5 comments about The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction.

1. I found this book very disappointing. The pictures were very pretty but that is pretty much it. The illustrations were confusing and of little use. It gives too much of an overview and no real specifics. I found woodworking for dummies to be a much better book for the beginning woodworker.



2. I don't buy many woodworking books because most, especially the ones sold by home centers, aren't very good. They lack detail, they're incomplete, and I often get the feeling that they're just cranked out without much thought. But this one caught my eye in a local bookstore and I'm glad I bought it.
   
   First of all, the book can be used either as a reference or as a complete primer on woodworking. There's lots of information there, but not so much that you get bogged down. At first I just used it to brush up on specific topics, and then I went back to the first page and started reading it straight through. It's well-written; words are used well and not wasted. Photography is superb. Despite the reference to generic "Furniture" in the title, the book is heavily oriented toward cabinets, which it covers in great detail, even to the point of describing how to construct multi-light glass doors.
   
   The first few pages are a little off-putting as the author describes what he considers an appropriate collection of tools and a space to put them in; unfortunately, many woodworking books assume that the reader has acres of space in which to set up a shop. As you read on, though, the text is more friendly toward the hobbyist.
   
   In short, this is a great woodworking reference or tutorial. Don't be put off by the beginning of the book; it gets better. And the Amazon price for this book is much lower than the $40 I paid in the bookstore.



3. Got this for my husband for his birthday and he loves it. Hasn't had a chance to build anything since, but it will definately come in handy. The quality of the book itself is very good especially for how low the price was. There are good pictures to follow and very thorough information and directions.



4. Given the scope of this work, I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like, after reading a book on furniture and cabinet making, I ought to have some idea of how to construct a basic cabinet. While this book covers a wide variety of general techniques and types of joints commonly used, at no point does it tie them together; it discusses possibilities, but never synthesizes them into anything tangible, leaving me, at least, wondering which of the book's assorted grab bag of clever tricks might be combined to actually produce a cabinet. I already knew what a sliding dovetail was before I bought this book; what I sought to learn was the architecture and structural elements needed to design a cabinet. Strangely, I feel like I'm no closer to that knowledge than I was before I read the book.



5. Had some ok spatterings of information , but overall I found it a bit dissapointing. Its a fairly big book but doesnt seem to really show anthing ground breaking. If I had seen it before hand I wouldn't buy it again. Thats not to say in the right hands this book wouldn't be handy .Has some interesting info on how to make your own hinges, apart from that the rest is pretty standard stuff.

5 comments about Simple Soldered Jewelry & Accessories: A Crafter's Guide to Fashioning Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets & More.

1. I was curious about making the soldered pendant shown in this book and this book did not disappoint my expectations - just detailed enough, plenty of great pictures, and thorough in its instructions, leaving me with the feeling that I can definitely make these pendants to go with the beaded jewelry I make. I highly recommend this book.



2. I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT TRYING TO SOLDER, BUT AFTER READING THIS BOOK I THINK I CAN HANDLE IT. EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND GREAT IDEAS!



3. I have purchased five books on soldered jewelry. I continue to return time and time again to this book! The instructions are crystal clear and easy to follow. Soldering can be intimidating...not here. You will be ready to go to the iron and get started after just one pass through this book! I just can't say enough about it. THIS IS THE ONE.



4. Highly recommended for those new to soldered jewelry making. The author clearly outlines a list of necessary tools and provides simply and easy to understand instructions for completing each of the projects listed in the book. I have purchased several hundred dollars worth of books on soldered jewelry making and this book is by far the best one to date. Instructions are clear, accurate and easy to follow. Projects are attractive, modern, and marketable in today's venues. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.



5. This book is by far the best if you want to learn how to solder jewelry pieces. I loved the way it is written, easy to understand, and the projects are a blast to learn, with wonderful color photos throughout the book. I highly recommend it for your craft library.

5 comments about Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color.

1. Colorworks is a great introduction to color theory for people who
   work in fiber arts, packed with lots of examples of color schemes
   worked out in knitting, weaving, beads, quilting, paper, machine and surface embroidery. While it is not nearly as in-depth as the now out-of-print Color and Fiber, it is also more accessible. It is also not as specific as Mary Fry's Color for Needlework, but it provides a good, solid ground for a stitcher's exploration of color.
   
   Almost half the book is made up of color tools, including palettes of each of twelve hue, ranging from fully saturated hues to extremely muted tones and shades. A Color Wheel and Value Scale are also provide. A series of templates has holes cut out to be used in conjunction with the color wheel to find color combinations.
   
   The seven chapters of the book cover all the major topics in color
   studies. There are chapters on color relationships, value,
   contrasts, and harmonies. Each sub-topic within the chapters is
   given s page of text. Next to it are nine samples in various media
   showing the principle discussed. These examples use the same design from page to page, varying only in the color used. As much as anything, this gives graphic demonstration of the topics and will fuel stitchers' imaginations.
   
   The last two chapters apply color to specific media. The sixth
   chapter discusses the characteristics of media in relation to color. Most folks know that shiny surfaces look lighter than matte surfaces, but how does this apply to knitting yarn or beads. Knowing something of the characteristics of yarns before you shop will help you in making choices. The final chapter, shows how a color scheme is developed in each of the nine crafts used in the book. Paper scraps show the basic colors involved while the text outlines the color harmony used as well as the specific colors. A value scale on paper is included and samples of the media used are also included in the illustration.
   
   This book provides just enough information on color to get a
   craftsperson started with this exciting topic. Unlike many books on color, this book doesn't talk about mixing colors, since these
   materials are all discreet. But it should be considered a starting point for color exploration, not a complete book.



2. If you are a craftsperson, this is a terrific reference tool! The examples of spinning, beading, weaving, quilting, and embroidery really show you how color works in each realm. Best of all are the tear out color wheel and color harmony overlays that get you thinking about your palette.



3. Deb Menz's Color Works is about color combination. There are numerous illustrations of theory and practice. The pages of samples showing several mediums makes the book for me. The same color on yarn, fabric, seed beads, or paper has a different resonance. The text illustrates how color/medium combinations "can be dramatic or theatrical." The examples push the reader to consider alternative color choices. Goethe's color theory of relative proportions is convincingly illustrated. Deb Menz offers practical methods to add more colors (hexad harmony) while avoiding a rainbow look. There's plenty to retrain the eye and mind.



4. Really, this book covers all you'll need to experiment with color. I never knew that so much was involved when making color choices. It's not hard to understand, but it took me a bit to understand the chapter on value. Once I read it through twice, though, it all started to make sense.
   
   It also contains a color wheel with punch out overlays to help you choose colors. I did find them hard to punch out, as another reviewer stated, and ended up using scissors to cut the perforations.
   
   This book is just packed with information. If you are interested in exploring color, you'll find this book very helpful.



5. the colors seem dull and dark. why use a black background for the samples and examples? those pictures look a little out of focus, shadowy, and dark. i really like everything else about this book, but expected much better photography. i want a visual feast when i sit down to explore color. this was uninspiring.

5 comments about Things I Learned From Knitting (Whether I Wanted To or Not).

1. Entertainment extraordinaire, with life lessons explained! How does knitting fit in today's busy busy world and do you think you might enjoy this very old pastime? Find out as you read Things I Learned from Knitting... whether I wanted to or not. This is a handy little book that will fit into a small bag. It is very very funny. I found myself laughing out loud more than once as I was reading it. The author, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee lives in Canada; she speaks and writes the Queen's English, thus the reader must often think, more than a wee bit, to extract all the meaning. That makes it all the more enjoyable. The author uses 45 old adages which illustrate life lessons and she contrasts and compares cognitive psychology to the thought processes used in knitting. That being said I think it will make a wonderful graduation present for my close friend, a young wife, mother, and knitter, who just spent the last ten years working toward her PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a speciality in Oncology. With that accomplished she now has more time to knit and to get on with life's lessons learned!!!



2. Knitter fanatic Stephanie Pearl-McPhee always has too many projects on needles, and here celebrates her knitting passion in a series of admonitions and adages perfect for knitters who 'have everything' in the way of instructionals. From pairings of feelings about yarn to boyfriends to descriptions of patterns of risk, this funny yet pointed collection is the perfect gift for any who love to knit, and a fine addition to collections catering to them.



3. The Yarn Harlot is a funny lady with a genius for telling home truths in ways that sound fresh. I bought this book because -- okay, (a)it's McPhee, (b)I have all her other books,(c) I've never met a knitting book I didn't need to have immediately (except those that purport to be not your grandmother's something or other). Pathetic reasons, but there you are. This book divides a bunch of those home truths into brief chapterettes -- a clever way to organize the material but one which (sorry) shows off its shallowness. "Practice Makes Perfect," for instance. Oh, thanks; never thought of that. "You Can't Win Them All." Yes, well; you learn that one the first time you try to frog mohair. "Patience is a Virtue:" This little essay does raise the interesting question of whether knitting teaches patience or whether patient people become knitters. Either way, so what?
   
   My sense is that her publishers said, "Steph, it's time; you've got to get another book out there and do another tour." My stronger sense is that between the books and the tours and the blog and whatnot, this lovely knitter is becoming too much of a brand, the voice is becoming too familiar, and the same thing is being sold over and over, with diminishing returns for the reader. Excuse me; I need to attend to my own knitting.



4. I've read all the Yarn Harlot's other books, faithfully read her blog, and heard her speak live. I enjoy her style and funny anecdotes. This book was disappointing. It didn't have any substance to it, and I found it dull. Her next book sounds like it'll be much better. I wish I'd skipped buying this one and waited for the next one to come out.



5. I bought this book hoping to find more of the same humor that was in her first two books. The third book (The Yarn Harlot Casts Off) was a disappointment to me, but I'd hoped it was a fluke. Sadly, I think book#4 is more of the same trend. If you've never read her books, it would probably be amusing, but there wasn't much original in this one. I guess there is only so much you can write about the follies of knitting, and two books is about that much! wish I'd not bought it - will be donating to our library.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Sharpening.

1. You have to admire the author. He packs a huge amount of detailled and easily read information in this book. The electron photomicrographs, showing various sharp (and not so sharp) edges using various abarasives are excellent. Leonard also seems to know everything there is to know about the history of steel making, and abrasives. There are excellent chapters on just about every kind of woodworking tool imaginable, with plenty of excellent photographs. If I were a woodworker I would regard this book as being the one and only complete reference text.
   
   BUT... my personal interest is in sharpening kitchen knives. And the chapter on knife sharpening is the least informative in the book, and really tells the reader nothing new that is not already available on many web sites.
   For a complete knife book, you would be far better off with Chad Ward's new book "An Edge in the Kitchen", far better than this book by Mr Lee.
   Also the advice to use plastic book binders as sharpening guides is quite simply useless - they slip off and/or distort under pressure.
   
   I don't mean to disrespect Leonard Lee, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives. Sorry!!



2. What should I say? No need anymore to write other books on sharpening. It is well written and very informative on every detail. If you would like to know everything about sharpening, buy this book and you're done.



3. This book provides a very detailed look at the physics behind sharpening blades. I would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to learns the fundamentals of sharpening.



4. I was looking for more of a how to book. This book does have a lot of information, different angles, types of stones and hones, and a method of sharpening for any edged tool or knife. It just doesnt really show how to do it all.



5. Everything you wanted to know about sharpening. This book is very thorough in describing in some detail how to sharpen pretty much everything in your house and garage. It is a good balance of enough information to get started without going too overboard in topics that are not of interest. I think that the book is worth reading, especially if you can only pick one book.

5 comments about One-Skein Wonders.

1. This is a great book to use for gift ideas or for weekend projects - a great "stashbuster" resource.



2. The book is great; the only problem I have is they use skeins slightly larger than normal to make most of the projects.



3. I got this book for christmas... I like it. Mostly all knitting projects so if you crochet and don't knit, probably not the book for you. It's got some good projects in it just to have on hand.



4. I ordered this book and was thrilled when it arrived. So many wonderful ideas. It's a must for any knitter with even a small stash! It will be used over and over. Small projects are perfect for in-between the large ones and this book offers lots! Many gift ideas collected into one book.



5. I have inherited many orphan skeins from my grandmother's stash, and was looking to this book to make some use of them. All in all, I can say that this book was somewhat helpful. I think that the cell-phone case, while not original, was one of the coolest patterns in here!
   
   Pros (the first two are its greatest strengths):
   --The center of the book has color-photos of each and every project, cross-referenced to the page where its pattern can be found
   --Patterns are organized by yarn type/weight, which is one of the most useful features I have ever seen in a knitting pattern book!
   --IMHO, Two-thirds of the patterns are useful/wearable/would make great gifts
   --Most of the patterns are easy for us newbie-knitters
   --A good variety of items to knit
   --Even the ubiquitous scarves and knits hats were creative
   
   Cons:
   --About a third of the projects were just not things that I would ever wear or make for someone else (weird things, like knit cravats, or funky purses and hats that just were not my style)
   --Yarns detailed in each project were usually not commonly-found ones and had odd combinations of material types or were more expensive yarns, even though one would expect them to be easily "substitutable" in a one-skein project book.
   
   More pros than cons make this a recommended knitting book for those of you with orphan skeins that you don't know how to use. It is worth its price!

5 comments about Complete Printmaker.

1. This book is almost a catalog of every printmaking process around. It covers all the basics: intaglio, relief, screen prints, litho, and monoprint. It covers related technique, including embossed "dimensional" prints (aka "blind" prints), molded paper, and more. It devotes special attention to collographs, prints from textured or collage surface, and much too much more to describe.
   
   Best, the tools, materials, and how-to of every process are described in a fair bit of detail. Because so many processes are listed, each one gets just a short section, nowhere near what a printmaker would need in practice. Still, the descriptions serve at least two purposes. First, they may entice an artist into learning more about a process.
   
   Second, and more importantly for me, is that you don't have to be a printmaker to read this book and benefit from it. I'm a fan of fine prints, even though I don't make prints myself. I like to know what I'm looking at. I like to see a mark in a print and understand where it came from, how the artist's hand created it. By explaining each process, this book helps me understand the result of the process, and understand its effect on the finished product. Not everyone sees art that way, but it makes me feel somehow closer to the creator.
   
   I recommend this to anyone who loves fine prints. Perhaps it's helpful to the printmaker looking for new techniques to try. It is certainly useful for the viewer, in understanding how the artist makes a vision come alive on paper.
   
   //wiredweird



2. Delivery time was as promised. The book came securely packaged and the book itself was in pristine condition. I save $25 under the cost as charged in my college bookstore.



3. Very lengthy but i did learn from it



4. I am taking a class at the local community college. The professor of my printmaking class recommended this book highly and said it was the best on the market, so I purchased it and am totally happy and satisfied. It explains the different processes very well and the illustrations accompanying the text help visualize the different methods of printmaking. I am totally satisfied and will use it as a reference book throughout my printmaking activities.
   Susy Moesch



5. A very intense book on print making. A must have book for serious artists, who want to expand in their field. Lots and lots of contacts in back of book maiking it easy to find anyone you need for print making! A+

5 comments about The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort.

1. Saw this in my book club at twice the money. I really identify with these, the good old days. Days when aprons were a part of getting dressed each day. I still am an apron person. Love those pockets.



2. I had to make an apron in Home Ec class many (many) years ago. I didn't enjoy it at all. I didn't care for the fabric, didn't really get the hang of using a sewing machine, just felt it was a waste of time. Nobody in my family wore an apron, anyway, somehow they miraclously stayed clean during food prep.
   Flash forward a few decades. I like to cook and bake and I did not inherit the miracle of not getting messy while I cooked. Most aprons you can buy in a store are servicable - but not exactly flashy or pretty. One of my supervisors whipped up aprons as Christmas presents one year. I was amazed because I knew she was a very busy woman. Slowly, I began to gather fabric to make aprons. And when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. That's how I feel about this book. I recommend it highly.



3. I love this book - it brings back great memories. Very interesting information, photos, patterns, a great book to add to one's library.



4. Love this book!
   I am always recommending it to others who love Aprons and apron stories.
   It even has a user friendly pattern in the back of the book.
   A must have as well as a great gift to send to friends who are apronistas!



5. I decided I was going to make aprons for my female family and friends for Christmas and ordered this book hoping it would give me lots of different ideas. It is actually more of a history lesson on aprons but did have lots of pictures and patterns and instructions. There does not seem to be a glut of books on Aprons so this was a good choice. If you are the least bit creative you can go with some of their general ideas and expand on them. Makes a nice coffee table book too.

5 comments about Fabulous Parties: Food and Flowers for Elegant Entertaining.

1. I took a look at this book and it took me back to the overindulgences of the early eighties.
   
   A few fresh ideas are buried in here among recipes for a baked potato bar(uh....bowls of toppings with a baked potato), a cobb salad bar (you can see where this is heading), a candy bar (yes, assorted candy), a dessert coffee bar, caviar bar, tostada bar, another salad bar, and (yes- one more...) a cupcake bar.
   
   The photos and style have that dated feeling of a Time-Life book series on entertaining.
   
   Just not my style I guess.
   
   This should appeal to the elderly or pretentious set.



2. Its not just that this book is filled with beautiful photos of fantastical floral scenes and delectable foods, but there are many elegant and unique ideas that it helps you to recreate, the full experience of which cannot be fully captured in photos. Additionally, I've been through a lot of recipe books, and there are many exceptional, party-appropriate recipes in this book that I have not seen anywhere else. If you buy only one party book this decade, make it this one!



3. This is the complete book for a dinner party that your guests will never forget. Mark Held has put together not only recipes for a great evening, but has matched the food with incredible decorating and table setting. Thumbs up!



4. I have many books on the subject of entertainment and parties, and this book is simpily fabulous.The photgraphs are simply sumptuous and the recipes absolutely user friendly.
   The pages are with filled wonderful witty recipes and the creations are out of this world.
   I have bought this book as gifts for my friends and all enjoy it tremendously.
   It is a terrific gift for all those who enjoy friends, parties and beautiful things..



5. I enjoyed this book so much I bought several copies as holiday gifts. I'm glad I finally got to see what Mark's Garden is capable of doing with flowers. I love the passion and professionalism they having brought to flower design. The book is amazing and makes me want to entertain. So many great recipes are here too. Tons of great ideas on these pages. Love the black satin ribbon bookmark also. I'll be referring to it for years. Thanks!

5 comments about One-Block Wonders: One Fabric, One Shape, One-of-a-Kind Quilts.

1. This is a great book, good diagrams and pictures. It was well packed and received in brand new condition. I am happy with the service.



2. It's all in the fabric you choose! The author gives helpful guidelines to follow in picking out your fabric for the most stunning results. Read all the instructions first because even washing your fabric can affect cutting it. Lining up the fabric for cutting is the most specific step and I read the instructions over several times to make sure I did it correctly. After that, it is a simple process and produces amazing and beautiful quilts. Even though you use the same process and even the same fabric, your quilt will never look like anyone else's. Such fun, especially designing with the blocks. And, yes, it is a little like the Stack and Whack process, but the layout is different. My advice is to keep a small amount of the original fabric because nobody will believe the resulting quilt came from that one fabric. Can't wait until the second book comes out in June 2008.



3. I love this type of quilt, and this method is just fun to do. If you have a lot of large print material, this is a great way to make a great quilt. The instructions were very good, just learn to keep all your little pieces together.



4. excellent book, good directions, fun to do, I ordered this on a whim and was so glad I did, if you're looking for something a little different, this is the book and only 1 fabric to buy, great book



5. Once I picked up this book in a fabric shop and leafed through it, I could not get the idea out of my head. So I HAD to buy the book!Rosenthal makes her special brand of kaleidoscopic quilting look very simple. With clear guidelines and stunning pictures of completed quilts for inspiration, you'll be ready to start!
   
   Presently I am searching for a good fabric to use for this project--be warned that not every fabric can work. The selection of colors and prints is key.
   
   The only thing that annoyed me about this book is that some instructions are left out, most notably the formation of a hollow block cube. However, I understand that the sequel (One-Block Wonders Encore) includes these directions.
   
   I'd recommend this type of quilting to people who like to play with colors and patterns. It's very untraditional, so I can understand why it's not for everyone. As for me, I'm inspired! I'll never see fabric the same way again!