No comments about Serge a Simple Project (Creative Machine Arts).

5 comments about Stitching Pretty: 101 Lovely cross-stitch projects to make (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but I had to for this BH&G gem, especially since one hasn't been written as of yet. SOMEone has to let cross stitch fanatics know what they're missing! :)

   This book is chock full of gorgeous charts for a variety of topics such as nuptials, love, home, samplers, florals, and hearts, just to name a few. Each one is printed in color and accompanied by clear instructions, as well as a materials and supplies list. In addition, each project has been beautifully stitched and photographed for inspiration.

   There's a particular project I consider just one my many favorites, as well as probably the most challenging, called "THE FLOWER SHOP," in which the design is worked on two pieces of fabric and utilizes a combination of several different stitches (besides those of cross stitch) to arrive at a pretty spectacular piece of work. I was both excited, and I must admit, a tad intimidated to try it. If a cross stitch book can arouse this type of reaction out of me, I consider it a definite "keeper" for my library.

   "...STITCHING PRETTY..." also contains patterns with instructions for the use of metallic and silk threads, a variety of beads, ribbon, etc. Speaking for myself, I love it when cross stitch books include patterns which call for the use of these items as part of the design, for they only enhance what I am capable of creating with just thread alone.

   I happen to adore books with projects dedicated to the different skill levels of counted cross-stitch, especially those geared toward the more experienced stitchers. Very rarely do I see cross stitch books containing patterns for intermediate/advanced stitchers and in my opinion, there should be a lot more of them.

   If you're brand new to cross stitching and are just learning the basics, though it DOES include "how-to" illustrations for all of the stitches required to do each project, this book will still probably be a bit too advanced for you. However, if you plan on sticking with it, please purchase the book because I'm sure it will serve as nothing less than an inspiration for you to continue with the craft.

   If you're already an intermediate to advanced stitcher, purchasing this book will result in smiles and excitement, as the most troublesome thought you might have is trying to figure out which design you'd like to stitch first!

   P.S. Merely just a suggestion...with each chosen pattern, you may want to copy it on a photo copier prior to stitching. It's a very nice quality book and I'm sure you won't want to "age" it prematurely with constant handling. Happy Stitching!! :)




2. I admit when I saw the Better Homes and Garden in the title I wrinkled my nose and thought it would be an average, cute book. But I was wrong.

   Not only is it a well thought out book with excellent text, photographs and step by step, easy to follow directions but it is a book with ideas for any lifestyle or home decor. My favorites being the rooster on pages 21-23 and the Gloria Sampler on page 29, Mothers Sampler on page 42-43, the various wedding samplers that begin on page 44. I love and am doing the Consider the Lilies piece from pages 78-81 and will soon start the Flower Shop (pages 82-87), and the Family Tree from pages 141-145, which anybody interested in genealogy would love.

   I am so glad I bought this book and the Amazon.com price is wonderful !!![...]




3. These are beautiful pictures, but difficult. If your like me and need fast projects because of small children, forget it. They use lots of beads and special threads. I think its great for your library. But these are very long and specialized, detailed graphs. I have to tell you I was happy that I bought it, but I will not be using it soon, some day when I have more time. There are some beautiful wedding samplers, pictures of flowers and no holiday special pictures, which I loved. If you like to work with beads and special threads go for it, if your a simple cross stitch lady like me with no time, wait until you have more time.



4. This book features absolutely gorgeous charts in a nice variety of styles. The best part, to me, was that the charts are flawless - something you can only achieve by stitching each chart to test it, and someone has obviously done that for this book. I just completed the sampler of rows of houses as a gift for my mother-in-law, and it turned out beautiful.

   Fair warning: this is not for the beginner cross-stitcher! But if you have advanced beyond the easy kits and want to really create some art, this book is for you.




5. As another reviewer noted, these aren't (for the most part) quick-to-stitch designs, but don't be scared off (though there are some items such as a bookmark, sachet bag, etc.). There are bears, birdhouses, hearts, houses, flowers, wedding items, a couple Christmas designs, and children. They are attractive designs with enough detail that they are attractive when finished, but they are not highly time-consuming designs, and scanning the book, I could not find any that you couldn't readily complete with ordinary floss. A rather classy book with a little something for everybody.

No comments about Quick Curtains: Over 40 Fabulous Designs for Your Windows.

1 comments about Fast, Fun and Easy Fabric Vases: 6 Sensational Shapes--Unlimited Possibilities.

1. This book has easy to read, easy to follow instructions, with excellent pictorial examples. It shows how the sample vases are made and then has suggestions on how they can be customized. Where the materials are not readily available, they suggest easy-to-find substitutes and explain the changes necessary to make that work.
   
   I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with these and end up with a set of products that look hand-crafted, rather than home-made, that will tie together all the decorations for the wedding. The fabric flowers I'm making will be perfect in these.

4 comments about Sensational Sachets.

1. The entire book is filled with beautiful and easy-to-make sachets. They are great as gifts and don't take any time to make. Terrific shower presents! Each sachet is beautifully designed for those who like fine things. The book itself would be great present for your sewing friends.



2. This book focuses on the outside of the sachet -- how to make artsy little fabric bags to hold herbs. The author includes only a few recipes for actual herbal blends, which was what I was hoping to find. (More specifically, I was hoping to find information on individual herbs to help one in blending sachets for various purposes.)If your interest is on the exterior of the sachet, this is may be what you are looking for, but if you want information to help you blend the herbs, this is not the place to get it.



3. Wonderful ideas for different styles and shapes for sachets. Most are pretty ornate but the pictures help with their assembly. If you're looking for the potpourri though you need to find another book since this one only has one page at the back that talks to potpourri recipes.



4. This book has a lot of great ideas for sachets. This is a sewing book and basically she gives you various shapes (made of fabric) to hold potpourri. I was impressed with all the various shapes of her sachets. She does include patterns for some of the shapes.
   
   I plan to transform some of these shapes into pincushions. Instead of potpourri, I will stuff them and violia!!!! A pincushion!

1 comments about Hall and Haywood's Foundation Quilts: Building on the Past.

1. I actually bought this book as a reference for a english class. I was writing an essay on the play "Triffles" and this book came in very handy. My professor loved the history of quilting that I cited from this book.

No comments about Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy.

No comments about The Best of Sewing With Nancy.

No comments about Techniques for Casual Clothes (Threads On).

No comments about Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish.