5 comments about Paper Transformed: A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects.

1. I found this book to be a great source of ideas, techniques and tips - with easy to read instructions. Having read similar books - this one is definitely a great addition to anyone's library!



2. This is a wonderfully written book. The instructions were so wonderfully written that even a novice would be able to understand them. The pictures were beautifully taken and very informative. I would highly recommend this to any paper crafter. Julia is a very creative, talented lady and I am grateful that she is so willing to share them with us.



3. I have this book and love the organized, easy to follow directions. There are so many techniques in this book that are new and exciting to try. Some of the techniques are easy and some are more complicated. Julia uses Perfect Pearls in many of her techniques (it's her product and that is as it should be!!) and it is fun to see how versatile this product is. Her concise, organized delivery makes following her directions very easy and smooth. I'm a seasoned stamper and there were many techniques in this book that I had not seen before. It is definitely not the same old, same old thing you see in many other books. It is so hard to find good directions for the use of so many of the products out there right now. Julia's book gave us good directions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning to use Perfect Pearls or many other products as well. Julia's artistic ability shines through with all her amazing samples. I great book and definitely work the price. I loved it!!



4. this is a good basic book to have in your library. although i know most of the techniques shared here, there were a few new ones for me to try. and the rest is a good review for me. julia andrus is a well known artist and one can always glean some pearls from her teachings. especially good for a newbie!
   sandyh



5. Marvelous eye candy and inspiration. Well done. Informative. A perfect companion to an artist with the love of paper.

5 comments about My Book Of Easy Crafts.

1. I am glad I purchased this workbook. However, some of the activities are a bit difficult for my 4 year old to cut out on her own. It has definitely helped to improve her skills in cutting with scissors. She usually needs my help/supervision, but I love giving her a variety of activities to do each day. The pages are thick enough and the illustrations are cute and unique.



2. This book has been a life saver for days my daughter dosen't want to play outside or says she is bord. Once we get started she dosen't want to stop! There are lots of things to make in this book, some are kind of cheesy like a paper ring but there are many really nice things that you can actually play with.Like a paper bird that you put 2 pieces of string in and make it race up the strings and a hen that flaps its wings.She is always very proud when she has completed a project and has to go around to show everyone her masterpiece.
   
   Cutting skills are needed with this book.So you can cut around all of the dotted lines and there are marked spots for glue and lines for folding.
   
   I can see even using the book to create your own projects from cardstock,this would be great for teachers!
   
   Thank you Kumon for putting out a kids craft book that is actually usable and has so many pages of projects!



3. My six-year-old has been working from this book non-stop since she got it, and she rarely has to ask for help. I am very pleased, since she's having a blast and it's not too complicated. The crafts are also cute and intriguing and they are not all the same, though there are sometimes more than one version of something (animal masks, for example). So far she has made finger puppets, rings, masks, a man that smiles or frowns depending on how you view him, a cool balancing eagle, etc. (I like that some of the projects deal with optical illusion, etc.) My only not-really-a-complaint is that I would prefer a different kind of illustration. I don't particularly like contemporary animation-like drawing with lots of gradients. But this is picky and doesn't affect my daughter's enjoyment of the book.



4. Very colorful, simple and yet detailed artwork. My almost 3 year old needs alot of help with these but he loves them. A good way to get your child away from the tv and using his hands to create something.



5. I was excited to see this workbook from Kumon, since my daughter (4 yrs old) has liked some of them in the past. Unfortunately, she has not been interested in doing any of these crafts. I think it's because she likes to think of the craft herself, and then follow through with her idea. She doesn't like crafts when there isn't a whole lot of creative thought needed.
   If your child is creative, it may not be the best workbook for you. If your child likes crafts, but sometimes can't think of what to do on his/her own, then this workbook may be a lot of fun. There are some cute things to make (in my opinion, not my child's!).

5 comments about Creative Quilts: Inspiration, Texture & Stitch.

1. This book along with Sandra's contemporary quits has been inspirational to me. These two books have almost become my bible. I can look through them time and again for ideas and they help to spark my creativity. There are a variety of techniques to make your quilts more interesting and diamentional. This book was well worth the money and would make a great contributional to anyone who is interested in art quilts to their own personal library.



2. It was a gift for my Mom who wants to create more inspired quilts. She loves it and is off and running with new ideas and techniques for creating her own designs.



3. This is a wonderful book to spark your creativity. It was reccommended by Amazon when I bought another quilt book and I'm glad I bought it.



4. This book is exactly what I hoped to find. It is filled with beautifully illustrated quilts & embroidery with step by step details on design, construction and how it was embroidered. Sandra has detailed her quilt design process giving the reader a clearly demonstrated understanding visually & textually of what inspires her quilts and then firstly how she gets them out of her head and onto paper & then translated into a quilt. Sandras use of sumptuous fabrics showing us how fabrics are combined, moved around and translated into images is wonderful. The embroidery is textual & three dimensional and the magic is nothing you see seems unachievable. Highly recommended for teachers, students and anyone wanting to take their quilt making to a new level.



5. The gorgeous pictures of these fascinating quilts are an inspiration to get to work on my own creative ideas. I am always amazed at the diversity of the human creative spirit and especially the way people use fiber in making art.

5 comments about Metal Clay Beyond the Basics.

1. Wow! This book has something for everyone. Each project section is laid out starting with a beginning project, moving through intermediate and on to advanced. No mater what your skill level is currently, this book will take you to the next level and beyond. It's well written and organized beautifully with a wide variety of projects and techniques. All the projects are unique and different. It definitely inspired me. I can't wait to try out these projects! I recommend this book highly. It's a great addition to any metal clay library, whether it's your first book or you have a whole shelf full.



2. Absolutely loved this new book. I found it to be full of unique projects using multiple techniques and innovative ways of doing things. I liked Carol's style of writing as well as her content and hope to hear from her again and again .
   A good measure of how much I liked a book is where I want to spend my next vacation....Carol's studio would be great!
   Debby Kirkwood



3. Metal clay can produce fantastic jewelry results, and METAL CLAY BEYOND THE BASICS shows how to get these results with 24 projects in five jewelry categories covered in step-by-step written instructions and photos. There are even directions on how to blend metal clay with other materials, from ceramics to gemstones. An outstanding survey evolves.



4. Carol has hit the jackpot with this book. It is definitely not the a repetition of projects found in other books. All are new and fresh ideas and designs. The layout focuses on a type of jewelry then moves through difficulty levels from beginner to advanced. Each step is accompanied by clear, detailed instructions with photos. Her designs are appealing and interesting and I don't get the sense that they were just created to fill out the book. Even if you don't make the projects there is a wealth of ideas and techniques to explore and try out. Tip boxes are placed to explain points of construction and alternatives to her instructions. Basic materials and tools review is in the back which means that 90% of the book is given to learning these new and exciting ways to work with metal clay. This is a definite must have for your metal clay/jewelry making library even if you're not a beginner.



5. The book is a nice book with interesting designs but not my style of work

5 comments about Knitting on the Edge: Ribs, Ruffles, Lace, Fringes, Floral, Points & Picots: The Essential Collection of 350 Decorative Borders.

1. Great book!
   Well written, well described, really nice ideas.
   Highly recommended.



2. The author wanted to make a single source that collected all her edgings and the book is simply a collection of 350 patterns on edges. The chapters are; ribs, ruffles, lace, fringes, flora, and points and picots. There are some finished designs in the book that I don't believe that anyone would knit, they are simply not fitted, but she definitely fulfils her edge-aim. At first I was pretty bored when looking in the book. Then I realized that I was thinking about several different knits I would like to do, being inspired by the edgings in the book... Therefore, I believe this is is a book for anyone who likes to make own designs and who wants new inspiration to make edges that adds something to the knits. I haven't looked into her other two books on edgings, so I don't know if or how they add to each other.



3. I used to work in a yarn shop. I have saved so many pamphlets and photo-copied a ton of patterns for sweaters, afghans, etc. that I would never make just to have patterns for the details. This book has helped me declutter! I can't believe that she has all of this in one book. Thank you, thank you, thank you! The patterns from "Knitting on the Edge" that I have used have all worked out. I have also easily been able to vary the patterns to work into the piece I was working on. She's made it very simple. And having worked some of the edges in - they really have made the pieces 100% richer looking. (Borrowed it from our library and had to buy my own copy.)



4. The astonishing popularity of knitting in recent years has resulted in hundreds and hundreds of knitting books. Everyone wants to get in on the craze but, as someone who has been knitting for close to 50 years, I find most of them lacking. This book has at best five good, inventive, creative, unique edgings and the rest are just mediocre variations on the same things. Fringe? Did we need a section on fringe?
   
   I'm willing to admit I'm a bit jaded and, while I love finding gorgeous new patterns and stitches to try, I find many of these new books to be spectacularly uncreative. It makes me wonder what the point was other than to cash in on the current hot market. I found one really interesting and creative lace edging, a couple of interesting variations on old themes, but the rest would not likely appeal to anyone who has been knitting for more than a few years.



5. This book offers great alternatives to finish your knitting projects. The stitch directions and well written with photos of each edging included. There are even a couple of project patterns included where the edgings are used. Overall, it is a great book that gives you beautiful finishing alternatives. I think I'll consult this book a lot as I undertake new projects.

No comments about Kooky Carry-Along Coloring Kit (Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!).

5 comments about Your First Quilt Book (or it should be!).

1. Someone recommended this book to me and I'm so glad they did. I was interested in quilting, but I wasn't sure where to begin, despite having a strong sewing background. The pictures and instructions are straightforward, easy to understand and follow, and logical. This is a great book for beginners, and perhaps it's even a great book to have around if you're an experienced quilter and want a handy reference or refresher course on the basics. I was able to follow what to do even though I wasn't working on a project that was anything like the ones in the book. The directions translate to every type of quilting project.



2. I made my first quilt block using this book. Everyone who sees it is amazed that this is my first piece because it looks so complicated. I am sure that my success is due to the detailed instruction of this book!



3. I purchased this book a several months ago and found it to be really helpful. Clearly written instructions and lots of help/tips. I recently took a beginner quilt class from a craft chain store and found myself referencing back to, "Your First Quilt Book." I even suggested tips to the instructor that I had found in this book and she found them helpful too. Highly recommended for new quilters!



4. This is a well written book, and makes an excellent companion book to Quilter's Complete Guide, but I don't think it stands alone all that well. I find myself referring to it when something in the Fons & Porter book isn't that clear (which isn't the fault of Fons & Porter, but rather my own shortcomings), but I don't think I'd use it as my only quilting book.
   
   By all means, buy it in conjunction with Quilter's Complete Guide, but don't depend on it alone.



5. I have never quilted. But this book started right at the beginning. It gives you info that tells you what to do, but why you want to do it this way. You could do a project just from this book. but I did take a beginer class and it really help me to understand this class so much better and now I can go back to help me do other projects.

5 comments about Mosaic Art and Style: Designs for Living Environments.

1. A view of a wide range of mosaic art both public and private. To enjoy for the art itself and an inspiration for your own craft ...



2. Every page was full of beautiful examples of great mosaic variations. Great for countless home decor ideas for every room, outdoor and even commercial too. The pages are high quality print and vibrant color. I marked so many pages with inspirational project ideas. I've been cracking, gluing and grouting like mad. It's surely motivational. A Great find!



3. The beautiful images in this book show the full potential that mosaic works can be. As a beginner to mosaic art I found the pieces in this book to be a bit intimidating, but I also got some great ideas to use in my own work. This book did a great job at showing how mosaic work can be used to spice up any area in everyday spaces.



4. I bought this book as an afterthought while buying another mosaic book - one of those Amazon "twofers" deals - and found it to be more impressive than my original choice. It highlights individual artists over several pages so that you can get a feel for the work of the creme de la creme of mosaic artists. Great photos and informative but brief bios and brief descriptions of the pieces - all at a great price - make this a book worthy of study and a source of inspiration. I'd love to see future books in this same format covering additional artists.



5. This is a great book not only as an admirer of the arts but also it gives you ideas for your own projects. I have been doing mosaics for the past 2 years, visited Gaudi's houses in Barcelona and the book shows different kind of projects which resemble those from Barcelona, Spain

5 comments about Expressions: Your Behind the Camera Guide to Taking Extraordinary Photos of Ordinary Life.

1. WOW, I just purchased this book last night and I've only read to page 21. (because I have been mesmerized by the wonderful photography) I cannot say enough good things about what I had read thus far. I have many photography books however this will be the one that rarely stays on the shelf. It is a easy read while still giving definition to those important photography technical details. Like the introductions says if you are looking for photos of landscapes or hummingbirds you have the wrong book. If you are a mother or love children this book is for you. You do not need to be a serious photographer to purchase this book. And at the same time you can still learn things if you are a professional. (at least from the creative aspects)
   
   In closing if I could I would give this 10 stars! Way to go Donna and Allison!



2. I find myself reading this book over and over again...each time picking up a different tip or technique that I can incorporate into my photography. The pictures are delightful and text easy to understand. This is one of my favorite photography books.



3. I think both will enjoy the book for different reasons. As a photographer I enjoyed the images and the focus on the important parts of a photograph (the details). I think people who scrapbook will get a lot of information on how to make your scrapbooks more interesting, more detailed and how to make their images "pop" out of the book.



4. beautiful book, with inspiring photographs, have started to put some of the ideas into practice but still learning my way around my camera. Some more rudimentary hints on achieving some of the shots would have been useful for me, but I'm certain not everyone is as unskilled as I am at photography. This is a book to inspire a different way of looking at portrait photography and is a fantastic introduction to that.



5. This book covers most of the basics of portrait photography and as a newbie to DSLR equipment it was quite useful. The many examples of photographs are great, and a wide range is shown. It covers a lot but doesn't go into great depth about specifics, so I'm finding that it's a good introduction to the general area of photographing family members, but I've quickly out-grown it and am looking for more detailed specific information. (So basically I need to spend more $$$ on more books!)
   
   At first I liked its clear, simple explanations and the fact it didn't blind me with the scary technical side of using a swanky camera. However I'm starting to think it's the kind of book I wish I'd browsed through in a bookstore or borrowed from the library, rather than bought to have at home to use for regular reference.
   I would recommend it to those without much experience with DSLR cameras who want to take 'gap-ad' shots of their kids. It's a great 'beginner book' and is written in a relaxed way that is not intimidating. Of course we are all constantly learning so expect to need to spend more on other books and info sources in the near future as you may be like me and will quickly be hungry for more!

5 comments about The Art of Inlay and Expanded: Design and Technique for Fine Woodworking.

1. I received the book and have found it very helpful. I am considering doing my own inlay on a guitar I am making. This will be most helpful.



2. I originally bought this for a friend for christmas. After having to ask him if I could borrow it all the time I bought my own. It has great pictures and very complete instruction on the process of inlaying. Having done a few pearl inlays on various instruments I found it very useful. As always though..... practise makes perfect...



3. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for exquisite inlays in wood. The pictures worth it, trust me. Good shoots of very nice work, of different styles. The book also cover how to cut pearl (and also other materials) and inlay by your own, showing tools of the trade and sources of drawings and information. Delight it!



4. I didn't have any formal background or knowledge of inlay. This book went through the fundamentals and gave good insight on what to start with and little tricks of the trade. I recommend this book for the beginner.



5. This is undoubtedly an inspirational book. However, it lacks much detail for the studnet, interested in learning wood inlay. It doesn't move beyond the basics of cutting inlays and so farth. Anyone can figure that much out. If you want a complete book for inlaying, look elsewhere; if you're interested in the work of Larry Robinson, then look no farther.