Englands Daily Telegraph sponsors an annual contest for this unique genre a sort of prose haiku. A mini-saga is a story with a beginning middle & end but it can only be fifty words long exactly (try it it isnt easy). Herewith are the winning 2001 entries: witty inventive provocative tantalizing mini tales -- of love tragedy religion horror the future -- & other strong contenders as selected by the committee led by the noted SF author Brian Aldiss as well as some specially commissioned pieces. & the winner is! Nigel Lodges Regular Meetings"" ...

Like mother like daughter...! Shopaholic Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood)'s two-year-old is.. .spirited. She knows what she wants whether it's a grown-up Prada handbag or a toy pony (40% off so a bargain surely?) When yet another shopping trip turns to mayhem Becky decides it's time to give Minnie her own pocket money. Is it a bad sign when Minnie goes instantly overdrawn? Minnie isn't the only one in financial crisis. As the Bank of London collapses people are having to Cut Back. Everyone needs cheering up so what better way to do it than to throw a fabulous surprise party? A thrifty party of course. Except economising & keeping a secret have never been Becky's strong points.. . ...

Very few cars inspire as much affection as the original Mini. It's the small car everyone loves to eulogise because it oozes energetic fun classless minimalism & evergreen style. But it's also of massive historical importance: the 1959 Mini designed by Alec Issigonis set the template from which all successful compact cars have been created ever after. It was the technological wonder of its age. The original Mini was on sale for 41 years during which its 5.3m sales made it the best-selling British car of all time
- an achievement unlikely ever to be beaten. & just when it looked like the little car would shrivel & die BMW had the vision to reinvent it as the planet's most desirable small car range & put it back on the serious motoring map as the MINI. Here award-winning writer Giles Chapman tells the whole amazing story.
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If you want a special decoration for a party or wedding cake girly cupcake or designer cookie bags never go out of fashion & they will create a sugar sensation. Frances Mc Naughton shows how to create tasty bags with an assortment of sweet embellishments. No specialist moulds or cutters are required just commonly used sugarcraft tools & materials. The following are some of the projects: a clutch bag starry evening bag basket zebra print bag leopard vanity case gel bag sheepskin bag camouflage bag backpack designer satchel & sporran. The constituent parts of the bags are shown with the step by step instructions & annotated for clarity then the finished items are pictured in all their splendour. People will love to make these cake toppers for friends or relatives who cant get enough fashionable bags. ...

From gorgeous flirty bling beauties to fun fluffy slippers & comfortable fashion boots best-selling sugarcraft author Frances Mc Naughton shows how to create tasty footwear
- some with matching bags & an assortment of sweet embellishments. Shoe & bag cutters/moulds are available on the internet from sugarcraft outlets & Amazon sell them too. The following are some of the projects & bags will follow the shoe theme: simple flip flops sandals stilettos Cinderella shoes ballet shoes sweet sporties sweet strappies boots baby shoes fantasy shoes patterned & printed shoes. The constituent parts of the shoes & bags are shown with the step by step instructions & annotated for clarity then the finished items are pictured in all their splendour. People will love to make these cake toppers for friends or relatives who can't get enough shoes.
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Zen Meditation Balls" are a welcome addition to a frazzled world! Long considered a mainstream Eastern practice meditation has experienced an unprecedented growth in the West with millions of us practicing meditations for its physical mental & spiritual benefits. " Our Zen Meditation Balls" are a moving counterpoint to the inner stillness of a meditative session. By hitting specific pressure points on the palms of your hands these metal balls send signals through your nervous system that it's time to relax & let go. You can make meditation a part of your daily routine with this kit. Complete with 2 beautiful high-quality gently chiming meditation balls this is an 88-page book with step-by-step instructions on how you can lower stress & improve your health. In a new mega mini kit format the contents are visible & the kit is secured with a firm magnetic clasp. The contents include: 2 zen meditation balls silky bag & an 88-page book." ...

The perfect final touch for a truly charming dollhouse: h&-knit wardrobes for the whole family! All 40 original patterns feature fine-finish knitting threads just right for the 1/12 scale miniatures. Cuddly projects for babies include layette lacy gown cape hooded jacket leggings vest & slippers. For older children choose among styles of dresses suits & sweaters. Fashion your adult wardrobes from dresses & suits sweaters & shawls hats & ties. You can even knit home furnishings including a tablecloth & place mat set blanket & cradle set. Illustrations & instructions show how to adapt patterns to different eras & fashions. ...

Learn easy piecing techniques to create more than 30 complex looking mini-mosaic style quilting blocks. Celebrate the decorative intricacy of tiled mosaics in your next quilting or sewing project. Popular quilt designer Paula Doyle proves how easy it can be to get perfect precision patchwork on a small scale. Create wonderfully colourful patterns using lots of different fabrics in these miniature quilts table runners tote bags & many other projects. Good things really do come in small packages! ...

More than 40 projects with full color photographs offer something for needleworkers of all levels; the basic introduction allows even complete novices to begin crocheting. Equip a miniature nursery with a tiny blanket & baby outfits. Fill your little closets & wardrobes with Victorian or modern clothes. Add special touches to your dolls house decor from afghans to tablecloths & even an elaborate hanging for a four-poster bed. ...

This exciting new book from Angie Scarr presents a voyage of discovery & inspiration for all miniaturists to delve into. Here Angie shares the secrets of her amazingly intricate work in a variety of exciting materials & invites us to join in with her passion for miniature food. The projects are more adventurous than ever before & created with extraordinary attention to detail. Follow this master class that is packed full of ideas detailed information on techniques tools materials & is illustrated with easy-to-follow step-by-step pictures throughout. Find out how to create liquid & translucent effects glazes moulding & veining all to mouth-watering effect. Just some of the projects included are: pastry cases chocolate recipes toffee apples fruit tarts strawberries melons cabbage & mushrooms. ...