Hobbies

. 144 pages (24 in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

It took years for woodworker David Freedman to develop and perfect the box-making techniques he shares in Box-Making Basics. Accompanying his techniques are detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to make 16 handsome boxes. In addition to Freedman's designs, there are also selected projects from a number of professional box makers.

The book begins with the fundamentals of box making: the elements of good design, wood selection and preparation, and finishing. The basics are followed by tips and techniques on cutting, gluing, and reinforcing joints, decorating lids, and installing hinges.

In later chapters, you'll learn more sophisticated techniques, such as making spectacular bookmatched lid panels, sprucing up the interiors with lining, dividers, and trays, using frame-and-panel lid construction, dovetails, and finger joints, and dealing with specialty hardware.

Whether you're a beginning woodworker or an accomplished box maker searching for design ideas, you'll find this book comprehensive, easy to follow, and full of inspiration.

Robin Hood meets the Rat Pack when the best and the brightest of M.I.T.'s math students and engineers take up blackjack under the guidance of an eccentric mastermind. Their small blackjack club develops from an experiment in counting cards on M.I.T.'s campus into a ring of card savants with a system for playing large and winning big. In less than two years they take some of the world's most sophisticated casinos for more than three million dollars. But their success also brings with it the formidable ire of casino owners and launches them into the seedy underworld of corporate Vegas with its private investigators and other violent heavies.

The uses, advantages, and disadvantages of every type of knot are clearly explained. The author explains how to tie each one, using concise, step-by-step instructions, all illustrated by simple, easy-to-understand line drawings. The book closes with a helpful glossary of terms.

Featuring 10 heirloom knitwear patterns for children, this collection celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of two of the knitting community's most prominent designers. The intricately designed patterns, suitable for children from their toddler years to their preteens, include cardigans and vests, cable pullovers, and adorable dresses. Each pattern provides detailed instructions and easy-to-follow charts, including information about yarn specifications, such as ply, wraps per inch, meters to the gram and kilogram, and yards to the ounce and pound. The exquisite fashion photography of finished garments shows off the creations worked in rich, glowing colors. In addition to patterns, short excerpts from beloved children's books are interspersed throughout.

Written by best-selling author and hand letterer Abbey Sy, The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy covers the basics and beyond for creative lettering techniques.

The book begins with an overview of tools and materials, both traditional (pointed pen and fountain pen) and modern (including brush markers and chalk), then presents a visual glossary of letterforms, highlights the unique characteristics of the featured alphabets, and demonstrates how to draw letterforms to foster an understanding of how they're created. The core chapters explore traditional, modern, and special effects lettering using a variety of mark-making tools, with in-depth how-to on adding flourishes and other special details, plus creative projects. There's also an introduction to modifying and creating letterforms digitally, as well as practice sheets for the featured alphabets.

So whether you've never tried lettering before or you'd like to develop your skills and consider all your creative options, The Complete Photo Guide to Hand Lettering and Calligraphy will guide and inspire you on your lettering journey.

If the church-basement sale isn't quite your scene, Crafty Superstar is your go-to resource for selling your crafty goods part-time. Packed with ideas for setting up and selling out, the book includes loads of advice from experts like Faythe Levine, Jenny Harada and Jenny Hart.

Want to make some dough but don't know where to start? Inside find out how to:

- Discover your expectations and motivations
- Set up shop and get paid
- Join an indie craft show
- Get some press
- Package goods and customer service
- Balance life and crafts

Plus, get business forms, lists of resources and a directory of indie craft shows so you can be on your way to becoming a Crafty Superstar!

From the creator of the wildly successful Creative Haven Creative Cats Coloring Book comes the purrfect follow-up: adorable kittens! Cat lovers and coloring enthusiasts will delight in these beautifully detailed feline portraits and their unique patterns of hearts, flowers, paisleys, and other magical motifs. Pages are perforated and printed on one side only for easy removal and display. Specially designed for experienced colorists, Creative Kittens and other Creative Haven(R) adult coloring books offer an escape to a world of inspiration and artistic fulfillment. Each title is also an effective and fun-filled way to relax and reduce stress.