Reviews (5)

Wonderful!
Clear instructions for many fantastic quilts in various sizes!Worth the money!Mrs. Burns is funny too.Quilt books don't have to be boring and this won isn't!It's great!

Wonderful detail!!
I bought this book for my Mother-In-Law as a gift.She and I agree it is a wonderful book with easy to follow instructions on how to piece the quilts together.The designs are absolutely beautiful and the book is put together extremely well!If you like to quilt or even look at beautiful designs this is definately the book for you--ENJOY!!!!

Very detailed instructions
This is my third Eleanor Burns book and so far I have only started my first project from this one.I love all the projects and the full color illustrations - unlike some quilting books, hers are very detailed and easy to follow, no matter what level of difficulty.Burns expects you to have very specific supplies, (which I broke down and bought) but I think it was worthwhile to do so.All in all a great quilting book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Quilts & Quilting    5. Seasonal   

Reviews (6)

A winner.
CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING 2006 (0848731158, $29.95) isn't strictly a cookbook, though recipes are its core: it combines menus and time-saving holiday plans as well as party ideas with dishes which lend to entertainment and family gatherings. Many are fast, easy editor's picks, with chapters handily divided by type of entertainment: brunch buffet, office party, dinner party, and the like. A winner.
Not Up To Snuff
Like many of you, I collect these books year after year.This year was very disappointing.The book really is mainly recipes.I don't buy them for that, although the few I try are good. I buy this book mainly for the decorating and gift ideas.This year the book is really lacking in them.In years past they've shown how to decorate the outside of your house, the mantle, the table, and just about anywhere in a house that you could put a decoration.This year you basically have one mantle.That's it.Sorry, this book had me saying to myself, "I paid full price for this!!"
Christmas with Southern Living 2006
I love this book! I give to my 3 girls as well. I have gotten this book almost every year since it was first published. It has decorating suggestions, crafts, recipes and just all kinds of information to make your Christmas the best ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States    8. Seasonal   

Editorial Review

Halloween books abound, but none is as elegantly spooky or as eerily opulent as this gorgeous guide from Read more

Reviews (19)

GREAT to have if you don't have the magazines
If you have the special Halloween issue of MSL from 2000, don't bother buying this book.I have the magazine, and several of her other October issues from over the years, and was disapointed that there was nothing new in this book, which is why I only gave it 4 stars.
More Like A Magazine...
There ARE some good ideas in here. Unfortunately I just couldn't get past the fact that it is such a thin book with a lot of rehashed stuff. 14.95 is a lot to pay for a magazine, even if some of the ideas are OK. Also, Ms. Stewart doesn't seem to feel the need to test her recipes out first. When following ANY of her recipes, allow a little extra time for recipe adjustment.

Totally surprised by all the excellent Halloween ideas!
My mother-in-law actually bought this book for me as a joke. I LOVE Halloween (and LOATHE Martha Stewart), so she thought it would be a good gag. When she handed it to me, she said she thought it would be funny, but she had looked through it and thought I might actually like it.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Halloween    4. Halloween cookery    5. Halloween decorations    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - General    9. Holiday decorations    10. Seasonal    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    12. Handicrafts    13. Parties   

Reviews (18)

Don't overlook this book--it's more than "holiday" knitting!
It's almost a shame this book was organized around the "holiday" knitting theme.I didn't even look at this book for months because I assumed it was limited to Christmas stockings and tree skirts.Of course, there ARE a couple of Christmas stockings and tree skirts, but there is so much more.
Simply inspiring! Not just for the holidays, either!
I had seen this book before the holidays, but didn't buy it to avoid any unneeded pressure to do too much knitted gift-giving.I'm glad I realized my own weakness, else I would have worked myself to the bone!Melanie has done it again!Wonderful ideas and fabulous photos and beautiful embellishments.I am ready for winter - actually, year roundgift giving! This selection of patterns is elegant and gracious (nothing trite or boring here). There is much more to this book than just holidays - the patterns are classic and adaptable for all 365 days... and there is something for all skill levels, too. While I hope to graduate to the more complicated projects (some day), I am happy with the simpler patterns and pure inspiration. I am going to my LYS to pick upnew threads for the flowers patterns!

Original knitting ideas.
This book is not your run of the mill knitting book, it goes way beyond scarves and hats. It has very creative ideas such as knittedChristmas tree ornaments, a pair of knee high socks, ballerina-like slippers and many others. The only drawback is this book is for a somewhat experienced to advanced knitters. But for people like me who are just starting out, it gives you a goal of what you would like to do. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas decorations    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hanukkah decorations    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Patterns    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Editorial Review

Miniature houses have an undeniable appeal, especially when they're made out of food. But the architectural achievements in this guide are so charming and sometimes so elaborate that it's hard to imagine actually eating them; they're meant to be admired, not devoured. From rustic to royal, humble to ornate, this eclectic assortment ranges from cooking-school complex to child-simple. Some were even designed by kids and could certainly be constructed by them. (Just be sure to buy extra trimmings, since the budding architects are bound to do some nibbling!)Read more

Reviews (11)

I'll keep it but only as a supplement to better books
This book has pictures of some really cool ideas, and pictures of some less-cool ideas. It also has several basic recipes and some general building information, but it isn't very detailed. Most frustrating are the pictures of houses that have only one or two pictures and little or no information about some of the most interesting design details!
Really disappointing
If you are seeking the inside secrets to gingerbread artistry, don't expect much from this book.This book doesn't even begin to cover the many gingerbread/food techniques currently available -- and that home builders can use -- which mimic real-life or fantasy -- building structures and contents.I thought that many of the instructions shown were too simple and general -- the reader deserved to read more details, more inside information on how to work with food items to create effects -- especially since the author is a pastry chef! The book's description also promises photos of the Grove Park Inn's gingerbread competition entries.But if you expect to see the competition's top of the line entries featuring incredible details, don't. I looked forward to receiving this book.I'm sorry I bought it.

Artistic, Excellent Photography, Good Variety!
Highly recommend for your baking library!Lots of great ideas, good instructions, basic templates but lots of room for your own personal taste.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Methods - Baking    5. Seasonal    6. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    7. Cooking / Seasonal    8. Desserts    9. Food & drink / cookery: general interest    10. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (7)

A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION
I feel the greatest strength of this work is it's ability to inspire.Even though I have been involed in working with gourds for quite a number of years now, I in no way produce work such as we find presented in this book.This is good.It has shown me just how far this particular art form can be taken.I have gathered a great many ideas from it's pages.The illustrations are wonderful, and, as I said, quite inspirational.It should certainly be noted though that the title of the book certainly says it all when it states "Beyond the Basics."That it most certainly is!This is one you will probably want to add to your collection as it is good to refer to to letyou know just how far you can indeed go.Highly recommend this one.

This book is definitely "Beyond the Basics"
The artwork in this book went beyond the ordinary.I enjoyedreading about the professional artists and seeing photos of their finished works.I especially liked the projects with detailed information on the techniques that they used. Definitely a great book to help a gourd artist get new ideas in developing his/her own unique style.

Great Gourd Book
This is a great book for any level of gourd artist. Not only does it showcase many different artists and styles, it also has a step-by-step project from each one of them.As a gourd artist and president of our local gourd club I am always looking for new material to use or to present to our club.This is one of my favorite books, and I do have all the gourd books I can get my hands on. When I took my copy to our meeting many of our members couldn't wait to get a copy of their own.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Folkcrafts    4. General    5. Gourd craft    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Seasonal    8. BG-FICTION OVER $5 - BG-ANTHOLOGY $5/10    9. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (1)

I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I bought this book to get some ideas for parties and crafts that my kids and I could make together.I will be making my own beautiful christmas cards and using some of the decorations on my holiday table.We also found some fun ornaments that we could make together as a family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Holiday    2. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Seasonal    5. Christmas crafts    6. Christmas decorations    7. Cooking    8. Crafts & Hobbies    9. Holiday   

Editorial Review

Open this idea-packed volume completely at random and you'll come up with a great project every time. Besides great holiday-related crafts--lots of marvelous Christmas decorations, some fun Halloween items, lovely Valentine's Day keepsakes, Easter goodies--there are loads of wonderful objects for year-round use (frames, vases, lampshades, napkin rings, candleholders, table settings, and so much more). Everything is very easy to make, from simple step-by-step projects that require a modicum of time and materials to quickly made pieces that need only a very few supplies and even less time, to instant crafts that you can throw together out of almost nothing in almost no time. (Try this glittering centerpiece, for instance: fill lots of mismatched glasses and goblets with water, add sprinkles of confetti, and float a candle in each.) Even if you've never crafted before, you can handle nearly any project in the book, but each one is so appealing that experienced crafters with fairly sophisticated tastes will also find much to enjoy here. Read more

Reviews (21)

Don't Judge This Kitchy Book by its Tasteful Cover
From the cover, it looks like this book might contain 365 tasteful projects.Not so.They are so kitchy!Don't by this book.You won't like these projects unless you have "home sweet home" wallpaper in your house to go with them.

Beautiful, but still hard for a novice
I love this book--it has wonderful tips and ideas.Many beautiful gifts and decorations can be made from such simple things!But, as a crafts novice, I have struggled to find some of the materials.Although I live in a major metropolitan area, and have been to 4 craft and fabric stores, some critical elements are just not available.Unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to know what to substitute.I'm not ready to give up, but this is taking a lot more time than I expected!

Lots to do and easy too!
This book shows various projects to make and has simple instructions to follow.Very informative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Handicraft    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Holiday decorations    7. Seasonal    8. DIY    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

A definate Must Buy for Christmas Crafters!
SOOO creative~!!It's worth buying just to see the section on Whimsical Christmas.The homemade gifts, complete with instructions on how to make ADORABLE giftwrap is easy and unique enough to look professionally made.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Seasonal   

Reviews (6)

Not For Lazy Holiday Types Like Me
Admittedly, I'm a big holiday geek, and I thought I'd save some of the inevitable end-of-the-year indulgences in new decorations by actually making stuff myself.Cool stuff, with nails and tree branches and things.This book, it turns out, is pretty, but it's more about glue guns and glitter.The crafts are not particularly suited to sharing the creative impulse with children.It's for adults--among whom it seems I should not be counted.But, if you've got lots and lots of time to glue, this is your ticket, your flying carpet, your Great Holiday Testament.

A "must have" if you like to try a little bit of everything
This book has a place of honor in my collection of various craft books. It is packed full of absolutely gorgeous crafts that you would proudly show off in your home or give to your friends and loved ones. What I particularily liked about this book is the wide representation of different craft techniques from all (and I mean all) types of needleworks to working with gourds, floral crafts, folk art painting, food crafting etc. My main craft passions are crochet and floral crafting but as I already have many books for these two crafts, I was looking for something that dabbled in a little bit of everything and this book did not disappoint me. The stunning projects will inspire you to try your hand at other types of craft techniques no matter what craft you are most passionate about. Wonderful crafting and decorating ideas
This book is filled with beautiful ideas and inspirations.It's well laid out and the directions are clear and easy to follow.It does however contain a lot of recipes.If I wanted a cookbook that's what I'd buy.I find many of these wonderful books end up using recipes as ways to add to the number of pages.Many of recipes are nice but I have my own collection of holiday recipes and recipe books.If you like recipes mixed in with holiday ideas, great!If you don't, this book is still worth having as the craft section is super ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Decorating - General    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Seasonal    10. Christmas books    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    12. holiday   

Reviews (9)

Spooktacular finds and helpful hints
i found this book to be helpful for decorating and having the scavenger hunt which i hope is a hit at my party. the foods were okay, because i think when you're having an adult halloween party, you need to have less sugary foods and more grown-up foods so to speak. otherwise, it was fine. thank you

101 Spooktacular Party Ideas
I love Halloween and had looked FOREVER to find a book to help with some ideas in the celebration and this book is it!This book gives ideas and step by step how to's in playing games, making recipes and creating props. Straightforward, easy, non-crafty and fun.Age limits are put on the games so you know which ones to use, or not to use.I have bought so many Halloween how to books that just sit on the shelf.This one does not!I have dog eared and paper clipped this one into tatters! This IS the book to buy!

Best Halloween Book for Kid's Halloween Party!
This year I purchased a number of books on Halloween in order to get more ideas for my annual Halloween party for children ages 2 to 8. This book is a gem, best of the batch. I was able to use at least 10 ideas from this book, including "Stick the Nose on the Pumpkin", "Bopping for Apples", "Halloween Hunt" "Witches Brew" punch, etc. These ideas are easy to use, and not time consuming, unlike the ones I found in other books... where the prime requirement seems to be having a lot of spare time to carry out their ideas. I will use this book over and over again in years to come! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Cooking / Entertaining    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crafts for Children    5. Dance    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Family & Relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Seasonal    10. Social Science / Holidays (non-religious)    11. Entertaining    12. Halloween    13. Holidays (non-religious)    14. Parties    15. Planning    16. Social Sciences   

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cookery    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Seasonal   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Folkcrafts    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Seasonal    8. Crafts & Hobbies / General    9. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (7)

GREAT book!!!
I absolutely LOOOOVE this book. Not only is it beautiful, but the ideas are very easily implemented.
Shallow book like the author
There are better Christmas books on decorating and entertaining.

The most beautiful christmas book!
I can see this book is not new. It is to me, and I find is very inpirational! I use it every year for Christmas, for getting the house ready, for baking, for decorating and setting the tables, for ideas on how to use my plates, bowls and dishes in different ways, for altering things I already own into new settings - Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal   

Reviews (3)

Extreme pumpkin carving
Very inspiring! Great step-by-step photos to get you started. The photos make it look so easy I can't wait to try it!
Super carving book
This is the best book I've seen on carving pumpkin.There are patterns for everything from scary to comical faces.Carving is done only with knives or for those carvers with tools, good directions are available for a really terrific creation.I would not recommend unsupervised children doing this kind of carving, however.The tools must be very sharp.

Something for both beginners and advanced carvers...
I had a tough time deciding on how many stars for this book.I really like the book but I was just a teensy bit disapointed.My reasons may be a little bit unfair but I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Carving    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Halloween decorations    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Jack-o-lanterns    9. Seasonal    10. Carving & carvings    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Carving   

Reviews (4)

My first Martha Stewart book
I have used many of these projects and loved it.The ribbon trays I have given as gifts were well received, and once I got the glass cut, were just gorgeous.I found baskets on sale one day, and they just all came together, not as expensive as I thought.I think the ribbon cost the most, but still, a really great gift for not a lot of money in my case. Recipes, of course, and things like candlemaking are showcased here.So glad I bought it!

I liked it
This book taught me the best way to wrap gifts.

poo
I am usually a Martha fan but I see these books of hers as an attempt to just suck more money out of us. Almost everything in this book can be found in past issues of her magazine. If I would have known that I would havewent to the library and decided what was best myself.I believe all of herbooks are this way---I mean samples from her show and magazine. Nothing newor surprising. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cards    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cooking    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Crafts / Hobbies    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Seasonal    9. Christmas books    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    11. Handicrafts   

Reviews (2)

A Pretty Good Book
This book has some really good ideas for special holiday touches throughout the home.It includes autumn decorating as well as Christmas.I used several of her ideas in my own home.

Simply Beautiful
I do not watch QVC and was not familiar with Valerie Parr Hill prior to buying the book.But, I bought it because Iwas so captivated by the great cover.The photos are beautiful and the ideas inspiring, yet simple.Do not let the Christmas tree on the cover fool you.The book takes you from Thanksgiving through the holiday season.A great little find to add to my book collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - General    6. Handicraft    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Seasonal   

Reviews (2)

447 (Quick and Dirty) CostumeIdeas
This should only be considered as an idea or concept book for quick or last minute costumes. All are quick and simple so as not to need instructions. If you want an elaborate or detailed costume collection, look elsewhere.

Showcases 447 do-it-yourself costume concepts
The collaborative effort of Halloween costume experts and enthusiasts Bridie Clark and Ashley Dodd, The Halloween Handbook: Dress-Up For Grown-Ups showcases 447 imaginative, easy-to-make, do-it-yourself costume concepts. From traditional favorites such as Wonder Woman or Peter Pan, to more eyebrow-raising unique costumes like the One-Night Stand (the costumegoer appears as an actual stand with lampshade over the head, bra and pantyhouse dangling on the tablecloth) or the Green Card (wearing a large green sandwich board humorously displaying a parody what a real green card looks like). Black-and-white photographs illustrate fun, zany, sometimes edgy ideas with practical suggestions to efficiently and frugally make a Halloween guise to remember. Especially recommended not only for Halloween, but as a source of ideas for costume parties year round or even school and community theater apparel.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Costume    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Halloween    6. Halloween costumes    7. Reading materials    8. Seasonal    9. Spanish language    10. Textile Arts - Costume    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    12. Handicrafts    13. Parties & fancy dress   

Reviews (10)

For that Something Special for Someone Special
I love to knit.My gift to new babies is a Christmas stocking.I think of it as a special blessing of this childs new life.While knitting on it I am thinking about all the love this child is going to have and the hopes for the child's future.This book has so many ideas.Everyone a winner.I can't wait to knit all of the stockings in the book.

A Great Project Book
I bought this book on clearance at a local craft store.So far I have only done the miniatures in the book (a mini-mitten and mini-stocking done on size 2 and 3 double-pointed needles and super thin yarn) which have been rewarding my patience for learning a new skill (double-pointed needles) by knitting up rather quickly (and attractively).
A stocking for everyone
For years I have knitted Christmas stockings for friends and finally resorted to designing my own patterns because most of the patterns I found were ultimately ugly and clumsy.This book, however, contains unique patterns that will please any taste.I always like to put names on my stockings, so a little pattern editing is necessary, but otherwise the designs are excellent.The yarns range from bulky to fingering weight, and the designs range from nordic-inspired to Victorian to a dog's stocking.Certainly the best Christmas stocking patterns I have found. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas stockings    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Patterns    8. Seasonal    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting    10. Family & Health   

Reviews (10)

very stylish book
Although I agree with some other reviewers that I wouldn't want to wear all of the costumes pictured in this book, I found it very inspiring, partly because of the stylish photography/graphic design and humorous text, and partly because it shows how everyday items can be easily transformed. The book is a sampler of Halloween ideas--a bit on costumes, a bit on decor, and a bit on culture. (It's true that the cultural section could have been improved in terms of accuracy.) I thought the decor section of the book was loaded with good ideas--I have tons of Victorian clip art, yet I never thought to blow up the images to make a mantelpiece graveyard or a party invitation, and I had never seen turnip jack-o-lanterns. Maybe other reviewers have more knowledge of these things--if you can recommend other decor books, let us know! It sounds like some people are looking for the definitive Halloween book, and I'm not sure it exists. (Publishers? Are you listening?) Also, I thought it was odd that people complained that the costume ideas shown here weren't perfect. I have yet to find any idea in a costume book that I have followed exactly, and I think the authors' intention was to create items the average person could easily make, not to show something high-end. (One reviewer's advice to look at a costume book before you buy it applies, though.) As far as getting a springboard for your own ideas, this book is useful. It includes some valuable instructions for making objects such as horns and masks, which you can incorporate into other designs. I'm currently making a pair of horns for a stage production using the instructions given here, and so far they're turning out really well, so I will forever be grateful to this book's authors.

Look before you decide for yourself
After reading some of the less-than-great reviews, I was a bit leery about reading this book, but I'm that I glad I did.The costumes and accessories were quite clever, andon the whole, everything seemed to have an almost elegant tone.If you like the Martha Stewart style of decorating, you'll probably like this.I really liked the garden tool and vine scarecrow - spare and eerie.

LOW ON THE FRIGHT SCALE BUT FUN
Every knows Halloween has become big business over the past 20 years or so and second only to Christmas in terms of dollars spent decorating.Much like Christmas Halloween has become an entire season with stores dedicated to selling Halloween items popping up every year around the beginning of September and people decorating their homes at the beginning of October.If anything, Halloween may be even more elaborate and more expensive with complex animated items and realistic tombstones and other such displays.And the costumes...one can spend upwards of a hundred dollars or more on a good costume. That's where this wonderful book by Joanne O'Sullivan comes in handy.The book concentrates mainly on costumes and accessories, showing you step-by-step how you can make some fantastic costumes at home, often with materials you may already have or that can be purchased inexpensively at fabric or hardware stores.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Halloween costumes    3. Halloween decorations    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Seasonal    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    7. NEW AGE - ASTROLOGY TRD PB    8. Parties & fancy dress