Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate awaken their inner George A. Romero and focus their creative attention on the malleable, fuzzy softness of felt inside Zombie Felties: How to Raise 16 Gruesome Felt Creatures from the Undead. Inside, crafters will find instructions for more than 15 zombie...  more

Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate awaken their inner George A. Romero and focus their creative attention on the malleable, fuzzy softness of felt inside Zombie Felties: How to Raise 16 Gruesome Felt Creatures from the Undead. Inside, crafters will find instructions for more than 15 zombie creatures, including a Romero-esque Day of the Dead Zombie. Additional Zombie Feltie projects include:* Zombie Bride* Zombie Puppy* Vampire Zombie* Zombie Bunny* Folklore Zombie* Zombie Surfer, and more!With only the most basic of sewing skills, crafters can raise their own macabre multitude of Zombie Feltie creations from the undead with an average construction time of less than one hour per pattern. Each design includes a full-color photograph of the finished project, as well as an illustrated, instructional overview, pattern diagrams, and a convenient list of everything needed to complete the project.Zombie Feltie friends can be customized with limitless embellishments and they make great Halloween decorations, party favors, finger puppets, key rings, and even mobile phone mascots. Get ready to shudder as you stitch!

Easy to make...easy to love! Sock and Glove presents thirteen delightful softy projects that are quick to make-and certain to amuse and delight. Full of individuality and mischief, these stuffed creations are all pieced together from ordinary socks, gloves, and mittens. Step-by-step...  more

Easy to make...easy to love! Sock and Glove presents thirteen delightful softy projects that are quick to make-and certain to amuse and delight. Full of individuality and mischief, these stuffed creations are all pieced together from ordinary socks, gloves, and mittens. Step-by-step illustrations and instructions make it easy to craft and dress a whole menagerie, including monkeys, elephants, piglets, bunnies, and even an insouciant fish. Endearing to adults and children alike, these whimsical creatures make perfect gifts and inspiring companions.

Even today, with the proliferation of fancy electronics, computers, and video games, people are still enchanted by the simple, funny movement created by a flat, two-dimensional paper puppet; they are automatically, and inherently, amusing. This book teaches readers how to make a wide variety...  more

Even today, with the proliferation of fancy electronics, computers, and video games, people are still enchanted by the simple, funny movement created by a flat, two-dimensional paper puppet; they are automatically, and inherently, amusing. This book teaches readers how to make a wide variety of moveable paper puppets, charming toys, and novel, artful gifts. The projects are beautiful, magical, whimsical and will appeal to readers with many different craft interests. There is something very childlike about puppets, yet they are not easily dismissed into something strictly ‘for children’. Paper puppets are versatile, easy to make, and can be used with many types of artwork such as on cards or in shadow boxes.

Cheryl Henson, daughter of Muppets founder Jim Henson, along with the Muppet' Workshop (and Kermit the Frog), shows kids how to make over 35 puppets using stuff from around the house-with a little help from the googly eyes, funny noses, feathers, and fuzzy fur included.There's Dixie Dragon...  more

Cheryl Henson, daughter of Muppets founder Jim Henson, along with the Muppet' Workshop (and Kermit the Frog), shows kids how to make over 35 puppets using stuff from around the house-with a little help from the googly eyes, funny noses, feathers, and fuzzy fur included.There's Dixie Dragon (principle ingredient, a sock), Jughead (small plastic jar), Spidey Jones (old work glove), Metalmouth (bandage boxes), Princess Esterrilla (wooden spoon and chopsticks), and Pinky Roach (pink eraser). In addition, the authors show how to talk the puppet talk and walk the puppet walk, how to write a script and put on a show. It's a complete kit. Just add glue, and a little imagination.Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club.152,000 copies in print.

Stirred by the Japanese craze for plush toys called "softies," veteran crafter Therese Laskey commissioned acclaimed artists from around the world to create projects to share. From Japan to Israel to Chile to Texas, each artist brings a wicked sense of fun to the 25 cute, weird, edgy, or artful...  more

Stirred by the Japanese craze for plush toys called "softies," veteran crafter Therese Laskey commissioned acclaimed artists from around the world to create projects to share. From Japan to Israel to Chile to Texas, each artist brings a wicked sense of fun to the 25 cute, weird, edgy, or artful creations offered here: a cupcake pincushion; delicate snow bunnies; a peculiar robot; and many more quirky creatures. Cheeky photos, easy instructions, and ready-to-use pattern sheets make it a cinch to whip up these irresistible gifts. Best of all, a folder at back holds the patterns while spiral binding makes for craft-friendly use.

Humorous Takes on Favorite Tales That Boost Reading Skills, Build Fluency & Keep Your Class Chuckling With Lots of Read-Aloud Fun!Surefire read-aloud fun!Students will have oodles of fun building essential reading skills with rib-tickling versions of beloved fairy tales turned into read-aloud...  more

Humorous Takes on Favorite Tales That Boost Reading Skills, Build Fluency & Keep Your Class Chuckling With Lots of Read-Aloud Fun!Surefire read-aloud fun!Students will have oodles of fun building essential reading skills with rib-tickling versions of beloved fairy tales turned into read-aloud plays! Even your most reluctant readers won¹t be able to resist these hilarious twists on their favorite tales‹ Spiderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bullfrogs, The Popsicle Boy, Little Late Riding Hood, The Cheetah and the Sloth, Rafunzel and many more! Plus: Each play comes complete with instant discussion starters, vocabulary boosters, imaginative writing prompts, and a brief history of the fairy tale.

Between 1916 and 1925 Paul Klee (1879-1940) made some 50 hand puppets for his son, Felix, of which 30 are still in existence. For the heads, he used materials from his own household: beef bones and electrical outlets, bristle brushes, leftover bits of fur and nutshells. Soon he began to sew...  more

Between 1916 and 1925 Paul Klee (1879-1940) made some 50 hand puppets for his son, Felix, of which 30 are still in existence. For the heads, he used materials from his own household: beef bones and electrical outlets, bristle brushes, leftover bits of fur and nutshells. Soon he began to sew costumes. These characters and small works, do not pretend to be great art, but at the same time, they are superbly imaginative, sweetly reminiscent of Klee's relationships with his family, and beautifully illustrative of the artistic and social developments of the time. Readers will see the chronological proximity of Dada and Kurt Schwitters's collages in Klee's Matchbox Ghost; the German National caricatures one of the era's more ominous political types. An introductory essay tracks the work's links to other avant-garde puppetry and to Klee's sculptural works, and notes his connections to the theater. For their part, Klee's son Felix and his grandson Alexander tell the story of how the figures were created.

They're hiding under the bed. And in the closet. And anywhere else you've stashed yarn. They're friendly little monsters, and they're ready to come out and play!Popular designer Rebecca Danger presents 20 patterns for the most adorable monsters ever to climb off a pair of knitting needles. Each...  more

They're hiding under the bed. And in the closet. And anywhere else you've stashed yarn. They're friendly little monsters, and they're ready to come out and play!Popular designer Rebecca Danger presents 20 patterns for the most adorable monsters ever to climb off a pair of knitting needles. Each stuffie comes with complete instructions and is as easy to knit as a hat (but a lot more spunky!). All are shown in two colorways, and most are done in two yarn weights, to help you pick the perfect yarn to suit your monster's personality. Great how-to photos are included.

In Puppet Mania!, a master of the art brings kids thirteen original projects they can make on their own, primarily using everyday household materials. Many of the projects the author includes here are for puppets he himself designed and created as a kid. There's Sock Puppy, Banana Buddy, Running...  more

In Puppet Mania!, a master of the art brings kids thirteen original projects they can make on their own, primarily using everyday household materials. Many of the projects the author includes here are for puppets he himself designed and created as a kid. There's Sock Puppy, Banana Buddy, Running Rabbit and a gaggle of other endearing creatures. Aside from explicit directions, Kennedy provides construction tips and troubleshooting advice. Puppet Mania! is more than just a project book: It also gives kids the know-how they need to turn their creations into characters--lip synching, body movements, eye contact and movement, and, most important, imagination. To that end, Kennedy kick-starts readers' creativity with a character worksheet that has room to enter the character's name, favorite phrase, hobbies, and physical characteristics. With directions for customizing their puppets and tips for maneuvering them believably, kids will want to get started in no time!

…they’re frighteningly adorable, and they’re about to conquer the world of kids’ crafts! Influenced by the popularity of Japanese animé, video-game culture, and urban illustration and design, lovable plush monsters have become a big new phenomenon. Yet they’re so...  more

…they’re frighteningly adorable, and they’re about to conquer the world of kids’ crafts! Influenced by the popularity of Japanese animé, video-game culture, and urban illustration and design, lovable plush monsters have become a big new phenomenon. Yet they’re so simple to sew that kids can do it—as long as they have this book, the only one of its kind created just for children. Just take fabric, a needle and thread, and stuffing to make one of a dozen cute, odd, and irresistible projects: creatures fashioned from old clothes, sporting Velcro faces (change expressions everyday!), and that even do double duty as mp3 player covers, backpacks, and pillows. Sidebars offer amusing information about the critters’ names, skills, and tastes. Not only will kids have fun, they’ll learn how to work with patterns and master basic hand and machine sewing skills. And, because encouraging creativity is so important, the guide suggests variations so children can make one-of-a-kind creations.Featuring the illustrations and monster designs of John Murphy, author of Stupid Sock Creatures!

John Murphy's sock creations have been featured in such publications as the Washington Post and Readymade magazine. Crafters with a sense of humor, a taste for the weird, wacky, and way-out, and a hunger for the outrageous will find themselves captured by this wildly creative menagerie of...  more

John Murphy's sock creations have been featured in such publications as the Washington Post and Readymade magazine. Crafters with a sense of humor, a taste for the weird, wacky, and way-out, and a hunger for the outrageous will find themselves captured by this wildly creative menagerie of sock monsters. Possessed of irresistible charm, these creatures offer all the inspiration anyone needs to transform cast-off socks into wickedly funny toys. There's Claude with his perplexed expression and tiny tail that stands at full attention. Jordan's always on the prowl; he's got three eyes, so nothing escapes him. And there's something really odd about Estelle. Maybe it's her silly conical head balanced precariously on four tiny feet--or perhaps it's just that she's always sticking out her bright red tongue. Great instructions and charming illustrations make it easy to bring these unique personalities to life. A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.

If you're a fan of amigurumi, you already know that super-sweet crocheted bunnies and kitties and pandas have taken the indie craft world by storm. Well, the dolls in Creepy Cute Crochet eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast. This unique craft book contains more than 25 patterns for zombies,...  more

If you're a fan of amigurumi, you already know that super-sweet crocheted bunnies and kitties and pandas have taken the indie craft world by storm. Well, the dolls in Creepy Cute Crochet eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast. This unique craft book contains more than 25 patterns for zombies, ninjas, Vikings, vampires, aliens, robots, and even Death himself. Each easy-to-follow pattern is presented with step-by-step diagrams, hilarious commentary, and full-color photographs of the creatures in their natural environments. Plus each pattern is ranked according to difficulty so that even beginners can share in the fun. The scary-cute photographs, accessible text, and illustrated patterns are sure to be a hit with indie crafters, angsty teens, and hip moms everywhere.

An updated presentation, new materials, and simplified version of Stupid Sock Creatures add up to a fresh version of an irresistible mass-appeal kit.The new, smaller 48-page instructional booklet has all the basic how-tos and illustrated cutting instructions for almost every project featured in...  more

An updated presentation, new materials, and simplified version of Stupid Sock Creatures add up to a fresh version of an irresistible mass-appeal kit.The new, smaller 48-page instructional booklet has all the basic how-tos and illustrated cutting instructions for almost every project featured in the original volume?plus a brand new design for a rainbow-striped creature! Now, there?s something creative to do with all those extra one-off socks that have lost their partners!  IN ADDITION TO THE BOOKLET, THE KIT INCLUDES:- One pair of snazzy rainbow-striped socks with toes (for making teeth, warts, ears and more!) - One pair of solid-color anklet socks - Polyfil stuffing

This fabulous collection of cute and quirky toys will delight adults and children alike. From pink and pretty Dilly to bright and bold Leo, there?s a creature here to suit every personality. The projects are all made from soft fleece, which is fantastically versatile and easy to work with. Basic...  more

This fabulous collection of cute and quirky toys will delight adults and children alike. From pink and pretty Dilly to bright and bold Leo, there?s a creature here to suit every personality. The projects are all made from soft fleece, which is fantastically versatile and easy to work with. Basic sewing skills, the brightly colored fleece itself, and a few accessories are all that?s needed to make these wonderful toys—most in a matter of hours.

Have a pile of extra buttons and don't know what to do with them? Make a cool bracelet. Need some pillows for your new couch, and have a bunch of old wool sweaters? Turn those sweaters into felt and make pillows so beautiful you could sell them at any store. Knitting, felting, glass, and...  more

Have a pile of extra buttons and don't know what to do with them? Make a cool bracelet. Need some pillows for your new couch, and have a bunch of old wool sweaters? Turn those sweaters into felt and make pillows so beautiful you could sell them at any store. Knitting, felting, glass, and woodwork—it's all here. Craftivity is filled with 40 amazing DIY projects that show you how to take everyday objects and turn them into functional, fabulous art. In Craftivity, you can learn how to: Add crystals to your napkins to create jeweled table linens Make a unique coffee table out of a vintage suitcase Use a simple picture frame to construct a back-painted glass backgammon board Transform plastic grocery bags into a durable tote With dozens of gorgeous photos and clear, easy-to-follow directions, this wonderfully inspirational guide will tap into the heart of your own craftivity.

A complete guide to the design, construction, and control of string puppets.

Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead honors the memory of departed souls, welcoming them back to celebrate the best of life. Families decorate grave sites with marigolds and set up stunning altars. Streets flutter with paper banners. Store windows glisten with sugar skulls. Skeleton...  more

Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Day of the Dead honors the memory of departed souls, welcoming them back to celebrate the best of life. Families decorate grave sites with marigolds and set up stunning altars. Streets flutter with paper banners. Store windows glisten with sugar skulls. Skeleton figures grin rakishly from every corner. Day of the Dead Crafts is filled with dozens of terrific projects that allow you to participate in the excitement of the holiday while expressing your own creativity. You'll enjoy showcasing these unique, fun, and meaningful projects throughout the year. Inside you'll find step-by-step instructions, ideas, and inspiration for a wide range of projects, including: Calaveras, those comical and clever skeleton figures caught in the act of enjoying life's favorite activities Masks and skulls made from paper maché, gourds, and even sugar A meaningful and artistic ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have passed Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more to wear day or night Pieces guaranteed to liven up any décor Colorful, whimsical, and often dramatic, Day of the Dead art is steeped in rich history and symbolism. The projects in Day of the Dead Crafts honor the traditional, while taking advantage of today's materials for a fresh and exciting twist.

Cyclops and witches and zombies-oh my! Welcome to the wondrous world of Beasties, where mythic and imaginary creatures come alive using simple materials, such as scrap fabric and thread. From Werewolves to Yetis to unidentifiable yet adorable beasts, these projects allow crafters to push the...  more

Cyclops and witches and zombies-oh my! Welcome to the wondrous world of Beasties, where mythic and imaginary creatures come alive using simple materials, such as scrap fabric and thread. From Werewolves to Yetis to unidentifiable yet adorable beasts, these projects allow crafters to push the limits of their imaginations to sew a menagerie of whimsical beings.

Quick-there's a monster in your closet! No? Then, MAKE one! Every closet hides a multitude of out-of-style sweaters, pearl-trimmed jackets, ill-fitting jeans…and worse. And all the repurposing in the world won't make them wearable again. Fortunately, the inimitable John Murphy...  more

Quick-there's a monster in your closet! No? Then, MAKE one! Every closet hides a multitude of out-of-style sweaters, pearl-trimmed jackets, ill-fitting jeans…and worse. And all the repurposing in the world won't make them wearable again. Fortunately, the inimitable John Murphy of Stupid Sock Creature fame has devised a “green? solution: take those ugly pink sport coats and muumuus and turn them into goofy goonies, multi-legged monsters, other awesomely adorable creatures. They're all charmingly illustrated with cartoonish elan by the author himself.

A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist?s own voice, marks, and style. This fun and creative book features 52 fine art projects set into weekly lessons, beginning with drawing, moving through painting and printmaking, and then...  more

A refreshing source of ideas for creating fine art with children, Art Lab for Kids encourages the artist?s own voice, marks, and style. This fun and creative book features 52 fine art projects set into weekly lessons, beginning with drawing, moving through painting and printmaking, and then building to paper collage and mixed media. Each lesson features and relates to the work and style of a contemporary artist. Lisa Congdon, Megan Bogonovich, and Amy Rice are just a few of the artists included. The labs can be used as singular projects or to build up to a year of hand-on fine art experiences. The lessons in this book are open-ended to be explored over and over?with different results each time! Colorful photos illustrate how different people using the same lesson will yield different results, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist?s personal style. Art Lab for Kids is the perfect book for creative families, friends, and community groups and works as lesson plans for both experienced and new art teachers. Children of all ages and experience levels can be guided by adults and will enjoy these engaging exercises.

Pillows are one of the easiest items to sew, and one of the most affordable ways to add a splash of color and personality to a room. With twelve cute and cuddly animal pillows to make, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, seamstresses of all skill levels will enjoy making them.  Sew...  more

Pillows are one of the easiest items to sew, and one of the most affordable ways to add a splash of color and personality to a room. With twelve cute and cuddly animal pillows to make, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, seamstresses of all skill levels will enjoy making them.  Sew Your Own Pet Pillow includes patterns for:  Log-style pillows *fox *cat *pig Square pillows *squid * raccoon *bear Round or jellybean-shaped pillows * Husky *Corgi *Dalmatian  It is so easy to create these adorable pet pillows ? all that?s needed is a sewing machine, some inexpensive fabric, and a few basic sewing tools. The hardest part will be deciding which pillow to make first!

74 projects clearly shown with step-by-step photos.

These 25 polymer clay projects are just right for beginners--both adults and kids. Each one is easily completed in a single sitting without a lot of fuss. The finished polymer clay pieces can be used as magnets, pins, buttons or decorative figurines. Each one is theme-based by season,...  more

These 25 polymer clay projects are just right for beginners--both adults and kids. Each one is easily completed in a single sitting without a lot of fuss. The finished polymer clay pieces can be used as magnets, pins, buttons or decorative figurines. Each one is theme-based by season, including: * Winter: skiing polar bears and snowflake pins * Spring: a leprechaun and shamrocks * Summer: a bunny on the beach * Fall: smiling witches and Pilgrims Readers will also find simple formulas for creating their own ideas along with invaluable advice for making pins into buttons and magnets.

Enchanting, exquisitely detailed and full of personality, Katherine Dewey's animal sculptures delight all who see them. With the friendly medium of polymer clay and the step-by-step instructions in this book, you can achieve the same magical results! Inside, Katherine leads you through then...  more

Enchanting, exquisitely detailed and full of personality, Katherine Dewey's animal sculptures delight all who see them. With the friendly medium of polymer clay and the step-by-step instructions in this book, you can achieve the same magical results! Inside, Katherine leads you through then utterly charming projects, such as a sweet little bluebird, a basset hound and a white-tailed fawn. And that's just the start! The "Making Changes" chapter will help you create your own original animal creations by changing poses, making realistic bases, and even modeling your animals to look like bronze, fade and other materials.

Whether you are experienced working with polymer clay or a novice, you?ll love this new book from Dinko Tilov which takes you step by step through sculpting 10 all new projects, including a fairy tale cast of trolls, magicians, elves, knights, gnomes, wizards, a dragon and dragon baby, and a...  more

Whether you are experienced working with polymer clay or a novice, you?ll love this new book from Dinko Tilov which takes you step by step through sculpting 10 all new projects, including a fairy tale cast of trolls, magicians, elves, knights, gnomes, wizards, a dragon and dragon baby, and a horse/giraffe, as well as fantasy holiday characters?a glow in the dark skeleton, a Santa, an Easter bunny, and a silly guy holding a heart for Valentine?s day. Projects are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced clayers. As skill level and artistic ability increase, clayers can turn to the bonus tips the author provides that encourage creativity outside the basic project, such as how to transform a basic humanlike character into a magician or wizard by adding appropriate features and accessories. Well-known polymer clay artist Dinko Tilov walks readers through each step and provides instructions for creating his renowned ?Dinko? critters with their silly, cartoonish faces.

Specifically designed with the tween (8?12-year-old) girl in mind, Clay So Cute! shows how one of the easiest mediums?polymer clay, which need only be baked in the oven?can be sculpted into quick, simple, totally fun jewelry and accessories. Given our proven track record in selling polymer clay...  more

Specifically designed with the tween (8?12-year-old) girl in mind, Clay So Cute! shows how one of the easiest mediums?polymer clay, which need only be baked in the oven?can be sculpted into quick, simple, totally fun jewelry and accessories. Given our proven track record in selling polymer clay DIY books to the adult market, and Haab?s wide fan base and successful previous books, Clay So Cute! will be an instant success with girls (and their mothers and grandmothers) looking for projects that are more sophisticated than ?kid stuff,? but trendier and more age-appropriate than the pieces in adult clay books. Using simple, step-by-step illustrated techniques, few tools, and updated colors to make tween-friendly projects like mini-cupcake charms, robot key chains, polka-dot ponytail holders, Japanese-style animals, and a wide assortment of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, Clay So Cute! is a sweet discovery for tween girls.

With this series, kids will learn to create awesome animals, groovy kaleidoscopic art, silly stuff and crazy creatures with great instructors using products such as modeling clay, colored pencils, markers and crayons. 15-25 easy step-by-step demonstrations and activities in each book use simple...  more

With this series, kids will learn to create awesome animals, groovy kaleidoscopic art, silly stuff and crazy creatures with great instructors using products such as modeling clay, colored pencils, markers and crayons. 15-25 easy step-by-step demonstrations and activities in each book use simple shapes and techniques (such as starting with a basic ball of clay or drawing a simple circle) throughout that will translate into projects that kids will want to do over and over again in different ways, sparking their own ideas and creativity.

Make Clay Charms features simple step-by-steps for more than 30 different designs ? cute fruit, adorable animals, mini sweets, monsters, and tons more. Make your charms with the nine bright colors of clay, bake them, add shine (with our specially formulated glaze), and then attach your creations...  more

Make Clay Charms features simple step-by-steps for more than 30 different designs ? cute fruit, adorable animals, mini sweets, monsters, and tons more. Make your charms with the nine bright colors of clay, bake them, add shine (with our specially formulated glaze), and then attach your creations to the included bracelet. Comes with: 9 colors of clay (blue, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, white, brown, bronze), charm bracelet, custom shaping tool, glaze with brush applicator, eye pins, jump rings, fold-out drying and display rack Create wonderful things ? Be good ? Have fun