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“A perfect guide to getting the non-essentials out of the way, so that simple joys can make their way into our lives.” —Marianne Williamson, #1 New York Times –bestselling author “If you want to grow, you gotta let go,” is the mantra that bestselling author, columnist, and life coach Gail Blanke lives by. That means eliminating all the clutter—physical and emotional—that holds you back, weighs you down, or just makes you feel bad about yourself. In Throw Out Fifty Things she takes us through each room of the house—from the attic to the garage—and even to the far reaches of our minds. Through poignant and humorous stories, she inspires us to get rid of the “life plaque” we’ve allowed to build-up there.That junk drawer (you know that drawer) in the kitchen? Empty it!Those old regrets? Throw ’em out!That make-up from your “old” look? Toss it!That relationship that depresses you? Dump it! Once you’ve hit fifty (you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get there) and once you’ve thrown out that too-tight belt and too-small view of yourself, you’ll be ready to step out into the clearing and into the next, and greatest, segment of your life. “Gail Blanke’s strength is her ability to illuminate simple acts that save time, money and many headaches, in a clear commonsense language. And that’s exactly what this book does—in spades.” —Gail Sheehy, #1 New York Times –bestselling author “A rousing call to total transformation—one mismatched sock at a time.” — Publishers Weekly |
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Winner of the DWAA Maxwell Award for 2002, Training and Behavior Book. A practical how-to guide on resource guarding - food bowl, object, bed, crate, owner, etc. - in dogs. Contents include: aggression basics, nature of resource guarding, kinds of resource guarding, behaviorist vs. medical models, recognizing guarding, prognosis, safety tools, treatment overview, management, desensitization and counterconditioning, resource sample hierarchies, generalization, troubleshooting, body handling desensitization, operant conditioning. |
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An NPR Best Book of 2022 USA TODAY Bestseller This revolutionary approach to cleaning and organizing helps free you from feeling ashamed or overwhelmed by a messy home. If you’re struggling to stay on top of your to-do list, you probably have a good reason: anxiety, fatigue, depression, ADHD, or lack of support. For therapist KC Davis, the birth of her second child triggered a stress-mess cycle. The more behind she felt, the less motivated she was to start. She didn’t fold a single piece of laundry for seven months. One life-changing realization restored her sanity—and the functionality of her home: You don’t work for your home; your home works for you. In other words, messiness is not a moral failing. A new sense of calm washed over her as she let go of the shame-based messaging that interpreted a pile of dirty laundry as “I can never keep up” and a chaotic kitchen as “I’m a bad mother.” Instead, she looked at unwashed clothes and thought, “I am alive,” and at stacks of dishes and thought, “I cooked my family dinner three nights in a row.” Building on this foundation of self-compassion, KC devised the powerful practical approach that has exploded in popularity through her TikTok account, @domesticblisters. The secret is to simplify your to-do list and to find creative workarounds that accommodate your limited time and energy. In this book, you’ll learn exactly how to customize your cleaning strategy and rebuild your relationship with your home, including: -How to see chores as kindnesses to your future self, not as a reflection of your worth -How to start by setting priorities -How to stagger tasks so you won’t procrastinate -How to clean in quick bursts within your existing daily routine -How to use creative shortcuts to transform a room from messy to functional With KC’s help, your home will feel like a sanctuary again. It will become a place to rest, even when things aren’t finished. You will move with ease, and peace and calm will edge out guilt, self-criticism, and endless checklists. They have no place here. |
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Unlocking the Forgotten Home Apothecary 200+ Powerful Healing Secrets for Everyday Wellness Discover a treasure trove of natural healing remedies and reclaim the forgotten art of the home apothecary. In a world where wellness is often complicated by synthetic solutions, this book offers a gentle alternative, inviting you to explore over 200 time-tested remedies that nourish the body, mind, and spirit. With step-by-step guidance, Unlocking the Forgotten Home Apothecary helps you craft your own healing toolkit, empowering you to address everyday ailments naturally and safely. From foundational herbs and infusions to soothing balms, potent tinctures, and uplifting essential oils, each chapter guides you through creating, using, and storing your remedies effectively. Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, support digestive health, enhance immune resilience, or nurture your skin, this book provides holistic solutions to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Inside, you’ll find: Simple, Practical Guides: Discover the essential tools, storage tips, and healing properties of key ingredients that transform your kitchen into a natural pharmacy. A-Z of Medicinal Herbs: Learn about each herb’s unique healing power, how to prepare it, and how to incorporate it into your wellness routine. Tailored Remedies for Every Need: From teas and decoctions to syrups and elixirs, you’ll find natural treatments for common ailments, pain relief, mental wellness, skin care, and more. Gentle Solutions for the Whole Family: Safe and effective remedies for children and pets, with dosage guidelines that ensure everyone in your home can benefit. Complete with expert tips on journaling, tracking progress, and adapting your apothecary to meet personal and seasonal needs, this guide is more than a book—it’s an invitation to embrace a lifestyle of balanced, holistic wellness. Let this be your trusted resource for natural health, an inspiration for daily self-care, and a bridge to a deeper connection with the timeless wisdom of nature. |
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The authors of The Home Edit and stars of the Netflix series Get Organized with The Home Edit teach you how to apply their genius, holistic approach to your work life, on-the-go necessities, and technology. At home or on the go, you don't have to live like a minimalist to feel happy and calm. The Home Edit mentality is all about embracing your life—whether you’re a busy mom, a roommate living with three, or someone who’s always traveling for work. You just need to know how to set up a system that works for you. In the next phase of the home organizing craze, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin go beyond the pantry and bookshelf to show you how to contain the chaos in all aspects of your life, from office space and holiday storage to luggage and pet supplies. Get to know your organizing style, tailor it to your family’s lifestyle, and lead the low-guilt life as you apply more genius ideas to every aspect of your life. Clea and Joanna are here to remind you that “it’s okay to own things” in the quest for pretty and smart spaces. With The Home Edit Life , you’ll soon be corralling phone cords, archiving old photos, arranging your phone apps by color, and packing your suitcase like a pro. |
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Finalist for the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction Finalist for the 2024 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing A #1 Sunday Times (UK) Bestseller • A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice • A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2024 • A Chicago Public Library Must-Read Book of 2024 • An Oprah Daily "Most Thought-Provoking Book" of 2024 Inspired by the restoration of her own garden, "imaginative and empathetic critic" (NPR) Olivia Laing embarks on an exhilarating investigation of paradise. In 2020, Olivia Laing began to restore an eighteenth-century walled garden in Suffolk, an overgrown Eden of unusual plants. The work brought to light a crucial question for our age: Who gets to live in paradise, and how can we share it while there’s still time? Moving between real and imagined gardens, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to John Clare’s enclosure elegies, from a wartime sanctuary in Italy to a grotesque aristocratic pleasure ground funded by slavery, Laing interrogates the sometimes shocking cost of making paradise on earth. But the story of the garden doesn’t always enact larger patterns of privilege and exclusion. It’s also a place of rebel outposts and communal dreams. From the improbable queer utopia conjured by Derek Jarman on the beach at Dungeness to the fertile vision of a common Eden propagated by William Morris, new modes of living can and have been attempted amidst the flower beds, experiments that could prove vital in the coming era of climate change. The result is a humming, glowing tapestry, a beautiful and exacting account of the abundant pleasures and possibilities of gardens: not as a place to hide from the world but as a site of encounter and discovery, bee-loud and pollen-laden. |
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Eliminate the clutter and discover the joy of having your house organized with simple, realistic strategies that work for normal people. So you want to keep your kitchen counter clean but you aren't ready to toss the toaster? You want to be able to find your kids' socks but aren't looking to spend your 401(k) on clear bins? You long for a little more peace but minimalism isn't sparking joy? Discover 100 practical, do-able tips to organize, declutter and manage your home. Traditional organizing advice never worked for decluttering expert and self-proclaimed recovering slob Dana K. White. Is it possible, she wondered, to get organized without color coding my sock drawer? As Dana let go of the need for perfection, she discovered the joy of having an organized house in the midst of everyday life. You can too! In Organizing for the Rest of Us, Dana teaches you how to make great strides without losing your mind in organizing every room of your home. You'll find her 100 easy-to-read organizing tips invaluable, including: Why you need to get a grip on laundry and dishes before getting organizedThe basics of organization for people who don't like to organizeWhy changing how we think about clutter is the first step to getting rid of itHow living with less stuff is better for the environment, our spiritual lives, and our relationshipsThe simple yet life-changing tactic that is the container concept Organizing for the Rest of Us includes colorful, practical photos, a presentation page, and a ribbon marker, making it a thoughtful and useful gift or self-purchase if you are: Doing spring cleaning (or cleaning during any season)Making New Year's resolutionsDownsizing your own home or your parents' homeDecluttering and organizing for your own peace of mind Fans of Dana's popular podcast, A Slob Comes Clean, will treasure this book as a timeless (and frequently revisited) resource. With her humorous, lighthearted, easy-to-follow approach, Dana provides bite-size, workable solutions to break through every organizational struggle you have--for good! Look for additional, practical organizational resources from Dana: Decluttering at the Speed of LifeHow to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind |
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HOME ECONOMICS FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS: Learn how to create a homemade, fun, and sustainable lifestyle with this housekeeping guide full of time- and money-saving tips. Includes 100+ recipes, plus seasonal guidance on cooking, cleaning, urban homesteading, and more! From cooking, canning, and preserving to making your own nontoxic home and personal care products, author Erica Strauss offers instruction and inspiration for tackling at-home projects on your own. In this book, you will learn how to: • Organize and stock your kitchen for easy meal preparation—and whip up simple but satisfying recipes the whole family will love. • Use basic food preservation techniques—from water-bath canning to pressure canning—with a handy year-long food preservation calendar of what to put up when. • Make the most of your preserved foods with delicious recipes organized by season. • Create your own home care and personal care products—from Fizzy Bath Bombs and Refreshing Peppermint Foot Scrub to Nontoxic Laundry softener. With less focus on consumerism and more on saving time and money, The Hands-On Home will help you create a home you love with simple resources and easy-to-learn skills. |
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Oklahoma native and proud member of the Muscogee-Creek Nation, Summer Lee shares her knitting secrets for creating all shapes and sizes of socks with dots, zigzags, stripes, and a near-neon palette of happy colors.   Sock projects are universally loved by knitters, but popular knitting creator Summer Lee has turned this favorite pastime topsy turvy with designs that feature the most electric colors and wow-patterns ever dreamt up. The Sock Project is a book for every crafter: beginners who want to learn, knitters who want to improve their sock skills, and anyone who wants to fill their knitting needles—and sock drawers—with jazzy colors and new designs.   Build your skills month-by-month with 12 levels of sock knitting. First, start with the humble-but-mighty Basic Sock, then try more complicated patterns for lace socks, cabled socks, socks with Estonian Inlay, and socks done in stranded knitting. You’ll be able to sample 18 fresh and zippy patterns, plus new variations on favorite designs! The Sock Project is a joyful Starburst-color explosion for adventurous knitters everywhere.   Includes Color Photographs |
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Knitting for Dogs , illustrated with full color, will enchant knitters of all levels and dog-owners who want bespoke clothes and accessories for their canines. In Knitting for Dogs , you'll find more than twenty easy-to-follow designs here for every kind of dog, from sequined sweaters for your toy dog princess to a handsome sport coat with racing stripes for your L or XL big boy. But why stop there when you can knit a hat with Fair Isle trim or fingerless Aran gloves to match your pet's jaunty sweater? And because accessories make the dog, there are patterns for everything from a cat-shaped squeaky toy to a walk-in-the-park shoulder bag for carrying keys, doggie treats, and the all-important plastic bags. With foolproof instructions on how to properly measure a dog so that the project comes out just right, Knitting for Dogs will provide hours of entertainment for you and turn even the average pooch into the envy of the dog-run set. So whether you're a beginner or expert knitter, on the cutting edge of fashion or all about what's practical, you'll find something here to please both you and your canine companion. |
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In Ship Modeling Simplified , master model builder Frank Mastini puts to paper the methods he's developed over 30 years at the workbench to help novices take their first steps in an exciting pastime. You don't need the deftness of a surgeon or the vocabulary of an old salt to build a model. What you need is an understanding coach. Mastini leads readers from the mysteries of choosing a kit and setting up a workshop through deciphering complicated instructions and on to painting, decorating, and displaying finished models--with patience and clarity, not condescension. He reveals dozens of shortcuts: How to plank a hull "egg-shell tight"; how to build and rig complicated mast assmeblies without profanity; how to create sails that look like sails. . . . And along the way he points out things that beginners usually do wrong--beforehand, not after they've taken hammers to their projects. Ship Modeling Simplified even includes an Italian-English dictionary of nautical terms, the key to assembling the many high-quality Italian kits on the American market. Model building is fun, and not nearly as difficult as some experts would have you believe. Here is everything you'll ever need to get started in a hobby that will last a lifetime. |
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A mini book packed with mega information on the basics of this Japanese embroidery technique—from the author of Paradise Stitched . Bestselling author Sylvia Pippen shares everything from a bit of history and applications for sashiko to the necessary supplies, how to mark the designs, and stitching techniques. Even learn how to create your own sashiko design from your favorite inspirational photo! Or use one of the twenty-seven included designs. Plus, at such a great price, it’s easy to recommend to your sewing group, sister, mom, friend, or anyone else you know who loves to sew as much as you do!Sashiko is easy to do on the go and this guide makes it even more accessibleTwenty-seven designs to use anywhere and any timeTips and tricks to make sashiko embroidery more successful, including how to prepare the thread, how to avoid pulling, successful stitching, and even ironing |
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Retriever Training - Dog Training for your Retriever puppy The training of dogs is often... ... confused with classical dog training drills ... only considered necessary for demanding dogs ... mocked by other dog owners ... replaced by anti-authoritarian methods ... considered too difficult to achieve without experience. What constitutes dog training and what is it good for? And how can you and your Retriever profit from it without having any experience? The most important thing is to understand how a dog sees his world, what is "normal" for him and how you can use this to your advantage. In addition, the characteristics of each breed are significant when you get beyond the basic training phase. Your Retriever will show characteristics which are different to those of a Husky, for example, and this is predominantly what you need to consider during training. This book is vol. 1 of the Golden Retriever training books. Vol. 2 for your grown up Golden Retriever is also available with the title "Golden Retriever Training Vol. 2: Dog Training for your grown-up Golden Retriever" Author Claudia Kaiser says about her book: "It was my desire to let other dog owners profit from the knowledge I have gained over many years, and after making many mistakes. I love my dog and know how important it is to adapt the training to suit each breed. It is exactly this desire that prompted me to write this book. My aim is to help every beginner, not only to understand his dog better, but also to know exactly how to get the best results, step-by-step, so that you can achieve a close, positive and trusting human-dog relationship." Quench your curiosity to know about background information, read reports on other experiences and obtain step-by-step instructions and secret tips which are tailor-made for your Retriever. Get your copy of this book today and experience... ... how your Retriever sees his world ... and how you can progressively train your dog to receive the best results. Your Retriever will appreciate it... ... so this is my advice: Don't hesitate to buy this book! Content of this book: About the Author Preface What you need to know about your Retriever Cornerstones of training puppies Before the puppy arrives The first few weeks The first commands Training basic knowledge Check list for the start Conclusion |
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Thoughtful designs. Simple shapes. Create unique fabric and garments you'll want to wear again and again. In this garment-weaver's handbook, author Marilyn Murphy offers guidance for weaving scarves, wraps, and more. She also provides advice for designing garments, cutting and sewing fabric, adding edgings and closures, and combining woven fabrics with other techniques. In addition, nine contributing designers share their working philosophies. Garment designs in Woven to Wear are influenced by a global melting pot of traditional folkloric costume and ethnic fabric, in which silhouettes are roomy, layered, and flowing, and the cloth takes center stage. |
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“There's more to felted wool appliqué than folk art, as needle artist Tirico demonstrates in this collection of colorful projects.” — Library Journal  Sewing with luxurious felted wool, discover the secrets to dimensional appliqué that will add depth and drama to your home decor. Take your embroidery skills to the next level with eight colorful projects including penny rugs, pincushions, and pillows. Easy-to-learn techniques such as thread-matching, needle-slanting, and fabric-layering will help you achieve clean and sharp lines every time! This clear, visual guide includes links to printable, full size patterns with placement and embroidery guides. |
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Golden Retriever Training Vol 2 – Dog Training for your grown-up Golden Retriever How to build up a unique relationship with your Golden Retriever, using training methods which are tailor-made for your Golden Retriever Dog training is often ... ... Confused with classic basic training of puppies... Considered only suitable for particularly gifted dogs... Considered too difficult to achieve without experience What constitutes dog training and why is it helpful? And how can you and your Golden Retriever profit from the training, completely without experience? Do you sometimes have the feeling that your dog has too much energy and does not feel fully stimulated, no matter how often you walk with him? Then dog training is the right thing for you. The simple but very effective methods of physical and mental training that you will read about in this guide will help you to stimulate your Golden Retriever, in an appropriate way for his species, while at the same time having fun. This is volume two of the Golden Retriever training guides. Volume 1 for your Golden Retriever puppy is also available with the title " Retriever Training: Dog Training for your Retriever puppy". The author Claudia Kaiser says about her book: "I love my dog and know how important it is to keep her occupied, even after she completed her basic training. Most dogs are not satisfied with their life as a family dog and can develop destructive characteristics. If owners would take the time to spend a few minutes every day, carrying out physical and mental training with their dogs, their situations would change dramatically. Many underestimate the potential of dog training and how it can positively change life with their dogs." Read about background information, read experience reports and obtain step-by-step instructions and secret tips which are tailor-made for your Golden Retriever. Get your copy of this book and discover... ... How to build up a unique relationship with your Golden Retriever... How you can stimulate him physically and mentally in an appropriate way for his species... And all that without previous experience in this area. In addition, you will receive an extra chapter "Fun training"! Content of this book: About the Author Preface What is dog training? Why is dog training useful for your adult Golden Retriever? What should you pay particular attention to? What is particularly important for your Golden Retriever? What to watch out for? What does your Golden Retriever need to know already? Physical Training What is physical training? What are the advantages? Introduction of the training methods Intelligence Training What is intelligence training? What are the advantages? Is your dog intelligent? Introduction of the training methods Special Chapter: Fun Training What is fun training? What are the advantages? Introducing the training methods Excursus: Clicker Training What is Clicker Training? What are the advantages? Frequently asked questions Introduction of the training methods Summary of training methods Types of Dog Sports Things to avoid at all costs The next steps Conclusion |
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An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. “Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…” Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late. |
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NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED! The beloved #1 New York Times bestseller that “causes one’s dog-loving heart to flutter with astonishment and gratitude” ( The New York Times Book Review ). The instant classic on the mind of the dog is now updated to include the latest results in the booming field of dog cognition. What do dogs know? How do they think? The answers will surprise and delight you as cognitive scientist Alexandra Horowitz explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Inside of a Dog is a fresh look at the world of dogs—from the dog’s point of view. In clear, crisp prose, Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draws a picture of what it might be like to be a dog. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell human emotions and even the passage of time? What is it like to have such good hearing that they notice the bodily vibrations of insects and the hum of a fluorescent light? Horowitz’s engaging narrative allows us to replace our urge to anthropomorphize dogs with a true understanding of the canine experience. What’s it like to use your mouth as a hand? How does a tiny dog manage to play successfully with a Great Dane? Why must a person on a bicycle be chased? This fully revised and updated edition also reflects the latest findings on canine perception, dogs’ understanding of our emotions and of our language, and the evolving story of domestication. Some discoveries are not only informative but curiously amusing, such as dogs’ asymmetrical nostril use and their alignment with the earth’s magnetic field when pooing. Much more than a scientific exploration; Inside of a Dog is a love letter to dogs, filled with personal observations and practical advice for people who live with dogs. With a light touch and the weight of scientific authority behind her, Horowitz offers an unparalleled exploration into the minds of our beloved four-legged companions. |
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In Horses Never Lie , renowned horse trainer Mark Rashid challenges the conventional wisdom of “alpha leadership” and teaches the reader to become a “passive leader”—a counterpart to the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to associate with and to follow. Applying Rashid’s principles and techniques helps cultivate horse personalities that are responsive and dependable regardless of the rider. Reliving Rashid’s experiences with him, you will come to feel the same sort of compassion and appreciation for your horses that you do for the people in your life. This new edition features added introductory notes for each chapter that contribute to a more complete understanding of Rashid’s methods and philosophy. |
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Easy to follow instructions that teach you a kind and effective method for encouraging dogs to walk on leash without pulling. Quick and easy to learn, the method can be applied to any dog no matter what size, breed or age. Dogs that are easily distracted, or that encounter situations where they may lunge, bark, or give aggressive displays can be helped to walk calmly and quietly on a loose leash. My Dog Pulls explains: • Why dogs develop pulling problems. • Simple steps to retraining even a vigorous puller. • How to rehabilitate the puller with clear, helpful paragraphs. • Correct use of leashes, collars and harnesses. What works, what doesn’t. • Troubleshooting problems that arise during training. |
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"Know an expert knitter looking for a challenge? Then you gotta get 'em knitting guru Hitomi Shida's book, which includes step-by-step instructions for making 260 gorgeous and intricate stitches.-- Cosmopolitan " |
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A practical guide to 'doodling' with knitted colorwork designs. Readers can choose their favorite charts from the 200 different designs and then mix and match them to create unique projects. They can then combine them in any way they like, repeat their favorite designs, change the colorways and generally have fun 'doodling' with them. All of the charts work together so readers can have lots of fun exploring the endless options and making up their own combinations, playing with colors, adding in plain rows in between the charted rows and generally getting creative. There are instructions for how to use the charts across all the patterns - they all have the same stitch count and work across each of the 9 projects which include a range of accessories such as cowls, scarves, hats and mittens. Doodle knitting is all about having fun with pattern - choose your favorite motifs and create your own combinations. The 9 patterns have specific suggestions for pattern combinations but author, Jamie Lomax, explains how to modify all the projects to create your own versions. The patterns only combine two colors on each row so it's suitable for beginners to colorwork and because it's done on a small scale it's a great way for absolute beginners to try their hand at colorwork, but the large selection of patterns and designs means that more advanced knitters will have plenty to inspire them. The 200 designs are presented seasonally and there are a wide range of motifs including everything from flowers, leaves and mushrooms through to squirrels, sheep and other birds and animals. As well as the motifs there are abstract designs that can be interspersed to break up the patterns and create interest so you can have endless doodling fun. |
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A lifetime of experience in training horses is compiled into the step by step training method. The book was written by Ann Myers and chronicles her daily lesson plans and philosophy that results in horses that are ready and willing to learn and trust their riders in 37 days. |
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Discover a whole new world of dogs with this revolutionary, breed- specific guide. The Rottweiller is an intelligent and highly trainable dog. Learn the best methods of training and caring fo this powerful breed. |
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A delightful collection of crochet amigurumi patterns for interactive, activity toys for babies and toddlers. Evidence shows that play contributes to the development of important cognitive, motor, emotional and linguistic skills and plays a key role in raising self-confident, creative and happy children. And what could be better than a handmade crochet toy. The crochet projects in this collection all have an interactive and educational element for play and this helps toddlers to meet important developmental milestones in a fun way. Author, Svetlana Golova, has designed a range of toys which can be played with in several different ways to enable children to develop a wide range of skills. Some of the toys feature different materials that make a noise in order to enhance the interactice experience and there are instructions for which materials to use. The Monkey Shape Sorter, Elephant Stacking Toy, and Giraffe Threading Toy— along with other toys in this pattern book—will entertain babies and young children for a number of years and then, as the child grows older, they will become treasured members of a soft toy collection. Other toys, including the quiet books and the Farmyard Activity Cube will appeal to adults and children alike who will enjoy playing and reading them together and making up their own stories. The toys have been designed around popular themes such as farm animals; sea life; dinosaurs and wild animals and all of them have an interactive element. Projects include shape sorters; stacking toys; an activity cube; threading toys, rattles and quiet books. All of the patterns are written in US crochet terminology, and range in difficulty and there are ability ratings so you can build your skills by starting with the simpler projects. The patterns use basic crochet stitches so there are no complicated new stitches or techniques to learn, and the construction of the toys is explained with step-by-step instructions and photography. All of the key crochet techniques are explained in the General Techniques section. |
