5 comments about A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers, and Baseball Bats.

1. I noticed this book in the new release section of my local bookstore and picked it up to take a look-see and I am glad that I did! This book truly was a fun and enjoyable read. It is broken down into chapters that talk about different types of wood, it's uses and qualities which turn out to be infinitely varied and really interesting. And just as interesting are the stories of the people, the cultures and even the author who we get to learn about in this book. I really enjoyed picking this book up learning about table sander races, maple bats, how Venice was built, bow and arrows, mysteries and miracles.
   
   I am not a wood worker and before I read this book I would never have thought to have listed "wood" as a hobby or interest but after reading this I realize we all are. And I already caught myself looking at the wood of my cello which I don't think I had ever done before and thought about the chopsticks I used last night. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys "characters" because this book is full of them- the people and the wood kind. The book is conversational and you read it that way; you also learn a few things along the way. Whether you are wood worker or just a curious kind of person.



2. 
   This is a book about wood that will amaze you, inform you, make you wise and make you laugh. Where else, between two covers could you hope to learn about the history of the catapult, the worlds largest wooden airplane, a model city built of 2 million toothpicks, how a grand piano is made, the world championship belt sander races, and much, much more. On top of that you will get more solid, well-informed information about wood and trees than you ever thought you'd want to know. And you'll keep reading right to the end because it's beautifully and smoothly written and great fun throughout.



3. Because this book is as much about people as it is about wood it's incredibly readable -- and funny. The author got out from behind the desk and got into the stories as much as possible and shares self-effacing tales along the way.
   
   The book is set-up as individual essays so readers can pick and choose where to start. I was drawn to the one on Jimmy Carter and how wood forensics helps to solve crimes.
   
   It's good for the Cliffy Claven in your life as well as the public radio essay listener looking for a human lesson behind the facts.



4. This is a book on a huge topic, and thus not easy to review. It is sparingly illustrated, mostly with B&W photographs, which come across moderately well as they are printed at an adequate size.
   
   It covers an admirable breadth of material, and it reads very well, moving right along, in a chatty tone (it is a very American book). Not sure about the depth, in a few cases it was very noticeable that the writer had missed out on the best half of the story he was telling.
   
   I see no reason why this should not be very popular with the American woodworker, or person with an interest in wood.



5. Spike Carlsen took a topic that could have been as exciting as, well watching wood grow, carved it into a well written story, with lots of humor and tales of how us humans---our very society itself---would not, could not be the same as it is today without this precious resource. This book, and the folks in it (and their unique personalities), and the woods themselves (each exotic specimen having its own incomparable story) is written with the same reverence an author would bring to a well researched and documented historical novel. He explains in exquisite, easy to read detail why certain woods are used for specific applications and how highly skilled craftsmen produce one of a kind pieces, which because they are made from material that were once alive, have taken on a life of their own. Great book I know will enjoy as much as I have!

5 comments about Shoji: How to Design, Build, and Install Japanese Screens.

1. The book arrived speedily and in great condition. What more can I ask?



2. the book was easy to understand. easy to read. a great book , if you want to build a shoji screen this is the book for you. tells you about other uses and other stronger materials to use



3. Can not say enough about this book, it gives you a good start if you know a little about wood, but does not stop there.
   
   If you get this book you'll enjoy that it does not insult your interest by just showing pictures of work only a master could do. It gives the information needed to do your first design plus what you'll need once you understand the methods.
   
   Thanks Jay, you have given me a great new experience.



4. This is an excellent guide to making japanese screens.if you are a beginer or a pro i think youll find this the ideal choice to start off with.



5. I've read the book 3 times already, and refer back to it frequently. It gives a good introduction to shoji, but I find that it is meant to be a refresher for an actual class. Some sections are vague, such as calculating board feet, so I had to go to woodworking websites for that exact procedure.
   
   The book was good enough to make me acquire two Japanese pull saws and a marking guage. I'm in the process of getting a finishing plane, so maybe I will then see how I do on actually constructing a shoji screen using the book's tips! Tool vendors seem to know the author, so he does know his stuff.

5 comments about Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time.

1. I purchased this book for my mom, and am now going to order one for myself. What a wonderful idea. It's filled with simple, tasteful projects to knit for charity and other organizations. It hooks you up to all of these organizations and makes it so easy to knit the right thing out of the right fiber for each particular charity. Lots of heartwarming stories, too. Thanks for such a generous book!



2. THE GOOD: I like that the narration doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed but gives you a sense of hope, that you are making a difference in people's lives. I also like that the patterns are simple and easy to understand. It's a nice change of pace from the self-indulgent garment patterns the knitting scene has been inundated with.
   
   THE BAD: I don't want to discredit a book with good intentions based on aesthetics, but I'm surprised no one mentioned that this book absolutely REEKS. I first noticed the smell when flipping through a copy at the bookstore. I sniffed some more, and decided it was a fluke. Then I received my copy from amazon and it also smelled bad. I don't know if it's the type of paper it was printed on or what, but I find it very distracting.



3. This is a book I purchased for my daughter for Christmas, and she liked it so much, she gave a copy to a friend and recommended it to others; so I thought I should have one also.
   It's something I can use to create charitable donations and I enjoy doing it.



4. It's hard to describe the tone and quality of this book and I am so grateful for it! It inspires me, it delights me, it encourages me to knit and donate and never forget that in these troubled times there are people of genuine goodness. The book is beautifully written, lovely to look at and filled with useful and fascinating informaton from and about caring people who know that each one of can make a difference. I was warmed by the informaton about "knit-ins" and ended up ordering "No Idle Hands" which was used as a resource for some of the historical information contained in the book. I have recently returned to knitting after a about ten or more years away from it. Now, not only have I returned to a calming, creative and often meditative pastime, but I have found a new way to share the joy of the experience.



5. Ah...Heroes and knitting, they go so well together...although this book has nothing to do with Tim Kring's genius t.v. creation and everything to do with real, gentle acts of heroism.
   Honestly, I'm not so much a pioneer in the knitting for charity field but I definitely want to contribute more than just cash, so what could we knit-what's needed? What fibers are most suitable and where should we send or deliver finished items? This book has got plenty of answers. Yes, okay, so does the internet, but with that the words 'information overload' spring to mind, coupled perhaps with a feeling of being overwhelmed rather than inspired.
   
   To the 8x8 1/2" cloth and paperbound hardcover book then! The patterns are:
   *Messenger bag-for you, to tote your peace knitting
   *Classic socks
   *Child's vest
   *Prayer Shawl (lovely)
   *Afghan
   *Adopt Me (animal) blanket
   *ChemoCaps eyelet hat
   *Security blankets (named after a Snoopy character!)
   *Preemie Jester Hat (so cute!)
   *Kid's swirled ski cap (cuter!)
   *Socks again
   *Sweater
   *Teddy bear
   *Basic Mittens and
   *a Basic rolled-brim hat-phew!
   
   Whether you're a seasoned pro, beginner, somewhere in between or thinking about dipping your toe in the knitting pool-male or female, ANY age, YOU WANT THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE!!
   The patterns are a cake-walk, but even those of you who can knit in your sleep will be warmed and uplifted by the magazine article style stories (which btw, are touching but not sad or manipulatively guilt-tripping).
   As for the photographs, they are simple and elegant, serving only to illustrate the pattern they accompany, one for each in varying sizes.
   Seriously, there's no downside to this book (though it does smell a little funny, but just breathe through your mouth and you'll be fine)-it's all about the warm and fuzzies and you might even be moved to start a peace knitting movement of your own. Even a portion of proceeds from the book goes to charity. You don't even have to read it cover to cover-just skim it then dive right in-how's that for user-friendly?
   In short, an absolute MUST for every knitter, and/or a fab knitterly gift!

4 comments about The Artful Storybook: Mixed-Media Artists Create Handmade Tales.

1. I Love Catherine Moore's stamp and art paper collection, I own them all and I am not even a doll person. She has a fresh look and an incredible imagination. The book met up with the cover. All the artists books in there are fantastic! Catherine and Terry Taylor(author) live up to there expertise they are known for.
   This book is a look at many artists and how everyone constructed a childrens fairy tale book. Their lay out, plans,color choice, etc. You get a great glimpse on how they all completed their books.
   As Terry says curl up for a nice bed time story, you get that as well as an an important art book that one must have for technique. I found as a quilter this was really good for me on balance, value and colors. You don't often see that in all the "art books" being made. These people are experts at their craft. They are all wonderful. The stories they chose and fantastic display of simple book making looking difficult.



2. This is a MUST HAVE in your art library! Many well known artists come together to show you there own kick of well known story books. I am a long time follower of Catherine Moore and Sandra Evertson and both have rose to the occasion as expected! This book shows you some simple book making techniques as well as ideas for your own books to make. LOTS of eye candy as well as how to's and ins and outs of book making. I made my first hand made book following the simple instructions and am truely pleased with the results! Next i am going to try my own style doll book! This is a good book to sit and relax and take your time and read and get inspired!!! WELL DONE! Buy this book then go make your own to cherish!



3. The first thing that drew me to this book was the project on the cover. Already having other books by Terry Taylor, and especially loving Artful Paper Dolls: New Ways to Play with a Traditional Form I was curious what projects lay inside this book. Already having mixed media and home book binding experience I didn't find any truely new techniques but there are many pages of inspiration.
   
   The project on the cover, The Queen of Tarts, has already got me thinking, as well as the retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Seeing how the artists worked has helped me give direction to one of my projects.
   
   If you have other books by Terry Taylor this will go nicely with them. Looking for a gift for an artist old or young combine this book with the paper doll book or Altered Art: Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More and let the creative juices flow!



4. I bought this book on the premise that I would see a couple of good interpretations of the Princess and the Pea fairytale plus other innovative arty book ideas based on popular tales. Instead I got what seems to be an overworked trend : no new illustrative/modern design qualities but loads of overcrowded ephemera collage and vintage bits and pieces.Somehow the concept of storybook and fairytale has shifted to personalised journaling ("Hunter's 10th Birthday")which has the same appeal as being made to sit through someone else's holiday slide night or scrapbooking projects, unless,in this case,you are Hunter's owner.Been there, seen that.These are not children's storybooks or tales. It's a pity that some really great ideas in this book are sacrificed by the
   paste/stamping/photo album presentations that are as old and tired as the images used in them. There are some original items in here that do depart from this -Knitting is the passion of Sarah Flocks, Hansel and Gretel.Does everything else have to look worn or vintage or recycled? It's time to move on!

5 comments about Perfect Match: Earring Designs For Every Occasion.

1. this book is full of color photos and very good instuctions. Since I am a beginer this book provides step by step photos on how to create wire loops and making hoop earrings and much more. For the price you can't beat it.



2. Lovely simplicity...Need I say more? Yes, hope this author creates another book or even a DVD!



3. Very well-conceived book. Ideal for beginners who need design ideas. Photo presentation is excellent as well.



4. I bought this book for myself and a friend and we LOVE it. The pictures are beautiful and the directions are clear and understandable. More importantly, the earring desgins are modern and gift-worthy. Well worth the money and a must have for all jewelry makers!



5. I just love this book. It has wonderful designs. Two designs in particular - the "around the world" kyanite earrings, and the "fireworks in aqua and mocha" wire and crystals earrings are really unique and inspiring. The "dim sum" earrings are also striking. I would wear pretty much all the earrings in this book. Delightful presentation and yummy photos. If you need some simple earring inspiration - THIS IS THE BOOK. Hope the author publishes another book, with more advanced unique designs.

5 comments about ColorSense: Creative Color Combinations for Crafters.

1. Two things I like about a book is one that tells you what you already know but looks at it form a different angle; the other thing I like is to be surprised with something that I should have known but did not. This book has both and more.
   
   The first chapter is on how to use the book with 20 action packed, well maybe not action packed but information packed pages on how to get the most out of the book. This is a good starting place.
   
   The book was designed for needlework's and painters and the like. However I have two other reasons I bought the book. First for general knowledge to be able to see the world in a different way "But Now Can See!" The practical purpose is planning colors for dyeing yarn.
   
   The book comes with a color wheel and detachable color samples to carry with you while shopping. I may have to buy a second copy as I can not force my self to dismantle the samples.
   
   The book has a practical binding and is more than worth the cost.
   
   Way to go Susan Levin.
   
   Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color



2. I must have read (and probably own) dozens of books about color theory. Some I've found close to worthless, some are useful, and a very few are really helpful. Color Sense is one of those.
   Levin, a cofounder of K1C2 (a great knitting company) and inventor of the Rainbow Color Selector, has written a book which must be the color book she has always wanted to find but hadn't.
   The first section, How to Use this book, cover all the basics of color. First it covers how the pages are organized, so the reader can understand the color combination pictures. Then it talks about the swatches and templates included at the back of the book. It also shows you in detail how to use the small Rainbow Color Selector that is included with the book.
   Before a short glossary of color terms, there is a discussion of color considerations. These aspects, proportions, undertones, value, and other factors make or break many projects. These simple explanations will help you identify problems with your color schemes and repair them.
   The heart of the book are the color palettes. They are divided into three large groups: combinations of one,two, three, and four colors. The main types of color combinations, like complementary or triad, are put into one of these groups.
   For each color combination, based on the twelve-color color wheel, there is a two-page spread. On the left page, the top contains three swatch diagrams for the combination, one light, one saturated, and one dull. Below each of these are several combinations in that particular value range showing different proportions of each of the component colors. I find this fascinating because the matter of proportion in color combinations is rarely shown but is very important, particularly in fiber arts. I'm sure you will find that some combination are much more appealing than others.
   The right page shows 20 more color combinations, five against each of four backgrounds. Various shades of the main colors are shown with no background and against white, gray, and black. The same combination of shades is shown against each of the backgrounds.
   Although the particular choice of background color also has a big effect in needlepoint, these samples can help lots in making a decision between, say, a light blue and a navy blue for a pillow background.
   The books ends with a set of color swatches, all printed on card stock, with 7 shades for each of the twelve colors, plus multiple swatches of black, white, and gray. You can take these out and create your own color combination or match the cards to combinations in the book and carry them with you when selecting threads.
   Throw in a Rainbow Color Selector and you have a wonderfully complete and usable book on color which is aimed at anyone who works with thread, yarn, or beads.



3. Susan has done an incredible and very thorough job of teaching color theory in a very down to earth, non-technical, easy to understand way. This is a perfect book for anyone who wants to learn about the interaction of colors, for creating or for life! Susan presents color in so many combinations, patterns and designs and thoroughly explains how colors interact with each other. Cool color chips in the back and great small color wheel included. A MUST for anyone who wants to learn more about color, crafters and artists of all kinds.



4. I've always been intimidated by color wheels and the like - the terminology has been beyond me as well.
   This book not only explained it very simply and concisely, the examples in the back and the color swatches make selecting colors for a project absolutely 'dummy proof'. A must for color dunces like myself. I'm still not an expert, but at least have the confidence that I'm not going to make ugly projects.
   Perfect size to take with me to the store, and it's indestructible.



5. I was disappointed. This book was like every other color book out there. Really just page after page of color combinations and a color wheel. Was not useful and I returned it.

2 comments about J.J. Pizzuto's Fabric Science Swatch Kit.

1. the book helps out a lot for a fabric and textiles class



2. The shipping was very quick and the kit was complete and in good condition.

5 comments about Felt to Stitch: Creative Felting for Textile Artists.

1. This is simply a beautiful book. Lots of wonderful techniques, eye candy photography. One of the best felting book out there IMHO



2. I learned a lot about how to felt correctly. I have made some beautiful pieces as a result of this book. I love some of the work featured in this book. The 3-D pieces are amazing. I would love to learn how to do that.



3. Loved every page. This book showed me how to create and embellish felt in new and creative ways. There are detailed instructions and methods on how to use different fibres, dyes, techniques, colours, threads and other embellishments. Highly recommended for students, teachers and art makers.



4. This told me much more than I needed to know. I suppose it's a good guide if you want to start from scratch and actually MAKE felt and dye it yourself, but if you want to buy the needles, core and roving and make some interesting projects, this is not the book for you. The section on needle-felting is a very small part of the book.



5. Goog overall coverage of all the basics of felting mixed in with some unique pattern ideas.

5 comments about The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Zoo!: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Building Animals with the NXT Robotics System.

1. Hi everyone,
   
   I received this book last week Monday. When I bought this book, I was very sceptical about this book because a peacock on wheels on the cover was a little strange. But I also build a Giraffe with a fifth middle leg based on the book from Benjamin Erwin "Creative Projects with Lego Mindstorms (RIS kit)" which seems also unusual at that time. Also the book of Benjamin Erwin is also an excellent book. So this is of no surprise that I bought this book also.
   
   My skepticism melted as snow for the sun when I saw the creatures and the building instructions inside the book. This book is clearly written with its audience in mind, ie Children. The building instructions are very clear and detailled. The explanations are also easy to follow.
   
   What could be improved, is the explanation of the NXT-G programming language. In my opinion they go not deep enough. An in depth coverage of the NXT motors, touch, ultrasonic, light sensors is missing. Expecially the "Why" and "What for" questions are not answered. But that is already written in Jim Kelly's book "Lego Mindstorms NXT-G Programming Guide". Both books are complementary to each other. So if you buy the NXT Zoo, I think it is a good idea to by the NXT-G programming language also.
   
   I build "Spiderbot" without any problem (I am an adult, I love robotics and bought my first RIS set in august 2005). I found it easy to build, despite the fact those images are not in color. Using color should have added an extra "touch" to this fine book but it would make it also much more expensive. Nevertheless all those images give a very clear and detailled view how to construct the animals.
   
   Also the detailled inventory at the beginning of each design and the part substitution prevent of becoming frustrating when you need a piece of which you just ran out or do no have. You can clearly see what pieces you need and how much before you start building. When you have already bought other Lego Technic sets, you probably will have all the pieces you need. Only the canon seems to be a big problem because this piece seems very hard to find (I am living in Belgium and probably therefore I cannot find a place where I can buy the particular set). But when you live in the USA, there should be no problem at all. Also there are other types of Lego cannons (in the Excoforce sets) which can be substitution for this canon but I did not try it yet.
   
   What I really regret about this book is that it is written in English only. So when your native language is English, your child can start building without problems. But when you like me living in a world with a different language (mine is Dutch), it makes it almost impossible for your child to follow the instructions on its own. I decided to translate the book into my Dutch language for my nephew and when it is allowed by the publisher of this book, I am more than willing to share the Dutch translation with others inside the Lego community. But I think because of copyright matters that this is not allowed. Nevertheless I can understand the reason why it is impossible to produce such books for other languages; English is a main language used in almost every part of the world. When this book should be written in Dutch for example, theya are only selling less than thousand copies because our language and many others are rarely used and only in very small parts of the world.
   
   As my final conclusion. This book is a must have for children with in interest in animals and robotics. In a playfull way, they obtain technic insights and improve their skills. Also this book stimulates creativity because while building you get your own ideas on what could be added. On Spiderbot I would add a second "Ultrasonic" sensor pointed to the ground. So when Spiderbot is on a table, it should detect the end of the table and backup and start walking on another angle. Nevertheless when you add a second Ultrasonic sensor, you have to make sure you are using those Ultrasonic sensor in an intermitting frequency (the front off when your program is using the floor sensor and so fort) otherwise you do not get excact results. If an ultrasonic sensor is too difficult, you can use a light or Hi-Technic color sensor to scan the surface Spiderbot is walking. When the surface changes color, spiderbot backoff. For this kind of approach, your spiderbot can walk only on egally colored surfaces. And when you add a Compass sensor ... You see a lot of extra creativity can add a personal touch to these designs.
   
   So lets start building and experimenting. This book is worth the price which is very reasonable in my opinion.
   
   And about the author Fay Rhodes, very good work indeed! If we had an "intergalactic" Lego Hall of Fame you would have definatelly "First place". Hopefully we will see much more of your work in the future. Also a big "thank you" for your work inside the Lego Community.
   
   Friendly greetings,
   
   Bad_Wolf



2. Animals have taken over my house. Every time I turn around something is hopping, walking or skittering across the floor. I blame No Starch Press and the LEGO company; a NXT MindStorms kit and a copy of "The LEGO NXT Mindstorms Zoo" ("Zoo") by Fay Rhodes has my 15 year old daughter (with previously no real interest in robots or programming) building all sorts of infernal machines.
   
   The release of the MindStorms NXT has brought forward a plethora of new possibilities and books to inform us of them. No Starch has published several. "Zoo", subtitled "A Kid-Friendly Guide to Building Animals with the NXT Robotics System" seems well pitched at the beginner; all the models are easily built and programming the models for the basic behaviours in the book is easy and well explained.
   
   At first impression a retail NXT buyer may suffer some disappointment, the book is designed for those who have the Educational version of the NXT with a the extra Educational Resource Kit so you will be missing some pieces required for the models. Most NXT owners, though, will have some LEGO already and may have the pieces. Rhodes does go to the trouble of telling you which pieces and where to get them. Just keep this in mind if you are intending to give the book as a gift, you may wish to track down and purchase the extra pieces and include them to avoid disappointment.
   
   The building instructions are a good size, more easily read and understood than those from LEGO themselves which I find a little too small. I also appreciated the parts guide at the start of each model; when you might have to go hunting through other sets for a piece or an alternate the guide meant you could get this over and done with at the beginning rather than just as you are about to complete the model.
   
   The first few models are easily built and programmed, getting progressively harder as you go through the book. None are beyond the capabilities of an even moderately experienced LEGO builder. Rhodes also includes a few sidebars showing alternative parts that can be used for some of the harder to source pieces, a nice touch and one that encouraged my daughter to work around a couple of unavailable parts when building Strutter.
   
   All the model programming uses LEGO's visual programming environment rather than any of the third party languages and tools. A good choice given the book's likely readers. The model programming is a little harder to do from the instructions, though this is more due to the black and white printing and a click together programming environment than any fault by author or publisher. While I had a little difficulty my daughter's eyes were able to cope and so I don't see this as a significant flaw in the book. Rhodes encourages the reader/builder to use the programming environment's ability to chunk code as a block and to develop using a bottom up approach.
   
   For the target market the book is almost perfect, with a good tenor and an excellent choice of models to build. It would be an ideal book to buy for someone who has just gone through building the models included by LEGO in the kit. While the book is aimed at the younger end of LEGO's suggested age range for Mindstorms don't let that put you off purchasing a copy - it's the perfect second book for almost any NXT builder and the "Kid-" could be easily dropped from the subtitle.



3. My son has been doing Lego robotics through a school program all year, and he finally saved enough money to buy his own Lego NXT Mindstorms kit. In the past week, he has spent hours tweaking ideas he learned in the program as well as the ones included in the instructions that came with the kit. I thought this book would be a natural fit, since it is one of the few that are made more for children than adults.
   
   He was very excited to get it, too, and immediately started constucting the spider bot... and then he realized he didn't have half the needed parts. So he tried to make the frog bot...and again, same thing. He was very frustrated by this point and asked that we return the book.
   
   I told him I would try to find the parts he was missing online, and, thanks to the companion Web site, starting making a list of what he would need... which ended up being over 200 pieces of dozens of different types!
   
   My son would've rated this book a 1, but I'll give it a couple of extra stars for content, the Web site and the fact it is written for children. But after shelling out $250 for the kit and another $20 for the book, be warned: The spending won't stop there. (Not to mention the hours you'll spend tracking everything down.)



4. I'm really impressed with this book. The models are solid and easy to construct. The programming is also easy to understand. My daughter and I really enjoyed this book. She gives it a big thumbs up, which is five stars in my book.



5. I think it's great with lots of neat animals but my 12 year old has yet to touch it.

5 comments about The Cute Book.

1. The title of this book is really appropriate. This is such a cute book! The instructions and illustrations are so clear, even a 5 yr old could follow them. Coincidentally, this is also the age I would recommend this book to. Anyone with small children who can follow simple craft instructions would love this book. My 4 yr old was so excited when we received it in the mail, immediately flipping through the pages and figuring out what he wanted first! LOL Actually, I suppose kids up to Pre-teen and burnt out adults who are looking for a simple "no stress" weekend craft project would like this too! All in all, it's just a silly, fun and CUTE book that really has no purpose but brightens up your day. =)



2. This is the first book in the Aranzi Aronzo "Let's Make Cute Stuff" series and the title says it all. This book contains patterns for making 19 different little felt Aranzi Aronzo dolls (if you aren't familiar with the Aranzi Aronzo characters, check out the Aronzo website, www.aranziaronzo.com - they're sort of like the Sanrio/Hello Kitty characters, only with more personality). Each doll is about 3-4 inches in height and they are very easy to make. I've made two of them so far, and each took me only a couple of hours. The book, itself, is beautifully presented, it is in full colour, with fully illustrated instructions (these illustrations make the instructions so easy to follow that you don't even need to read the words).
   
   People who enjoy this book should also consider purchasing the other books in this series: Aranzi Aronzo Cute Dolls (Let's Make Cute Stuff) (which contains patterns for larger versions of the Aronzo characters featured in this book), Aranzi Aronzo Fun Dolls (Let's Make Cute Stuff) and Aranzi Cute Stuff; as well as Lovable Mini-Dolls, which is not an Aronzo book but contains patterns for making Japanese felt dolls.



3. On the first day I had this book I made six mascots! What a fun and satisying book this is. You need only felt, embroidery thread, glue, and needle and scissors! My 8 and 10 year old daughters could make them and my 4 year old son loves playing with them. Wool felt or partial wool felt works better than acrylic felt since it's easier to cut and looks neater and less fuzzy than acrylic felt.



4. Crew currently making sock dolls and wanted a book to help me with how to attach arms and legs and ideas for clothes. I thought this was such a book that really the patterns aren't anything you could use as they are too small and the instructions aren't very good or complete. I don't really like the book and wish I could return it



5. I love making dolls and when I saw this book I had to have it. The instruction are easy to follow with plenty of pictures. It's easy enough for kids of maybe 8 and older. Cute characters and funny sayings are on every page. I recommend this book.