Mixed Media Masterpieces with Jenny & Aaron: Create Incredible Art Journals and Handmade Mixed Media Treasures with Two Master Crafters

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Heid and Nieradka, founders of the blog Everyday Is a Holiday, have presented a mixed bag, from mini faux doughnuts (which look delicious if one ignores the presence of clay, paint, and glaze) to a journal-making project in which a white cover of a notebook is painted black, then accented with embellishments and colors. Those who have dabbled in mixed-media projects may have more tools at hand than the average reader. Many projects require up to five colors of acrylic paint, plus upwards of a dozen smaller items, such as painter's acrylic latex caulk, tracing paper, striped paper straws, stage-curtain collage sheets, distressed ink and applicators, and a rose cupcake pick (for the Fabulous Keepsake Cake). The projects are complex, but may provide just the spark of inspiration to those who already experiment with intricate necklaces made from wooden beads and paper ephemera (Sweet Spot Necklace), or heirloom bride-and-groom photo assemblages for unique family keepsakes using rickrack and rulers, sheet music slices, and a vintage photo of the newlyweds. (Dec.) Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art & Creativity

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Jean Van't Hul's The Artful Parent is a how-to manual for purposeful parents who want to incorporate more art into family life

Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters Around the World

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There is no longer any excuse to point to a stash of unused yarn and say, I don't know what I'm going to do with these fibers. Thanks to Durant, who pioneered the franchise of One-Skein Wonders, and her collaboration with Eckman (of The Crochet Answer Book, 2005, among many others), any needleworker can add another 100 possible projects to the ever-growing inventory of gotta makes. With classifications by yarn weight, which is an easy-to-use differentiation, the seven chapters offer at least one item in every conceivable craft category, including jewelry, home decor, belts, women's wear, doll clothes, men's scarves, toys, and baby apparel. Directions are clear and accessible, rendered in written instructions and universal-symbol diagrams, and accompanied by color photographs. Should the crafter opt for the beady bangles or the hair scrunchies? The switchback or the gratitude scarf? How about Louis the Lobster or Niles the Crocodile? And so the too little time, so many projects excuse goes up in smoke.
Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.

Mastering the Art of Longarm Quilting: 40 Original Designs Step-By-Step Instructions Takes You from Novice to Expert

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This essential guide to using a longarm machine includes easy-to-follow instructions to get you well on the way to mastery! In addition to marking tips and thread selection, you ll also find detailed direction on planning and executing designs. Plus, the gallery section provides a treasure trove of inspiration! Featuring 40 original quilting designs, there s something for both traditional and modern quilters at all skill levels.

The Ancient Art of Applique Patterns from Tentmakers of Cairo

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Add an international touch to your applique with these designs from the Tentmakers of Cairo. Based on ancient Egyptian art and architecture from buildings, tombs, and scrolls, these 18 designs will enhance traditional or modern applique quilts. The story of how this obscure traditional work came to the attention of AQS is complemented by on-the-scene reporting from the tentmakers' street in Cairo. Photos of the 17 tentmakers add a human touch and connect the reader to a people, a place, and an ancient artistic heritage from halfway around the world.

Beautiful Lego

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Legos have been a building block of childhoods around the world for decades (the Danish company, the Lego Group, was founded in 1949), but as graphic designer Doyle demonstrates in this impressive collection of 360 Lego models, they're far from child's play. The book showcases the work of 77 artists, who offer a wildly divergent results: from portraits of Freddie Mercury and the monsters from Alien to dissected frogs, space stations, and chromed-out hot rods. Though Doyle humbly waits until the middle of the book to showcase a few of his own sculptures, they are among the most striking. His stark black-and-white renderings of an elegant Victorian house damaged by an uprooted tree, as well as the book's cover (a massive futuristic city with countless spires) are nothing short of breathtaking. Brief bios of the creators accompany each entry, with the artists discussing what drew them to Lego bricks and their approach to design. One featured artist, Jordan Schwartz, may have achieved the ultimate goal: landing a job at Lego as a product designer due in part to his creations. Surprisingly, the book doesn't include specifications such as the dimensions of the pieces or the number of bricks used, nor are there images of works-in-progress. If readers can forgive that, they will be mesmerized by this astonishing collection. Full-color illus. Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly

Kumihimo Basics & Beyond: 24 Braided and Beaded Jewelry Projects on the Kumihimo Disk

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 Kumihimo Basics & Beyond: 24 Braided and Beaded Jewelry Projects on the Kumihimo Disk 

 "Kumihimo Basics and Beyond" presents techniques for creating all-cord braids and beaded braids, then teaches beaders how to transform them into finished jewelry. Short demonstrations of the key techniques needed for each project are presented in easy-to-grasp portions, allowing beaders to learn and practice as they go. Rebecca Combs demystifies tricky "kumihimo math" by providing detailed supply lists for each project in the book, plus teaches beaders how to calculate the amount of fiber and how many beads they'll need for their future kumihimo projects. 

Sewing Pretty Little Things: How to Make Small Bags and Clutches from Fabric Remnants

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"Sewing Pretty Little Things" shows how to use small pieces of fabric to make big impressions. This book is packed with creative ideas for using fabric scraps and remnants in classic, beautiful designs. The authors show how to give new purpose to a special piece of fabric, by transforming it into an attractive coin purse, an elegant wallet, or a handy clutch. With original projects like journal covers, travel slippers, key fobs, cosmetic cases, and even backpacks, readers are sure to find a use for all kinds of fabrics and patterns. Stunning color photographs illustrate the potential of the craft. Step-by-step instructions make each project easy to create with whatever material is at hand.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: Letters from 1920s Farm Wives and the 111 Blocks They Inspired

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"The Farmer's Wife" magazine posed this question to their readers: "If you had a daughter of marriageable age, would you, in light of your own experience, have her marry a farmer?" The magazine at the time had 750,000 subscribers, and received over 7,000 letters. The best answers to this question are included in this book, along with the traditional quilt blocks they inspired.
Laurie Aaron Hird provides everything you need to be inspired and create your own sampler quilt: 111 six-inch quilt blocks, with assembly diagrams for piecing the blocks and template cutting directions; complete instructions for making a sampler quilt in any traditional size: lap, twin, queen or king; CD with easy-to-print, full-sized templates for all 111 blocks, and printable quilt construction diagrams; 42 letters from the 1922 Farmer's Wife contest to give you a priceless glimpse into our country's past

Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece: 29 Stitched Projects from Yoko Saito

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From master quilt artist Yoko Saito, "Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece" explores traditional folk themes and interprets them with a vintage, yet modern feel. Inside, you'll learn traditional patchwork techniques, such as log cabin, hexagons, baskets, and stars, sewn in soft sepia and taupe fabrics. Featuring piecework, applique, machine stitching, hand-stitching, and embroidery, these projects are a delight for anyone who loves doing needlework. You'll also discover large wall quilts as well as smaller projects, from fabric baskets and handbags to an apron and fabric cushions--all with enclosed paper patterns.
In her masterful style, Yoko Saito uses beautiful and meticulous stitching while still embracing the "wabi sabi" concept of imperfection, using odd-shaped pieces and quilting with a free mind. "Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece" invites all quilt artists to stray from conventional designs and create one-of-a-kind quilts and quilted projects.