Crafts Hobbies Books

Becky Higgins is just a genius. This book is so inspiring and motivating. So many ideas are sparked each time I look through it. Recommend it to anyone remotely interested in scrapbooking, and even those already engrossed in the 'sport'!

Well designed book with inspiration for all kinds of layouts. These are organized and tabbed by number of pics in the layout, but as the first three-picture layout attests, you can mix it up a little.

SO worth the money.

Even though I've got Becky's Sketch books 1 & 2, I find this book just as useful as it updates many of the sketch interpretations as well as including new ones. The interpretations are all done by Becky and I love her style so have found many sources of inspiration from this new volume.

It isn't as useful as some of her previous work, but a great book for idea starters.

I love this book. It's so great to have a book of her sketches all in one spot, organized by how many pictures I need to scrap. Make my job so much easier!

If you are just starting to use photos in your quilts, want a bit of a refresher or want to explore some new territory than you can't go wrong with this book!

What a wonderful Book. It tells you everything you need to know to create wonderful pieces of art from photo's. I have had Adobe Elements on my computer for months and never used this, with the easy to follow instrucitons from this book I have been creating wonderful pictures for printing. take a look at Beth Wheelers website for more inspiration
[...]

If you like taking photos and you love to quilt, this book is for you. It gives you ideas and help in using the two together and being really creative to boot. A don't miss book for quilt artists.

This book is good as far as it goes. It covers selection of photos, size, printing onto fabric sheets, tiling, etc. competently and simply. The pages are well laid out, with images of the computer screens and step by step instructions. When you have read this book, you should be able to manipulate your photos, print them, and stitch them into quilts or book covers or postcards.

Where it falls down slightly, is that it doesn't know whether the reader is computer literate and/or sewing literate. For me it didn't quite explain enough about the computer side, and yet showed photos of a sewing machine, and sewing needles, as if we didn't all know what they look like!

One bonus is that you get a 30 day tryout version of Photoshop elements 5, which is the program they recommend and refer to.

Its limitations also extend to the works of the authors shown - almost all flower centres. A greater balance of subject types and a few more photos of variations in effect options for the same subject, would have made this a 5 star book.

This book gave me exactly what I needed to alter photos and print what I wanted. It breaks the steps down so you can understand and follow along as you work with your printer or computer. The finished product is beautiful.

The book is very helpful for a beginning knitter with pictures and simple steps to learn the stitches. The seller packaged the book very well and it arrived promptly with Book 1.

Both books, "The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch and the next one with the same title, except it is for The Purl Stitch, are the quintessential books for anyone who wants to learn either or both stitches. This is to get the knitting of the ground with the right attitude and the right tips, at the right time! I have been knitting for many years, both with a machine and by hand (which is still my favorite way of doing it!!) but both books had some tips for me that I never knew or thought of! If any book can do that to an somewhat experienced knitter, do you know what it will do for a novice? Even the patterns that both books contain are such that you can sit down and DO them as soon as you open the books!!

Although The Purl Stitch, by Sally Melville, is a straightforward knitting book giving, clear concise instructions, throughout the book there is a spirit of fun and playfulness. The teaching method is to present several basic techniques in a chapter and provide knitted items (usually sweaters) that use these techniques. Each pattern is introduced with a short description of how or why the author came upon the pattern and a photo of the garment. And unlike many of the current "coffee table" type knitting books filled with beautiful though sometimes deceptive photography, the lion's share of the pictures here are devoted to demonstrating technique and displaying finished garments. In either the left or right hand border of the page the author lists the pattern "Vitals" which include: size and type of needle; swatch requirements; yarn amounts; sizing; level of pattern difficulty; type of fit and; knitting notions required for garment completion. This simple device allows you to see at a glance what you'll need to complete a garment. In addition to photos of the item, you'll also see a schematic of the garment with its final measurements. At the end of each chapter the specific techniques which are the chapter's focus are demonstrated via photography and text. All in all this seems like a very smart way to teach knitting.

Much has been said in these reviews about the patterns and, I agree that many of them are pretty standard classics. I must admit, however, that they are the type of casual sweaters I enjoy knitting, wearing and giving as gifts. Also I feel pretty comfortable making yarn substitutions with such basic patterns and like many knitters, I have a considerably yarn stash to play with.

I learned to knit many years ago and have been knitting seriously for the past 12 years. Through this book I've discovered many new techniques and have gotten a better understanding of ones I've been using for a long time. Through her patterns and instructions Ms. Melville introduces you to the adventure of knitting and it's easy to understand why she's named this series The Knitting Experience. This is a knitting book to have in your library, no question.

When The Purl Stitch came out I bought it right away. I was eager to try something new.Reading the book is as important to me as trying the patterns. The examples are challenging and fun to wear.

A good book for beginners to intermediate. Lots of good directions.

Some nice patterns. The patterns are very spelled out. Easy to follow.

This really has something for everyone. Beautiful photos and good instruction. I use it constantly for ideas as well as doing some of the projects inside

These projects are beautiful and a snap for people with a little experience. The pictures and instructions are clear and easy to understand.

I found the projects very easy to understand and even embellish if I want to change it somewhat. Also, there are both jewelry and decorative things to make that aren't too "much" that you just wouldn't use them or give them as presents. Some reviewers said this is a beginners book, which it is, but even an experienced beader can use these projects if they're good beaders. There were many more things I will make then I won't which doesn't happen all the time. I also liked the resources in the back that a lot a authors don't put in and I have had a hard time finding some materials.

Magazines like this are a great aid to the beginner in beading. The explanations are clear and easy to understand. It has helped a great deal.

I have not been beading for very long, but the projects in this book seem more for kids than adults. On the plus side, there is good information on tools and materials and instuctions are easy to follow with good photos. On the down side, of the 53 projects there are only 3 or 4 that I would actually make and a whole lot (30%+) that would appeal only to pre-teens. Factor in another 25-30% for "home accents" and "accessories" (candle decorations, napkin holders, etc.) and there isn't much left if you are interested, as I am, in jewelry.

Many machine quilting books give the nuts and bolts of quilting on an ordinary "domestic" sewing machine, but few take that next step to inspire a novice machine quilter to create her or his own quilt designs. This book does just that. Yes, I agree with those reviewers who say the quilts are nothing special, but the point is that they are there to showcase the quilting, not to detract from it. With the simple traditional block designs that we have all seen before, our eyes are drawn to the quilting. Each design is quilted in three different ways- a simple allover design, a design that shows off the plain blocks and negative spaces as well as the pieced blocks, and an elaborate "show stopper" with detailed quilting and touches of trapunto. As a longtime quilter, but a relative newbie to machine quilting anything other than loops or meanders, this book has done far more to improve my quilting than any other machine quilting book in my personal library. I have gone on to machine quilt at least four or five quilts without copying any of the designs in the book.

This book is a supreme example of the old adage "don't judge a book by it's cover." I found the cover quilt extremely boring to the point I couldn't imagine why in the world the book had so many good reviews. When I got the book I didn't even like the quilting design on the cover. I didn't like and wouldn't make any of the quilts in the book, either. They were way too basic for me. However, forget all that! The bland quilts in the book were just a quick way for the author to show her quilting designs, and I get it! The free-flowing designs are wonderful, and doable by all! There is no marking involved, no stencils, nothing to stop you! I suspect long-armers have known how to do designs like this for many years, but they just haven't been available to domestic machine quilters. I am grateful that I bought this book, and I think both beginning, intermediate, and advanced domestic machine quilters will love it.

I have a number of books pertaining to machine quilting, including the McTavishing book. That one is good, but this one is better. The ideas and instructions are superior. I've already put some of it to use and the improvement in my free-motion is very satisfying.

This is so much more than patterns. It gives you ideas on how to look at your quilt and then decide what to do. The hints it gives you on how to make your free motion work is well worth the price.

Looking for a book that goes into detail of free motion quilting after you already have the basics down? Then this is the book for you. Builds up skills and gives detailed instructions on how to design the quilt and map out designs. Step by step on how to practice the patterns so no marking is needed. Love this book!

This volume is an invaluable tool for anyone wanting to incorporate new design features into their knitting.

A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns offers the same clear photos and helpful text as A Treasury of Knitting Patterns. If you prefer charted patterns, this would probably not be your first choice, but that issue aside, this book is a great reference for knitting patterns.

If you can buy only one book on knitting, make it this one. Great collection of fantastic patterns, a lot of laces, a lot of edgings, some fancy knitting techniques, and extremely clear photos make this book unique on the market. And there is a bibliography, something very seldom found in a pattern book.
I took off one star because all instructions are textual, not charted, however after seeing Barbara Walker's charts in her Third Treasury I rather not deal with her diagrams. Instructions are good and accurate, and very often the picture will suffice to guide the work.
Definitely recommend this book to everybody who knits - many patterns simply cannot be found anywhere else, and indeed are very beautiful.

Even more GREAT designs. I love this series. Well designed and laid out, easy to understand. A must for any knitter!

There is an online archive that is creating color swatches of patterns from these books, which is fine. But today I was able to compare this book with the new Harmony Stitch Guide: Lace and Eyelets, and this one is far superior. The swatches actually show the pattern very clearly in the somewhat more distant view, while modern guides such as Harmony give extreme close-ups that give you no idea what this will look like in a shawl or sweater. Walker's book will never go out of style. The focus is on the pattern and not the pretty yarn. Some people (not me) would prefer their stitches charted, but other than that, this is the classic you want.

I just love this book. It has wonderful designs. Two designs in particular - the "around the world" kyanite earrings, and the "fireworks in aqua and mocha" wire and crystals earrings are really unique and inspiring. The "dim sum" earrings are also striking. I would wear pretty much all the earrings in this book. Delightful presentation and yummy photos. If you need some simple earring inspiration - THIS IS THE BOOK. Hope the author publishes another book, with more advanced unique designs.

I bought this book for myself and a friend and we LOVE it. The pictures are beautiful and the directions are clear and understandable. More importantly, the earring desgins are modern and gift-worthy. Well worth the money and a must have for all jewelry makers!

Very well-conceived book. Ideal for beginners who need design ideas. Photo presentation is excellent as well.

Lovely simplicity...Need I say more? Yes, hope this author creates another book or even a DVD!

this book is full of color photos and very good instuctions. Since I am a beginer this book provides step by step photos on how to create wire loops and making hoop earrings and much more. For the price you can't beat it.

Buy this book NOW---before you get hours into that complicated pattern in that beautiful coffee table book and realize the instructions that go with the beautiful picture are worthless and you've wasted an entire weekend.

This book has a great deal of wonderful information and I will be using it often

...is that I heard that this book is being discontinued and immediately bought two new copies so I'd have a lifetime supply. I am very hard on my own copy; it gets marked, dog-eared, photocopied; it's got coffee stains beyond counting. And in truth, the binding isn't especially strong.

I must have more than a hundred knitting books, judging by shelf footage alone. More often than not, they are reference books rather than pattern compendia. This, along with the Barbara Walker Treasuries, is what I turn to most often, and with the most hope of finding what I need. The organization is a bit strange until you learn to work with it. The names of many techniques don't match what other experts call them. But who cares? Stanley's comments are so sensible and personal that any quirks are easily forgiven. For new and experienced knitters alike, this book is indispensable. The other one is Vogue Knitting, which is clearer and prettier but not as packed information, basic and esoteric. To me, the difference is: I respect Vogue Knitting (which is written by a committee) but I love Montse Stanley's book.

What a great knitting reference book! I've been knitting for a little over a year and I'm amazed at the amount of useful material in one book. I never knew there were so many ways you could cast on and when it would be useful to use each one. I have many knitting books and find myself going to this one over and over. Very comprehensive.

Montsy Stanley's book is a knitting book for geeks - for people who WANT to know two dozen methods for casting on and off (and when best to use them - Stanley is good about saying WHEN to do what), three ways for avoiding holes when turning short rows, more than a dozen ways to increase, several different decreases and 14 ways to knit a selvedge.

The book contains every knitting technique Montsy Stanley knew in 1986 (she admits herself that she doesn't know everything - for example, there's nothing about magic loop or two circs) and in that respect offers the best 'information per dollar' value of all knitting books on the market today.

However, it is not a book for beginners! The instructions are not always very detailed, and not always very easy to understand (I've seen much better explanations of Kitchener Stitch!) The terminology differs sometimes a bit from what I'm used to: Stanley calls a "bridge" what I'd call a "steek", and there's a few others. Besides, the book lists the techniques in a general way (and gives general examples for using them) - there's no step-by-step instruction for projects. The book lists several different way of doing buttonholes and pockets, but it doesn't explain how to knit a whole sweater.

There's also no patent recipes - quite often Stanley says "do swatches to decide what you like best".

So, it won't be the only knitting book you'll ever need, but it's a great reference for experienced, thinking knitters!

This book is another metal clay basics book. I got some good ideas like how to remove an enamel screwup, but overall the projects were a little too basic to be appealling.

Enameling On Metal Clay gives specific information on combining two complicated arts/crafts, metal clay (fine silver) and enameling. Plenty of books tackle one or the other, but not both. Her set up info for enameling is great for beginners as is her tip for removing enamel from disappointing pieces. The projects are good, but I found the info in the first part of the book--including which enamel colors do not work on fine silver--more necessary. Strict beginners for either or both mediums might be advised to get some of the learning curve (in other words, gain experience through practice) before tackling this book.

I love the way this book really breaks down all the steps and makes it easy to create the projects. The metal clay is a blast to work with for even a beginner like me and adding colored enamel is the icing on the cake. I highly recommend this book - even if you've never done anything like this before. You can DO this!

Congratulations to Pam for pulling together what must be now the definitive text on enamelling with metal clay. This 95 page book is simply brimming with information. The first half of the book is all about getting started, instructions on the basics of both metal clay & enamel, tool kits, firing tools and the equipment you need.

One of the best sections in the first half of the book is the firing section. The wonderfully photographed descriptive photos and easy to read and understand instructions help you to be totally confident with the firing process. De-bunking the myth that a kiln is necessary, you can learn to do enamelling effectively using just your butane torch, stovetop or even a little Ultralite.

The 8 projects are very nice too, a mix of earrings, pendant, beads and a ring. Certainly not daunting. I particulary liked the use of gold foils on the enamel. Pam has also taken a lot of the guess work out of choosing colours by listing the colours that work well and advising what to expect out of a specific colour - i.e. "the Orange Ruby Red will be a nice warm yellow".

The tips boxes that are sprinkled liberally throughout the text are true gems & whilst Pam is associated with Art Clay she has been smart enough to include both Metal Clay's on the market. This book finishes with a very nice gallery and a troubleshooting section. This book will walk off the shelves, truly wonderful.

This is probobaly one of the best books on working with metal clay that I have seen yet. Pam covers working with metal clay AND enameling very well. There is enough information to answer most questions and the visuals leave no doubt what she is talking about. Tools, supplies and equipment are covered even to the point of how to program the Orton controller used on most metal clay kilns! While a lot of her insturctions in working with metal clay are geared to the ultimate goal of enameling, they provide a solid basic guide even if you never add enamels!

Then there is the section on enameling projects. There are just enough projects to teach you each of the methods for enameling effectively on metal clay silver. Pam's project instructions are complete in that each one covers how to the make the metal clay base and then how to add the enamel to it. The step by step photos are a boon for someone working on their own without an instructor nearby. The notes and tip boxes mixed in help to explain those details and questions that may arise out of the project.

Pam rounds out the book with enamel troubleshooting, resources for materials and supplies and a Gallery of inspriational artwork. The only sad note is that she has since closed her enamel supply company, Pinzart, so now I'll have to find my materials somewhere else!

I have searched many books on enameling that are very good, but they don't cover enameling on metal clay silver as well as this one. If you want to enamel on metal clay, get this book FIRST...you may not need any other book!

Goog overall coverage of all the basics of felting mixed in with some unique pattern ideas.

This is simply a beautiful book. Lots of wonderful techniques, eye candy photography. One of the best felting book out there IMHO

This told me much more than I needed to know. I suppose it's a good guide if you want to start from scratch and actually MAKE felt and dye it yourself, but if you want to buy the needles, core and roving and make some interesting projects, this is not the book for you. The section on needle-felting is a very small part of the book.

I learned a lot about how to felt correctly. I have made some beautiful pieces as a result of this book. I love some of the work featured in this book. The 3-D pieces are amazing. I would love to learn how to do that.

Loved every page. This book showed me how to create and embellish felt in new and creative ways. There are detailed instructions and methods on how to use different fibres, dyes, techniques, colours, threads and other embellishments. Highly recommended for students, teachers and art makers.