Toymaking Books

Forbidden LEGO: Build the Models Your Parents Warned You Against!

Ulrik Pilegaard, Mike Dooley

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: No Starch Press Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $14.95

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Software -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Software -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

It just may be impossible to exhaust the creative potential of LEGO bricks. With an active imagination as your guide, there are endless possibilities--provided you follow the LEGO Company's official (and sensible) rules. This means no cutting or tampering with bricks, creating models that shoot unapproved projectiles, or using non-standard parts with any LEGO product. After all, those little precision-molded ABS bricks can be dangerous in the wrong hands! Well, toss those rules out the window.

Forbidden LEGO introduces you to the type of free-style building that LEGO's master builders do for fun in the back room. Using LEGO bricks in combination with common household materials (from rubber bands and glue to plastic spoons and ping-pong balls) along with some very unorthodox building techniques, you'll learn to create working models that LEGO would never endorse. Try your hand at a toy gun that shoots LEGO plates, a candy catapult, a high voltage LEGO vehicle, a continuous-fire ping-pong ball launcher, and other useless but incredibly fun inventions.

Once you get into the spirit, you'll want to try inventing your own rule-breaking models. Forbidden LEGO's authors, share tips and tricks that will inspire you and help you turn your visions into reality. Nothing's against the rules in this book!

Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves

Miyako Kanamori

Amazon Price: $9.90 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: HP Trade Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $6.90

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Performing Arts -> Theater -> Puppets & Puppetry
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Puppets & Puppetry
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Stuffed Animals

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

very easy, very cute 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Martha Stewart featured this book on her show a month or so ago (summer 2008) and she and some celebrity made a dog and a bunny. They're funky little animals and look very easy to make. For how-to purposes, you probably don't need the book, just the idea...but the book is good inspiration and the thinking and planning is done for you. The book is fun to look at and would make a good kid's book too. I'm thinking an argyle sock would make a great sweater for one of these little stuffed friends to wear!

Editorial Review:

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.

Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet

Ana Paula Rimoli

Amazon Price: $12.89 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Martingale & Co Inc Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $11.64

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Crocheting
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Toymaking
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Easy but.... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Easy but...

I liked the patterns in here they are seriously cute and after a few attempts I got them. BUT...I had a few problems and I think they might be the fact that I am a true beginner and not experienced. like it took me a awhile to get that SC 1 , 2 sc in next sc, meant to SC in next SC then do 2 SC in the next SC after that first one. I don't know why. I felt like an idiot. but in general. the patterns are all SC and a few decreases and were easy. Which meant that that they were repetitive. I don't know why we needed baby monkey and his daddy. and elephant and his daddy.

I also didn't get that the ami were inside out until I read a review so the two that are shown in the pictures above are inside out. *sigh* I wish she had said that somewhere. I also wish that each pattern has said exactly what felt what embroidery etc was needed. although I guess it was such a minute amount. but I found myself thinking oh yeah I should have bought pink thread to sew my pink felt. duh.

but the results are cute and I love them and everyone loves them and wants me to make them for them so a great buy!!!

Editorial Review:

Get hooked into the quirky world of Amigurumi! Crochet these irresistibly cute creatures today's coolest craze in crochet.

* Over 20 projects are super hip and super quick to make you need only basic crochet skills and small amounts of yarn
* Funky designs include mommy and baby owls, hedgehogs, and penguins, plus silly crocheted treats like cupcakes and ice-cream cones


* Find complete instructions for crocheting designs and adding facial features and other embellishments

Little Felted Animals: Create 16 Irresistible Creatures with Simple Needle-Felting Techniques

Marie-Noelle Horvath

Amazon Price: $10.36 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Watson-Guptill Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $6.96

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Needlecrafts -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Needlework
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Stuffed Animals

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

WONDERFUL!! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book for making little felted creatures, very easy yo read, good examples & the photos are great! I highly recomend it!!

Editorial Review:

Aren’t these the cutest?

* Sixteen meltingly adorable animals

* All the favorites, including cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, more

* Easy to make, great as gifts, toys, decorations

All together now: Awwwww! In Little Felted Animals, author Marie-Nöelle Horvath shows how to make the cutest little miniature animals, using just a few simple tools and some wool roving. Birds, bears, cats, dogs, mice, a fox, a sheep, a seal, and a bunny--sixteen little bundles of fluff in all. Picture all those little eyes looking up at you as if to say, "Thank you for making me!" Then give these critters as gifts, use them as decorations, or arrange them on tabletops. Beautifully photographed in their natural habitats, these sweet dumplings will melt the heart of every crafter.

Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters

William Gurstelle

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 9 to 12 days By: Three Rivers Press Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $9.96

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Toymaking

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

These are the homemade machines that you’ve dreamed of building, from the high-voltage Night Lighter 36 spud gun to the Jam Jar Jet, the Marshmallow Shooter, and the Yagua Blowgun. Including detailed diagrams and supply lists, Gurstelle’s simple, step-by-step instructions help workshop warriors at any skill level achieve impressively powerful results. With Whoosh Boom Splat, you can build:

- The Jam Jar Jet—the simple pulse jet engine that roars
- The Elastic Zip Cannon—a membrane-powered shooter that packs a wallop
- The Mechanical Toe—a bungee-powered kicking machine
- The Vortex Launcher—a projectile shooter that uses air bullets for ammunition
- The Clothespin Snap Shooter—the PG-17 version of a clothespin gun that fires fiery projectiles
- The Architronito—the steam-powered cannon conceived by Leonardo da Vinci
And many more!

In addition to learning how to make these cool gadgets, you’ll find sections packed with information on what makes each machine unique. Gurstelle describes the machine’s historical origins as only he can: with verve, fun, and the sort of quirky details his legions of fans love. Whoosh Boom Splat is a must-have for every extreme tinkerer.

Greenberg's Guides Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide 2009 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains, 1901 - 2009 (Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide Lionel Trains)

Kalmbach Publishing Co.

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Kalmbach Publishing Company Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $12.21

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Antiques & Collectibles -> Reference
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Antiques & Collectibles -> Toys
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Antiques & Collectibles -> Transportation

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Nice but not for beginners 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was looking for a pricing book for Lionel trains as I have a friend who has some for sale. It is nice to have the prices but would have preferred a reference book with pictures.....So I ordered another book.

Ultimate Price Guide for Lionel Trains 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I use this book as a guide before purchasing any Lionel items. I have found it to save me quite a bit money over the last few years, as far as not over paying for something. I buy this new guide every year.
Thank you,
Kenneth

Comprehensive Pocket Price Guide 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This 325 page price guide is an excellent reference guide for Lionel Trains made between 1901 through 2009. Prewar, Postwar and Modern era trains are covered. In addition, Modern Tinplate, Club and Special Edition "O" Gauge cars and catalogs are also covered. However, this guide does not cover Lionel "OO" gauge, Lionel HO or Lionel Large Scale Train products manufactured during this period.

The guide is arranged in numerical product order and is very handy in looking up items that one may not be familiar with. The Value pricing in this guide is somewhat over inflated for many items. More realistic pricing reflecting current market conditions would enhance this guide.

The Pop-Up Book: Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating Over 100 Original Paper Projects

Paul Jackson

Amazon Price: $16.50 List Price: $25.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Holt Paperbacks Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $12.96

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Design & Decorative Arts -> Decorative Arts
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Papercrafts -> General
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Papercrafts -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

My first Pop-Up book 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I became the shipment very quickly. The book is good for someone who never had make paper creations with pop-up techniques before.

More clever ideas 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Unusual additions to cards, and scrapbooks! Eye catching to say the least! Never knew how easy a pop up could be!!!!

A cute book with lots of fun ideas! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it! It features all kinds of fun projects that you can create as the book shows or use as springboards for your own ideas! You can use these pop-up techniques for all kinds of applications whether it be for books, cards, promotional material for business, or just for fun.

Just the Pop-up book I was looking for 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I like trying all types of crafts, and a few years ago I came across OA and pop-up cards. I learn most of my crafts from books rather than craft classes, so a lot of my learning depends on finding the right book to learn from. At the time I found books that provide patterns for ready made designs. I adapted some of the designs for my needs but I wished I could find a book that gave me the tools and know-how to creat my own designs. This is the book I was looking for.It has clear step-by-step instructions and diagrams that indicate cuts and folds. Photographs illustrate each step as well as showcasing various pieces that demonstrate the principle being taught. At the end of the book there is a picture gallery of even more pop-up art that provides plenty of inspiration.

Editorial Review:

The Pop-Up Book is a clear and practical guide to the craft of the three-dimensional paper movement, illustrated with full-color photography.

Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls: Complete Instructions & Full-Size Patterns for 35 Clothing and Accessory Items

Joan Hinds

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Jo-Ann - Model: KP-93758 Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $11.26

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Features:

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Fashion
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Sewing
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Toymaking

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

joan hinds' contemporary wardrobe 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I have made most of the clothes presented in Hinds "Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe" and been very pleased with the results. Her instructions are clear and complete and allow for personal variation. My granddaughters and neighbor girls have been happy with their gifts of doll clothes!

Because I liked "Contemporary" so much, I recently ordered (via Amazon)and received promptly 3 more Hinds books.

Editorial Review:

Expert sewer of clothing for 18-inch dolls, Joan Hinds, is at it again, this time with fun, hip, trendy, and fashionable clothes for some of today's most popular dolls! This great new book provides 35 patterns for clothing and accessory items that can be mixed and matched to create an infinite number of outfits to fit the ever-popular 18-inch dolls. The wardrobe includes all the latest fashion items for girls, such as a jean jacket, flared jeans, all styles of t-shirts, special occasion dresses, nightwear, purses, and hats. Suggestions for other fabric, embellishment, and color changes are given to help the reader personalize the wardrobe for each doll. The book is beautifully illustrated with 50 photographs and more than 200 illustrations to guide the reader through the sewing process. Each pattern is full-size and on pull-out tissue sheets - no need to trace or photocopy patterns! Also includes tips throughout for helping children sew the outfits themselves.

The Gliding Flight: 20 Excellent Fold and Fly Paper Airplanes

John M. Collins

List Price: $16.95 By: Ten Speed Press Amazon Marketplace: 15 new & used starting at $0.54

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Design & Decorative Arts -> Decorative Arts
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> General AAS
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Papercrafts -> Paper Models

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Best paper airplanes ever! 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.

I had been searching for a good paper airplane book for a long time looking for plans that involved only paper and folding - no scissors, tape, glue, paper clips, or anything extra. While travelling for work in Arizona several years ago I found this book at a Barnes & Noble - it's the best paper airplane book I have ever run across. Some of the folds can be challenging but the author's use of flip-through animation in the corners of the book help tremendously. I've built and flown every plane in the book and they all perform incredibly - especially "The Plane". Buy this book and you'll be amazed by the looks and performance of your paper airplanes.

Editorial Review:

THE GLIDING FLIGHT is a return to paper airplane basics: one person, one piece of paper, and a few folds later, one airplane. Using a refreshingly inventive approach to designs and flying characteristics, you can make 20 original paper planes, such as the Stealth, the Wind Devil, the Glart, and the Skid Kid. The book ’s flip-book animation demonstrates the basic origami folds, with clear step-by-step assembly for each design. A crease here and there is all you need to create high-performance aircraft — no scissors, no glue. In the current age of electronic toys, THE GLIDING LIGHT proves you can still have fun with a simple sheet of paper and a little imagination.

Sew Today's Fashions for 18-Inch Dolls: Full-Size Patterns for Clothing and Accessories

Joan Hinds

Amazon Price: $15.63 List Price: $22.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Krause Publications Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $14.30

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Sewing
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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

So much fun! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I absolutely love this book. My daughter got her American Girl doll from Santa last Christmas, and she keeps asking for outfits for her. At $25 per outfit on average, it will get too expensive so soon. I found this book on a different website that offers a snapshot and description of each outfit, but of course the book is cheaper on Amazon.
I have some experience in sewing, so the outfits are a breeze to make in just a few hours. They all turn out looking very professional, fit the doll quite well, and my daughter is very very excited. She is only 5, but by watching me make them she is getting interested in sewing herself. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an 18-inch doll and some familiarity with sewing.

Editorial Review:

Now collectors of 18-inch dolls will be able to create the

fashions children wear today, sized to fit their dolls! Joan

Hinds, a sewing expert who?s released several popular books on

18-inch doll clothing patterns, home d?cor and much more,

offers this modern approach to clothing for the fun

collectibles.

Over 20 fun and contemporary patterns feature accessories

including leather belts, purses, scarves, hats and more! Inside,

readers will find easy-to-follow instructions and patterns for

dress-up clothing (such as First Communion dress and Easter

dress), outerwear (windbreaker, flare jeans, bomber jacket,

etc.), casual wear (adorable t-shirts, peasant top, pullovers and

more), and other fun outfits such as a soccer uniform,

basketball uniform, skater costume, karate gi, recital wear and

pajamas. Sewers of any skill level will enjoy completing these

adorable projects for 18-inch dolls!