5 comments about True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling.

1. For those that do not know what ART JOURNALING is all about, then this book will certainly help to define the subject.
   
   If you are a beginner or even a mid-level Journal writer (or artist), I think that this book will come in very handy.
   
   L.K.Ludwig gives a wonderful introduction to this special subject, in the first few Introductory pages.
   
   Then, Ludwig follows-up the definition of "Artistic Journaling" by explaining how to use her book. For example, on the right hand side of each page, the author gives "prompts" to stimulate the reader's imagination. Then, inside a highlighted "box", the author gives TIPS on how to expand on each theme.
   
   Also, on the bottom of some of the pages, the author gives more prompts (as fill-in the blanks) to the get the readers' creative juices going.
   
   Along with all these "prompts" and "tips", each page shows these beautifully executed Journal pages by actual artists... All colorful and highly detailed.
   
   Also, Ludwig categorizes the main chapters into the following: relationships, the written word, current events, places, spaces, self-explorations, spirituality, dreams, etc.
   
   Therefore, this book by Ludwig will not only show some inspiring examples of Journal pages created by actual journal writers, but then Ludwig also gives the reader all the pre-requisite starting points in order to get the readers' creative juices going.



2. Maybe it's because my copy is from the second printing, but I didn't find the glaring editing mistakes another reviewer was appalled to find. I noticed a typo or two but that was the extent.
   True Vision packs a hefty punch. It will appeal to a mixed audience. There are basic and innovative prompts (on every other page) geared to those just discovering the world of art journaling, or making a leap from traditional scrapbooking to a deeper and/or more complex style. The written material is excellent. L.K.'s observations are thought-provoking and her instructions detailed, which will please everyone. She's collected a smashing selection of illustrative pages from the diverse journals of 3 dozen artists working in a wide array of media/styles. There are in-depth interviews with Katie Kendrick, Bee Shay, Traci Bunkers, Loretta Marvel, and Julianna Coles, artists who have made their names on the strength of their journal pages alone.
   In addition to specific techniques like inkjet image transfers and blind contour drawing, there are sections on developing personal 'symbols' and journaling on subjects of global impact. L.K. included a Vision Deck, a set of word prompt cards to spark any art journaler's creative fire.



3. True Vision is an excellent resource for journal artists. The open-ended prompts and ideas are geared toward more experienced art journalers. The book is well organized with interviews with some of the artists: thoughtful questions and answers.
   
   A great addition to your library if you love journaling.



4. I highly recommend this book. It is packed with loads of interesting material to inspire any budding artist. It has some amazing wonderful work from artists and is full of information and techniques for you to try out. The book also has interesting ideas and prompts written down on the right hand side of each page spread.A well set out book easy to read and awesome pictures of artwork.



5. Art journaling has become quite popular in the past 5+ years, as an outgrowth of DIY art activities in general - making your own greeting cards, altered books, scarpbooking, collage, ATCs (Artist Trading Cards). This is one of many books on this subject and one of the best. It has just enough discussion, suggestions and how to's to make it useful for people at any level. The important thing about making an artful journal is that it is for you and your self expression, not for commercial purposes, so don't get tied down with judging what you're doing. The questions are, does it help you in some way, does it express something valuable to your experience, does it feel good or peaceful to do something like this? If so, go ahead and explore this mixed media world.

5 comments about Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things: How to Turn a Penny into a Radio, Make a Flood Alarm with an Aspirin, Change Milk into Plastic, Extract Water and Electricity ... a TV with Your Ring, and Other Amazing Feats.

1. Just be aware - nothing in this book would amaze anyone over the age of 10.
   
   My favorite "project" - lash a piece of glass to a stick to make a "survival tool".
   
   If you're old enough to have your own credit card to purchase this, you're too old for this book.



2. I thought it was going to have some extraordinary ways on how to make the gadgets using the household items, but the devices are not very practical or convenient. might be a good space filler in a science class, or ideas for scientific experiments, but nothing i see that could be used in actual situations



3. Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things: How to Turn a Penny into a Radio, Make a Flood Alarm with an Aspirin, Change Milk into Plastic, Extract Water and Electricity ... a TV with Your Ring, and Other Amazing Feats



4. While the uses that are found in this book are plausible, most are minor and not really what is advertised. Most are everyday things, but you have to have a lot of non-everyday things to complete the project.



5. Just in case you didn't understand, let me say at the outset, this book was written and is obviously intended for kids. Boys, most likely, and under the age of 10 or 11 is about right.
   
   For THAT audience, this book is actually quite interesting. If you have a Ph.D. in physics, don't buy it. And if you considered the idea, how did you get that Ph.D., again?
   
   Not to be a smarty, or anything, but I'm really surprised at readers trashing this book because it's not useful. The book is meant to put kids into the discovery mode, to see capabilities in things they might not otherwise have seen, to think outside the box, as it were.
   
   And while not all the suggestions here provide the least bit of interest to an adult, I have to wonder why anyone would have bought this book expecting to get a Master's Degree in Science from it. Geez, the title alone is a dead giveaway.
   
   If this book were published by Brown Paper School, a la The Book of Think: Or, How to Solve a Problem Twice Your Size, it would have five stars from everyone. And apart from the marketing, which should put "for kids" or something like on the cover, the book deserves 5 stars.
   
   Personally, while I've no intention of running the experiment, I found it interesting to read about how to extract drinking water from a plant. Remember, "you can survive a month without food, but only a few days without water."
   
   And for curious kids at least, this book is akin to water.

No comments about The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques: Projects and Inspiration for Creative Canework.

5 comments about Loom Knitting Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting on a Loom, with over 30 Fun Projects.

1. This book has a lot of great proyects on diferent types of looms.
   You really have to get it! :)
   From shals and scarfs, to hats and socks to wear on everyday. :)
   
   Great book!



2. I only had made hats and scarves on my knifty knitter until I bought this book. This book is very comprehensive. It gives you a little history of loom knitting, the different types of looms, different types and gauges of yarn, and gives you a list of tools you need and tells specifically what they are used for. It has instructions for starting and finishing your knitted projects, picking up a dropped stitch, joining flat panels together, adding stitches, decreasing stitches, and pretty much anything else you might need to know to create things on your looms. I love the variety of patterns! And all the instructions are very easy to follow... with lots of pictures and drawn diagrams. I recommend this book to anyone who is stuck just making scarves and hats on their knifty knitter!



3. I watched someone on a loom at my local craft store and I picked up a set for myself. I made a few scarves and hats. When you're ready to make the next step into how to use your looms to make things a little more complicated but not overwhelming, this is a good book for that step. I'm very pleased with this book. I would recommend it to a friend.



4. This book is great. Isela has put together many techniques new to the looming community. She shows you how to loom knit and make it look as if you have needle knitted the item and why it turns out that way. I had never known before this how to do a true knit or purl stitch on a loom.How can you do cables? How do you increases or decreases?Socks? All of this is in there. Only the e-wrap was ever explained before. She gives you all the tools you need here to translate regular knitting patterns and gives looming terminology. If you want to learn to knit by using these looms or other looms on the market pick up this book.
   This looming craft is knitting in the round but it can also be used to make flat panals for making other items. She explains that with pictures in this book. This also was her first publication. Book number 2 is about to be released with even more patterns.(May 2008) It is a primer that gets your imagination flowing, she has spawned a whole group of non knitters to try to knit and do it successfully and some are even going further with chart reading and becoming pattern writers themselves. Caution: looming is addictive once you learn these basics.The sky is the limit.I highly recommend this book to new and old loomers out there.



5. I recently purchased knitting looms at a shop near my home and realized that the booklet that came with it did not provide enough information. The Loom Knitting Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting on a Loom provides details that I had been searching for. These details include: the descriptions of knitting boards as well as circular looms, a glossary, as well as tips on buying a loom. This Primer also has directions for 30 projects that include a simple hat, a garter stitch hat, I-cord hot pad, purple trendy scarf, etc. I would say that for anyone beginning to learn how to knit with a loom, this Primer is a good start.

5 comments about Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter.

1. I receive this book today & was excited to get started on some prjects after a long wait. As I was perusing through the book my excitement waned. 1st the items on the cover is the reason why I bought the book. as you go through the book there is ALOT of projects that are either motifs or some type of granny square construction. Don't get me wrong some of the sweaters including the blue one in the pic is beautiful, Blue Sky Alpaca for the yarn finderwt, nice, but that particular pattern is a long drawn out granny square [updated]. I dont mind doing 1 0r 2 pieces and connecting together but more than 20, each project, no I don't like because than you have to match sizes for the pattern to work, plus sometime as you crochet/knit the tension in your hand changes,either too tight, loose and the project does not come out. Then the matter of connecting so many pieces, after doing 5-10, I get bored working on the pattern.
   Also the book is not very big & if you are not used to so many diagrams your eyes looking over the page to get started can be frustraed. I found that 1 project was several pages because of small book or schematics taking up soo much room, annoying flipping to begining to see how to oontinue.
   
   That aside, the last 40 pgs there are some really nice patterns in the back which I was excited about [only 5 total considering amt of pages for each one] these are not motifs/granny and ar some nice shell,boxed, interesting feminine designs. Upon seeing that I became torn in keeping the book, because is this really enough to hold a book for just 5 or so patterns? I hate to do that. maybe if you check the book out in the bookstore to decide & if you like come back to Amazon to get better price.



2. I must admit that I am not a totally unbiased reviewer, as Robyn is one of my friends from college, but I absolutely love her book! The book contains 18 patterns, all of which look amazingly fun to crochet. There is a pattern for a purse, a belt, and a scarf that are great ways to enter into the world of symbol crochet. She has both written out and shown the symbols for the first group of patterns. By the time you get to the "Vogue Granny Motifs" you'll be a pro! And the granny motifs are where I think the symbol crochet really shines. The grannies are so much easier to work because you can always look at the diagram and see where you are. I have already made the "Katie Bolero" (a pre-version last year-not today!), and while I was initially worried that my squares would not match up or that somehow the whole thing would come out wonky, the pattern really allows for some variation because of the construction. Unless your gauge changes wildly from square to square, it really will come together well. And it is exciting watching the piece come together. Of course, as in making any sweater, there is always that point in the middle where it seems as if you will never finish, but we all know that's when you push on through and end up with a wonderful piece!
   
   I especially love the Isabella Wrap, the Megan sweater, the Maggie Wrap, the Paige Sweetheart Top, the Rachel Swing Jacket, and the Christin Crop. (So like I said, I pretty much love them all!) But probably my favorite part of the book is the writing and the glimpse of Robyn's personality that shines through. Robyn's love of crocheting is infectious. (It got me! I used to be a primarily a knitter!) Plus, after her introduction to symbol crochet, you will be able to make a whole new world of patterns! Literally-you can make foreign patterns that also use symbols. So dive into the symbols. And to help, the back flap of the book has a little cheat sheet for reference until you get more familiar with the symbols. One last important note, the patterns do all have an introduction, diagrams, and finishing instructions, so it's not as if all you get is a picture of the pattern. The non-granny patterns have more of a combination of words and symbols.
   
   So now I'm off to scrounge through my stash to see what yarns I could use on some of these projects!



3. Robyn Chachula's book is a 5 star book because of several reasons. First, she TEACHES a new way of looking at crochet with symbol diagrams that will unlock the mystery for many beginner crocheters and intrigue us veterans. She offers beginner projects to warm up with and works her way up to the show stoppers. Even the most complex patterns are made manageable by her stitch diagram lessons. In addition to her signature granny-square construction, she also offers other construction methods. The granny-style square method is made modern by the joining methods that create an illusion of seamlessness. Fantastic. I can't wait to see what Robyn comes up with next.



4. The idea of crocheting from a "blueprint" is great. It is especially nice for the granny square designs. I started the Katie bolero today, and even with the smallest hook, my motif was 5" wide, rather than the 4" the design says it should be. Now, normally, I'd switch to a smaller hook, and all would be well; however, this WAS with the smaller hook, and I crochet TIGHT (usually have to go up 2 hook sizes to get the gauge given in a pattern). Perhaps the yarn weight given (worsted) was wrong, but I'm working with TLC cotton plus, slightly smaller than worsted weight already, so I see no way that a true worsted could give a 4 inch motif. Luckily, my training is in math, so I'll work things out with a modified diagram, but for non-math people, this could be a real issue. Also, MANY of the really pretty designs are done in size 2 or 1 yarn, and alpaca to boot. This is not a book for the "average" crochet budget. That said, I love having the diagrams for fitting squares together to make garments, and the schematics are marvelous for being able to alter things to fit other between sizes. The shaping is also nice, though it is not as customizable as that in Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan. So, I'll use this book, but it will take way more work in converting patterns and gauges than I thought when I first saw it. Keep the diagrams coming, though! THEY ARE AWESOME!
   
   
   Part 2: Finally made a 4 inch square for the Katie Bolero...with a D crochet hook and 2 weight (baby) yarn. Definitely check gauge!



5. A fast-rising star in the crochet world, Robyn Chachula has offered up a great little book that easily gets crocheters excited about the projects and teaches 'em some new tricks to boot!
   
   The first section of this book explains symbol crochet - graphical representations of crochet motifs and patterns. If you're a visual learner, this method makes it easy for you to follow around, and you can even follow along if the pattern isn't in a language you can read.
   
   Section two outlines motifs in projects. Here you'll find the Julie Cuff pattern that's been circulating around the web, as well as a bag and jewelry set.
   
   Section three offers some relatively simple patterns to help you learn symbols as you go. These projects range from a simple belt to a pretty tunic.
   
   Section four glorifies the granny square. Granny squares seem to get such a bad rap because of their obvious connections to old-fashioned patterns, but these projects are anything but old-fashioned. In fact, in many cases you'd have to look at the lacy finished products pretty closely before you realize they're squares. For those crocheters who are wary about having to whip-stitch aaaaall those squares together, Robyn provides an easy way to join them as you go. There are some very pretty projects in this section, including a wrap bolero and lacy short-sleeved cardigan.
   
   Section five continues what section two began, but with slightly more challenging techniques to produce a cute tennis-style eyelet vest and a swing jacket with an adjustable waist.
   
   Robyn makes this book fun to read, with her easygoing, casual style; and as all of the patterns are named after women in her family, you come away feeling like she's a friend. Combine that - and the patterns - with extensive knowledge and obvious passion for the craft, and you've got a great debut book that you'll be sure to use for its patterns and refer to for its techniques. A great addition to my crochet-bookshelf!

5 comments about A Is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs.

1. The aprons are so beautiful, I wanted to jump right in and make almost every one!
   
   Getting the patterns enlarged was not too difficult. Simply photocopy the pattern page and take it to a copy center and ask them to enlarge it 400%. My local (national chain) office supply store copy center charges about $3 per large copy and did several in less than 10 minutes.
   
   If I'd never made any of the aprons, the book would rate 5 stars. But I've now made several of them and have found glaring mistakes in each set of instructions. If you are an experienced sewist, you will be able to "work around" the mistakes, but novice sewists should beware and go slowly.
   
   Overall, a worthwhile purchase for apron lovers.



2. Great book for basic and creative apron styles. I am so glad that I purchased this book!!!



3. I fell in love with so many of these aprons that I had to purchase it, along with fabric to make them. I tried my favorite first, the Josephine and was constantly taking out seams and reworking the instructions to make better sense. The steps that there were pictures of really didn't need the photo, and other steps really should have had photos.
   I'm disappointed to find that the patterns and cutting instructions don't match what is in the photograph. Especially with the psychedelic squares.
   Really, only purchase this book if you are an experienced sewer who is capable of figuring things out on your own. The written instructions are not as helpful as they could be. Oh, and like another review, I found that I had lots of wasted fabric in the end. Fine with me, I do like to use up my scraps later, but at $9 per yard, it's pretty spendy to waste fabric like that.



4. I really like this book! It has a lot of cute designs as well as a lot of tips on mixing and matching fabrics, picking embellishments, and examples of vintage aprons. The only downside I've found to it is that there's never mention of lining or in any way reinforcing the aprons, and if you plan on using them as more than fashion accessories, that would probably be a crucial step- a regular weight cotton fabric is so thin that grease or liquids could soak right through to your clothes. For someone with decent sewing skills, that shouldn't really be a problem to improvise though. All in all, the desings are cute, the photographs are good, and I like the style the author presents her ideas in.



5. While the history of the apron was intresting, the photos were well done and text was well written, I was disappointed that all the patterns need to be enlarged 200%, 400%, 579%, etc. Who has a blueprint copy machine easily available that can do this type of copying??? I expected to read through the book, pick my fabric and get started! Poor planing on the writer's part.

5 comments about Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins (Build Like A Pro).

1. I am a firm believer in the KISS method of doing things. (Keep It Simple Stupid") Every step is covered in this book so that anyone can learn from it. The "Build Like A Pro" series of books are all laid out like this one. The "Expert Tips" are great. They show you short cuts to help you do the jobs right, but in less time. This is stuff you only learn by doing the job everyday. They are trade secrets.



2. I bought this title from the Build Like A Pro series based on a good experience with their "Build a Shed" book, which was like having an experienced carpenter explain how he would approach and resolve each construction issue.
   This title was written by a guy who obviously has the years of experience under his belt but needs a strong editor to map out the writing process. The author uses terminology several times before defining it many pages later, and in general doesn't leave the reader with a full understanding of how to proceed.



3. This book is very attractive and informative, but I found it lacking some of the very basics, and the production steps are often not laid out chronologically. In the crown molding section, there is no suggested nailing plan, so as someone who has never done crown molding but is planning to attempt it, this book alone does not suffice.



4. This book is very well illustrated and gives some great examples. I was looking for more examples on built ins and hints on what to do when you have a crooked wall. This book did not have an hints or examples of what to do in this situation. However for individuals that have other questions on how to do trim this book would be an excellent addition to your collection.



5. A great book for beginners of built-in carpentry. It starts off where every carpenter should - discussing stock and how to estimate and select it. A few great tricks and tips along the way. Well illustrated. Read it.

5 comments about School Years: A Family Keepsake of School Memories.

1. i was trying to find my son something like i have from my school years. i found a lot of scrapbooking type memory keepers, but this was the closest i could find to what i had when i was little. a great place to store class pictures and report cards.



2. This product is good, it has lots of space for information but the pockets are not big enough. In order to put your kids stuff in you have to fold it in half (8-1/2 x 11" still has to be folded in half). So if you are looking to put in art work, report cards etc and don't want to fold it, this book is not for you.
   
   I found the price to be fair for this book.



3. I am looking at my "School Years" as I type this. I started it the year I went to Kindergarten in 1977. My first born just started Kindergarten this year and I was so excited to see that they still print this memory keeper. I love mine and I will be ordering one for each of my children.



4. This is the same book I had as a child that my mom kept my pictures in along with my signature over the years and my friends and interests. It is not a book to keep a large number of momentos in but is a great little 1 stop go to treasure book to look back on now that I am older. I am pleased with my order and the short time I received the package after I placed the order. After I received the 1st one I placed a 2nd order for my other child. I was satisfied with that order as well and no problems or damage with the packaging...then again it did not come via UPS which I have had problems with before (damaged packages).



5. I love the product, goes all the way up to 12th grade and it's binded nice. I have one from my school years but its so beat up, but really wanted to get one for my son's report cards and other knick knacks.

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. In fact the Mr Lee actually says he only included this chapter because nobody would take his book seriously if it didn't have a chapter on knife sharpening. As a result, the chapter is not not very good. and in fact contains some wrong advice. eg using plastic book binders as edge guides: - Sorry Mr Lee, but they just do not work.
   
   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.
   
   I don't mean to disrespect the author, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives.



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 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.