Liked the Projects; Lacked Detail - Not For Newbies
921894
Was hoping for more detail.  Unfortunately, the projects I am really interested in, particularly the pirate, only gave the pattern.  No instruction on how to approach it.  Keep in mind, I am new to carving.  Once I have more practice, I may appreciate the book more.
4938362
Hey!

The diagrams for the furniture are pretty straight-forward, and I think I could do them if I tried, however you can't really read how to do these things unless you have some rudimentary knowledge in diagrams of this sort. For instance, what in the world is a 4-penny finish nails cardboard for patterns? There is no explanation, no vocabulary help in this book. And the diagrams are all sketches, not pictures, so no color. It is difficult for me to understand this book, but it's still simple enough that I think I could decipher it if I sat down and tried to make these products.

One last forewarning: It's a 32-page booklet. Not a large book on how to do a whole bunch of techniques or anything of that nature. Just a little booklet with some projects you can try to get yourself started on the road of making your own furniture.

Hope that helps all you potential buyers, and happy reading!

Luv ya,
Tashi :)
4271951
Despite the ambitious title of this book, the projects found inside, ranging from planting a terrarium to creating a Japanese rock garden, are a bit lacking. The reader is given only the most vague growing information without any scientific background or general gardening knowledge. The author, in fact, recommends that the reader seek out books on roses for her Rose Garden project! While flowers and herbs are included in the book's projects, vegetables are completely overlooked. However, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful, very Victorian in nature, and are inspirational in their sheer floriferous-ness. Although this is not a "one stop shop" book, the basic project ideas combined with the illustrations, may provide a very beginning young gardener with some incentives to get growing!
3751901
Definitely a great book for inspiration, but, if you're looking for a book that gives you clear instructions, or provides projects that don't require you to lay out hundreds or thousands of dollars for new tools, keep looking.

There are only ten projects.  Of those, 2 of them contain extremely unclear instructions, and one requires the use of extremely heavy equipment that I can't imagine many home-based flameworkers (even home-based borosilicate users) will have.  That leaves only 7 projects that you might be able to do, and it is doubtful that you will be interested in all 7 of them.  While I appreciate that the authors are trying to set forth a variety of techniques, it is more of an idea book that happens to contain some projects, than a project book with lots of pretty pictures.

If you are looking for an instructional book for boro, I recommend you consider&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Flameworking-Creating-Glass-Beads-Sculptures-Functional-Objects/dp/1579907415/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Flameworking: Creating Glass Beads, Sculptures & Functional Objects</a>.
1012576
Like many other Copic users, I had been waiting for this book to be released since it was announced. Since I am a seasoned Copic user, the book was frankly a disappointment, although the presentation and layout are attractive. I guess the book is fine for a beginner, but even for someone new to Copics, it leaves a lot to be desired. I was expecting  more techniques and tips, especially for skin tones and hair colors, but this is completely ignored. I also feel there were way too many projects - in fact, half the book is taken up with projects that for a beginner - or even an intermediate user - may be somewhat daunting. It would have been useful if there had been sample projects with instructions that would have "walked" one through the coloring and blending steps. I admit that one can get some neat ideas from some of the projects, but in my opinion, the selections seemed to be one-sided in that most of the images were cartoonish - something that a child would like. While this is not a bad thing in itself, I just wish that some of the images selected would have shown more sophistication. This book is not for the advanced or even intermediate Copic user, as it's too simplistic. I have learned more from tutorials found on the Internet, in addition to a number of fabulous blogs focusing on coloring with Copics. I recommend you save your money.
4134601
A beginner's book which gives some projects that are interesting and may even inspire some to look into science further, but I did not get much from the book
2729253
Based on the cover and a blog review that initially led me to this book, I had expected more cross stitch type needlework projects.  Reading the description from Amazon, I still didn't grasp how much of the book was dedicated to each technique.  There are 5 cross stitch projects and the rest (9 others) are various other techniques.  I could definitely see myself stitching a few of the cross stitch designs but while the others are pretty, they aren't something I would make up.  I would possibly be interested in trying a couple of the other techniques: applique and silk shading but I don't really have an interest in the gold work and the of the three silk shading drawings, I might only do one.  I would more likely try silk shading on other images that I'd find elsewhere.

It's interesting information and there are beautiful designs.  The instructions and 'introduction' contain useful information, but a good half of the book is stuff I probably wouldn't use.

If you're interested in ALL aspects of needlework, this is the book for you.  If you're just looking for cross-stitch... well, I'd look elsewhere.
817039
I like the book as there doesn't seem to be a plethora of information on the subject... However, the learning projects are kind of weak. they are described in the book (but badly) and the project source developed on the web site is incomplete. Obviously, the author ran out of energy on the subject...
1006949
I didn't pay enough attention to the information about this book.  I teach history and thought it would be a nice books for kids to use for projects.  It's a fun book but, it is really for women who have no knowledge of crafting.  Think of it as a book for an aspiring but clueless, earth mother.  Given its price, I didn't care and it is amusingly written.  Enjoy.
450023
I felt a little cheated when I received this book. 52 projects, ha!

There are some nice projects in here but there are 12 that are either silly or IMHO worthless.

I like the patterns in the "fall" section the most: the socks, beret, knitting bag, striped gloves, cabled bag.

The 12 "patterns" I think that should have been left out and replaced with something of better value are:
bunny egg cozies (someone else mentioned this and I agree), flowerpot covers, floral corsage, bead necklace, bookmarks, bow belt, lace shelf edging, votive candle holder covers, mug cozy, napkin rings, pompom garland (the most worthless), and the laced edged pillow.  There are others that are "iffy" too.

Some of the other patterns are very similar to ones that have appeared in her other books. It seems like the author is recycling, usually a good thing but not in a book of pattens.
2587998
I'm an advanced beginner, and was very dissapointed that I could not follow the instructions in this book.  The projects look like fun, but you'd better already know what you are doing.  There are not enough diagrams, and the instructions are too sketchy.......without illumination.

I'm returning it.
1101329
This book presents three original projects. There is a Scratch-based project, a GPIO/Hardware project using Python, and a Python-GUI project.

Before reviewing the projects, I would like to comment on a trend found in most, if not all, books dedicated to the Raspberry Pi. It is my hope the future authors of the genre will see that there is no need to include what seems to be a mandatory chapter dedicated to setting up the Raspberry Pi or preparing the SD card with the latest Raspian distribution. A links to the most up-to-date Raspberry Pi Foundation "Quick Start Guide" web page [....]) does a good job at this and also serves as a good example on how to find information related to hacking away with the little computer that can. Readers would then be rewarded with books entirely focused on projects. To finish on this rant, I was glad that there was no 'Python 101' pre-introductory chapter that also plague several Raspberry Pi books.

Now that I've almost fallen into the trap I was criticizing, let's get down to the projects business. The first project is about programming an Angry Birds type of game. This one reviews the Scratch interface (good job at keeping it down to three pages) and the various components of making a video game. Those seeking a quick step-by-step recipe might be in for a disappointment as the instructions are focused on designing the functionalities of the game. This is a good base for learning how to design a program. I will most likely end up using some of this material to teach my own students.

I really liked the 'Testing Your Speed' project. This one will end up in my own lesson planning. This project exploits the Pi's GPIO pins by building a controller made out of office materials such as paper clips and fasteners and sticky tape. I liked that apart from obtaining male-to-female wire and/or a Pi Cobbler breakout board and a prototyping breadboard, there was no need to order other components. However, the chapter's layout would benefit from clear and obvious warnings regarding the dangers of shorting the wrong pins on the GPIO ports as it looks rather diluted within the bulk of the copy.

Finally, the last project is about making an interactive map using Python and its GUI modules. The project relies on using the Google Maps API to obtain mapping data. A list of widgets presented at the end of the chapter outlines valuable extension potential from this project.

While this book is not recommend for elementary school age kids, I definitely recommend it to teachers and parents seeking to support kids learning how to code.
4281306
Well, I'll admit right up front that I'm a sucker for wool applique projects. Unfortunately, this book didn't satisfy my craving much.

Out of the fifteen projects there are six pinkeeps and pincushions (the pear is plain but cute and could be greatly improved with some embroidery stitches along the seam lines), five accessories (needle book, heat bag, embellishment for a jacket, notebook cover, and a sewing pocket), a pillow, a table runner, and two 'quilts' which are 22" x 25" and 20" x 24". The only wool used in the larger quilt (which is shown on the book's cover) is for the eighteen cherries (hardly what I would call a wool project). The pillow which includes a bird in the center, only uses wool for the bird's eye and seven posies which are scattered around the project. Most of the project could just as easily been made in cottons rather than wool.

The patterns for the projects are on two tear out pages in the back of the book. The first tear out page is double sided which of course makes it difficult to trace projects. The second tear out is single sided. Images are NOT reversed so you would need to reverse the images if you like to use fusible web.

In books similar to this, I usually don't get bogged down with the projects themselves because I often find them of little value (which is the case with the projects in this book).  Instead I look at the designs and see which ones I can use in my own projects. For example, I find the primitive flowers used in the heat bag (shown at the bottom of the book's cover) appealing and will probably incorporate them into the border of a wallhanging someday. Likewise, I have no need for a needle book but the folk art embroidery of sewing/stitching motifs appeals to me so I may use that in another project as well.  Other than that though, I didn't find anything that was very useable which is very disappointing.

Bottom line: If I had the opportunity to buy this book again, would I?  Sorry but definitely not.
2421009
I purchased this book for my father to give him some ideas on what he could make with the pallets he has. The book has some nice ideas with easy to follow instructions. I just wish the book was longer and had some more complex projects. I would say this book is suitable for a beginner craftsman/woman and not someone who already is good with building things. It seemed the projects would be too easy for him, but definitely some good ideas in here.
4035042
Yes, this has some good ideas and neat projects. But 22 projects isn't really that many. On the front cover, 4 of the projects are shown, or almost 20% of what the book shows you what to make. (The front cover depicts crowns, wands, garland, and house).  There are other neat projects, certainly, but it didn't take me long to read through the book.  I felt that the range of the projects varied enormously, from the obvious (crowns; come on, what child hasn't fashioned a crown with paper and tape?) to the incredibly complex, like the Volkswagen Bus Box or Airstream Travel Trailer.  Some were adorable: I admit, her dollhouse and lemonade stands are winners---but some are less inspired: the playhouse fashioned from a single box reminds me of what my kids do on their own if I give them a shipping box to play with.  As a scout leader, I was hoping for some cool projects to do with a large group of girls, but many of these either require multiple days of drying (either paint or glue) or are way out of the reach of actual children to accomplish.  A bunch of the projects call for specialized tools that I don't have; for example, the circle garlands require some kind of giant hole-punch that punches out a 1"-diameter circle each time.  There's a gallery at the end of the book of "inspiration," but the images depicted are done by professional artists and definitely are not in reach of what children can do.  Overall, I feel like this book is not intended for children at all, but is more aimed at adults who will create things for children to use (like toys) or for adults to do while their children watch.  So it's not a bad book for me to have on my bookshelf, but at $17, I can't really recommend it for most people looking for an art book for kids.
469296
Ive got to say it: I like the fact that the 2 main knitting apparatuses in this book, Loom and Board (sections 1 and 2, are introduced, with Practice Projects and followed with a variety of Patterns. At the end of the book, the 3rd section is Felting, which seems like a strange add-on. I would have preferred more information in the first 2 sections because felting isn't an apparatus; its a fabric technique.

This is a fun book for adults and older children who want an easier way to knit than with 2 sticks, circular, double-pointed needles (DPNs), etc. The loom and board produce more regulated stitches in size, gauge, and shape, which hand-knitting cant produce. HK stitches can differ more from stitch-to-stitch. In other words, the loom and board produce more regulated fabric than that for HK.

This book doesnt have any Skills-Levels marked, but because this book is a Primer, and if this book is worked through from beginning to end (through the projects and patterns), the basic Skills-Levels will develop.

This 2007, soft-cover book has 30 Projects/ Patterns in 144 semi-glossy pages, all of which have nice color photos of each finished HK item. Other graphics include black and white and colored pattern stitch charts, pastel-colored hand-drawings, showing where to lay the yarn and how to manipulate it to form different stitches.

The author of this book is Isela Phelps is a graduate of Utah State University and has a business administration degree. She works as part of a team at a knitting loom manufacturer, teaches classes for loom knitting, and moderates on-line groups for this craft.

The publisher is Martingale & Company, Woodinville, WA. The Martingale Company Mission Statement is: Dedicated to providing quality products and service to inspire creativity.

In sum, this is what I found by carefully examining this book:
1. Because this is a primer, Skills-Levels will develop from the ground up by doing the Practice Projects and the Patterns.
2. Unfortunately, there is no Bibliography section. This section should at least contain some books that are already headliners in the market for users of looms and boards.
3. There are basic Techniques section (pages 26-52), which should be enough information to cover all of the patterns in this book. The Bibliography section should have the books to create and understand the full range techniques known for this craft.
4. There is a 3-page Topic/ Subject Index.
5. There is a good Contents section.
6. There is an Introduction.

Loom and board knitters need to have all of the tools at their disposal when they want to knit an item from a book. The book that they use, however, should provide them with these tools.

(Note also that, like all published patterns/ books, the buyer should run an online search for the Errata of the pattern/ book, download it, print it out, and place it inside of the pattern/ book, so that when the buyer wants to knit something, all of the pattern corrections will have been made. Note also that there may be more Errata versions from earlier ones that you had originally accessed, so run a second online search if you have already done this and want to check for a later version.)
719697
I found "ToolBox.." to be a quick and enjoyable read, however, when it came to the details of implementing described projects I found limited information. Don't get me wrong, I do not regret purchasing the book, I was just expecting more guidance on specific projects. For instance, when I started reading the energy chapter, I got really excited when there was a discussion on a "bicycle wind mill", however, after a brief description of the design, the authors quickly moved on to another idea. I was also hoping for some design ideas utilizing bicycle "human powered" generators or such. Strong points that I will mention about the book, are the really good descriptions of graywater harvesting and filtering systems. In all, very informative, but do not expect it to provide all the answers.