Lifestyle and Hobbies

Marketed as the “fastest metal cars in the world,” Hot Wheels*r revolutionized the die-cast toy car market. Collectors throughout the world recognize the Hot Wheels*r brand. The models produced between 1968 and 1972 represent the vintage years for this line of toy vehicles. The bright “Spectraflame*r” paint colors and “redline” tires, unique to Hot Wheels vehicles, identify these models.

The Hot Wheels*r 1/64th scale die-cast cars produced by Mattel from 1995 to 2001 are fully described and beautifully displayed in 560 color photographs. Included among the images of these fast moving, highly-sought vehicles are models from the Segment Series*TM, the elusive Treasure Hunt Series*TM, First Editions*TM, and Final Run Series*TM, Virtual Collection*TM, Legends*TM, 1/64th Scale ...

When Mattel's Hotwheels toy cars exploded onto the market in 1968, venerable Matchbox Toys met the challenge with its Superfast line. The successful result is now presented in the largest book on Matchbox Toys ever produced - so big it is two volumes that celebrate 35 years of Matchbox Superfast production with over 7000 color photos and over 10,000 listed variations!

European porcelain was born in the German city of Meissen, in 1708. This is the most comprehensive source book available to show the marks used by manufacturers, factories, and decorators from the beginning to the present. Included are more than 3,300 marks, many previously unpublished.

From the formal carvings of the nineteenth century to the colorful and informal plastic and glass examples of molded relief jewelry, this revised and expanded guide is the perfect reference for those on a search for cameos.

Encourages the homeowner to conserve water by restoring natural processes that filter and return water to groundwater reservoirs. Learn the installation and maintenance of rain gardens. Provides garden plans and plant lists for different conditions and styles, including wildlife habitat, a pretty cottage border, and a formal garden.

Stained glass has long been a part of domestic architecture, but in the late 1800s its popularity soared. In part, this was due to new manufacturing techniques and distribution networks, but also it caught the imagination of Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts designers around the world. Here over 350 examples of architectural stained glass span several countries and many years.

Hollywood movie monsters are enduring pop culture standards. Kids and adults around the world recognize Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. Although monsters are Aurora’s most famous products, the company created model kits of all varieties, including historic sailing ships, sports cars, moon rockets, military and commercial aircraft, TV stars, comic book heroes, wildlife scenes, ...

A book that explains various tools and techniques necessary for successfully building models with brass, now in its second edition with a new chapter on shipbuilding. Whether substituting for an existing plastic model kit part or assembly, making a master pattern for casting, or creating a complete scratch-built model, the range of brass fabrication methods and tools used are explained.

Flowers color our lives and make us feel good. This vibrant book uses flowers, floral motifs, botanical information, and legends and myths about flowers as inspiration for artists and crafters of all levels.

This book shares the valuable collection of the Schlumpf brothers, whose collection of 427 beautiful classic cars—including 122 Bugatis—made it Europe’s most exciting auto collection. Now known as the National Auto Museum of France, this amazing collection is presented in this book for all the world to see.

A cross section of the memorabilia and mementos of the past ninety five years of motorcycling is displayed and discussed in this fascinating book, everything from advertising art and photographs to dealer jewelry and motorcycle toys. Collectibles from legendary companies such as Harley Davidson and Indian abound.

This is the second comprehensive wood carving manual by the successful team of Roz Daisey and Pat Kurman. Through a detailed yet concise series of carving and painting instructions, beautifully drawn illustrations and careful photography, novice as well as expert carvers are given all the information they need to complete realistic wood carvings of five different songbirds.