Arts and Crafts Books

I have only had a chance to look through the book, but it looks like it has a lot of the newer tatting that I am looking for.
Barbara

This is a wonderful book. It is very inspiring. You find it hard to decide what to tat first. This is one of the best tatting books I have seen in awhile. Well worth purchasing.

This book is a great one for a tatter in any level. What I like the most about the book is that you can find some techniques that are not very commonly use in Tatting and at least a pattern to practice that technique. Also some patterns "play" with beads, something that makes tatting more beautiful!

What a great tatting book! The beginning has very good instructions for several techniques and then there are 15 lovely patterns demonstrating them. Lots of nice, large, color photos and diagrams with clear written and charted directions.

Dawn Navarro's 1985 topsy-turvey cat block pattern in a quilt classic.
The original quilt was a basic block pattern, years ago. The new updated instruction makes it possible for everyone- all skill levels to follow the easy to read instruction and make a purrfect quilt.
Also, I found the Kitten Quilt to be a good solution for a smaller quilt and
the ultimate quilt for a child's bedroom.
The pillow patterns are excellent for fabulous quick projects.
All the quilts are designed with colorful and creative fabrics shown on full color pages.

I can't wait to make my own CopyCat Quilt and curl up with my cat in it! In fact, I'm going to make the "Kitten" version just for her!
I've never quilted much, but I found the directions really clear and easy to follow... and I love all the photography in it- rich colors and inspiring style!

Dawn's website is also pretty neat- lots of other great ideas! (www.copycatquilts.com) Highly recommended. I hope she produces some more "Copy" Quilts... it's so clever!

Dawn E. Navarro's COPY CAT QUILTS offers easy directions for a popular cat pattern which was first published in the 1980s. Kitties on quilts, pillows and wall hangings embellish pages of step-by-step details including color photos as well as written text, making it quick and easy to produce cat quilts that work well.

I was excited when I found COPY CAT QUILTS. As a cat lover, I couldn't wait to see all the patterns for cat quilts Ms. Navarro put in her book. Alas, I was disappointed. There were really only two patterns. True, there are six different projects but only the two different cat patterns. I don't need a book to tell me that I can take four blocks and make a pillow instead of a quilt or decrease the size of the "cat" to make a smaller quilt.

With that said, I do LOVE the cat pattern that she has designed. It even comes with a stuffed ball at the feet of each cat. I would be "lazy" and stuff a yo-yo rather than go through the trouble of sewing two circles, turning and stuffing. After all, the opening of the yo-yo will be placed faced down and the ball sewn around to attach it to the quilt.

I am glad to see the cat is all pieced, not paper pieced and while there are a lot of pieces to make each cat, he does turn out very cute. Embroidery is used to complete his face so you can make your cats happy, sad or mischievous. The projects all have material and cutting lists and instructions on how to put the blocks together. Ms. Covey has left the quilting pattern to finish the quilt up to you.

The Feline Dolls cat has the template included in the book which is the second pattern I referred to earlier. If you are a quilter that thinks "outside the box", then this book might be a bit disappointing. But if you are the type of quilter that needs detailed instructions to make each and every item you quilt, then this book will give you six wonderful projects to work on.

I have enjoyed this book for sewing whimsical and fun dolls,Great for beginners , This book is a thorough course in the basics of doll-making.
But also great for using the techniques that are general in nature, and then grow and soar using your own designing techniques

Doll artist and author Miriam Christensen Gourley has written another great book on cloth dollmaking. I loved her first volume, but the dolls and patterns in this one are just as, or maybe even more fun than in the first book!

There is something in "Crafting Cloth Dolls" suitable to all sewing skill levels. Beginners will be pleased with the well-illustrated instruction and more advanced dollmakers are offered more challenging subjects, as well as good clay over cloth instructions.

Gourley has an excellent writing style and offers clear-cut, well-illustrated instructions and helpful tips and techniques, from wigmaking to shoemaking. Everything in this book makes sense!

Highly recommended to dollmakers looking to learn, polish their skills or be inspired by good dollmaking craft.

I knew I would enjoy this book even before I opened it, as Miriam Gourley's previous book on cloth dollmaking was so good. The earlier book had more basics in it, I feel this book is for more experienced dollmakers who want to be a bit adventurous. Miriam includes some interesting sections on home-made felt and felting, armatures, cloth doll construction and painting effects. For me, the best part was the 10 cloth doll projects at the back of the book, ranging from a simple cloth doll to a policeman to a doll with felted clothing. I loved the charm, diversity and sheer adventurousness of these projects. Definitely worth buying if you have any interest in cloth dolls at all.

I really like the book "Crafting Cloth Dolls" for several reasons. It is loaded with color photos of dolls ranging from the simple, painted on faced muslin body styles to complicated, wire armature bodied dolls with clay and needle sculpted faces. A basic doll body pattern is included as well for users to create and expound upon.

Doll techniques covered include armature making, dyeing doll hair, wig making, shoe making, fairy wing making, face painting, and drafting doll clothing patterns. A technique for needle sculpted faces and a button joining technique were drawn and explained.

Patterns with body and clothing templates, supply lists, and clearly written instructions are included with the book to make 10 different styles of dolls. The dolls include Tulip (the doll on the cover), a tomato man, a constable, medieval knight, Japanese woman (from Japanese "Little Peach" fairy tale), simple rag doll, felted doll, felt body doll with paper clay mask, whimsical doll made of wire clothed with embillishments, and a very elegant maid doll.

The final pages of the book include a source sheet to locate the various doll artists that contributed to the book and order their respective patterns.

With so many doll making techniques abounding, this book cannot possibly cover them all; however, the patterns and easy to follow instruction with this book make it an excellent addition to the beginning doll makers library and an excellent source of inspiration for the more advanced doll maker.

A great book, I have learnt a lot from it. I plan to use it with my students at school to enhance their craft projects.

This book is great!!! Very easy the understand & duplicate bows.

WE HAVE A GIFTS AND FLOWERS BUSINESS AND WE GOT THIS BOOK AND ITS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR GIFT WRAPING. IT WAS SHIPPED ON TIME AND IS RATED OF VERY GOOD SERVICE AND A USEFULL ITEM.

Ok, anyone who does not know anything about make bows (like me!) has to have this book. It is worth every penny I spent on it. It explains every single thing in great detail. There is no way anyone wouldn't understand it. I love this book!!

This book is excellent. The pictures have before, after and some close-ups. The instructions are simple and percise. These finishes are truly inspirational. We just purchased our first house and I can't wait to give my rooms that special pop with the techniques shown in this book. If you can't afford to purchase new cabinets this book shows you have to achieve that brand new look for a fraction of the cost. Additionaly, she has instructions to give your stairs and ballast that special touch. I have to say this is one of the best books I've ever purchased. Truly a keeper!!!

I love this book and look through it over and over again for inspiration. My husband and I refinished our cherry dining room set using the techniques described in this book. We have gotten tons of compliments on the finished set and best of all, we spent about $300.00 on supplies, a fraction of the cost of buying a set like the one we created. Step-by-step instructions using many photographs as well as what color paints to buy to achieve the results pictured in the book. The reason I am looking again on Amazon was to find any other books published by this author as we have some projects in the works. No other books, but reviewing this book for anyone intersted was worth my time.

I have always wanted to learn how to create beautiful furniture using different finishing techniques and this book provides exactly that! There are step by step instructions, before and after photos, and numerous ideas throughout. If you want to give your furniture new life or an elegant look and be able to say that you did it on your own, then this book will provide you with all the tools you'll need.

I love this book for inspiration and how to techniques. All in my van pppol lked this book too. Well worth the money and I own many many craft and paint books and this is one of my favorites. I am an artist and crafter and make furniture.

Very well done! I love this book-the projects are to die for.
Great for any stamp artist!

If you're looking to combine great rubber stamping with another medium, off paper, then this is a great addition to your stamping art library. The book shows great ideas, and shows enuf material on technique that you can do it easily.

Barbara has done it again with another fabulous addition to the annals of polymer clay! Using her expertise as an artist, Barbara does an excellent job of show how limitless the possibilities of stamping with polymer clay can be. Her attention to detail and eye for color, form and function are well expressed in this book. The projects are well timely, well thought out and brilliantly executed. As always, Barbara does an extrodinary job with the finishing of each piece. And as always, her text is full of extremely helpful hints and tips that even the most experienced polymer enthusiast can use. I highly recommend this book!

This book features many projects using rubber stamps and polymer clay. The pictures are great and the step-by-step instructions are clear. Instructions are given for many different techniques. Some use ink to stamp the designs, some use the stamp to create an impression in the clay. Others use mica, foil stamping and embossing powders. Projects include jewelry, small book covers, decorative insets for boxes and many other varied projects.

Also, the projects are not bright, cutsey, whimsical items. They are more sophisticated, with simple shapes, relying on rich surface texture and images. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your tastes. As it is sometimes difficult to find good polymer clay books for those of us who are not into whimsical, I would recommend this book highly.

Don't miss this addition to the crochet library! This book adds adventure and creativity to a usuually conservative art form. If yu are looking for a new aspect of crocheting and need some "old time" comfort and creativity don't pass it up. Give expression to that inner child and let your creativity take new direction!

This is an amazing book, looking at crochet more as form than function. This is for the crocheter who wants to try something a bit different but needs a little guidance or perhaps a little inspiration. This is not a typical project book (make this doily, try this afghan) but something that treats crochet as an art form.

This is a must-have for those who want to explore freeform design in crochet, and by extension, in other textile disciplines. Sylvia Cosh's presentation of building on form and developing structures opens the field for your own directions. It is one of my major resources in teaching freeform crochet.

The Crochet Workbook by Sylvia Cosh and James Walters, is not for the faint of heart! If you want to unshackle yourself from the constraints of patterns and release your creative spirit,Cosh and Walters will show you how. Beautifully illustrated with color photos and drawings, you'll soon be crocheting with the left side of your brain. Free-form designing is like turning your yarn world upside down. Turn to Mother Nature for inspiration.Is that a sycamore tree? No, it's the back of my sweater! What about that moth? It's a wallhanging!After working with this book, crochet will become more of an expression of self, rather than a mere hobby. Beginners to advanced will find this book fulfilling.

This is the best and maybe only grouping of colorful and textured afghans found in one place that I have ever seen. You can almost smell the flowers! There really is something here for everyone, for beginners all the way to advanced. I have made 3 of these and there are still some that I have to try. They dress up any room and people are always impressed that I made them.

This is one of the best books on crochet squares I own. The projects are gorgeous and I even want to make floral scarves from some patterns!!!
The only disadvantage is not having graphics, just written description of patterns.
A must have!

This book has the most amazing collection of floral afghans to be found in one book.
This book includes 48 patterns. There are patterns inspired by primroses, sunflowers, zinnias, daisies, carnations, dahlias, lavender, pansies, tulips, roses, violets and poppies, to name a few.
You will find it really hard to choose which pattern to make first.
The instructions are easy to follow and a stitch guide is included.
Each pattern is accompanied by a beautiful coloured photograph. Patterns include patchwork grannies and mile-a minutes.

If you love flowers and you love crocheting - then this is your book. I want to start on the first page and make everything in the book. The instructions are clear and each afghan pattern has a color photograph.

I'm a woodworker, so when I was at the local tool store, I started thumbing through this book. The book is a wonderful survey of current woodworking. I saw lots of stuff that I'd love to build. When I saw a certain floor lamp very much like one I have been mentally designing, I bought the book.

This book can best be described as fancy, "glossy catalog."

One very helpful item is a summary of the 'terms and conditions' of the various craftspersons--required deposit, lead times, whether there is a charge for design work, etc. Apparently, I might be able to ask for (and receive) more from my clients.

I love this book. It is filled with beautiful, unique pieces of furniture. There are a few extreme designs, but most of the pieces you could imagine having in your own home. All of the pictures are in color and a good size so you can see the details clearly. Besides giving the names and postal addresses of the craftsmen, the author also furnishes websites and email addresses for many of them. In the back there is a regional index and a style index which are both very useful. Even though this book is paperback, I think it would make a great coffee table book because every aspect of it is beautifully designed; the text, the photographs and the layout.

(I looked over this book in the store, and hope to get it for Christmas)

Lots of great pictures! If you are a long time Fine Woodworking reader you will recognize many of them. However, you notice other nuances when they are placed with unseen pictures of the craftsman's other work.

The wide variety of styles is very useful for forming your own sense of design and proportion. You see traces of James Krenov's style on many pages. I found it more useful and inspiring than Taunton's Design Book series.

If you were looking to hire somone to make you a custom piece I suspect this book would be quite a help, but I'm looking at it as more of a survey of current work. I plan to use it to help refine where I want to go with my own furniture design and woodworking.

-Jeff

This is the perfect present to give someone who thinks that the art of making fine furniture is a dying one. In it are representative works by 125 of our finest craftsfolk. Here you will find artists who extends styles which have become timeless without ever being imitative (Robert Stevenson and Jeffrey Greene), woodworkers who are intent in opening new avenues of creativity (Tom Hobgood and Christoph Neander), and every variation in between. And each and every one is a master of the craft.

In a sense, this is a puff book - created to facilitate the contact between the artist and the knowledgeable consumer. Each furniture maker gets two beautifully printed pages to present their work and their ideas. Not very much room, when you think of it. Reading the book is like spending a day at the very best custom furniture show in the world. And like a good show, the submissions were juried by a panel to ensure that promotional or not, the contents were the genuine article.

I bought the book to look for some ideas for furniture - not to buy, but to build. If I look too long I get a bit depressed as I realize how much more skilled these makers are than I am. But it is an inspiration, and, eventually, it helped me make what I wanted to do a bit finer in concept. If you love to look at fine things, or are one of the fortunate who can look forward to having them, this book is a homage to artistry that is a combination of great imagination and the skill to execute it.

I used this book to create my first few projects and if I can do it I'm sure others can. The directions are straight forward and the plans are nice. It is really quite simple.

Only down side is this book doesn't explain too much about the information beginners may need to start right away. I had to use some internet sources and another book to 'learn' how to use the scroll saw and what some of the language meant. With the beginning info under my belt, however, I photo copied the plans and went to work and the boxes I made were very nice....at least thats what the gift receivers said. ;)

I've included a picture of a box I made from the plans found in this book. You can locate it under the 'customer picture' section under the book cover picture.

This is typical Diana Thompson, with a twist. Yes, there is compound cutting - but she also takes us through simple but elegant box making, inlay, and relief cutting. These boxes come out really great, and the patterns and instructions are clear and complete. If there is one complaint, it is that Diana must have access to a really good lumber supplier, because many of her wood choices are not available at all at ordinary wood providers. The designs come out well with just Home Depot-type woods, though, so it shouldn't discourage anyone. I love this book.

I found this to be a good beginning on my initial projects, to over come the learning curve of the saw.

I bought this book and also Gary Mackays' book, Box-Making Projects for the Scroll Saw at the same time. Even though there are some cool projects in his book that I will build, Diana Thompsons book is much more artistic. You can really see the difference between a mans point of view and a womans. I like Dianas projects much more. One point to mention though, Her box projects are all lift off top boxes. I would recommend this book.