Reviews (2)

For the Love of Flowers
Flower Dyring with a Microwave unlocks the secrets of preserving virtually any flower.Detailed charts and useful tips help you dry over 200 different flowers, incld. delicate roses, tulips, violets and wildflowers.Color photos.

Does not cover pressed flower drying
Some readers may find it helpful to know that this book covers only silica-type drying methods where the flowers are retained intact and dimensional, it does NOT cover pressed flower drying at all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Botanical specimens    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Dried Flowers    5. Dried flower arrangement    6. Drying    7. Floral Arts    8. Flower Arranging    9. Flowers    10. Hobbies/Crafts    11. Microwave drying    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    13. Floral crafts    14. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (4)

Inspiring and enchanting!
I have used this delightful book for reference and inspiration countless times since buying it several years ago. It's paid for itself and then some!Tussie-mussies never fail to provide a gracious touch to the giving of flowers.Anyone can merely present flowers, but to customize the bouquet to the recipient or occasion?Truly impressive and touching!I once attended a luncheon honoring a well-known philanthropist.The hostess spent a fortune on catering for the event and decorated the banquet table with an enormous [$] floral arrangement of spring flowers.The well-traveled multimillionairess was cordial but a trifle bored (been there/done that)until I presented my tussie-mussie, assembled just for her, with a hand-lettered scroll listing the flowers and their definitions.She was astonished and fascinated.That's all she talked about afterwards--the table arrangement could have been dandilions and crab grass.Even if you don't actually make up a tussie-mussie from real flowers, Laufer's book has other terrific uses.I used it to design a bouquet in watercolors for my aunt's memorial service program. You will relish this book!

Tussie Mussies!
My friend and I used this book as a source for a program for my garden club. We did this in January when our gardens were bare, or so we thought.After looking, we were able to find lots of things that were useful as wellas meaningful.With a few dollars worth of flowers from the grocery storewe made several examples from the book (with a few substitutions).We weredelighted at how beautifully they turned out. I talked about the languageof flowers and then showed everybody our samples. We had assembled avariety of ingredients and then each of our 15 members created her ownTussie Mussie.Each one turned out differently and each was charming. Icannot wait for a reason to make another one.We had a hoot of a time.Myonly complaint with the book was that there were not enough sources ofmaterials such as holders, etc.Thank you for such a beautiful book.

Excellent information and a wonderful pictorial book.
I have read this book and use it as a ref guide in our work shop. We manufacture tussies. The only wrong thing about this book is it does not have a glossery of where one can purchase the things they would need tomake these wonderfultussies. As in WHERE could you purchase the holders?or who makes holders like this? Also where can you purchase specialribbons. and so on.We make these as our job, but for the home gardenperson who perhaps would like to dabble into this as a gift making ideawill not find much in the way of suppliers.Anyone can use lace anddoilies, but the real EYECATCHERS are the hand casted resin containers! Too bad they didnt say or give a list of suppliers.Other Than that.... itis a well photographed book. Patricia Anne's Ltd. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design - Decorative    4. Floral Arts    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flower language    8. Flowers    9. Pictorial works    10. Tussie mussies    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    12. Floral crafts    13. Graphic design    14. Handicrafts   

Reviews (2)

A Perfect Gift
I purchased this book for my mother for Mother's Day.She also received another book on arranging flowers.We compared the two and agreed that this book was much better.The pictures are wonderful to use as an example of what the arrangement should look like, the list of necessary tools and flowers is easy to understand and best of all, anyone can make these arrangements.My mother has made two of the arrangements as gifts and both times they were the hit of the party.I would highly recomnmend this book.

Great Book ! Great Ideas !
Every page of this book has something in it either to learn about flowers or decorating with flowers. The craft ideas and the directions are easy to follow with professional results. I never knew Holiday decorating could be this easy and so decorative. I've started to make some projects to bring to friends houses instead of wine or dessert. Everyone is very impressed with the results. "Fun" book ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral decorations    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Flowers    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts   

Reviews (2)

50 Unique Wreath Designs
No two wreaths are alike, yet they are all beautiful. Each reflects the character and ability of an individual - romantic, vivacious, formal, or gentle - and conveys the refreshing uniqueness inherent in each of us. ~Teddy Colbert
Great project for the "crafty gardener"!
Nothing makes a garden project book better than glossy photos and clear step-by-step instructions. The Living Wreath has both! This Martha (Stewart, that is) approved activity developed by Teddy Colbert, is an exciting way to look at "container" planting. Although the book sometimes seems to be a vehicle for promoting Teddy's living wreath products, including tools, materials and completed wreaths, her products are not necessary to create your own living wreath. Teddy's technique was created with succulent plant materials and the majority of the "how-to" section focuses on creating a succulent living wreath however, there are also inspirational examples of adaptions that include such creative ideas as a fresh herb "clock" for the kitchen, a living strawberry wreath, a fresh spring greens wreath (put it in the center of your dining table and let everyone "pick" their own salad!) plus several flowering wreaths with petunias and impatiens or a beautiful mix of flowering annuals. 50 wreaths are pictured in all. A great book for the "crafter" in ever gardener. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Container    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Gardening    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens, Miniature    6. General    7. Miniature gardens    8. Wreaths    9. Floral crafts    10. Gardening / House Plants   

Subjects:  1. Flower Arranging    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Ornamental Plants    6. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Nature Crafts    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    7. Flowers    8. HEALTH & FITNESS - EXERCISE TRD HC   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Floral crafts   

Reviews (7)

stunnin AND informative
What a gem! Beautiful concepts and clear 'how to's' make this indispensable. Worth every penny. A beautiful gift.

A new world to explore
Alisa A. de Jong-Stout has taught me to see in a new way, to really look at and appreciate the distinctive beauty of a flower. In the future, instead of just throwing flowers in a vase, I will ask myself, "what kind of space does this wonderful flower deserve around it?" Better than Nature
I never knew flowers could be so beautiful picked and placed indoors, our of the garden.What should be an unnatural environment becomes an art forn in itself through floral design.Fabulous photographs and text to match, a rare treat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Handicrafts    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Nature craft   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Social Science    4. Anthropology - Cultural    5. Leis    6. Hawaii    7. Hawaiian   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flowers - General    6. Hobbies/Crafts   

Reviews (3)

BEAUTIFUL ARRAY OF ROSES!
I'm a florist and I really enjoy using this book when I'm meeting with Wedding clients. It displays a large variety of different types of roses-great for the people who think of a rose as a single, red stem.

Wow...this is a great book
I heard of this book while flipping through a magazine.
not just another pretty flower book
The photographs are so pretty.I gave several as a gift at a lunch the other day.However, the best thing about this little book is the information about roses and how to arrange them.It also provides names of every rose used and good alternatives to garden roses which are not readily available from my florist.I was able to overcome my fear of doing flowers for the first party in my new house!My husband thinks I should change careers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flowers - Roses    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Reference    8. Rose arrangements    9. Rose culture    10. Roses    11. Gardening / Flowers / Roses   

Reviews (1)

A Quite Good Book for Proffesional Decorator
Kenneth Turner sure is an experienced floral decorator. His book shows his love of *wild* flower arranging, not formal one. It will definitely a plus value to have this book if you are a proffesional decorator. But it is quite hard for a beginner to follow. It doesn't have a very clear Step by Step like The Complete Guide to Flower Arranging by Jane Packer (DK Living). But still I think this book is quite worth buying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. JUVY-TODDLERS - JUVY-BABY NOVELTY   

Reviews (3)

okay, but not great
I like this book, but it's not up to Mandy's usual top notch style. It's on the simple side.

Many Flower Designs
This book has designs that can easily be used for quilt piecing or fusing.I needed ideas for a baby quilt and wall hanging where another person wanted to pick the design ahead of time (instead of my usual make it up as I go along) and it's worked very well.

Flower Designs by Mandy Southan
The designs are very good and can be used for lots of different crafts.The black line masters could be enlarged or reduced in size to suit many projects e.g, glass painting, embroidery, applique, machine embroidery, cross stitch, stencil printing and more.They can be a starting point for individualising the design to your own needs by adding the flower designs together to make interesting and creative work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design - Decorative    4. Flower Arranging    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Art Forms, Treatments & Subjects    7. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (1)

Very inspiring.
There are pages and pages of objects that you can learn to create. The designs are up to date and pretty. I did the first example and then went ahead to create my own designs. I have never tried using wire before and now it looks like I am hooked indefinately. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Metal Work   

Reviews (2)

Variations on a theme
As a professional floral designer I was very disappointed in this book.About half of the arrangements are this:
Flick through and Forget flower book
Being inspired by Jane Packer and Paula Pryke floral decorator books for years I think I have been spoilt and this book by Jeff Leatham, while being beautiful, is not really a flower arrangers book. In actual fact, the flowers play very little part in the actual photography.At times the "eye catching creations" (the reviewers comments) could not even be found.Nothing "genius" in this book except pretty interiors with flowers on the mantle -sorry Jeff, I will stick with the girls. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hobbies/Crafts    2. Flower arranging    3. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (4)

Fairly Disappointing
Just received mine in the mail today. Based on the other reviews, I was expecting beautiful, practical arrangements for every occasion and season. The book is too impractical, though--most of the arrangements are too weird and 'artsy' and would not work for normal special occasions, like weddings and showers. There are a few pages with some beautiful, practical arrangements, but no instructions on how to re-create them. You would be better off flipping through a Martha Stewart magazine for ideas and how-to's.

A Thorough and Beautiful Look at Advanced Flower Arranging!
When Spring finally comes to New England, thoughts of the flowers to come begin to dominate my thoughts.In such a mood, I spotted The Fine Art of Flower Arranging at the library as a way to provide some of this beauty in advance of the real thing arriving outside.I was bowled over by what I found in the book.It is simply the most comprehensive view of advanced flower arranging that it has ever been my pleasure to read. Most Beautiful Book
I think this book is the most beautiful book on flower arranging that I have ever seen. There are all types of arrangements for all seasons and all occasions. I am giving it to all members of my family and many friends for Christmas, even teenage granddaughters. It will become an heirloon and study guide of the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Reviews (1)

More Style than Substance - Two Thumbs Down
The adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" applies here: the book jacket promises "A practical and comprehensive guide to equipment, techniques and design... guidance at every stage, from gathering flowers to the finished design... clear comprehensive instructions for beginning and experienced hobbyists...".This book fails to live up to its cover and my vote is TWO THUMBS DOWN.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Flower Arranging    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Pressed flower pictures    8. Floral crafts    9. Miscellaneous Items   

Reviews (4)

Thoroughly Enjoyable!
I found this book to be absolutely delightful, insightful, and a keeper.A real treasure of information and inspiration!

More than just a dry, step-one-step-two, how-to book.
Featuring interesting historical information, this book includes many backgrounds of formal gardens and topiary, offered as sidebars and archive drawings.There is extensive information on creating forms and shapingtopiary.The illustrator's drawings echo the whimical sentiment oftopiary, while the authors' offering of botanical information help thehobbyist understand the science of what they are doing.I cannot imagineanyone reading this book and not bursting with ideas to make their owngardens come to life.

A Satisfactory Introduction to Topiary
Before reading this book I had no experience with topiary.After readingthis book I felt like I knew a little.I found that the text focuses onthe history of the use of topiary.There were some sections on what plantsto use and there was a LONG section on creating different wire forms.Theillustrations are all hand drawn while I would have prefered to see actualpictures of the plants.This book is probably better for someone who knowsa little about gardening basics instead of someone like me who knowsnothing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticulture (Specific Aspects)    5. Landscape architecture    6. Topiary    7. Topiary work    8. Trees    9. Floral crafts    10. Garden design & planning    11. Gardening / Topiary    12. Shrubs & trees   

Reviews (3)

Floral Abundance
In preparation of a wedding in 1992 this was the first floral book I had ever read, and I loved it immediately! With wonderful photographs that evoke feelings of the Elizabethan period, and lush English gardens it is visually stunning to look at.While most of these arrangements do represent a larger, free-form style, they also exemplify rich color, and texture combinations that are less common in today's magazines. Disappointed!
I was so anxious to get this book but it turned out to be such a disappointment.I sent this book back to Amazon the very next day!Everything was so outdated (it looked like it was from the 70s and 80s). Some arrangements might have been OK if you were having an informaloutdoor, country wedding.Too many LARGE, 'busy' arrangements -- lackedsimplicity and elegance.

O.K., I guess..........
I got this book to either help me design my own wedding flowers or to get ideas for my florist. I think I could have found better pictures in the bride magazines. The book had some pretty flowers but most of thearrangements were just O.K. or outdated. There wasn't a very large varietyof boquets to look at, it was mostly composed of the similar largearrangements with different flowers. Don't get me wrong, it did show a fewdiagrams on constructing arrangements, but it was nothing to get excitedabout. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Seasonal    6. Weddings    7. STUDY NOTES - SparkCharts