Crafts Hobbies Books

Ordered this book for my wife. Was very pleased with purchase price and speed of delievery. 100 % happy with all aspects of shopping on Amazon.com and will continue to do so in the future.

Perhaps its just me, and my personal preferences, but I was not impressed with the designs in this book. As far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about this book is that it has 3 patterns that I use semi-regularly, so it isn't exactly collecting dust on my book shelf. The desins in here are, to put it really nicely, very bizzar, and not very pretty. And I don't mean "not pretty" in a girly sort of way, either. I mean, I wouldn't even put them in a man's knitwear item--not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. I wish I hadn't wasted my money.

Not only did I buy this book for myself (I would consider myself an intermediate) knitter but also for a friend who really has only knitted scarfs and baby blankets... it is so practical and if you don't quite understand the instructions - google. I have made a baby bonnet, a christening dress and am working on a pillow.....
Happy Knitting

This book is beautifully done. I enjoy the written instructions and the clear pictures of the stitches.

While I like the organization of the new Harmony guides based on type of stitches, the original guides have a lot more examples.
In this guide all the slip stitch patterns have been eliminated along with color variations of many of the stitches. What a shame - as I found the variations and the slip stitches really inspire me when I am thinking about modifying an existing pattern or creating my own. Also no charts when there was plenty of room to make them. The only charts are the charts that are found in the original guides.

I love stitch dictionaries and have many in my library. When I looked at this I decided that the original harmony guides are a better deal and I recommend buying those guides used when asked.

Updated and modern look of the stitches make them look fun to try. Clear and full of gorgeously colored illustrations. Actual examples of finished garments and accessories at the end of the book made me want to start on a project right away.

It would be great if the author could include a note on how many stitches it uses per repeat for the pattern. It's a great little book, though, one I keep picking up for inspiration.

I highly recommend due to the beautiful array of crochet borders. Borders can be used on many crochet;knit and other crafts. A must for your collection. I would purchase it again!
J Porter, Jefferson, GA

I loved this book. Beautifully illustrated, has detailed instructions, and even has a basic skills instruction section in the back. It showed how to do beaded crochet trims, textured trims, fringes, and motifs. Also in the back, it showed how to do textured crochet, crochet in the round, working spike stitches and more. It is an excellent book for anyone who crochets because everyone needs to trim something at one point or another when creating a crochet project.

I love crochet books! But I was getting a little disappointed with what was out there. The same old same old. However, 150 Crochet Trims really delivers and then some. There are trims, braids, motifs, plus projects to put your new skills to work. I enjoyed the beaded, sequined and dangly-bits that can be crocheted with a minimum of time and effort but looking like what you'd see on a designer's drawing board. I highly recommend this book for you needlework reference library.

150 Crochet Trims by Susan Smith is a wonderful and helpful collection of trims and edgings and motifs. I recommend it to anyone who is wanting to add a beautiful touch to any outfit. I was glad to find a recent book with so many trim ideas. This book has also been very inspirational in giving me ideas of some new edgings that I had not thought of.

This scrapbooking book is primarily filled with a multitude (601?) of photos of actual scrapbook pages. There are many examples that should generate loads of projects.

However, there are no instructions for any of the pages or techniques, and most of the photos are rather small, especially if you are visually challenged in any way (get out the magnifying glass).

The book is a good resource, but if you are looking for instructional techniques, recommend you choose a different book. If you are just looking for ideas, then this will be a great book to add to your collection.

I love it ...
Several layout, many pages.
It is worth: D

I am a beginner scrapbooker, but I must say that Memory Makers books are by far the best! I own five different Memory Makers idea books, and I LOVE THEM!! You can't go wrong (with any of them). There are so many creative and unique layout designs, embellishment and journaling ideas, and the page titles... you can really use all of the ideas in their books, and add your personal touch to make a page truly your own. For all who scrap on a budget (like me), there are TONS, and I mean TONS, of ideas to put all of your odds and ends to good use!! This book and all of the other Memory Makers books out there, have really taken my creativity in scrapbooking to the next level...

Need some scrapbooking inspiration? This wonderful book has so many different layouts, it will be hard to know where to start !! All sorts of artists and styles...you will find yourself back in sync with your craft! From very basic and simple to very detailed and artistic, its in here ! I really enjoyed going page by page and marking many pages.

This is not a step-by-step book. Instead it is a book of inspirations for any scrapbooker. Each page has 2 page layouts bursting with colors and themes. I have been scrapbooking for a while now and I see this as my idea book when I get stuck in a rut. Each layout is different from the next and they contain different scrapbooking materials. I highly recommend this book instead of holding on to dozens of magazines.

This is not a "project" book. There are how to's & instructions but not individual projects. Which is actually wonderful for those that like to know a techniqe and use it on what they want to create. (which I'm one of them) It is (to me) very inspiring. Her journals are beautiful. Filled with color & texture. If you love or even just enjoy nature you'll find yourself wanting to make one.
Lots of meaningful text. With ideas to focus on the process of creating a Nature journal.
Art Journals are an individual thing and this book helps with that.
I find myself looking over & over the beautiful photos and finding new things each time. This is a wonderful addition to my collection of art books that I use to motivate me in down times.

L.K Ludwig does an OUTSTANDING JOB at making the artist within us all feel at ease and ready to express our thoughts, our feelings about this wondrous world in a beautiful and personal way. I was SO VERY PLEASED and DELIGHTED with this book! Many THANKS for sharing your creative insights.

Marvelously well done with explicit technique instructions. I've taken classes with L.K. Ludwig, and she transcends her artistic talent in both the classroom as well as this book. A must-have for the mixed media artist.

Ludwig is a new and thoroughly original voice on the art journaling scene! This book is a must for avid art journalers even if this romantic, bold, and somewhat chunky style is not yours. The techniques presented are simple and easily reproduced at home. I have tried many of them and there is great joy at discovery and experimentation, particularly the copper patina, of which Ludwig knows more than most. The book is packed with beautiful examples of the author's own work, which reflects a darkly romantic perception of nature and strong, soulful feeling relatedness. Her ingenious combinations of photos, monoprints, fabrics, artificial flowers, and natural materials are stunning and unique. These are new ideas in a genre where recent books have simply reiterated old techniques and ideas. This book is tremendously inspiring, spaciously and beautifully laid out, filled with moving and illuminative quotes from nature writers, and the technique instructions are lucidly and clearly presented. Having been her student in a hands on class, I was pleased to see that she is as good a teacher in print as in person, not always the case.

When I first began browing though this book, I thought to myself "Oh my goodness, how could I ever do anything this beautiful and complicated?" But LK does a wonderful job breaking down her unique images into step-by-step instructions. She includes specific tips for working with a new art material that will help you sail past the trial-by-error part of experimenting and art-making.

I really enjoyed her idea of printing natural texture onto metal foil (pg 60) because it's really simple. A sheet of metal, some patina solution and a patch of grass. Viola! I tried it and is works like a charm. Using this technique, I created some interesting background pieces I can use as mats for my image transfer photos.

LK walks that fine line between creating a visually-stunning book that's beautiful enough to inspire seasoned artsits while still featuring interesting techniques that are accessible to the fearless crafter.

Mixed-Media Nature Journals is a gorgeous book, rich with texture and chocked full of creativity.

I just got my first scroll saw and then a few days later I got this book. It is SO much better than the instructions that came with the saw!!
I highly recommend this to any one new or considering purchasing a scroll saw...Even better if you don't have one as they describe what to look for in a scroll saw when shopping. Good lessons in here too !!

The book contained good example patterns to explain what I should be doing. The book's intended audience is the novice.

I've wanted to learn how to use a scroll saw and I wasn't sure what to look for or how hard it would be to use. I don't have one yet but wanted to find out all that I could before I puchase one. I actually checked this book out at the library first to see if it would be worth while to buy it, and I haven't been able to set it down. My dad is pretty good in woodworking and I showed him this book and he agreed that it is a really good instructional book. The author makes you feel confident in doing the exercises. He also explains about the different scroll saws and what to look for in a scroll saw. It also explains the different types of blades, wood, and material that can be used. Then it gives different exercises to do, starting with the beginner and if you make a mistake the different ways to fix it. I will definately buy this book, it will be an excellent reference.

i am still waiting for the book to arrive. where is it?

Good book for the money. If you are new to the scroll saw this book is just what you will need to get started.

Here in the Northeast US, we're still gripped by the icy fingers of winter. Hopefully, spring will come soon. Meanwhile, I'll while away the gray days with Nature's Art Box, a sturdy and well-written hardcover book with 65 nature crafts projects for kids. This book is appropriate for parents, teachers, home-schoolers and group leaders. It's a nature crafts course for educators in a cosy, attractive book. The book is divided into several sections based on different types of natural materials:

* Vines, Twigs, Cones, and Moss
* Gourds, Pods, Husks, and Seeds
* Clay Stones, Sand, and Shells
* Paints, Inks, and Dyes
* Flowers and Leaves
* Stamps, Stencils, Molds and Seals

The introduction and appendix are full of helpful information on gathering materials and other crafts supplies to create the projects. The projects vary in complexity - some are very simple, and others require adult supervision. Safety tips and instructions are plentiful.

Here's a sampling of the 65+ projects included:

* Bark and Moss House
* Angel Ornament
* Okra Pod Canoe and People
* Sand Painting
* Shell Buttons
* Homemade Natural Paint
* Fern Print
* Dried-Flower Fairy
* Leaf Rubbing Gift Wrap

Right next to this book on a shelf, I picked up a nature crafts book that was lovely to look at, with elegant design and great photography. But the projects were scanty and simplistic. This book is the antidote - it is full of information, projects and ideas. You will turn to it year after year, season after season. Highly recommended.

I love creative ideas especially when the materials used are abundant and easy to find, unfortunately there is more creativity in the illustrations of this book than the ideas for crafts (I give it one star for this reason alone). This book proves that ANYONE can publish a book. Don't waste your money on this.

First of all, you have to remember that this is a KIDS craft book. :-) My two boys have both really enjoyed doing crafts out of this book. They are 12 and 8 yrs. A lot more in depth than other nature craft books I have seen for kids.

This book is awesome. I checked it out from the library on a whim and ended up loving it so much that I plan to buy it for my daughter. The beginning of the book provides basic information about the artistic gifts the earth provides for us to use, and then each chapter addresses different materials and creative projects that children can make from them. I've read some bad reviews of this book, and frankly I believe that a person who would feel that way clearly doesn't see the point in instilling in their child a relationship with nature or any sense of organic creativity, but instead tosses them plastic toys and video games and puts them in front of the television. If you want to use a natural approach to art with your children and show them the beauty and value of nature, I recommend this book.

Recently I purchased this book for myself and read it cover to cover! Some really great inspiration here! Information you can really use. I love Ali's style and how she see's things!

Ali's books are full of great ideas. I love this book and refer to it often.

I love her book. She gives you so many ideas to try and to start your own challenges. She encourages you to to it the way you want to. Great book!!!

I love Ali Edwards ideas and she inspires me in so many ways. This book is no exception!

Even if you read the whole book and don't get a single idea for your own scrapbooking, it's OK. And that's one of the first lessons in a book about cultivating an attitude which will free the life artist within you to create pages and albums and other projects which reflect your personality and vision. It's OK.

Although Life Artist is divided into chapters with themes, the book is essentially a series of two-page spreads with reflections about the themes the author, Ali Edwards, feels are an important part of creating work that is unique and personal. Although it can be a fast read, it's worthy of a more reflective approach.

There is alot of good information in this book. I had been scrapbooking before I bought the book, and was really upset that I had been doing some things the hard way. Awesome book!

This book was in great condition when I received it. It is a great book.

This book is slightly outdated, which is the only complaint I have. All of the "Dummy series" are written by experts in their field and the format of the book is just excellent. A must for someone interested in starting to scrapbook.

I am still reading Scrapbooking for Dummies. It is a wonderful book for beginning to scrapbook. There are so many references to where you can purchase items needed to complete your pages. The language is clear and the illustrations are easy to understand. I like the book and am so happy too have the book for future reference.
Bentley

I'm not new to scrapbooking, but I like this book. It's very clear and simple to follow, and the advice it gives on materials is great. This is a wonderful reference to own whether you're trying scrapbooking for the first time or you've been scrapping for years.

I am a relatively new knitter and I just started knitting shawls. I don't have any of Knitter magazines in my library (yet!) but I purchased this book because of the interesting writing about the types of shawls and history. The designs are very beautiful, a lot of lace styles. Someday, I hope to be experienced enough to finish one of them.

What a wonderful book - the only downside is that it distracts me from my work and makes me want to knit all day! The shawls are beautiful and I'm looking forward to many happy designs!

It is a very nice book but not exactly what I had thought when I purchased it. I would have liked to have seen a written review on it before I purchased. It has too many exotic things for my taste.

This is a great book of shawl patterns for experienced knitters. There are many original, lovely intricate patterns. There is very little here for beginners, but it is awesome for more advanced knitters or for intermediate folks who want to challenge themselves.
Claire Bray

Of all the many knitting books I own, this is the most well-used. I've had it for several years now and I still keep it near my knitting bag for when I need some inspiration. It is not for beginners but there is a lot for a beginner to learn and, by making two of the projects, I definitely improved my skills. The first thing I made was the Garter and Lace Shawl which is really quite simple until you come to the knitted on lace edge. That took a good deal of patience but, once I got the hang of it, it was fun and I've used that technique many times since. The second project I made was A Blue Wrap which is also quite easy and goes fast once you master the technique. I've used some of the lace patterns in other projects and it seems every time I open the book I get new ideas. This one is a classic.