Arts and Crafts Books

I have so many landscaping books that I never opened again after the first week I bought them. This is not one of those books. It's by far so much better than most of the other ones out there. It's well organized for info, and the plans are numerous and easy to follow. Not just for beginners. a really great book!

It's great the way these books are customized for each individual climate area here in the U.S. Saves a lot of wasted planning with the wrong plants and materials.

A neighbor showed me her copy and I had to get one for myself. Great layouts, great plant selections, this book offers great ideas and variations and is FULL of information! I showed another neighbor the garden I am planning and now I'm buying her a copy as well. We are going to have a GREAT looking street!!

I recently became interested in gardening (now that I have a yard in which I can plant). This is one of my favorite books on gardening and landscaping. Great resource for those of us living in the northeast. Full of wonderful photos, explanations and illustrations. It gives many ideas for addressing certain areas of your yard (i.e. front entryway, patio, rock wall). Explanations are excellent; I learned a great deal from this book. Very well written. Highly recommended.

Home Landscaping: Northeast Region is a very informative book filled with beautiful photos. I don't think I will need another book while doing our landscape planning. Landscaping designs, expected sizes of plants and trees and shrubs, different colors and species, how to's, this book will cover all your landscaping needs if you live in new england.

I have been interested in learning how to make tiles and this book is clear and precise on everything you need to know. If you are interested in learning how to do this in any way, shape or form...get this book. It will definitely help you on your way to making some wonderful artwork.

Well done. Confidence inspiring for a first time tile maker. Good also for any clay enthusiast wanting to learn new techniques. The method of this author's teaching style is fabulous. You feel as if she is personally teaching you step by step how to custom make tiles. The entire process, not just the painting and glazing. A good value for the price. It is easily worth at least $10-15 more. A bargain. Get your copy before they raise the price!

I have been accumulating ceramic tile books for some time, and this one is very good as a beginner volume showing several differing techniques on how to make your own tiles, as well as paint and fire existing tiles. It shows how to make differing shapes, how to glaze & carve, as well as how to properly install what you've created. There is a little bit of everything in this volume, as well as very clear instructions and photographs. I enjoyed reading this very much, and will refer to it more in the future as I work in tiles.

Anyone wanting to learn about making clay tiles and tile moulds would enjoy this book. A wealth of information. It gets the big tick.

Very good info, and enough of it was unique enough to make it well worth purchasing over some of the other Tile How-to books. Good source for anyone, such as myself, who is interested in delving into a new avocation.

This book is great! Easy to understand instructions and inspiring ideas to boot! I've made several mini quilts using the concepts presented. It's one of my favorite books in my quilting collection!

In Points of View, Valerie outdoes her first book, Beyond the Horizon. She includes many more techniques and hints, along with gorgeous pictures of her work and that of others. It's a book to get lost in. Easy to translate the written word into real life works and be pleased with the results!

If you love making quilted landscapes or are interested in learning how to make them, this is a great book. You learn easy as well as a little more advanced ways to make them. You learn how to look at fabric and see possiblilites in it that you had never seen before. Follow the patterns and techniques to make your own piece of art and then check out the gallery in the back of the book. Amazing! I had made landscapes before getting this book, but I have learned so much more from it.
Kay S.

This is an excellent book for a beginner to practice landscape quilting.
The simple techniques that you can try will encourage you to then design and make your own landscape quilt.

Points of View is a wonderful book, rich in detail and information, and gorgeous photos of Valerie Hearder's quilts. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to do landscape quilting. Valerie's "viewfinder" idea for finding your correct section of fabric is great, the instructions are clear and easy to follow to make your version of each type of quilt.

Have not had time to do any projects yet, but I like the book and would purchase it again.

The book was exactly what I hoped for. It came quickly and even though I had said I would take a used book I received a new one for the same price.

Este libro es una excelente guía para quienes desean iniciar su práctica y conocimiento sobre esta técnica artesanal.
Felicitaciones a la autora Syndee Holt.

syndee holt has written an instruction manual with the first time polymer clay user in mind, and she's done a superb job! This book is well-written, structured for ease-of-use, and contains photographs of the processes she discusses, as well as of finished products. Not only is jewelry making discussed, but other crafted items--light-switch covers, picture frames, covered pens, drawer pulls, napkin rings--get ample coverage as well.

"Polymer Clay for the first time" begins with explanations of the basics: types of polymer clay available, tools needed to begin working with clay, and some of the various ways in which this clay can be used. The next sections--which make up the bulk of the book--are instructional, beginning with the simple and becoming more complex as the reader acquires skills and knowledge. There is, finally, a Gallery section of finished works (some quite astonishing in their minute detail!), a Metric Equivalency Chart, and a very useful Index.

"Polymer Clay for the first time" is a wonderful book that will give the beginning polymer clay user the basic techniques in order to start crafting immediately, as well as a strong foundation for expansion and growth, should the artist desire to further explore this flexible, colorful medium.

I am just a beginner and with this book I was able to learn some important information about how to begin. It walked me thru the steps for making canes and how to use them. It also gave me some good ideas on future projects.

This is my favorite although all of Margaret Rolfe's books are excellent! You won't be disappointed!

With this book you learn to easily foundation piece cats, cows, lions, monkeys, elephants, chickens, bunnies, pelicans, eagles, peacocks, butterflies, cardinals, hummingbirds, kangaroos, and soooooo much more with readily understandable instructions.

The book is a great reference for other sewing projects and consists of 112 pages so it's rather thin. The book covers basic embroidery stitches (chain, french knot, stem, and more) with directions and illustrations, ways to add borders with directions and illustrations, assembling the quilt top, binding, and quilting of the finished work. There's a section pertaining to fabric selection and sewing materials/equipment.

I'd never paper pieced in my life and this book covered all the bases to complete these mini-quilts in a short period of time with professional looking results. I've surprised several family members with my work!

If you need a quilting book with easy to make animals, purchase this book as you will not be sorry.

The cover of this book really does not do justice to the designs inside. They are truly beautiful works of art--unique and magnificantly simple in their construction. The Noah's Ark quilt is a classic. Particularly helpful are two examples of the same animal square with the different types of fabric. One can easily see the dramatic difference that selection of fabric and color make in the final design. As my first project as a quilter, I made the rooster from fat quarters as a birthday present for my sister. If I do say so myself, it looks fabulous! With Ms. Rolfe's techniques of foundation quilting you do not have to worry about cutting exact shapes (except once for the entire block), nor about grain of the fabric. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. For Xmas, I plan to make pot holders from the designs as gifs. I'm even thinking about tackling the Noah's Ark quilt--for myself! I ordered more of her books because I enjoy her easy-going manner to quilting and the professional looking results!

I had been looking for an "Elephant" quilt for my elephant crazed 3 year-old for some time. I finally decided I would probably have to make him one myself. I have intermediate sewing skills but had never quilted before. This foundation piecing method is the way to go! The blocks turn out beautiful everytime. It is so easy and very addictive! There are so many different animal patterns in this book, from farm animals to zoo animals, to Australian animals and more. Something for everyone!!

I had been looking for an "Elephant" quilt for my elephant crazed 3 year-old for some time. I finally decided I would probably have to make him one myself. I have intermediate sewing skills but had never quilted before. This foundation piecing method is the way to go! The blocks turn out beautiful everytime. It is so easy and very addictive! There are so many different animal patterns in this book, from farm animals to zoo animals, to Australian animals and more. Something for everyone!!

I have to say I was very interested in this book, but it was not exactly what I wanted. I have yet to find a ribbonwork book that is set up as clearly as possible and is really designed for a beginner. The Artful Ribbon, by Candace Kling is a treasure for those seeking old fashioned ribbonwork and is still the best reference I have found. Overall, if you are looking for how to make very realistic Roses (esp. Tea Roses) you will be absolutely thrilled with Helen Gibbs's book. Also, if you are looking for a book to teach you how to make flowers that look as realistic as possible, this is for you. Bear in mind that you are only taught how to make the flowers in the book (Pansies, violets, sweet peas, poppies, canterbury bells, bluebells, hollyhocks, fuchias, chrysanthemums, delphiniums, carnations, peonies, and gardenias). Actually, the gardenias alone may be worth the price of the book! Spectacular! You will also be taught to make only specific sizes and flowers are mostly done on stems, which makes them hard to use as embellishments on clothing. The projects in the book are not as appealing to me as playing on my own. I am still seeking the definitive book on using silk bias ribbon and, while Helen uses it when she's on the Carol Duvall show, she doesn't have many examples in this book. This is a crying shame, since I have a bunch I bought from The Store on the Corner in San Diego. I've also seen Helen's last two books and they seem to contain basically the same material. Another book to check would be A Passion for Ribbonry by Camela Nitschke.

The instructions in this book on making beautiful flowers out of ribbon, are clear and easy to follow. I have other similar books, but this one is by far the best! Truly worth the money!

This is a great book on ribbon flowers. The author explains how to make the flowers so it is easy to follow and you have a flower like hers when you finish. I highly recommend this book.

Wow, what can I say? I love this book. There's a great introduction to crafting ribbon flowers which includes a history as well. The instructions are so easy to follow it's a wonder that this hobby/craft is on the brink of vanishing for good! Not only that, but it's such a beautiful craft, too. I've used the book's techniques to embellish pillows, curtains, dresses, purses... you name it! Here's the great thing: I'm usually not even good at crafts! All it takes is to buy a cute little unadorned girls' dress from, say, Target, make a few ribbon flowers to attach to the dress and you have an instant artful creation. The things I have made (or embellished) have been such a hit with my family and friends. Also, Helen Gibb is an amazing person. I've seen her a few times on HGTV (which inspired me to get this book). I went to her website and sent an e-mail saying I enjoyed her segments on HGTV and she wrote me back a letter of thanks! It wasn't a canned response, either. Great lady, great book, great craft, so go get it!

I've had this book for about 4 weeks and have tried making a couple types of roses and, just last night, tried making a pansy. The directions are easy to follow and, after some practice, the reader is able to make some nice looking flowers. The particular projects in the book don't appeal to me, but I could see that they would be of interest to those who like the frills and complexity of Victorian-inspired objects. The author does provide a variety of ideas for using ribbon flowers that the reader can adjust to her or his taste.

If you are interested in the art of embroidering with metalic threads, this book has what you need -- fab illustrations, ideas, how to information.

This book inspires me to take some steps further in quilting. I like the traditional quilts, but I always look for something new, for me this is new and so beautiful! I hope I can learn a lot from the pictures and the stories in it. So much detail! Practice, practice, practice!

First off, artist Ellen Anne Eddy is amazing and this book shows her work with beautiful images. Descriptions are given about each piece with color choices and the technique(s) used. After page 60 the learning begins with clear written details on how to learn her techniques with excellent illustrations that compliment the writing - very useful when you practice on your own. A brief section on color theory is also provided as a reminder to help make your art even better along with a short segment on thread dying and drawing techniques. I have to say her work is truly unique, and with these guidelines I believe that other thread artists can utilize some of her techniques for their own design style.

I love this book it is very informative and love her techniques it is worth every penny

Ellen Anne's book is much like the class she teaches, this book reinforces the principles she uses in her daily work. If you want to thread paint like a pro, this is the book for you.

THE WAY OF STORY: THE CRAFT AND SOUL OF WRITING
by Catherine Ann Jones
At last! A writer who inspires writers to write while at the same time sharing her insights into and experience of the actual writing business. Spice is added to the mix with anecdotes sprinkled throughout about the many famous creative people she has known and met.
'To be an artist of any kind in a time in history that does not value the creative fields provides a continuing tension in relation to the art of survival. Still, you have the advantage of living your dream,' says Jones. After relating an incident where a wealthy NY doctor told her he had always wanted to be a writer but hadn't because his father who had been a doctor expected him to
be one too, she notes that he probably earns a lot more money than she does, then quotes sculptor Louise Nevelson, who said, 'You pay a price for what you do, and you pay a price for what you don't do.' Jones comments
that 'the plain truth is you must choose which price to pay'. She believes that those who do not do as they want to do pay the greater price, and says, 'The challenge is to hold the tension and let it work within you in a
creative, constructive manner...This inner tension aids in creating complex characters strong enough to hold the chaos.'
Yes but HOW does a writer create such characters? In a chapter entitled 'Creating Character-Driven Stories', Jones offers pointers to what she calls the 'solid craft' of writing, plus some additional advice to ease the pain of being an unknown, underpaid or forgotten writer, and inspiration to carry on despite all odds set against one, quoting people like Goethe, who observed in 1771: 'Where the light is brightest, the shadows are deepest.'
She even offers a whole chapter called 'Transcending Writer's Block', considering what it is and how one may counteract the depression that often accompanies it. 'Creative people are committed to risk,' she nobly says, which somehow clarifies the situation and calms the upset the artist feels when everything is seeming to go badly wrong on the material level.
But even success, as she has found, can cause an emptiness to grow in the soul. This led her to escape her success on a coastal walk in Cornwall where she experienced an epiphany upon hearing a small thrush
singing 'for the sheer, natural joy of singing, not for agents or critics'.
Then she relates how a publisher rejected Emily Dickinson's poems in 1866, offering to teach her grammar. Dickinson's poems were found only after her death 'wrapped in a carefully sewn parcel, hidden under the carpet'.
As Catherine Ann Jones says, sometimes time and space are required to 'prepare the ground' for writing, as is courage to 'risk everything for the moment' while remaining 'open to change'. Finally she reveals her secret: that writing arises from meditation on something greater than herself, that it is her way of expressing her connection with that greater something.
Aside from the invaluable exercises and tips on what she calls the writer's 'craft', this is a deeply personal and honest account of what it means to be a writer, and of how to use writing as a meditation practice so that your intuition may be freed enough that it will just possibly lead you to the door of greatness.
- Amy Corzine, Author of THE SECRET LIFE OF THE UNIVERSE: THE QUEST FOR THE SOUL OF SCIENCE (Watkins, UK, 2008); a graphic novel adaptation of JANE EYRE (Classical Comics, UK, 2008); and TAKE THE KIDS: IRELAND (Cadogan Guides, UK, 2nd ed. 2006)

Reading The Way of Story is like having a talk with a trusted, intelligent and interesting friend. The writing style is friendly, easy to read, and inspiring.

The personal anecdotes and quotations Jones uses to illustrate her points are brilliantly chosen.

In The Way of Story, Catherine A. Jones shares lessons learned in becoming an award-winning writer.

The script is the first basic building block of any film, theatre, or television project. "The Way Of Story: The Craft & Soul Of Writing" by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Catherine Ann Jones offers aspiring authors an integrative approach to writing all the various forms of narrative storytelling. Laced with anecdotal stories and personal insights from her own professional experiences as a writer of scripts, Catherine Ann Jones persuasively argues that craft alone is not enough for success in this highly competitive, highly volatile business. There must be an effective integration of storytelling technique and experiential inner discovery as a writer in order to produce scripts that are commercially viable and persuasive when it comes time to pitch them to producers. Of special note are the wealth of practical tips for writing a successful script whether it is for a play, a movie, or a television show. "The Way of Story" is especially recommended reading for anyone who aspires to writing a screenplay, and will provide invaluable insights into both the process and the marketplace.

It was the subtitle of this book about writing that drew me to it: The Craft and Soul of Writing. The use of the word "soul" in connection with writing stopped me in my tracks. I too believe that good writing comes from the soul, yet my writing always has sounded more like a lawyer's brief than a soulful memoir or story. And so I wondered... Might this book free me from my mental prison? My hopes soared when on the first page, I read, "The whole of life can be a meditation, even writing." Clearly, I was in the hands of a philosopher as well as a writer. Here was a book which combined practical guidelines with spiritual experience.

I left the bookstore, looking at the book's unusual cover--a picture of an elderly fellow seated in a large old rowboat, its empty space in the rear crowded with colorful flowers. He uses a single wooden oar to paddle through the wide open sea as sprays of watery foam hit his face and obstruct his view. I see this as a metaphor for the obstacles and endlessly murky situations humans encounter as they row their way through each and every day, experiencing both the beauty they enjoy and the unpredictable vicissitudes that inevitably become obstacles along the way.

Numerous brilliant, relevant quotes by famous people appear on every page of The Way of Story. They remind the reader of the importance of soul to writing, of the path that writing must take in order to include the elusive soul. I read the profound and unique philosophies of such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Rimbaud, Harold Clurman, Lao Tzu, and many more, all of whom guide us to honor the soul. And we honor the soul by listening, by being still, by believing passionately in ourselves. "Passion," Jones writes, "must come first, then craft. The essence of Art is to use the outer form to convey an inner experience. This sacred thread, your innermost being or Soul, binds you emotionally to what you write, and if given respect, will lead you on to the desired end. Stories written from this center will move mountains--and even create livelihoods. Years ago, when interviewed by the New York Times about my approach to teaching, I was quoted as saying, 'We've become lopsided living only in our heads. Writing, in order to serve the Soul, must integrate outer craft with the inner world of intuition and feeling.'"

This book has become my bible because I am among those who are lopsided. And for all those writers who believe they are lopsided, Jones offers excellent guidance. Among the numerous suggestions she offers is a remarkable exercise called Soul Dialogue, in which she guides us to envision our soul, to learn from it what it wants, what it truly wants, and sincerely wishes to communicate to others. This message pervades her book. One of the many quotes I will always remember comes from another spiritual teacher--Butoh, a famous Japanese dancer: "The Soul is the important thing. Form will follow."

Form is the craft; soul, the art and passion. The author insists that the goal of writing is to reach the essence of feeling. She shares stories revealing how she has achieved this. An example was a day when Jones was in an acting class with the famous teacher, Uta Hagen. Jones was playing Ophelia. Having already played Shakespearean roles for a well known director in England, she felt confident that her improvisation was a good one. Until Ms. Hagen shouted, "I want you to play an Ophelia I believe goes to the bathroom!" At the time, she was stunned by her failure, but she carries this lesson over to writing. "Characters," she reminds us, "must be three-dimensional, grounded, and not just an extension of the writer's projected aesthetic imagination."

The essence of the author's advice is to dare to be personal. Jones reminds us that how we remember is how we give meaning to our lives. Lao Tzu asks, "How do I know about the world?" His answer: "By what is within me"--five important words I have placed on my mirror where I can see them each morning before I begin my day.

Catherine Ann Jones does not overlook the supreme importance of craft, and she is nothing less than inspiring in her chapters delineating the various genres. She covers the more obvious and less interesting ones (to me) such as structure, rewrites, outlines and dialogue. But her book is about so much more--about the voice of character and how to convey it, the unexpected synchronicities of writing, the resource of memory, the writer's voice, discovering your personal myth, one woman's remarkable story. She believes we must pay no attention to what will happen to the work, whether it will succeed in the marketplace, whether it will even reach the marketplace, quoting Robert Frost... "All the great things are done for their own sake."

There is no way to do this book justice in a brief review. Like most things in life, this book must be experienced to be fully known and appreciated. I can promise any student of writing, experienced writers, and anyone merely interested in learning more about the craft that this book will make you glad you did not leave it behind in the bookstore.

by Duffie Bart
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

The Way of Story may appear as a deceptively simple memoir/manual, but it is not. Catherine rockets you into the essentials of craft, as well as urging you to dig deep into yourself and transmit your emotions to the page, and the story.

Few books simultaneously pay equal attention to both the architecture AND the soul of the story. Finally, I think the book offers gems to both novice and experienced writers, including advice and a bounty of challenging exercises to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page. I wish I'd had this book when I started!

i love this book very simple to follow very easy yet the outcome so fantastic. This is good book for quilters of all ages and all levels of skill.

Excellent book of Christmas applique designs! I did take my book to a copy shop and enlarged the designs, but this is easily and inexpensively done. Beautiful and colorful use of fabrics. Applique designs are simple to make. This books inspires fun and creativity. Definitely, one of my very favorite quilt books.

This purchase was made for my wife who states:-

Having had the book for a few weeks now, I find the contents very informative, and the instructions easey to follow. I can recommend this product to any would-be enthusiast.

I found this to be a charming project. Very versatile for making one block or many. Also, the possibilities were endless for decorating and using materials, buttons etc on hand. Instructions were clear and it could be easy (iron on ) or more experienced (hand appliqued completely.) I will be making several for next year. (Not enough time for this year)!

I can't wait to make this quilt. I saw one made up at a quilt show or something very similar and couldn't wait to find the pattern. It is just so clever and fun. My quilt group is planning on making it as a block of the month. I am so happy I bought this book, it makes me smile every time I look through it.
Sincerely, LPotts

I bought the Cute Book and loved it so I decided to buy this one as well. Same characters and a few new ones only bigger. Great instructions and photos. Any one who loves to make cute thing will love this book.

This is the first doll book I've been interested in. The instructions are funny, simple and easy to follow. I've made the spacey bear and the panda and both are just adorable. Planning on making them all! I wish the full size patterns were included (you have to use a copy machine to enlarge some of them). Happy crafting.

This is a fabulous book for making cute two-dimensional dolls! Since the recommended fabric for these dolls is jersey knit- I use old t-shirts to make them! Recycling and crafting all in one! Most of the patterns in this book are recommended to enlarge on a photocopier- or you can make smaller versions without enlarging. These dolls are great to hand sew- making it a great little craft for all ages!

I have really enjoyed looking this book over, and have chosen more than one pattern to try. the patterns and directions are clear and concise.

In "The Cute Book", readers were treated to patterns for making small felt versions of many of the Aranzi Aronzo characters (if you aren't familiar with the Aranzi Aronzo characters, check out the Aronzo website, '[...] - they're sort of like the Sanrio/Hello Kitty characters, only with more personality). "Cute Dolls" is another book of patterns for making Aronzo character dolls (18 patterns in total), but this time, the patterns are for full sized (8 - 12 inch) dolls, most of which are made from jersey cloth (t-shirt fabric).

As with "The Cute Book", the patterns are very easy to follow. The instructions are fully illustrated, making it so that you don't even need to read the words in order to make these dolls. The book is beautifully presented, with colour photographs throughout and the captions on each of the pictures are hilarious (for example "Make us cute or we'll be angry!").

This is the second book in the Aranzi Aronzo "Let's Make Cute Stuff" series. People who enjoy this book should also consider purchasing the other books in this series: "The Cute Book", "Fun Dolls" and "Cute Stuff".