5 comments about Temari: How to Make Japanese Thread Balls.

1. This is an excellent book for beginners. It has beautiful patterns that increase in complexity. It would help if the steps were numbered, but I was still able to follow the instructions.



2. I love Temari balls. If you want to learn this fascinating craft - you will find this book very helpful.



3. I first became aware of Temari when I saw some balls on display by a lady offering lessons on how to make them. The lessons were $65.00. I decided to check Amazon.com before I gave up learning it on my own. I ordered this book and was thrilled with the results. The instructions are very easy to follow with lots of drawings showing exactly what to do. I was successful on my first try and I am delighted with my new hobby. I have just ordered a second book by Diana Vandervoort and can't wait to get it. By the way, the balls that I had seen on display were all from this book.



4. I first was introduced to temari while channel surfing, and stumbling onto the Carol Duval show on HG network when Diana Vandervoort was demonstrating her craft. I could not wait to get my hands on her book and try it for myself-mostly because I could not believe something so elegant and complex could be so easy to do! This turned out to be one of the easiest crafts I have ever tried, and I have tried my hand at A LOT of things. The photos are truly inspiring, and the instructions are some of the easiest to understand and follow. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, and new patterns.



5. This is an excellent guide to help you create beautiful, and fun-to-do, Temari balls. Simple and easy to follow intructions are given.

No comments about Beginner-Friendly Quilts (Leisure Arts #4984).

4 comments about Shadow Work Embroidery: With 108 Iron-on Transfer Patterns.

1. I purchase iron-on transfer books for the Comfort Blanket Ministry of St. Ferdinand Church. It is a blessing that such books are still available - we use these iron-ons for painting and marker coloring which ultimately become squares in our ministry's beautiful blankets. Keep selling these kinds of books, we'll keep buying them!



2. Excellent..So glad to have it among my resources for ribbon embroidery. Such a variety of pattern, you can't decide where to start



3. Michler provides in her book exactly what the title announces so I shouldn't have expected more. There are many transfer patterns with the basic instructions. I was hoping for some suggestions for projects. If you are looking for lots of designs to transfer this is a good value for the money.



4. Having purchased and used J. Marsha Michler's "Ribbon Embroidery" book, I was thrilled to find " Shadow Work Embroidery : With 108 Iron-On Transfer Patterns"

   Another excellent book for the novice, which will give me hours of pleasure. Her comments are always very informative. Another great buy!

5 comments about Ribbon Embroidery With 178 Iron-On Transfers (Dover Needlework).

1. I loved the book. I would give you's a 5 star. You's were just great. I will order again. You's were AAAAA++++++++ Thank you,



2. I am looking forward to using this book for some of my projects. The transfers should make it very easy. Lots of interesting patterns.



3. This is a really good book for beginners. Lots of interesting patterns especially if you want to embroider something for your kids.



4. Although I have not had the opportunity to actually work with the material provided in this book, it is very concise and done in a clear manner. Also, the shipment arrived in a short time period, which I appreciated.



5. This book has only a few pages of text/instructions. Transfer designs are simplistic and none are illustrated. No pictures; all in black and white. I did give it two stars because it documents the basic embroidery stitches - although even they are not that clear. IMHO - not worth the shipping and handling.

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

1. 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!



2. 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.



3. If you're a quilter and have a room full of fabric, a sewing machine, and are looking for some lighter, quick projects during the hot summer months, I highly recommend STICHED TOYS. Chock full of toy patterns for the under-8 years old set, these easy stash-busting designs require little more than fabric, simple sewing, and, occasionally, embroidery thread. Simple but sweet is the name of this game, with blocks for toddlers, an embellished fabric snake, a rabbit pajama case, and a giant quilted snail cushion for all ages. There's a total of 20 delightful toys, with easy to follow instructions, colorful illustrations, templates, and guidelines for simple embroidery, appliqué and patchwork.
   
   Some projects may be easy enough for your older child to help make for the younger children, such as the "Rag Doll" or "Cool Cat". An excellent way to introduce them to sewing and even, in some cases, hand sewing skills.
   
   Once the basic sewing is done, these are nice "in front of the TV" or "sit on the deck" hand projects, to embellish as much or as little as your creativity calls for. STITCHED TOYS might just be what you're looking for to fill some long summer hours with a bit of fancy handwork practice! And if your handwork isn't perfect? Believe me when I tell you that the lucky recipient of these toys won't care one bit!
   
   Review from: http://QuiltingonaBudget.blogspot.com

4 comments about Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel.

1. This book is extremely useful for the novice and experienced alike. I was extremely excited to see the illustrations for the back of the stitches. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in embroidery it's nice to have a reference book on hand that is so thoroughly detailed.



2. I have a few books with stitches that are all color photos, this one is all drawn pictures, easy to follow, but quite different. I especially like the "rhythm" sections and the personal comments. Perhaps not a beginner book, but it fits really nice into my growing embroidery book library!
   Anna



3. Not as great inside as it looks from the cover but an OK book for beginners just not learned anything new from it my self but nice to have.



4. This is a wonderful resource for a new stitcher or one with experience who wants to learn new stitches. The really neat part is that she illustrates the BACK of the stitch as well. This is, I believe, out of print, so grab one while you can.

5 comments about Beautiful Blooms: Quilts and Cushions to Applique (That Patchwork Place).

1. "Beautiful Blooms" is my favorite quilting book. I absolutely love everything about it. Susan Taylor Propst truly has an artist eye for design and fabric selection. The quilt and cushion patterns are so stunningly gorgeous. Her choice of fabrics is exquisite and a lesson in itself. The patterns are true to size saving lots of time. The instructions are clear, easy to understand and detailed starting with fabric selection, then the applique process, and basic instructions before proceeding to the individual projects. She even includes photographs of English landscapes that inspired her. If you love quilting and applique, this book is a must. I highly highly recommend it.



2. Delighted to receive it -
   Delighted to skim through it -
   and now I'm searching through my stash for
   the appropriate fabrics so I can get right to
   the making of the cover project
   as a pillow but will use the pinks/greens/
   whites combination of the suggested wall hanging.
   The directions are clear, the aids seem precise,
   and the projects are very inspiring.



3. Susan Taylor Propst's BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS: QUILTS AND CUSHIONS TO APPLIQUE tells how to create a range of flowers in lovely artful quilts. Ten wall quilts with ten coordinating round and square cushions use a range of hand applique, provide patterns, and offer tips for color matching in a lovely pairing of quilts and cushions to applique. Gardeners who love quilts will find these projects appealing.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. This is a wonderful resource book for the seasoned quilter. It is not for a beginner, but if you have been appliqueing quilts before, this book will make you smile.



5. This is definitely the book for me. I DON'T have a green thumb but I do appliqué. I wish I had found this book last fall rather than now going into summer but the book will still be there come fall. Appliqué is something I love to do in front of the fireplace on a cool/cold night.
   
   The first 25 pages are all about appliqué hot-to's and quilting basics along with choosing colors and fabrics. It is a chapter that very thoroughly covers all these points.
   
   Then there are 10 different flowers to "grow" under your needle. Pillows and wall hangings make up the 10 patterns. While no quilts are shown, there is no reason you couldn't turn the patterns into quilts.
   
   Each project begins with a paragraph about the flower and the finished size of the project. A materials and cutting list follow this. Simple construction directions are given with finishing suggestions. All templates are included. The more complex patterns come with color keys as well.
   
   Grab some scrap fabric (this book will give you a way to use up those scraps you just can't part with), some template plastic, your ruler and cutting mat and this book. When you are done, you will have a "green thumb" to show for it!

5 comments about Long and Short Stitch Embroidery: A Collection of Flowers (Milner Craft Series).

1. Having never done hand embroidery before I was delighted to find that this book was aimed at both beginner and more experienced user. The lessons progressed in an easy way as each skill was learned. Loads of information, help, illustrations to take you every step of the way. I am now addicted to this lovely art.



2. Love the book, easy instructions and love all the projects in the book. Excellent book.



3. This is a wonderful book. full of beautiful flowers. The instructions are great and make me, a beginner know that I can do this! LOL You will not be disappointed.



4. I can't wait to do some of the projects in here. This book is truly beautiful and even if you do not avail yourself of the exercises, it is still excellent and worth owning!! Long and Short Stitch Embroidery: A Collection of Flowers (Milner Craft Series)



5. I have already started making one of the projects. Directions for shading could be better.

5 comments about Pretty Little Felts: Mixed-Media Crafts To Tickle Your Fancy.

1. what this book has going for it is nice pictures.....thats about all...its not challanging....the crafts are useless for what I was expecting....it may be good for a creative preteen....i was disappointed....B.W.



2. I have to say that upon receiving this book, I was absolutely delighted with the projects inside. Crafters who feel comfortable in working with smaller items will truly enjoy the authors projects. I even resized them to various %'s in order to accommodate my "many and various" designs. Readers will find a wealth of tips and ideas that energize their creative mind! Wool felt is a wonderful media to work with and it only takes the imagination to create a world of wonderful and unique gifts.



3. I got some really great ideas from this book! Her designs and imagination are wonderful, and the photos are amazing. Her directions are very clear. I have PRETTY LITTLE THINGS, and am glad to add this book to the series. Mixed Media is one of the best things to happen to the art world. And yes, I do consider this art. It takes as much skill and imagination as any painting, and sometimes, I think it requires even more!



4. What a great book! Full of wonderful little projects with easy to follow instructions. Super clear photo's make these projects easy to complete. Great resource list makes it easy to find all materials for completing projects as well. Julie Collings has done a great job with this little book!



5. This book is beautiful!!! Full of lovely felted projects that I am anxious to try out!

5 comments about 101 Log Cabin Blocks (4181).

1. I'm very happy with the book "101 Log Cabin Blocks." It came quickly and in very good shape.



2. This is a wonderful book with fantastic Log Cabin Foundation Paper Piecing Blocks. Great addition to my collection!



3. Love this book. Patterns range from very simple to complex. Most work up really fast



4. I just keep using new patterns all the time. Easy instructions and lots of good illustrations. Suggestions help you get your imagination working for your own unique quilt pattern. I love my book.



5. interesting different ways to sew the old log cabin. Makes patchwork a lot of fun and gives quilts the 'wow' factor