5 comments about The Prayer Shawl Ministry: Reaching Those in Need (Leisure Arts #4225).

1. I'm a beginner knitter and was able to follow the patterns. My daughter saw one of my shawls and loved it. She wanted me to do one for her crocheted. I tried it and it turned out beautifully. I've knitted a shawl to 4 ladies so far and everyone loved and cherished their gift especially when they realize my thoughts and prayers were focused on them while working on it.



2. This booklet is a very nice introduction to the concept of prayer shawl ministries, well documented with stories of actual groups making shawls and circumstances where they have been given to someone. If you're not into the "ministry" part of it, this is still a great booklet since the shawls are nicely pictured and instructions are clear. After all, a shawl is a shawl is a shawl. The "prayer" part is optional, in my opinion.
   
   Kate



3. Great resource book. I'm new to making prayer shawls and knitting. This book has prayers taken from several sources, gives information on choosing colors of yarn and has a number of patterns for both knitting and crochet. The book is by Lion Brand, and they have pictures of their yarn colors with the color name and number for reference. I went looking and found one of their yarns in a local store and it looked just like the picture.



4. I ran into this book at a craft store and was so glad I did! I had never heard of the prayer shawl ministry and if I hadn't ran into this book I might not have. I don't knit, just crochet. The patterns are easy to follow and there are great pictures. I've read some of the negative reviews on this. I can understand why people would be upset if credit was not given if due. But I would hope that instead of being upset..forgive..and be thankful that the prayer shawl ministry will grow and touch many more lives because of it.



5. I discovered this book 3 years ago when shopping at Hobby Lobby. I took it home, laid it aside for a year and then picked it up and began my own personal Prayer Shawl ministry. Now having introduced it to a group of ladies in our church, we just logged our 85th shawl, not counting the individual ones not logged. We have a notebook full of cards, letters, emails and verbal comments about what the recipent felt about receiving their shawl and what it meant to them. We find it the very best book to start with if you want to begin a Prayer Shawl ministry. A company in another state liked what we were doing and made free labels for us to sew inside identifying what church we come from and the scripture we like to use. Try it. You'll love it!

1 comments about Sloop: Restoring My Family's Wooden Sailboat--An Adventure in Old-Fashioned Values.

1. This book was a gift and I could not put it down. Through a narrative the author draws into question our modern frentic lifestyle and finds folks who are able to find fulfillment doing what they love. The boat would seem to be the focus of the book, but the value is in the relationships with the other characters. I loved the soul searching when faced with the decision to restore the boat to museum quality versus making it functional again. An easy read, this is the first book I've read to completion in a long time.

5 comments about Chairmaking & Design.

1. I looked all over the Internet for this book a while back and couldn't find it. Used sellers are charging way too much (over $100), so I finally just checked it out of the library (very available and no cost).
   
   This is a good book, and is the only one I know of with general chairmaking info that covers different chair types. The other chairmaking books I've seen seem to be specific to Windsor chairs. I would like to see more books like this ... until then get this one from the library.



2. Excellent and clear book with very good detail on the techniques for the more unusual shapes and angles. A good series of projects starting with basic disigns and progressing onwards.
   Chairmaking & Design



3. An excellent overview of different types of chair designs and production of each. Not over the top for anyone that would like a guide to building chairs.
   
   Chad



4. Jeff Miller starts you out with the most basic chair ever and then leads you along to more and more complicated designs step by step. By the end of the book, you feel confident in starting to build an arm chair. Great book.



5. This is a well written book. It does an excellent job of starting off with basic chair designs and moving on to more advanced designs. A lot of good photographs show the process of chairmaking. The gallery of chairs from other woodworkers is great - inspiring.

5 comments about John T. Molloy's New Dress for Success.

1. This book, taken with due care, is still the Bible for how to dress for success. There have been some contemporary changes in business dress. But if you are not a rock star or a computer whiz, don't bet your career that dressing like one will get you to the Executive Suite.
   
   Look instead in business periodicals and you will see that almost all of the top dogs in power positions dress as though they were Malloy's models. Those who want to get there someday will dress as though they already are.
   
   I say as a business consultant that this book has enhanced more careers than a lot of the Business Schools have done. A great deal of career success is all tied up in other's perception of you.
   
   21 year old managers wearing pinstripe in a godawful blue/purple color with a shirt with a neck two sizes too small because they hear that pinstripe is 'powerful'. Older men wearing 'Cool Business' thinking it makes them seem more dynamic and 'with it'. Men allowing their wives or girlfriends to dress then for business. Guys wearing ties that make you wonder if their team lost or they're pledging a frat. Men wearing brown suits to a management meeting. All doomed to make their career progression a lot harder than it has to be.
   
   Take the straight route. The tried and true. Do not fall for the lines about how 'things have changed'. If things have changed, why do the President and most Senators - where the projection of power and confidence are critical - still dress straight from 'Dress For Success'?
   
   Your first impression and perception by others is fast - and permanent. Molloy's book is the inside lane on how to make a great impression and reflect a perception of executive capability.



2. If you haven't read this book, you need to! I bought this copy for a friend. It was in very good shape, no obvious wear,and of course, it is a very good read. Highly Reccommended!



3. Speaking for myself it didn't do much for me, I didn't realize it was so old.



4. I read this book some time ago, but many of the concepts are still valid. It feels good to dress up...and this book shows how!
   
   Today, we are dressing more casual in many work situations. This might lead some to argue that dressing for success isn't applicable. I would respectfully disagree. Dressing sharp on appropriate occasions lifts the spirit, says: "I am professional, and I am here to do business!"
   
   Malloy's book is a classic on showing how men can dress for success. For men who aren't knowledgeable on what clothing to wear professionally or socially, this book is a good starting point.
   
   The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking



5. When I first saw this book (which was first published in 1975, not 1988), I resisted it. The title seemed gimmicky. And like a lot of young men caught up in the Peacock Revolution, I resented any attempt the restrict me.
   Fortunately, I bought the book and once I let myself get into it, my sartorial life changed. And it had an inestimable effect on my business success.
   The research angle was clearly a hook to sell his consulting service and the book. But if Molloy's methodology isn't rigorous enough to satisfy those who hide in academia, his conclusions are based on real-world observation, not the whim of a fashion designer or fad-obsessed magazine editor.
   Yes, the photos were mediocre even then and it's a pity it hasn't been been updated to give it better production values. But Molloy has likely passed from this earth and the publisher is just mining the franchise.
   For the discerning, any of the fine books by Alan Flusser of Bruce Boyer are unsurpassed.
   But the average young American male doesn't need an education in fine points; he needs a primer, and this is still unexcelled.

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

1. 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!



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. Easy read, plenty of ideas, Understable and descriptive. Explains the art clearly from tools to materials and ways to produce art for final work.
   You will finish with a good understanding.



5. I bought this book to learn how to do inlay. The subtitle for this book "Design and Technique for Fine Woodworking" is misleading. Don't get me wrong if you want to look at great inlay work this book is for you. But if by some chance you actually want to learn how to do it yourself don't waste your time or your dollar. I recommend, "The Art of Wood Inlay" by George Stevens if you are looking for useful how too information.

5 comments about The Big Book Of Bible Crafts (Big Book Series).

1. This book has many craft ideas to keep your child entertained and gives you opportunity to discuss biblical stories.



2. This is full of great ideas and fun things for kids to do I love it.



3. this book is very helpful in my children church i use it alll the time. what i like about it is that the craft are made from simple material that is easy to find. And to top it off the children always enjoy doing craft from this book.



4. I teach Sunday School in our nursery at church, and this book is a great supplement. I can almost always find a craft in this book to go along with our lesson. I have similar books as well, but I find I use this one the most.



5. I have to say I was very disappointed. I only liked about 7 or 8 crafts from the entire book. I thought they seemed too complicated and time consuming, especially for the younger kids. I'd recommend "The Encyclopedia of Bible Crafts for Preschoolers" also, "The Encyclopedia of Bible Crafts for Kids". Much easier and includes a mini lesson.

5 comments about 501 Quilt Blocks: A Treasury of Patterns for Patchwork & Appliqué.

1. There is only one thing I don't like about this book: It is so much fun to look at and read, I'll NEVER get around to cutting and sewing. But if I ever do make any of the fabulous blocks in this book, I am going to come out with fabulous quilts, hangings, table runners, and anything else I want. There are a few projects in here too, and the instructions and photos and pictures are all clear, concise and fun. I love this book, for the blocks and for the inspiration.



2. I received this book in top condition and withing 10 days of ordering. Thank you!



3. Useful book with multitude of block patterns - I like especially the variety of applique designs. I have one problem: the binding is too tight to enable proper photocopying of designs on inside of pages, a nuisance when you want to enlarge a pattern.



4. this is the top of the line in patterns. Service from Amazon couldn't be better. One happy customer.



5. Although strip quilting is my favorite type of quilting, this book was inspiring enough that I did a quilt for a classroom and had each student picked out a favorite block. The instructions on how to make the block were good. Although I thought making pieced blocks would be too difficult, it was surprising to me how easy it was to make some really cute blocks. Pieced patchwork blocks may not be my favorite but I now consider them to be attractive and fun.

4 comments about Bill Hylton's Ultimate Guide to the Router Table (Popular Woodworking).

1. Excellent book. This is what a person who is going to get serious in router table working needs. Woodworking is my hobby. I build many things around the house, from dormers to desks, and cabinets. I bought a Porter Cable 3-1/2 HP router, a Bench Dog table, and a Bench Dog Lifter. I wish I had seen this book before I bought the table. Well, I bought it all at once. I would have made my own table. The book is very well written and the author (Bill) is extremely knowledgeable about his subject. He offers many options for building your own table based on your specific needs. The illustrations are great. It covers many different areas, such as making dovetails, different types of bits, how to make jigs and fixtures, etc. There are no adds about any particular brand, which is great. He focuses of process. This is a great book, built with high quality paper as well. I highly recommend it.



2. Despite what the book review states, this is not a book about building your own router table and I have yet to find any plans. If you are looking for plans, you will need to buy either "Woodworking with the Router" or "Router Magic" which are also by Hylton. As the author states, "Using a router table is what this book is about".
   
   It is an excellent book especially if you are not familiar with the router table. There are also ideas and techniques for the person who is familiar with the router table. Hylton is a great suthor and I would recommend any of his router books.



3. I was installing a hardwood floor and needed to route a groove into some pieces. This book gave me all of theinformation I need to select and buy a router and table. It also gave me all of the information that I needed to setup the table to route the groove. Well worth the price of the book to me.



4. An excellent book, with advice on simple yet effective means of accomplishing various routing objectives, while also covering advanced techniques.

3 comments about The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook.

1. Maggy Howarth's COMPLETE PEBBLE MOSAIC HANDBOOK provides a review of pebble mosaics which can be used in gardens, patios and public places. Artists, landscapers, and any with a special interest in the design qualities of these mosaics will find this a beautiful collection which not only provides step-by-step insights, but includes a survey of traditional works by contemporary pebble mosaic artists.



2. Good overview of pebble mosaics with very helpful information on materials and techniques. The book also has good examples of works by professional mosaicists in the field of pebblework.



3. This book contains spectacular photography through-out: both photos that highlight the artistry of finished works and the close-up, clear, work-in-progress photos that highlight techniques for successful projects. Accompanying text is very readable, and contains a wealth of information about pebble mosaics. I bought the book for the photographs, but was also fascinated by the information about the people and communities that came together to create stunning mosaics to enhance public spaces in their towns.

5 comments about Painting Flowers on Rocks.

1. It was such a pleasure to receive Lin's book about painting flowers on rocks. I have several of her other books which has brought us lots of hours of fun and fantasy. We appreciate her talents and her sharing her ideas with others like us. Her flower painted rocks are perfect for places like cemeteries that don't allow fresh flowers. It helps bring beauty to our loved ones graves without the work and worry of live plantings. The rocks require "no watering!" Thanks Lin for all your creative ideas.



2. This book was as I expected it to be.. the demonstrations were clear and instructons easy.. I ordered it because of an episode on the Carol Duvall show in which the author painted a beautiful bouquet on a simple smooth rock ..I have ordered other books of the same nature from Amazon before and have been equally satisfied.



3. Whether you are simply curious about rock painting, or have a desire to paint flowers on rocks, this book is for you. It is well written by a world class rock artist and teacher and in addition to offering know-how, it is an encouraging book that shows the way to get involved in this fascinating and not too expensive art form.



4. Follow the simple step by step directions for a beautiful "rock garden."



5. I found some rocks near our cottage in the woods, and VOILA, beautiful flowers are now growing where they never could before. I am not an artist by any means, but after following the easy, detailed, step by step instructions, I had masterpieces! AMAZING book with AMAZING results. Thank you Lin for sharing your knowledge and bringing out the creative part of me I didn't know I had!