5 comments about How to Carve Wood: A Book of Projects and Techniques (Fine Woodworking Book).

1. A good general book on woodcarving. This book could be better if it didn't try to be all things for all people. There are better books for beginners out there for the money and more advanced carvers probably need to buy a book concentrating on their type of carving. I found it to be a little on the technical side and would have preferred a few more patterns for each type of carving.

   My favorite sections were on finishes, sharpening, and the tool section. There are numerous photographs of some beautiful examples of the various types of carving. The author does show some very useful carving techniques in most of the carving styles.

   Sections include tools, sharpening, woods and finishes, design, whittling, chip carving, relief carving, wildlife carving, lettering, archatectural carving, and a bibliography.




2. To an experienced woodcarver this book may seem unfocused and thinly spread, but for the beginner it does exactly what it should do. The book begins with a good grounding in the tools of the craft and how to care for and sharpen each type. After that it gives you a sampler of carving styles with at least one project for each. It's guaranteed there is at least one or two chapters the reader will not care for. Even this is useful since the reader avoids launching into the craft with a project they really have little enthusiasm for, and then lose interest in wood carving all together. This book should be required reading before the beginner spends a single dime on tools, equipment, or wood. If it's not 'the' best beginner's book, it's in the top five.



3. This is an excellent book that covers the fundamentals of carving plus adds great advice on what tools to purchase. Asked if I would buy this book again, my answer would be yes! I messed up on the rating of this book and I give it five (5) stars. Sorry!
   
   David Self, New Boston, Texas



4. As a beginner, I appreciated the breadth of topics covered in the book, particularly the various styles of carving. This was my introduction to chip carving, and I think he covered it quite well. Sharpening is also covered, but I'd already bought "The Complete Guide to Sharpening" by Leonard Lee (of Lee Valley & Veritas) and found that to be a most comprehensive source of information on that topic.



5. still not worth the money, go on line, alot better info on the web, its free and save the money for your tools. tim

5 comments about Crafty Mama: Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects.

1. I got this book as a gift and I love it! The pictures are great, the writing is funny and the crafts super clever!
   A must for all new families!



2. I've already bought this book for two other friends because it makes a very uncrafty mama like me into an oohs and ahs mom around the neighborhood. I've got people asking where things are from and I'm proud to say "I made it!" Easy instructions, great crafts and a must have for any mom (or dad).



3. I got this book after seeing the author on a news show. She was so freaking cute I wanted to fold her up and put her in my pocket. Then I got the book which is even cuter. It's so well written, the projects are adorable and the best part is that the crafts are EASY. (I mean, what mom, no matter how crafty, can devote doing a project that takes longer than 2 hours?) The creativeness of this book and the obvious love that the author has for crafts (and kids!) comes through on every page. I just found my staple baby shower gift!



4. This book is fantastic. I saw the author on the local news and she seemed brillant, crafty and fabulously fun. The ideas are easy to do and adorable. A great gift for mom and baby!



5. This book is fabulous! Whether you're super crafty, or just so-so, everyone will love this book. Each activity is rated according to the cost, the time, the skill, and "how ga-ga they'll go." It's very cute and helpful to new mothers who prioritize everything! There is quite a range of craft ideas and each one is super-cute. I highly recommend Crafty Mama.

5 comments about A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.

1. I was excited to get this book as I do a lot of different knitting.
   The instructions for the mobius scarf are good, however some of the patterns could be used without the mobius technique.
   Overall I'm glad I purchased the book.



2. Both the First Treasury of Magical Knitting and this Second Book are truly a joy to work from. The author has pictures of exactly what your stitches should look like so you can teach yourself if you don't have a mentor. She show a variety of beautiful examples (with patterns) of scarves, purses, holders for knitting needles and even beds for pussycats that you can make.
   
   I couldn't stop making circular (moebius strip) scarves when I first got the books and now I'm looking for yarns to make a batch in lightweight summer materials. The technique is so clearly explained that anyone with the basics of knitting can do one of these scarves.
   
   These books also make great gifts for anyone you know who knits.
   
   I'm hoping the author (Cat Bordhi) will put out a Third Treasury with even more delightful ideas for the knitters of the world.



3. I have previously knit socks/sleeves with one long circular needle and wanted to investigate Cat Bordhi's two needle method so ordered four of her books. I have a very extensive knitting book library but this is undoubtedly the sorriest. This one is so bad that I am sending it back. "A Second Treasury of 'Magical' Knitting". The only magic is that Cat is taking our money. This is nothing but a book full of bags, stupid hats, and cat beds. Now, do not get me wrong, I have a cat I dearly love. But $26.95 for one questionable pattern for a cat bed? This one is definitely going back.



4. Some of the patterns were a bit out there, but I LOVE the concept. The main concept was wonderful and her moebus stitch made everything so SIMPLE!!! From a long time knitter, this was refreshing!



5. I already had Cat's sock book which lead me to purchase this book. I have had NOTHING but fun with it. Very ingenious way of making things with one edge and only one side. This really shows the playful side of knitting.

5 comments about Making & Installing Handmade Tiles (A Lark Ceramics Book).

1. Very good info, and enough of it was unique enough to make it well worth purchasing over some of the other Tile How-to books. Good source for anyone, such as myself, who is interested in delving into a new avocation.



2. Anyone wanting to learn about making clay tiles and tile moulds would enjoy this book. A wealth of information. It gets the big tick.



3. I have been accumulating ceramic tile books for some time, and this one is very good as a beginner volume showing several differing techniques on how to make your own tiles, as well as paint and fire existing tiles. It shows how to make differing shapes, how to glaze & carve, as well as how to properly install what you've created. There is a little bit of everything in this volume, as well as very clear instructions and photographs. I enjoyed reading this very much, and will refer to it more in the future as I work in tiles.



4. Well done. Confidence inspiring for a first time tile maker. Good also for any clay enthusiast wanting to learn new techniques. The method of this author's teaching style is fabulous. You feel as if she is personally teaching you step by step how to custom make tiles. The entire process, not just the painting and glazing. A good value for the price. It is easily worth at least $10-15 more. A bargain. Get your copy before they raise the price!



5. I have been interested in learning how to make tiles and this book is clear and precise on everything you need to know. If you are interested in learning how to do this in any way, shape or form...get this book. It will definitely help you on your way to making some wonderful artwork.

1 comments about The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting: Learn to Knit with More Than 30 Cool, Easy Patterns (Chicks with Sticks).

1. I only gave this book four stars strictly because of the lack of instructions. This book does great explaining the purl and knit stitches and basic methods. But beyond that you're not going to find much. It does include fabulous and beautiful projects that doesn't look like something your grandmother would wear (the whole reason I bought it). I would have liked more tips on troubleshooting and solving common knitting problems. But this book does do a good job explaining the basics. If you want to go beyond the basics and maybe venture into fair isle knitting, get another book.

5 comments about Tile Your World: John Bridge's New Tile Setting Book.

1. This is the ultimate book for tile setters and for those who want to be tile setters. John focuse on all of the little things that the amateurs don't. focus on. The actual tiling itself is the last thing he focuse on. He will teach you the science of laying different types of tiles. You will learn everyting from floor deflection to room layout to determing the square footage and much more. I even learned of a new underlayment product made by Schluter that does not transfer cracks to the tiles due to structural movement and also a waterproofing membrane to use in shower tile installations! I have learned so much Thank you.



2. I bought the bookas a gift for a friend who is quite interested in home renovation technique. She was thrilled by it and judging by her reaction, it must be an informative and well written book.



3. John Bridge has put together an excellent reference for the experienced and novice tile setter alike, and if you're looking to learn the basics to put together a project for the first time, this book is a must read. John's light, conversational style makes the book a quick read, and as mentioned in another review, the online forum on the author's website is also an invaluable reference.
   
   Highly recommended to those who need a to learn the ABCs of tile.



4. I rebuilt my bathroom and completely renovated the shower. This book was my bible. Of course I had other references and ideas to use, but pretty much kept to this book. I had it there by my side while constructing everything from the shower pan, shower walls and tiling it all. Sure I could have done it without this book and my wife would have made me hire a professional to redo my job.
   
   Not to brag, but with the advice from this book people think that a professional DID remodel my bathroom. There is so much satisfaction in doing it yourself and to get a the results as good (and sometimes better) as a pro...



5. This book was pretty disappointing. After spending $24 for what I thought was going to be an authoritative book from a well respected expert on the art of tile setting, I find myself browsing other books while I'm at Home Depot to get the information I need. In particular there is absolutely no mention of how cutting and setting stone tiles is different than ceramic. No mention of using epoxy to set tiles with resin on the back or use of epoxy for anything. No mention of design issues like what size tile or what layout is best for small or large rooms, what size grout joints look best with what types and sizes of tile. He has these cute sections about how cool it is to be a tile setter all over the book which bugs me since that space in the book could have been used to give real information. As an example he has a section on making u-cuts in floor tiles. He never actually tells you how to make a u-cut, just how great you'll feel when you master this skill.
   
   I'm guessing the reason this book has so many great reviews here is that the people that hang out in his online forum buy the book and enjoy his cute little stories and write a glowing review. They don't care about the lack of detail in the book because they can get it from the online forum. But for $24 I shouldn't have to then go to an online forum or sneak peeks at other books while at the store for the information I need, it should all be in the BOOK!
   
   From looking at other tile books at Home Depot, either the Stanley (that's pretty sad) or Taunton book would be better choices for people who actually want to learn how to set tile.

3 comments about Foxfire 7 (Foxfire).

1. Sunday mornings are always my favorite times to go driving. There is no one on the road and the church parking lots are filled. Religion is the backbone to the south; every small town has atleast 2 churches, if not more. Going through one town, I counted 5 different churches in one mile of each other.

   I moved to South Carolina when I was a child. Both parents were "yankees" and had no use for the local Baptist women's group or the ARP pews. I never attended any summer Bible schools or belonged to any youth groups. My world consisted of playing on top of the chicken coop or climbing the large oak trees on our property. It wasn't until I reached high school until I realized how important religion is to this area. I opened my locker one day and there was a note inviting me to a revival. I decided that I would go. What a shock it was. At that point, I had only attended Catholic churches, and not very often at that. I had never heard people speak in tounges before, and when the person I was standing next to fell on the floor, I was ready to leave.

   Several months later, I was in a bookstore and came across "Foxfire 7". I took it home and stayed up reading long into the night. I apperciated that it was broken into different sections, such as "Baptists", or "Methodists". The people who talked about their domonation were preachers and parsioners both. Each subject was fully researched and developed. I use the book still as a refrence.

   I have carried on my parents lack of enthusium toward southern religion, but I will take the tracts given out by soon-to-be preachers at the local grocery store.




2. In my opinion, this is the best popular culture book ever written about the importance of religion in the South. Whether you're a Southerner by birth, a researcher, or just curious, you'll find something of interest here.
   I was born and raised in southern Virginia, and raised a Baptist, and the entire book rings true to what I saw and felt as I was growing up.
   But more than that, I was surprised to learn how diverse that Southern religion traditions are. The book is broad-based, fair and even-handed, yet sympathetic. It's the best book I've ever read on the subject, and I've read a lot of 'em.
   The chapter on snake-handling alone is worth the price of the book, and it serves as an good example of the "Foxfire" approach. Nothing I've ever read comes as close to putting you right in the middle of a snake-handling worship service. Like the rest of the "Foxfire" series, it does a great job of explaining and demystifying a piece of Southern culture.
   The only complaint that I have is that some of the interviews are long-winded and dry in places, but that, too, is characteristic of us Southerners, when we get on a subject that's important to us.



3. Another absolute winner here! This work, Volume VII, is like the others. A wonderful history of how it was. In this day and age of having most needs meet and something for everyone on the Wal-mart shelf, we tend to forget just what it was like in our not too distant past. These books, the Foxfire books, brings to light skills, attitudes and a way of life that is all but forgotten. This is a good thing. When a people lose their history, they lose part of their soul. This work addresses many of the old forgotten skills and there is so much more. I loved the chapter on snake handling. Old time religions and various religious sects are a part of our heritage and we should not loose knowledge of them. The editors have done a wonderful job. They have made a very honest effort to replicate the dialect of those places and times and I feel that this is a big part of the charm of these books. I am old enough to have known many of the kinds of folks featured in these books, being only one generation past them, and have a great appreciation for what and how they did all the little things we take so for granted now. I might also suggest that you actually try some of the things mentioned in these volumes. It will give you even more of an appreciation for what they did, and hey, who knows, the skill you develope just might come in handy one of these days! Recommend this and the other Foxfire books highly.
   D. Blankenship

4 comments about Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Cedar Cove Collection (Leisure Arts #4658).

1. Debbie add's a third to her knit along books. This one is in conjunction with the Cedar Cove Series. She has added great knitting ideas, along with receipes. She donates a portion of the proceeds to her charitys. She adds information as to how to help Warm Up America, a great organization dedicated to providing warmth for those that need a little help. Wonderful clear projects, and receipes. It ties in with the books great, and is a joy to add to any collection.



2. Lots of ideas I would like to try. Patterns for all types of things - including felting. Print is large enough that I don't need my reading glasses. Layout is spacious so it will be easy to follow while knitting.



3. This book offers a great selection of patterns, and excellent passages from the novel it is based on. Great way to get the feeling you are with friends from Cedar Cove.



4. This is a good McCumber book, only it is different ..... it is a knitting project AND recipe book that intertwines w/the " Cedar Cove' series. Am looking forward to finishing one of the knitting projects and already have one of the recipes set aside for the next potluck dinner!

No comments about Collapse Weave: Creating Three-Dimensional Cloth.

5 comments about Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters.

1. Artic Lace is a book for every Lace Knitter, with History, Patterns and help to design your own. The first section on Alaska and its people is worth the price of the book alone



2. This book is beautiful and inspiring. I'm just starting to get into lace -- something I never thought I would be interested in because I have always like larger needles and thicker yarns. However, I have discovered that lace looks beautiful with thicker yarns.
   
   While this book is beautiful and inspiring, it has a very heavy emphasis on very fine guage (and EXPENSIVE) qiviut yarn. That might be discouraging to most readers who may not have the resources to purchase Qiviut which is only slightly less expensive than solid gold (ok -- an exaggeration there!)
   
   However, the patterns in this book are also wonderful in a more affordable yarns such as cottons, chenilles, alpaca and even merino wools. To make projects even more affordable, look for yarns that come on cones (silk city for nearly any type of fiber you can imagine and Andean Arts for alpaca) -- you'll wind up paying about half of what you would pay for skeined yarn and you have the added advantage of not having to change skeins (and weaving in ends of yarn as a result) throughout the project. You can find yarn on cones at weaving supply shops and websites.
   
   So buy this book -- but don't think you have to wait to win the lottery in order to buy enough qivut yarn to do any of the projects. Go ahead and experiment with "normal" yarns and enjoy yourself and a new creative outlet.



3. This is a must-have book for knitting info collectors, full of wonderful factual data. The patterns & charts are fun and user friendly. I wish I'd had it in my knitting book collection years ago. I recommend it to all knitters regardless of their level of proficiency.



4. I am just finishing up the third test panel of arctic lace patterns(snowflake, north star, and chevron. I have enjoyed work them, once I learned the notation system. I look forward to trying them in a circular pattern.
   
   I photocopied the patterns, then I folded the copied page and enlarged just the pattern(155%). The chevron required legal size paper when enlarged. The other two fit nicely on letter size. The result was large enough to read easily. Also, I copied the stitch legend so I didn't have to keep flipping through the book.



5. I have not finished the book yet or made any of the itmes for which there are directions, but I already love the book. One of the most wonderful things about it is that the author (along with many of her fans!) is very available on-line for questions and discussions, so anyone who is a beginner in lace knitting has immediate assistance with any problems. I suspect that it's quite rare to purchase a book with this level of support for users.