But when Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems—and by using grids as guides, they could make learning stitches, even seemingly elaborate ones, as easy as child’s play.   In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more than 100 stitches—from the most basic straight and chain to the more fanciful feather and herringbone; photos of both right and wrong sides; and guidelines for modifying stitches to increase one’s repertoire further. To simplify learning, the book also includes two plastic stitching cards die-cut with the grids on which every stitch in the book is based. These reusable cards can be stitched through for practicing ( just as children use lacing cards to learn to tie shoes) or used as stencils for transferring grids to fabric.

    But when Dawn Sokol’s first book, 1000 Artist Journal Pages, broke the fourth wall and shared the work of artists all over North America and parts of Europe, it created a ripple of inspiration throughout the art journaling community. In this much-anticipated follow-up, Sokol features more than 1,000 new, captivating pages, this time—by popular demand—from artists across the globe. Lists of techniques and materials used for each page, plus behind-the-scenes interviews, give readers a glimpse inside the minds of new and established artists, making this a stimulating compilation sure to inspire beginners and seasoned art journalers alike.

    91 color images; 32 line drawings.

    Crafters dabble, collaborate, muse, and make, all in their own way and on their own timeline. For all crafts, there are established techniques to follow but wild, innumerable ways to experiment, using the basics to launch crafters to new heights. Crafter’s Devotional can aid that launch. Each day of the year is given its own focus, on which the reader will find a daily dose of craft content that inspires, instructs, and illuminates.

    Each prompt will get you thinking outside the box and making something amazing! Great for all ages and anyone who likes to get creative. Join the Create This Book online community. Check out Author, Moriah Elizabeth, on Youtube for ideas, tips and inspiration.

    The author documents the invention, technological evolution, and commercial history of the photobooth with illustrations culled from 25 years of collecting.

    As a creativity-coaching pioneer, Jill knows that many people feel distracted, blocked, and overwhelmed.The Muse Is In: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity outlines how to power up one's genius, take it for a test drive, troubleshoot problems along the way, and offers tips for proper care and maintenance. With her dazzling illustrations and quirky humor, Jill Badonsky delivers the operating instructions for helping her fans spark their creative passion.

    • 26 one-of-a-kind projects, from artistic to folksy to whimsical• The variety of materials and embellishments is sure to inspire you to make every bird in the book • These little sweeties make delightful gifts…and the perfect pets!• Beginner-friendly projects work well with scraps, fat quarters, and upcycled fabrics This adorable book is all about the birds! From budgies to owls to peacocks, these projects will pique your curiousity and make your heart sing! Many talented designers bring you soft sculptures, quilts, ornaments, and more.The first in a series of titles called Design Collective, this book features designs by a group of clever and talented fabric artists from Canada and around the world who all share a love of cute little birds. Included are patterns for 26 hand-made projects to sew, stitch and quilt.contents:Susanne Woods INTRODUCTION Bari J. Ackerman LITTLE BIRD MOBILE Amy Adams FANCY PEACOCK Amy Adams STORK WITH A HEART MOBILE Heidi Allred OUR FLOCK EMBROIDERY Heidi Allred TWEET BIRDS APRON Abigail Brown BIRDHOUSE Eleanor Bruce FRED THE CARDINAL Eleanor Bruce EDWARD THE OWL (AND FRIENDS) Jamie Christina BIRD IN A CAGE Laura Clempson LITTLE ROUND BLUEBIRD Laura Clempson BLUEBIRD WALLETS Samantha Cotterill MILDRED THE DOVE WITH BAGUETTES Alicia Diane Durand BIRDS ON A WIRE QUILT Lisa Fell EMBROIDERED DOORKNOB ORNAMENT Nancy DeWeir Geaney MID-CENTURY SCRAP QUILT Melanie Hurlston PIKKU THE PENGUIN Robin Kingsley GARDEN OF BIRDS EMBROIDERY Kimberly Laws BIRD’S NEST JOURNAL Margaret Oomen BIRD IN A RAG NEST Anita Peluso LITTLE BIRDS QUILT Sharon Smith OWL WALLHANGING Jantze Tullett BUDGIE Noor van Krimpen WREATH WITH A BIRD Monika Wintermantel BIRD ON A BRANCH MAKEUP BAG Mika Yamamura CHEWY THE OWL ORNAMENT PATTERNS EMBROIDERY STITCHES

    No need to wait until you’ve had hours of training or years of practice to enjoy watercolor journaling. In this book you will learn how to: Recapture the natural joy of art experienced in early childhood Create colorful travel journals that will become treasured souvenirs and a delight to share Overcome the resistance of your inner critic that says you can’t draw or paint Here’s what people are saying about Anyone Can Learn Watercolor Journaling—Yes, You! “This book is both an educational and delightful read.”—Sharan Devoto “I love the sketches in this book and appreciate the easy instructions that go along with them.”—Karen Bates “What a fun and easy-to-read book. Makes it simple to add a bit of creativity to a journal.”—Soo Hyun Han NOTE: This book is NOT for the experienced artist. It is intended only for people who want to learn VERY basic techniques for drawing and painting.

    Incorporating the finest elements of Scandinavian crafting traditions, inspiration is taken from a range of backgrounds including classic folk art, as well as more contemporary sources. These delightful designs, each with clear step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography, will have you itching to get stitching. Arranged into five chapters, the projects work with a wide variety of fabrics: there are adorable fleece and felt baby bootees finished with French knots, classic embroidered gingham napkins, and a striped machine-embroidered apron. A wide range of techniques are employed, including appliqué, cut work, patchwork, decorative machine stitching, shadow work, and ribbon work. Basic stitches such as herringbone, cross stitch, Danish knots, blanket stitch, and satin stitch are also used to great effect. Simplicity is always at the heart of Clare’s designs, and with step-by-step artworks and such clear instructions, anyone can have a go and will be surprised how quickly beautiful pieces can be made.

    Art Starts with a Line is approachable for artists of any skill level, no prior drawing experience needed! This form of art requires minimal tools, making it both affordable and portable.   Following a brief introduction to tools and materials, as well as some easy exercises and techniques for warming up to basic drawing tools, you will explore a variety of subject matter. You'll draw plants and flowers, architecture and cityscapes, animals, and everything in between. These projects aren't restricted to black and white either! You'll find techniques for adding color with colored pencil, marker, pen, even digitally.  Art Starts with a Line presents everything you'll need to know to learn how to successfully create line drawings of all types. Whether your goal is to create a custom logo for a client, or to simply decorate your planner, it's all here.

    With more than 250 projects of many different types and levels of difficulty, this bestselling, encyclopedic work contains traditional and modern paper-folding methods, and includes folds for the beginner and works calculated to challenge the experts.

    The experts at the American Society of Botanical Artists offer step-by-step projects that move from introductory to advanced—so any level of artist can build on acquired skills. Helpful tutorials cover watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, vellum, egg tempera, oils, pen and ink, and printmaking. Filled with more than 900 photographs and stunning examples of finished art by the best contemporary botanical artists, Botanical Art Techniques is the authoritative manual on this exquisite art form.

    From the fish-shaped Japanese felted bag to the Persian carpet–inspired handbag, each bag is a product of its cultural history. Each pattern begins with a brief history describing the source behind these contemporary interpretations of folk designs. Folk stories also accompany many projects. Included are designs for bags for work or play, and bags of all shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Using this collection, knitters can create bags for children, for market, for everyday, or for a special evening event.

    White takes the reader step by step through the process of making natural soaps for family, friends, and for profit. Easy to understand and master. This second edition includes extended directions for first time soap makers, new recipes, how to make soap in small and large batches and a guide to using essential oils. Includes tips and advice for how to cut and cure soap, how to sell your soaps, packaging and labeling, and how to set up at a craft fair or market. Over 45 soap recipes from luxurious to economical.