5 comments about Extreme Pumpkin Carving: 20 Amazing Designs from Frightful to Fabulous.

1. I got this book for halloween this year. Read through it in a short sitting, and had a clear view of how to create releaf style pumpkin sculptures in no time.
   
   I had some background many years ago in highschool pottery classes doing sculture, and the techniques detailed in this book easily recapped each of the basics and then advanced into the more skilled techniques.
   
   I highly recommend this for anyone with little to no sculpture background.
   
   The draw backs I found with this book are that they focus heavily on how to accomplish the effects with typical knife. Then they transition in to using more specific tools. The issue being that they spend far less time detailing the technique with the specific/advanced tools, it would have been better if they keep the same level of tenique details for the advanced tools. Also on the subject of advanced tools, the author provide teh list of tools he uses(which have been built over many years specializing in the spaced). There is very little time spent on talking about what tools are used or suggestions of locations to get ahold of them. I have found that getting ahold of tools that fit the task have been hard to find and better descriptions or sources would be extremely helpful.



2. Was easy to follow the instructions, could be used for other media other than pumpkins. Pictures were great to see visual aid. Highly recommend for a carver.



3. This book is a great tutorial for carving a masterpiece. The pictures are very professional and every step of the process is documented. Only two carvings are shown in complete detail, but you won't be disappointed. The technique is defined in such a way that you should be able to take this idea and run with it using your own ideas. Lots of other pictures and ideas are given, just not in the detailed description as the first two. I'm very impressed.



4. We do an annual adult Pumpkin carving night and now with this book we will make them even more amazing!



5. This book has some great designs, but they are not for the beginner. The authors show you, step-by-step, how to carve two of the 20 patterns. One design is done in 86 steps using simple tools (pocket knife, finish nail, toothbrush, etc.) The other design is done in 39 steps using carving gouges. You will need thick-skinned pumpkins. Great book if you want to take your pumpkin carving to the next level.

4 comments about Bent, Bound And Stitched: Collage, Cards And Jewelry With A Twist.

1. I was a big fan of the author's first book, "Collage Lost and Found", and I had the second on preorder from the minute I heard about it.
   
   Sequels can be tricky. I kind of expected this one to fall a little flatter than the first, since the first was so good.
   
   But I was wrong. Gleefully *wrong*.
   
   Where the first book was more about collage (go figure), this book has you use those skills you've already learned to go further -- making objects with wire and metal and collagebits, learning new techniques and building on what you know thusfar. The projects are more than just pretty little geegaws, too -- they're useful and gorgeous with lots of ideas for taking what you learn and running with it to create your own works of art.
   
   It took me almost three hours just to flip through the book, because I kept having to stop and try things she'd presented (wire letters! scribble-filled wire hearts with attached book text!). And really, any book that can not only inspire, but motivate me to get up out of the chair and *make something* is well-worth the price. I can tell this will be one book that I *use* instead of just *own*.



2. If you're looking for something new to add to your collages and artwork then you'll want to check out this book. The author shows you how to take a piece of wire, add a few bends and twists to create wonderful motifs and embellishments that you can use on everything from collages and cards to journal pages and just about anything else you can think of. Clear step-by-step instructions and photographs insure that even if you've never worked with wire before you'll have no trouble creating the projects in this book.



3. Great illustrations along with very good directions. The only problem that I can see is that I must
   go out and purchase several items (mostly at the hardware store) to properly complete some projects.
   Without a doubt, I will purchase other books by "Josie".



4. Having been a longtime admirer of Josie's work and creativity, the book Bent, Bound and Stitched is a perfect compilation of instructions and ideas to take your skills to the next level. The uses of wire and sewing are inventive without being intimidating; the book is gorgeous and a source of real inspiration! It totally makes you want to "try this at home".
   
   The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, with great photos that demonstrate exactly what is described in the text. What a pleasure to have a book that encourages you to make the projects and teaches new techniques you can apply to your own ideas. It's eye candy with beautiful visuals, and fun to read with Josie's insights and writing style.
   
   A new favorite how-to for your art and craft collection!

5 comments about The No-Salt Cookbook: Reduce or Eliminate Salt Without Sacrificing Flavor.

1. Your service was superb. Never have had such attentive help, ordering an item. The CD is super. Thank you for caring enough to send an inquiry. francespatterson@Bellsouth.net Yes, I am w-a-a-y over 13. How about 70 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!



2. I have only tried a few of the recipes but they have been very good. I am looking forward to the rest of them



3. So many great recipes for everyday items. Lots of bread recipes, and sauces, it helps so much.



4. This book is extraordinary. It is so unique, complete and really a great help in many ways in your everyday menus. I firmly recommend it to the ones that have high-blood pressure problems or simply if you are on a diet. Salt is the basic problem of why people don't reduce weight today. Think it firmly, start with this book and see marvelous results in your life. The tool is available to you, so no more excuses. Start NOW!



5. This cookbook provides recipes for everyday food that doesn't rely on hard to find products. We are eating good meals and not missing salt like we thought we would. We even feel comfortable inviting guests to share dinner.

2 comments about Lincoln Cents Folder #2, 1941-1974.

1. holds the coins in nice and snug. kids love this. best advise get a magnifying glass to read the coinsand mint marks



2. My son (7) loved collecting the state quarters so now we're expanding into collecting other coins. This Penny folder was the perfect next step! He also got Dime and Nickel books from his uncle and he and his father sit around with his piggy bank going through the change to fill these books up! And they are so inexpensive, we will be getting more.

5 comments about The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding.

1. this book was so much help. I am a creative person myself but this book gave me so many new ideas and showed me new ways to do things. Also, making the projects saved my fiance and i a lot of money. Any DIY bride wikll definately want this book!!!



2. I didn't find anything new or "ground-breaking" in this book. You can get similar information for free on wedding blogs. This could possibly be a good book for people that are not already DIY-oriented, but for me, it wasn't worth it.



3. By the time we get married, my fiance and I will have been engaged for 3 years (longer than we've been dating)! We pushed the date back in order to save money to pay for this party. Had this book been available earlier, I would have gotten married sooner with all the money I would have saved! I've purchased other DIY wedding craft books, but this is by far the best! The projects are fun and hip unlike some other books that have projects that look like they are straight out of the 80's. Some of the best features of this book are (1) the resource guide in the back--it lists many different websites and stores where the materials can be purchased, (2) the money-saving clues for each project (it lists what the item would cost if you purchased it from a vendor as opposed to DIY--I love knowing that I'm saving money!), (3)skill level and time/manpower needed (it lists whether you can complete the project by yourself or if you should enlist the help of family members, maids, or fiance), (4) the step-by-step instructions with visual aides for those of us that need visual cues, and (5) the timeline in the front of the book lists when you should purchase materials needed by and what projects should be completed first. I definitely would recommend this book as I already plan to do several of the projects! GREAT BUY!



4. This book does have a very detailed, excellent series of DIY projects, which would be perfect for a more energetic bride than me. Since becoming engaged, it seems like everything I run across makes me want to elope. However, this book is engagingly written and a good match for women who enjoy putting hours into dainty save the dates or original wedding favors. I think that kind of effort is commendable, I just can't bring myself to really put forth the effort on any of the projects.



5. I was hoping for the holy grail book on how to use my crafty side to save money on my wedding. Most of the crafts were pretty hokey and I would never want them at my wedding. Secondly, the ideas were more finishing touches rather than essential pieces. I have found much better books than this if you want to "DIY".

5 comments about Egg Money Quilts: 1930's Vintage Samplers.

1. This book is of such high quality and easy to read. I love all of her books.



2. I purchased this for my wife. She really liked it. My wife has been hand quilting since 1975, and her photo albums are stuffed. This book will enhance any book you might have on using 1930's fabric. Illustrations and instructions are very clear and easy to follow. You may wonder why this husband is writing this; because I'm a quilter too. Thread up that needle and let's go....Ken



3. I purchased this book for my mother-in-law who had seen it on TV. She was excited to get it. She didn't feel it contained as much information as they implied on the television show she had seen, but nonetheless, she was pleased.



4. I bought this book for my mom for Christmas and she absolutely loves it! She couldn't wait to get started on her next creation and says the patterns are easy to use and that this is one of the best gifts she received.



5. THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY EASY TO READ AND PATTERNS FOR QUILTS ARE JUST FUN TO DO. I HAVE FOUND THAT ELEANOR BURNS GIVES THE BEST DIRECTIONS FOR HER PATTERNS AND THAT THE YARDAGE IS RIGHT ON THE MARK.I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK.

5 comments about Great Book of Celtic Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Crafters.

1. Superbly written. Stunning array of patterns and descriptions. A must have for your craft source library.



2. Interesting and informative book from the beginnings of the creation of the Celtic knot, to applying in artistic venues. Only thing that could have been offered, more ideas on uses for the patterns, not just pencil renditions. Beading, embroidery, stained glass, tole painting.



3. Not a book for artist beginners. This was really helpful in learning the history of many Celtic designs and if you're interested finding a wonderful tattoo.



4. I gave this book as a gift to an artist-friend, who loves it so much, he takes it and a sketchpad everywhere. I wish all my gifts were as well-received!



5. This book is a great book of celtic design. It not only gives the history of design but it also includes a wonderful section on drawing knot work and celtic design. This is the best book I have seen thus far on celtic design and knot work.

5 comments about Sew On: All You Need to Know to Start Sewing and Serging Today! (Sew Fast Sew Easy).

1. I was really impressed with the Sew Fast Sew Easy book so when I received an email from Amazon about this new book I was excited to see what it had to offer. It goes over basics to sewing, which is good for beginners, then it moves onto serging and overlocking tips, which is great for anyone wanting to sew more knits and have a professional look to their finishings. Beginners and more advanced sewers can appreciate thit. The patterns that are included are excellent. The dress pattern is my favorite from the book. It's so simple and so cute on. It's a wrap dress so it's easy to fit. Thanks Amazon for the heads up on this book!



2. I took a beginner sewing class at Sew Fast Sew Easy and my instructor was Kenley Collins from this season's Project Runway. I didn't know it at the time that she was a contestant so to my utter shock and awe! I saw her on the Season premiere of the show. It was really cool to see her on TV. She was a great instructor. I totally trust this company in everything they stand behind and teach. I ordered their new book Sew On and once again am really impressed with their products. The book is easy to follow and has great information on sergers and overlock machines. The patterns are easy to follow and the final garments fit great. It doesn't surprise me that Kenley Collins would teach with such a great company.



3. I was looking for a book to learn a little more about sewing and something to inspire me. I came across this book and thought it looked pretty cool. My girlfriend thinks it's funny that I sew and she doesn't but when she sees the stuff I have been making from this book, she's been straight up impressed. I have been sewing Tshirts on my Juki overlock machine with the pattern from this book. I've made them for me and my GF. She's totally into them. The warp dress isn't her style but I made it anywase for the practice and experience. It was really easy and came out great. It was also the first time making a button hole for me. It's crazy the little things that you end up learning with such a simple project. I've also learned to sew with leather and i've been making leather wallets and clutches that have been selling on etsy. I recommend this book for anyone wanting to be inspired and up their sewing and serging skills.



4. My Home-Ec teacher recommended this book to our class for learning to sew. I've been learning to sew with it for the past week. My mom loves the stuff I'm making. This book has been easy to understand and the images help out a lot.



5. This book is written for the beginner sewer wanting to do some more advanced sewing projects. It's written really well and therefore easy to follow and understand. The images are helpful to the instructions. I'm happy with my new book. I bought this book with Sew Everything and there is a major difference in the techniques and descriptive writing. Sew Everything was harder to understand and the techniques come out looking more "home ec" style. I'm much more pleased with the end result of the projects from Sew On.

5 comments about Creative Kids' Murals You Can Paint.

1. I liked the way this book gave me lots of ideas and how-to tips, and also left it open to add my own adaptions. I will definitely use some of the projects in my granddaughter's rooms when we redecorate them.



2. Lots of great ideas in here, with step-by-step instructions about how they are accomplished. I think one still has to have a little skill beforehand, but it is a great guide.



3. What a great book! I haven't done any murals yet, but plan to within the month. I imagine it will be relatively easy to do with the guidance of this book. It has great mural ideas, detailed supply lists and recommendations, and it shows how to do some of the smallers elements of each mural step by step. I feel much more confident going into mural painting with this book.



4. I bought this about a year ago because of the airplane on the cover...I decorated my son's room in airplanes and was looking for a mural. I was so impressed with how easy it was to do the airplane, and I was enchanted with the author's other characters, that I also did some of the pond characters over my garden tub, for my son as well! When I get more time, I plan on using other chapters to create murals for my daughter. My mother was so impressed, I am buying her the book as a surprise gift. I highly recommend this book! If you can draw, you can paint these murals!



5. I really like this book. I wish that it shows how to measure/ create something with symmetry (curvy cast iron fences). Great idea for really good price.

5 comments about Designer Bead Embroidery: 150 Patterns and Complete Techniques.

1. I looked forward to the publication of this book, because I had seen and been impressed by the author's clothing. However, it turned out to be a disappointment in many ways. There are some very good instructions, especially on using sequins, but most of the book is given over to a number of designs which I guess are for use on clothing. I found most of them completely uninspiring and I wish more space had been given to techniques.



2. I was really disappointed in this book. I have heard to much about the author but never seen any of his work. This almost seemed it was meant for high end evening gowns. Also for me there was maybe one or two patterns out of the 150 I would have maybe made. I sent this back.



3. I was impressed with the level of class and style this was able to inspire as well as being clearly written.



4. THE BOOK IS GOOD AND VERY PROFESIONAL! MR. KING WAS SO VERY KIND TO ANSWER ME HIMSELF ON MY QUESTION ABOUT THE BOOK!!
   
   BUT THIS IS A BOOK THAT DOES NOT HEAVE A GALLERY OF MASTER PICES!!! EVRY BOOK DOES USUALY HAS A GALLERY!! PITTY?!
   
   LOUISA



5. This is a excellent book for adding beads to just about ANYTHING! All the directions for these patterns are in the book - plus all the examples of the stitches. The entire alphabet, lots of flowers, a wedding section and even Christmas! Also, it has an extensive section on how to add beads to clothes. I love this book!
   Karen from:
   Made With Love By Karen in Oregon