First published as Hanamushiro in 1948, the setting for The Flower Mat is eighteenth-century Japan, a time when familes were bound together by a rigid code of honor and individual lives were of necessity valued far less than the interests of the group. It tells of a young bride, Ichi, born into such a tradition, groomed in the virtues of ideal womanhood, and finally tempered by tragedy. Her life and fate are bound up inexorably with the fortunes of her in-laws, high-ranking officials. She soon becomes aware that something is dreadfully wrong, that something is threatening her home and her peaceful way of life. Uneasy and frightened, she tries to put clues together, but her questions go unanswered. Political intrigue and sudden tragedy force her into a new and unfamiliar world. We follow Ichi as she grows from passive observer--a wife suppressing her own passions--to active agent--a woman who will risk anything for justice. Struggling for truth and justice, Ichi finds her only weapons are her own strength and the lovely mats, decorated with delicate flowers, that she designs. Readers everywhere will find this a solid account of personal development and responsibility in the life of one Japanese woman.

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

Since its first publication in 1987, the AHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers has sold nearly 3 million copies and become the must-have reference for all gardeners around the world. This is the ideal book for selecting plants, planning a border, a greenhouse, or a whole garden, and for identifying plants, and it contains a wealth of information on their appearance and cultivation. The 8,000 plants described cover suitability for every climate, including house and conservatory plants. The book begins with a general introduction and explanation of plant names, followed by a revised and enlarged plant selector, highlighting plants suitable for particular sites, soils, conditions, and purposes. The 5,000-entry illustrated plant catalog follows, divided into eight main sections: trees, shrubs, roses, climbers, perennials, annuals and biennials, rock plants, bulbs, water plants, and cacti and other succulents. In this new edition, the sections have been re-ordered to help plants be chosen more intuitively: by color, then season, then size. Feature spreads throughout the color section illustrate a range of cultivars within the most popular genera, such as pelargoniums and clematis. Each plant variety is illustrated by a colorful photograph, and accompanied by a detailed description with cultivation requirements. The single-color, text-only plant dictionary at the back contains entries for every genus in the book, plus more than 3,000 plants in addition to those in the illustrated catalog. It also functions as an index to the plant catalog, with extensive cross-referencing. All the information needed to grow each plant is included here. Following the introduction and plant selector, the book is divided into two main sections: a 440-page, full-colour illustrated plant catalogue, and a plant dictionary featuring 8,000 plants listed alphabetically by botanical name. There is also an index of common names and glossary of terms. Contents PRELIMS PLANT NAMES AND ORIGINS PLANT SELECTOR Lists useful plants for common situations, such as sunless walls, windbreaks, drought, sandy soil, and moist shade. PLANT CATALOG (440PP) Divided into eight main plant groups, as listed below, organized by color, season, size. TREES Including conifers. Features include: Magnolias Hollies Dwarf conifers SHRUBS Features include: Camellias Rhododendrons Hydrangeas Fuchsias Heathers ROSES Includes shrub and old garden roses, modern, miniature, and climbing roses. CLIMBERS Features include: Clematis Ivies PERENNIALS Includes grasses, bamboos, rushes, sedges, and ferns. Features include: Delphiniums Irises Peonies Phlox Pelargoniums Penstemons Aquilegias Daylilies Chrysanthemums Michaelmas daisies Bromeliads Primulas Carnations and pinks Hostas Begonias Orchids African violets ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS ROCK PLANTS BULBS Including corms and tubers. Features include: Gladioli Lilies Dahlias Tulips Daffodils Crocuses Hyacinths WATER PLANTS Features include: Water lilies CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS PLANT DICTIONARY (240PP) Listed alphabetically by botanical name. INDEX OF COMMON NAMES GLOSSARY OF TERMS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Vols. 16-21 include supplement: British empire vegetation abstracts.

Have you ever wanted to craft a gift for a friend or family member, but found you didn’t have the time or even know where to start? Make It Yourself magazine presents Handmade Gifts, combining all the beautiful, handcrafted, and heartfelt offerings you could compile on Pinterest into one compact and approachable book. Handcrafted Gifts is packed with projects for makers of all types, skill levels, and tastes. After trying your hand at some of these enticing projects, you’ll never want to give a gift certificate again! Giving someone a handmade gift shows that you put in more thought and effort than a purchased gift. Whether you want to make a wall hanging or a tiny terrarium, Handcrafted Gifts has more than 200 ideas and inspirations for everyone. Make It Yourself magazine serves the new generation of crafters captivated by Etsy and Pinterest, inspiring them to dabble in a variety of techniques. No matter how eagerly they may embrace technology, they proudly wear the badge of “maker”—someone who loves creating things by hand. Each of the projects in Handmade Gifts is presented with a finished image; step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and photos; and corresponding patterns where necessary. The look and feel of the book puts a fresh spin on traditional crafting with youthful, on-trend DIY fashion, accessories, and decor. With Handcrafted Gifts, you now have a simple, easy-to-follow guide to creating both simple and intricate mementoes for those you care about. sample projects include: Fabric & Sewing Denim Ruffle Necklace, Lace Pillow, Hammered Botanical Napkins Knitting, Crocheting & Weaving Knotted Key Ring, Hanging Baskets, Arm-Knit Cowl Paper, Wood & Leather Crepe Paper Wreath, Tissue Paper Lanterns, Wood Burned Coasters Painting & Stenciling Painted Plates, Painted Cocktail Glasses, Lace Crown Home Spa Treats Sugar Scrub, Salt Soak, Bath Fizzes Embroidery & Needlecraft Embroidered Table Cloth, Cross Stitch Tray, Embroidered Flower Art Clay, Glass & Resin Faux Mercury Glass, Leafy Votive, Etched Vase Plants, Bouquets & Mini Gardens Flower Letters, Living Wreath, Tiny Potted Plants Food Gifts Limoncello, Hot Chocolate Mix, Cookie Decorating Kit.