5 comments about Creative Doll Makeovers: A Step-by-Step Guide.

1. This Book Was Better than Expected.Its very detailed..hard backed,Beautiful pictures.and very well put together.B.W.



2. Hmmm...I was looking forward to this book and disappointed when I received it. It was NOT as detailed as one would expect according to the description. Kind of a cheaper version of what COULD have been a nicer book. Bummer of a book.



3. I was thrilled when I spotted this book in with the new books at our library. I used to do reborning back when it was in it's "infantsy" some 5 years ago, and back then this book would have been a treasure trove, but now it's already dated. The dolls pictured through the book are Very amatureish and poorly done. If you want some great examples of how reborn dolls done by professionals look take a peek at the higher priced ones on ebay or go to www.doll-fan.com...tons of great info there for free! All in all possibly a good book for a beginner but there is so much more to reborning than this book covers...



4. This is a wonderful book with easy to understand step by step instruction. Not only is the processed explained in words and pictures but there is also background on why the procedure is needed. I can't wait to start!



5. I think this is a great book for beginners to start the craft of reborning. It has given me a few ideas for what I want to do - I want goth babies - hur hur hur! Some of the babies that are photographed are lovely - some are ordinary but the book is good value for money - it's a keeper.

5 comments about The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself.

1. Even old people like me can put these paper toys together, even if it means taking extra days to figure them out. I simply love these toys, and the people I make them for enjoy them. When she first brought the toys out online and I tried cutting them out and putting them together, it was difficult, as I am not a smart little one, so I asked her to put directions with the pictures, so dumb old men could figure out what went where. Since then I have made many of her paper toys. I encourage people of all ages to buy the book and make the toys. Even those with arthritis.
   This is a great way to enjoy the little things in life.



2. I don't own this book--yet-- but I know this author's work. I frequent her site, and she is so very creative. Her artwork is a refreshing throwback to a long past era, with modern and beautiful colors. I LOVE that her site allows your to sample some of her brilliantly simple ideas. They are engaging enough to entertain middleschoolers, yet simple enough that my six year old can do many of them. Very awesome. Her sweet little fairies and beautiful cornocopias, the flowing swirls on the candy canes and fun "marble mice" and such from the site are reason enough to support her creativity and buy this book!



3. This book is beautiful. The projects are fun and entertaining. This book provides wonderful, wholesome activity for the whole family! It is well worth the price, and makes an excellent gift for any age.



4. I just love the Toymaker Paper Toys Book. It is wonderful for keeping children entertained, to help children pass time when they are ill or recovering, and great rainy day fun. The book can be a special gift from a Grandma too. I also enjoy and have enjoyed The Toymaker website. I have used this website for years, for all occasions and just for plain old simple fun. The paper toys in this book are the same toys available for print on the website, only now printed on good quality card stock.
   I recommend this Paper Toy book.
   Barbara in MA.



5. The Toymaker: Paper Toys that you can make yourself is a fabulous book full of creative, imaginative playthings. The only drawback is that the designs are so wonderful you don't want to ruin the book by making the toys!! I would recommend this book for every child and every child at heart!

2 comments about New Wood Puzzle Designs: A Guide to the Construction of Both New and Historic Puzzles.

1. New Wood Puzzle Designs: A Guide To The Construction Of Both New And Historic Puzzles is a detailed, involved and definitive woodworker's guide to creating timeless classic wooden puzzles as well as new and innovative wood puzzle types. Superbly illustrated throughout with full-color photographs and unambiguous sketches, New Wood Puzzle Designs is clearly and cleanly written in language the lay reader and novice woodworker can understand as readily as the long-devoted hobbyist. New Wood Puzzle Designs in a truly excellent and highly recommended book for woodcrafters of all ages and skill levels.



2. Not a good value for the money even though it was on sale. All the puzzles are very similiar and once you have made one it doesn't seem to hold interest to make the rest.

4 comments about Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004 (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More).

1. Having read the other collector's encyclopedia's written by this author, this one is also a beautiful collection of the Barbie doll's one may want to know about and/or collect. The pictures are well done and the descriptions very clear and understandable. At a book store, before even my first purchase of these books, I skimmed other books stating they had what I was looking for, but none compared to Michael J. Augustyniak's. Through his books, I have been able to purchase Barbies at what I know is a fair and good price for my own collection. Very good resource book. Highly recommended.



2. The Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives is a great reference to the value of different types of Barbies. I was a little dissapointed that the Holiday Barbies and Bob Mackie Barbies are not listed in the book but I was pleased, otherwise. I would recommend this book.



3. What an excellent resource. We had three generations reading every page about their favorite Barbies and we all learned so much.



4. Excellent Reference Book for Modern Barbie Doll Collectors.

4 comments about Hot Wheels The Ultimate Redline Guide: Identification and Values 1968-1977 (Hot Wheels the Ultimate Redline Guide).

1. This book is a must have for any serious Redline collector. It is a beautifully presented hardcover book of almost 400 pages; jam packed with photos, facts and figures for all Hot Wheels models from 1968 to 1977.
   
   Each model has its own page listing colours, variations and values for loose and packaged cars from Hong Kong and the USA. The book also has special sections on Gran Prix, Heavyweights, Sky Show, Spoilers, Carry Cases, Displays, Gift Sets, Playsets, Track Sets, Merchandise, Collector Buttons and more.
   
   I own the Tomart guide, the Schiffer guide and several others and none of them come close the detail and accuracy found in this book.
   
   In a word, "Indispensable!"



2. Finally!!! An accurate price guide for Redlines. Don't waste your money on Tomarts. This is the book you need!



3. This book is huge! About 400 pages in full colour.Where do you start? Every model and every colour variation is shown in this book and it just brings your memories flooding back.I dont even remember half of these toys.Its all in here.Each model,each variation,gift sets and so much more.
   
   This has to be THE ultimate book on these series for sure!
   A huge book,superb quality and good value make this book a legend.To the authors who put this book together,you guys are champions! Thank you.



4. This is the very finest volume on the subject -- bar none. Each and every car has a one- or two-page listing, complete with description, history, variations, and values by color. Photos are large and lavish. Hot Wheels playsets, accessories, and collateral merchandise are covered as well. Plus, the book is published in a sturdy library binding. It's well worth the price. You will not need another book about Hot Wheels Redlines.

5 comments about Toys to Knit: Dozens of Patterns for Heirloom Dolls, Animals, Doll Clothes, and Accessories.

1. I had a similar experience to a lot of the other reviewers. Bought this book because the projects looked cute, but the instructions are terrible. Vague and chock-full of mistakes (were there no testers for any of these patterns?). A lot of these pieces could have been knit in the round with a bit of shaping, instead you have to knit a gazillion tiny pieces and then seam together "according to illustrations". There are no illustrations. Only a few really bad photographs - I mean, they're cute and all, but totally useless. There's a pattern for a cute looking fish with a bunch of scales that are knit and then sewn on "according to illustration" but in the photo, the fish is peeking out from the folds of a blanket, you can barely see a couple of scales.
   
   In another pattern for an elephant, there are so many pieces to make individually that I've given up hope that I'll ever finish it. Even with many years' knitting and designing experience, it's more effort to fix these patterns than it is to just create one from scratch!
   
   It's deceiving in its perceived simplicity. A novice knitter might leaf through the book and see that they only need to know how to knit and purl and do a simple increase and decrase, but it is easier to learn a few more shaping stitches than to suffer through the dozens of seams required to assemble the final product, especially since the incorrect instructions often lead to pieces that dont fit together properly. Very frustrating and a huge waste of $16.



2. I picked up this book because the doll on the front cover looked just like my daughter and I thought it would be cute to make one for her. I am a fairly new knitter but thought the pattern appeared to be something I could tackle. I did find some errors in the instructions for the legs (very confusing for a new knitter). I also found it strange that there was not any type of gauge or swatch (I was taught to NEVER skip this step!), nor the finished size of the doll or any of the toys. Once I did finally get the doll made up, it did turn out to be very adorable in a retro sort of way (think the Island of Misfit Toys on Rudolph) and my daughter absolutely loves it.
   I am now trying to knit up the wrap sweater, and the instructions are disappointing. I was hoping to make a set of clothes for her doll, but if the rest of the instructions are as erroneous or incomplete as the ones for the sweater, I'm afraid I won't get them done.



3. Do not buy this book. Period. As others have said, the instructions for the teddy bear's head are so far off that only an expert knitter is going to be able to figure it out. I completed this after spending hours recalculating the stitch counts and figuring out which row (I think two are actually missing) needed to be added. The results are adorable, but the hassle isn't worth it.
   
   I contacted the publisher, and finally gave up. Those with whom I dealt were a bit on the dim side and couldn't understand what I was telling them regarding the problems with the pattern. The author is apparently British and shares the same name (Tracy Chapman) with a well-known singer, so reaching her is not possible.
   
   Again I stress, don't buy this book unless you are an expert knitter and are willing to rewrite the directions to make them accurate.



4. Most of the toys and accessories in this book are really cute, but there's just not much else going for this book. The instructions look deceptively simple, but as it turns out only a really experienced knitter can make much sense of them. Many of the toys have multiple errors in the instructions, such as the bear, which is missing several rows of stitches. In addition to being deceptively simplistic, the instructions are also way too vague, without any detailed explanations, either for the trickier steps or the more basic parts. The only "explanatory" material for troubleshooting are sections in the back about abbreviations and the conversions of needle sizes and weights and lengths of yarn. And someone who's just a novice knitter might not even realise that it's just asking for disaster and frustration when there isn't even any gauge or yardage given for any of the yarns specified.
   
   A lot of the colors don't even match in the various pictures and accompanying instructions, such as the teddybear sweater that is off-green in the picture yet described as light blue in the instructions. Many times the reader is instructed to assemble the various parts "according to illustration," yet there are no such accompanying illustrations. It also doesn't make sense to have to separately knit all of these little pieces and then seam them together when there is another way. I've made some stuffed animals and dolls in the past, and my sewing instructor didn't tell us to make and stuff each part separately before sewing them all together! If you wouldn't make a sewn toy that way, you wouldn't make a knit toy that way either. Beyond all of the cute pictures of things like various dolls, the teddybear, finger puppets, mouse, kangaroo and joey, and monkey, this book won't be worth much to even an experienced knitter. Someone with a lot more experience probably could figure out the many error-ridden instructions, but why go through so much headache when one could make toys from a better book like 'World of Knit Toys'?



5. I was looking for a book with some doll clothes patterns for a Waldorf-style doll I was making for my daughter. I picked this up at the library. One irritating thing is it doesn't tell you the size of the doll in the book, so I wasn't sure if the patterns would work for the doll I was making. But I set forth and made the wrap sweater and it was very easy and fit my doll very nicely. Which was a 13" Waldorf doll. I also knit up the skirt and the undies. The undie pattern needs a little adjusting to fit better but the rest work out just fine. My kids love looking at all the fun stuff to knit and telling me what to make. After keeping it too long at the library and then wishing I still had it, I think I'll go ahead and buy it.

2 comments about Sew Baby Doll Clothes: Instructions and Full-size Patterns for 30+ Projects for 12" to 22" Dolls.

1. Like all of her books for 18" dolls, this book contains many great patterns along with easy to understand, well written directions. Great pictures let you see the finished as reference in addition to the directions.



2. Joan Hinds has now done for 15" baby dolls what she did for 18" dolls. This book has many possibilities for baby doll wardrobes. Patterns are full sized and sewing directions are clear. I'm enjoying using this book.

3 comments about Making Waldorf Dolls.

1. This book gives good, clear instruction, with patterns that are easily copied/augmented. However, for the price, I was expecting much more content, maybe some photographs, etc. There are no photos, just line drawings. It really irritates me that just because something has "Waldorf" in the name that it gets double the price as a similar item in the same category. I feel that goes against what Waldorf philosophies stand for period. It is really hypocritical. But the book content itself is good--just expected more of it.



2. I disagree with the last reviewer regarding the content of Maricristin's book. This book has everything you need to make a wide variety of Waldorf-style dolls. I have made three versions already, and I am working my way through the rest of the patterns. The instructions are clear and complete. The book doesn't have big pretty pictures, true, but it has all the information needed to make dolls. And that is really what matters. This is a niche market book, and it is one of very few available. In my opinion, the chapter on hair alone is worth over $30.



3. I think this book is the same as the author's earlier title, Kinder Dolls (something like that) and the "used book" prices on that earlier title have been inflated too high. "Making Waldorf Dolls" is expensive at $30 yet a bit more cheaply made in that it has no color photographs. No matter, I have to say this is a great! book with wonderful patterns, S-M-L size bodies, very clear drawings and instructions, how-to(s) for hair. This book also has a jointed "doll" body. If you're looking for a jointed "baby" body, that is in the book "Baby Dolls and Their Clothes" by Valeria Ferrari (also an excellent book) but I have to say that Making Waldorf dolls is better because the patterns are MUCH! easier. This book is my favorite of 5-6 sock doll books I own.

5 comments about Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book: Identification & Values (Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book).

1. This book had a lot of information I was looking for but not all.



2. This publication just goes from strength to strength.
   A true must for any collector, serious or beginner alike.
   
   Filled with great pictures & loads of information as a resource book you just can't fault this item. Doesn't matter if you collect action figures, cloth badges, books, posters...whatever...this book has the lot.
   
   If you are only going to do yourself one favour this year, make sure you buy yourself a copy of this book.
   
   OUTSTANDING STUFF.



3. Values for both common Star Wars items and rare collectibles are presented under one cover in the weighty 4th updated edition of Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book, a reference packed with some 900 categories of merchandise from around the world. From guitar straps and gum holders to pins and memorabilia, over 16,000 color photos - many small, but big enough to easily help in identification - pack this reference. Any library catering to Star Wars fans in particular will find it a popular pick.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. I own the other wish books by G. Carlton. I find them to be really helpful, informative and I love the pictures he has for reference too. Great job! Anyone collecting Star Wars should own a copy of this book.



5. I bought this book awhile ago and also bought "Tomart's Price Guide to Worldwide Star Wars Collectibles" by Steve Sansweet. I found the super collectors wish book to be the better of the two. Far better. This book is easy to read, up to date and has sections that are in colour. The Sansweet book is none of that. This is the better of the two books to spend your hard earned republic credits on. I hope this reveiw was helpful.

2 comments about Making Felted Friends: 25 Toys & Gifts.

1. This is a great book that combines the fun arts of needle felting and wet felting. The instructions are excellent and the photographs really help you create your own fiber pals. This book has energized me to create my own whimisical creatures...



2. Good clear photographs, easy to follow text, variety of techniques. Geared for mid-teens to adult