5 comments about Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing.

1. I've read a lot of books on sewing techniques, some better than others, but this one "takes the cake." I thought this book was easy to read, and very well explained and illustrated. I actually felt like I could go back into the sewing room with confidence! Many of the author's directions could be applied to more garments than just shirts, so I think this is a valuable book.



2. If I had viewed this book prior to purchase I would not have bought it. Its got some strange designs and all I really wanted was some clear patterns etc for quality shirts.



3. This book provided detailed professional information on sewing techniques for creating tailored men's shirts. This book showed you how to alter patterns, create your own pattern OR copy one of your own shirts.
   Very infomative. Be prepared to elevate your sewing knowlegde. This book uses "plain talk". It can be read by beginning sewers and advanced sewers.
   I recommend purchasing the accomanying video for visual education.



4. I've been sewing for over 50 years, and I learned so much from this book !! Wow! Fabrication, technique, results ... worth every penny!!!



5. professional shirtmaking tips for everyone interested in making one that really fits. Good tips for those afraid of all those details. very comprehensive.

5 comments about The Rubber Stamper's Bible.

1. The Rubber Stamper's Bible
   
   Very good book. I wish I knew about it when I started stamping two years ago. If you are just starting to stamp, it explains the differnt inks, cardstocks, tools, techniques, etc. which would have been such an asset instead of my learning bits and pieces at a time. I would have at least knew what people were talking about.



2. One of the most wonderful books for Stampers.
   Very clear and great to have.



3. I just received this book today and read it cover to cover. It has everything. It's well organized, lists items you need to create a project, has step-by-step directions and tips. The pictures show you the process and gave me many ideas to copy. This is a beautifully presented book. You can't go wrong with Francoise Read's book.



4. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. By far the best book I have seen on the subject.



5. The Basics Equipment: stamps and inkpads, plus combined results Tools: the essentials, plus punches, thermal embossing tools, glues, wire tools and more exciting possibilities.
   
   Materials: the embossing powders- glues, colouring mediums etc that take stamping beyond the basics.
   
   Papers: what's out there and how to use it.
   
   Simple Stamping Workshop back-to-basics guide to perfecting the foundations - inking brush markers accurate positioning masking clear stamps simple embossing
   
   Presentation Workshop Basic design: layouts composition presentation Colour schemes: including swatches and finished examples
   
   Applying colour: applying inks, chalks, sponging and more Finishing touches: glitter, ribbon, charms, eyelets etc
   
   Creative Workshop 19 step-by-step, technique-led illustrated projects (mostly cards), plus a gallery of samples each for further creativity Acetate Bleaching Brayering Chalks Collage Cut Away Decoupage and 3D Decoupage Direct to Paper Embellishing Masking Metal Foil Multi Embossing Pearl Effects Resist Embossing Shadow Stamping Shrink Plastic Style Stones Vellum Velvet Paper Suppliers
   
   - Acknowledgments
   - Index

5 comments about Coloring Mandalas 2.

1. I found colored pencils worked best for getting into some of the tiny lines and tight corners of these mandalas. I found coloring them to be almost medatative.



2. If coloring calms you and you like art this is the book for you.



3. Though I've just begun using it, I bought the Mandala Coloring Book to aid me in relaxation after hectic days and before bed. It is intriguing, to say the least. While coloring the intricate designs, I'm not able to think of much else, making it easier to wind down and "turn off" my head.



4. Recovering from back surgery, I knew my artistic mind needed a more relaxing, yet retain a stimulating art media to keep my interest. This book does it! Mandalas do have spiritual or rather meditative foci that can help increase healthy thinking as one heals, but the FUN I have had using my professional color pencils, watercolor pencils and a bit of charcoal, chalk, and pastels on the quality paper in this book have really taken my mind off my pain. The mandala images are all on one side of the paper throughout the book, so no bleed through and as I mentioned, the paper quality is not cheap newsprint common of other coloring books. Since getting this book (and a few others!!), I have recommended them to several family members and now they are checking out this great way to relax and use their right "side of the brain" in more ways than one. One additional component of this book are the several pages of blank circles at the book's end where YOU can design your own meaningful mandalas...something many self-help instructors and counselors encourage people to do.
   
   This book is definitely worth every penny and is one of the best of the adult coloring books available. I also wish retirement centers would provide this type of quality art books for residents to provide healthy mind stimulation and possible growth and/or mainttenance.



5. I am really into geometrical and prism designs...they have an unspoken pull on me...the main challange for me when I color them is to balance somehow the color hues and tones with the geometrical segments of the design...so in the end to be able to get something stunning...the main drawback is when I let myself think too much about what goes with what...I like complex designs, they are more challanging...I use this hobby as a form of active yoga meditation(shutting off my mind while I focus on the design)...all in all, this coloring hobby is the simplest and effective way of gradually developing an inner sense of order, harmony and discipline...

5 comments about The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery.

1. This is absolutely my favorite crewel book! Katherine Shaugnessy has taken crewel to a new level that works with the modern as well as the traditional home decor. Her instructions and diagrams are designed for the novice as well as the experienced embroiderer. She has so many new and different ideas and ways to use embroidery you won't know where to begin. Her fantastic use of color is the key to this super book and I can't wait to get started! This is definately a must have for anyone who loves embroidery as I do.



2. I loved this book with its quirky designs. I was a bit afraid of crewel work until I read this book; it's easy & fun. All projects are very "do-able" and a lot of them can be done quickly with a minimum of fuss; ideal for a weekend & great for gifts. You don't need to have an extensive stash of threads to do these projects (although what embroiderer doesn't!!)which makes them affordable. Katherine has terrific suggestions for some of the designs & the book has funny anecdotes & tips & hints spread out through its beautifully illustrated pages. I can see this book becoming a firm favorite of mine.



3. In my youth, I used enjoy doing embroidery projects, but grew bored with the typical imagery associated with the techniques involved (pillowcases and linen dishtowels - ugh). So I put it away until recently when I saw the renewed interest probably due to artists like Ms. Shaughnessy. This book encouraged me to create my own images using various types of thread (discussed in the materials and tools section). The stitches used and developed by the author, who focused on crewel when she was younger, is artistically stimulating. The author's amazing work is creative and so often draws your eye across the work as one would do with a classic painting in a museum. In addition, her discussion on the history of crewel (too brief IMHO) evokes the thread artistry tradition from the past to the "new" work of today. This book provides an excellent way to bring the passion back to thread art (crewel, embroidery).



4. In this book, simplicity meets innovativeness. That is why this book is has something for everyone regardless of how much you have embroidered before. The beautiful, yet non-complicated designs will tempt someone who never have embroidered before to take up embroidery. The stitching instructions are clear, and the books have many examples of fun projects to do. For the more seasoned embroiderer, the book is a source of inspiration. The designs can be easily be adapted to new embroidery projects, or one can use the designs in the book as a starting point for making one's own designs



5. I really like this book because it isn't filled with patterns of Thomas Kincade-like images. It is fresh and modern, with great ideas for projects and good instructions for getting started. I ordered several patterns and wool yarn from Ms Shaunessey's online store too. Terriffic!

1 comments about More Fabulous Flowers: Mini-quilts in Dimensional Applique (That Patchwork Place).

1. This book will keep you busy for many, many days/nights to come. The flowers are fabulous to look at but at the same time they are very time consuming.
   
   The book begins with an introduction to what dimensional flowers are all about, followed by a tools and supplies section to show you what you will need to create them. A 3-page basic quilting section is next and a 9-page section covers how to make the different flowers.
   
   There are 20 projects that include flowers made from Prairie Points, made by ruching and made by strip-piecing. Each pattern shows a color photo of the finished project along with the finished size. A short paragraph about the project begins the pattern instructions. A materials list, making the quilt top, making the flowers and finishing the quilt are the sections that make up the whole pattern. There are some graphics to help explain the written instructions and full sized templates if needed.
   
   There is a 3-page gallery of quilts made with these flowers and a page on where to find the resources. The final page is a two-paragraph bio about the author. If you are into detail, this is the right book for you.

2 comments about Surface Design for Ceramics (A Lark Ceramics Book).

1. I'm a potter. I love Lark books and refer to them often for ideas and techniques. I was looking forward to this book and pre-ordered it several months ago. It arrived today and I have to say I was very disappointed with it. It's not a bad book but I found it uninspiring. There's really nothing new in it and I've seen all of the information presented in other books in a much more dynamic way. I was hoping for more.



2. easy to follow instructions for the techniques covered along with great pics. whether you are a new or seasoned clay addict it is a nice addition to your library.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of Classic Quilt Patterns.

1. This book is a keeper. I use mine for identifing quilts seen and
   possibly purchased at yard sales, estate auctions, and where ever I
   see them - mostly handed down through the family. This book has paid off several times the cost of the book. I also use it for recreating period quilts.



2. Book was received in top condition and unbelievably in timely manner even considering the holidays !



3. I have GOT to make some of these quilts! What a lovely book! I can't wait!!!



4. This book takes you step by step through making each quilt (and include all of the templates for each quilt). I have now made 6 quilts out of this book and they are fantastic!



5. I didn't find the cover appealing, but picked it up in a hobby store, opened it and immediately decided I had to have it. It has 101 patterns with beautiful photographs of every quilt. There were a number of applique quilts that I had not seen before. This is a treasured book in my quilting library.

5 comments about 9-Patch Pizzazz: Fast, Fun & Finished in a Day.

1. Great idea book! I love the way the author shows you how to showcase fabric. If you bought a piece of fabric because you love it and don't want to cut it into little pieces, you can keep part of it intact and highlight it with nine-patch squares to create a lovely quilt with your favorite fabric highlighted by the your pieced design of coordinating fabric.



2. This book offers a "formula" for creating interesting looking quilts that make use of your fabric stash, especially those fabrics that you are reluctant to cut. You can use larger pattterned fabrics as focal pieces and add coordinating fabrics in the 9-patch blocks for additional visual interest without detracting from the focal fabric. "Oriental Flight" pictured on the cover, gives the look of a watercolor-style quilt without having to cut so many tiny pieces. After viewing quilts made by students in a 9-Patch Pizzazz class at a quilt shop in Austin, TX, I am glad that I purchased this book. Clear directions and many close-up color photos.



3. If you're looking for a book that will give you hours of inspiration (and the urge to go out and buy more fabric), this is a great option for your library. Bold fabrics combine with bold (yet simple) designs to create stunning quilts that are remarkably easy to make.
   
   I understand the point of view of the people who gave this book negative reviews. There are times when you want to invest the time and energy to make an intricate work of art for a special occasion or special recipient. But for some of us there are times when you want to whip up something artful, eye-catching, and super quick. This is the book for those projects.
   
   When you begin gathering fabric to make one of these quilts, you may find yourself stymied by all your choices. Don't be surprised if you can't visualize how your fabrics will go together and you end up stuck. If that happens to you, I recommend you simply make one -- a practice quilt, if you will -- just to see how it works. Making my first quilt taught me a lot about how to choose colors and textures, which work together differently in Pizzazz quilts than in more traditional patterns. Several of the clerks at my local quilt shop have said the same thing. Making one will teach you more than 20 hours of studying the photos in the book. But be forewarned: Once you make one, you'll suddenly have ideas for six more!



4. Book is good, well written. Love the quilts. The only down side is the quilts are small, not bed size.



5. I purchased this book thinking it would give me ideas for a gazillion 9 patches I acquired during recent yr long exchange. It didn't work for that but opened up a whole new avenue for using some BIG PRINT fabrics I had NO IDEA what to do with. My only suggestion is to carefully watch directional pieces & remember where they go. Silly me, counted needing 6 rectangles so that's what I fussy cut not paying attention to fact that SOME of them were vertical & some horizontal. Lots of fabric so no worry. Really fun, whimsical cow/farmyard quilt when finished. I can't wait to make more! I truly enjoyed the book & look forward to getting her Rectangle Pizzazz very soon. Just a note....I'm a new quilter & found the book VERY EASY to follow. Hope this is helpful...happy quilting!

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 Beekeeper's Handbook, Third Edition.

1. This is definitely a 'must have' book for your beekeeping library. Avitabile and Sammataro completed an exhaustive work that is worthy as a reference book for years to come, or as an information source for folks looking to start keeping bees. Highly recommended.



2. I like this book quite a-lot. I recommend it over BeeKeeping for Dummies. Well written, nice pictures, simple style.



3. This book gives you all the pratical information you need and also has some good artwork and pictures, most books show images that are hard to see, but this one has nice large images



4. It may be a matter of personal taste but this is the first book on this topic which gives me a feeling of being able to access bee-keeping. It seems to strip away the lore and mystery which have always accompanied bee-keeping. For the record I have yet execute the plan to acquire bees for honey. At least this books makes me feel more like it is something I can do.



5. Excellent reference material written for all levels. Would recommend to anyone thinking about getting started in this facinating "hobby".