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Yep, braggin' IS obnoxious, but we're tell-it-to-the-world proud of our books and our FAB artists! Check 'em out.

HOT NEW TITLES
from Cantata Books!

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Point and click. That’s all you need to know to whip up creative memory crafts. This new book will help you turn your digital photos into meaningful works of art. Plus, it has all the tutorials you need to help you get the most from your digital camera, software, and printer. Included with the book is a DVD that contains a trial version of Adobe® Photoshop® Elements and four exclusive designer digital scrapbooking kits.

joy of scrapbooking
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This massive 304-page volume is an absolute must for your scrapbook library. Whether you're new to the craft or a certifiable addict, this is the "encyclopedia of scrapbooking" you'll refer to again and again! Paperback.

ALSO FROM CANTATA

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Creativity Apron

You’re crafting, and you are, like, a creative machine! But suddenly production comes to a grinding halt because, darn it, you can’t find your pencil…craft knife…tape…ruler. I mean, you SWEAR that it was RIGHT HERE a second ago! Jeez.

You can solve all of this nonsense with this cute and practical creativity apron.

Check it out: it’s got three big pockets to hold bigger supplies, such as a sketchbook, scissors and such and a compartmentalized pocket for quick-grabbing of often-used tools.

The main photo features a photo of the artist, Amber Baley. Using image-editing software, she cropped and converted the photo to sepia. Then, she printed the image onto canvas, finishing with stitched details to mimic her hair.

Make your own!

Aprons are a great project for the beginning seamstress, the straight lines make the sewing a cinch.

1. Gather fabric for your apron. Amber chose a mix of fabrics that work well, both pattern-wise and in regard to color. Florals mix well with geometrics for this girly creation. Notice how the brightly colored fabric is not so much patterned as it is textured. For the body of the apron, she chose a neutral fabric. The pockets echo the neutral tones but get a dose of spice from some brightly colored fabric.
2. Draw a pattern. To determine the width, measure your waist and hips. Be sure to cut enough fabric so that the apron will wrap around your hips. For the length, stand up straight and mark where your fingertips hit the tops of your thighs. Figure out where you want your apron to rest on your waist/hips and measure from there to where your fingertips hit your thighs.
3. Cut the fabric. Determine how wide and how deep you want each pocket to be. Cut fabric to trim the edges and for the ties.
4. Create the separate pieces. For the background, Amber doubled the fabric for added stability. For the pockets, she stabilized each piece of fabric with a scrap piece of denim (this also is a safety feature as the denim will prevent sharp tools from poking your legs through the fabric). Use a quilting stitch on the pockets for the added detail. Add the trim to each of the pockets.
5. Construct the apron. Mount the pockets (use straight pins to secure the placement) onto the background and sew the edges. For the tool-holder pocket, place the desired tools for the apron (such as a pencil) underneath the pocket fabric as you sew (a zipper foot will allow you to sew close to the tool). Make sure the fabric piece is large enough to accommodate all of the puckered pockets (you can trim the excess when finished).
6. Finish with flower embellishments and buttons.

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