Reproduce a wealth of historic antique samplers -- simple schoolroom motifs, intricate band samplers, and charmingly personalized handwork to commemorate every occasion. Embroider samplers with alphabets and homey sayings, and "sign" them with your name. Stitch a Little Girl's Birth Sampler in pink-and-white or an Edwardian Boy's Birth Sampler. Give others at weddings, housewarmings, christenings, and anniversaries. Bonus projects include pillows, bookmarks, and bags. Every one is a classic!

"American classrooms have gone largely unrecorded, these astonishing embroideries which are usually signed, dated, and even sometimes inscribed with the names of the towns in which they were worked and the names of the embroiderers' teachers serve as historic documents, attesting to the existence of colonial education for women. There is a story behind each of the nearly eighty samplers illustrated in this book"--Insleaves.

-40 easy-to-stitch alphabet and sampler designs in cross stitch and other counted techniques-Features celebratory projects for births, weddings, and Christmas-Attractive and decorative ideas for using single initials -Superb color photographs and easy-to-read charts

Presents thirty American samplers and their patterns from the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries

Celebrate weddings, births, holidays, friendships, families, pets, and houses with 555 designs created by the world-famous Kooler Design Studio. Cross-stitch aficionados can choose from a variety of alphabets, inspirational sayings, children’s designs, and other images—cottages, flowers, animals, antiques, and more.

Presenting projects and stitch illustrations that teach and improve stitching skills, this revised edition features 24 new pages, two never-before-published projects, and five new stitch illustrations, as well as updated photos and revised illustrations.

Over the past four decades, rap and hip hop culture have taken a central place in popular music both in the United States and around the world. Listening to Rap: An Introduction enables students to understand the historical context, cultural impact, and unique musical characteristics of this essential genre. Each chapter explores a key topic in the study of rap music from the 1970s to today, covering themes such as race, gender, commercialization, politics, and authenticity. Synthesizing the approaches of scholars from a variety of disciplines—including music, cultural studies, African-American studies, gender studies, literary criticism, and philosophy—Listening to Rap tracks the evolution of rap and hip hop while illustrating its vast cultural significance. The text features more than 60 detailed listening guides that analyze the musical elements of songs by a wide array of artists, from Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash to Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and more. A companion website showcases playlists of the music discussed in each chapter. Rooted in the understanding that cultural context, music, and lyrics combine to shape rap’s meaning, the text assumes no prior knowledge. For students of all backgrounds, Listening to Rap offers a clear and accessible introduction to this vital and influential music.

Keeping to a theme started in Crewel Twists, this book continues the concept of using non-traditional techniques and materials in crewel or Jacobean embroidery. It showcases four large projects, each with an accompanying small project similar in technique, and shows needle workers how to be creative with threads, alternative stitches and beads. Traditional techniques are explained but are extended with the use of bead embroidery, needle lace techniques, and stitches not normally used in crewel work. Many new needle lace and bead embroidery techniques are incorporated, and the book also explores weaving techniques used to create textures like twill and lace weaves, as well as patterns similar to tartan and houndstooth check. Every project is clearly explained with step-by-step instructions and lots of photographs, and the completed embroideries are once again displayed in ways that are both decorative and functional in the home. Templates of the original designs complete this magnificent source for creative embroidery.

Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication in human life and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world. Music represents an enjoyable activity in and of itself, but its influence goes beyond simple amusement. Listening to music, singing, playing, composing and improvising, individually and collectively, are common activities for many people: these activities not only allow the expression of personal inner states and feelings, but also can bring many positive effects to those who engage in them. There is an increasing wealth of literature concerning the wider benefits of musical activity, and research in the sciences associated with music suggests that there are many dimensions of human life (physical, social, psychological—including cognitive and emotional) which can be affected positively by music. The impact that musical activity has on human life can be found in different processes, including a transfer of learning from the musical to another cognitive domain. Abilities that have been developed through music education and training may also be effectively applied in other cognitive tasks. Engagement in successful music activity may also have a positive impact on social skills and social inclusion, thus supporting the participation of the individual in collective and collaborative musical events. The promotion of social participation through music can foster many kinds of inclusion, including intercultural, intergenerational, and support for those who are differently abled. The aim of this Research Topic is to present a diverse range of original articles that investigate and discuss, in different ways, the crucial role that musical activity can play in human development and well-being.