2 comments about Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle.

1. This book is very inspirational! The photos are beautiful and the instructions are very clear. I haven't yet made anything, but I know there will be a learning curve. I don't expect my first project to be as gorgeous as the ones in the book, but it won't be because of a lack of clear directions! I am a visual learner and there are lots of pictures so I feel that I will be able to follow along. I also own a couple of the author's needle felted creations and she is a true artist!



2. This book is terrific. The written directions are very clear, and the clear photographs show each stage. The author's encouragement to adapt the shapes to make animals of your own choice and color scheme helped this novice needlefelter craft some really cute creatures for our upcoming church fair. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes.

1. I am impressed with this knitting book for two reasons... It is beautifully presented for a knitting book and most of the patterns I am able to adjust easily to my own homespun wool.
   It is a book I leave on the coffee table for anyone to browse through.



2. I rate the book high because of the ideas. Now that I have tried to do a few, I would give it 3 stars, but the system won't let me edit that.
   
   I knit by hand and with machines. This book is easily adapted to machine knitting. The author provides a basic platform from which to create. I would say that the projects rank on the level with knitting an afghan, so if a person is not up to that level, best start elsewhere. The knitting itself is quite easy on most all patterns. BUT, I am on my third pattern and had to rip everything out and do my own design.
   
   The problem is that if you are not using her yarn, the gauge is a nightmare. If you want the kimono to fit, you have to do some serious gauge knitting. I always knit to gauge, so have to say that has been a problem for me. I ended up just using her ideas and designing my own. It was easier for me (an advanced knitter) than fooling around with her gauge.
   
   I'd like to read reviews from people who have actually done some of these patterns rather than ones who are raving about the beautiful ideas and pictures! Might have a different opinion. And, after investing a ton of money to make one.



3. Love the history...love the simplicity...love the book! For a long time I ignored this book on the selves, then I picked it up to look inside. I couldn't put it down. The author draws you in with the fasinating history of kimonos and then with simple designs shows you how to create these beautiful, wearable works-of-art. I'm currently making the one shown on the cover. I love the way it flows. The author brings a sense of Japanese respect for nature in the stitch and design. Thank you for writing this book.
   
   P.S. The yarn does not have to be expensive. The author suggests worsted weight or sportweight for most of the designs. I easily found the proper amount in my stash.



4. I am a returning knitter and this book gave me encouragement to dip in deeper than a scarf or socks. Patterns look simple and achievable. No sizing!!! Love it!



5. I am always looking for something different to knit and this book really delivers. Such fun to try something new and I am planning which one to try first. The patterns are very clear and easy to follow. I'm not sure if I will make them so full, as my body type is already full enough! Thanks for a great book.
   Mari

5 comments about Geometrical Design Coloring Book (Colouring Books).

1. I purchased this book for my 7-year-old last year--a girl who loves art and math equally well. It has been 8 months and she STILL pulls out this book every week or so to work on a picture...and the results are really beautiful. It's detailed enough that she feels accomplished with her work and clean enough that it's not overwhelming. I highly recommend it!



2. I bought this coloring book for my Grandaughter's 8th birthday. Not only were all the little girls coloring in it but the teenagers and some adults were as well. Everyone loved it.



3. I liked coloring these designs except it used up my magic markers too fast. Some of the areas were so large that my markers would run out before I could complete the area. For the most part, I thought this was an excellent coloring book and I would order it again.



4. At the time I colored this book(a few years ago) I found the designs appealing...some designs are very simple but because of their big size after coloring them you might be surprized by their final impact...some designs are very complex and required a similar coloring approach...because of its combined design structures, simple and complex,I believe this book will satisfy the first timers in coloring.



5. I love this book! It has some great designs to work with. It opens up so many avenues for creative projects!

5 comments about The Art of Metal Clay (with DVD): Techniques for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects.

1. I bought two Metal Clay books and liked this one better. Good sensible down to earth instructions and information. Perhaps a little too much on combining polymer clay in projects- but this seems to be common in Metal Clay books.
   
   There was one problem - otherwise I would have awarded it 5 stars. The DVD does not work optimally and it is really quite annoying to have to stop and start it frequently when it stalls in the middle of a section. However, I have managed to see most of it.
   
   The projects are interesting and illustrate a number of useful basic technical points. As a beginner without access to a kiln, it would have really helped to have some additional information on torch firing, especially on the video.



2. 
   I liked the book, but very dissapointd that the DVD did not work. also there was no phone number to call amazon and request a new DVD so I would not have to return the book.



3. This is a good reference for anyone considering working with precious metal clay. It is well-written, with numerous photographs showing step by step methods to creating unique jewelry pieces. Highly recommended. The only drawback was that the DVD enclosed with the book tends to freeze and skip, but I can't complain overall.



4. I love the book. It's written well and spells out what you need to do/have to complete a project. Great ideas inside. Along with simple straight forward instruction. And, I haven't even gotten to the DVD!



5. I think the author did a very good job explaining some basic techniques, but there has to be more you can do with PMC than this. Even as a beginner with the medium, I was expecting more in-depth coverage. And this may sound insulting, but I hope I can create something more exciting with PMC than what the author has offered in these projects.

5 comments about Mandalas Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book).

1. Beautiful designs in this one! I use watercolor in these books. These mandalas make nice suncatchers.



2. I am 60 years old and I colored these pages. They turned out gorgeous!



3. I did not purchase this book to actually color as stain glass and to display in windows, but that would look nice too. I purchased it to photocopy and color. I don't recommend scanning and printing because you will use up your black ink very quickly. It's cheaper photocopying them elsewhere. When photocopying these ones I tore each page out so that the other pages wouldn't show through the photocopies. The nice thing about photocopying is that you can color the same one ten times and they will all look so different. There are some very cool designs in this book.



4. These mandala's are simply breath taking and beautiful- even before you color them. Very pretty, very fun, and very well priced for what you get.



5. Just beautiful Mandalas to color! You have to see these to really appreciate how lovely they are. I recommend that you photo-copy the pages multiple times and experiment with doing them in different ways. Crayons, gel pens, paints, colred pencils -- try them all for different effects. Cut them out and use them in other craft projects. Frame them on interesting natural papers or fabric as a backing.
   
   There's endless inspirational fun to be had here, not to mention the meditation time you gain while working on them. What a way to clear your thoughts, lower your stress and just enjoy a bit of peace!

5 comments about Soapmaker's Companion: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes, Techniques & Know-How (Natural Body Series - The Natural Way to Enhance Your Life).

1. I've been making soap for some time and have enjoyed this book immensely. It has lots of good suggestions and tons of excellent recipes.



2. The Soapmakers Companion has been in print for more than ten years now. My copy of this book is worn and stained from many soapmaking sessions. Despite the drift of time and my accumulated knowledge, this is one book that I return to frequently for review of all that pertains to Soapmaking. One of the strong points of this book is that it gets you up and running making soap. The recipes work their way from the relatively simple Soap Essentials Bar comprised of a basic coconut/olive/palm oil mixture to more elaborate recipes such as transparent soap and soap in the round. While Susan Miller Cavitch notes that this book is not that much of a basic book, yet I believe that even if one has never made soap before, this is an excellent book to start with.



3. I found her information very helpful and clear. My mother also uses this book and is the one who suggested it to me. She has been making soap at home for years and finds this book the best one she's seen.



4. I really enjoy this book for ideas and inspiration. She has some truly wonderful soaping ideas in here, and I love just browsing through it.
   
   That being said, I really don't use it that much. The recipes call for too many ingredients, are WAY to heavily superfatted to last, and her mixing method (in a stand mixer) takes forever. I can stick blend my soap to trace in just a couple of minutes.
   
   We've also found out a few things about grapefruit seed extract since this book was published. Basically, it does little to nothing to preserve the shelf life of your soaps....a lot of reputable suppliers are pulling it from the retail inventory and substituting other antioxidants.
   
   If you're looking for some interesting ideas, by all means invest, but don't make this your first book.



5. I absolutely LOVE this book! It really is a soapmaker's "Bible". It is very easy to read and is organized in a way that you really can get started right away.
   
   I originally checked this book out from the library, but after reading a few sections I ordered two copies: one to use and one to keep in my reference library.
   
   It is so easy to use and the language is so easy to understand that it takes the mystery out of soapmaking and replaces it with fun.
   
   We have enjoyed using the recipes in this book as well as creating our own. If you ever dreamed of making your own soap, this is the perfect book to start with.

5 comments about Country French Florals & Interiors (Home Reference).

1. Not as great as I thought - a bit disappointing - decor a bit stuffy and
   outdated.



2. I can't get enough of Charles Faudree......I have his other two books & this one is a wonderful addition to the continuing process of his being ahead of the curve.
   
   I travel often & his decor accents are all globally purchased...has to be since I only see them in the exotic countries I travel to. I am impressed that he decorated a gorgeous Spanish Mansion & wish I could afford to hire him for my plantation.
   
   Happy Reading & Be Inspired!



3. Another wonderful book by Charles his taste is a inspiration to home owners. I was very pleased to see that he kept the wonderful Tole Figures in his own home, that he purchased from me. Ted



4. I have been a Charles Faudree fan for years and eagerly awaited the publication of his first book, then second and now third. Every time I go to Tulsa, I make it a point to go to his shop and try to absorb some of the class and style that is such an inherent part of his design philosophy...and I have managed to purchase a bauble or two to add to my own decor. This trip we were fortunate enough to meet Toni Garner at her shop. She's friendly, helpful and her shop smelled like heaven. She was in the midst of a move to a new location and was obviously trying to get a very large order out the door, but she graciously took time to chat about the book with us.
   
   The interiors shown in this book probably don't show us much new about French Country design, but the main theme of this book isn't necessarily the interior design, but it serves as a showcase in the use of incredibly beautiful flowers to enhance the overall beauty of these rooms. If a book makes me yearn to step through the pages and take up residence in the houses it chronicles, then it's a winner for me.



5. I bought this book expecting so much more and I was very disappointed. The pictures are lovely but I've seen them before and the text is nothing new. This is a book formed out of all the stuff that was on the cuttingroom floor from the last books. Save your money and buy gas for your car.

5 comments about Itty-Bitty Hats: cute and cuddly caps to knit for babies and toddlers.

1. I just received my book a few days ago, but I cannot wait to get started. This is an absolutely adorable book. It is very detailed, very well written and easy to understand. There are tons of helpful techniques and instructions included.



2. Same basic hat throughout, but with a lot of choices to dress it up or keep it simple. Babies are gonna love these hats! Moms and Grannies are going to enjoy making them.



3. This is one of the first books I bought when I was teaching myself to knit. It's great! The explains everything very well...with pictures. Plus the fact that I have a grandchild I am knitting for was a bonus. We also use this book to knit for childrens hospital. It's also great for creativity.



4. For beginners, I would definitely recommend to buy this book before diving into the Itty Bitty Nursery as the author explains all the basic skills and supplies needed to complete the projects. Clear instructions along with video from Susan Anderson's Blog. The spiral-bound book helps keep the pages open so you can refer back while you knit your project. The hats are so adorable and knit up quickly (thank goodness babies are small). They make great gifts. I know some experienced knitters have found the projects boring, but I thought the designs were very inspirational.



5. I found this in my local library and decided I had to buy it...
   
   The author starts with a very basic/simple beanie pattern on circular/double pointed needles (no seams!) and then shows variations.
   
   The wool is mostly Rowan cottons however beanies are quite forgiving and many wools work just as well if you watch your tension square; I have knitted the dropped-daisy in a fluffy wool, and a striped beanie in a light pure wool.
   
   What I would like to know before buying this book:
   It is a US book - US tension gauge, inches and US needle sizes.
   The patterns are beginner to intermediate - there is nothing inately difficult or challenging with these patterns.
   The patterns are (mostly) in sizes newborn to 2yrs+. Nothing bigger.
   Most of the pattern variations are made with colour changes and toppers.
   The pictures are gorgeous and the patterns work!
   There are a few errors in the patterns that are pretty easy to work around, and with minor modifications you can vary the final look to your own taste, eg the dropped daisy hat in many on the customer images has quite small petals and a very long stem (by pattern) but can be easily changed to suit yourself.
   There are quite a few patterns; I would make most of them, and have made 5 of them in the last 4 weeks.
   
   Addendum: I made the dropped daisy hat in a soft pink wool with a lemon daisy for my 2+ yo. First off, she refuses to remove it - it goes on when she gets up and comes off only to sleep. Secondly it was easy to make but looks so effective. And thirdly, we get compliments everywhere we go. I have never had this happen before - everyone we meet says "gorgeous hat", "love the hat", etc. What more can you want? This book was worth the buy, if only for that one pattern.

5 comments about The Lost Art of Towel Origami.

1. This book contains many fun ways of shaping towels to give as gifts, or to decorate the towels you leave out for guests. While I agree that it's not really origami, it's still a lot of fun and a very cute idea.
   
   All of the projects that I've tried have worked out.
   
   The book itself would make a good gift for any quirky people that you know.



2. Pinson Fulfillment - excellent service and quick delivery of this book ordered from Amazon. Thank You.



3. I was pretty disappointed with this book and cannot really recommend it. First, over half of the designs are pretty boring and not really worth doing (Lips? A plain heart? Boring.) The rest of them seem to all use different sizes and number of towels. To do the palm tree you need FIVE hand towels. I for one don't generally keep *that* many towels of the same color lying around. The other main problem is the directions are not terribly clear. For instance, the instructions for the dog tell me to roll up the long ends into the middle, and after trying this a couple times, and wondering why it wasn't working, I realized it really wanted you to roll the *short* ends into the middle. Clear errors like this make it annoying to use and just not worth paying for when there are other cheap and even free sources out there for this material (try a google search for "towel folding" or "towel origami".)



4. This is just fun - like the towel figures on a cruise ship. I gave this as a gift and will probably order more.



5. I gifted this book to my friend Arthur who moved to Chicago lately. He went on a cruise with his dad and they ended up having a great time!! The folded towels on his bed is what he most recalled about the trip, so I gave him this book so he could do it himself! And it reminds him of the great times with his dad while he's away in Chicago. It was a perfect gift - he LOVED it!!!

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.