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Hello Color

Rachel Mae Smith gives beginning crafters 25 easy and fun home decor projects to liven up your life and make your home space vibrant. 

Whether she’s writing for her blog, snapping pictures for Instagram, or just living her life, Rachel Mae Smith is all about the simple joys of handmaking and bringing brightness to everything. And now beginning crafters, aspirational DIYers, and dorm dwellers can, too! Rachel shares her colorful signature style in each simple and fun step-by-step project like Dip-Dyed Napkins, Pom-Pom Votive Candle Holders, and Geometric Patterned Pillows. Helpful sidebars on decorating, like Staging a Beautiful Bookcase and building Bar Carts for Beginners, give you ideas for perking up pre-fab accessories so that any space can look colorful. Plus how-tos on working with specific materials, ideas for entertaining, and—of course—a guide to shooting pictures. And as a special bonus, tear-out posters in the back make it easy for you to decorate your walls in a snap!

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Literary Yarns

Crochet adorable amigurumi inspired by classic literature. 
 
Comics fans have action figures. Sports fans get trading cards. But what about literature lovers? What book-themed accessories can decorate bookshelves, proclaim a love of reading, and show off crafting skills, all at the same time? Look no further—give the gift of adorable amigurumi! Featuring 22 crocheted dolls drawn from 16 beloved novels and plays, Literary Yarns is perfect for bibliophiles and crafters of all ages. All that’s needed are a few readily available materials and beginner crochet skills, and soon you’ll be hanging out with your favorite characters from classic literature. Take tea with a charming Elizabeth Bennet. Decorate the Christmas tree with a grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge. Solve mysteries with the help of a pocket-sized Sherlock Holmes. Bring Prince Hamlet to a play. And just try to keep Huck Finn out of trouble! With easy-to-follow patterns and sweet photographic portraits, Literary Yarns is sure to make your bookshelf cuter—and fuzzier—in no time.

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Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round

Yum-Yum Bento is back with 52 more easy seasonal-themed bento lunches.

 

From the depths of winter to the height of summer, a beautiful lunch can brighten any day. Japanese bento boxes are portable and pretty meals packed with healthy portions and plenty of cheer. And they’re outrageously cute! With Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round, you’ll fall in love with 52 tasty, in-season lunches. Spring into make-ahead action with packing tips, tutorials, side dish recipes, and more. From summer Sunshine Smiles to Christmas Gingerbread Friends, there’s a bento just perfect for your lunchbox today.

 

Selections from the Table of Contents:

Springtime Fun:

  1. Easter Chicks
  2. Dainty Daffodils
  3. Green Pea Brothers

 

Summertime Splash:

  1. Rainbow Sushi
  2. Cheerful Crab
  3. Seashell Fun

 

Fall Frenzy:

  1. A Pear Anywhere
  2. Fried Rice Jack-o-Lantern
  3. Pumpkin Twins

 

Winter Wonderland:

  1. Tomato Santas
  2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Bagel
  3. Penguin Elves

 

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Cat Castles

Build your cat paw-some” homemade habitats with easy instructions and common materials.

 

A shoebox or paper bag may be fine for those other cats. But doesn’t your favorite feline deserve an in-home hangout that matches his exalted status and high standards? One that also shows off your own design sense and crafting skills? 

 

This DIY construction guide offers fun and easy instructions for making cardboard purr-a-mids and regal cat castles, along with many more “paw-some” homemade habitats. Build your cat an airplane, a food truck, a train, a pirate ship, or a submarine. All the projects are quick to assemble, use inexpensive and common materials, and can be customized however you—or your cat— would like. Don’t wait, get your copy right meow!

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Crafting with Feminism

Grab a handful of glitter and get your girl power on with 25 subversive and easy-to-make projects.
 
This is what a feminist crafter looks like! Crafting with Feminism features 25 irreverent and easy-to-make projects that celebrate everything that rocks about girls, gals, and badass women. Wear your ideology on your sleeve by creating fierce custom merit badges. Prove that the political is personal with DIY power panties. Get cozy with a handmade Huggable Uterus Body Pillow, or craft heroine finger puppets to honor great women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and bell hooks. Featuring tips on everything from beginner sewing stitches to building a kickin’ party playlist, and a totally empowering forward from “Queen of Geeks” Felicia Day, this book has everything you need for an awesome crafternoon.

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Quirk Books Throws You 5 Awesome Parties

Everybody loves a party. And they'll love yours the most, thanks to this festive collection of themes, snacks, crafts, drinks, and decor…all handpicked by the party monsters at Quirk D.I.Y., the Quirk Books community for makers of everything awesome.

So roll back the rug, call your friends, and let's get at least one of these parties started! Party Themes include:

SPARKLE PARTY, featuring Mini Candy Apples, Holiday Cake Pops, Sweet Surrender Punch, and more.

OVER EASY PARTY, Featuring Huevos Rancheros Tacos, Maple Bacon Cupcakes, Golden Hog Cocktail, and more.

GIANT PARTY for kids, featuring Mini Corn Dogs, Super-Small Deep-Dish Pizzas, Teensy Funnel Cakes, and more.

CRAFTERNOON TEA PARTY featuring Pansy Tea Sandwiches, English Rose Cocktail, homemade Pom-Pom Headbands, and more.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL PARTY featuring Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, Beef-and-Beer Chili, homemade Plush Penguin party favors, and more.

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