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H A P PY • C R E AT I V E • C U R AT ED ™

Craft & D.I.Y. e

Adult Coloring e

Children’s Activity e

Good Living ™

Welcome to Better Day Books!

Watercolor the Easy Way

We are thrilled that you have found us and hope you will be inspired by the creative collection of titles that we have prepared for our launch season. Our company was founded on the belief that all people are creative and that making things by hand is inherently good for us.

Step-by-Step Tutorials for 50 Beautiful Motifs Including Plants, Flowers, Animals, & More BY SAR A BERRENSON

We believe in the power of books to teach and inspire creative ideas that lead to a better life for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

ț 50 beautiful motifs to paint in 30 minutes or less.

We publish books that are not only informational, but also aspirational.

ț Printed on smooth watercolor paper with a user-friendly layflat binding.

We believe in 4 key ingredients to success: The right book, at the right time, at the right price—with awesome partners!

ț Illustrated “learn-ata-glance” instructions make the process easy for beginners and visual learners.

O U R A PPROAC H Ș HAPPY: We build confidence, creativity, and kindness into every book. We believe in the power of making to improve the quality of life; for our readers and those around them.

“ The book itself is a work of art!“ — JODIE N.

Ș CREATIVE: We inspire readers to make something beautiful every day. Our fresh ideas, beautiful imagery, and approachable instruction make the process easy, inviting, and unintimidating.

“ Super easy designs that turn out amazing in the end.” — RYAN R.

“ The perfect reference book to have open while you paint!” — SYLVIA F.

Ș CURATED: We publish with passion. We have a handcrafted approach to publishing. We study the market and publish books that marry fresh ideas with compelling formats that inspire readers and win for our retail partners.

Those who love the look of watercolor but think they lack the skill will find success with this beautifully-illustrated book! With Watercolor the Easy Way, readers will learn basic information for getting started, such as how to mix paints and apply essential brushstrokes. Then, they will move on to a vast collection of 50 stunning motifs to paint.

Better Day Books are distributed through our co-publishing partner, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Please see the back page for contact information.

Each of the 50 tutorials is broken down into key steps so that the reader can clearly see how to begin painting, layer color, and add detail. Also included are hand-drawn patterns, brush recommendations, helpful hints, and color palettes. Best of all, each tutorial can be completed in 30 minutes!

Thank you for your support… it means the world to us!

Peg Couch PUB LISHER ™

cover art: Watercolor rose © Sara Berrenson,

background line art © Car Pintos

A beautiful book to experience the magic of watercolor, spark creativity, and discover artistic talents!

AVAILABLE: January 2020 PRICE: $24.99 FORMAT: Soft Cover (with lay-flat binding)

SIZE: 8.5" x 11" PAGE COUNT: 128 ISBN: 978-0-7643-5982-8

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 3

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Fifty beautiful motifs that can be painted in 30 minutes or less.

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Inspiration is everywhere — artwork, books, nature — explore your interests and see what motivates you to create something amazing.

Rose

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1. Paint the rose petals with a light wash of pink. Allow some areas to be lighter and some to be darker to create interest and depth. Keep the center area white so we can fill it in later. Let dry. 2. Paint loose brushstrokes in a darker shade of pink to add detail; make sure to follow the shape of the strokes you have already painted. Let dry.

BRUSHES

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Hanging Plant

3. Paint yellow and orange brushstrokes to create the flower center. Then paint the green stem and leaves. Let dry.

COLOR PALETTE

• Medium/large brush for petals, stem and leaves (6, 8)

4. Use a smaller brush to create brown detailed linework on the flower center. Add dark green details on the leaves and a dark green shadow on the left side of the stem.

• Small brush for details (3)

1. Paint the pot light tan, shading one side a bit darker to create depth. Let dry.

2. Using a variety of greens, paint the leaves cascading down the sides. It might help to envision each one as a heart shape. Let dry. 3. Paint the plant holder in a light brown. Let dry. 4. In a dark brown, add details to the plant holder. In a dark green, paint the stems on the leaves, and a vein down each leaf center.

Color swatches and detailed instructions, all on one page.

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Sea Tur tle

1. Working one segment at a time, coat the shell with a layer of water. Drop in blues, greens and yellows, and coax the water where you want it to go with your brush. Repeat this with each segment. Make sure to leave the areas in between the segments white. Let dry. 2. Paint each segment on the outer edge of the shell in light blue. Let dry.

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3. Paint the legs and head in blue. Do one piece at a time, starting with the leg below the head. Concentrate the darkest shade of blue where the leg meets the shell. Repeat this for the remaining legs and head. Let dry. 4. Using the blues, paint little spots on the legs and head to create texture. Paint the eye black and leave a white area for the highlight.

Margarita

1. Paint the margarita section with a coat of water. Drop in reds and pinks and coax the paint where you want it to go with your brush. Make sure to leave a white area for a highlight. Let dry.

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2. Using a very soft blueish gray, paint the first layer of the glass. Next, paint the lime slice, using a light green for the inside and a dark green for the rind. Let dry.

Illustrated steps make it easy for visual learners to succeed.

3. Using a slightly darker shade of your blueish gray, add shadows to the glass. Paint little dots along the glass rim for salt. Add detail to the lime slice using darker greens. Let dry. 4. Darken your glass one last time with a darker shade of blue green. Then darken the reds of the margarita, making sure to blend the color into the existing paint so that you don’t get hard edges.

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Trend-forward designs as well as classics — something for everyone!

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ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Sara Berrenson is a Southern California watercolor artist who has a rapidly growing licensing program including gift, home décor, stationery, greeting cards, fabrics, and more. She has designed for globally-recognized brands including Trader Joe’s and Mattel. Her items can be found at West Elm, Pottery Barn Kids, Target, HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack, Bed Bath & Beyond, HSN, and specialty gift stores. When not painting in her studio, Sara can be found taking photographs at the flower mart or scouring flea markets for antique furniture and vintage finds.

Shine Bright A Color, Draw, & Dream Book for a Beautiful Life B Y L I N D S AY H O P K I N S

ț Over 100 adorable patterns to color—organized into confidence-building themes such as kindness, creativity, and more. ț 11 step-by-step drawing lessons, 11 interactive journal prompts, and hand-lettered quotes help to develop art skills and positive thinking. ț Attractive and functional package with glitter foil embellishments and a stabilizing 4mm backerboard.

“ Talk about confidence and creative skills-building… this book delivers big time.” — STORYWRAPS

“ I love this cute, little adorable book!” — JANET C.

Children will build creativity and confidence with this super fun book that focuses on all of the remarkable traits that make them unique! Each chapter features adorable patterns to color, fun drawing lessons, and room to write about their dreams. From llamas and mermaids to unicorns and butterflies, kids are sure to find cuteness, inspiration, and fun on every page. The front cover features glitter foil embellishment and the back cover is printed on a stabilizing 4mm backerboard. Perfect for busy kids and families looking for on-the-go activities.

AVAILABLE: February 2020 PRICE: $14.99 FORMAT: Soft Cover (with 4mm backerboard)

SIZE: 9" x 9" PAGE COUNT: 96 ISBN: 978-0-7643-5983-5

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 5

Being magical does not mean that you have a top hat, cape, and magic wand (but, it’s totally cool if you do!). Being

COLOR

magical means that you shine from the inside. It means that you have the ability

The most popular coloring motifs: unicorns, mermaids, kittens, llamas, and more!

to make everything a little bit more special just by being yourself. Being magical means believing that something amazing is waiting just beyond the rainbow. You don’t have to look too hard for magic. Just believe in yourself and the magic will find you!

Be like a unicorn and leave a trail of happiness wherever you go!

Curiosity can take you on a great adventure. Pretend you have a magic passport that could take you anywhere in the world. Where would you go? What country, culture, or experience are you most curious about? Circle one option below and then write about why you selected it:

JOURNAL Confidence-building quotes and guided journal pages.

Ride on a camel in the great Sahara Desert Climb to the top of Mt. Everest Sleep in an enchanted castle in Scotland Go on an exotic animal safari in Africa Swim with turtles in the Caribbean Sea ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................... .......................................................................................

STEP 1: Begin by drawing the butterfly’s thorax (body), head, and antennae. STEP 2: Add the wings of the butterfly, drawing the forewing (top) and hindwing (bottom). STEP 3: Draw lines through the wings to form the wing veins. STEP 4: Finish your butterfly by adding creative lines and dots on the wings.

Step 1

START HERE: Begin by tracing the pattern to the left. Then, use the space below to draw more butterflies.

Step 2

DRAW Step-by-step drawing lessons! Step 3

Step 4

Happiness looks beautiful on you.

ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Lindsay Hopkins is a best-selling author and founder of Pen & Paint design studio. She has over 45,000 engaged social media followers and is the author of many beloved coloring books including Beauty in the Bible, Colors of Nature, Happy Coloring Series, and Shine Bright. She holds over 15 licenses in the gift and stationery market with products at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, HomeGoods, JOANN, Kirkland’s, Michael’s, Ross, T.J. Maxx, Target and independent retailers across the United States.

Happy Place Coloring Book BY CAR PINTOS

ț An innovative twist on coloring! ț Combines lush coloring patterns with mindopening journal prompts. ț Introduces a brand-new concept; relaxation mazes to complete and color. ț A deluxe package — printed on high-quality artist paper with flaps and foiled cover.

This premium adult coloring book, lush with intricate patterns and beautiful details, is drawn by internationally-renowned artist, Car Pintos. Inside, readers will find 98 gorgeous designs celebrating the Happy Places in nature filled with flowers, botanicals, birds, butterflies, and more. Also included are hand-drawn coloring mazes, which not only provide a new concept in coloring but also help readers relax their minds as they twist-and-turn their way through winding paths that lead from one end of the maze to the other. The book is printed on high-quality artist paper that resists bleed-through and is therefore perfect for a variety of coloring mediums, including colored pencils, gel pens, and markers.

AVAILABLE: July 2020 PRICE: $16.99 FORMAT: Soft Cover (with foiled cover and flaps)

SIZE: 10" x 10" PAGE COUNT: 128 ISBN: 978-0-7643-5984-2

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 7

• Joy Journal •

Love Yourself There is always a reason to smile. Use the spaces below to focus on the things that you love about yourself — mind, body, and spirit.

My Mind

My Body

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Relaxing coloring mazes are combined with suggested meditations.

My Spirit ........................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................................................................

Journal spreads feature writing prompts along with coordinating coloring patterns.

• Meditation Maze •

LOVE

Focus on what the word “love” means to you as you help the birds find their way to one another.

Artistic animal and nature patterns, lush with detail but not overwhelming. 106

ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Car Pintos graduated from the University of Buenos Aires (FADU) with honors in 2006, where she has since returned to give lectures and workshops. Her clients include Coca-Cola, Brother, Oster, and many others. She resides in Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires (one of the World Biosphere Reserves) where she creates amongst the birds, flowers, trees, and animals. She is inspired by nature and renowned for her colorful illustrations that are lush with detail.

The Better Day Book Coloring Book BY CAR PINTOS

ț 52 simple yet effective ideas for happier days. ț Journal pages with every chapter. ț Tear-out cards for on-the-go inspiration!

In this charmingly-illustrated gift book, popular artist Olivia Gibbs shares 52 simple ideas for having happier days. From taking an aroma-filled flower bath to spending more time in nature, readers will find simple yet effective ideas that celebrate kindness, self-care, and life’s simple pleasures. The book is organized into six chapters: Outdoors, At Home, With Others, The Little Things, When Life is Hard, and The Big Picture. Also included are illustrated journaling pages and sixteen Tear-and-Share Happiness Cards. A beautiful and timeless gift for anyone looking for inspiration in a chaotic world.

AVAILABLE: October 2020 PRICE: $19.99 FORMAT: Hard Cover SIZE: 6” x 8” PAGE COUNT: 168 (plus 4 pull-out pages) ISBN: 978-0-7643-6094-7

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 9

52 simple, yet effective ideas for self-care.

Combines popular wellness trends with timeless relaxation techniques.

A perfect gift for anyone looking for serenity in a hectic world!

Bonus! Also includes sixteen Tear-and-Share Happiness Cards.

ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Olivia Gibbs is an illustrator and surface pattern designer whose colorful work has been licensed across multiple channels, including gift, home décor, and stationery. Her list of clients includes American Greetings, CR Gibson, and International Greetings. Her work can be found at Belk, Hallmark, Hobby Lobby, JOANN, Trader Joe’s, and other national retail chains. Originally from Spain, Olivia currently resides in Kansas, where she is inspired by nature and the world around her.

Freshly Stitched Modern Embroidery for Absolute Beginners BY CELESTE JOHNSTON

ț 12 beautiful botanical projects for a range of skill levels. ț Detailed instructions and diagrams to guide every stitch. ț Handy reference charts to illustrate the process “at-a-glance.” ț Journal prompts and inspiring quotes to complement every project. ț A deluxe package with hardcover binding and thick matte paper.

Twelve modern embroidery projects featuring beautiful plants, flowers, and botanicals. Each one includes step-bystep instructions, a quick reference chart, full-size patterns, helpful tips, and even a journal prompt. Also included is a handy appendix with detailed diagrams for every stitch. Nothing has been left out of this comprehensive book to help readers enjoy the fulfilling, creative, therapeutic, and trending craft of embroidery!

AVAILABLE: February 2020 PRICE: $22.99 FORMAT: Hard Cover SIZE: 7.75” x 9.5” PAGE COUNT: 168 ISBN: 978-0-7643-6-1234

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 11

Tiny Terrarium STITCHES • Satin stitch • Straight stitch • Backstitch

SUPPLIES • 4" embroidery hoop • 8" x 8" piece of your chosen fabric • 1 skein each of light green, bright green, forest green, seafoam green, lavender, ivory, brown, and gold cotton or specialty floss • Brown seed or bugle beads (optional) • Embroidery scissors • Beading needle (optional) • Size 5 needle • Transfer materials (page 18)

Metallic, satin, pearl (perle), and variegated floss, sequins and beads — oh my! What catches your eye when you meander down the beautiful needle arts aisle of the craft store? With this project, I want to encourage you to explore some of the specialty materials available to accentuate your embroidery art. You’ll find that these flosses and embellishments are easy to incorporate with a little patience and that they get along well together with your regular cotton floss. For this adorable Tiny Terrarium project, you have a lot of room for experimenting with these specialty floss options. I chose gold metallic floss, green and lavender satin floss, and tiny seed beads to add a little contrast and sparkle. Feel free to use these options, too, or pick out whatever sparks joy within you. You’ll need only a short length of each of the flosses you choose, so this is a great opportunity to use some of your leftover floss scraps. Or stitch with a friend so you can share your pretty floss finds. ■

• Finishing materials (page 26) • Pattern (page 161)

QUICK REFERENCE

Inviting photography to inspire. Columnar Cactus Sedum Succulents

Forest green | Satin stitch | 4 strands

Bright green (satin floss) | Backstitch, straight stitch | 4 strands

Columnar Cactus Accents Ivory | Straight stitch | 2 strands

Tillandsia Air Plants

STITCH DIARY

Light green | Straight stitch | 2 strands

“The question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humor and style.” Terrarium

Pachyveria Succulent

Gold (metallic floss) | Straight stitch | 2 strands

Seafoam green | Satin stitch | 4 strands

Rocks (Beaded)

Purple Echeveria Succulents

Brown floss | Brown seed beads | Straight stitch | 1 strand

Lavender (satin floss) | Straight stitch | 4 strands

STEP 5: Stitch the spiky air plants. Using two strands of light green floss, stitch the air plants using short straight stitches that share an endpoint at the center of each plant.

STEP 7: Stitch the Echeveria succulents. Using four strands of lavender satin floss or six strands of cotton floss, stitch the Echeveria succulents with straight stitches that share an endpoint at the center of each plant. You’ll only need three to four stitches per plant.

STEP 6: Stitch the tall Sedum succulents. Using four strands of bright green satin floss or six strands of cotton floss, backstitch the tall Sedum succulents. Backstitch the center stems, then add the tiny leaves at the points where the backstitches meet. Because satin floss is slippery, you’ll notice it’s hard to tie in the back. Double knot the tails and handle your embroidery with care to ensure the stitches stay in place.

TIPS: Working with metallic or satin floss can be tricky. These persnickety flosses won’t lie as neatly as cotton floss, and because they’re stiffer, they can be difficult to tie in knots. Use them sparingly, and work carefully and slowly with short, twelve-inch pieces to prevent tangles. Some stitchers like to use a thread conditioning balm to tame their floss. When adding beads to your embroidery, be sure to choose a thin needle with an eye that can easily pass through the beads. A size 10 embroidery needle should work depending on the size of your beads, or you can use a specialty beading needle.

MAYA ANGELOU

Tiny Terrarium

STEP 8: Start stitching the terrarium. Using two strands of metallic gold floss, stitch the outline of the terrarium using long straight stitches that span the entire length of each side. Where your stitches meet, they’ll share an endpoint. Work with 12" lengths of floss or shorter to avoid tangles. Metallic floss is stiff and won’t always lie completely flat. Pulled taut, it will make a nice accent for your piece.

If you have trouble keeping succulents alive, you’re not alone! These little beauties are not as easy to care for as some people say. I’ve found that the best way to keep succulents happy indoors is a sunny window spot, proper draining soil, and infrequent watering (or allowing the roots to dry out completely). Another thing to consider is their color. Green succulents survive better indoors, while bright reds, pinks, and purples prefer to be outside where they can receive full sunlight. Learning what your plants need to thrive, taking the time to care for them, and learning to notice their little signs of growth can be a really fulfilling and soothing hobby.

Have you thought about what things you need to grow and feel deeply rooted? Take some time to list those things here. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

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Overview charts to make planning easy.

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Bonus quotes and journal prompts elevate the relaxation benefits of stitching.

Detailed instructions to ensure successful results.

ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Celeste Johnston is the creative force behind the popular Lemon Made Shop. Her handstitched houseplants, flowers, animals, and uplifting words have caught the attention of over 60,000 engaged Instagram followers. She has been a featured maker at pop-up shops for both West Elm and Madewell. And her work has been featured in Be Creative, an international fiber art magazine. For more info, visit @lemon_made_shop.

BETTER DAY BOOKS • 12

The Bright Book A Creativity Workbook Designed to Help You Shine BY J E SSI R AU LE T

ț Eight interactive chapters to guide creative growth.

Lushly illustrated with the author’s vibrant art to inspire.

ț Tips, ideas, and exercises to help readers develop their art skills. ț Guided art journal prompts with copious room to explore new art techniques.

Creative exercises to build art skills and confidence.

ț A deluxe hardcover edition with gilded edges, rounded corners, and an elastic enclosure. Copious room to create and explore new techniques.

Creative ideas, exercises, and prompts from internationally-acclaimed artist Jessi Raulet (EttaVee). The book is organized into eight chapters and features creative opportunities such as journaling, collage, drawing, painting, and writing. Themes include: nurturing the artist within, exploring various art techniques without self-judgment, identifying and expressing an authentic style, harnessing the creative energy of travel and movement, experiencing the powerful effect of color on emotion, developing creative confidence, and sharing the joy of creativity with others. Designed to inspire, the book comes with metallic edging, elastic closure, foiled cover, and artist-quality paper.

AVAILABLE: April 2021 PRICE: $24.99 FORMAT: Hard Cover (with rounded corners, gilded edges, and elastic closure) SIZE: 8.5” x 10” PAGE COUNT: 96 ISBN: 978-0-7643-6-1210

ABOUT TH E AUTHOR Jessi Raulet has turned her artwork into the international brand EttaVee, well-known for its bold patterns, playfulness, and optimistic color palettes. EttaVee products are currently available at Target, Pottery Barn, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, TJMAXX, HomeGoods, Amazon, and many more retailers. She has a rapidly growing social media platform with over 114,000 followers on Instagram. Learn more at www.ettavee.com and @ettavee.

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Better Day Books 1380 Spahn Avenue • York, PA 17402 phone: 717-487-5523 email: info@betterdaybooks.com www.betterdaybooks.com @better_day _books

for order inquires

Distributed by: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 4880 Lower Valley Road • Atglen, PA 19310 phone: 610-593-1777 • fax: 610-593-2002 email: info@schifferbooks.com