A must-have book for any quilt or craft library." --Denyse Schmidt (author of Denyse Schmidt Quilts). . . My approach to quilting is an approach for true beginners. I don't like triangles, circles, hexagons, diamonds, rhombuses, or any shape that makes measuring a chore. (Can we stop right here and ponder the word rhombus? Man, that word is hilarious.) In this book, every project is designed using only squares and rectangles. Why just squares and rectangles? Because straight seams are easy to stitch!Craft a modern quilt with independent quilt-maker Boo Davis, whose fun, slightly quirky designs take quilts into new graphic territory. Using only simple shapes like rectangles and squares you'll see robots, skulls, alarm clocks, and owls come to life as fabulous, full-size quilts. With 10 charming quilt patterns, and 15 eye-popping patchwork projects perfect for afternoon or weekend crafting, Dare to Be Square Quilting reinterprets quilt traditions such as basket weave, rail fence, and housetop designs in a bold new way. With advice on color and fabric selection, and an extensive how-to section on quilting, Davis teaches the fastest, simplest, and most reliable methods modern quilting has to offer.Dare to make a quilt that's funny, fabulous, and from the heart . . . Dare to be square!

    . .A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death--and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Bereft of her comfortable suburban life, Syd takes shelter at a college pal's bed and breakfast, where amidst the bougainvillea blossoms and the island's gentle rhythms, a plan begins to form. . .Syd never considered the possibility of turning her passion for spinning and knitting into something more than a hobby, but when the unique composition of her wool draws attention, a door is opened--the first among many. Yet even as she ventures out of her comfort zone, Syd finds herself stepping into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship. . .and secrets. And as long-hidden truths are revealed, Syd faces a choice: spin a safety net--or spin decidedly forward and never look back. . .

       Tasty Ultimate is THE must-have companion for home cooks of all skill levels—whether you’re a sometimes cook or a master meal prepper. With 150 recipes, clever hacks, and must-know techniques, this cookbook will teach you how to kill it in the kitchen.   In no time at all, you’ll be poaching like a pro, searing perfectly tender steaks, chopping veggies at warp speed, and frosting cakes better than Betty Crocker. You’ll tackle brand-new recipes as well as all your Tasty faves; think Fried Egg Pizza, Salmon Poke Bowl, Mozzarella Stick Onion Rings, and Molten Lava Brownies. Beyond knockout cheese pulls, slow-cooked stunners, vegetarian go-tos, meals for meat-lovers, and insanely good sweets, discover large-scale showstoppers perfect for hosting Friendsgiving or Super Bowl Sunday.   With Tasty Ultimate in your kitchen, there is no meal—big or small—you can’t conquer.

    Arranged by how long it takes to complete each project, this book focuses on gifts that generally require less than three hours of time. It details the knowledge and skills you need to improvise on these projects.

    The classic to contemporary projects are from a variety of top knitwear designers, including Nancy Bush, Mags Kandis, Pam Allen, Véronik Avery, Chrissy Gardiner, Marta McCall, Kathy Merrick, and Kristin Nicholas. Sample projects include garments and accessories for the entire family, gifts for four-legged friends, and items for the home, ranging from beautiful hats, bags, scarves, socks, mittens, and gloves to unique gifts such as a felted oven mitt, napkin rings, baby blocks, a hobby horse, a catnip mouse, a car seat–friendly baby bunting, and floral ballet shoes. With detailed instructions and helpful photos, these projects are perfect for knitters looking for small projects to keep or give away.

    Inspiring and imaginative, this bona fide "how-to” manual teaches us how to remember those we miss most, no matter how long they’ve been gone. Passed and Present is not about sadness and grieving—it is about happiness and remembering.  It is possible to look forward, to live a rich and joyful life, while keeping the memory of loved ones alive. This much-needed, easy-to-use roadmap shares 85 imaginative ways to celebrate and honor family and friends we never want to forget. Chapter topics include: Repurpose With Purpose:  Ideas for transforming objects and heirlooms.  Discover ways to reimagine photographs, jewelry, clothing, letters, recipes —virtually any inherited item or memento. Use Technology:  Strategies for your daily, digital life.  Opportunities for using computers, scanners, printers, apps, mobile devices, and websites. Not Just Holidays:  Tips for remembrance any time of year, day or night, whenever you feel that pull — be it a loved one’s birthday, an anniversary, or just a moment when a memory catches you by surprise. Monthly Guide:  Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other special times of year present unique challenges and opportunities. This chapter provides exciting ideas for making the most of them while keeping your loved one’s memory alive. Places to Go: Destinations around the world where reflecting and honoring loved ones is a communal activity.  This concept is called Commemorative Travel.  Also included are suggestions for incorporating aspects of these foreign traditions into your practices at home. Being proactive about remembering loved ones has a powerful and unexpected benefit:  it can make you happier.  The more we incorporate memories into our year-round lives —as opposed to sectioning  them off to a particular time of year—the more we can embrace the people who have passed, and all that’s good and fulfilling in our present.    With beautiful illustrations throughout by artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis, Passed and Present includes an introduction by Hope Edelman, bestselling author of Motherless Daughters.

    Twelve chapters (one for each month) showcase the designs of today's leading modern quilters along with easy-to-follow guidelines, so you can reinvent their work in your own signature style. Best of all, with this book in hand, you'll have everything you need to start your own online quilting bee and enjoy collaborating with other fabric lovers around the world.

    The techniques are organized in the order you need them when making a project, from using the right tools and materials to finishing tips for neat, professional results--or you can dip in for help with a particular problem.Learn about creative knotwork, quick and easy stringing, and how to work with wire. Mix vintage and modern beads, incorporate charms and findings in your work, and rescale and design your own patterns.Whether you're using large glass beads, crystal, or seed beads, using wirework techniques or stitches, making jewelry as gifts or to sell, 200 beading Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets has all the answers.