5 comments about Gifts in a Bag: Dips (Gifts in a Bag).

1. My fiance and I are saving for our wedding, so this year we are using Gifts in a Bag - Dips to make our Christmas gifts for firends and family. I "test marketed" the Mexican Fiesta Dip to a group of her friends one evening and the bowl was empty when everyone left. I guess no-one liked it.
   
   We set up packets of three different dips and a bag of chips for each giftee! We chose the Herb Dip, Garlic and Chive Dip and the Mexican Fiesta Dip.
   
   The great thing about this series of books is that you can make each gift and personalize it. We made personalized tags with our pictures and funny names for the dips, like: Kiss Me Quick Garlic and Chive Dip. I think that if the reception to the dips is anything like the test groups reaction then we've got another winner with the Gifts in a... Series. (Last year we made Gifts in a Jar - Cookie mixes for Christmas. Those went over really well.)



2. The book was exactly what I was looking for. We give gifts to many people at church and these are an inexpensive easy way to say weère thinking of you.



3. These Dips (and also the Rubs) make great hostess or buddy gifts - Great way to use those too-small-for-anything-else foodsaver bags without having to use the suction, I can just use the sealer and I have great little packets. Print some nice color sticker labels and stuff them with couple cooking utensils in a dip bowl or oven mitt. Buying the spices in bulk makes these VERY cost effective for a nice, thoughtful gift on a tight budget.



4. Item arrived quickly and in great shape. I recommend this buyer and this book. Very professional business relations.



5. Granulated boullion? Many of these recipes are pretty salty. Whlie some really cool ingredients SHOULD be utilized (how bout some powdered buttermilk or something?!)they are overlooked in this book for salt, sugar,& garlic powder.
   Be sure to try the recipe you intend to give at home first. I tried the Tangy onion dip and found it completely salty and one dimensional. The good thing about these books is that they allow you to GET creative, and they are little and cute, but more of a novelty item in my kitchen.
   Seasoned cooks might feel the same about these books.

5 comments about Points of View: Landscape Quilts to Stitch and Embellish (That Patchwork Place).

1. If you love making quilted landscapes or are interested in learning how to make them, this is a great book. You learn easy as well as a little more advanced ways to make them. You learn how to look at fabric and see possiblilites in it that you had never seen before. Follow the patterns and techniques to make your own piece of art and then check out the gallery in the back of the book. Amazing! I had made landscapes before getting this book, but I have learned so much more from it.
   Kay S.



2. Points of View is a wonderful book, rich in detail and information, and gorgeous photos of Valerie Hearder's quilts. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to do landscape quilting. Valerie's "viewfinder" idea for finding your correct section of fabric is great, the instructions are clear and easy to follow to make your version of each type of quilt.



3. In Points of View, Valerie outdoes her first book, Beyond the Horizon. She includes many more techniques and hints, along with gorgeous pictures of her work and that of others. It's a book to get lost in. Easy to translate the written word into real life works and be pleased with the results!



4. This is an excellent book for a beginner to practice landscape quilting.
   The simple techniques that you can try will encourage you to then design and make your own landscape quilt.



5. This book is great! Easy to understand instructions and inspiring ideas to boot! I've made several mini quilts using the concepts presented. It's one of my favorite books in my quilting collection!

2 comments about Bracelets, Buttons & Brooches: 20 Projects Using Innovative Beading Techniques.

1. A beautiful book of creative designs. Directions are detailed w/clear, colorful photos. Can't wait to start my own creation.



2. I realize that beginners have to start somewhere, but 99% of the bead books available seem to cater to the newest of the new: people who can't thread a beading needle, or need to be told what a seed bead is. And frankly, as I read the first chapter of Bracelets, Buttons and Brooches, I thought it was another one of the same. That is, until I got to the projects:
   
   Yay! These projects are NOT for beginners, except for one or two at the beginning that appear to be put there so that an adavanced beginner who bought the wrong book won't take it back to the store. The rest of the instructions, while complete and thorough, don't assume that you can't tell a Delica from a Treasure or a Charlotte. And this book makes liberal use of all three, along with 11/0 beads, 15/0 seeds and 8/0 Delicas and seed beads.
   
   I love the new (to me) methods of surrounding a cabochon with beading on both sides at the same time. The method is ingenious, and I gave myself one of those "why didn't I think of that" smacks in the head when I saw Ms. Davis' clear and easy to understand diagram. I was also thrilled when I looked at the twenty projects and realized that they were merely the springboard for many, many more projects simply by adding some of the steps in other projects or subtracting an edging or a bit of netting that is too fancy for the cabochon or button that you're using for that particular project. You can also fancy up a project to your heart's content with netting, edging and pretty links to the other focal beads in your project.
   
   Ms. Davis assumes that the reader can follow a flat peyote pattern, knows netting, brick, ladder and peyote stitches (both flat and round), although she does give one of those one paragraph once overs at the beginning of the book. If you aren't familiar with all of these stitches, plus probably going from one stitch to another, you might want to wait before buying this book. But if you are an intermediate to "almost advanced" beader, you are going to leap for joy because there is finally a book with some new projects for the rest of us!
   
   (I say "almost advanced" because there are advanced beaders who do loomwork in 24/0 beads in twenty shades of yellow, or think nothing of encasing a kitchen chair in Aiko beads. Those people don't need books. They write them, unless they are busy making beaded clothing from handmade beads they got on their last bead-gathering trip to the Yucatan. I'm exaggerating slightly, but people who are that advanced know who they are)
   
   Most of all, the finished projects are pretty and can be finished in a weekend or less. Those are two big deal selling points to me, because I don't want to spend three months working on something that isn't mind-numbingly easy only to find out that using ten shades of taupe doesn't look so good. It also gives you a chance to use those cabochons that you bought because they were so beautiful then stored somewhere because beads without holes present challenges all their own. Or if you have a drawerful of beautiful buttons from your grandmother, and you'd like to make something beautiful that would remind you of her. If those things apply to you, then you will be very happy you spent the money on this book and will shriek at the spouse who says, "Another one of those freakin' books? I'm throwin' this out!" (Or maybe that's just me. I don't think a bookcase dedicated to beading books is too many, do you?) Just sayin'
   
   To sum it up, if you're sick of the average "here's how to make an odd numbered peyote watchband" project, then this book is for you. It's a happy medium between so simple you can bead in your sleep and so tough that you're scared to buy the beads. Best of all, it teaches some very clever techniques that can be adapted to even more projects and you'll refer to the book again and again.
   
   P.S.: The author mounts a lot of her cabochons on a backing, i.e., Lacy's Stiff Stuff/heavy interfacing/bonded felt. It would be a good idea to purchase a little bit of your favorite backing so you have it on hand when the book arrives. That way, you can jump right into beading your next masterpiece. You will also need a good quality white craft glue and a very good quality glue that dries clear and bonds anything to anything else.

5 comments about Color in Spinning.

1. I first saw this book as a novice handspinner who was interested in hand-carding small quantities of fiber blends for my fiber arts experiments. I checked it out from the library, spent the entire time that I had it absorbing information, but did not feel the need to own it. Much of the material seems directed more at production spinners or fiber artists who are blending large quantities. It's an interesting read, but if you're working with small quantities, you're likely to be just as happy with simpler (less fussy or precise) methods.
   
   Now that I'm more experienced and have acquired a drum carder, the book is a must-have. When I paint, I find that the colors I mix on my palette are richer and deeper than colors straight from the tube. With fiber, I find that the same is true. Blended colors have a vibrancy that is lacking from commercially dyed fiber that is usually dyed in large uniform batches.
   
   Most importantly, the book gives the fiber artist the skills needed to blend colors consistently from one batch to another. When I was hand-carding small batches for experimentation, I was much less concerned with how easy my results were to replicate than I am now that I'm going to be carding larger batches across multiple batts. If I'm carding a pound of fiber in 2 ounce batts, I want the 8th batt to be almost indistinguishable from the 1st so that I don't get strange color shifts in my yarn or my finished project. This is the skill set that Menz is trying to offer her readers and it is one which will be invaluable in my continuing development as a fiber artist.



2. Coming from a formal art background, I really appreciate this book. Not only does it cover the basics of dyeing and carding/combing well, but it also provides lessons in color (beyond the basic color wheel) where you directly see the results of mixing and using different color combinations. There are samples of finished knitted pieces using similarly-colored yarn yet with slightly different properties. Readers are encouraged to use the exercises for future self-directed study. Great cataloguing ideas are offered.
   
   I highly recommend this book!



3. Gave me so many ideas for dyeing and spinning my fiber. it has lots of info on colour theory. I do think it was missing more simple dying, and a lot of the colourways it shows have 10+ colours in them, but it is a GREAT resource.



4. As a beginning spinner I immediately began blending yarn to achieve the colors in this book and she's right! Everything I tried using the instructions in this book came out exactly the way I planned. There are lots of beautiful ideas here - I wish I had time to try them all!



5. I purchased this book after having borrowed it so many times. It is a wealth of information on how to blend colours and gives many great suggestions on how to prepare wool fibre for colouring and blending. I am a spinner who likes to experiment and this has given me so much more confidence in colouring and blending to achieve a specific result. Thoroughly recommend it to those who spin and like to create their own special colours in wool/fibre.

5 comments about Inside the Bungalow: America's Arts and Crafts Interior.

1. As soon to be purchasers of an 'arts & crafts' home in the Hudson Valley (NY), my husband and I never heard of 'arts & crafts' style homes. This book has been such a wonderful inspiration for us. The book is filled with color photos, wonderful ideas, themes and history! We will borrow from what we've learned and put those concepts, colors etc to great use in our new home. What was especially dramatic was the before and after pix of rooms/homes. You won't be disappointed in this purchase.



2. For newly into the arts and crafts movement and restoring our bungalow, this book concentrates exactly where we needed it to -- the interior. From shots of wonderful restored homes to our favorite section (before and after), this book will become our favorite resource. Excellently focused!



3. This is a user friendly book to have close at hand. If you're like me I am always looking at ways to incorporate colors, designs and arts and crafts style into our 1922 Chalet Arts and Craft's home. I especially appreciate all the colorful pictures and the textiles shown. Paint, stenciling and wallcoverings being modest in cost and are realistic changes that are indeed affordable. Lots of ideas and examples to pull a room together. I refer to the book frequently and I am pleased I bought it.



4. This book contains big color photographs of interiors; reference guide at the end of the book detailing resources of Arts and Crafts literature and furnishings



5. Great source for anyone who is considering doing and architectural project, either interior or exterior, with an Arts and Crafts feeling.

5 comments about The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion.

1. Maybe I didn't read the editorial comments correctly before I ordered this book, but it is not what I wanted.
   
   I was looking for information about starting a gift basket *business*. This book does not cover that topic.
   
   It is a very nice book about making baskets as gifts for friends, neighbors, teachers, service people, etc.
   
   There are some full-color pictures, though not of every basket idea. The resource list is strictly retail. Recipes are included for basket items, a no-no when you're selling baskets unless you have a licensed commercial kitchen.
   
   So, while the book might jump-start your brain for basket ideas as gifts, it is not a business book.
   
   My problem, not the book's.



2. The ideas, recipes, and photos in this book are inspiring. If you make just one pretty basket to give as a gift, the book pays for itself. I also like the idea of baskets with bathroom goodies in them. If I have company, I set one of these out in the bathroom for our house guests.



3. I really like this book, with all the wonderful ideas for gift baskets. Even thought her basket ideas are adorable, I actually like the mix recipes best. She has an older book, The Perfect Mix, that is also a keeper, with great recipes for easy gifts.



4. If you are a cook (or an aspiring cook) who wants to do some gift baskets for friends and family, this is a good book for you. There are a lot of recipes and ways to include them in the back of this book. I'm not a cook, but I do like to look at pictures of gift baskets. I was disappointed because there are only 26 pictures in the book, with about 100 different gift basket ideas in the form of lists of things to include. The pictures that were there didn't quite match the author's descriptions, either. If you are looking for a list of things to include in a basket, along with recipes, this is a good book for you. If you want visuals to stimulate your creativity, I would suggest Bountiful Baskets by Sara Toliver, or A Gift for Giving by Donna Lang.



5. This book has a lot of good ideas and is well photographed. It will make a good addition to a home based basket business library You always need more ideas.

1 comments about Visual Merchandising & Display.

1. I like this book very much. It is full of information and useful for my business.

5 comments about The Thimbleberries Guide For Weekend Quilters: 25 Great-Looking Quilts for the Busy Quiltmaker.

1. When I can, I take a book out of the library before I commit my hard-earned money to a quilting book. Some books, after all, are great for read-once inspiration. Other books simply demand that you get your own copy, because it's earned a spot on your shelf.
   
   I've been working with The Thimbleberries Guide for Weekend Quilters for the last couple of weeks, courtesy of the Scottsdale Library, and I'm just finishing up one of the quilt projects. I'm probably going to order my own copy of the book; but the key word is "probably" (as opposed to "definitely, I'm doing it now!"). It has some compelling features... though it's not perfect, either.
   
   Let's start with the good stuff. The 25 projects in this book are mostly full size (double and queen-sized) quilts, though there are several smaller quilts (such as the one I chose, a table runner). Most have an accompanying project, such as pillowcases to go with the quilt, or a fabric-trimmed rug.
   
   Not all of them are gorgeous, but none of them are lame. The designs are primarily using traditional blocks, such as flying geese, though a few projects also incorporate applique. While the quilts aren't labeled for expected skill, they all seemed pretty straightforward to this still-a-beginner.
   
   One thing I *love* about the book -- and which earned it a star all on its own -- is that each project is shown with a color photo and matching quilt diagram, _plus_ another picture showing the same quilt done in different colors. That works wonders, when you're trying to visualize how this quilt will look with the fabrics you already have in your stash.
   
   Each project is laid out in sections, to accomodate the premise of the busy weekend quilter who can grab time in small chunks. That's a strengh of the book, but it also contributes to its weakness. (At least for me; it may work exactly the way you prefer.)
   
   Every project gives a complete list of fabric you'll need (1/2 yard gold print, 5/8 yard red print, etc.); that's standard. However, most quilt books have you cut all the fabric in one fell swoop, so you can get done with that task and put away the rotary cutter. Instead, this book treats each part of the project (cutting the blocks, making the border, etc.) as a separate project. You cut out the fabric for the blocks, then piece them. THEN you cut out the fabric for the quilt center, and piece that. Then you cut for the border, etc.
   
   If you're really working on the weekend-quilter schedule -- just a little bit at a time -- maybe this works for you. In my case, I found it irritating. I had to leave my entire setup spread up (on the dining room table, as it happens) over the course of most of a week, as I wanted to get this silly little table runner done (in addition to working 60 hours a week). I'd rather have done ALL the cutting, then tackled the piecing. Which, of course, I could certainly have done, if I had realized the non-standard way the book presents the project. Instead, I kept being surprised that I had to cut stuff AGAIN! If you know this ahead of time, it may be less annoying; you'll expect it.
   
   Overall, however, this is a very good book. The author is cognizant that you have limited time, and has designed a book full of attractive, do-able quilts that you can be proud of.



2. If you love Thimbleberries, you'll find this book to be an essential component in your quilting library. Although several of the patterns are of the traditional design we all love about Thimbleberries, Lynette explores diverse ways to make these quilts uniquely yours.



3. Easy instructions - beautiful pictures - pieced & appliqued blocks - good tips - great value



4. All Thimberries quilt books are well written with clear instructions and this one is no exception. I particularly like the variety of projects it contains.



5. I used to quilt and was looking to start again. However, working full time left little time to spend quilting. This book was perfect. Not only are the projects rated to finish in a day or weekend but there are also tips from other busy quilters on how to find time in our busy lives to quilt. The Thimbleberries fabrics used are a feast for the eyes, and more importantly, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. I would recommend this book for anyone new to quilting.

5 comments about The New Sewing Essentials (Singer).

1. I love the pictures in this book. They are very clear and go a long way in showing you what you should be doing and how it should look. This book is very helpful regarding the basics of sewing.



2. I was not very impressed with the information contained in this book. It started out with basic skills and jumped to advanced sewing. There was very little information for the average ability seamstress. Be aware that the book, "New Sewing Essentials" and "The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing" are by the same publisher and are virtually the same. Many identical photos and information.



3. This is a great book for all the persons that like to learn sewing. Is very easy to understand and is GREAT and usefull.



4. The product was all the seller had claimed and was just what I had been looking for. Thank you



5. I first purchased this book as a requirement for a college class in 1994 and still reference back to it when I need to brush up on a certain skill. The fact that a major college uses this to teach its fashion design and merchandising students how to sew says a lot. I highly recommend to everyone from the beginner to experienced seamstress.

4 comments about Papercutting: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Learning the Craft (Heritage Crafts Series) (Heritage Crafts Series).

1. This is a great book which shows you one style of paper cutting. Claudia Hopf cuts beautiful cuttings in a German style, painting or coloring many of her pieces after she cuts. If you would like to get started in this style of paper cutting, the book offeres lots of information and patterns, as well as much inspiration.



2. Papercutting is one of my all time favorites and this book with Claudia Hopf's complete instructions, tips, and beautiful patterns is a Must! Great book and I highly recommend it.
   S. Strong



3. I have been making papercuttings for over twenty years and I highly recommend the Claudia Hopf book, Papercutting: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Learning the Craft. This book is a must for papercutters. The photos and patterns are wonderful !!



4. This is a very good "how to" book. It has everything from the very simple to the more difficult patterns in it. I am very pleased with it.