A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas


Agnès Delage-Calvet - 2009
    Begin by choosing a motif from this extensive collection, which ranges from elegant alphabets to 1970s-inspired flowers and leaves, from sweet fairies to vintage-chic ladies in classic Dior dresses. The "Get Stitching" section gives you the basics you need to get started, along with an illustrated how-to of the simple stitches that are used to create all of the motifs. Each of the following sections, which are arranged by color–fresh greens, pretty pinks, timeless blues, rich reds, and elegant white and taupe–presents ideas for embroidering motifs in single colors, showing how much can be achieved with just one color of embroidery floss on a plain background. Includes more than eighty beautifully photographed, inspiring ideas for stitched embellishment, from wearables and personal accessories to a variety of decorative items for every room in your home.

Draw Faces in 15 Minutes


Jake Spicer - 2013
    By the time you finish this book, you'll have all the skills you need to achieve a striking likeness in a drawn portrait. Artist and life drawing expert Jake Spicer takes you through a series of carefully crafted tutorials, from how to put together a basic portrait sketch to developing your portraits and then taking your drawings further. From understanding and constructing the head and shaping the hair, to checking the relationships of the features and achieving a lifelike expression, every aspect of the portrait process is examined, along with advice on which materials to use and how to find a model.

The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques


Anastasia Young - 2010
    Offering detailed explanations and step-by-step photography to demonstrate procedures, this handbook includes a complete reference section featuring tool shapes, an index of gems, a glossary, standard sizes and measurements, conversion tables, and an extensive list of resources. Additionally, the manual offers a directory of tools and materials—including a key to identifying tools for a “beginner’s kit”—a historical introduction to jewelry, and suggestions for photographing and promoting completed pieces. Remarkable cutting-edge pieces by jewelry makers and designers from around the world are used to illustrate the various processes involved in creating exceptional jewelry. Covering everything from traditional metalsmithing skills and using alternative materials, such as plastics and resin, to discussing issues involved with outsourcing work to specialist external suppliers, this is an indispensable and essential resource for both students and professionals.

The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place


William Arnett - 2002
    Beautifully illustrated with 110 color illustrations, The Quilts of Gee’s Bend includes a historical overview of the two hundred years of extraordinary quilt-making in this African-American community, its people, and their art-making tradition. This book is being·released in conjunction with a national exhibition tour including The Museum of Fine Art, Houston, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Ramen at Home: The Easy Japanese Cookbook for Classic Ramen and Bold New Flavors


Brian MacDuckston - 2017
    But between complicated recipes and hard-to-find ingredients, many ramen lovers settle for the instant alternatives to get their fix. Ramen at Home offers simple, step-by-step recipes for authentic and creative homemade ramen. With over 100 recipes for broths, noodles, side dishes, and toppings, this cookbook makes it easy to enjoy real ramen any night of the week.Ramen at Home boils down to: Over 100 Recipes consisting of traditional ramen dishes from Japan along with creative flavor combinations from around the globe Step-by-Step Instructions making it simple to slurp homemade ramen on any weeknight Insightful Facts explaining Japanese culture and cuisine with every bite Recipes include: Green Vegetable Shio Ramen, Traditional Shoyu Ramen, Spicy Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Fried Noodles, Vegan Cold Chinese Noodles, and much more!Slurp up simple and savory bowls with Ramen at Home.

The Embroidery Stitch Bible


Betty Barnden - 2003
    From basic cross-stitch and chain stitch to more complicated couching, laid work, and drawn thread work, this is the stitch bible for embroiderers wishing to improve their technique and add new dimensions to their work. Stitches are arranged according to their use, including outlines, filling stitches, isolated stitches, motifs, edgings, hems, insertions, flat stitches, backgrounds, and textures. Concealed spiral binding allows embroiderers to read and practice simultaneously.- 200 photographed stitches accompanied by 400 illustrations- Stitch selector for easy reference to all 200 stitches- Glossary of embroidery stitches and techniques

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty


Andrew Bolton - 2011
    Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art.Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer Sølve Sundsbø; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty celebrates the astounding creativity and originality of a designer who relentlessly questioned and confronted the requisites of fashion.

Kaleidoscope: Ideas & Projects to Spark Your Creativity


Suzanne Simanaitis - 2007
    Indulge your creative cravings Are you passionately curious? Let "Kaleidoscope" open new doors of creativity as you explore dozens of stories, exercises and instructive projects, all designed to feed, encourage and sometimes flex your creative muscle.Between the beautiful pages of "Kaleidoscope," you'll tap into the joy of drawing, be encouraged to create art in bed, create your own folded-paper shrine, discover the liberation of stream-writing, practice idea brainstorming, make your own duct-tape purse, learn to quiet the negative voice in your head, dream up your own creative studio space and much, much more.Inspiring art and eye-candy on every page - a "Kaleidoscope" of creative energy awaits you today.

Vanishing Fleece: Adventures in American Wool


Clara Parkes - 2019
    An account of the year Clara Parkes spent transforming a 676-pound bale of fleece into saleable yarn, and the people and vanishing industry she discovered along the way.

Illustration School: Let's Draw Plants and Small Creatures


Sachiko Umoto - 2009
    Build on basic lines and shapes to create flower petals, butterfly wings, tree branches, and leaves. Discover helpful tips that will improve your drawing skills, such as focusing on how branches grow, differences in flower shapes, and how poses express emotion. See how easy it is to turn plants and animals into sweet expressive characters by adding facial expressions and clothes. A singing butterfly? Why not! Sachiko’s clear step-by-step instructions for tracing and drawing are perfect for all ages and skill levels. After mastering a few elements, build a composition that shows off your unique style. Draw lovely bouquets, sunny fields of flowers, or sketch a rabbit running by a tree. In no time you’ll be creating doodles and illustrations every day in sketchbooks, art journals—anywhere you can. Techniques you’ll learn include:Building characters that come to life on the pageAdding animated faces and poses to flowers, fruit, and bugsDrawing poses that add movement and excitement to charactersArranging elements into pleasing compositionsIncorporating details and color that make your illustrations uniqueFill pages with your own Illustrated stories—or just doodle whenever the mood strikes. With Illustration School: Let’s Draw Plants and Small Creatures, you’ll never lack for ideas or inspiration. School was never this much fun! Discover how the Illustration School series of books makes drawing enjoyable and stress-free. Using Sachiko Umoto’s fun, easy techniques for sketching quirky animals, plants, landscapes, and people in the Japanese character style, you’ll fill pages with charming illustrations that are uniquely you.

The New Hexagon: 52 Blocks to English Paper Piece


Katja Marek - 2014
    Learn the glue-basting method of English paper piecing and use it to create exciting designs. You'll enjoy relaxing handwork as you incorporate hexagons into decorative projects. Select from 52 patterns for 6" blocks Divide the shapes within the hexagon outline and discover new shapes Stitch projects ranging from a mug rug and candle mat to a bed-sized quilt

Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads Into Street Couture


Melissa Alvarado - 2007
    Transform tacky bridesmaid gowns and pleated pants into picture-perfect tops, skirts and accessories. The two Melissas and a Hope deliver 30 great projects that are achievable for even the new sewer. "Subversive Seamster" is your secret roadmap to the jewels of thrifting and the ins and outs of refashioning. This book has shortcuts, tips, and secrets to the wide world of inexpensive, individualized fashion. Our clothes make a statement about who we are. What better way to say, "I am an individual!" than to wear one-of-a-kind items made out of other one-of-a-kind items? We derive the most fashionable satisfaction knowing that we are reusing and recycling what already exists in this material world--and looking darn good doing it!

The Pop-Up Book: Step-By-Step Instructions for Creating Over 100 Original Paper Projects


Paul Jackson - 1994
    The Pop-Up Book offers a clear and practical guide to the pop-up papercrafts for all levels of artist, from home hobbyists to professional graphic designers and architects.Illustrated with specially comissioned photography, it includes specific projects with easy-to-follow steps, general techniques for greater personal experimentation and creativity, and a gallery of designs created by some of today's best pop-up artists for an inspirational finish.The forms and folds, scores and creases, that Jackson transforms into striking shapes and designs truly deserve acknowledgment.--Booklist

Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations


Nancie McDermott - 2007
    Here are 65 recipes for some of the most delicious ever. Jam cakes and jelly rolls; humble pear bread and peanut cake; whole chapters on both chocolate and coconut cakeseach moist and delicious forkful represents the spirit of the South. A Baking 101 section offers the cake basics, some finishing touches (that means frosting and lots of it!), and the how-to's of storing each lovely concoction so that the last slice tastes as fresh and delightful as the first.

ReadyMade: How to Make [Almost] Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer


Shoshana Berger - 2005
    As the stuff of life piles up and things spin out of control, we could all use a little help. These never-before-seen designs and how-tos are full of surprise and wonder. Learn how to turn everyday objects into spellbinding inventions to give away to friends or keep for yourself. Our simple self-improvement techniques will make you smarter, better-looking, and more well-adjusted. (RE) MAKE IT!This is the “sales copy” section. Here we will talk about how useful, delight-inducing, and excellently well put together this book is. If things have gone a little flat and you’re searching for inspiration, look no further. ReadyMade is full of fun projects for the whole family. It solves problems, cures dizzy spells, and holds open the door. It has a collegial, ’50s garage tinkerer sensibility. It read Popular Science as a kid and dreamt of building rockets. It launches with fiery trails. It soars. When it falls, it brushes itself off and starts over. It is the Captain of Creativity. Resistance is futile. This book is 100% hope.First project: Personalize this book and protect it from theft by cutting out this portion of the cover and replacing it with your own photo. (See page 16)