Crafts Books

Super ideas. This book gave me a whole new look on scrapbooking. It really changed my approach. No more guilt about being "behind". Very addaptable too. If you don't like an idea, just tweak it to suit you.

Stacy Julian has changed my life when it comes to scrapbooking. Her whole Simple Scrapbooks philosophy is what has kept me interested in the hobby and her earlier book, Big Picture Scrapbooking, is awesome as well. I read that one first and it taught me how to look at the overall purpose of scrapbooking and that it is the everyday moments and relationships that we will want to remember 25 years from now, as opposed to looking at huge volumes of birthdays and Christmas pics from every single year of our lives. At first I thought I would not need to read Photo Freedom since she references her "Library of Memories" system to photo organization in Big Picture, but eventually I wanted more of her insight. I ordered the book and read the whole thing in three days. It really made sense to me and I now follow her system almost exactly. She thoroughly explains every single thing she does and names the brand names of the products she uses and then shares how at least ten other women have modified her system to their own style. She not only explains what she does with prints, she also shows how she organizes all her pics on her computer, which I am now doing exactly like her. It really makes sense. As an added bonus, she appears on the TV show "Scrapbook Memories" on PBS every day at the beginning and talks about her ideas on the two books and demonstrates with her personal pics and albums.

Stacy Julian's scrapbooking philosophy, first laid out in Big Picture Scrapbooking, is simple: It's not about getting it done. It's about telling the stories. That makes a lot of sense to me, even though I spent many years trying to "catch up." I finally realized that you'll never be caught up unless you stop taking pictures, which I don't recommend.

In her second book, Stacy goes on to describe, very specifically, the organizational system that allows her to tell the stories, rather than just scrapbook her pictures. She calls her system the "Library of Memories." She has several stages she takes her photos through after they're developed, including sliding them into storage binders (regular slide-in photo albums), sorting them into category drawers (for photos sorted by a variety of categories), library albums (for completed layouts), a memorabilia file (for those bits and pieces of life you want to save but often aren't sure what you want to do with), and (she's not done yet!) cold storage (photos you have no plans to scrap soon but don't want to toss) and square punch drawers (she punches faces out of photos she'd otherwise throw away, and often uses them for mini books and the like).

Using these strategies for sorting her photos, Stacy is able to make connections between photos that she would never see if she scrapped chronologically. You might find photos of your son on his birthday every year, and put together a "through the years" page. Or perhaps you find you've taken a photo of the kids in front of the house every year on the first day of school--these make a perfect mini book that shows how they've grown, how their first-day fashions have changed, and even what lunchboxes were en vogue.

The great thing about this approach, when you're freed from chronological scrapbooking, is that you can see patterns and relationships that wouldn't be obvious if you were just trying to get "caught up." Stacy gives a host of examples from her own scrapbooks, as well as short interviews with others who have adopted the "Library of Memories" approach. I found the idea both inspiring and stress-relieving; I can tell my stories simply and easily, without pressure! What a great gift. I know this is a book I'll refer to again and again as I begin to create my own Library of Memories.

Great ideas! I really enjoyed reading this book. I often look back and enjoy the pictures and ideas for inspiration. Her organization method is very inspiring. Even if you don't use her whole approach, there is something that everyone can take from her ideas.

I'm not sure what I expected, but I guess it was a way to sort through my photos and get them onto pages quickly and easily. This book didn't really do that for me. First, I do digital scrapbooking, and this book definitely does not; the author prints her photos before she can even think about a page and I tend to print finished pages. Her system includes different files boxes for different types of photos, organized around different themes, and that is hard to do on a computer. That being said, I did use many of her ideas to attach additional keywords to my photos in Photoshop that went way beyond what I was doing before, and that has helped enormously in coming up with pages. I also loved her ideas of different types of albums, and not worrying about doing things chronologically, which has given me a long list of albums and pages I want to do. Although her concept of tossing negatives into a bin in case of emergency concerns me greatly, the the book was well worth the price - just not in the way I expected.

I purchased this book because I am featured in the gallery section. I would say for a beginner this is a fairly good book. If you would like to make metal clay jewelry at home with few tools this will give you what you need. It doesn't offer as much inspiration as I would like to see in a jewelry book but if you are just starting out this will do.

I wish I had had this book when I started working with metal clay. The author is a very good teacher. The sections from start-up to completed projects are very clearly written, providing a huge amount of information on pretty much every aspect of getting started in this medium. If you are thinking of trying out metal clay, or have already started but have questions about working with the clay, this book will be a terrific investment for you.

I was particularly impressed with the amount of time the author devotes to tools and set-up. I have not seen this level of detail in any other metal clay book, and I have read quite a few of them. Much of what I have had to learn over time is set out here.

The projects themselves are all suitable for the beginner, while at the same time providing instructions to create attractive pieces. My favorite is probably "Star Attraction", a charm bracelet with plenty of simple, light-hearted star charms. This is a five-finger exercise in working with metal clay, a project that will allow a beginner to practice basic skills and get a feel for working with the clay and some of the tools (here, the star-shaped punch, for example). At the same time, the design of the bracelet is solid - a cute summery piece of jewelry that I would certainly be happy to wear out.

For the sake of full disclosure, I need to say that I do have two necklaces in the Gallery section of this book (as well as a photo of my messy garage, where my kiln is located). However, I had no information on the actual projects or chapters in the book prior to buying my copy from Amazon. I have been incredibly pleased with its high quality. I consider it a valuable addition to my craft library, and I know I will be referring to it and recommending it for years to come.

If you've been thinking that Precious Metal Clay might be too difficult for you to attempt, then this is definitely the book for you.
I've known Tammy for a few years now having worked with her. She is, in fact, the reason I started jewelrymaking. When I would admire a certain pair of earrings she would be wearing or maybe a necklace she had just finished, she would always say "You can do that". So I bought all of her books and because they are always so well written, directions so easy to follow, and jewelry so beautifully illustrated she's made it possible for everyone to design and create their own jewelry. So when she asked me to submit a few of my pieces for her new book on metal clay I eagerly did so knowing I would be pleased with the final results. The book, however, far exceeds my expectations.
Tammy's book helps take the fear and guesswork out of what to do with that ugly little lump of clay and she shows you that you can turn out a beautiful piece of jewelry the first time out. I've been doing metal clay for over a year, own three books on the subject, but I wish I had this one starting out. Others have left me feeling I "missed" something in the directions. It is so easy to follow, directions so clear and detailed that I firmly believe that this will be the new Metal Clay Jewelry bible. And the added DVD is really a plus! I think this is Tammy's best book yet.

Tammy Powley, the resident jewelry making expert at About.com, is an incredibly bright and talented woman. She's very well respected in the jewelry and craft industries and she's a college professor with a strong command of language and excellent technical writing skills. It's no surprise that her new book Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry is phenomenal. If you've been standing on the edge of diving into the world of metal clay, wait no longer. Ms. Powley will take your hand and guide you step by step in this extensive guide to absolutely everything you need to know to get started.

From tools, techniques, materials and sound advice, this book is in my opinion the ultimate guide for the metal clay novice and has plenty to offer for those who already dabble in this fascinating medium. Not only are the instructions clear, well written and easy to follow, the photographs guide you effortlessly through the basics so that you can be well on your way to mastering this medium. There's a DVD included with bonus projects and video footage that solidifies the information in the book beautifully.

Tammy Powley is someone whom I, as a fellow jewelry making book author, respect immensely. She's proven time and time again that she is a force with whom to be reckoned and here she does it again. She's got that rare gift of knowing how to articulate things in a way that everyone can understand and her subtle humor makes reading this book a joy.

I particularly enjoyed the wonderful photographs of artist's studios, what a treat! The fabulous projects shared by Ms. Powley along with several metal clay masters were truly inspirational. Many craft books skirt across the surface of a discipline or they are so advanced they can be daunting to the neophyte. Ms. Powley has taken all of the mystery and frustration out of learning something new and made it a true pleasure.

I highly recommend this title become an addition to your craft library. This is one you'll read from cover to cover and reference endlessly. Kudos to Ms. Powley for making the definitive beginners Metal Clay book!

Margot Potter
The Impatient Crafter(tm)
Author The Impatient Beader series

I really like the positive title of this book, written by Tammy Powley: Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry.
When I read the title, I felt as if the daunting aspects and the confusion people might experience when confronted by metal clay were immediately whisked away and replaced with the reassurance of a voice which said "You CAN do this!"

This "Can-Do!" sort of attitude is a wonderful one which the author conveys. It runs all the way through the book!

The cover shows some of the many aspects of working with metal clay, and some finished jewelry pieces as well. Indeed, Tammy has made sure to take the reader right from the very beginning of learning what tools and equipment and safety concerns will be required, to the final aspects of super fun created pieces in a wonderfully cohesive manner. She is an experienced jewelry designer, a well known author of numerous jewelry design books, and a member of the PMC Guild. Who better to write this almost encyclopedic, yet always interesting, metal clay book?
It is fascinating as well to learn through viewing other artist's studios, and other artist's work, the incredible variety you too will be able to accomplish, once you get the basics down.

I want to stress that this book is basically a "low fire" metal clay book. This means that the projects in the book (and also in the fantastic bonus DVD, which I loved!) which are demonstrated by Tammy, use ways of firing metal clay which usually do not involve a kiln. For example, a hot pot and a butane torch are two of the ways which are utilized in the book. Both are used outdoors for proper ventilation and for safety!
If you low fire metal clay, there is a limit to the thickness of the jewelry piece you can create. A kiln is required for weightier pieces. You will discover, by reading this book, information like this. It will be presented to you in a very clear manner. Why not buy this book and see how you like metal clay before sinking a ton of money into a kiln? It is really logical to try this method first. By the way, you will LOVE metal clay! It is SO FUN!

I think Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry, by Tammy Powley, with its inspiring photo gallery from many artists who were kind enough to display their metal clay creations and their studios, its "down to earth manner" of how to make your own pieces, its great list of tools, tips and techniques, the inclusion of some fantastic findings you can teach yourself to make (Tammy does it all!), and finally some wonderful, accessible and very lovely low fire projects, such as "ID ME" and "Y-You are a Star", AS WELL AS (I am getting out of breath here!) gallery projects with instructions by guest artists, for those of you who do have a kiln to use in some cases, is a terrific starter book, reference book, reminder (if you already use metal clay) book, inspiration book, and get it all going on book! Yes! You can DO it with this great book, Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry!

Like I said, if you are a quilter, and DO NOT have this book - your quilting library is incomplete! I don't have many friends that are into quilting, and they thought quilting is an old-fashioned and "for old people" art, but I crushed those believes by showing them this book. None of them will look at quilting the same way again.
The instructions in the book are very specific, and although the quilts are complicated and constructed from many, many, many pieces, by following Ruth's instructions step-by-step I believe any quilter will achieve stunning results (even I - a full time working mom of 3 kids!)
I could not imagine my house without this book! In fact, I have 2 copies just in case (what a wonderful gift it will make for a quilter!) If you can find this book - do not even question whether or not you should purchase it, question how many copies you will need. Even if you do not quilt yourself - the book is a masterpiece that can easily be displayed on your coffee table - a sure eye catcher!

I liked this book and the wonderful ways in which the author was able to transform a picture into a quilt. All her techniques to this approach were wonderful.

However if found that there was just too many pieces going on in some of the quilts for me. I appreciated knowing how she accomplished what she did and was inspired by her work...i think i will work with a few less pieces...

I borrowed this book from the library after seeing a quilt my aunt made after attending a class taught by Ruth Mcdowell. Ruth is an amazingly talented artist, and for her to even compile and explain her techniques to us...wow! I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed and more nervous than even to try and learn how to piece like she does. But the book is definitely inspiring and one I can look at over and over again. The book is set up in such a way to be a step-by-step, hands on guide. The quilts featured in the book are fabulous and mind-boggling. This book is not for beginners to sew from, but for quilters to dream from!

This book has been out for a long time, but remains and important reference for anyone who wants to make a quilt with complicated piecing. Her technique LOOKS complicated, but is actually easy once you study the basics. It's a definite MUST HAVE for any quilter's library. My skill at piecing intricate curves, points and seams increased substantially after working with this book.

This is a wonderful book. It really helped to unleash my creativity. I have been gathering fabrics ever since my first glance at this book, to put together my new masterpiece. I am really excited about trying some of the techniques. I don't have time to write anymore...I have to get started on my new project!!! Lynne

The book arrived fast, in excellent condition, and as advertised. Julie also promptly answered some questions I had regarding the sale. Great transaction!

The text is detailed, but easy to understand and the pictures do an excellent job of reinforcing the concept. I have been throwing for about a year, but reached a point where I was "stuck" and couldn't seem to move forward. After only ONE day of using the techniques in this book, I was able to double the amount of clay I could successfully throw and the results were better than anything I had previously produced. This is the best book there is on throwing.

I bought this book for my wife who had just finished ten weeks of throwing lessons. She read the book and was able to improve her work in just a few practice sessions. She is so pleased with her new knowledge and skill. The fine detail and the pictures of sectioned pots were easy to follow. The accompaning text was clear and the summeries allow for quick reference.

We can only recommend this fine book to anyone that wants to improve their skill.

I bought this book 25 years ago when I started pottery and my well-thumbed copy is an important part of my studio. I'm a Canadian potting in Japan and though most of my students are non-English users, the photographs in this book speak thousands of words. It is laid out logically and the cross-section cuts of the whole process from entering the centered clay to finished work are everything a student or teacher could want in an instructional book. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover it is still available and my student is looking forward to having her own copy.

As someone who has just started to learn pottery in a class, this book gives detailed information that your teacher may not provide. Even if you are learning by yourself the step by step (very detailed) lessons by themselves gives the beginner good and easy to understand steps for success! Lots of great pictures too.

This is a fantastic book. I read a lot of technical books; actually, that's pretty much all I read. But all the books I read are usually on the topics of software / computer science -- as that is my trade. I recently bought my first boat, a 30 ft. cruiser. I am the kind of person that feels uncomfortable knowing very little about such a complicated beast.

I bought this book, among many others on various topics. The book exceeds on every level. First, the content is exactly what you expect. Sherman covers all the topics you need to know. Next, the editing is done well -- not too much detail, but just enough. Diagrams are great. Writing is fantastic. I really can appreciate Ed's style. He covers the underlying science without going too deep. I find this extremely important. I had all my physics/chemistry courses over 10 years ago. It is good to brush up on the basics. For example, he has a whole chapter dedicated to batteries. The first couple of pages describe the science of how a battery works, and the 3 main types of batteries you'll encounter. He then goes into the most pertinent issues with marine batteries: safety, diagnostics, maintenance, which type of battery to use, how batteries are wired toegether, etc. It is exactly what I was looking for.

The first thing he recommends in the book is trying to make an electrical diagram of your boat. He explains the standards and how to attack the problem, and shows example diagrams. I started this today, and in the couple hours I spent poking around behind distro panels and examining the batteries, I learned a lot, and it was precisely like he laid out in the book.

If you own a boat, I think it is the most responsible thing to do to make sure you understand it - at least from a safety standpoint; as an added bonus you'll probably save yourself a good deal of money.

He gives an example in the book where he saw a boat on fire, and tried to help the people. Their battery had no main on/off switch, and as a result it was just feeding the fire. This is invaluable knowledge to newbie boaters like myself. Educate thyself.

Great reference book for marine applications. Very understandable. If you own a boat you need this book.

Ed Sherman provides a great deal of useful information about the electrical systems on a boat. His troubleshooting guides to solve electrical problems are clear, understandable and easy to use. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to work on his or her boat.

This is a comprehensive guide that I feel is very helpful in all aspects of solving electical problems and maintaining the system on a boat .

Very useful, but recommend it only for those who want a very detailed description of 12vdc. While it is mainly for boats it is clearly a resource for all who are considering Solar or 12vdc systems. Detailed descriptions, photo's and diagrams. Well worth the money!

I was disappointed in this volume, only because it contained very little instruction, but instead demonstrated the techniques through projects. If you want a grand and slightly garish display of zebras or dolphins on your walls, this is the book for you. If you are trying to learn how to enlarge something and create stencils from it, you can probably find more information elsewhere.

This is one of the better "how to" books I have ever read. The patterns are provided so that you may actually create the items shown and enough direction is given so that you can easily use what you have learned to create many more projects of your own.

The pictures alone are worth more than what I paid for this book, and there are pictures on nearly every page. Complete and thorough descriptions of both roller stenciling and the projection method have me anxious to attempt my first project.

This book widened my perception of stenciling. Previously I thought of stencilingf as a neat, precise, predictable repeated pattern. A craft to add embellishment to a piece of furniture or a border around a room. When I first flipped through the pages of this book it was hard to believe I was looking at stenciling. If this process at first looks difficult, don't be fooled. Clear step-by-step instructions walk you through the process. I found once I had done a few projects from the book I was ready to produce my own original artwork. This book is a nice addition to the library of any decorative painter and a must for the wannabe artist.

I had never thought of stenciling in this way. I have made my own stencils in the past using acetate or paper, but I never thought of making whole scenes in this way. I probably won't create any of her particular projects, but by the instructions she gives for doing them, I am able to use the same techniques for my ideas. It really opened my eyes to a new way of doing things.

This book is a wonderful resource and I love it. Lots of beautiful pictures as well as plenty of written wisdom. Well worth the cost.

This book is *NOT* for the beginner. The many beautiful eggs are photographed very poorly, and almost all pictures have issues with focus and glare. Also, the text is extremely self-indulgent (from the author's perspective) and unrealistically dogmatic. For the experienced pysanky artist and collector, however, this book is almost a "must-have" (even at its high price) because it can definitely expand your vision of where the medium can go beyond the traditional. Badulak's craftmanship is truly remarkable.

I received this book for Christmas and, although have been doing pysanky for 7-8 years, it taught me a lot. It was VERY informative and easy to read. I love how Helen Badulak asks us to go ahead and make the designs she provides. She encourages you to practice and work toward perfecting the art. She is a wonderful author and amazing artist. Kudos to her for sharing her experience and ideas with us. Judi

Once you've reached a level of proficiency in pysanky making, it is difficult to find resources to take your art to the next level -- and to me, this book was an answer to wishes I didn't even know I had!

When I first got Pysanky in the 21st Century from Amazon, I carried it around with me everywhere for a month to show friends and family -- I couldn't stop looking at it and marveling at the artistry and expertise. And I was overjoyed to find practical tips and tricks that immediately had an effect on the quality of my own pysanky art. I noticed at the back of the book that the author offered advanced lessons, so I "filed that information" for later, not really expecting to follow up.

Then I had the fortune to meet Helen Badulak and her daughter Nina at a local egg artistry show -- and as beautiful and inspiring as the photos of the eggs are in this book, they are absolutely mind-boggling in person. Because of purchasing this book and subsequently taking lessons from Helen, my family and friends have been astounded by the leaps and bounds I made, even after just one session with the master. As she does in the book, Helen offers an incredible generosity of knowledge, "secrets," and spirit.

I heartily recommend this book as a visual treat and an important resource, and I encourage pysanky artists considering taking advanced lessons from Helen to contact her. To be sure, you can use the book alone to increase your proficiency, as I did, but the experience of using the book was greatly enhanced by individual sessions with the master.

This book breaks down all aspects of the art of pysanky. But the real treasure is all the wonderful photos of Helen's beautiful pysanky. There are literally hundreds of pysanky pictured in beautiful full page color photos. There are such a wealth of designs that one could never do them all.

This book is even enjoyable for those who do not practice the art of pysanky. This is truly a must have book if there ever was one!

In all my experience with fine woodworking I haven't had the pleasure to read a book that so well written that it is as exquisite as the pieces within. This book is a must for every serious furniture maker or perhaps collector who wants to learn and appreciate this magnificent craft. How did I miss this one?

Norman is obviously as incredibly talented an author as he is a cabinetmaker. I couldn't say enough about how great a job he did with the content of this book and drawings. I only wish he would write another one for each of the 18th century styles( Federal, Chipendale, etc) This is definately the bible for 18th century reproduction cabinetmakers. Please write another one Norman!

In all my experience with fine woodworking I haven't had the pleasure to read a book that is as exquisitly written as the pieces within it. This book is a must for the serious furniture maker or collector, or anyone who wants to learn more and appreciate this magnificent craft. How did I miss this one?

I agree with all the other reviews and can't really add much, except to say the photos are many in magnificent full colour, and he even has photos of incomplete pieces which is great for seeing how they are put together (I am specifically thinking of the easy chair). He does not stick to strict Queen Anne but covers the subtle variations such as the Gaines chair (one of my favourites) ... this book is a true gem and since receiving it I can hardly put it down. A great resource and would make a fantastic present for someone interested in woodwork. Queen Anne furniture would have to be near the pinnacle of woodworking but with this book it seems reachable.

Truly excellent.

Wish that author would write some more on other periods (ie ALL other periods from early medieval to modern). I would not hesitate to collect them all.

Recognizing that Queen Anne furniture is one of the timeless and most beautiful designs, I realized, on starting my first project, that I hadn't the foggiest idea of the history, the elements, or the construction techniques of Queen Anne furniture. This book has it all. The sections on history and the making of the cabriole legs in themselves make this book a "must have," both for the collector and for the cabinetmaker. To top it off, there are scaled plans for several projects, and some time-saving techiques for construction. If you get only one book on Queen Anne furniture, this is the one.

After reading this book and salivating at the photographs, I'll NEVER lust after anyone else's jewellery again. Apart from the sheer magnificence of the stones and the settings, the provenance of the pieces and just how they happened to be in the possession of the various members of the royal family, is completely fascinating. It's also a very interesting look at the social mores of the various eras. In Queen Victoria's time, she tended to wear more modest jewellery, much of which had a sentimental value to her, and so the ladies of the day tended to follow her example. In the following reign, that of Edward V11, the upper classes of the day followed the example of Queen Alexandra, who was a beauty and who dressed lavishly in her own particular style, which was followed by ladies of the court and which featured high necklines, decorated heavily with diamonds and precious stones. In the following reign of a very rigid George V and Queen Mary, the court seemed to be bolstering the idea of an unapproachable royalty, above the touch of scandal and to foster this idea by literally covering the Queen in jewels from head to toe. Today's monarch jewels up only on the most formal of occasions, but it's thanks to her and to the Queens of the past that this amazing collection has been built up over the years to amaze and bedazzle lovers of beautiful jewellery everywhere.

I can't say enough about this book. Leslie Field obviously loves her subject; the amount of research that went into this book is impressive. It is fascinating to follow a piece of jewelry through history from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana through pictures. The accompanying text is informative, but the pictures really say it all in this book.

Field has produced an excellent balance of text and pictures and has done an exceptionally thorough job of documentation. I was fascinated by his descriptions of how the jewelry was modified over the years to accommodate the fashions of the day and the taste of the current owner. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was due to the pictures. Most are black and white (for obvious reasons), however some were of very poor quality, and very few taken with the intention of displaying jewelry. There was one delightful story of a gift to the young Princess Elizabeth, a necklace and bracelet, which the Queen now refers to as "my best diamonds". But do we get to see the diamonds? No, the only available picture was a distant news photo of the young Princess sitting at an angle and the jewels nearly impossible to see. For Princess Diana fans, don't bother buying this book. There are less than a half dozen images of Diana, and nothing you haven't seen before. And just a reminder, this is her personal collection. You won't see any of the crown regalia.

I was so impressed with and have gotten so much Joy from this book, it has inspired me enough to go ahead and try my first on-line review. When I noticed this was out of print I was very surprised. Even more so when I realized there was also a 1997-revised edition. I am hopeful its simply because the newly expanded volume is getting its finishing touches. With digital imaging technology having come so far since the publishing of the first two editions (87/97), the detail that is now available will hopefully be prominently featured in the next. A unique aspect of this book is the thoroughness of information presented on several different topics.
The title subject is definitely covered in meticulous detail. Aside from the jewels it really is almost a complete mini-biography of most of the British Royal Family. After all the Men bought jewels too! It is amazing to see an 18th century piece on Queen Elizabeth and be able to trace it exactly from it origin through the centuries.
The information in text and pictures give a much better understanding of the whole concept of continuity, with many surprises along the way. Tidbits like how Queen Victoria stubbornly refused to return gems that another Royal House insisted it owned. How important Jewels were to Queen Mary, not for their monetary value but because of their family historical importance. Its the little details like this that give you a much more personal understanding of monarchs, without being dishy or gossipy.

Both the front and back inside covers gives a complete family tree dating back to Henry VII. Inside, thirteen categories/chapters cover everything from Diamonds and Emeralds to Sapphires and Amethysts, explaining who favored a particular kind of gem or style over another. Do not expect a very in-depth education on gems, however you get a great understanding of the history and importance of gems through the centuries as a symbol of power and status. There is a generous amount of color and B&W photos perfectly balanced with the text. Generations of Royals Portraits set-up three or four to a page wearing the same Jewels over scores of decades are some of the picture highlights. I really don?t think you need to be a Royal Watcher to appreciate the images. From all the individuals listed in the Acknowledgments many of them with titles you understand this book was published with the complete cooperation and help of the entire Royal Family. Its the photography that makes you appreciate this. A perfect example of this is the cover subject. A magnificent necklace part of a set named: The Cambridge and Delhi Durbar Parure. Inside there is another full color page showing the complete set, however throughout the book you can see no less than ten or twelve different royals wearing some kind of configuration of it. Including the World Famous snapshot of the late Princess Diana wearing the necklace as a headband.
You cannot help but feeling like you know the members of the various royal houses a little better after reading a few excerpts. The entire volume gives you an impression that the author truly respects, enjoys and is highly educated on her subject. This is one of the few books that I own, that I know I will never post for sale used. I hope you enjoy!

Leslie Field's "The Queen's Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II" is a splendid, splendid book in every way. Field has gathered together hundreds of important photographs (of the nearly half million she saw altogether) of Queen Elizabeth's jewels. These are shown both in their cases and being worn by various monarchs, and we see how different royal family members have altered the look or the purpose of pieces as fashions and times changed over the years. Field has complemented these photographs with her outstanding, meticulously researched text. Even if you purchase the book mostly to drool over the photographs, you will end up being both captivated and educated by the accompanying text.

Field begins the book with the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne. Because of the Salic laws passed by the House of Hanover in 1833, Victoria was prevented from becoming ruler of both the United Kingdom and Hanover. The kingdoms were split for the first time in well over a century. Immediately, King Ernest of Hanover--an uncle of Queen Victoria--demanded his share of the royal jewels, arguing that since the kingdom had been split, so must be the gems. Victoria disagreed, and the argument went on for two decades before finally being settled in favor of Hanover. Subsequently, Victoria gave up several important pieces of jewelry to her uncle's descendants--but was already well on her way to amassing an important collection.

Victoria was the first British monarch to make clear that some pieces belonged to the Crown and were for use by any Queen to follow her--and that some pieces were her personal property, and hers to dispose of as she saw fit. British monarchs have followed in her footsteps ever since and although Field showcases many sumptuous Crown pieces in the book, the bulk of what we see are the Queen's personal pieces. And what a collection it is!

The collection is vast and jaw-droppingly beautiful. Field wisely divides the book into types of stones, from diamonds and pearls to emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, and more. We see everything from parures
(i. e., complete matching sets of everything from necklaces to brooches to rings to earrings and more) to necklaces and tiaras which were gifts from other governments or from such quaintly named organizations as "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" to pieces designed by Prince Philip expressly for his wife.

Among the many stand-outs in the book are:

- Queen Elizabeth's three-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring, designed by Prince Philip for his wife and set with a handsome diamond taken from a tiara belonging to Philip's mother (p. 85);

- The Godman Necklace, which had been bought by an English naturalist in the 1890s while on holiday in Bavaria. His daughters, many years after his death, wrote to the Lord Chamberlain saying that they felt they owned jewelry once owned by Empress Josephine of France and that the Queen might be interested in it. Although it turned out not to have been of this provenance, it was undoubtedly a stunning and valuable piece, showcasing seven large emeralds and three smaller ones, and surrounded throughout with an encrustation of diamonds and platinum filigree (p. 95);

- The Cambridge's Lover's Knot Tiara, shown being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in 1818, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the 1890s, Queen Mary in 1926, Queen Mary again in 1935 (this time without the upright pearls which originally adorned it), Queen Elizabeth in 1955, and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985. This is powerful testimony that good design and fine jewelry are both timeless (pp. 113 - 115);

- Queen Mary's "Rose of York" bracelet, which is a breathtaking ruby and diamond pendant which was eventually turned into a bracelet (p. 143).

Of course these are but a few of the many treasures in the book. It is a fascinating read, and a wonderfully complete and detailed account of what is probably the finest jewelry collection in the world today.

A Patchwork of Devotional Thoughts
Mary Tatem
ISBN: 978-1-59789-999-4
Barbour, 2000
5 Star
Great gift idea...
Quilters will love this book. Just as the quilter take pieces of fabric and fits them together to form a quilt, the Father takes the pieces of life and fits them together to form a beautiful life. There is even a section of quilt tips! Every devotion begins with a scripture and continues with a short, heartfelt story. Some of the devotions will bring smiles and some tears. The stories are easy to read. The Quilt of Life will make a great gift.

What a wonderful story teller. This is filled with life lessons at it best. Filled with blessings to share and enjoy. Good stories, quilting advice and christian living. Relax and spend some time for you.Be good to your self and back to your roots.

These devotional stories are very well related to quilting. Mary Tatem has written several Christian books and this is a good one to start with. She is easy to read, genuine, and speaks from the heart. It is hard to limit yourself to only one devotional a day.

Everybody should read this book. This book will help you get past a lot of infirmities in your life. Very easy reading.

A great book to share with others. Wonderful quilt tips.Encouraging Bible thoughts. Enlightening quilt descriptions and stories.