Reviews (8)

Wonderful Resource
I loved all the history included and I found the tutorials very easy to follow.I liked the way they are broken down into little bits, so that you are not overwhelmed with the information.Grab this one while you can.

A valuable reference for designing and knitting ganseys
I agree with most of the praises other reviewers have bestowed upon this book, but I also understand the criticism in the review entitled "disappointing".I recently knitted a very challenging gansey (not one of the patterns in this book), and, as it was my first gansey ever, I used this book for reference for techniques that were unfamiliar to me. While most of the explanations were clear, a few were a bit obscure.I was surprised to see this, given the author's excellent reputation as a teacher. In these few instances, I was able to find another book with much clearer explanations of the same techniques.
Disappointing
While I did find the history of Ganseys informative, the instructions for executing the techniques to construct the sampler--the instructional tool for practicing the techniques to be used in the construction of a full-size sweater--were not consistently clear.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Patterns    8. Sweaters   

Editorial Review

Wreaths and garlands take floral decorations out of the vase and into large-scale special-occasion decorating. Fresh and dried florals, greens, fruits, herbs, and other natural materials can be transformed into wall, door, tabletop, and mantel decor to welcome guests, mark a change of season, utilize a bountiful harvest, celebrate a holiday, or just brighten up a room. Hundreds of color photographs and step-by-step directions for well over a hundred projects fill this vast volume, along with a good introduction to materials, equipment, and techniques. A circlet of fresh flowers surrounds a bowl of floating candles; a swag of seashells and grasses graces a window; a ring of mosses and dried fungi commemorates a country stroll; lovely floral wreaths mark Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day. And of course there are Christmas decorations: a lush bay leaf and dried orange mantelpiece swag; a gold-flecked Yuletide kissing wreath; a lovely Advent candle ring. Complexity ranges from beginner to advanced--from novice wreath maker to expert, there's something here for everyone. Read more

Reviews (1)

Gorgeous, instructive book.
Absolutely lovely book- I've read as many wreath and garland books as I can get my hands on, and this book is superior to most. The quality of the photos and instructions, as well as the great variety of projects,materials, and quantities (of materials) used, contribute to the beauty ofthis book. I love their many ideas for roses, especially, and lavendar.Great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Wreathmaking    6. Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / General    8. Floral crafts   

Reviews (1)

Gorgeous book
There are lots of beautiful things to make and good explanations of twill from simple to complex ones. (Full disclosure) I haven't had a chance to actually weave any of them yet. My fingers are itching to get those threads on the loom, but more urgent matters pull me away. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Weaving    5. Crafts & Hobbies / Weaving    6. Needlework & fabric crafts    7. Spinning & weaving   

Reviews (1)

Easy to purchase supplies
I bought this book thinking it would be impossible to find the supplies to do the projects in it and that the projects would be way out of my league.Boy, was I surprised to see that most of the beads I could get at my local bead store or I had them on hand!Good Book!Actually some projects I might just make - not just a coffee table book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    10. Handicrafts    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (4)

Spectacular!
I love New York, especially at Christmas time. Every year we celebrate an early Christmas with our son (a working actor who isn't always able to come home for the holidays) in New York.
Amazing Christmas book!!
What a wonderful book - it brings back all of our memories of Christmases in New York, now that we're living in Arizona!Fischer is a wonderful artist and we enjoy this pop-up book even more than his last two! It'll make a great gift for all our friends (adults and kids) who miss or dream about Christmas in New York!

another terrific book
i bought this new christmas in ny pop-up book, having already bought the white house pop-up last year...chuck fischer is an amazing artist, and the care and skill that these books are put together is extraordinary... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Christmas    4. Holidays - Christmas    5. Individual Artist    6. Juvenile literature    7. New York    8. New York (N.Y.)    9. New York (State)    10. New York - Local History    11. Religion    12. Social life and customs    13. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    14. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Machine quilting    5. Patchwork    6. Patterns    7. Quilt Making    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting   

Reviews (4)

So much more than Iexpected!
New Directions is fabuous, so much more than eye candy, Gabe's book stirs up all kinds of new ideas! This is one that isn't even hitting the bookshelf, it'll be right next to the work table.

Stimulate, intoxicate and alter!
For several years now I thought I was done with the concept of an altered book, but then I hadn't seen or read Gabe Cyr's book until this summer.Gabe puts to shame other authors who have come along and offered us formularic ways in which to create--to alter--by intoxicating us with new paths, stimulating our senses and re-invigorating this old dog into thinking once more of reclaiming a tired, discarded friend and turning her into a piece of art.
New Directions
Gabe Cyr's new book encourages the unique creativity of each of us.Whether you've been involved in altered art for a while, or, are a beginner, New Directions will encourage and motivate you to keep asking "What if?"It includes clear and practical information on tools and techniques as well as inspiring examples . . . all aimed at getting each of us to think up our own creative approaches and projects. Beautifully done.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Altered books    2. Arts And Crafts    3. Assemblage Art    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Paper Crafts    9. Papercrafts    10. Scrapbooks, Memory Books    11. BG-ART/PHOTO/ARCH - BG-ART/ARCHITECTURE    12. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (7)

Matt & Shari: Real Decorating For Real People
Disappointing. Too much repetition. Not enough examples.

real decorating for real people
This is very easy to understand and follow book on decorating your home using layman terminology. Even a novice could follow it without any problem. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for redecorating tips and helpful hints.

"Real Decorating for Real People" is exactly what it says!!
I love watching Matt and Shari on Room By Room, and this book is a great extension of the show.I can almost hear the two of them kidding with each other while they did the decorating.I wasn't crazy about the fur pillow in the bedroom, but there are tons of ideas in the book that I can use to decorate my own home and you can too.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (9)

Great book for beginners or intermediates
This book has a lot of great patterns, some easy enough for a beginner, some a bit more advanced.As with any 'pattern' book, not all projects will appeal to everyone, but I found about 80% of them were interesting or appealing enough for me to try.The directions are GREAT!I plan to buy another one of these for my son, who also makes jewelry.I could loan him my copy, but I use it too much!

Excellent book on bead & wire jewelry construction
This book by Powley and her other one "Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry" are the two best books currently on the market on these particular subjects in jewelry-making.Her instructions are clear and the designs (up-close, clear photographs) shown are inspirational.The "look" of the books is not cluttered with too many instructions or diagrams.The un-cluttered content helped me to feel relaxed and to not get overwhelmed by too many instructions.I highly recommend both of her books.

Great introduction to jewelry making!
If you're seeking an introduction to making jewelry using your favorite beads and simple wire fastenings, you've found it! The jewelry projects offered here are professional and stylish, yet easy to make with just a few tools and techniques provided by the author.
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Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (3)

Great fitting resource!
After looking at lots of reviews on the sewing boards I frequent, I chose this book to help me in the quest of making pants that fit.It is SO HELPFUL.It is just chock full of explanations of how & why pants fit, tips for specific body issues, great construction methods, etc.I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because they tend to focus on fitting issues faced mostly by mature figures, and I have a hard-to-fit 20-something figure (i.e. high full butt, not low flat butt).However, I still find this book very useful and it has helped me tremendously in making my own pants.

Want pants that fit?Buy this book
This is my fourth fitting book and the ONLY one that helped me achieve a good fit in a pair of home-sewn pants.I can't tell you how many fitting shells I have attempted to make - including the "custom designed" one from DRESS SHOP software.All I got for all my study and work was frustration and a lot of ugly, unwearable pants.Now I've got what I need to make pants that fit.I got them right the first time around!WOW!No matter what your shape, you can make pants that fit nicely and flatter your unique figure.I highly recommend this book.

2004 Writers Notes Book Award Winner
We loved this book from the title on down. Pants for Real People is just that: patterns and designs for creating pants that fit. Most of us aren't runway models, and Palmer and Alto show you cost-cutting methods for creating unique, creative, and perfectly fitting pants, even jeans. Now ladies, how about Bathing Suits for Real People? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Sewing    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    8. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (1)

Powerful and inspired
Florence Scovel Shinn has produced the best affirmations I have ever used.After reading her books I realized why other affirmations haven't been effective for me in the past.These cards are a must-have for anyone moving forward in their life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. General    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Mind, Body, Spirit    7. Popular psychology   

Reviews (10)

A peppering of color photos polishes off the intriguing new designs.
KAFFE FASSETT'S MUSEUM QUILTS: DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM is a top pick for any quilter, offering new quilts from designer Kaffe Fassett who here draws ideas from the textiles in the famous London collection. Over twenty new patchwork designs weaves antique sources with contemporary stylings, using updated color schemes and modern sewing techniques. The patchworks are utility, traditional and showpiece creations and each design comes with full directions and easily-reproduced piecing patterns. A peppering of color photos polishes off the intriguing new designs.
Astounding
This man's talent is just enormous.I can't stop poring over the pictures.I just wish it were easier to find fabrics like his gorgeous overblown florals.

Better and better...
Each collection of quilts from Kaffe just gets better and better and this book is no exception. The combinations of color and design in every book with Kaffe Fassett's name are always a winner. Most patterns are suitable for both the beginner and expert (and there are also a few challenging patterns for those who appreciate accomplishing projects with that extra degree of difficulty). Patterns and instructions are very complete and the color combinations are very inspiring and interesting. Museum Quilts will be a welcome addition to any quilter's bookshelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Quilt Making    5. Quilts & Quilting    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting   

Reviews (4)

Great Addition to your Quilting Library
Lovely inspiration here. Jammed packed full of color and ideas.My only big beef here is that the instructions in the "Parts Department" are awful! I've had other friends read them and try to decypher them to see if it was just me and we have all agreed that the instructions are just terribly written.We finally just had to chuck them aside and kind of wing it for most of them.That aside, the book is worth the money and is the best I've purchased in awhile.

Eye Candy for the Soul
If you quilt you gotta have this book. It is worth 3 times what it sells for.Buy it and and be happy, this is sure to be a collectors item!WOW
Don't Miss This Book!!
What a good buy - a Big, Colorful book (color on every page - not what I expected to see in a book with 255 pages) that is sure to inspire you to run right out for more of the wonderful bright prints, stripes and dots that seem to be everywhere these days. I just got the book in today's mail and can't wait to look at and drool over it in the days to come.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilt Making    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    10. JUVY-WORKBOOKS - JUV WORKBOOKS    11. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (8)

Beautiful book
I keep this book out and just enjoy looking at it, even when I'm not making anything.Great book.

Ribbonworkk The complete Guide:Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
Excellent easy to follow instructions.Pictures very helpful.

Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
BEAUTIFUL book...worth having just to look at the pictures.BUT the flowers appear to be more difficult to make than I expected. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral Arts    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Ribbon    7. Ribbon flowers    8. Ribbon work    9. Textile Fabric (Applied Arts)    10. Flower making    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (3)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE
Having worked with gourds for quite a number of years now, I have of course collected quite a number of books on the subject.This work is certainly at the top of the list as to being useful.Most aspect of the art of carving gourds can be found in this wonderfully illustrated volume.Some of the subjects covered are fretwork, engraving, linear carving, chip carving, using gouges, relief carving, inlay techniques, deep relief or sculptural carving, supply sources and the use of high-speed grinder burrs and tips.There are hundreds of high quality color photographs.This work if of great value if for no other reason that it is a great sorce for new ideas.The text is well done and where applicable, step by step instructions are quite easy to follow.Recommend this one highly.

Adorável
Sorry, I don't write in English... I'm disease yes...
Excellent book!
I have been working with gourds for almost a year and have several books on gourds, but this book tops them all.This is a beautifully done book with excellent pictures and good instructions on carving gourds.What I like the most is how challenging and inspiring this book is.After looking through it once, I have so many ideas about how I can improve my designs and techniques, even though it will take me years to achieve the same level of quality.I definitely recommend this book to those who want to take their craft to the next level! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carving    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Gourd craft    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Carving    7. RELIGION - RELIGION GEN TRD PB   

Subjects:  1. Album quilts    2. Appliquâe    3. Baltimore    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Maryland    8. Needlework - General    9. Patchwork    10. Patterns    11. Quilts & Quilting   

Reviews (18)

buy it and use it
Don't get me wrong the entire series is amazing. Book one is the best and one of the more practical. The chapter on log cabin building was my inspiration to build my own cabin. At least 75% of the cabin was directions from this very book. Reading a Foxfire (any of them) does something to you that's hard to explain. I think of Foxfire books as almost a self-help guide that teaches you how to slow down for a minute. I recommend this book for anybody with high blood pressure or some kind of anxiety problem. It's therapeutic. These students met some really neat people of Appalachia. We can't let this way of life fade away as it almost has in my hometown, Knoxville.

An incredible resource of "oldtimer" wisdom
I've inherited the first seven, origional print books from my dad, and bought 8 and 9 for myself just a year ago, and I must say that I've always enjoyed reading these books.The people who contributed their knowledge & wisdom to these books are a resource that has largely been lost to us, and it's a shame that more of us don't realize the wisdom that is missing in this world with the deaths of these oldtimers (as the books were written in the 70's primarily).
Fueled by moonshine
In 1980 I was a freshman in college with a part time job that paid $3.50 an hour.My car at the time was a 1973 Plymouth station wagon that got 12 mpg on a good day.Downhill.With a tail wind.Because fuel costs were eating up a good part of my check, I began to explore the possibilities of fueling the car with alternative fuels, mainly moonshine.The Foxfire books were one of the sources that I turned to in an effort to learn about the process.Needless to say, I never got around to building my still, but my interest in the tradition of oral history was fired in a big way.I picked up the rest of the set over the next few years and was fascinated by them all.The Foxfire books are the ultimate "how it used to be" source.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Mountains    2. Country life    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. General    5. Georgia    6. Handicraft    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Nature    9. Social life and customs    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (8)

Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - the sequel
I found this book very helpful. Filled with many tips and ideas. I just loved this book and have read it from cover to cover and I am ready to read it again. Its a book that all scrapbookers should have.

Another great book
This is the second book of the series and they are both GREAT!, I do recomend start with the first one, full of technique and design ideas!

Simply A Must Have
Any scrapbooker, any style, any budget, this is required reading. It can pretty well wipe your bookshelf of any other scrapping reference books - with the obvious exception of Clean and Simple Scrapbooking part one. Cathy Zielske is the master of her art. Her ability to share her techniques with her readers is unsurpassed. The layout ideas are pure Zielske, no surprises there, but the real value of this book lies in the author's instructive ability; her knack for imparting the underlying fundamentals of design. If you only buy one scrapbooking reference your entire life, make this the one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Papercrafts    6. Scrapbooks, Memory Books   

Reviews (38)

Very good
This book has many good patterns.I like how they describe honestly which ones are best for which figures.They have very few "what where they thinking" patterns, much fewer than many i have seen.I love that they have not forgotten that "real" women wear skirts, shawls and such and are sexy to boot.

Big Girl Knits
I love the material in this books.It is well written and easily understood.Plus it is for a little understood, much maligned population.
Big Girl Knits
The text offers very helpful information, has great advise to Big Girls and compensates for the designs.I did not find the majority of the designs flattering or appropriate for Big Girls. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clothing    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Overweight women    9. Patterns    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (10)

Good guide
Good book for someone interested in knowing what they have.It is based on using specific equipment, but does give the biginner a good understanding of what is needed, and how to use it.

Pros, but Cons as well...
When I bought this book I was looking for a way to indentify various stones that I inherited from my Grandmother. This book if great if you're looking at selling or profiting from your stones AND willing to spend $$$ in advance to do it. The book basically lists equiptment, where to buy it, how much it costs, etc... and then how to use said equiptment to identify stones. I was looking for something that would help me to identify stones without spending $1000 before hand.
A True Gem for Gem Lovers
As a professional Gemologist having studied gems extensively and also someone who helps instruct already certified gemologist, aspiring gemologist, gem and jewelry retailers (many are not gemologists), gem cutters, hobbyist and consumers, I find Gem Identification Made Easy to be a very worthwhile purchase. It is comprehensively informative, accurate, resourceful, inspiring, and articulate as appropriate for the intended audience with a wide diversity of gemological knowledge. And, it's fun! Let's face it, gems, and jewelry containing them, are expensive toys, and though the money used to purchase them are typically discretionary, I don't know anyone who wants to pay for something that is not what it is represented to be. Very good, basic gemological information contained in this book will pleasingly educate the reader of any of the categories above, but can also potentially save the reader from mistakes worth multiple orders of dollarmagnitude beyond the cost of the book (or the recommended basic tools which it explains how to use). The 3rd Edition provides updates that deal with new treatment processes, new synthetics and simulants and gemological evidence that will aid in their identification. I have many reference books on gemology in my library, and I proudly display and use this one. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Identification    5. Jewelry    6. Precious stones    7. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    8. Consumer guides & advice