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Sometimes you just want to cuddle up with a handmade doll of Mr. T! With Knitted Icons, you'll find patterns for creating dolls of the world s most beloved personalities everyone from Madonna and Jackie O to Chairman Mao and Che Guevara. Each doll measures a substantial 10 inches tall suitable for posing on your desk, bookshelf, or other doll display.

From Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley to Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II, and even King Kong, Knitted Icons is full of memorable personalities and easy-to-use patterns. Every finished doll is photographed in glorious full color and accompanied by a brief biography, along with memorable quotes from the icons themselves.

Go ahead knit yourself a legend!

To some, they are symbols of luck and hope. To others, they are protectors of gardens. And to others still, they are tiny, weird-looking men with beards and pointy hats. But gno matter how you perceive them, it’s time to welcome these whimsical creatures into your home (or office) with Gnome and Garden, a kit that celebrates gnomes through the ages. This lovingly illustrated package includes one miniature garden gnome, one faux lawn, decorative flowers, exotic backdrops, and a full-color illustrated book on the history and mythology of gnomenkind.

Place your plot of grass on a desk or tabletop, choose your favorite backdrop, arrange the flowers, and situate your gnome where you can easily see him. Now you can experience the serenity of the garden indoors!

This unique kit is perfect for gnome enthusiasts everywhere-and anyone who needs more luck in their life. We’re sure there’s gnothing like it on the market!

MARCUS MENNES has been tracking, studying, and observing gnomes for most of his adult life. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Furrowed brows, wiggled fingers, wrinkled noses, shrugged shoulders-with so many rich and varied gestures at our disposal, it’s no wonder anthropologists claim at least 90 percent of all human communication is nonverbal. But what do all of these signs and signals really mean? And what secrets do they reveal about the person you’re speaking with? Field Guide to Gestures has the answers.

Whether you’re communicating with friends, lovers, coworkers, foreigners, or strangers on the street, this handy guide will help you decipher the mysteries of human gesticulation. It features color photographs of more than 100 different gestures, plus a detailed synopsis explaining each gesture’s meanings, origins, and subtle nuances (nodding “yes” takes on an entirely new meaning in Greece!). It’s so full of interesting information, you’ll feel compelled to give it two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

NANCY ARMSTRONG and MELISSA WAGNER are freelance writers living in Philadelphia. They wave their hands when they talk, and are keen interpreters of gestures glimpsed across crowded bars. They are the coauthors of Field Guide to Stains.

The brilliant minds at mental_floss have entertained millions of trivia buffs with their unique magazine and publishing program. Now they’ve produced their first trivia card game. Each card contains two statements. One is true, the other is not. Can you spot the Big Fat Lie?

Here’s one from the Arts & Entertainment category:
A) The first name of actor Will Smith is short for “Willard.”
B) Rapper Dr. Dre was briefly enrolled in medical school before turning to a career in hip-hop.

Here’s another from the History & Geography category:
A) U.S. presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on July 4.
B) Authors Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley were both born on October 31.

If you guessed B for both, you’ve identified the Big Fat Lies! With 400 questions in a wide range of categories–everything from Science and History to Popular Culture–Big Fat Lies! is perfect for cocktail parties with friends and family fun in the car.

The editors of MENTAL_FLOSS are responsible for the best-selling books Condensed Knowledge and Forbidden Knowledge.

Since March 2005, The Long-Distance Relationship Guide has taught thousands of readers how to survive and thrive in their long-distance romances. Now Caroline Tiger has updated her relationship bible with a new epilogue and vital information for far-flung partners everywhere. Drawing on advice from distance-challeneged couples the world over, Tiger offers indispensable tips on enduring the separation and keeping the romance alive. Topics include:

    * Spotting (and avoiding) “serial” long-distance daters
    * Negotiating travel arrangements
    * A hall of fame of romantic long-distance gestures

Complete with fun quizzes, checklists, and expert advice, this new edition of The Long-Distance Relationship Guide helps couples make the most of any far-reaching romance.

CAROLINE TIGER writes for Self, Men’s Health, Marie Claire, and Philadelphia Magazine. She is the author of How to Behave (Quirk, 2003) and How to Behave: Dating and Sex (Quirk, 2006) and lives in Philadelphia, where she survived an LDR that spanned two coasts.

Sick of cheap, wasteful, disposable fast fashion? Learn how to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and build a more sustainable, stylish closet. 

In this indispensable guide, anyone who buys or wears women’s clothing will learn how to:

• Avoid overpaying
• Sort trash from treasure
• Fix minor flaws—and spot major ones
• Find your ideal silhouette (including tips for plus-size shoppers)
• Alter and repurpose garments
• Care for delicate vintage fabrics

Buying older clothing means getting beautiful pieces that are built to last, without contributing to sweatshops or landfills—but only if you know what to look for. Let a vintage clothing expert guide you to ethical fashion bliss!

Previously published as The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping in 2009, this updated edition includes a new introduction and resources for evaluating online and brick-and-mortar shops.