Arts and Crafts Books

As a first grade teacher I used this book as an intervention tool with my ELL students last year. It helped with voacbulary as well as phonics. The activities are hands on and we were able to create several games using the lessons as well. I recommend this book to anyone in the primary grades. It is great as an intervention tool, large group activity or as a center.

This book is great! There are many word activities to choose from, which I find very helpful and a time saver!

This concept keeps kids interested. They want to figure out the little words and the big words created by the letters, so it's an excellent one for phonics. If you already use Open Court, it would be a good supplement. There is some prep time involved in writing and cutting the letters, unless you're smarter than me and use die-cut letters from a bulletin board!!

This book is wonderful for primary grades as well as ESL classes. It's interactive and the kids love it. We use it every morning when we enter the "Wonderful World of Words." There is also a Making Big Words for intermediate grades! I definitely recommend it!

This is the best spelling book I have seen. I am a homeschooling mom of 2 boys (9 & 8) and this is the easiest method and they enjoy it too!

This is a great book, and for the price, you can't go wrong, but the genuine article is the first edition from 1999. Much nicer covers, beautiful color prints. If you only buy one, the first edition is a MUST for any Marilyn Monroe fan!

I absolutely loved this book! It was fantastic. Marilyn Monroe was such a beautiful, talented person and this book definitely shows it. The pictures are sharp and bright and the captions are wonderful. The variety is nothing short of impressive. I highly recommend this "coffee table book" to any Monroe fan!

Now in a revised second edition, Marilyn Monroe: Cover To Cover by Clark Kidder is a unique collection for the fans one of Hollywood's best known personalities, as it features full-color illustrations of numerous magazine covers that showcased this talented actress and American heartthrob. Each picture offers a brief caption or memorable quote (often by Marilyn herself) about the picture, as well as the average selling price for good condition copies of the magazine. Marilyn Monroe: Cover To Cover is a very highly recommended resource for celebrity memorability collectors in general, and Marilyn Monroe fans in particular.

This is an unusual outstanding picture book.

Marilyn in unforgetable pictures.

Thank you!

This thoroughly unique and enjoyable approach to the documentation of Marilyn's career is a comprehensive collection of magazine covers from all around the world, featuring her throughout her career. The whole is an eclectic gathering of photos highlighting her metamorphosis from unknown young model to luminous superstar.

Although many of the more well known American covers are absent, there is plenty here to satisfy! The variety and sheer number of colorful covers is impressive. The memorable quotes that accompany so many of the covers capture the essence of her endearing personality without being an actual biography, and the timeline is a good but brief overview of many of the important events in her life.

Although I am not an avid collector of MM memorabilia, I'm sure the pricing information would be valuable to those who are. I found comparing the various values to be very interesting reading. I can only imagine the painstaking work that went into identifying each of these photos and determining the worth of each cover.

This would be a welcome and unique addition to any MM library - highly recommended!

This would have to be the most interesting and inspirational quilting book I have bought. I was wary about buying a book I had never seen but am thrilled with it. I took it to my quilting group and am ordering five more for friends. Thanks Kitty, love it.

This has got to be my favorite book using Asian fabrics to create beautiful quilts. I am particularly drawn to the mosaic-style pieces and the hexagonal piecing projects with sashiko embroidery. The introduction explains all the different types of Japanese fabrics and the elements of Japanese design. There are many reproducible designs in the back of the book for family crests and other traditional designs for sashiko embroidery. This book contains dozens of beautiful color photos that are very inspiring to the quilt designer. Diagrams, drawings, full-size patterns, and instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

A welcome addition to my library. Would be nice to see more books on this subject!

I loved this book because the auther works beautiful fabrics in a way I would so love to do. It is so well illustrated and informative that I feel I can do great things without all the gadgets usually associated with quilting and I love to sew by hand.

Kitty Pippin's knowledge and years of experience really make this book a treasure. Her teaching skills also shine forth in writing clear directions with lots of patterns to enlarge or copy.
This style of quilting, away from traditional western patterns and excessive machine-fast construction, appeals to me.
As soon as the book arrived, I sat down and gobbled half of it up! Marvelous photos-- I wish there were more detailed close-up shots of the finished quilts. Design ideas are coming together for me since reading it. The encouraging directions are a valuable and practical part of "Quilting with Japanese Fabrics." And, you can also use non-Japanese fabrics.
I am very happy to add this book to my growing Japanese quilting collection. Also in my "collection" of two books is Susan Briscoe's Japanese block quilting book (See my glowing review.)

I gleaned a lot of information from this book. There is not a ligting, electrical connection that is not explained to my satisfaction. Take the time to read all then keep this book handy as a reference. Just showing that you have the book, proves that you know what you are talking about.

Great book, lots of detail for any working Lighting tech, or aspiring tech. Great for a indi-film makers library.

A MUST HAVE for the inside scoop into the Industry.

If your planing a career in the motion picture or television business than this book will greatly advance your technical knowledge of the business. If your an old pro at the business the book is great for a quick reference to prepare you for a shoot.

This wonderful book, covering all the major areas in lighting, in enough detail to give a solid grounding. w

While it may appear a little too technical for the absolute beginner, it does offer a solid base in knowledge for those with a little experiance wanting to expand their knowledge, and take away plenty of ideas with which they can put to trial on future set's.

If your looking to become a cinematographer; but feel there are gaps in your knowledge, get this book. I believe it to be a must have.

I love this book! I especially appreciate the photos included with the projects in all different stages. I will use this book again and again.

I've never done paper mache before and I wanted to make a "Monster under the bed" for a Halloween prop. The book is very easy to understand and follow. It took less than two weeks to make the project and it came out much better than I could of ever imagined. I would highly recommend this book!!!

I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!

When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.

Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.

The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.

Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)

Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!

This book has wonderful projects and very detailed and easy to understand instructions. I enjoy making items for my garden and this book has helped me create beautiful glass items to display and enjoy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys working with stained glass and gardening.

This is one of my favorite stained glass books! It has great projects for beginners and more experienced stained glass crafters. The instructions are detailed and the photos are very helpful, also.

The patterns are artistic, the instructions clear, and the results truly do look great in the garden.

I bought this item for my mother, who is a stained glass enthusiast that put aside her craft when my brother and I were children (children and shards of glass don't mix very well, apparently). Recently, I've encouraged my mother to resume her interest. Since she is also interested in gardening, "The Stained Glass Garden: Projects & Patterns" was a perfect fit. Among the projects detailed in this book are lanterns, a bird feeder, and a sprinkler. The instructions are clear, and the projects are interesting. I would recommend this item for other stained glass enthusiasts!

This book has all kinds of information, from basic tools, materials and procedures used, to instructions for making your own light table to work on. Includes patterns from simpler plant stakes and candle holders, to really extravagant lawn sprinklers. Awesome book, good for beginners and the more experienced. Don't know why they chose that cover photo, it is nowhere near the best or prettiest project in the book.

I have enjoyed thinking about doing some of this. The book gives fine guidance

I came across this book in my local library and loved it so much I bought a copy for myself. Ms. Buckingham manages to create beautiful trompe l'oeil work with simple techniques that are easy for even the absolute beginner. An added bonus is that her stencils are available online...

I purchased this book 2 years ago. At the time I did not know they sold stencils until I purchased a few stencils on their website along with their video. The book is easy to follow and they give you many ways to incooporate simple stencils. This book encouraged me to create a mural from a small picture and brought out a talent that I never knew existed. Well done. Fantastic pictures with great color which I feel either makes or breaks a simple stencil or a 5 layered stencil. I would highly recommend their book, stencils and their video. If I can learn, anyone can!!!! A+++++

Grab this book without hesitation!

I saw the author on the show, "Home Matters" and was instantly motivated to buy this book. When I saw that it was available in both hard- and soft- cover verrsions, my decision was difficult. Usually saving a few bucks on the paperback version of any book means sacrificing quality; thin paper, fewer illustrations, shortened versions. etc.

When I opted to buy this in the paperback form, I was expecting the usual compromises. I was, joyfully, wrong! This book not only boasts the easy instructions and wonderful pictorials of the hardcover version, it also has wonderful, high quality paper stock rarely found even in hardcover these days. The quality of this book will stand up to years of planning and crafting!

The projects in this book were well-detailed and gave some good information on composition and layering of stencils. I checked this book out of the library and don't intend on buying it BUT I do recommend it if you like the more folkart type decor. I was looking for something more realistic in floral decor. The trellice project was very cute and would look great with a cottage country look.

I just received this book a few weeks ago, and am half way through my first afghan. I love the way the pattern looks and the speed at which I am able to go with it. Also the instructions are very easy to follow, and the book has clear and beautiful pictures. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys beautiful patterns that work up quickly and easily.

this book has a lot of really neat very simple patters that are easy to follow and work up really quick. I definately recomend this book to anyone who likes afghans that work up quickly but look complicated and time consuming.

I've had this book for over a year now and I am so glad it is in my collection. I have only made one afghan from it so far, but I have made swatches for a couple of other afghans I'm considering. (I would love to try one of the cable afghans.) I sometimes enjoy just looking at the photos in the book. All the afghans are great looking and are nicely photographed.

There is a great variety of afghan styles to choose from among the 52 (!) afghans: classic, bold, lacy, serene, intricate, simple, handsome, and sweet. Some afghans are done as a whole cloth, others in squares or strips. Some patterns even include weaved strands of yarn to form a plaid look. The color pattern on the Blended Rainbow afghan is very clever.

Most patterns call for worsted weight yarn or worsted weight brushed acrylic yarn. None call for one of the trendy premium yarns, which while fun to use, could be unavailable next year. The instructions are relatively simple, most fitting on just one page of the book. (Only a few are a bit more complicated.)

Because you are working with two strands of yarn (either two of the same color or two different colors at the same time) and because you crochet with a large hook size...typically size N or P... the afghans work up quickly.

The one afghan I made was called Golden Waves, which called for a four-color pattern of soft waves. I made it for my nephew in blues and earth tones. He picked out the pattern himself from this book after looking through all my afghan books! It was fun to make and my nephew is very happy with it. Check out the photo I posted here.

Can you tell I like this book?! So did a couple of co-workers who looked at my copy and then went out to buy their own!

I like several patterns from the book but still trying to get the hang of crocheting with double yarn. The book contains many patterns and the explanations are clear and easy to follow.

This is a wonderful book for quick beautiful Afghans! From very basic to more advanced, there is something for everyone. All patterns are worked with two or more strands at a time, while still providing a wide range of patterns! There are basic filets, granny square, 'mile-a-minute' type, and everything in between, there are even baby patterns. Tons of fun and hours of enjoyment! Enjoy!

Joanna Gollberg does nice books. I've got some experience with metalsmithing and this book didn't have a whole lot of new information for me, but she explains techniques very well. The projects are interesting and her gallery shots (pictures of work from other artists) are just incredible.

This is a really nice instructional book with great gallery photos and interesting and apealing projects. I particularly like the soldering instruction in this book over the others I own.

Great book. Will appeal to those just starting out with metal-smithing, particularly the tools lists and the projects associated with using each new set of tools. The gallery of work accompanying each chapter is amazing. The projects are easy to follow and the photos allow you to see exactly what should be happening at each stage. I enjoyed the book as a reference.

and great motivator. This book gives a general overview of many techniques of metalsmithing and has projects that work with each lesson. I think I would have liked more details but I'm also very new to this and need confidence. However I feel like I can complete each lesson successfully after reading this book.

I got this book out at the library and fell in love with it sooooo much i had to go out and buy it. It's great!! It has visual pictures to get you through each step and it has many examples of other jewelers works. It even had works of my teacher in it. Great book and great guide. I recommend it to anyone!!

One of the best beading books I have seen to date. Wonderful beaded beads featured which I have already made. Well presented with lots of detailed descriptions to follow. Extremely happy with purchase.

This book is absolutely inspiring! It is wonderful what sophisticated designs can be created with these techniques and simple beads. The author is a woman after my own heart (she asks, "Can any one person own too many beads?"), and her knowledge and passion show in her writing. I think this book may overwhelm someone who is an absolute beginner, someone who has never done any beadwork before. To get the most from this book, I think you need a little experience. But her illustrations are the best I have ever seen, and her instructions are very clear. This book is worth the price just for the gorgeous color photos of projects. Another thing I like about the book is the fact that she gives many pointers for variations in the techniques, and encourages you to take off on your own. If you like seed beads and want to get beyond stringing, this book is essential.

There is only 1 other book at this level and that is the author's Creative Bead Weaving. Buy either one or even better both. Not only are the instructions excellent but the pictures and the projects are creative and inspiring. Please - when is your next book coming out.

Great book for instructions for all types of bead weaving. The beads are numbered so you have exact directions on where to go next. A "must have" book for any beader.

I found this book at the library and I was enchanted. I ordered my book from Amazon and thankfully received it before I had to return my copy to the library. I made many beautiful Christmas gifts from the ideas I got from this wonderful book. This book has challenged me and showed me the way with clear directions and diagrams. I am inspired to build on the techniques I have developed with the guidance of this excellent book.