Studios Books

The entire "Fine Line Design" series pattern books for the scroll saw by Judy Gale Roberts is an excellent resourse guide in any scroll shop. All the books are laced with "Helpful Hints" and suggestions on how to produce the project and how some modifications can be made. They are a great start for a beginner and a wonderful resourse for the more advanced sawyer.

This book, "The Great Outdoors", has 36 patterns ranging from bass fishing, ducks, eagles, wolves, raccoons and more. The full size patterns are presented on either 9" x 11" or 11" x 17" foldout pages. Also included are tips on how to create shelves, key holders, napkin holders, framed plaques and shadow boxes all with the same theme/design. Excellent projects.

Lawrence Durrell is best known as a novelist, in particular for the four novels that make up his ALEXANDRIA QUARTET. In addition, he is both a poet and a travel writer. THE GREEK ISLANDS, though not one of his better known works, is much more than an ordinary travel guide. As he says, "the modern tourist is already well provided for in that respect." How, then, would you describe this book?

For starters, it is an island by island discussion of the physical characteristics, history, mythological importance, and peculiarities of each island. Durrell blends these together so well that, by the end of each section, you feel that you know what makes each island unique and that traveling there would be more like returning to the home of an old friend than making a first visit. He also relates those experiences that might be a warning to skip one or two of the smaller islands. In this respect he tells of an island so small that the only place to sleep was on the floor of a small chapel. This, in itself, was no reason to stay away, but the bed bug bites and fleas were. Luckily this sort of experience was the exception, not the norm.

During an extensive period before World War II, Durrell was an employee of the British Foreign Service and lived and traveled in the Greek Islands for several years. After the war, he spent several more years in a similar position for the Allies. He got to know the native inhabitants much more intimately than most foreigners ever do. He lived in some of their homes, hiked and camped in their less populous areas, and absorbed the ambience of many of the islands. During that period he kept extensive diaries. In preparing this book, these diaries along with contacts with many old friends still on the scene provided the basic information for the book.

There are two books that I wish that I had read before my visits to the Greek Islands in the early and mid '80's. This is one and Kazantzakis' REPORT TO GRECO is the other. Each provided its own outlook, and together they give an unbeatable overview. Most of us see ruins, particularly on islands such as Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo, drink, dance, and shop on islands such as Mykonos, eat the food and drink ouzo and retsina wherever we go, but we don't go out of or way to meet the "before the tourist came" natives. Durrell talks of going to out of the way islands and villages where one finds a room by finding the mayor who, in turn, introduces you to someone who takes you into their home as if you were a friend of the family. To do this, you have to be more of a risk taker than most of us are. I'm not sure that I fit that mold by the time I was there in the '80's, but I'd like to think that I might have. I certainly did when I was younger and living in the Philippines. Then, I (foolishly?) knew no fear, and even slept, one night in a carabao pen. (A carabao is a domesticated water buffalo.) Any port in a storm when you're young and adventurous.

To summarize, Durrell presents a picture of the Islands that integrates a place, a people, an ancient history, a mythology replete with warring gods and goddesses, and a modern history, including wars and rebellions, and freedom and slavery, into an experience worth reading about, and worth seeking out. If I'd read THE GREEK ISLANDS before my trips, I would have been more on the lookout for that world. I think that it's still there for those of us who really seek it out.

This is one of the most comforting gifts that can be given to a grieving person. Blue Lantern has taken a beautiful poem (my Mom recited it to me when I was growing up nearly 70 years ago), and illustrated it with unbelievable art work. A friend told me she would rather have this book than flowers.

A very well written account of the Grumman Mallard. Good photos and diagrams, plenty of Mallard experiences, well researched, lots of detail. A first class aviation history--

I have always been fascinated with cemetery art, from visits during Memorial Day to photography for both undergrad studies and for personal pleasure. If you share my interest in cemetery art, please do not pass up the opportunity to read and own "Guardians of the Soul".

The financial costs and miles on John Brower's odometer were well worth his efforts in creating such a beautiful masterpiece. Each photo is taken in black and white (which shows off each line and curve in his subjects). My only wish is that he would also list the names of the cities Brower took the photos from, rather than just the counties (I'm a fellow Hoosier, too, but I don't know the county system as well).

Again, please pick up this book. A superb example of not only a great Indian read, but also a wonderful study of how photography taken from cemteries can be awe-inspiring rather than morbid.

Gunnerkrigg court is, in a word, AWESOME. It is hilarious. At times, it seems to be parody-esque. At others, it seems to be very serious. The main character, Antimony (Annie), is a clever, reserved girl who has just become a student at the truly spectacular Gunnerkrigg court. It is a tale of all the truly bizarre things she encounters there--shadow creatures, robots, minotaurs, ghosts, dragon-slaying teachers, visual reality rooms... The art is original and gorgeous, and I can't wait for the second book to be finished-- I want to know what happens next in Annie's life!

Since their unexplained appearance in Europe in fifteenth century, Gypsies have doggedly refused to conform to the settled life... This is the story of the origin and dispersion of gypsies, their occupations and traditions, their customs in love and death, and their language, signs and magic...

This Hallmark Card program is one of the best and easiest I have used. It would be appropriate for young people. The cards are full of fun graphics---just point, click and print. The program has over 1,000 unique cards, invitations and announcements created by the famous Hallmark people. The program allows the user to personalize and print in color and black/white. Never again forget a birthday, anniversary or holiday with the automatic reminder system. Make personalized and unique calendars and address books. Import names and addresses. Create signs, banners and certificates. This program is for everyone.

As a new home owner, I poured over countless decorating magazines. I was overwhelmed with the numerous possibilities. Needless to say, I was thrilled to receive a copy of Belinda Albo's Home Decorating Planner. Not only is it easy to use,it inspires creativity. Having the decorating pieces at your fingertips encourages you to experiment with a variety of (Deccorating)ideas without having to spend alot of money, making it an affordable, fun and cost effective way to approach decorating.

This is a lovely, well-produced book with an excellent sense of humor. Artists were asked to depict their visions of Heaven and Hell, and some are laugh-out-loud funny. Some are poignant. All are colorful and talented. Beautiful and fun.