5 comments about A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas.

1. Okay, you can already tell I like this! Why I like it is the sheer volume of ideas for tonal embroidery, projects that can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. Beginning stitchers could learn how to create beautiful, fun, fresh styled linens; it would be a great book for my niece to learn about embroidery.
   
   As someone who has dabbled in embroidery most of my life, this book is still as interesting to me as it would be to a beginner, because it has simple styles that remind me of Scandinavian and Shaker styles, while being very fresh and updated. Many times embroidery can look like something from a hundred years ago. The projects in this book can be much more modern, and let me say it again, "FRESH" in style.
   
   I picked this book up at the library, and got my postit flags out to tag pages I would like to do the projects from. By the time I got done with the book, there were 34 flags! I am buying the book for myself, and will give it as gifts to beginners as well.



2. A very nice book to add to my collection on embroidery. I like the "one color" stitching and the simple designs are easy to follow, a great book for beginners. The project ideas are great, I will get allot of good use from this book, thank you.



3. A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas offers stitchers from beginner to expert a survey of how to stitch, a project idea book, and a reference of motifs under one cover. Some 80 projects are grouped by color and motifs range from alphabets to flowers, leaves, and fairies in a fine blend of patterns and photos perfect for any needlework library.



4. I love needle arts. Especially embroidery and cross stitching. When I ordered the book I had happy expectations. When I got the book I was very pleased.
   
   This book is a joy. It has tons of examples to follow. Lots of projects. I love making homemade things for gifts and I have gotten wonderful ideas from this book.
   
   The photograph are wonderful! They inspire! The book is divided by color, that was unexpected. I like the projects to embellish what one already owns (neat). Sometimes I just like to thumb through the book to enjoy the wonderful photos and creativity. I really like this book!



5. This book is awesome! It's a hip, modern embroidery and cross-stitch book. No ducks in bonnets here! It's arranged by color, green, pink, blue, white, etc, and each section has 15-20 color pages with project ideas. This book will definitely give Sublime Stitching a run for their money! I almost like this better. It's just as comprehensive without being too trendy and maybe a bit more timeless.

2 comments about Easy Cross-Stitch Pattern-a-Day: 2011 Day-to-Day Calendar.

1. I havethe other calandars from over the years and have made some beautiful wall hangings and loved the calandar,this one is a waste of time for the printed.Have not been so dissapointed,hope she does not do this again!!!!!!!!!!!!



2. DISAPPOINTED!! I have the last eight cross stitch pattern-a-day calendars. I have always loved them. However, the 2011 calendar is HORRIBLE. The box is very cheaply made, it is smaller (doesn't line up with the others on a shelf), patterns are for very tiny projects, and only a fracture of the patterns of years past. It is a HUGE disappointment after looking forward to receiving it.

5 comments about Subversive Cross Stitch.

1. A great way to spark ideals or just make some gifts straight out of the book. It's not the best tutorial but the author is quick to tell you that from the get go. I can't wait to start on another project.



2. Full of pithy and up-to-date little sayings. Perfect for my daughter and the younger generation. Be warned, there is some foul language.



3. Subversive Cross Stitch lives up to its name!
   This book has examples of the various "sentiments" which can be embroidered for the person who has everything.
   Patterns are included.
   Hilariously funny, yet, succinct samplers, are bordered by bunnies, flowers, and hearts.
   Too funny for words!
   Embroider one for your friends and loved ones, today.



4. I have been doing counted cross stitch my entire adult life. I have also been snarky my entire adult life. Subversive Cross Stitch combines both of those loves. I have made several projects for gifts and they have been very popular. The projects are easy enough for a novice but won't bore an experienced stitcher. Thank you Subversive Cross Stitch!



5. The patterns are difficult enough to be challenging, and entertaining enough to not be boring. My sister made the "This Place Sucks" sampler for our first home, and it's prominently displayed in the hallway. Makes a great story.

5 comments about New Cross Stitcher's Bible (Cross Stitch (David & Charles)).

1. I have an extensive collection of cross stitch books and this is my most used resource. While it does have a few projects, they aren't really to my taste, but that is not what this book is for. It has wonderful cross-stitching tips. I've been stitching for many years but still found a lot to learn from this book. I recommend it highly.



2. I now have a large library of Cross Stitch reference books but I thought that I would add this just to see. I am delighted that I did. It is a comprehensive look at cross stitch and other styles of needlework that compliment and add to cross stitch design. Many of the tips and techniques were unknown to me or skills I didn't possess as my focus was strictly cross stitch. I didn't realize until I looked at this book how limited my choices were and how simple it would be to enhance my pieces. I have learned so much just by scanning my copy. It may take practice to develop some of the skills but it's worth the time invested. The detail put into this book is exceptiomal. If you don't own one of these, get one. If you are a needleworker, you won't be sorry. I know that if I were stranded somewhere with just a few needlework items this would be one of the books I'd have by my side. Enjoy!!!



3. This book was very appealing based on other descriptions given. I love cross stitching but am self taught through kits and my knowledge does not go that in depth. I've been TRYING to find books that will help me advance and give me more ideas and things to try. This book is great if you want to start other types of embroidery. It had some very beautiful samples and overall it was put together well. The only real pitfall I found was that out of the 200+ pages there was only a small section on types of different types of stiches and almost all of the samples were of everything BUT cross stitch done on Aida. MISLEADING, but good for the right audience... I guess.



4. My mother-in-law is an avid cross-stitcher and I ordered this book for her birthday. It is a beautiful hard-cover book, and she LOVED it! Great service, fast processing and arrival!



5. An excellent reference book for people who like to cross stitch or just plainly wanted to collect stitchery books. I learned quite a few terms for things that I have been doing, and didn't know there is a name for it.
   
   
   
   
   
   

1 comments about Donna Kooler's Second Edition Stocking Collection (Leisure Arts #4819).

1. I adore Christmas stockings, I make them as wedding and new baby gifts. They are greatly appreciated and remind the recipient of someone who loves them dearly. This is an awesome collection of stockings by Donna Kooler, the book is well written and the charts are very easy to use, even with my old eyes! My only complaint is that all the stockings face right, they are not the traditional left facing stocking. That is easily overcome by taking the chart to a printer and having him/her make a reverse copy for you. Not such a big deal as I always make a working copy so as not to ruin my original chart or book, it's just an inconvenience going to the printer as I usually make my copies at home.

5 comments about Donna Kooler's Ultimate Stocking Collection(Leisure Arts #4082).

1. This cross stitch book is very nice and has easy to understand color instructions. My only disappointment is that since I could not see inside at all the available patterns to make, this book did not have what I personally was looking for. There are mostly snowy winter scenes; not quite appropriate for a child's Christmas stocking in sunny CA where the winter is only about 50 degrees, and snow an extreme rarity! This in no way should deter you from a purchase, as the designs are very beautiful, and the print is large enough to use during your project. Some very nice teen or adult patterns in here also.



2. I love the variety that this book has to offer both with respect to designs, skill levels, and time required.
   
   To know what you're fully getting, you can see images of all 15 designs on the 123stitch website.
   
   I stitched the Folk Art Santa Stocking and the Sledding Animals Stockings in full. I also turned part of the Gardening Santa design into an ornament and will be doing the same for the Fishing Santa.
   
   I am very excited to see what is in the second edition due out soon.



3. The Stocking Collection of Donna Kooler's is a fantastic book, recommending to everyone who likes cross stitching.



4. This book is great. Many good ideas for making Cross Stitch Christmas Stockings. Excellent pictures and directions. Could use more books like this one. Thank You.



5. One of my hobbies is cross-stitching Christmas stockings. This book of Donna Kooler's offers superb patterns. Victoria from MA

5 comments about Fashioning Technology: A DIY Intro to Smart Crafting (Craft: Projects).

1. If you took the Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing, mixed it with a Radio Shack parts catalog, and tossed in the early works of William Gibson, you might end up with something like Fashioning Technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan.
   
   Like the Reader's Digest Guide, Fashioning Technology starts out discussing materials, but instead of discussing weaves and knits, warp and weft, the author writes about electroluminescent wire, heat-shrink tubing, and light-emitting diodes. Leaving topics about sewing machines and sergers to other books, Fashioning Technology has tutorials on basic circuits in series and parallel. Were this a different book, the chapter titled "The Art of Soldering" might have been a chapter about embroidery.
   
   The tutorials and materials discussion make up the bulk of the book, but the final third details projects that use the materials and techniques the author described earlier. The projects, which range from clothing, to interior decorations, to toys, are interesting because they show what can be done. Rather than trying to copy the projects, I'm letting them serve as a seed of inspiration for future projects of my own.
   
   This book probably can probably be useful to different types of readers. Stitchers or crafters who are looking for something more than regular sewing might find new possibilities with this book. Likewise, hardware hackers who are looking for other options, might consider some of the info here.
   
   Part of me wants to see more books like this, because I think the book has some shortcomings. The LilyPad Arduino seems like it would have been a natural fit for this book, but it was nowhere to be found. On the other hand, if this book is a bit like dangling your feet in the water of electronics, then a discussion about Arduino would require scuba gear. It's a bit beyond the other topics in the book.



2. Very detailed instuctions, but not enough ilustrations. Fun project even though I wish for more projects and ideas.



3. I'm very happy I bought this book. I came to it as somebody who is interested in multi-media art and crafting, but with little experience of home made electronics. If you're as clueless as I was don't worry, the author starts at the beginning by providing pictures and descriptions of all the parts you will need, she gives a great introduction to electronics, and her directions are very clear. The projects in the book are varied and fun, but I was more interested in learning how they were made than actually making them. I was able to use what I learned from reading about her projects to make my own designs. At the end of the book there's a very useful list of suppliers of materials, without it I would have found it hard to track some of them down.



4. I picked this up at the library to check it out and was immediately impressed with it's accessible and easily understood explanation of how to read and use electronic components like resistors, capacitors, transistors and LEDs. Just about the best I've ever seen. I had to add this to my personal collection for that attribute alone. However, there's a lot of basic and easy to grasp instruction and information on materials and production techniques, too.
   
   There are plenty of projects in this book to get you started and if you're half-way creative and imaginative you should be able to springboard off them to come up with your own ideas.
   
   I wish more instructional manuals and books were written as clear and understandable as this one.
   
   Outstanding!



5. This book is a wealth of information for those looking to start delving into the world of 'soft circuits' and smart materials. It is for the beginner, and includes detailed information on circuits and parts, as well as explanations of the latest smart materials and their usages. In the last section of the book, there are easy-to-follow instructions on making a variety of projects that will inspire anyone on the possibilities for these materials.
   
   Happy crafting!

5 comments about Bewitching Cross Stitch.

1. I bought one for myself and one for a friend when I saw mine. Joan Elliott is the artist that draws the most beautiful faces in cross stitch. I like "Mother Moon" so much, I immediately bought all the ethereal Kreinik metallic floss,beads, and fabric to start stitching! The colors that are used to make her patterns are really seen once you get all the "ingredients" together. Once you start you know you are creating a Goddess! Next will be "Father Sun" and the wonderful Wizard and Dragon that are also in this book. I have bought other books and have been disappointed once you get them home and see how poorly done they are, but not this one. Some of these patterns were originally published in English Cross Stitching magazines. If you go to her web site you will have to pay more for just one of these pattens then you will for this whole book.



2. I was happy to receive this book. It was all I expected and more. The coloured charts are bright and clear and easy to see. I bought the book originally jsut for one design but have happily found others I look forward to doing.



3. There are so many amazing designs in this project book that I am having a hard time deciding which to stitch first. The book is color coded, which is easy for the stitchers in my family, especially my husband, who is working his first project from this collection. While it is highly ambitious to do a first project from one of the large pieces in this book, it is especially valuable for stitchers who have done several projects and are looking for designs that go beyond teddy bears and old fashioned samplers. If you are a fan of fantasy art, this book is strongly recommended!



4. I have already started the Father Sun pattern. Of course I made some floss changes. The Krenik floss that they call for is hard to use and more expensive than the Treasure Braid that I have chosen to use.



5. What a fantastic selection of designs! As both an avid needleworker and a Pagan, I really appreciate the patterns in this book. They range from beautiful, large projects like the Phoenix and Mother Moon, to smaller projects for when you want to make gifts or just don't have the time to commit to a long-term piece (I plan to use the phoenix feather design to make pillow cases). My only small feminist gripe is that there's a huge, involved Wizard piece, but no Sorceress/Witch aside from a cutesy kitchen witch. I'd love to see an enchanting enchantress who isn't dolled up in a Hallwe'en costume over a cauldron. Still, for the scope of the works, well worth the money. I'm going to try adapting the Wheel of the Seasons to needlework, it'd make an amazing design for a tapestry.

5 comments about Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning but Simple Designs.

1. Terrific little book. Clear and simple instructions. Great for teaching primary children or to create special gifts for friends..



2. Stitched Toys / 978-0-600-61850-8
   
   I am absolutely delighted by the patterns and designs in this book. The subtitle proclaims "20 stunning but simple designs" and "stunning" is right - these are the "Faberge eggs" of homemade toys. As you can see from the front cover, author Haxell has taken basic toy shapes (mouse, doll, ducky, elephant, teddy) that anyone could whip together in a few hours and has added simply stunning detailing in the form of careful embroidery and detailed hand-stitching.
   
   Now, I'm the last person in the world to extol the values of hand-stitching - I try to use my machine for *everything*, but these designs are too lovely to pass up. The dolls in particular are excruciatingly lovely - the detail work on the eyes, cheeks, lips, and fingers of the dolls evoke a very special blend of old-fashioned crafting (by using simple thread instead of buttons and snaps) and modern artistic style and flair.
   
   Although the detail is daunting, the instructions are well-written, with lots of pictures of assembly and the finished products to help the crafter along. I can almost guarantee that these works of art will be cherished by children who are old enough to appreciate the uniqueness of the final product. And, I will add, a great big kudos to author Haxell who urges her readers to reuse old material from around the house for reasons of environmental awareness and economy (most of these toys are small enough that even a fat quarter of material would be too much).
   
   ~ Ana Mardoll



3. I love working with felt even though it works with other fabrics too and it reviews the embrodery stitches to get the outline of the items to make for the ones who have them....I have a 5yr old and 2yr old grandchildren so this book is perfect for me to use with them an for making things for them..it makes Grandma look like a real winner.....im glad I got this book its very charming with good instructions....but keep in mind the patterns and items are for younger children to enjoy,to make with you or older children maybe in groups to make...i can see some of this items in Bazarrs or fund raisers for Brownies,Girlscouts or just summer camp projects......it has a lot of good ideas for all mentioned.......B.W.



4. I'll admit, I haven't sat down to sew any of these projects just yet (the book was just delivered the other day), but after looking through the book, I was impressed with not only the design of the projects themselves (beautiful!), but also the layout and design of the book.... I'm looking forward to working my way through all the delightful projects. :) Well done!



5. This is a beautiful book and has lots of very cute projects that would appeal to young children just learning how to sew. The mouse pictured on the front cover is by far the most complicated project in the book. I'd give it five stars as a children's sewing book, but no more than three stars as an adult book.

5 comments about Stitch Graffiti: Unexpected Cross-Stitch (Unexpected Cross Stitch).

1. Hellen, the author, has been really generous in writing this book to us, people crazy about cross-stitch. She mixes personal experiences and art design to give us the perfect description of each one of her patterns so that you can choose accurately the one you are to stich. I find this book modern and classic at the same time. My children loved the designs on jeans... that was unexpected... for me.



2. This modern book provides a wonderful overview of stitching. Innovative materials, frameing and patterns make this do it yourself book a treasure trove for the modern stitcher.



3. I just received this book today and have already ordered the floss and fabric for two of the designs. The designs are full of lots of great colors, swirls, and uplifting quotes and sayings. There is a section at the beginning of the book describing the materials used for cross stitch and instructions for the beginner. I've been stitching for years, but haven't used hand dyed flosses very much and was happy to see so many in the book so I can start using them now! There are also some really unique finishing ideas which I love because I'm always looking for something new to do with my finished pieces. The author introduces each design by telling us what song she was thinking of when creating it or certain memories that inspired it, which really makes the book fun to read too. I'm very glad I bought this book and I think you will be too.



4. One of the reasons I bought this book was due to the really interesting heart found on the cover as well as the rave reviews this book got. I really ended up loving it! I like the friendly approach that the author has towards stitching and turns it into a fun hobby. Finally a book that strays away from the "perfect" and over done florals. Some of the designs are rather comical and easy to make, but nonetheless still wonderful. All of these designs can easily be taken apart and analyzed so you can turn it into your own. One thing I really didn't like is the color schemes. Many of them I found to be too much and rather hippie-ish. Apart from that, that's nothing that can't be solved as I have a large box of DMC floss. This is great for the beginner, or the advanced who wants to take a break from huge projects we all know will never get finished. I have been stitching for a long time and I am happy that finally (the author) agrees that embroidery hoops are not always the best way to go as I have been stitching without one since the beginning. The charts are full color and easy to follow, and I just love books printed with tons of color. This easily qualifies. This book is pure fun and unique!



5. I recently got into cross stitch and I wanted to find a book that had patterns that I could use for my friends and not have them feel like their friend was an old woman (I'm in my early 20's) and stumbled across Stitch Graffiti. I ordered and when I got it I was really impressed with it. The book is organized well, written well and easy to understand and the patterns look like so much fun. I can't wait to get started on one of the projects, picking one is going to be hard though cause they are all wonderful.