with unwanted garments, bedsheets or curtains? In this brand-new collaboration between sewing superstar Debbie Shore and her dressmaker-blogger daughter, Kimberley Hind, find 20 ideas for upcycling pre-loved fabrics to make stylish accessories for you and your home. As well as invaluable guidance on choosing your fabrics, notions and extras, discover a collection of contemporary projects to create using old garments from around the house or saved from charity/thrift shops: a boho-style lampshade made from an old dress; pillows made from men's shirts; a fabulous mid-twentieth-century handbag cut from pre-loved ladies' jackets; a chic shirt-sourced throw, plus a whole range of designs to sew and inspire you! Every project includes easy-to-follow instructions and illustrated steps. The variety of techniques used for the projects, such as English paper piecing, piping, fitting zips, dyeing and felting, are also explained clearly and with photographs, helping you create professional (and enviable) results. The beauty of working with pre-owned fabrics is that you won’t get shrinkage or risk colour running, plus you'll have a fabulous choice of unique fabrics that you just wouldn’t be able to buy new. Be inspired to give it a go and keep your fabric from landfill. Take a look in your wardrobe, salvage your old favourites and give them a new lease of life.

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Have you heard of paper piecing and wanted to give it a go, but didn't know where to begin? Or are you a keen quilter looking to create intricate patchwork designs, but have struggled to create perfect, sharp shapes and corners? Then this is the book for you! Paper piecing involves stitching fabrics over paper templates, and allows you to create complex geometric designs easily. The book starts with the key materials and tools you need, followed by seven stunning contemporary designs, each demonstrating a new paper piecing technique. Every design features illustrated step-by-step instructions, and comes with 26 full-size templates for you to cut out and stitch on to right away. Once you’ve mastered the essential techniques, put your new skills into practice by making the seven gorgeous step-by-step sewing projects – from a pillow cover and a tote bag to a beautiful quilt – each of which can be adapted to include any of the paper piecing designs. This folder includes the instruction book, and a separate envelope containing the templates.

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Add vibrancy and texture to your acrylic paintings! Perfect for those new to palette knife painting, Tim Fisher's inspirational guide is the ideal introduction, combining clear instructions and step-by-step photographs with aspirational paintings. Palette knives for painting come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and can be used in a variety of ways, at different angles, to apply acrylic paint thickly and freely for rich, textural results. Discover the range of techniques you can try, and marks you can make from delicate dots to thick slabs of colour; then progress to a series of eight projects, from a simple yet effective row of bold, blocky beach huts, right through to a challenging yet incredibly satisfying and striking sunset scene of Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, painted on a black background for huge visual impact. Use your palette knives alongside traditional paintbrushes to introduce texture and dimension into your paintings, and discover how to combine classic painting techniques with mixed-media and collage featuring found objects.

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Brusho - a highly pigmented watercolour ink powder - is a unique and exciting painting medium that is renowned for its versatility. Joanne Boon Thomas demonstrates how adding a spritz of water to Brusho results in a breathtaking and spontaneous fusion of colour on the page. It is an easy method that allows you to produce vibrant, expressive paintings in a loose, bold style. A full range of techniques is included, such as what can be achieved using only one colour; how effective blending primary colours is; and the hidden qualities of black Brusho. Short demos show the impact of using a bleach solution; how to use wax resist for effect; when to use a flat wash; and how to use line and wash as a loose framework for your paintings. Ten step-by-step projects and numerous examples of the author's stunning work will inspire, all infused throughout with Joanne's exuberance and enthusiasm for this wonderful medium. This definitive go-to guide will inspire artists of all abilities to explore the improvisational properties of Brusho and incorporate it into their painting repertoire.

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Bring new life to your old clothes and fabrics with this fun, easy-to-follow guide to modern mending. Across the globe, we send tonnes of clothing to landfills each year. In fact, clothing consumption in the UK and US is one of the highest in the world. But the good news is that mending is trending, and it's never been easier to repair and reinvent your favourite clothes. Inspired by the slow fashion movement that's taking the sewing world by storm, Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald has created a comprehensive guide to repairing your own clothes in a way that combines creativity and sustainability. In Modern Mending, she demystifies mending and shares step-by-step instructions for a range of techniques, including stitching, darning, patching, needle felting and machine darning. Furthermore, there's an invaluable "Troubleshooting" section at the end of each tutorial, as well as a "Quick-fix" section for buttons, snags, ladders and zippers, so no stone is left unturned in your mending process! So next time you tear your favourite jeans or find a hole in your jumper, think twice before throwing them away. With Modern Mending, you'll gain the skills and confidence needed to rebel against fast fashion, be less wasteful and more sustainable for years to come.

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Watercolour is a difficult medium to master, and even experienced artists are prone to making mistakes. Over the years he has spent working as a professional artist and demonstrator, Charles Evans has built up a huge bank of expert advice, tricks, tips and techniques for fixing common watercolour problems, correcting mistakes, and learning how to avoid them in the first place. These problems include how to remove ‘cauliflowers’, avoiding or fixing water spillages, preventing colours from bleeding into one another, making distant hills look, well, distant, and making less muddy colour mixes. Each problem is one that Charles is commonly asked to solve, (such as My trees look like lollipops), followed by Charles' solution, and a short demonstration of how to prevent the problem occurring next time you paint.

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Kawaii is a Japanese word meaning ‘super-cute’, and it’s a trend that’s sweeping the globe. Anything can be drawn in the kawaii style, from animals, people, vegetables and flowers to food, vehicles and household items. Expert comic book and manga artist Yishan Li shows you how to achieve amazingly cute characters in a few simple steps. Do you want to draw a singing cactus, a cheeky camera, a crying onion, or a playful panda? The choice is yours! How to Draw: Cute Kawaii uses material from the best-selling How to Draw series, plus 32 brand new projects! There are over 100 projects to choose from, each full of character and charm. Each one is developed in eight easy stages from a rough sketch of the basic shapes through to the finished, coloured drawing, making this book appealing to adults and children of all ages and abilities.

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A collection of Half Yard™ sewing projects for summer style, designed by the award-winning and best-selling author Debbie Shore, now in one book. Discover 40 stylish summer designs specially chosen by Debbie from her much-loved Half Yard™ series, including 5 brand-new projects for you to sink your needles into. Whether you're preparing for a holiday, trying to keep the little ones occupied or planning a summer party, you'll find a gorgeous collection of items to make: from picnic and party sets, kid crafts and home décor to casual and evening bags and a handy passport wallet. Each item requires no more than half a yard of outer fabric, plus all the necessary hardware, trimmings and lining. As always, every project features Debbie's friendly, easy-to-follow instructions and a beautiful photograph of the finished make.

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Do you love to decorate your home and make wonderful Christmas decorations for all your family and friends to enjoy? Then this is the book for you. It will delight and surprise with its fantastically cute, kawaii-style crocheted Christmas cuties. There are 20 great projects to make, including a wonderful Santa Claus accompanied by a lovely Mrs Claus; a cute penguin, polar bear and gingerbread man; Brussels sprouts, Christmas angel and even pigs in blankets! With a short techniques section at the beginning to explain the basics, these projects can be worked up quickly and easily using small amounts of yarn in your stash. You can even customize some of the projects if you wish and make Santa, the elf or the snowman's head into baubles with a short piece of yarn to hang them up. Whether you make these for your family or as gifts for friends, now is the time to pick up your hook and get crocheting amigurumi style!

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Sew more, waste less. It’s never been more important to be mindful of what we consume. This book will help you to make 25 small but meaningful life swaps to help reduce waste and live more sustainably. Replace disposable face wipes with skin-friendly, washable pads; make beeswax fabric wraps so that you never have to buy single-use plastic food wrap again; make a sturdy shopping tote to replace plastic bags; trade in gift wrap and tape for stylish fabric wraps and gift bags. Packed with all the easy-to-follow instructions and friendly sewing tips you expect from Debbie Shore, this book also contains hints and tips for face scrubs, bath salts and more to use with your new projects, or to make a perfect eco-friendly gift. Vegan alternatives are suggested where possible.

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Discover the art of kogin, a style of traditional Japanese sashiko embroidery with modern appeal. Historically, kogin was used as a pattern darning technique to reinforce threadbare fabric and add warmth to the clothing worn by farmers in the villages of northern Japan. With dozens of beautiful and simple geometric patterns, kogin embroidery offers fresh inspiration and authentic technique to proponents of the decorative mending movement. Colourful photos offer step-by-step instruction for learning this simple counted thread embroidery technique. Beginners will discover how to prepare the thread and fabric, how to read kogin charts, and how to make the basic straight stitches that comprise kogin motifs. Once you’ve mastered the basics, try your hand at one of the 25 adorable and easy projects included in the book. Featuring bright and modern colour schemes, these accessories are designed for contemporary life. You’ll find an assortment of pretty brooches, barrettes and hair ties, pouches and coin purses, framed samplers, pincushions, and ornaments, plus potholders, coasters, and place mats for the home. Once you start stitching, we guarantee you won’t be able to stop!

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Sew a sustainable capsule wardrobe that is tailored to you – and with it, help break the cycle of throw-away fashion. The fashion industry is the second biggest environmental polluter on the planet. Every year, over 350,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to landfill in the UK – just under 14 million tonnes in the US – much of it owing to fast fashion. Furthermore, it’s estimated that many of us wear only 20% of our wardrobe regularly, with the other 80% languishing in our wardrobes unworn, or worse – contributing to those ever-growing landfill figures. We urgently need to find alternative, more sustainable approaches that allow us to have the stylish wardrobes we crave without hurting our planet. The techniques you learn in The Re:Fashion Wardrobe is one of those alternatives. Learn how to alter or create entirely new garments from pre-loved clothes or forgotten fabrics that are not only chic but don't cost the earth. Beginning with advice on equipment, fabrics and how to source your clothes for refashioning, Portia Lawrie will then take you step–by–step through a collection of 11 garments that she has reworked, showing you just how easy it is to refresh or drastically change any piece of clothing you come across. Every garment in the collection can be used to create a modern capsule wardrobe that you can wear throughout the year, and Portia has included advice on how to adjust the garments in the book to make versions suitable for different times of the year. Useful sewing techniques with clear illustrations are included at the back of the book for you to dip into whenever you need them – from measuring and fitting through to garment deconstruction and construction. This is not the “Becky home eccy” refashioning of old, or simply make-do-and-mend either. This is showing that with some time, basic sewing techniques and a dash of creative vision, a wardrobe you’ve made entirely from recycled garments and textiles can be as stylish, edgy and aspirational as anything the high street has to offer.

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Bargello stitching is a form of needlepoint and making a comeback. There is a project for everyone, whether you are new to bargello, or are an original bargello fan. Tina Francis shows you how to combine bold, bright colours in attractive, almost psychedelic patterns to create the illusion of 3-D. Use her easy-to-follow charts and approachable instructions to create 15 projects including cushions, wall art, pincushions, bangles and a brooch. Bargello is easy to master, quick to achieve and very addictive. The stitches take on a rhythm of their own which makes it extremely relaxing and before long you’ll be measuring your days in centimetres not hours. With only a handful of materials required – canvas, tapestry wool, tapestry needle and instructions – bargello is certain to become your craft of choice.

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Learn how to make and embellish six fabulous felt hats. 'A chic hat elevates any outfit and always draws compliments. I treasure my unique Bobbi Heath hat and now, thanks to her book, I can create my own from scratch at home. Bobbi is a natural teacher, she provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions and makes millinery fun.' - Susanna Brown - Curator, Victoria and Albert Museum A stunning felt hat is the perfect accessory for any occasion – from an everyday addition to your winter wardrobe to a head-turning statement piece for a special occasion. In this practical and informative guide, expert milliner Bobbi Heath shows you how to make felt hats in six different styles to perfectly complement any outfit, including a fabulous floppy hat, cloche, bucket, pill box, cap and button. Bobbi starts with the basics of how to measure your head, then talks you through the secrets of stiffening the felt, using steam to mould your fabric, and blocking. Learn invaluable stitching and edging techniques, then have fun experimenting with trimmings to make your hat unique. With a foreword by Dillion Wallwork, a London hat designer and prominent milliner for over 30 years, this practical book will appeal to all hat lovers and anyone looking for an easy introduction to the art of millinery.

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This is a practical and inspiring guide for acrylic artists of all levels of ability, from beginners who want to learn how to paint with acrylics to experienced artists looking for inspiration and ideas. Three well-known artists and authors share their expertise and enthusiasm for this exciting medium, starting with the materials and basic skills you need for painting with acrylics and moving on to more advanced techniques. Wendy Jelbert demonstrates colour mixing and the wonderful effects she creates in her stunning paintings, and David Hyde explores landscapes, from composing landscapes and choosing colours to creating depth and depicting the seasons. Carole Massey shares her love of flower painting and gives expert advice on mixing colours for flowers, using tone, drawing and composition. There are ten easy-to-follow, step-by-step demonstrations with clear photographs and helpful instructions, and many inspirational paintings for readers to admire. Comprises material from the Leisure Arts series: Painting with Acrylics (9780855328405) Landscapes in Acrylics (9780855320234) Creative Acrylic Techniques (9780855328481) Flowers in Acrylics (9780855328535)

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This comprehensive guide to painting landscapes in watercolour features the expert tuition of six renowned watercolour artists. It covers all aspects of painting, from materials and techniques through to planning a painting, sketching and perspective. Learn the techniques of wet into wet, spattering, dry brushing, lifting out and using salt to create texture and interest, and follow the step-by-step demonstrations to create realistic water, skies, reflections and buildings, as well as mood and atmosphere. With nine beautiful projects to try, and numerous examples of the authors' work to inspire you, this is the ideal introduction to landscape painting for artists of all abilities. This book includes material previously published in the highly successful Step-by-Step Leisure Arts series and the Watercolour Tips and Techniques series.

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Transform your plain pottery into exciting, colourful and contemporary pieces for the home in a trice! You don't need pottery classes, or even a kiln to glaze your creations - you can make gorgeous items quickly and easily by painting plain, shop-bought ceramic items and baking them in a domestic oven. With 22 colourful projects to make, there are decorative plates, bowls, cups and pots, vases, a lamp – and even earrings and a necklace. With simple techniques to follow, all explained in clear and simple terms, you just need a few brushes, some ceramic paints and some plain pottery and away you go! If you love painted ceramics, patterns and making little gifts – this book is for you!

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Exquisitely detailed and sumptuously worked, Michele Carragher’s embroidered art is breathtaking to behold. This comprehensive insight into her work guides you from her initial ideas, right through to the finished, astonishing pieces of work, collectively titled Trace. Rich in symbolism and drawing inspiration from throughout history, the book contains three created, embroidered artefacts: a lavish glove, jewelled bodice and Japanese-style hair pin. From these she extracts a narrative which becomes the basis for three embroidered artworks, exploring themes of human duality and our behavioural effects on society and the planet. The book begins with an immersive, exquisitely photographed gallery tour of all the pieces, showcasing Michele’s work in incredible detail. Following on from this, each artefact and artwork is discussed in detail, giving insight into the working process, creative choices and techniques used. Michele has worked for many years in the film and TV industry, including as Costume Embroiderer for HBO's Game of Thrones, and HBO's 2005 Emmy award winning production of Elizabeth I. The last chapter of the book features a selection of images from her inspiring catalogue of work.

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Fill your home with original, professional art - and learn how to paint at the same time. This innovative new series is a poster book, an art pad and a step-by-step painting book all rolled into one! Each of the five A3 posters are ready to pull out, frame and display. In addition, you can enjoy the calming pursuit of painting each of the pictures yourself using the pre-printed outlines - so no drawing required. The large landscape format of the book allows each stage of painting to be clearly and comprehensively explained with an innovative annotation approach. Simply pull out the simple, stage-by-stage tutorial pages and pin them to your easel, then paint directly onto the watercolour outlines for fantastic results. In this title, learn how to paint five of the nation's favourite flowers in the style of the finest watercolour artists of this day. Choose from a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers, a field of poppies, a vase of tulips, a garden of roses or a bed of irises.

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Typically associated with frilly hankies and flouncy collars that are time-consuming to make and invariably white, the 30 projects in this book span the colour spectrum and make use of a range of media including paper, fabric, thread and even concrete! This original and exciting guide to lace is a visual feast of 30 inspiring step-by-step projects. It includes in-depth features and fascinating asides relating to the history of lace and it will encourage you to experiment and inspire you with handy tips. The projects use bobbin lace, needle lace, needle weaving and drawn-thread work, all of which are clearly illustrated for beginners. Some projects feature techniques such as using concrete and papier-mâché; some feature ready-made lace, either entirely, or as something that can be added to.

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Jeremy Ford is a master-artist who will show you how to paint beautiful watercolour pictures, starting from initial sketches, through simple techniques to completed pictures, ready for display. A reissue of the best-selling How to Paint Water Colour, this book includes three comprehensive step-by-step demonstrations and covers a range of subjects from flower portraits to landscapes. Jeremy examines and breaks down the various essential materials needed, from selecting paper, paints and brushes through to other painting equipment. A simple colour theory section eliminates any mysteries about watercolour paint.

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A complete guide to producing desirable wooden objects and furniture for your home from scratch. Discover the satisfaction or making something with your own hands.''It is more motivating to make something that you genuinely desire, to create an object that you want in your home. The things we choose to have around us say something about who we are, but things we have made ourselves do that even more strongly. I want every project in the book to be something that the reader wants to make, to work really well in use and be something that can be proudly shown to others.'' This book is aimed at people who are engaged in a career, but looking to learn a physical craft to balance out their lives and make nice things for their home into the bargain.Offering a series of desirable projects that all relate to each other, use the same small collection of tools and gradually build your skills and tool collection as you progress. The projects are backed up by sections

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Learn the historical art of fine whitework in this informative, instructional guide from the Royal School of Needlework and master skills of Jenny Adin-Christie. This exquisite guide provides a historical background to fine whitework, and an exploration of the key stitch techniques involved in this intricate style of hand embroidery. Discover how to master five key areas of whitework technique: sculptured, translucent, filigree, fretted and voided; then apply these to two detailed and stunning pieces - a delicate button with scabiosa motif, and an elaborate embroidery honoring the 150th anniversary of the RSN. Clear step-by-step instructions and stitch diagrams aid the reader in their own whitework embroideries, and there is plenty of inspiration by way of Jenny Adin-Christie's own elegant works, and those of other RSN students and tutors.

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Through one quilt, learn how to patchwork and quilt by hand in this accessible how-to book. Slow stitching and mindful crafting is more popular than ever, and with just a few notions you can peacefully create a stunning quilt entirely by hand, in your own time and at your own pace. In her brand-new book, best-selling author and teacher Carolyn Forster will demonstrate all the techniques to hand-piece a variety of blocks and hand-quilt them together. Not only will you have a beautiful hand-made quilt at the end, but you can join thousands of other people today who are returning to the roots of traditional patchworking and quilting. Through a series of ‘bite-size’ lessons, you will be taken through the process of making your quilt chronologically, so you not only understand the order in which to craft your quilt, but you build up your skills as you progress through the book. Learn how to cut out your fabrics with and without templates, how to sew your patches together, and then get stuck into sewing a gorgeous library of blocks! There are 27 different blocks to make, each with its own piecing instructions, piecing diagrams, and helpful photographs that show the front and back of the block. Templates for every block are included at the back of the book, at full size. Once your blocks are ready to go, Carolyn shows you how to quilt them, using a combination of hand stitching and big-stitch quilting. Illustrated instructions are also included on how to construct and bind your quilt at the very end. With dozens of exquisite blocks to make, and useful and inspirational information throughout, this is a beautiful book that will take the mystery out of making hand-stitched quilts, and spark your quilting ideas for years to come.

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From Denise Scicluna, the author of Rock Art, comes this guide to creating cute and characterful animal rock art projects in a variety of styles. Getting started in rock art couldn’t be simpler. It doesn’t require expensive materials or complicated techniques – all you need is a rock, some paint or marker pens and your imagination! It’s great for beginner and more seasoned artists alike, and is the perfect family craft. Discover more than 50 adorable rock art ideas for animals in a variety of styles. Projects include woodland creatures such as foxes and squirrels, zoo favourites like pandas and tigers, birds, bees, butterflies, bugs, and a whole host of other animals for you to recreate. With clear step-by-step instructions accompanying each design, lots of variations, and bags of inspiration, Pebble Pets will soon have you on your way to creating your own rock art menagerie.

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This exquisite book by the founders of the studio May & Berry shows you how to create beautiful messages through the combination of hand lettering and watercolour. Broken down into easy-to-follow stages, you will soon learn how to use different pens and inks to produce gorgeous lettering, embellished with simple yet stunningly effective watercolour motifs. This practical book guides you gently through the materials and tools you need to get started, and sets you on your hand-lettering journey with some simple exercises. There are then ten pretty step-by-step projects for you to try, after which you’ll be confidently creating your own handwritten artworks that you can display on your wall, send as notecards to loved ones, or use to decorate your journals and scrapbooks. At the back of the book there is a treasure trove of gorgeous botanical-style motifs and borders along with four delightful alphabets created by the authors in a variety of scripts – perfect for gently encouraging beginners and inspiring more experienced hand-lettering artists to play with new designs and styles. This is followed by six handy worksheets on which to practise your letter-writing technique. You'll soon find that hand lettering with watercolour is quick and fun to learn, and a wonderful skill that will bring you joy for many years to come.

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'With pastel books being thin on the ground, any new edition is welcome and this is a rather excellent look at what the medium can do as well as a well-thought out manual on how to do it.' Review of the previous edition by Artbookreview.net The new edition of Jenny Keal's popular book Painting with Pastels is an inspiring and creative introduction to painting in this medium. Focusing on soft (chalk) pastels, this clear, simple-to-understand book encourages you to explore the materials and methods needed to get started with pastels. Jenny begins by introducing you to a variety of techniques, and looks at sketchbooks and photographs as a way of gathering source material. There are then five stunning step-by-step projects for the reader to choose from, covering a range of subjects from flowers to landscapes and coastal scenes, and designed to build on the basic skills covered in the earlier sections of the book. Here you will learn about creating atmosphere, colour, tone, composition and perspective, and before you realise it you will have all the skills you need to create your own beautiful pastel paintings.

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A new, up-to-date edition of the popular and comprehensive encyclopedia by professional artist Hazel Harrison. Ideal for artists of all skill levels, this exhaustive reference covers a multitude of areas concerning watercolour. The book is divided into three sections: the first covers the essential materials and tools you need to get you started on your watercolour journey, and how to set up your indoor and outdoor working spaces. The second provides step-by-step demonstrations that guide artists through a variety of techniques, from basic washes through to creating special effects using salt and wax resist. The third and final part tackles picture composition, from guiding readers on how to choose their palette and how to work with different lights, to understanding important concepts such as perspective and spatial depth. This resource provides a wealth of stimulating ideas to help artists – both amateurs and veterans – develop their own impressive watercolour painting style.

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Discover the meditative power of the mandala. In this book there is a collection of 50 unique designs, including mesmerising geometric patterns, calming nature-inspired motifs and spiritual symbols. Each colourful mandala is created by painting dots onto a stone or pebble – a simple yet soothingly effective process. With no specialist tools or skills required, you can immerse yourself in the process of creating these intricate designs. The stresses of modern life can be left behind, and meaningful, tactile pieces of art can be created to present as a perfect gift, to decorate the home, or to keep as a personal talisman. With clear and easy-to-follow instructions and beautiful photography, you will soon be gently crafting your way to a calmer, more creative self.

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From world-renowned artist Giovanni Civardi, this highly practical guide to drawing babies and children uses the traditional grid technique to make the drawing process both simple and accessible. Starting from a photograph, Civardi shows you how to create an accurate pencil sketch of the subject by overlaying a grid and transferring the image one square at a time. The drawing is then rendered in easy stages to create a finished portrait. Even the most complex of subjects can be broken down into easy steps using this method, and by following the numerous step-by-step exercises the reader will very soon be producing highly detailed drawings based on photographs of their own.

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This book is an expert guide to producing beautiful lifelike drawings of birds in their natural habitat. Artists of all interests will find a lot to inspire them in this detailed, practical and beautiful guide on drawing birds. The book includes sections on materials, basic techniques and reference gathering, as well as how to draw the key features of birds such as beaks, eyes, claws, wings and feathers. A special section focuses on birds in flight, and this is followed by chapters on the main bird groups including: Waders and water birds, Wildfowl, Birds of prey, Owls, Garden and woodland birds, Seabirds and Game birds. Each chapter covers the techniques specific to the group as well as numerous examples and a full step-by-step demonstration. The absence of colour means that Andrew uses other aspects such as pattern, shading and shape to give his paintings life and interest. Written for artists who wish to apply their skills to drawing birds, as well as experienced artists who want to improve their drawing skills, this is an expert guide to producing exquisitely rendered, lifelike drawings of birds in their natural habitats and nothing could be more inspirational than Andrew’s accurately observed and truly beautiful drawings.

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Knitting is a relaxing and therapeutic pastime, and this winning combination focuses on mindfulness and the perfect stress-busting knitting projects. Whether you choose a portable project to knit on the go, a group project to do with friends, or one that introduces new skills to stimulate a creative mind, this book is the perfect path to keeping calm. The book is aimed at beginners as well as more advanced knitters, but does not include anything more complex than basic knit and purl stitches, increasing, decreasing and some simple colourwork. Lynne Rowe covers the essential techniques at the start of the book, followed by projects that have been specifically designed for mindfulness. The projects themselves are split into five sections: Quick and Easy, Portable, Group, Big, and New Skills. Within these sections, you can choose to make things such as a wash cloth, a hat, a blanket, a shawl and an evening bag, amongst others. Every single one has been designed to promote calm and mindfulness and all the projects are beautifully photographed with clear and simple knitting patterns. The Introduction is written by Betsan Corkhill, an experienced healthcare professional who founded the community interest company stitchlinks.com in 2005. It has grown into a global online community for those who enjoy the therapeutic benefits of craft, and in particular, knitting. Betsan has also advised on the projects included in the book and repetitive techniques to promote a calm state. The five sections have different ways of promoting calm and the feelgood factor: Quick and Easy: the projects in this section are designed for when you when you feel like a quick fix to raise your mood. Use your favourite colours and textures to enhance the benefits of the rhythmic movements and the feelgood effects. The feeling of success you experience will motivate and inspire you. Portable: These smaller projects are even more portable, so keep one in your bag at all times. Use it to manage stress on the go, on your commute to work, in your lunch break, when travelling or at any other time when life is getting a bit much and you need to feel calm. Group: Getting together with friends to knit, chat and laugh over a cuppa is one of life’s joys. Supportive friends help us to live longer, healthier, happier lives so why not combine the calming nature of knitting with the support of being with friends? It’s a powerful way to switch off your stress fight-or-flight response and switch on a bit of fun, play and laughter. Big: It’s a lovely cosy feeling to sit quietly at home with your Big project on your lap, keeping you warm as you knit. Let it be your constant friend, the one you turn to to find calm and consistency when the world around you feels a bit frantic. As you get into the flow of the pattern, its familiarity will enable you to settle into a soothing rhythm whenever you need to knit yourself calm. New Skills: Learning new skills on a regular basis is essential for nurturing a healthy brain, opening new neural pathways and even encouraging the growth of new brain cells right into old age. This section focuses on a range of new skills to encourage you to experiment with different stitch patterns and combinations of colour and textures. They are designed specifically to stimulate your creative mind. Whatever your skill level, there are plenty of projects in this book to help you achieve calm, bust those stress levels and enjoy a pastime which is creative, fun and produces beautiful projects to wear, or for the home.

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