THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND OFFICIAL COMPANION TO THE HIT BBC SERIES

BBC’s The Repair Shop is a place where Britain’s most skilled and caring craftspeople rescue and resurrect items that owners thought were beyond saving. Their shared love of craft has helped hundreds of people recover and relive cherished memories, and inspired millions to rediscover their own prized possessions. The skill required to properly restore those items may be beyond most of us, but there are small things we can all do to care for the items we love the most. How do you replenish the stuffing in your child’s beloved, tatty teddy bear, for instance? Or remove a water mark left on your wooden table? What’s the best way to prevent your leather from cracking?

Direct from the Repair Shop's 'Workshop of Dreams', this ‘make do and mend’ guide collects advice and stories from each of the show’s experts, to help you understand and care for those aging treasures and heirlooms around your house or gathering dust in the garage. Whether it’s wood, ceramics, leather or silverware, you will get to know your materials, tools and terms from Britain’s best, as the Repair Shop experts share their tips on restoring and conserving, reveal their favourite tools, and provide a series of small, manageable projects that help tackle the most common problems that occur in their given medium. Their book, like the show it accompanies, with help you safeguard your sentimental legacy for generations to come.

The ukulele has gone from strength to strength in recent years, undergoing a massive resurgence. You can hear the uke all over the place, from trendster indie rock to top ten pop songs, from unshakeable TV ads to YouTube megahits. And this obsession shows no sign of abating - all over the country people are picking up a ukulele and starting to strum, at home, in classes and down at the pub. Schools are even replacing the faithful recorder with a jazzy, inexpensive uke. Famous idlers Gavin Pretor-Pinney and Tom Hodgkinson have spent hours idling away on their ukuleles to produce the ultimate uke handbook: an illustrated guide to its history crossed with a how-to guide and songbook. This is the book that will bring the underground movement into the mainstream. The first half of the book delves into the rich history of this eccentric little instrument, from its birth in Hawaii to its popularity across the world, with a timeline from 1879 to today and a ukulele hall of fame that includes George Formby, Hawaiian legend Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and YouTube ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro. Then on to the practicalities: the anatomy of the ukulele, which uke to buy, how to play it, how to strum, pick, read chord charts and tune the strings. Once you know all this, you can get playing the songbook, which includes a wide spread of songs from medieval lays and nursery rhymes to blues and rock 'n roll. Beautiful presentation and tab notation make reading the music easy, even for beginners. With the highest production values, a light touch and an irresistible instrument at centre stage, this book is a must-have for all aspiring Formbys.

Including more than 160 photographs, plans and diagrams, this practical manual for the small-space modeller looks in detail at types of layout in all the popular gauges and how to accommodate them.

While the LEGO company's official line of trains is one of their most popular themes, official sets can be limiting-and expensive. Many model railroad fans want to build custom creations without the confines of official LEGO sets. For these serious fans, The LEGO Trains Book offers a comprehensive, photographic journey with building instructions that is sure to feed their passion. With full-colour, step-by-step instructions on building specific trains, track layout, and advanced aesthetic techniques among many other things.

This pocket travel guide is part of the `Gemstone Detective' series, created for those planning a trip to the vibrant country of Thailand. Known as the `Land of Smiles', Thailand is famous for its exquisite gemstones and jewellery. Written by Kim Rix, a gemmologist (GIA) and professional photographer who has travelled to more than 50 countries, this book explains in layman's terms how to make a savvy purchase to treasure forever. If you are considering buying a gemstone or piece of jewellery on your holiday, this invaluable hand-book contains all the practical advice, tips and essential grassroots information you need to make your purchase - no matter how big or small. Whether you are shopping for a special occasion or simply for a souvenir, Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Thailand will help you avoid the infamous gem scams all tourists need to avoid. Kim Rix is dedicated to visiting each country in the `Gemstone Detective' series to provide readers with up-to-date and trusted information to help travellers avoid the cons, tricks and disappointments of a bad buying decision. Without this book, you could make a very expensive mistake!

Prepare to shop for gemstones and jewellery on your next holiday Going on holiday and fancy buying a piece of jewellery? Are you planning on making a romantic gesture, but your lack of knowledge makes you uneasy about parting with your hard-earned cash? What should you look out for? How do you know it's real? How do you bring it home safely? This handy little guide answers these questions and many more. It's an easy read without any gem jargon, and is packed with useful tips and priceless information that could save you a fortune! Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring or special anniversary gift, or perhaps for a souvenir of your trip, Buying Gemstones and Jewellery Worldwide will guide you through the experience. An integral part of the `Gemstone Detective' series, this unique book provides the essential knowledge you need to buy with confidence. Written by Kim Rix, a gemmologist (GIA) and professional photographer who has travelled to over fifty countries in her lifetime.

This is a practical guide to getting the best from the many resin and etch detailing kits available to enhance scale model aircraft, and is intended to help beginners and experienced model makers alike. Richly illustrated, it uses six model-building examples, from the very basic application of etch to the major conversions. It includes an overview of the tools required; guidance on building the basic model kit; an explanation of different types of multimedia; the methods for producing etched brass; how to undertake 3D design and 3D printing and, finally, gives the steps for successful resin casting.

You will find no gourmet recipes in here. It will only be the quick and easiest way to make something edible. Quick, relating to the preparation time rather than the cooking time. It is aimed at someone leaving home for the first time to which a cooker is a stranger, or a student who has suddenly got to feed themselves, or even someone who has never cooked before, but has decided to give it a go.

Designed to help teachers and group leaders create dynamic and supportive play environments, this book features completely different games than the first one. These improvisational, noncompetitive games encourage involvement and cooperation the participants gain as much as they contribute. By expressing themselves physically and emotionally and by exploring a range of possibilities, players gain self-confidence and a greater awareness of the feelings and experiences of others. 39 black-and-white illustrations are included.

Nicholas Whittaker's much-loved classic recollects the long sunny days of his childhood when, notepad in hand, jam sandwiches in the duffel bag, he happily spent his time jotting down train numbers during the Indian summer of steam and the heyday of diesel. Whittaker returns to his roots in this updated edition, casting a sceptical eye over recent developments, catching up with old acquaintances and considering the toll that half a century of ridicule and a couple of decades of privatisation have wrought upon his beloved pastime. As Andrew Martin notes in his Foreword, this is 'one of the best books ever written about rail enthusiasm'. Equally it is a poetically written memoir of growing up in a more innocent age, a hymn to British eccentricity and to the virtues of observing the world around you: 'Spotters - of trains, planes, buses or birds - are a last redoubt for something rapidly vanishing from our lives: looking outward, seeing, observing. People notice things less and less these days, while watching things more and more.' Praise for the first edition: 'An elegy: for the steam trains already vanishing when Whittaker's hobby began in 1964; for the short-lived diesel age which followed; for an era of near innocence.' Times Literary Supplement 'Whittaker writes with humour and considerable evocative power . For anyone who will admit to having a childhood brush with this now derided hobby, Platform Souls brings it all rushing back.' Independent

This Christmas, LEGO is moving from under the tree to on the tree! With The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book as your guide, you ll make classic globe and barrel ornaments, all out of LEGO, as well as original gingerbread houses, a charming wreath, arcade cabinets, and many more. Packed with step-by-step instructions for 15 charming builds, The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book is the perfect family activity this holiday season.

'Great fun. Railway travel without leaving your armchair!' Chris Tarrant A jam-packed puzzle and trivia book about Britain's iconic railways. The Big British Railway Puzzle Book is a must-buy gift book for puzzle book fanatics, train and travel enthusiasts, history buffs, and the people up and down the country who love their heritage and their regional identity! Featuring a treasure trove of puzzles about railways and locomotives, using maps, old routes and tracks, original posters and all things that delight train lovers, the book also includes mind-boggling brainteasers, navigational tests, word games, code-crackers, anagrams, crosswords, mathematical conundrums and more. As well as having over 100 mind-bending puzzles, the book also contains historical facts and figures, trivia and introductions to each section authored by Dr Thomas Spain, a research associate at the National Railway Museum, about the history of the British Railways. From the National Railway Museum in York!

Those of an engineering bent who wish to make a live steam model have a basic choice between a railway locomotive, a stationery engine, a marine engine or a traction engine in one form or another. The locomotive needs a track, the marine engine a hull and a stretch of water, but a traction engine can run on any area of reasonable ground. Coupled with the enormous growth of interest in preserving and running full-sized engines at agricultural shows and steam rallies, it is no wonder that traction engine models are so popular. In this book, John Haining, the doyen of traction engine modelling, explains what is involved in the construction of working steam models and outlines briefly the history and variety of such engines. A degree of reader familiarity with normal machine work and workshop practice is assumed, but even the inexperienced lathe owner will easily follow the procedures with the aid of the many clear illustrations provided by the author and will be encouraged to try his hand at this fascinating branch of model engineering.

Create a dynamic space for designing and building DIY electronic hardware, programming, and manufacturing projects. With this illustrated guide, you'll learn the benefits of having a Makerspace--a shared space with a set of shared tools--that attracts fellow makers and gives you more resources to work with. You'll find clear explanations of the tools, software, materials, and layout you need to get started--everything from basic electronics to rapid prototyping technology and inexpensive 3D printers.

A Makerspace is the perfect solution for many makers today. While you can get a lot done in a fully-decked out shop, you'll always have trouble making space for the next great tool you need. And the one thing you really miss out on in a personal shop is the collaboration with other makers. A Makerspace provides you with the best of both worlds.

Perfect for any maker, educator, or community, this book shows you how to organize your environment to provide a safe and fun workflow, and demonstrates how you can use that space to educate others.

Filled with dirigibles and floating cities, penny-farthings and pirate ships, curiosities and robots galore, Steampunk LEGO is an illustrated collection of Victorian-era sci-fi treasures, all built from LEGO. Curated by award-winning LEGO builder and special effects master Guy Himber, this full-color coffee table book showcases an eclectic variety of models designed by dozens of the world s best LEGO artists. Grab your brass goggles and join fictional explorer Sir Herbert Jobson as he travels the world cataloguing its technological wonders for Queen Victoria. His entertaining descriptions of an imaginative alternate history bring these delightful LEGO models to swashbuckling life.

From tanks to tow trucks, all the models showcased in this book use LEGO Technic gears, pulleys, pneumatics, and electric motors to really move. You ll find some of the world s best fan-created LEGO superecars, construction equipment, monster trucks, watercraft, and more, along with design notes and breakaway views of the truly incredible mechanisms inside. Look closely, and you ll learn how expert builders use differentials, suspensions, linkages, and complex gearing systems in their creations. Whether you re a beginning builder or a longtime LEGO fan, Incredible LEGO Technic offers a unique look at the artistry and engineering that can make your LEGO creations come alive.

An accessible, inclusive guide aimed at helping young fans get in touch with their geeky side by offering advice and creative ways to get involved, celebrate, and interact with their favorite fandoms! Being a fan is a big deal. Whether it's comics, video games, podcasts, cosplay, books, films, or something else, there are so many ways to share and celebrate with the things that you love. So, as the pop culture audience and all the geeky spaces grow to include more families and younger fans, it's high time for a guide to help young fans navigate the world of fandom and its many flourishing communities. With practical information and insight from a diverse and inclusive group of creators from across pop culture and specializing in a wide variety of mediums, Kid's Guide to Fandom is the perfect geeky primer for young fans. Organized by type of fandom medium, each chapter offers a brief introduction about each medium as well as plenty of easy to digest information on how to: * Creating Fan Fic & Art * Creating a Cosplay * Starting a Podcast * Designing and Creating Games (video games, tabletop, and other role playing games) * Find and Create supportive Communities * Learn about different types and popular conventions to attend With eye-catching two-color illustrations throughout, playful sidebars, inspiring advice, fandom glossary, and interactive elements like quizzes and character sheets, Kid's Guide to Fandom is the perfect guide to help young fans navigate and contribute to the amazing space that is fandom.

This brightly-coloured book includes 12 geometric designs of everyone's favourite feline. Perfect for cat lovers and stickering enthusiasts alike, Sticker Mosaics: Cats is a unique concept among "paint-by-sticker" books across the industry. No artistic experience or ability is required to create these masterpieces!

The perfect stocking filler for jam-makers this Christmas. Why settle for the same old jams when you could try something deliciously different? Jams With a Twist will take your jam making to a whole new level. Liven things up with alcohol, essences, cordials, syrups, teas, spices, nuts, nibs and kernels. Go foraging for exciting new ingredients. Create double- and triple-layered jams. Float fruit, flowers and herbs in your jellies. Or treat yourself to classic jammy desserts made in jars! Whether you are new to jam making or an old hand, these delicious recipes will inspire you to mix things up and try something new.