Craft Your Way to a Peaceful Mind, If Not Peace on Earth discussed on March 31st

Learn how to create 24 beautiful Japanese paper designs, step by step. The Simple Art of Japanese Papercrafts reveals the best of true Japanese design, focusing on understanding and using paper in a modern and authentic style to make beautiful gifts, decorations and more. Tokyo-born graphic designer Mari Ono reveals the top Japanese techniques - origami and embellishment - in a range of 24 projects, each with clear step-by-step images and easy-to-follow instructions. Also included are over 50 pieces of gorgeous origami paper to make all the projects. The projects range from contemporary ideas for greetings cards embellished with Oriental symbols of luck and love to traditional projects, such as folding paper to create a rabbit or a crane, as well as practical items including a handmade bento box. With tips and variations throughout, this is the book that will show you how to create truly authentic Japanese papercrafts using the best of papers and materials from the modern East.

Meet a mischievous piggy, dopey panda, rambunctious little bunny, a passel of monkeys, a proper penguin, and many more soon-to-be best friends of all shapes, sizes, and personalities in this irresistible guide, Make Your Own Toys. With simple-to-follow instructions and hand-drawn illustrations, artist and designer Sue Havens will help you make 22 unique stuffed toys that will endear and charm adults and kids alike.

It's the natural inconsistencies - the accidental differences between one finished piece and another - that make hand-printed fabrics, papers, furniture, and works of art so interesting. The quirks are what show the maker's intimate involvement in the process, and it's that unique quality that first attracted textile designer and illustrator Lena Corwin to hand-printing. Even though decorative prints are more in vogue than ever, there was until now no up-to-date hand-printing guide?no single source explaining the tools and materials that are used today, or reflecting a contemporary aesthetic. Corwin has given us that guide. Using step-by-step instructions and up-close photos, Corwin teaches crafters everything they need to know to master stamping, stenciling, and screen printing, from making their own printing devices to trouble-shooting when plans go awry. Her inimitable collection of projects ranges from stamped stationery and simple-to-sew pouches, to stenciled tote bags and furniture, to screen-printed bed linens and upholstery fabric. There?s even a silk-screened dog bed. The author has created original artwork for each project (full-size patterns are included in an envelope at the back of the book), so that every crafter can achieve the same beautiful results. Or maybe not quite the same. Remember: It's the subtle differences that make hand-printing so special and alluring.

The most unique tribute to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton--instructions for a handknit wedding scene complete with adorable dolls and a foldout illustration of Westminster Abbey so you can display your creations. Knit Your Own Royal Wedding features projects for Prince William, Kate Middleton, the Queen, Prince Harry, other members of the royal family, and even a cute little corgi. The background scene, which fits into a pocket in the back cover, is an illustrated foldout of Westminster Abbey. Also included are instructions for a few wedding accessories. Each project comes complete with knitting instructions and full-color photos of the finished doll, all on cleverly illustrated pages. For knitters and nonknitters alike, this will be a beautiful and fun souvenir of what is sure to be the wedding of the century!