5 comments about The Stained Glass Garden: Projects & Patterns.

1. This book has all kinds of information, from basic tools, materials and procedures used, to instructions for making your own light table to work on. Includes patterns from simpler plant stakes and candle holders, to really extravagant lawn sprinklers. Awesome book, good for beginners and the more experienced. Don't know why they chose that cover photo, it is nowhere near the best or prettiest project in the book.



2. I bought this item for my mother, who is a stained glass enthusiast that put aside her craft when my brother and I were children (children and shards of glass don't mix very well, apparently). Recently, I've encouraged my mother to resume her interest. Since she is also interested in gardening, "The Stained Glass Garden: Projects & Patterns" was a perfect fit. Among the projects detailed in this book are lanterns, a bird feeder, and a sprinkler. The instructions are clear, and the projects are interesting. I would recommend this item for other stained glass enthusiasts!



3. This is one of my favorite stained glass books! It has great projects for beginners and more experienced stained glass crafters. The instructions are detailed and the photos are very helpful, also.



4. This book has wonderful projects and very detailed and easy to understand instructions. I enjoy making items for my garden and this book has helped me create beautiful glass items to display and enjoy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys working with stained glass and gardening.



5. This book is full of step by step easy to read and construct glass projects for the garden. Even though I have a deep respect for Art Noveau and Victorian sometimes I like designs that are modern and fresh. This is the book with simple yet eye appealing projects. It takes glass to a whole new level.

3 comments about The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting: Learn to Knit with More Than 30 Cool, Easy Patterns (Chicks with Sticks).

1. I only gave this book four stars strictly because of the lack of instructions. This book does great explaining the purl and knit stitches and basic methods. But beyond that you're not going to find much. It does include fabulous and beautiful projects that doesn't look like something your grandmother would wear (the whole reason I bought it). I would have liked more tips on troubleshooting and solving common knitting problems. But this book does do a good job explaining the basics. If you want to go beyond the basics and maybe venture into fair isle knitting, get another book.



2. GUIDE TO KNITTING is a guide for beginning knitters, covering all the basic terminology, instructions and providing guides to basic patterns through thirty simple, contemporary fashion projects. Diagrams, assembly instructions and more make for a compelling read.



3. I absolutely love this book! It covers some the basics; for example they'll show you how to do a garter stitch and the patterns after are garter stitch only. Then they'll show you how to purl, and the patterns after incorporate purling, adding onto the regular knit stitch.
   
   Of course, if you're more advanced at knitting then this book probably isn't for you, but I, as a beginner, absolutely love it! The patterns are pretty neat too (I have yet to finish or start one).

5 comments about Track Planning for Realistic Operation: Prototype Railroad Concepts for Your Model Railroad (Model Railroader)(3rd Edition).

1. This book will teach you exactly what it claims. Numerous prototype examples are used throughout the book to give the reader an insight into how you can design a realistic track plan. This book has helped me to better understand why prototype railroads arranged track in certain ways. Excellent book, highly recommended.



2. Some concepts are not for the beginner. Let's you use your imagination to create outstanding layouts.



3. I don't think anyone in the model railroad hobby can say enough about the contributions of the late John Armstrong. His layout designs are masterpieces of getting the most out of a given space and working with the tradeoffs we all enevitably face. The book gives an overview of prototype operations and then goes into countless ideas and pointers for design and operation. I found the section on curve planning (p. 76), schematics (Chap. 8), and laying out an "easement" (p. 116) particularly useful. I recommend this to anyone planning a first layout or for anyone building a second layout after messing up their first. It is a good companion to "Classic Layout Designs," also by John Armstrong.



4. John Armstrong is one of the best known names to the model railroad hobby. He has written extensively but this book is his finest work.
   
   A person interested in railroads finds himself caught up in lots of detailed scenes and complex trackwork. Armstrong explains what it all does and why it is arranged in the way it is. He does this by explaining railroad practice in the real world and then by looking at the problems faced by the modeler. He does so in a lucid and interesting manner...for the first half of the book.
   
   While the first half of the book is dedicated to teaching about how railroads operate, the second is intended to teach how to model them effectively. He explains broad general concepts and then refines things and explains them in easy stages. He knows where the pitfalls are and he points out solutions.
   
   This is a useful book for anyone from beginner to advanced but especially the beginner.



5. This is a great book on how to run and plan your next model railroad. Gives great idea's and samples of yards, train movements and point to point locations. Not just for beginers.

No comments about Tops: Making the Universal Toy.

5 comments about See and Sew: A Sewing Book for Children.

1. I just bought this book and love it. I am 30 and teaching myself to sew. This book includes easy to read and interpret illustrations and wording. It teaches sewing stitches by hand, embroidery, sewing on buttons, and sewing projects. The projects are cute, and it even shows how to make tassels and pom poms. This book is simple enough to teach anyone the basics of sewing. I highly recommend this book for any beginner!



2. This is the most charming, useful sewing book for children and adults alike! The vintage illustrations are worth the price alone and the projects are adorable and easy to do...I will treasure it and use it to teach my daughter how to sew!



3. I have so many books but this one is the best by far. From the explanations, to the projects, the lovely pictures and cute cover. I will recommend this book to anyone, this book will make a great gift to any young girl. I just love it!



4. Love this book. The feel of the paper and the illustrations are divine. This is one that lived up to the reviews I read and I am so happy to have it.
   Even though it is a children's book it is a treasure to me and looks great displayed in my sewing room.
   Evokes feeling of a bygone era and brings back a lot of wonderful old memories spent in the sewing room with my mum and granny.
   You will love it too!!



5. Our children's sewing instructor uses this book for her guide. This is a wonderful book. It covers all of the basic bases. When the student is done with this book they can sew most anything and many stitches. Thank you for such a good product!!

5 comments about Buried Treasures You Can Find: Over 7500 Locations in All 50 States (Treasure Hunting Text).

1. Great book. I have found two forts and an old gold mining town close to me to hunt in thanks to this book. It really is a good book.



2. This book contains a few interesting and potentially helpful tidbits of information for the treasure hunter. However, most of the information about the "7500 locations" is often little more than can be had from reading the "Welcome to..." signs found as you drive into town. If you expect to have a handy collection of ideas to keep you and your metal detector busy, then this book will be a disappointment.



3. But this writer simply tried to cut too wide a swath. I'd have preferred fewer lost treasures and more information on those.



4. This book is great. It has many great places to look for treasure in every state. The author has done years of research to find many old ghost towns, buried treasure stories, and many other places. It gives tips on metal detecting, but seems to have been paid by Garrett Metal Detectors to advertise and show their detectors in this book. It also informs you how to find good places to look. This book is a masterpiece and very interesting even if you are not going out to look for lost treasures of yesterday.



5. it listing a lot of tips 7500---however since it list so many tips--- needless to say it can only give a brief bit on each one----its a good starting point of "local treasure stories /tales" in your state & area that you then must go and do the "leg work" to flesh out the rest of the story. if you are a research based type hunter its a good starting point--- "tips" to get you started ---if you expect ---"well go the the corner of elm and jones street in zippytown,florida and walk seven feet east --dig five feet down and you'll be set for life ---well get real --if it was that easy the bookwriter would do it. good hunting to all.

5 comments about Soap: Making It, Enjoying It.

1. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to make soap at home. She gives a good understanding of the actual process, great recipies, and step by step directions.



2. I go thtis book hoping to get really informed. I found this book to be confusing and hard to follow. It would be nice if there were picture instead of drawings.



3. ...times have changed. That being said, I love this book....it's the book that got artisan soaping started and she has some lovely recipes. Her recipes do make good soap.
   
   Unfortunately, the last edition of this book was published in 1975. Methods have changed, safety precautions have changed (she didn't wear gloves because a lye burn was easier to deal with than the limited movement....WRONG....wear the gloves). She also adds water to the lye...this is inviting a volcano....just don't do it.
   
   On the plus side, there are great ideas for "found" molds, great ideas for shaping and sculpting your soap, and an interesting (if verbose) history of soap.
   
   I would recommend it for its historical value and great soap recipes, but invest in a more modern volume for your first attempts. Alicia Grosso and Anne Watson's books are up-to-date, safe, and much more friendly for the soaping newbie.



4. This for me was a waste of my money, time and effort. Would not recommend this book at all. Didn't care for the history, completely boring for me and that is all I can say. Skip this book.



5. I would not recommend this as your ONLY soap book, but it is a great tool. I love Bramson's voice and tone throughout and the history is fun and kitschy. While this book is a little dated (the resources and prices are laughable), it is THE book to have if you want to make tallow soaps. Most of the newer books dismiss tallow as old-fashioned and pointless, so they do not offer instruction on rending it. Bramson makes it sound almost enjoyable! Love the book, but would recommend Soapmaker's Companion: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes, Techniques & Know-How (Natural Body Series - The Natural Way to Enhance Your Life) or Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Luxurious Handcrafted Soaps for Family, Friends, and Yourself as actual guides.

3 comments about Fine Art Scratch and Sketch: A Cool Art Activity Book for Budding Fine Artists of All Ages (Activity Books).

1. Buy this for any budding artist - teaches them about classic art and self expression!



2. The entire series of these scratch and sketch books provide hours of fun and quiet! They are ideal for restaurant waits and anywhere that requires well behaved, engaged children.



3. Hi,
   We bought this for our grandaughter and she loved them along w/hidden pictures books .

No comments about The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders: Ten Inventions to Spark Your Imagination.

5 comments about Applique the Basics and Beyond: The Complete Guide to Successful Machine and Hand Techniques with Dozens of Designs to Mix and Match.

1. I own several books on applique, but will probably never use them again. This one has it all! Great photos and easy intructions for every method and then some. A must have for anyone who sews or quilts.



2. This book has just about everything you need to learn how to Applique If you are Right-Handed as all of the people that wrote six star reviews must be. There are no instructions whatsoever for the left-handed person.



3. This book is great for the beginner or advanced sewer. It shows many ways of applique that all make sense. This book has clear illustrations and wonderful pictures. There are detailed instructions that are clear and easy to follow.



4. The book has all the different kinds of applique techniques. It is a great reference book.



5. This is a Fantastic Book! It is great for both the novice quilter and the nore experienced one! The book covers all the methods of machine and hand applique plus it explains how to embelish! It comes complete with projects and patterns! It has everything you could want about applique in one place!!!!