5 comments about Celtic Knotwork.

1. Mr. Bain tries far to hard to complicate the creation of these figures, and I am thankful that I did not purchase the book for this purpose. For tattoo designs, especially borders and bands, this book provides many great examples, that, with the right artist, could be rendered into fantastic, complicated, and original designs. I recommend it highly to tattoo enthusiasts but not to the student; you'll go blind before you acheive these designs through the methods proposed.



2. This book is the only one that I have seen that shows you enough of the construction of celtic knotwork to enable me to modify existing designs. If you simply want to copy things, the dover art series is the book for you. If you wish to get into the details of the art enough to create fresh designs or to 'straighten bent borders' and 'bend straight borders' or cut things in half, this is the book for you. After reading it I found that I also noticed things in existing art that I had never looked for before. Prior to reading this book I had tried to freehand modify certain designs, and met with fairly, though I am a fair sketcher. With this book I was able to modify a design for my purposes, and then using a chalked grid, draw it from scratch on leather, to use in quillworking.



3. Yeah, the method is technical. A T-Square and triangle are helpful. But for complex, good looking designs, this is the book to use.

   Why is it different? Most books (elder Bain, Sturrock, Meehan) use a center line method--you draw the center of the knot using the grid, and then yuo trace out along either side. But the problem with this is that the line widths vary easily, and thus the knots don't look so good.

   This book uses a Edge line method--the edges of the knots are drawn with the grid. So all of the pieces of the knot are the same width. Which makes it look much nicer.

   And it makes it simpler in some ways. Since the edge lines are made with a ruler, after all of the layout work (which there is a lot, I'll admit) there is little freehand work needed, jus' for the curves. (And a circular stencil makes this so much easier).




4. Wonderfully written with detailed pictures from the Book of Kells as well as others showing the underlying layout of the actual knotwork. The techniques shown are SO easy and SO basic, it's a wonder that this isn't more popular. I thought to myself before I purchased this book that it was going to take a lot of practice and time to get it right, but the first day I was actually drawing knots! The second day I was learning how to bend them into borders and other shapes. If you ever thought that you'd like to learn how to draw knotwork, you can! Buy this book and you'll be drawing within hours.



5. I bought this book in England on my honeymoon, back when I did this sort of work a lot. Then I stopped. But now I'm back at it and I can't stop. And this book has been invaluable. In fact, the quality of the knotworks I can make using these methods are one of the reasons I can't stop doing them during any little bit of free time I have.
   
   The technique is a bit intensive. And time consuming to set up. And it does make you want to scream at times. But the results are fantastic. My biggest problem with it is that the author sometimes assumes you know where he's going with it, and seems to skip a step along the way. I think he just assumed the intelligence of the reader would make the same leap he did, but it's still annoying. But with practice, I've gotten quite good at it. And, as I said, the results are worth it.

1 comments about A Constellation of Origami Polyhedra.

1. Another excellent book from John Montroll. This is a most have book by any origami enthusiast. Congratulations!!!

5 comments about Math in Motion: Origami in the Classroom K-8.

1. Several years ago I never would have bought a book or attended a workshop like Math in Motion because I did not think it was relevant. But from the moment we started, Ms. Pearl made us all feel so comfortable-an ideal environment for learning, especially a subject like mathematics, which may be stressful. I wanted to create the same atmosphere and remove the fear element from learning mathematics. The workshop experience made us feel like we were a team. I felt like I could do anything. And it gave me the motivation to try more. Ms. Pearl's book outlines lesson plans that support NCTM Standards and has teaching scripts and tips for developing a warm and inviting hands-on learning environment that is educational and fun. The multidisciplinary approach connects math to other subjects including reading, science, and social studies. The step-by-step directions are clear and easy to follow. Multicultural activities teach an appreciation of other cultures from exploring tangrams to writing Haiku. The three most exciting words from my students were, "I did it!" I think this is also great for building kids' self-esteem. The book encourages you to have students write down on their paper manipulatives math vocabulary that helps them to remember it--younger kids can trace the place with their fingers as they say it. Now, I know that math is not BAD. When adults feel good about what they are teaching, children will feel better too. I know this book will help you create a room where children (and adults too) will love to come to learn and grow.



2. The content of this book was rich with so many ideas.
   It can be used as a springbooard for numerous
   hands-on activities--great for kids of all ages, full of
   practical and fun concrete methods to demonstrate
   abstract concepts especially for specail education
   students. The multicultural expericence integrates
   a variety of prosocial behaviors that supports
   how other cultures contribute to our society.



3. I purchased Math in Motion for my first semester of student teaching. One of the students in the Learning Support Class has Asperger's Syndrome. He was especially agitated and noncooperative and the only thing he responded to was when I started to do origmai. He was fascinated with the Jumping Frog and the movements and the patterns. Now I use it as a reward. It helps him to calm down and focus on the activities. I let him choose something else from the book and next we are going to fold the Whale. It has become the highlight of our day!



4. Although I am neither a teacher nor a grade schooler, I found exceeding pleasure, while reading "Math in Motion," in brushing up on aspects of math that I had long ago forgotten. But beyond the math, I thoroughly enjoyed making the origamis depicted in the book. While using this book to create each of the origamis, I found the instructions easy to both read and follow. (Of course, the spiral binding is yet another much-appreciated feature.) I had never been successful in Japanese paper folding before in my 60+ years, even though I had attempted it several times, and so it was exciting for me to complete my very first origami!
   Written primarily as a teacher's guide, I still highly recommend "Math in Motion" for anyone between the ages of 5 and 105! If you are looking for a way to spend a marvelous afternoon at home, I suggest purchasing, reading, and using "Math in Motion." The author, Barbara Pearl, is a jewel! Thank you, Barbara, for this wonderful gift - a book to treasure, to use, and to share with friends and family alike.



5. As a homeschool parent and teacher this book has been a wonderful resource. My nine year old son, Jack, and I love using it. I tell all my homeschooling friends about it as well as friends whose children struggle with math in school. When I asked Jack about a review, he said, "You must tell everyone that I love this hands on approach!" I also tutor a young lady who admitted that she hated math, but I convinced her to have a go by using Math in Motion and she now loves to fold, feels she can can attempt a math problem without falling apart and is open to a hands on approach to learning about place value,which we have just started. Thank you, Ms Pearl

2 comments about Modern Origami.

1. The book has many models to choose from, but are not very realistic in shape. The illustrations are not as clear as some books I have even though the explainations are more detailed than most.



2. Finally back in print! James Sakoda's creations are totally different from the works of other origami artists. The book is appropriately titled, as these works reflect a modern aesthetic, reminiscent of the American Abstract Expressionist movement. The models possess an abstract, sophisticated and elegant simplicity that suggests an object rather than rendering it in complicated (and tedious)detail ... and that is the essence of the art of Origami! His eight-point star has survived the test of time and is as beautiful as it was when first presented. The diagrams are clear and good for beginners. If you're looking for something unique and distinctive, check out this book.

No comments about The Origami Bible.

4 comments about Beautiful Quiltagami: New Ideas for Fabric Folding.

1. I purchased this book because the pictures shown were interesting and something different - a good start, so I thought! The instructions however are seriously lacking in detail. Regardless of whether or not you are competent or familiar with origami, Mrs Hiney's instructions, or lack of, will be the source of serious frustration and major headaches! Be prepared to do major research on your own to get proper instructions.



2. Don't waste your money on such a sloppy pattern designer and writer. Her instructions have many errors and missing steps.



3. I received this book for Christmas 2007 and made one of the flower wall-hangings. These are hands down the worst instructions I have ever tried to follow. I was so frustrated that I went on-line to see if there were any updated instructions or corrections and could only find a message board from 2004 with other frustrated Quiltigami users. It seems as though the author wrote the instructions, had someone illustrate it without reading the instructions and then had it published with nobody ever trying to follow the instructions before printing the book! I recommend not wasting your money. Find a paper origami book and try creating them in fabric. I wish my sister could receive her money back.



4. This book has so many wonderful fabric folding techniques in it, which can be used for pillows, clothes, accessories and of course quilting. I like it so much that I bought two copies. One will be a gift for a very lucky person.

5 comments about Super Simple Origami.

1. Simple origami is not necessarily boring origami. While the models in this book are simple enough for children to learn many adults will find plenty of models to add to their repertoire. The illustrations are large, the photographs of the finished model are very detailed and the instructions are easy to follow. This book will provide many hours of fun for teachers and students, parents and children and the origami enthusiast.



2. Well That's The Name Super Simple, This Is For Children Who Aren't Good Enough For The Tough Stuff. If Your Friend Says to You That You Stink At Origami. Well, If they Say That Than That Probably Means They're Way Better Than You. But After You Read This Book , You Will Be One Step Closer To Making The Tiger Your Friend Can Make But You Can't!



3. OK- I am very new to Origami,and need detailed instructions in ENGLISH. I did not find this book to be super simple as the title promised. The book uses the complicated origami language throughout. If you do not understand the international origami code, then you will find this book to be super difficult.



4. I have this book, I like the models, and they are presented well,even showing how to use them, and I am a folder! BUT... the instructions are not simple. A folder who has folded a moderate amount can figure out the instructions and complete the models without too much stress. But a beginner adult or child will have trouble!
   An adult who has never folded trying to fold with a child might have trouble and it is certainly not the book for children to pickup to use first time. You'll be frustrated and not fold!
   So get some experience, be prepared to think it through, you'll need patience, but the models are good.



5. I'm six years old and I'm in first grade. I found this Super Simple Origami book in the first grade section of the library at my school. The title said super simple origami. It was not simple at all! It was too hard. Never buy or borrow this book.
   
   From the mom: I helped my son type this review. He was so excited to try out folding, and got so frustrated. We tried several of the designs. I will also be speaking to the librarian about a more appropriate section for the book. Unfortunately, the school only goes up to fourth grade.

No comments about Origami Folding Paper.

No comments about Wings & Things in Origami.

No comments about Barstool Origami: The Art of Turning Sober Paper into Boozy Conversation Pieces.