We Make Dolls!: Top Dollmakers Share Their Secrets & Patterns

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Making super-cute stitched dolls is a beloved tradition, and today it's more popular than ever! Here are some of the freshest new designs from 10 of the world's leading dollmakers. Along with the book's 23 projects--which feature full-size templates and include trendy plush creatures as well as sweet-faced human and animal forms--are profiles of the artists, including colorful pictures of their studios and explanations of their signature techniques. The international roster represents nations from the US and Mexico to Germany, Portugal, and Russia.

The Collage Workbook: How to Get Started and Stay Inspired

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Both a popular hobby and a recognized art form, collage encompasses a wide range of creative styles and techniques--explored here by the creator of the popular A Collage a Day blog. Offering step-by-step instruction, visual inspiration, and even a library of copyright-free images, this hands-on guide covers all the necessary materials, tools, and know-how, from adding color and transferring images, to decollage (tearing away layers). And to spark the reader's imagination, there are 52 creativity prompts, such as a collage using the letters of a single word.

The Pocket Paper Engineer: How to Make Pop-Ups Step-By-Step

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Elegant and accessible, this interactive handbook teaches crafters of all ages how to create kinetic paper art. The projects are complete with examples, formulas, and the essential instruction that allows them to be constructed directly from the book with simple materials on hand: paper, scissors, and glue. Pop-ups are grouped by type--box or triangle--and as the chapters progress, the techniques are combined and layered for more dramatic effects. With its thorough explanations and inspiring ideas, this book will bring color and motion to crafters' cards, scrapbooks, and invitations.

The Sketchbook Challenge: Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Achieving Your Creative Goals

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Have you ever bought a new sketchbook, opened to the first page, and thought, "Now what do I do?" Sue Bleiweiss and the talented minds behind "The Sketchbook Challenge" are here to help.
Imagine a supportive community of artists sharing the innermost pages of their sketchbooks and offering you tips and techniques for overcoming creative blocks. That's what "The Sketchbook Challenge" is all about, and the popular blog of the same name has already inspired thousands. Inside this book, you'll find:
- Themes that will motivate you to start your sketchbook--and, more important, keep at it
- Tutorials spotlighting such mixed-media techniques as thread sketching, painted papers for collage, digital printing, and much more
- Strategies to get off the sketchbook page and start creating inspired art--whether you're into painting, collage, fiber art, or beyond.
- In-depth profiles of artists who have taken the Sketchbook Challenge and used it as a launching pad for their own meaningful artwork.

Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed-Media Techniques

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Pondering how to begin a new piece of art? "Surface Treatment Workshop" has the answer! The authors of "Image Transfer Workshop" are back to show you 45 stepped-out mixed-media techniques that will add depth and texture to your artwork. These techniques are the perfect jump-off point for creating art you will love to look at, and, in some cases, touch!
In this comprehensive guide, you?ll find: 45 techniques. Exciting new applications such as the use of WonderUnder, pulled paper and plaster-dipped gauze will provide you with fresh ideas--many previously unpublished. Multiple variations. Each technique features swatches and descriptions to take the techniques in multiple directions with multiple mixed-media products. Inspirational style. Fully stepped-out projects from two artists will show you how to combine the techniques into finished works of art that can go in any artistic style. Take "Surface Treatment Workshop" with you on your artistic journey for beautiful beginnings.

Best of Fons & Porter: Star Quilts

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Quilts in this book from the editors of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine and its special editions include a spectacular Mariner's Compass, a beloved Lone Star, a unique slanted star, and a variety of other traditional Star patterns for all skill levels. Each quilt is shown in a lifestyle photograph and an assembly diagram, accompanied by a complete materials list and step-by-step instructions.

Little Stitches: 100+ Sweet Embroidery Designs 12 Projects

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Choose from more than 100 original embroidery designs, hand-drawn with a modern take on retro style. Aneela Hoey s illustrations are printed on transfer paper to use and reuse tear out the page, trim out the design, iron it down, and stitch away! Learn 11 easy decorative stitches plus techniques for adding texture, then embroider these charming images on 12 whimsical and practical projects, perfect for keepsakes or gifts. Projects include a baby quilt, cushion covers, cozies for jars and tissue boxes, and more. Embroidery is the perfect handwork to take along anywhere you go!

Knitted Finger Puppets

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Full of charm and personality, these 30 knitted finger puppets will appeal to children of all ages. Russell Ringmaster, Pixie Pete, Doctor Destiny, and other delightful characters are fun and easy to knit--but the fun doesn't stop there! They inspire kids to play creatively, from acting out swashbuckling adventures to fulfilling fantasy fairy tales. With five themes--Circus, Farmyard, Fairyland, High Seas and Science Lab--there's a set of puppets to make every youngster smile.

Go Crazy with Duct Tape

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Library Journal (06/15/2012):
Wallenfang's collection, which showcases the various designs of Duck brand duct tape, demonstrates that duct tape isn't just for quick household fixes. After a brief introduction to the basics of crafting with duct tape, Wallenfang presents an array of projects, ranging from jewelry to embellished cowboy boots to a duct-tape-covered recliner. As you might imagine, most of the projects involve neatly applying tape to an existing surface, often revitalizing something old and worn. All of the projects are easy and require no special skills or supplies, other than the duct tape

Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques

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"Unexpected Afghans" presents 29 innovative interpretations of a favorite at-home essential. From best-selling author Robyn Chachula comes an in-depth look into crocheting traditional afghans using contemporary techniques, colors and patterns.
Expert designers including Kristin Omdahl, Kathy Merrick, Kimberly McAlindin, and many more, provide an abundance of fresh patterns and projects that are perfect for new and advanced crocheters as they start out beginner-friendly and become more complex, allowing a crocheter to build skills and confidence. Designers at any level will enjoy:
A detailed technique's workshop in every chapter including cables, motifs, color, lace, and Tunisian crochet.
Helpful tips from designers for working through each afghan project.
Easy-to-follow charts and diagrams.
Along with tons of beautiful afghan projects for all skill levels, you'll find many of your favorite designer's biographies--giving you an exploration into their inspiration.

Knitting the Perfect Fit: Essential Fully Fashioned Shaping Techniques for Designer Results

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This is the first book that delves deeply into easily mastered techniques that can be used to adapt and customize any project. Knitting the Perfect Fit is an invaluable guide for anyone interested in learning and perfecting shaping details in their knitting. Acclaimed designer and teacher Melissa Leapman distills one of her most in-demand workshops into an authoritative guide that will help knitters understand how designer details and shaping actually work. From a variety of necklines and arm details to different trompe l'oeil shaping techniques that offer a more slimming and flattering look to any garment no matter your body type. Each technique is thoroughly explained with tips and exercised and then showcased in 21 appealing projects that allow knitters to practice their new skills.

Practical Origami: Folding Your Way to Everyday Accessories

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With Practical Origami a world of simple useful designs await. With little more than some paper and your hands colorful sheets are transformed into everyday necessities such as stationary, packaging, toys and even kitchen utensils. You can impress your friends with origami-inspired wallets, table settings, and envelopes that pop up, fan out, and even hold hidden goodies. With a few basic techniques under your belt and the endless opportunities that paper offers, Practical Origami's projects will teach you the fundamentals of origami as you create playful animals and other designs perfect for greeting cards, jewelry, and more.
The possibilities for using origami in design are limitle

With Fabric & Thread: More Than 20 Inspired Quilting & Sewing Patterns

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More than 20 inspired quilting and sewing patterns
As a generation of mostly self-taught, creative women takes to the world of fabric, quilting and sewing are joining forces in a way that they never have before. Long-time quilters, committed to their craft for decades, are starting to experiment with a bit of home sewing or simple sewing for their grandchildren. The younger side of the sewing community is embracing the world of patchwork and quilting, a world that once seemed inaccessible or even undesirable to younger seamstresses. With Fabric & Thread seamlessly bridges the language and intimidation gap between these two crafts and delivers a unique collection of projects that appeal to sewers and quilters alike.
Featuring 20 new projects, "With Fabric & Thread" marries the nomenclature of both sewing and quilting to create an effortless set of instructions that anyone can follow. Plus, a special section features six patterns that can be accomplished two different ways: one using sewing techniques and one using quilting techniques. The result is two unique looks from a single pattern.Provides an excellent stepping-off point for sewers learning to quilt, and quilters learning to sewChic projects, well-styled photos, and modern illustrations speak to this increasingly unified audienceGood, basic, understandable instructions