3 comments about Rug Hooking In Maine: 1838-1940.

1. I just received this book and initially thumbed through it. I almost sent it back - based only on the pictures of old rugs. I am so used to books based on contemporary rugs that my first thought was that these old rugs were somehow dull, but when I slowed down to read the history I had second thoughts. I started from the beginning of the book and read through it then studied the pictures. It is a wealth of information and an asset to any serious traditional rug hooker's library.



2. This book is a serious study of Maine's Rug hooking tradition. It is well researched and the stories flow easily and informatively. Color photos and paper quality is excellent. Worthy addition to any American textile/rug library.



3. As Peladeau shows, the field of Maine hooked rugs is surprisingly complex. It's certainly more involved and more fertile than ones who know it simply as a category of "Maine hooked rugs" realize. The field is given complexity and richness by different periods, rug makers, regions, and skills. The author brings all these elements out by an uncommon depth of research sustained by an intertwined personal and professional interest. She lectures on aspects of the topic, has organized exhibitions, and collects research materials on it.
   
   Peladeau finds, for instance, that in the 1859 Maine Charitable Mechanic Fair, three rugs were exhibited. But she goes beyond this fact to relate what it says about the field at this moment in its history. That only the few rugs were exhibited indicates "that interest in rugs had waned somewhat..."; and even more, that the small number indicates that interest in rugs at the time "was centered in the Portland area" and other crafts such as quilts and shell box work had come into greater favor. Such continual details and commentary on what they tell about Maine hooked rugs makes for not only informative, but engrossing reading on the field.
   
   Hooked rugs continue to hold appeal for many collectors and others in the antiques' field because they are a genuine folk art with old Maine and New England associations. Rug hooking was a traditional skill passed on to young woman. Hooked rugs served practical and decorative purposes in homes before surviving ones became desirable collector's items as homes became modernized and the frontier and Victorian tastes and skills they represented passed away. This comes through in Peladeau's text where she relates how rug hooking originated in particular places and spread to others; in her portrayals of individual rug makers or hooked-rug businesses; and detailed descriptions on how the rugs were made, which in some passages are specified to the point of reading like how-to instructions. But the visual matter especially imparts the folk-art aura of hooked rugs which makes them perennially appealing. The diary entries, the old pamphlets, the period photos of woman rug makers and old shops where they were made impart a feel for the combination of ordinariness, industriousness, and inventiveness distinguishing folk art. The many photographs of the farm animals, birds, flowers, patterns, and borders of hooked rugs all in varying degrees of primitive style impart this essential quality of such rugs too.
   
   Peladeau's book is for collectors and the like looking for a discriminating understanding of Maine hooked rugs. The rugs always have an appeal for their folk-art appearance and association with Americana and traditional New England crafts. But for readers whose appreciation is enhanced by knowledge of weaves, recognition of regional variations, awareness of stages of development, and the like, Peladeau's book is for them.

1 comments about Scott 2008 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: United States and Affiliated Territories United Nations Countries of The World A-B (Scott Standard Postage ... Stamp Catalogue Vol 1 Us and Countries a-B).

1. ".....Dear Scott Catalogue User:
   Is this the first time in several years that you have purchased or consulted Volume 1 of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue?
   If so, the 16,500 VALUE CHANGES PLUS EDITORIAL ENHANCEMENTS CONTAINED in the 2008 Volume 1 is only the tip of an iceberg....."
   [from the book of the letter from the editor, by James E. Kloetzel/Catalogue Editor (signed)]

2 comments about Ultimate Handbook Volume II (Littlest Pet Shop).

1. I bought this book for my neice and daughter (both age 6). The two girls love LPS. They sat together and read what each pet likes and dislikes and laughed. It was so sweet. My daughter and I read this book at bedtime, and she enjoys learning what her Littlest Pet Shop pets like. It has many of the pets in it and gives them more character as the girls pretend play with their pets.



2. It's a good book to help kids figure out the names and the animals and know what they want to get next. Advertisement? Definitely, but informative and with every pet there's a story. Helps kids get into the LPS play since they know the background.

5 comments about Medieval Costume in England and France: The 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries.

1. I bought this book because I needed a read and was busted at the time. This book reminds me of my 10th grade reasearch paper. Short clips, pictures second hand. It contained very little actual information on the period,reasons or construction. I give it one point for effort and another because it has pictures. It might be good for an elementary school or junior high library to do a short paper with. Otherwise save your pennies.



2. Absolutely love this book. Though it is simple, I feel it's one of the essential clothing books if you're doing recreations. The layouts are great, the explanations well-done, and there are easy-to-follow diagrams for patterns. Documentation in the form of illuminated manuscripts and rubbings from funerary monuments, etc, also are VERY helpful. Personally, I don't make a single thing without consulting this book at least once!



3. I use this book as a refrence for all of my hopelades and Surcotes, and several of my men's things. I love this book!!



4. Very informative. Excellent historical reference. Describes the hows and whys of fashion evolution the 13th through the 15th centuries, very well. An informative and interesting resource.



5. Medieval Costume in England and France provides a great overview of the different styles of garb during the specified periods. It is divided by century, and further grouped by Royal/Religeous/Common styles. The line drawings are helpful in giving a general idea of how the different styles look. There are some general layout illustrations that would be helpful to an experienced sewer, but a beginner would need additional information to create the look, not provided by this book. ("The Medieval Tailor's Assistant" is perfect for this additional sewing information) I'm not a historian, so I can't comment on the reliability of the sources, but as a newcomer to the SCA I found this book very helpful in finding garb that would fit chosen personna. There are excellent historical descriptions, and frequent reference to sources. For what it intends to offer, this is an excellent book.

1 comments about What I Really Want to Do On Set in Hollywood: A Guide to Real Jobs in the Film Industry.

1. The 'credits track' of some movies can run almost ten minutes become of the dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of people it takes to make a modern film. "What I Really Want to Do on Set in Hollywood: A Guide to Real Jobs in the Film Industry" is a guide to jobs outside the known one such as actor, director, producer. Covering the countless jobs you tend to only hear about at the end of movie credits, it offers in depth descriptions and advice on finding the job that may be the right one for the reader. "What I Really Want to Do on Set in Hollywood" is a unique guide to making one's way in Hollywood.

No comments about Grand Complications: High Quality Watchmaking Volume IV (High Quality Watchmaking).

5 comments about Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni.

1. This is an excellent book for both the beginner or serious student of Southwestern Pottery. It gives examples of all styles, types, and designs, making it easy for anyone to understand what makes each Pueblo's pottery unique. Perhaps not as "in depth" as some others, this book is easily the best book out there today as far as explaining and illustrating the basics. It really is an indispensable guide and reference book. The authors are regular guys rather than scholars, so it is easy and enjoyable to read, and filled with great photos of their quite amazing collections. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a place to begin learning about Southwestern Pottery.



2. I'd been looking for a book like this for ages. It goes through every pueblo's pottery, describing the special characteristics of each, and talks about the important potters in each pueblo.
   
   This is very well written in an easy going, non-snobish style, instantly increasing your depth of knowledge in southwestern pottery. The photographs are excellent and plentiful, giving many diverse examples from each pueblo/region/era.
   
   Highly recommended for those new to collecting. I gave a copy to my parents in New Mexico, and even though they had been doing a bit of collecting for years, they have a much better understanding of the history of some of the pottery sitting on their shelves. They love this book.



3. I was impressed with the display groupings presented and the journey of the authors beginnings of his collections and the knowledge he aquired along the way. He gave good advice to new collectors. I open it daily and alway see something I missed. It's a great book to add to your collection.



4. this is a beautiful book the the pictures in the book are so vivid and colorful, it would make a wonderful addition to any library or it would make a great coffee table book!



5. a beautiful coffee-table book on old and modern Southwestern Pottery. I would have liked a little more on the old stuff and a little less by modern potters, but it is a minor quibble.

2 comments about Making Authentic Shaker Furniture: With Measured Drawings of Museum Classics (Furniture Making).

1. I was impressed by the detail of the Shaker way of life. I was looking for ideas and drawings,and I found out that the Shakers were very resourceful and inventive. This is a must read if you want to make Shaker furniture.



2. John Shea's "Measured Drawings of Museum Classics" is itself a classic. It is not just a book about furniture; he carefully includes enough information on the Shakers, their history and their religion to give the reader an appreciation and understanding of the people and their passion for piety, humility, industry and kindness. It was these virtues that gave birth to their beautiful classical simple and elegant furniture -- which has been admired by "the world's people" for two hundred years.

   During his preparation to write his book, John visited several Shaker communities and museums. At Sabbathday Lake and Canterbury, he was fortunate to meet the surviving members of the Shakers including Mildred Barker and Gertrude Soule, both of whom have now passed away. Written in 1971, it includes pictures of Shaker buildings, woodenware and furniture from five of the Shaker communities and ten museums.

   I have owned my copy for several years. I recently bought copies to give to two friends for Christmas, both experienced woodworkers, who indicated a desire to build furniture. It is inexpensive and completely in black and white but it contains pictures and measured drawings of 87 Shaker furniture and woodenware. In addition, it has pictures of hundreds of other shaker items and a wealth of information about the people and their communities.

   He includes adequate step-by-step instructions of the assembly and finishing of three simple projects - a candle stand, a step stool and a bench. The instructions for cutting dovetails for the step stool is particularly helpful to a new furniture student.

   Of all the books about the Shakers and their furniture, this is probably the best low cost, balanced introduction to the Shakers, their way of life and their furniture.

No comments about Warman's U.S. Coins & Currency Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warmans U S Coins and Currency Field Guide).

5 comments about Traditional Mexican Style Interiors (Schiffer Design Book).

1. I was looking for a reference book to guide my Mexican-style remodeling and redecorating efforts, and this is the best I've found yet. (I have about a dozen!) Gorgeous pictures, and plenty of them. Each section discusses a particular room type (kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.) and each room type gets a good amount of attention. Something I dislike about other books is their tendency to look only at the courtyards or living rooms of Mexican or adobe-style houses -- not so useful if you're considering how to tackle your kitchen. This one covers it all, including touching on gardens and indoor-outdoor spaces that are such an integral part of Mexican living.
   
   Definitely pick up the companion volume, "Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors", while you're shopping. Together they paint a vivid picture of the colorful and vibrant style of Mexico.



2. We were looking for ideas for our outside patio area, especially colors, and this book is great for various decors with vibrant colors. You will find yourself looking through it again and again.



3. This is definately a well layed out book, with really nice high quality pictures, my only question is why are at least half of the picture in this book of houses in the United States? Granted they are in the Southwest where there is a obvious Mexican influence, but I refuse to believe the best examples of Mexican interiors are found in Tucson Arizona! And of the interiors in this book most of the ones from Mexico are from San Miguel de Allende, or Guanajuato which are two towns a hour apart from each other. There are extraordinary colonial gems in Zacatecas, Oaxaca, Puebla, México City, ect, ect, that could have easily been included in this book instead of some American's house in the Southwest... I would have liked to have seen a book on Mexican interiors that were 100% Mexican. The book MEXICOLOR, though not entirely consisting of interiors is a far more authentic book.



4. Excellent photo's to plan off of. They give ideas to maintain a modern design and still keeep the traditional flow of true Mexican and Spanish feel



5. What a beautiful book. One of the best I have seen. I live in Mexico and will be using many ideas.