No comments about Shibori Knits: The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits.

4 comments about MaryJane's Outpost.

1. I had the great good fortune to get a preview copy of MaryJane's Outpost. I loved it so much I immediately ordered two more copies as birthday presents. MaryJane makes living in a tent look divine. In fact, I am trying to find a tent like the ones featured in the book so I can set up my own outpost. And know I want one of those retro campers.
   
   I loved the recipes for trail mixes....perfect for snacking anytime, on the trail or on the interstate.
   
   Just plain fun, go on and unleash your inner wild. I can't wait to try out more of the tips and ideas.



2. MaryJane graciously opens the door to her life once again in this book. She takes us to her childhood, her early adult years, being a single mom and to the present. She shows how her own experiences in the wild have shaped her character and even that of her daughter and now grand daughter as well. Her beautiful photos are inspiring, her instructions easy to follow, and her crafts graceful and practical at the same time. You might want to buy two of these books- one to stay pristine in the house (coffee table material perhaps?) and one to get grubby "in the field" with you and any littles who might be around. This is one field guide that you won't want to leave behind!



3. Oh my..this may be my favorite of MaryJane's books yet..and I love them all. Just the most fun, informative and beautiful ideas! I love that it has so many ideas for enjoying the outdoors with my kids and for making my own backyard a outdoor "fun zone". The recipes, ideas and projects are just wonderful...can't wait to try them all!!
   I am SO glad I got this book right away...LOVE IT!!!!



4. This is a true story. I was in a bookstore looking in the "Antique Price
   Guide" section when I came across THIS book! Now whether it was MISHELVED,
   MISPLACED or someone had stashed it there.. to come back later and buy..
   I WAS SOOO GLAD IT WAS THERE! I spent the next 4 1/2 hours (!!) reading
   this one-of-a kind gem! I never met anyone quite like this author. BUT
   I sure would like to! She takes you on a journey to another place and time
   ..and shows you how THEN could be NOW. She entrances with her down home
   wisdom and bit's of her life story. I really NEVER felt the 4 1/2 hours
   go by.( Perhaps it was a "out of body" experience? If so I want to go back!!)This book made me enchanted and giddy. It made me yearn to go horseback riding again. In short it made me want to rediscover myself.
   Now I would have stayed there longer reading it, but alas they had to close! READ THIS BOOK. Get back in touch with the things that matter.
   WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL BOOK!

5 comments about The ARRL Antenna Book: The Ultimate Reference for Amateur Radio Antennas, Transmission Lines And Propagation (Arrl Antenna Book).

1. The definitive book on antennas theory, design, and construction. If you're serious about building your own antennas then you need this book as part of your collection!



2. The ARRL Antenna Book: The Ultimate Reference for Amateur Radio Antennas, Transmission Lines And Propagation (Arrl Antenna Book)



3. The Arrl Antenna Book is a must have for any antenna designer. Amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners and commerical users will benefit from both the theory provided and the practical examples of proper design executions.



4. This is the bible for ham radio antenna design. Also covers transmission lines and propagation. Both theory (at graduate EE level) and practice (at the level of mere mortals). -- ws2i



5. As this purchase was to replace my copy of an earlier edition that was lost in a tornado, I didn't have any reservations in buying the latest edition, still a great resource. A nice balance of theory and construction how to do it. I do like that the print edition now comes with an electronic edition.

5 comments about Uniquely Felt.

1. Just skimming through I caught one of my errors in wet felting (if a little bit of soap is good, then a lot of soap is better... NOT) So.. I can be a bit excessive.
   The style is as one friend speaks with another. Wonderful analogies to bring home points and so much content. Amazon has a section for "look inside" and it is the tip of the string. If you are at all interested in wet felting, go for it. At 320 pages it is engaging/detailed content with personality and style. No cursory fluff overview. Enjoy!



2. The book gives very good information on wool and fibers. It contains the large scale from basic wet felting to nuno, cobweb and 3-D seamless felting. The techniques are thoroughly and clearly explained and followed bij beautifully illustrated projects.
   A pleasure to read, inspiring to see and one of the best books on wet felting I know



3. This is an excellent resource for any felter. Chris shares her knowledge from many years of experimentation and experience with us. It's well written and easy to understand with a slew of inspiring ideas to try.



4. I'm new to working with felt and this book is an excellent introduction to the material and various techniques. There are enough choices of projects to keep me busy for a long time, too. I like having lots of choices when I'm learning to work in a new material, and that's definitely the case here. The projects are described well and the materials list is excellent. Also, the list of resources is a plus - no long hunts for anything too obscure or expensive.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book for anyone new to working with felt, and even for those who have some experience there are some inspiring variations and techniques they would enjoy.
   
   Very well illustrated, too - I do like having good pictures when I'm learning something new!



5. First of all, this book touches upon felting techniques (as in, mentioning them in a paragraph or two) but doesn't tell you how to do them. For example, it talks a lot about what soap to use when felting. Soap? What? Why am I using soap? The book doesn't say. If you know how to felt already, then that's one thing. But if you don't know how to felt, then you're pretty much screwed.
   
   Also...I feel the need to mention the projects. Most of them are hats, and weird hats at that. There is a template for a scarf, which is fine, and a book cover (which, in the photo, doesn't really look like it fits) and 1-3 other "normal" items. The rest are REALLY weird hats, tunics, vests and cloaks. I don't even know WHAT to say about those, other than that they are definetely beyond the description of "unique".
   
   I was really disappointed with this book. I have no idea what to do with it, as shipping would cost more than the price it cost to buy a used copy. Maybe I'm just missing something here, but to me this book is nothing more than a discussion of different types of felt and felting artists. Oh, and really weird hats!

5 comments about Machine Quilting Made Easy.

1. I recently took a class taught by Ann Moore (EXCELLENT INSTRUCTOR) who recommended this book for her class. Although this book may not have a lot of pages, it gives a tremendous amount of information. In addition to basic machine quilting techniques, there are tables giving characteristics of threads, needles, batting, and other useful information. The types, uses, and sizes of threads are made very clear and understandable. The book starts with basic exercises and progresses through really advanced techniques used in art quilts. Don't let the 64 pages fool you into thinking there is not a lot of information here. It covers both "straight-line" and free motion quilting. As with any art, practice is needed before one excels, and this book provides exercises so you can build your skills. I have three other machine quilting books, and this is by far the best one for a beginning machine quilter.



2. I bought this book for a class in machine quilting and it's one of the most useful references in my sewing room. A very good hands-on guide to machine quilting!



3. Great book for novice machine quilter. I really like the exercises implemented to improve skills. Recommended for those who just need a fews basic tips for starting out and do not want to spend a lot of time studying the art of machine quilting.



4. This book has step by step instructions along with practice lessons. I took a quilting course and this will be a great book to refer back to.



5. I think the book is very good. It gives you detailed instructions on how to do a quilt. I have not tried quilting yet, but it seems like it would not be to hard to do.

5 comments about Foxfire 2.

1. I bought this book for my husband and he loves it! There are so many interesting facts in these books. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in how things were back in the "old" days. Everyone, no matter how young or old, will learn something from reading this book.



2. Have enjoyed all the Foxfire Books for years. They are a wonderful peek into the lives of hardy people who survived without a single benefit from the U.S.Government.........and were proud of it.



3. THis work, Volume II, is like the others. A wonderful history of how it was. In this day and age of having most needs meet and something for everyone on the Wal-mart shelf, we tend to forget just what it was like in our not too distant past. These books, the Foxfire books, brings to light skills, attitudes and a way of life that is all but forgotten. This is a good thing. When a people lose their history, they lose part of their soul. As the title of this work states, Ghost Stories, Wild Plant Foods, Spinning, Weaving, Midwifing, Corn Shucking, and there is so much more. The editors have done a wonderful job. They have made a very honest effort to replicate the dialect of those places and times and I feel that this is a big part of the charm of these books. I am old enough to have known many of the kinds of folks featured in these books, being only one generation past them, and have a great appreciation for what and how they did all the little things we take so for granted now. I might also suggest that you actually try some of the things mentioned in these volumes. It will give you even more of an appreciation for what they did, and hey, who knows, the skill you develope just might come in handy one of these days! Recommend this and the other Foxfire books highly.



4. I love the Foxfire books. I don't have the entire set, but each one is fun to read. It's interesting how today the world keeps talking about "going green" when it was not than long ago that most everyone living outside the city was "going green". Those of us who lived that life don't find it so tough getting back to the simpler life.
   Great books! Wish I had the entire set.



5. Ghost Stories, Spring Plant Foods, Spinning and Weaving, Midwifing, Burial Customs, Corn Shuckin's, and Wagon Making are an integral part of Southern mountain culture. This volume of the Foxfire series should be on any author's shelf who writes or plans to write a best selling historical (COLD MOUNTAIN), a mystery (THE DEVILS HEARTH), or a literary novel (PRODIGAL SUMMER), because these traditions add spice and authenticity to a work.
   The FOXFIRE series is a place to begin research. They are well illustrated with photographs and line drawings. We've dog-eared this volume for several short stories and our novels.
   Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelUnder the Liberty OakThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

No comments about The Prayer Shawl Companion: 38 Knitted Designs to Embrace, Inspire, and Celebrate Life.

5 comments about The Little Hands Big Fun Craft Book: Creative Fun for 2- To 6-Year-Olds (Williamson Little Hands Series).

1. This is a really fun book, I enjoy the cutting and pasting stuff. I am 10 so I am not really challengend on some of the crafts. The DVD crafty fun is really good for my age, I have learned how to make christmas stuff, iron-on tote bags, necklaces and other really fun stuff.



2. I didnt find any originial idea's in this book- i'm very disapointed by the purchase



3. I'm an artist, but I have no idea what to do to introduce art to my little girl, which is why I got this book. But I've gone through the entire thing and I haven't found one thing that my 2.9 year old would grasp. I guess she could sit there while I cut and folded and painted faces, etc. But I'd really prefer to find something that would make more sense for her since these aren't the kind of projects I'm interested in for myself.



4. I ordered this book thinking it would give me some original ideas to do with my 3 year son. There is not one thing in this book that I found helpful. It is all very basic stuff that doesn't seem like much fun. I think there are better books out there.



5. I like the information here, it wasnt alot of new stuff. But I liked way the author presented it. Nothing new, but a fresh take on old faithfuls.

5 comments about Fitted Knits: 25 Projects for the Fashionable Knitter.

1. I loved this book. Her patterns are easy to follow and all have their own creative flare about them (little key-holes, lace detailing, puff sleeves). I can't wait for Glam Knits! *Yay!*



2. I am short and curvy and enjoy elegant well fitting sweaters so I anxiously awaited this book, expeciting lovely feminine sweaters. I was disappointed. The designs are uninspired, boxy, chunky and generally unfashionable. Every single one has raglan sleeves which are extremely unflattering on pear shapes or women with curves i.e most women, and the last thing one would expect in a book that is supposed to promote fitted, elegant designs. I have taken courses with both Lily Chin and Sally Melville who discourage raglan designs becuase of how unflattering they are on the female form. I sent the book back and will giving Ms. Japel's designs a wide birth in future.



3. I got this book and have not put it down since. The patterns are easy to follow, easy to knit and FAST. They are also very simple to alter to your style. Not so big on 3/4 sleeves? Want a different length? No problem, the author tells you at the front of the book how to alter these things. I love the top down construction, and can make one of these sweaters in a few days.
   
   I have also used the patterns to make up simple t-shirts and sweaters for myself. This is a great book for people who are venturing into making sweaters, you see your results fast and can make up your own projects easily after having made one or two of the sweaters.



4. I was disappointed when I got the book. And I havn't used any of the pattern.



5. First of all, I love the patterns in this book. There are at least five must-haves in here, and another five I may get to if/when I have time. The designer's all-raglan-all-the-time aesthetic didn't especially bother me, although she may want to consider branching out a bit with her next effort.
   
   The down side -- and the reason the book didn't get more stars from me -- is that there are mistakes in this book. Loads of mistakes. Like, over two pages of errata listed at Stefanie Japel's website. By all means, buy this book, BUT then bop right on over [...] and download the errata list.
   
   In short, this is a fun book that I'll use a lot, but I think it went to press a bit too quickly. Give the technical editor time to work his/her magic!

5 comments about The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More.

1. I was totally new to clay working, heading for a class in the medium, when I purchased this book. I was absolutely delighted, and was able to start my class with some background and understanding of working the materials. I sit in awe of Ms. Kato's talent, and did find the techniques more difficult than they look. This aside, it is an excellent accumulation of many of the techniques that makes polyclay such a joy to work with. Ms. Kato does list several varieties of clay, inks, paints and other products, but I appreciate that she enumated which she found easier to work with, and why. I did expect some bias towards Kato Polyclay, as she helped develop it, but have also found this an excellent product to work with and have not been disappointed with its performance.
   The book is a MUST HAVE for the beginner reference library, and is also an inspiration with the images from Ms Kato and other artist's collections. I'm pleased I purchased this book, and plan to keep it as a cornerstone for clay working.



2. This book is outstanding and extremely useful. It has great projects, detailed descriptions, and plenty of info on where to find suppliers for every tool and material used in the book. I found it very helpful.



3. As a statement jewelry artist [...] I work in polymer, glass and metals.
   
   This book is really informative, great easy techniques that give really nice results. The pictures are great and she always
   carefully gives you step by step, I have not done transfer but will try it now. For beginners start with her earlier books, then move on to this book.



4. I found the book just did not live up to my expectations. When will crafting books realize that photo transfers done with xerox machines hardly ever work as they are shown in books? The techniques of photo transfer, which is covered in this book as if it works, is really frustrating. Also, the use of translucent clays to good effect is iffy and the high polish acheived by the author on many of the pieces. I just couldn't get it to work.



5. Donna did it again with this book and as with her other books, I am learning so much. I suggest this book to anyone who wants to take their polymer clay work to another level. Well written, great photos, easy to follow instructions. Thanks for another great book, Donna.
   
   Madeline Faiella