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Classic Quilt Blocks: 849 Inspiring Designs
By Susan Winter Mills. 1989
Inspired by the events and activities of their daily lives, quiltmakers in preindustrial America produced colorful covers in extraordinary numbers.…
Titles for their handiwork ranged in theme from biblical (Job's Tears, Garden of Eden) and historical (Lincoln's Platform, Underground Railroad) to sociable (Always Friends, Next-door Neighbor). As the nation expanded, many of the same popular designs continued to spring up elsewhere under new names. Birds in the Air, for example, was also known as Flying Birds, Flying Geese, and Flock of Geese, and Pickle Dish was often called Indian Summer or Indian Wedding Ring.For this abundantly illustrated index, veteran quilter Susan Winter Mills has collected over 700 of these splendid designs, organizing them according to their most prominent geometric configuration -- stars (Caesar's Crown, Blazing Sun), triangles (Blindman's Fancy, Basket of Triangles), circles (Queen's Crown, Rebecca's Fan), squares (Stepping Stones, Stained Glass), and combinations of figures (Clover Blossom, Crazy Ann). The comprehensive volume also includes an appendix with 139 additional quilt patterns, plus useful suggestions for drafting templates for the featured designs. This indispensable reference book will be prized by quilters, quilt collectors, and lovers of American folk art.Mrs. Sigourney of Hartford: Poems and Prose on the Early American Deaf Community
By Edna Edith Sayers, Diana Moore. 2013
Lydia Huntley was born in 1791 in Norwich, CT, the only child of a poor Revolutionary war veteran. But her…
father's employer, a wealthy widow, gave young Lydia the run of her library and later sent her for visits to Hartford, CT. After teaching at her own school for several years in Norwich, Lydia returned to Hartford to head a class of 15 girls from the best families. Among her students was Alice Cogswell, a deaf girl soon to be famous as a student of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. Lydia's inspiration came from a deep commitment to the education of girls and also for African American, Indian, and deaf children. She left teaching to marry Charles Sigourney, then turned to writing to support her family, publishing 56 books, 2,000 magazine articles, and popular poetry. Lydia Sigourney never abandoned her passion for deaf education, remaining a supporter of Gallaudet's school for the deaf until her death. Yet, her contributions to deaf education and her writing have been forgotten until now. All of Lydia Sigourney's of Lydia Sigourney's work on the nascent Deaf community is presented in this new volume. Her writing intertwines her mastery of the sentimentalism form popular in her day with her sharp insights on the best ways to educate deaf children. In the process, Mrs. Sigourney of Hartford reestablishes her rightful place in history.Playing in the Dark: Whiteness in the American Literary Imagination
By Adam Perchard, Karina Jakubowicz. 2017
Toni Morrison’s Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination is a seminal piece of literary criticism, and a…
masterclass in the critical thinking skill of interpretation. Interpretation plays a vital role in critical thinking: it focuses on interrogating accepted meanings and laying down clear definitions on which a strong argument can be built. Both history and literary history in the US have frequently revolved around understanding how Americans define themselves and each other, and Morrison’s work seeks to investigate, question, and redefine one of the central concepts in American history and American literary history: color.. Morrison turned to the classics of American literature to ask how authors had chosen to define the terms ‘black’ and ‘white.’ Instead of accepting traditional interpretations of these works, Morrison examined the way in which ‘whiteness’ defines itself through ‘blackness,’ and vice versa. Black bondage and the myths of black inferiority and savagery, she showed, allowed white America to indulge its own defining myths – viewing itself as free, civilized, and innocent. A classic of subtle and incisive interpretation, Playing in the Dark shows just how crucial and how complex simple-looking definitions can be.The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult
By Alice Walker. 1996
In the early eighties, three extraordinary events interrupted Alice Walker's peaceful, reclusive life--the publication of the bestselling novel The Color…
Purple, the Pulitzer Prize, and an offer from Spielberg to make her novel into a film. This book chronicles that period of transition from recluse to public figure, and invites us to contemplate, along with her, the true significance of unanticipated gifts.Mythologies
By John Gomez. 2017
Mythologies is a masterpiece of analysis and interpretation. At its heart, Barthes’s collection of essays about the “mythologies” of modern…
life treats everyday objects and ideas – from professional wrestling, to the Tour de France, to Greta Garbo’s face – as though they are silently putting forward arguments. Those arguments are for modernity itself, the way the world is, from its class structures, to its ideologies, to its customs. In Barthes’s view, the mythologies of the modern world all tend towards one aim: making us think that the way things are, the status quo, is how they should naturally be. For Barthes, this should not be taken for granted; instead, he suggests, it is a kind of mystification, preventing us from seeing things differently or believing they might be otherwise. His analyses do what all good analytical thinking does: he unpicks the features of the arguments silently presented by his subjects, reveals their (and our) implicit assumptions, and shows how they point us towards certain ideas and conclusions. Indeed, understanding Barthes’ methods of analysis means you might never see the world in the same way again. Six skills combine to make up our ability to think critically. Mythologies is an especially fine example of a work that uses the skills of analysis and creative thinking.Orientalism
By Riley Quinn. 2017
Edward Said’s Orientalism is a masterclass in the art of interpretation wedded to close analysis. Interpretation is characterized by close…
attention to the meanings of terms, by clarifying, questioning definitions, and positing clear definitions. Combined with one of the main sub-skills of analysis, drawing inferences and finding implicit reasons and assumptions in arguments, interpretation becomes a powerful tool for critical thought. In Orientalism, the theorist, critic and cultural historian Edward Said uses interpretation and analysis to closely examine Western representations of the “Orient” and ask what they are really doing, and why. One of his central arguments is that Western representations of the East and Middle East persistently define it as “other”, setting it up in opposition to the West. Through careful analysis of a range of texts and other materials, Said shows that implicit assumptions about the “Orient’s” otherness underlie much Western thought and writing about it. Clarifying consistently the differences between the real-world East and the constructed ideas of the “Orient”, Said’s interpretative skills power his analysis, and provide the basis for an argument that has proven hugely influential in literary criticism, philosophy, and even politics.Gender Trouble
By Tim Smith-Laing. 2017
Judith Butler's Gender Trouble is a perfect example of creative thinking. The book redefines feminism's struggle against patriarchy as part…
of a much broader issue: the damaging effects of all our assumptions about gender and identity. Looking at the factionalism of contemporary (1980s) feminism, Butler saw a movement split by identity politics. Riven by arguments over what it meant to be a women, over sexuality, and over class and race, feminism was falling prey to internal problems of identity, and was failing to move towards broader solidarity with other liberation movements such as LGBT. Butler turned these issues on their head by questioning the basis that supposedly fundamental and fixed identities such as 'masculine/feminine' or 'straight/gay' actually have. Tracing these binary definitions back to the binary nature of human anatomy ('male/female'), she argues that there is no necessary link between our anatomies and our identities. Subjecting a wide range of evidence from philosophy, cultural theory, anthropology, psychology and anthropology to a renewed search for meaning, Butler shows both that sex (biology) and gender (identity) are separate, and that even biological sex is not simplistically either/or male/female. Separating our biology from identity then allows her to argue that, while categories such as 'masculine/feminine/straight/gay' are real, they are not necessary; rather, they are the product of society's assumptions, and the constant reproduction of those assumptions by everyone around us. That opens up some small hope for change: a hope that – 25 years after Gender Trouble's publication – is having a huge impact on societies and politics across the world.The Ladies' Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work: Directions and Patterns from the Civil War Era
By Florence Hartley. 2016
Discover the techniques behind museum-quality pieces and treasured heirlooms with this guide to antique needlework and handcrafts. Originally published in…
1859, The Ladies' Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work offers well-illustrated instructions for making the kinds of highly decorated items prized by Victorian homemakers: quilts, doilies, cushions, and ornamental knick-knacks as well as embellishments for collars, hair ornaments, purses, and other items. More than 262 engraved patterns, drawn from English, French, and German sources, encompass a tremendous array of handcrafts: applique, bead work, braiding, crochet, embroidery, knitting, knotting, lace-work, netting, patchwork, quilting, tapestry, tatting, and many other techniques. A rich source of authentic patterns, this volume also provides a historic view of the lives of nineteenth-century women in terms of their pastimes and their forms of creative self-expression.China and Pottery Marks
By Anonymous. 2012
Characteristics of Negro Expression
By Benjamin Lempert, Mercedes Aguirre. 2017
The racial prejudices of 1930s America were many, and included a common presumption that African American art was unoriginal –…
merely poorly copying white culture. African-American novelist, anthropologist and essayist Zora Neale Hurston crushingly evaluated such assumptions in her 1934 essay ‘Characteristics of Negro Expression.’ While Hurston’s approach and premises seem in many ways dated to modern readers, the essay still shows an incisive mind carefully evaluating arguments and cutting them down to size. African-American art of the time did not – Hurston influentially argued – play by the same rules as white art, so it could not meaningfully be discussed by ‘white’ notions of aesthetic value. Where white European tradition views art as something fixed, Hurston saw African-American art works as a distinctive form of mimicry, reshaping and altering the original object until it became something new and novel. In this way, she contended, African-American creative expression is a process that generates its own form of originality – turning borrowed material into something original and unique. By carefully evaluating the relevance of previous arguments, Hurston showed African American artistic expression in an entirely new light.The Book of Luck: A Guide to Success, Fortune, Palmistry and Astrology
By Whitman Publishing Co. 2016
Never walk under a ladder or cut your nails on a Sunday -- but be on the lookout for four-leaved…
shamrocks and piebald horses! This quaint book from the turn of the twentieth century holds a wealth of folkloric advice for recognizing good and bad omens. In addition, it offers all the tools of the trade for aspiring fortune-tellers, including tips for the interpretation of dreams and using playing cards to forecast the future.A detailed section on palmistry explains the significance of the shapes of fingers, the lines of destiny, and the determination of such characteristics as ability, ambition, and wit. Other chapters explore handwriting analysis, astrology, reading tea leaves, crystal gazing, choosing lucky numbers and talismans, and superstitions related to animals, flowers, and seasons.Art Nouveau Jewelry Designs
By Rene Beauclair. 2016
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Art Nouveau movement swept the world of decorative arts toward an excitingly…
modern direction. Inspired by both organic and geometric forms, the new trend abandoned historical styles in favor of flowing, natural forms accented by angular contours. Art Nouveau's curves and floral and animal motifs were particularly suited to adaptations in precious stones and rare metals. The elegant, royalty-free illustrations of this collection, reprinted in their original colors from a rare German edition, offer authentic representations of the craftsmanship and imaginative qualities involved in the creation of Art Nouveau jewelry.This sumptuous assortment presents more than 300 pendants, combs, rings, bracelets, brooches, buttons, clasps, and earrings. The exquisitely detailed jewelry and accessories feature lilies, morning glories, and other floral motifs as well as butterflies, seahorses, birds, and a host of fanciful creatures. René Beauclair, a renowned Art Nouveau designer, includes his own works as well as those of André Petitjean, Jules Armbruster, Paul Liénard, Emile Jammes, and Paul F. Follot. The striking, royalty-free illustrations are readily adaptable to any design use and will serve as a source of inspiration for jewelry designers and crafters of all kinds.Kalamazoo
By David George Kohrman. 2015
Kalamazoo experienced a dramatic transformation during the first decades of the 20th century. Its factories churned out a wide variety…
of products, and the downtown area was being rapidly transformed by the addition of new skyscraper office buildings, hotels, department stores, theaters, parks, and government buildings. These turn-of-the-century developments coincided with the popularity of picture postcards. Not only did postcards offer a convenient way to send brief messages across the country, they also provided a means to show off the city and its landmarks. When viewed today, they offer a valuable record of the city's built environment.24-Hour Quilting Projects
By Rita Weiss. 2016
It doesn't have to take months or years to make a quilt - believe it or not, these patterns require…
only 24 hours or less! Whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced quilter, these simple instructions for 20 projects offer everything you need to know from start to finish. You'll discover innovative, time-saving techniques that make fast work of cutting and sewing heirloom-quality quilts.Full-color photos illustrate directions for pinwheel layouts, zig zag arrangements, patchwork designs, and appliqué motifs. Create wall hangings, decorative throws, and traditional quilts of all sizes that will add charm to any room. This wealth of projects -- many of which can be finished in just six hours--offers designs that look as if they took months to stitch. In addition to their keepsake value, the quilts make wonderful gifts for all occasions.Dinosaur Amigurumi
By Justyna Kacprzak. 2015
Geared toward practitioners of amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting stuffed dolls, this is the only how-to book dedicated to…
dinosaur patterns. Learn how to crochet fourteen adorable prehistoric creatures to cuddle, from familiar species such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus to Mosasaurus, Edmontosaurus, and other lesser-known but equally lovable varieties. Each project features complete, well-illustrated instructions, plus full-color photos of the finished model. The patterns are easy to follow and are suitable for crocheters at all skill levels, from novices to experienced hands.The Peaceful Army
By Flora Eldershaw. 1897
Margaret Preston on Australian women artists; Miles Franklin on suffragist Rose Scott; Eleanor Dark on Caroline Chisholm; Kylie Tennant on…
the future ... Like mirrors reflecting mirrors this book shows the precarious position of women in a country's history. First published in 1938, the youngest of the contributors, Kylie Tennant, just before her death in 1988 reflected again on the intervening fifty years.Reminding us that Australia is indebted not just to 'pioneers and their wives' but to 'pioneering women'. With contributions from Mary Gilmore, Dymphna Cusack, Dorothea MacKellar and others.Hand Shadow Fun
By Frank Jacobs, Henry Bursill. 2015
Discover the age-old art of hand shadows! Children and adults around the world delight in hand shadows, and this little…
activity book shows how to perform the ancient art. Learn how to entertain friends and family with shadow pictures of a bird, bunny, elephant, and other figures. Detailed illustrations, accompanied by charming verses, depict the formation of 28 images using only hands and fingers.Knitting Fashion Sweaters for Today
By Linda Macho. 1984
Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine
By Tim Hanley. 2014
With her golden lasso and her bullet-deflecting bracelets, Wonder Woman is a beloved icon of female strength in a world…
of male superheroes. But this close look at her history portrays a complicated heroine who is more than just a female Superman. The original Wonder Woman was ahead of her time, advocating female superiority and the benefits of matriarchy in the 1940s. At the same time, her creator filled the comics with titillating bondage imagery, and Wonder Woman was tied up as often as she saved the world. In the 1950s, Wonder Woman begrudgingly continued her superheroic mission, wishing she could settle down with her boyfriend instead, all while continually hinting at hidden lesbian leanings. While other female characters stepped forward as women's lib took off in the late 1960s, Wonder Woman fell backwards, losing her superpowers and flitting from man to man. Ms. magazine and Lynda Carter restored Wonder Woman's feminist strength in the 1970s, turning her into a powerful symbol as her checkered past was quickly forgotten. Exploring this lost history as well as her modern incarnations adds new dimensions to the world's most beloved female character, and Wonder Woman Unbound delves into her comic book and its spin-offs as well as the myriad motivations of her creators to showcase the peculiar journey that led to Wonder Woman's iconic status.Windmill Bedspread
By Rita Weiss. 2014