3 comments about Kids Weaving: Projects for Kids of All Ages.

1. This book is great if you want a book that has interesting, useful projects, clear instructions, and beautiful photos of kids and their weaving. The starting projects are loomless, involving weaving paper ('checkerboard notecards'), twigs ('fairygarden planter'), pliable tree branches ('hideout'), and what looks like a kind of six-strand braiding of embroidery floss hung from a pencil ('friendship bracelet'). From there you graduate to use of a cardboard loom to make a small wool pouch (I did this one) and to weaving cloth strips to make Japanese Rag Warrior dolls. (These, by the way, really do look like dolls my boys would play with.) Following that, the book details how to construct a stand-up loom from pvc piping and fittings, thick wooden dowels, and tongue depressors, and comes complete with heddle bar. I made mine for a cost of about $20. This pvc loom will handle a band of weaving up to 5" wide. From this loom (dubbed 'inkle loom') you can make these projects: inkle strap shoelaces, tapestry dog collar, a belt, a 43" long scarf, doll-sized pile carpets, and, by sewing woven strips together, a kente cloth blanket. The book also includes information, about making your own fiber dyes, different ways to set up the inkle loom, what is 'fulling' and how it is done, as well as bits of weaving history and lore. I got 'Kids Weaving' from the library six weeks ago. I meant to photocopy only a few pages for use introducing weaving to a small homeschool co-op. But when I began to see that it wouldn't be just a few pages, that's when I realized that I should just buy the book. Nearly all of the projects look like something we would do. That's rare.



2. Lots of GREAT ideas!!! Some are quickly done while others are more involved. This is the best book I have found for doing weaving with children. The PVC pipe loom is a terrific idea and inexpensive enough for each child to have one of their own to work on.



3. This book was a great project book for my daughters, especially the 10 year old. We learned a lot about weaving and were able to produce some nice, usable projects in a short time. We still plan to make the loom from PVC piping and make some Christmas gifts with it.
   
   I had gotten the book from our public library and felt it would be a great addition to our craft library and had to buy it. The instructions, diagrams and photos are well done.

1 comments about Medicinal Plants Coloring Book.

1. This is great if you're studying medicinal herbs, it helps to "get up close" to plants that probably don't grow in your area. We really like pretty much all Dover products, and this was no exception.

4 comments about Halloween Recipes & Crafts.

1. When I was a kid...and I'm NOT saying when that was...decorating for Halloween consisted of mainly taping those old cardboard decorations of skeletons, witches, or bats, etc, on your windows, carving a jack-o-lantern, and maybe stuffing a dummy. Today, decorating for Halloween is second only to Christmas and is growing every year. No longer just sprouting up a week before the holiday, today people seem to begin decorating for Halloween as soon as October rolls around. And with the elaborate displays many people now have, it probably takes that long to finish. But as Halloween stores pop up each September selling expensive, Hollywood quality props and decorations, people have lost sight of the fact that you needn't break the bank to have a great Halloween display at your house. "Halloween Recipes & Crafts" presents 160 pages of fantastic ideas for decorating both inside and outside, along with great recipes and other tips for a memorable Halloween. The book opens with a short but interesting history of Halloween and then provides tips on party planning and safety. From there we get into the meat of the book and the fabulous projects you can make at home for little cost.
   
   Outdoor Décor is the first section and provides a number of projects that were new to me. One of the most interesting was the freshly dug graves project where you turn everyday plastic garbage bags and a little bit of dirt or soil, to create the look of a freshly dug grave on for your front lawn. Accent it with a Styrofoam tombstone (which you can also make very inexpensively) some leaves, maybe a fake hand rising out of the dirt, for a truly terrifying display.
   
   Another outdoor project utilizes old tin cans, such as soup or even coffee cans. Painted pumpkin orange, simply punch a series of holes in the can with an awl or screwdriver to make a face. Place a candle inside the can and hang outside for a brilliant Halloween lantern. There's also dangling skeletons that can be made with old gallon milk jugs and a scary Halloween ghost flag that can be made for a few dollars.
   
   Moving inside, there are more great projects. Utilize those, unused Halloween masks by simply stuffing them and hanging them inside...or outside...as recently severed heads. One of my favorite projects is the shrunken heads made out of apples. Simply peel an apple and apply a solution of lemon juice and salt to prevent browning. Carve out the apple in the shape of a face and let dry for a couple of weeks. You can even use marker or paint to further accent these ghastly little decorations. The highlight for me was a miniature graveyard scene made with a simple sheet of Styrofoam, some Spanish moss, twigs, little stones, and smaller pieces of Styrofoam to make tiny tombstones.
   
   The recipes section has all sorts of Halloween themed ideas like deviled egg eye balls or lady fingers made from a half of a hot dog with a red pepper finger nail applied with a bit of cream cheese. Add raisins to ice cubes for drinks or punch to give the appearance of bugs. A great idea for adults is to take the traditional bread bowl spinach dip and cut the bread bowl into a jack-o-lantern face. It would make a great centerpiece for an office party.
   
   If you're hosting a party for your children and their friends there's a great chapter featuring a wide display of games like "Pin the Mouth on the Pumpkin", "Encase the Mummy", "Apple Grab" and more that will keep the kids busy and having fun. The book closes with some tips on costume selection and makeup.
   
   The projects in this book are great looking yet very simple and inexpensive to make. The projects all have a supply list and are described in step-by-step fashion. Chances are you'll find that you have a lot of the items you need already in your home. The book is printed on glossy paper and is lavishly illustrated with dozens of photographs throughout. A real ghoul's treat of fun and great looking projects.
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



2. I admit that I am a *freak* when it comes to Halloween...and now that I have kids I plan on getting them involved in my passion as well! I am always the one buying up all the Halloween magazines at the grocery store checkout looking for recipes and crafts...and THIS ONE sums up everything! AAANNNDDDD...It is ALL in color!!! It has awesome crafts, costumes, food, music/movie suggestions...everything...and for ALL age groups (eg, even non-alcoholic drinks to alcoholic drinks). And what I love about the food is there are cute ideas that are "spooky" and cute but not really gross like some Halloween recipes.
   
   I DEFINATELY RECOMMEND this book to anyone that has kids or that is a kid themself when it comes to Halloween!!!



3. "The moon is full, the sky is darkening and there is a chill in the air. It's October 31--time for the ghoulish ghosts, wicked witches and grim goblins to descend upon your haunted house for the most macabre Halloween party ever."
   
   If you like Halloween or are a teacher or party planner, this book is for you.
   
   The book is divided into:
   
   -- History of Halloween
   -- Outdoor decorations
   -- Indoor Decorations
   -- Jack-o-Lanterns
   -- Devilishly Delectable Treats
   -- Party Favors & Crafts
   -- Ghoulish Games
   -- Creepy Costumes and Menacing Makeup
   
   Each section has a nice photo by Alan Bibby and Tamara Eder, list of needed supplies, and easy how-to instructions. Instead of heading to the store for ready-made stuff, you can make many of the things from items around your house.
   
   My favorite was the recipes of Halloween-theme food. Imagine the end results of Crispy Roasted Bones, Wicked Weiner Fingers, Eerie Eyeballs. You get the idea.
   
   A creative collection that will get your own creative juices flowing to have the best Halloween party ever.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Very, very spooky ideas for decorating, costumes, games and food.



4. Some ideas are not all that original but there are a few things in here that will help you find insperation for your Halloween parties and costums. Some party activities are lots of fun. Overall a very fun book with great illustrations and all color photos.

5 comments about Carving for Kids: An Introduction to Woodcarving.

1. Parents and their kids will find CARVING FOR KIDS: AN INTRODUCTION TO WOODCARVING an intriguing project guide holding eleven skill-building projects for kids ages 4-17. Not only does the author teach woodcarving as a volunteer: all four of his kids are carvers too: his book is packed with color photos and clear techniques.



2. Purchased to accompany a Christmas gift of a small pocket knife for a six-year old grandson who expressed an interest in whittling, Carving for Kids is written at the appropriate level, well illustrated and includes a suitable range of projects from simple to challenging. He immediately selected a project and went right to work on it.



3. Excellent book for the beginners. My 8 and 9 year olds loved it. This is a must have book for kids.



4. Great little book - it's actually for my husband, who is a begging woodcarver. It has some great basics.
   Book is in very good condition.



5. This book is very informative, full of ideas to get one started into woodcarving. I'm 56 and I benefited greatly from the information to this hobby, that is new to me.

2 comments about ArtLab: Fashion Studio O6287 (Artlab).

1. My daughter liked everything about this product. We did have to make some adjustments about the light table usage because the batteries were burning out to fast, but we have a special corner of the play area just for this toy and for posting the completed designs. Good for concentration, fine motor skills and creativity. Just don't tell the kids



2. I bought this for my 9 year old niece for christmas and she loved it! The light box is fantastic. Only drawback I could see with this product is that there seemed to be too few blank papers to use on the lightbox. I used copy paper and cut it into thirds to give my niece an ample supply of blank paper that would fit the lightbox. It was easy enough to do. I highly recommend this for any little girl interested in fashion design.

No comments about Little Wildflowers Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Little Activity Books).

1 comments about Making Flower Children.

1. This book is exelent for the ones who want to use craft felt to make the dolls, because not everyone has time and patience to make the felt dresses...
   It's very good to work with childreen!!!

3 comments about Eric Carle Animal Lacing Cards: 10 Cards & Laces (Eric Carle).

1. These lacing cards are great for all 3 of my kids. It really helps to improve their small motor skills. I highly recommend these to all parents and all ages of children.



2. This is one of the items that we always pack into our 2 year old's bag when we go to church. She sits QUIETLY for about 1/2 hour while she does her lacing. The cards are very sturdy and lightly laminated so there is less risk of tearing, and somewhat water resistant. The packaging keeps it all together in the little box, making it easy to travel with. Good gift idea for a 2 - 3 year old.



3. Well made. Excellent practice for eye/hand coordination and small motor skills. Ages 3 to 5.

5 comments about Halloween School Parties . . . What Do I Do? (What Do I Do? series).

1. I am a first year teacher and this book helped me by leaps and bounds. Almost all of the activities are listed to be for grades K-6, but I was able to modify (if at all) many of them for my pre-K classroom. Every section - games, crafts, food, etc - is broken up into subcategories such as cats, frankenstein, bats, etc so the Halloween Party can have its own theme as well, if you'd like. I can't even begin to explain how useful the entire book has been to me! It took all the stress out of putting on a huge party with students, siblings, and parents galore.



2. I've used this book to help in the classroom and for a neighborhood party. It is practical and helpful. A good way to start the planning session.



3. I suddenly found myself being the "room mother" two weeks before the Halloween Party. Desparately, I searched for a source to plan an excellent, low cost, fun party for 28 5th graders on short notice! This book was perfect. Although the crafts seemed a bit involved, the game ideas were perfect. The book was divided into themes such as witch, bat, pumpkin etc. and each theme had associated foods, games, crafts and decorations. The game ideas were easy to put together and I improvised a bit. The teacher said it was the most organized and fun party she had seen in 30 years of teaching!



4. Great book! I purchased this used, and I really like it. Definitely one I'll use over and over for family and school parties!



5. Great for school parties, hence the title. Loads of ideas, but quite a bit of recycling from other seasonal party books in this series (Halloween BINGO, Christmas BINGO, Valentines BINGO, etc.).
   
   Many standard party ideas you have probably seen before. Like any large party-idea book, 1/2 of the content is not all that useful or relevant. Still, there are a few gems in here, so it will be useful.

1 comments about Candy Bouquets, Delicious Designs.

1. I recently received a candy bouquet from a friend and thought she bought it from some high end store. But no, she just followed the directions from this book! I purchased it and found that it's much cheaper to make these cute candy bouquets on my own--easy too! You'll love this book!