HOW TO......BOOKS

About the Author

Anna Koliadych is a watercolor illustrator based in London. She is passionate about watercolor painting, and loves to share her knowledge with other people. She is confident that anyone can become a successful watercolor artist without a professional degree in this field. Throughout her life, she has illustrated multiple children’s books and cookbooks, painted all sorts of greeting cards and hundreds of illustrations, successfully launched four online courses and over 10 workshops in the UK. She has taught hundreds of people how to start painting and not be afraid of it, and now she would like to share her knowledge with you! In this book she will guide you through painting your own watercolor masterpieces in just 15 minutes. With this collection of easy, step-by-step instructions, unlocking your creativity with watercolor has never been easier. 

These 50 projects have something for everyone, from underwater landscapes to galaxies, from fashion sketches to tasty sweets. Learn to paint a meadow of poppies, a cosmic tea cup, a set of high heels or a tabby cat all in one quick evening. Whether you’re new to watercolor or have been practising for years, these colorful designs are perfect for a relaxing afternoon alone or as an activity for the whole family. 

In each lesson Anna highlights efficient techniques, like sketching your design with simple shapes, or adding small, beautiful details, so you can create the most charming artwork in the shortest amount of time – even if you’ve never painted before!

Author - Hiroe Miyaoka

Paperback | Jul 2015 | Tuttle Publishing | 9784805313572 | 96pp | 254x203mm 

Japanese gift-wrapping instructor Hiroe Miyaoka  shares a range of fantastic methods and styles of gift wrapping—and equips readers with the confidence and know-how to create their own designs. By incorporating modern touches of whimsy and originality into traditional presentation techniques, anyone can learn to add a personal touch that becomes an element of the gift.

"Clearly illustrated instructions and a low price point make this book a perfect choice for anyone looking to improve their gift-wrap game." —Publishers Weekly

A guided journal with a fresh approach to the trend of journal-as-tool-for-self-examination. The journal is delightfully illustrated in the authors' trademark style – accessible, whimsical, detailed. Blending inspiring examples with engaging instruction, this journal asks: What do we learn about ourselves when we measure our gratitude, confidence, and distraction levels? What do our collections say about who we are: our books, music, the clothes we wear? Observe, Collect, Draw! functions as a mini-course in information design, as accessible to beginners as it is engaging to seasoned info designers.

• Subtitle
   A Visual Journal
• Author
   Giorgia Lupi and Stefani Posavec
• Publisher
   Princeton Architectural Press
• Release
   August 2018
• Binding
   hb
• Format
   160 pages, colour. 18 x 23 cm

Overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, and multiple responsibilities, many women find themselves feeling scattered and distracted. In this eye-opening book, co-founder and CEO of the Mindsight Institute Caroline Welch takes readers on a mindfulness journey to help us de-stress and cultivate inner peace. According to Welch, we do not need countless hours sitting in silence to be more present in our lives – the key is to practice mindfulness wherever we are and whenever we can.

• Subtitle
   A Mindfulness Guide for Women
• Author
   Caroline Welch
• Publisher
   Scribe Publications
• Release
   May 2020
• Binding
   pb
• Format
   288 pages. 21 x 13.5 cm

Author - Emiko Yamamoto

Hardback | Mar 2020 | Tuttle Publishing | 9784805315576 | 96pp | 254x191mm | 

Create your own elegant greeting cards with the beauty of lifelike paper flowers! Paper Flower Note Cards provides all the information you need. With just scissors, craft glue and a few sheets of colorful heavyweight paper, anyone can create stunning floral gift cards, gift toppers and place cards in no time at all! Emiko Yamamoto's simple step-by-step instructions explain how to cut and assemble each card for flawless results every time. Templates provided in the back of the book are reusable and allow you to reproduce the designs many times. 

This collection includes 30 dazzling designs for creative notes and floral decorations: Pop-up cards with petals that gently splay when the card is opened Decorative cards with three-dimensional flowers across the surface Elegant & subtle floral silhouette cards Cards for specific occasions like birthdays, weddings, baby showers, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Halloween or Christmas Seasonal cards that can be customized for any occasion year-round 

At the heart of each design is a beautiful flower, and there are many to choose from: Rose, Peony, Carnation, Hydrangea, Cosmos, Morning glory, Sunflower, Poinsettia. And more! You'll dazzle your friends and family with these handmade works of art!

Authors - Michael G. LaFosse, Richard L. Alexander

In today's digital world of emails and texting, only one thing is more exciting than receiving a handwritten message — receiving that message in a beautiful, hand-folded origami package! 

World renowned origami artists Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander make it easy for anyone to create elegant, hand-crafted notes, envelopes, and cards. Readers can use these to accompany a gift, commemorate a holiday or birthday, or simply to deliver a heartfelt message.

This kit includes everything you need: a full-colour book with instructions for 6 sophisticated notes and 6 creative envelopes — plus 32 sheets of folding paper in 12 custom-designed patterns. Friends and family will be thrilled to receive hand-folded notes and envelopes in delightful 3D forms including:

• A Seasonal Sunshine Note

• The cleverly folded 'Twist Note'

• A 'Sailboat Envelope' with its attractive nautical motif

• A 'Flapping Wings Envelope' with wings that actually flap.

Authors : Héctor García, Francesc Miralles

Hardback | Jun 2020 | Tuttle Publishing | 9784805315996 | 288pp | 191x127mm

Ikigai is the place where our passion (what we love), mission (what we hope to contribute), vocation (the gifts we have to offer the world) and profession (how our passions and talents can become a livelihood) converge, giving us a personal sense of meaning. This book helps you bring together all of these elements so that you can enjoy a balanced life.

Our ikigai is very similar to change: it is a constant that transforms depending on which phase of life we are in. Our 'reason for being' is not the same at 15 as it is at 70. Through three sections, this book helps you to accept and embrace that — acting as a tool to revolutionize your future by helping you to understand the past, so you can enjoy your present.

• Section 1: Journey Through the Future: Tokyo (a symbol of modernity and innovation)
• Section 2: Journey Through the Past: Kyoto (an ancient capital moored in tradition)
• Section 3: Journey Through the Present: Ise (an ancient shrine that is destroyed and rebuilt every twenty years)

Japan has one of the longest life spans in the world, and the greatest number of centenarians — many of whom cite their strong sense of ikigai as the basis for their happiness and longevity. Unlike many 'self-care' practices, which require setting aside time in an increasingly busy world, the ikigai method helps you find peace and fulfillment in your busy life.

'From the authors of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life comes a sequel that goes beyond the concept of understanding and empowering all aspects of ikigai (one's purpose in life). Garcia and Miralles use the metaphor of the busiest train in Japan, taking readers through various stations in the future, past, and present. Along each stop readers are instructed how to develop patience and perseverance, cultivate undivided attention, and tune in to life goals. Ikigai adherents can find their ultimate purpose by listing their attributes in a Venn diagram to point the way to the intersection of what they are good at, what the world needs, what they love, and what they can be paid for to live out their ikigai...Beneficial for readers who find the concept of ikigai intriguing.' — Library Journal

Praise for Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life:

'Ikigai urges individuals to simplify their lives by pursuing what sparks joy for them...Much in the same way that The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up emphasises 'choosing what we want to keep, and not what we want to get rid of,' [Ikigai] demonstrates that aging could be an opportunity to keep working, keep smiling, keep active, and keep being social.' —KonMari Newsletter

'Want to live longer? Keep super busy. If hygge is the art of doing nothing, ikigai is the art of doing something — and doing it with supreme focus and joy...Pack up those cozy blankets and candles you purchased in last year's hygge-fueled Ikea spree. Fall's biggest imported lifestyle trend is ikigai, and it might help you live to 100.' — New York Post

'Persuasively shows that small changes can help readers find more joy and purpose in their lives [with] clear, succinct information...skillfully compiled...into an engaging, easily accessible format with lists, charts, and illustrations.' — Publishers Weekly

Eleganz n Grace is absolutely stoked to be working with a talented watercolour artist extraordinaire.  Simela Petridis is a self taught watercolour artist and a professional secondary school teacher from Adelaide, South Australia.  Not only is she part of the Watercolour Design Team at Prima Marketing Inc, she also heads the marketing and promotions department at Viviva Colorsheets. In between conducting workshops and filming online classes for various educational projects, Simela under her flagship art business, Pizzle Paints, created a user friendly, interactive design and watercolour book.

The How-To Watercolour Wreath Guide will teach you an array of leaf and floral illustrations, using Simela's personal approach to constructing a wreath, her 5 most used watercolour techniques and an array of detailing illustrations to finish. The aim is that you can feel confident to create your very own wreath!

The book is not a hard back but rather paper back with saddle stitching to ensure you can draw all over the place and have no bending, book-please-stay-open issues - and is made out of the most exquisite, uncoated paper stock.

Great for the beginner artist or those wanting to improve their artistic skills.

• Learn five major hand-lettering styles, then transform your writing into art.
• Practice pages allow you space to master each letter in every style.
• Sections demonstrate how to embellish your letters, mix different styles for emphasis and flare, add decorative effects like shading, and combine text and illustration.
• Easy-to-follow tutorials and sections to trace, color, or complete make hand-lettering approachable for anyone.
• Project ideas demonstrate ways to brighten everyday items, create striking art, and add a meaningful touch to gifts through hand-lettering.
• Full-color illustrations and photos throughout.
• 160 pages.
• 18.75 cm wide by 23.75 cm high.
• By popular Florida-based illustrator and designer Megan Wells.

• Sturdy hardcover book lies flat so you can practice dot journaling techniques easily within its pages.
• Book measures 7-1/2'' wide x 9-1/2'' high.
• Full color throughout.

• Visual and verbal prompts by Johns -- witty, playful, and zany -- will inspire you to pick up that pen or pencil!
• Draw different tattoos, connect random dots, complete sketches already started, and much more.
• No rules here -- it's all about having fun and looking at things differently!
• Elastic band attached to back cover keeps your place or keeps journal closed.
• Acid-free archival paper takes pen or pencil beautifully.
• Who knew a creative journal could amuse, entertain, and challenge this much?
• 160 pages.
• 16.25 cm wide by 20.6 cm high.

• Bring letters to life with plant and animal motifs, swirling vines and leaves, graceful arabesques and flourishes, fantastical imagery, and more.
• Draw creatures cavorting across the page as Gothic illuminators did, or create the knotwork seen in famous Celtic manuscripts.
• Visual tutorials, tips for creating striking effects, and blank letterforms you can illuminate yourself make this the perfect little guide to the medieval art of beautiful writing.
• Smooth-finish, archival-quality paper supports pen and pencil.
• Graph-paper grid throughout facilitates practice.
• Notebook includes a ribbon bookmark with which to keep your place.
• Sturdy hardcover binding.
• 160 pages.
• Portable size for lettering on the go! 15.625 cm wide x 20.625 cm high.