Friday, May 31, 2024

iTunes Store: Top 25 Books in Lifestyle & Home 2024-05-31

Rodney Habib & Karen Shaw Becker - The Forever Dog artwork The Forever Dog
Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer
Rodney Habib & Karen Shaw Becker
Genre: Pets
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: October 12, 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Seller: Harper Collins Canada Limited

THE INSTANT #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER In this path-breaking guide, two of the world’s most popular and trusted pet-care advocates reveal how to delay aging and provide a long, happy, healthy life for our canine companions Like their human counterparts, dogs have been getting sicker and dying prematurely over the past few decades. Why? Scientists are beginning to understand that the chronic diseases afflicting humans—cancer, obesity, diabetes, organ degeneration and autoimmune disorders—also beset canines. As a result, our beloved companions struggle with preventable health problems throughout much of their lives. Because dogs can’t make health and lifestyle decisions for themselves, it’s up to pet parents to make smart, science-backed choices on their behalf.  Rodney Habib and Karen Becker, DVM, travelled the world collecting wisdom from top geneticists, microbiologists and longevity researchers. They also interviewed people whose dogs have lived into their twenties and even thirties. The result is this unprecedented and comprehensive guide, filled with surprising information, invaluable advice and inspiring stories about dogs and the people who love them. The Forever Dog prescriptive plan can be tailored to the genetic predisposition of particular breeds or mixes. The authors discuss various types of food—including details commercial manufacturers don’t want us to know—and offer recipes, tips and easy solutions for ensuring our dogs obtain the nutrients they need. They also explore how external factors that we often overlook can greatly affect a dog’s overall health and well-being—including the role our own lifestyles and our vets’ choices play. Indeed, the health equation works both ways and can travel “up the leash.” This definitive dog-care guide empowers us with the knowledge we need to make wise choices and keep our dogs healthy and happy for years to come.



Blossom Davis - The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies artwork The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies
Discover over 100 herbal Medicine for all kinds of Ailment, Inspired By Dr. Barbara O'Neill
Blossom Davis
Genre: Gardening
Price: $5.99
Publish Date: December 31, 2023
Publisher: LitBooks
Seller: Ingram DV LLC

Embark on a Healing Journey with "The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies" Discover the power of nature's medicine cabinet with "The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies," a comprehensive guide inspired by the wisdom and teachings of Dr. Barbara O'Neill. This book is your key to unlocking the secrets of over 100 herbal remedies, each a natural solution to a range of ailments from the mundane to the chronic. What You'll Uncover Inside: A Wealth of Herbal Knowledge: Delve into an extensive collection of herbal remedies, each with its own unique healing properties, expertly compiled and explained. Dr. Barbara O'Neill's Influence: Immerse yourself in the teachings of a renowned natural health advocate, integrating her holistic approach to wellness in every remedy. User-Friendly Format: Whether you're a beginner or an experienced herbalist, you'll find the remedies easy to understand and apply, with clear instructions and insights. Natural Solutions for Everyday Ailments: From digestive issues to skin complaints, and stress relief to immune system boosts, these remedies address a wide spectrum of common health concerns. Empowerment through Education: Learn not only the 'how' but also the 'why' behind each remedy, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed health choices. Transform Your Health Naturally: "The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies" isn't just a book; it's a movement towards taking control of your health using the healing power of nature. In an age where we often turn to quick pharmaceutical fixes, this guide brings us back to the enduring wisdom of herbal treatments. Begin Your Herbal Healing Journey Today: Ready to embrace a more natural approach to your health and well-being? Click "BUY NOW" and step into a world where every plant holds the potential for healing. Let "The Lost Book of Simple Herbal Remedies" be your guide on this transformative journey. Experience the profound impact of nature's healing power, all inspired by the teachings of Dr. Barbara O'Neill.



Lia Griffith - Crepe Paper Flowers artwork Crepe Paper Flowers
The Beginner's Guide to Making and Arranging Beautiful Blooms
Lia Griffith
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $2.99
Publish Date: August 07, 2018
Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Seller: Penguin Random House Canada

With 30 projects and an introduction to both crafting paper flowers and working with crepe paper, this book is full of inspiration and expert advice for beginners. If you have a Cricut Maker, you can download the templates to your machine so you can enjoy your own homemade bouquets in no time. Crepe paper is the best material for creating paper flowers, especially for beginners. It's forgiving and malleable--easy to cut, bend, curl, and shape into peony petals, daffodil trumpets, chrysanthemum blooms, and more. And if you have a Cricut Maker, you can easily cut out the shapes from templates you download for free on Lia Griffith's website using a code. Then, follow instructions for crafting the flowers to arrange and display in vases and pots and as bouquets and wreaths.



Vita Apala - Timeless Textured Baby Crochet artwork Timeless Textured Baby Crochet
20 heirloom crochet patterns for babies and toddlers
Vita Apala
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $12.99
Publish Date: April 18, 2023
Publisher: David & Charles
Seller: Perseus Books, LLC

Crochet a modern yet classic layette for baby's first years with this exquisite collection of patterns from Vita Apala, the popular designer behind Mon Petit Violon. In this value-packed collection of 20 crochet patterns, sutble colours, gorgeous yarns, rich textures, beautiful ruffles, and delicate motifs combine to create the most adorable wardrobe imaginable for babies and toddlers up to age 4. Beautifully photographed and with fully illustrated step-by-step instructions, the collection includes rompers, dresses, sweaters, cardigans, and hoodies, as well as an heirloom cot blanket, booties and bonnet, so that you can crochet a complete and truly chic baby wardrobe with ease. There are designs for little girls and boys, and a large number of the designs are completely gender neutral. Baby and toddler garments and accessories are fun to crochet because they are quick to make and very rewarding. They require less yarn too, making them an accessible and speedy project that will still be valued enormously - the ultimate handmade baby gift. Crochet designer Vita Apala, better known as Mon Petit Violon, has been delighting crocheters with her baby designs for decades, having sold over 150,000 patterns on Etsy with five stars reviews. Her patterns, which are written in US crochet terms, are renowned for being exceptionally well put together, with everything explained in detail, step-by-step photos throughout so you can compare your progress as you follow along, and with all the working out done for you. As well as the extensive pattern collection, at the back of the book is a detailed techniques section, where you will learn all the basic and special stitches needed to create the amazing textures, including ribbing, ruffles, bobbles, shells and more. This comprehensive guide to baby crochet will give you a wealth of patterns at your fingertips, allowing you to hone your skills on a small scale while making garments that the little people in your life will love to be seen in.



Peter D'Amato - The Savage Garden, Revised artwork The Savage Garden, Revised
Cultivating Carnivorous Plants
Peter D'Amato
Genre: Gardening
Price: $8.99
Publish Date: July 02, 2013
Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Seller: Penguin Random House Canada

For fifteen years,  The Savage Garden  has been the number one bestselling bible for those interested in growing carnivorous plants. This new edition is fully revised to include the latest developments and discoveries in the carnivorous plant world, making it the most accurate and up to date book of its kind.   You may be familiar with the Venus flytrap, but did you know that some pitcher plants can—and do—digest an entire rat? Or that there are several hundred species of carnivorous plants on our planet? Beautiful, unusual, and surprisingly easy to grow, flesh-eating plants thrive everywhere from windowsills to outdoor container gardens, in a wide variety of climates. The Savage Garden is the most comprehensive guide to these fascinating oddities, gloriously illustrated with more than 200 color photos. Fully revised with the latest developments in the carnivorous plant world, this new edition includes:    •  All the basics—from watering and feeding to modern advances in artificial lighting, soil, and fertilizers.    •  Detailed descriptions of hundreds of plants, including many of the incredible new species that have been recently discovered and hybridized.    •  Cultivation and propagation information for all the plant families: pitcher plants, Venus flytraps, sundews, rainbow plants, bladderworts, and many other peculiar plants from the demented mind of Mother Nature. Whether you’re a beginner with your first flytrap or an expert looking for the latest exotic specimen, this classic book has everything you need to grow your very own little garden of horrors.



Mikael Lindnord - Arthur artwork Arthur
The Dog who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home
Mikael Lindnord
Genre: Pets
Price: $9.99
Publish Date: September 09, 2017
Publisher: Greystone Books
Seller: Perseus Books, LLC

The epic true story of an extreme athlete, a stray dog, and how they found each other—now a major motion picture from Lionsgate starring Mark Walhberg and Simu Liu. “A miraculous tale.”— Washington Post “Like all great tales, this one had an intriguing start: a small good deed with enormous consequences for the dog and his rescuers, the basis for a heroic and heartwarming story.”— Forbes When you're racing 435 miles through the jungles and mountains of South America, the last thing you need is a stray dog tagging along. But that's exactly what happened to Mikael Lindnord, captain of a Swedish adventure racing team, when he threw a scruffy but dignified mongrel a meatball one afternoon. When the team left the next day, the dog followed. Try as they might, they couldn't lose him—and soon Mikael realized that he didn't want to. Crossing rivers, battling illness and injury, and struggling through some of the toughest terrain on the planet, the team and the dog walked, kayaked, cycled, and climbed together toward the finish line, where Mikael decided he would save the dog, now named Arthur, and bring him back to his family in Sweden, whatever it took. Illustrated with candid photographs, Arthur provides a testament to the amazing bond between dogs and people.



J.D. Lenzen - Paracord Critters artwork Paracord Critters
Animal Shaped Knots & Ties
J.D. Lenzen
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $10.99
Publish Date: May 18, 2015
Publisher: 4th Level Indie
Seller: Hillcrest Publishing Group, Inc.

Paracord Critters  (PC) presents full-color step-by-step instructions for twelve animal shaped knots and ties, made with paracord. Featuring pieces carefully selected and designed by J.D. Lenzen, PC will capture your imagination and increase your knowledge of wildlife, through the joy of tying cord. A former naturalist and the originator of fusion knotting, Lenzen skillfully shows how to make a menagerie of paracord creatures that live underwater, on land, and in the sky — with each creation represented as a useful item (pin, key fob, necklace) or figurine.   Paracord Critters , wildlife wonders in paracord!



Jason Logan - Make Ink artwork Make Ink
A Forager's Guide to Natural Inkmaking
Jason Logan
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $17.99
Publish Date: September 11, 2018
Publisher: ABRAMS, Inc.
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

“The pigments he concocts from these humble beginnings are as fun to make as they are eye-opening to work with . . . the world never quite looks the same.” —MarthaStewart.com A 2018 Best Book of the Year— The Guardian The Toronto Ink Company was founded in 2014 by designer and artist Jason Logan as a citizen science experiment to make eco-friendly, urban ink from street-harvested pigments. In Make Ink , Logan delves into the history of inkmaking and the science of distilling pigment from the natural world. Readers will learn how to forage for materials such as soot, rust, cigarette butts, peach pits, and black walnut, then how to mix, test, and transform these ingredients into rich, vibrant inks that are sensitive to both place and environment. Organized by color, and featuring lovely minimalist photography throughout,  Make Ink  combines science, art, and craft to instill the basics of ink making and demonstrate the beauty and necessity of engaging with one of mankind’s oldest tools of communication. “Logan demystifies the process, encouraging experimentation and taking a fresh look at urban environments.” — NPR “The book is full of inspiration and takes a lot of the mystery out of ink making, at least at its simplest level. And it also reminds me why I love ink—any ink or liquid color as much as I do.” — The Well-Appointed Desk “Quite a few recipes . . . that use color from the kitchen: carrots, black beans, blueberries, turmeric, and onion skins all make beautiful ink colors.” — Design Observer “Make Ink  opens up about methods, providing an open source guide to DIY ink.” — CityLab



Yvon Laprade - La grande evasion artwork La grande evasion
Histoires de citadins qui ont fait le choix des régions
Yvon Laprade
Genre: Lifestyle & Home
Price: $19.99
Publish Date: March 02, 2023
Publisher: Éditions La Presse
Seller: GROUPE FIDES INC.

Qui ne connaît pas un ami, un voisin, un proche parent, qui a quitté la ville pour expérimenter un nouveau mode de vie au quotidien, hors des grands centres urbains ? Qui n’a pas rêvé, un jour, de s’acheter un chalet au bord d’un lac, pour tendre sa ligne à pêche ou écouter le chant des oiseaux? Depuis quelques années, travailleurs autonomes, fonctionnaires, artistes, immigrants, retraités et jeunes travailleurs n’hésitent pas à prendre la clé des champs. Le journaliste Yvon Laprade est allé à la rencontre d’une vingtaine d’entre eux, dont MC Gilles, Richard Séguin, Marc Fournier et Fred Pellerin, pour comprendre ce qui les anime. Dans la foulée, il a interrogé des élus municipaux et des courtiers immobiliers pour mieux saisir ce phénomène migratoire qui transforme peu à peu le visage de nos régions. Les grands boulevards ou les routes moins fréquentées ? Vivre dans un quartier densément peuplé ou dans un village sans feux de circulation ? Le débat est lancé !



Anya Lautenbach - The Money-Saving Gardener artwork The Money-Saving Gardener
Create Your Dream Garden at a Fraction of the Cost: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
Anya Lautenbach
Genre: Gardening
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: February 13, 2024
Publisher: DK
Seller: Penguin Random House Canada

Beat the rising cost of living and transform your garden on a budget with Anya the Garden Fairy. The Money-Saving Gardener reveals the tips and tricks to keeping costs down without compromising on style or impact. Learn how to repurpose what you have and give new life to second-hand garden furniture; discover savvy cheats to keep hard landscaping costs low; and boost your plant collection for next to nothing with seed-saving and propagation hacks. Revealing the plants that will give you the best long-term value for money, tips for choosing the varieties that will thrive in your garden year after year, and projects for making the most of your propagated cuttings and seedlings, The Money-Saving Gardener proves that a stunning garden doesn't need to cost the earth or break the bank.



Aynsley Grealis - Mad Hatter artwork Mad Hatter
Crazy, Colorful Crochet Designs to Hook and Show Off
Aynsley Grealis
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $15.99
Publish Date: April 16, 2024
Publisher: Abrams Books
Seller: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

In Mad Hatter , Crochet artist and founder of the brand Knotted Neon, Aynsley Grealis presents a pattern collection for making fanciful hats, balaclavas, and handbags in all shapes and sizes.   Artist Aynsley Grealis is the creator of the popular Instagram @KnottedNeon, and her fanciful balaclavas, handbags, sweaters, and bucket hats are sensations that attract eager buyers (who pay one hundred dollars—and up—for each custom piece) and a growing audience of crocheters seeking to replicate these brilliant patterns.   In Mad Hatter , her first book, Grealis shares her designs and patterns (unpublished until now) to teach readers how to make three simple bases (a balaclava, a pull-on hat, and a handbag) and then how to decorate each by incorporating layers of whimsical appliques. The patterns look complicated, but crochet with ease—the secret is in the embellishments: Patterns for crocheted flowers, bees, stars, clouds, an entire coral reef of fish and sea creatures, and a field of mushrooms, veggies, and exotic greenery, are included, enabling readers to hook wonderful hats and bags with lots of flair (or just a little!).   Grealis’s approach inspires crocheters to innovate and playfully reinvent by using her easy-to-follow instructions as a springboard. Suitable for beginners and adaptable to all skill levels, these fun and fabulous designs open a world of imagination to readers.   Includes Color Illustrations



Kristi Simpson - Supersize Crochet Animals artwork Supersize Crochet Animals
20 Adorable Amigurumi Sized to Snuggle
Kristi Simpson
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $30.99
Publish Date: November 15, 2022
Publisher: Globe Pequot
Seller: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group

It's time to SUPERSIZE your amigurumi! Tiny crochet animals are cute, but the larger animals in this book are just the right size for hugs and cuddles. Worked with bulky yarn and larger hooks, these stuffed animals hook up fast, and all of the patterns are easy enough for even a beginner crocheter. Single crochet stitches form most of the pieces. Stitched or crocheted embellishments make each creature unique. Finished pieces range in size from approximately 16 to 30 inches. You'll love the new friends you crochet, from a soft, fluffy llama or sheep to a frisky puppy, platypus, dinosaur, teddy bear, raccoon, turtle, and more. Make a favorite animal for yourself or a young friend. Once you make one, you'll see how easy and fun they are to crochet, and you'll want to make all 20 supersized amigurumi!



Angela Mabray & Kim Otterbein - Polymer Clay 101 artwork Polymer Clay 101
Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction
Angela Mabray & Kim Otterbein
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $17.99
Publish Date: January 01, 2011
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

The ultimate beginner’s guide to crafting with polymer clay, featuring fun and easy-to-follow skill-building projects. Polymer clay is a very unique craft product. Once you become familiar with it, endless creative possibilities emerge. More than a basic how-to guide, Polymer Clay 101 presents a comprehensive, hands-on course in this delightfully versatile medium. Authors Angela Mabray and Kim Otterbein cover all the basics, from currently available types of clay to essential supplies and tools. With hundreds of detailed photos, they demonstrate a variety of techniques through a series of projects designed to help you learn as you create.



Makiko Sone - Ultimate Soap Carving artwork Ultimate Soap Carving
Easy, Oddly Satisfying Techniques for Creating Beautiful Designs
Makiko Sone
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: March 26, 2019
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

Learn to carve adorable creations out of soap, from cakes and doughnuts to high-top sneakers and unicorns. In Ultimate Soap Carving, Makiko Sone, founder of the Mizutama.Soap YouTube channel, shares her secrets for designing and hand carving a variety of beautiful soap designs by cutting, shredding, shaping, sculpting, and other oddly satisfying techniques that fans of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) will love. Packed with guidance and inspiration, Ultimate Soap Carving will teach you everything you need to carve your own stunning soap designs.



Kristi Simpson - Huggable Amigurumi artwork Huggable Amigurumi
Kristi Simpson
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $9.99
Publish Date: July 01, 2017
Publisher: Leisure Arts
Seller: Leisure Arts, Inc

Little kids will love making friends with any of the cute animals in Huggable Amigurumi from Leisure Arts. With floppy ears to grab, plump bellies to squeeze, and dangly legs to pose, these five whimsical characters are hard to resist hugging! Super bulky weight yarn makes them extra cuddly and quick to crochet. Measuring 19 inches tall when seated, they are just the right size to be a child’s best buddy. Designs by Kristi Simpson include Bunny, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, and Monkey.



Natasa Marinkovic - Treasure Bookmaking artwork Treasure Bookmaking
Crafting Handmade Sustainable Journals
Natasa Marinkovic
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Mango Media
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

Divine Diary DIYs for the Innovative Crafter #1 Best Seller in Book Making & Binding and Scrapbooking With journal making projects, book binding techniques, and journal prompts, this Treasure Book Making guide has everything you need. Get ready to create personal journals by hand easily—without any extra book-binding tools! An affordable craft. Hobbies tend to require a big investment, but Author Natasa Marinkovic, creator of popular YouTube channel Treasure Books , focuses on upcycling the available materials around us. Learn how to make beautiful journals—without purchasing book-binding tools, use what you have! With the things you have at home, create projects that are both useful and beautiful.  Fall into the world of book binding. This junk-journaling-how-to gives readers all of the details on how to make a book through step-by-step creative projects that will save you space and get rid of house clutter. This diary DIY is the ultimate space for your creativity to bloom and grow!  Inside, you'll find: Illustrations and tips to jumpstart your creativity on DIY books Easy-to-follow instructions to structure and make a book for journaling and scrap keeping Lists of accessible materials to use—such as cereal boxes, scraps of paper, and everyday items like buttons and more If you enjoyed learning how to craft a book in Making Handmade Books , Hand Bookbinding , or journaling books like My Soul Pages , you’ll love Treasure Book Making .



Geta Grama - Shadow Trapunto Quilts artwork Shadow Trapunto Quilts
Simple Steps, Remarkable Results, 30 Elegant Projects
Geta Grama
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: February 01, 2012
Publisher: C&T Publishing
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

A wonderful world of intricate beauty You'll be captivated by the elegance and grace of these elaborate shadow trapunto quilts-especially once you discover how easy they are to make! Create the old-world look of tatting or lace with a simple 3-step technique. Geta provides instructions and patterns for working with whole cloth, pieced, or appliqué backgrounds. A gorgeous gallery of her work is included. • 30 remarkable projects include wallhangings, pillows, tablerunners, and postcards • Achieve old-world style with this innovative technique • Patterns in the book can be enlarged; full-size patterns are on the enclosed CD



Darryl Cheng - The New Plant Collector artwork The New Plant Collector
The Next Adventure in Your House Plant Journey
Darryl Cheng
Genre: Gardening
Price: $15.99
Publish Date: March 19, 2024
Publisher: Abrams Image
Seller: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Darryl Cheng, bestselling author of The New Plant Parent , is back with the first book for indoor gardeners who want to step up from basic plant care to creating rewarding plant collections.   The world of indoor gardening is exploding with desirable new and unusual plants. Thanks to the resources of the internet and social media, finding amazing varieties has never been easier—but knowing how to get maximum enjoyment from this enticing world is not so easy.   In The New Plant Collector , Darryl Cheng brings his knowledge-based approach to the quest, offering collecting suggestions to suit every level of experience, and describing the riches of twenty-two different plant groups, from anthuriums to tillandsias. As always, he focuses on meeting each plant’s requirements for light and moisture, and he provides practical ways to create optimal growing conditions at home. To inspire readers, there are photographs showing the dazzling variety of colors, forms, and patterns that each group offers.   For Cheng, the happy indoor gardener learns to appreciate plants as living things that undergo stages of growth, decline, and rebirth. He teaches the joys of propagation, so that anyone can produce new life from old, increasing and sharing the world’s wealth of beautiful plants.



Deborah Forman - Paint Lab artwork Paint Lab
52 Exercises Inspired by Artists, Materials, Time, Place, and Method
Deborah Forman
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $17.99
Publish Date: September 01, 2013
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

Experiment with painting materials and techniques and expand your skills with this collection of fifty-two fun exercises. Paint Lab provides readers with unique and experimental techniques and ideas in painting. The book is organized into fifty-two labs which may, but don’t need to, be explored on a weekly basis and can be accessed in any order. Paint Lab is useful for both beginning and more-experienced artists who are seeking inspiration and discovery. One section of exercises is inspired by fine artists including Paul Klee, Helen Frankenthaler, and Gerhard Richter. Several Labs explore the use of unique media such as combining molding paste with stencils, painting on burlap, using image transfers, sgraffito, and oil sticks. Exercises based on time and place delve into concepts such as tempo, linear rhythms, quick gestures, and both real and imagined locations. The book also showcases the inspiring work of several contemporary painters. Paint Lab provides an exciting framework in which to learn and gain expertise through experimentation and play. There is no right or wrong result, yet you will find new forms of expression in your work and gain confidence in your skills. Praise for Paint Lab “Artist and art instructor Forman offers readers 52 exercises designed to open up their painterly thinking and introduce them to a broader range of materials and techniques. Readers can explore painting by following step-by-step exercises in chapters on time, place, unusual materials, and color. Each lab is based upon a finished piece by either a working contemporary artist or by a 20th-century master such as Frida Kahlo, Paul Klee, or Helen Frankenthaler. Throughout, Forman emphasizes the value of play in creative endeavors. VERDICT Beginners and more experienced artists alike will benefit from this guide.” — Library Journal



Sarah Skeate & Nicola Tedman - Steampunk Softies artwork Steampunk Softies
Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was
Sarah Skeate & Nicola Tedman
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Price: $15.99
Publish Date: June 21, 2011
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

Victorian aesthetic and modern crafting come together in this guide with patterns for eight fantastical stuffies—perfect gifts for steampunk fans. Sarah Skeate and Nicola Tedman offer crafters an array of charmingly raffish characters inside  Steampunk Softies: 8 Scientifically Minded Dolls From a Past That Never Was. Even if you're unfamiliar with the term “steampunk,” chances are you've already discovered it through the works of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Tim Burton, Mary Shelley, or Lemony Snicket. Steampunk is an artistic movement that includes stories involving steam-powered versions of modern technology in a fictionalized futuristic Victorian setting. Staying true to steampunk style, Skeate and Tedman's inventive  Steampunk Softies  feature prominent science fiction and fantasy elements, as well as anachronistic inventions and props. In addition, many have dual roles that add practicality to their punk existence—the Lady makes an excellent paperweight, while the Illusionist's cloak doubles as a screen cleaner.  Despite their meticulous detailing,  Steampunk Softies  are simple enough for even a sewing novice to construct. A short biography accompanies each softie, providing a background story for each character. Also included are a complete list of supplies, illustrated step-by-step blueprints, and a handy, back-of-the-book reference section that provides tips on aging and distressing project materials. Venture full steam ahead into your next crafting project with  Steampunk Softies.



Martha Stewart - Martha Stewart's Very Good Things artwork Martha Stewart's Very Good Things
Clever Tips & Genius Ideas for an Easier, More Enjoyable Life
Martha Stewart
Genre: Lifestyle & Home
Price: $17.99
Publish Date: January 05, 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins
Seller: OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC

Hundreds of clever tips, solutions, and easy ways to elevate every day, from America’s most trusted lifestyle authority, in one must-have handbook   Inside these pages Martha shares all her best good things—the original life hacks for the home—to make your life easier, more fun, more delicious, and more efficient. These practical tricks cover all areas of Martha’s domestic expertise, including decorating, organizing, homekeeping, cooking, entertaining, and celebrating. From clever ways to solve common problems (use file folder dividers to organize cutting boards and sheet pans in your cabinets) to time-saving tricks (keep a pail stocked with cleaning supplies for easy access and portability to stress reducers (color-code kids’ bathroom gear to make mornings less hectic), every one of these ideas will make you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Also included are ways to use what you have (a Parmesan cheese rind will add great flavor to soup), streamline your stuff (use certain kitchen tools for many different purposes), or just make life a little more luxurious (add elegance to your table with DIY place cards). Whether functional, delightful, or a little bit of both, these are the details that enliven and inspire every day—that’s a good thing!



Brett L. Markham - Maximizing Your Mini Farm artwork Maximizing Your Mini Farm
Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
Brett L. Markham
Genre: Lifestyle & Home
Price: $1.99
Publish Date: March 21, 2012
Publisher: Skyhorse
Seller: Simon & Schuster Canada

Mini farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average family’s food on just a quarter acre—and earn $10,000 in cash annually while spending less than half the time that an ordinary job would require. Now expanding exponentially on his bestselling Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre , Brett Markham gives you tips, tricks, and planning advice on how to make the most of your mini farm. New topics include:  • Soil and Fertility Tools and Techniques • Planting Guides and Seeders • Easy Trellising  • Weed Control Techniques • Greater Food Self-Sufficiency • Making Your Own Country Wines • Making Your Own Vinegars  • Making Cheese at Home • Cooking for Self-Sufficiency  Keep your costs down and production high with this complete guide to maximizing your mini farm—whether it’s a rooftop urban garden, a suburban backyard, or a more substantial plot of land. Materials, tools, and techniques are detailed with tables, diagrams, and 200 color illustrations and author photographs.



Frida Ramstedt - The Furniture Handbook artwork The Furniture Handbook
A Guide to Choosing, Arranging, and Caring for the Objects in Your Home
Frida Ramstedt
Genre: Lifestyle & Home
Price: $16.99
Publish Date: May 21, 2024
Publisher: Appetite by Random House
Seller: Penguin Random House Canada

The comprehensive guide to living with furniture, no matter your style, from the author of The Interior Design Handbook . Interior-design sensation Frida Ramstedt changed how we think about designing a harmonious home with her book The Interior Design Handbook . Now she brings that same authoritative and comprehensive focus to this complementary guide that’s all about the most essential and functional items within your home. No matter your style of home, we all want our spaces to feel inviting and comfortable. And the key to that is quality furniture that supports your lifestyle. The Furniture Handbook shares the foundational rules of choosing, arranging, and caring for the furniture in every room of your home. From selecting the perfect size dining table and seating that fits your family to arranging your living room pieces for the best flow, the basic principles that interior designers use and that everyone should master are provided. Know what to pay extra attention to when choosing and rearranging furniture and what common complaints people have so you can avoid them. Maximize form and function for the pieces in your home, so you have furniture that is practical, beautiful, and cohesive. Choose the right scale and materials for your space, regardless of how big or small. Understand the dimensions and details of furniture design that determine whether a piece is comfortable or not. Select quality upholstery that looks beautiful and will endure wear and tear from pets, kids, and daily life. Make better choices for every room in your home and create the space you want to live in Complete with simple and elegant illustrations, The Furniture Handbook is your key to creating beautiful, personal spaces in your home.



Rosemary Gladstar - Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide artwork Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide
33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
Rosemary Gladstar
Genre: Gardening
Price: $13.99
Publish Date: April 30, 2012
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Seller: Hachette Digital, Inc.

Craft a soothing aloe lotion after an encounter with poison ivy, make a dandelion-burdock tincture to fix sluggish digestion, and brew up some lavender-lemon balm tea to ease a stressful day. In this introductory guide, Rosemary Gladstar shows you how easy it can be to make your own herbal remedies for life’s common ailments. Gladstar profiles 33 common healing plants and includes advice on growing, harvesting, preparing, and using herbs in healing tinctures, oils, and creams. Stock your medicine cabinet full of all-natural, low-cost herbal preparations.



Graham Rice - Plants for Problem Places: Clay Soil [North American Edition] artwork Plants for Problem Places: Clay Soil [North American Edition]
Clay Soil [North American Edition]
Graham Rice
Genre: Gardening
Price: $1.99
Publish Date: August 09, 2010
Publisher: Graham Rice
Seller: Draft2Digital, LLC

Got clay soil? Need advice on the best plants to grow? Award winning expert Graham Rice explains how to amend clay soil so your can enjoy a wider range of plants and recommends the best plants to grow. He provides descriptive selections of attractive trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, bulbs and annuals for your clay soil. The right plants can solve your clay soil problem. North American Edition.