Browsed through and really loved her ideas for rustic pillows with frills and love ...
934402
Browsed through and really loved her ideas for rustic pillows with frills and love love love santa's gift box idea. Looking forward to making these as soon as I head to the craft's store! I received this at a discount for an honest review.
4306689
I got this book (along with the Homespun Gifts from the Heart by the same authors) and just love it! The ideas are divided into seasons (Fall, First snow, Christmas, Valentines, etc.) and special occasions (wedding, first day of school, baby shower). They have done a very creative job of writing the book,including some very well done gift tags in the back for you to photocopy. The ideas are original and really help get your mind turning in the direction of making memories with those you love. I'm a busy homeschool mom of 5 and in the day in/day out routine of life, I don't think of these things. This book will help me make those ideas into reality. And it actually inspires me to get my own creative juices flowing too. The book itself was very attractive and I loved the layout...very professionally put together.
402326
When I was offered a complimentary ARC of this collection from the publisher, I wasn't really sure what to expect from it as I don't think Ive ever read a collection of Thanksgiving novellas, and Ive certainly never read a collection of Amish Thanksgiving novellas! But they were really fun and, actually, quite inspiring.

Full disclosure, I actually didn't read the first one because in the authors note at the beginning, she explained that it was a sequel to one of her previous books, and I just cant bring myself to read books out of order.

The second and third novellas were really good though. I was challenged and inspired by the way Faithe Beiler lived out her faith in Thanksgiving Strangers. And I found the plot really clever and fun to read. There were lots of twists and turns, and it all ended very satisfyingly.

As for The Thanksgiving Frolic, the author managed to pull off a story with a strong moral without it coming off as preachy, no small feat. He did this primarily by creating such a strong, quirky character in Rosemarys grandfather, Mose. I really enjoyed Monroes character development as well.

All in all, this was a really fun collection to read, and if you enjoy Amish stories, I think youll really enjoy these!
1754809
Beatrice Coleman has retired and moved to Dappled Hills, North Carolina to be close to her daughter. She had worked as a folk art curator and knows everything there is to know about valuing and displaying quilts. But she has never made a quilt herself and never really planned on ever making one.

Quilting is a big thing in Dappled Hills, in fact Beatrice's new home is right next to the Village Quilters guild president Meadow Downey. Meadow insists Beatrice join the guild. She doesn't even have time to get settled before Meadow is dragging her to a guild meeting. It is there that she meets Posy, the owner of Posy's Patchwork Cottage and learns about Judith, the landlord everyone loves to hate. She wants to raise Posy's rent and if Posy does want to pay she will just find a new tenant.

When Judith is found dead there certainly isn't a shortage of suspects. Beatrice may be able to use her fine attention to detail to help figure out who killed Judith. Hopefully before someone else gets pinned permanently.

Quilters are passionate people, extremely passionate about quilting and they want to share their joys with everyone. I know because before my accident I was a very passionate quilter. I loved going shopping for fabric. I love the smell of a fabric store and rubbing the material between my fingers. Finding the perfect combination of fabrics and deciding on the pattern. The creative part, the construction, the quilting and completing the project can give you a personal high. It's addictive. I understand completely.

That's why I actually felt sorry for Beatrice. She was ambushed by a group of crazy quilters who expected just because she knew about quilts she would want to make not just one but many quilts. They pushed and pushed, trying to get her to be just like them. They expected her to make a block for a group quilt when she had never picked up a needle. They thought she would be bored unless she was involved in everything happening around town. I found myself really not liking these characters through most of the story. I wanted to jump into the pages and defend Beatrice. Slow down, she hasn't even finished unpacking.

As the story evolved there was one character that saved the entire story for me. Yes, she is quirky, opinionated and she will definitely keep you guessing whether she is all there or not, but circumstances threw her and Beatrice together and she took the time to get to know Beatrice and let Beatrice do things in her own time frame.

The who-dun-it played out really well as Beatrice used her analytical skills to see things in strangers that long time residents completely missed. It's always those little things that trip a criminal up. Beatrice was on the spot to blow the whistle on the murderer.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and getting to know the characters and Dappled Hills better. Hopefully Beatrice will be more settled before the next tragedy strikes and she has had a little time to adjust to her new life. Dappled Hills may be small but with this cast of characters I am sure it will never be boring.
4002743
When I saw this pillow case I thought of how much my neighbor would love it. She loves birds and this one even caught my eye. The print itself is beautiful. The fabric is heavy and durable and all the stitching on the pillowcase  looks very well done. The back of the pillow is a soft suede. The case is easy to unzip to fill with a pillow and the zipper is hidden which makes a nicer finish on that end of the pillow. This pattern would fit very well in my types of decor and if you have a room with a nature theme to it, it would be a beautiful addition. It is completely machine washable, just remove the pillow insert and wash. They would make a wonderful housewarming gift or even a hostess gift. I chose this pattern because of the "friend" theme to it. I love all 3 choices and I love the unexpected postage stamp on each of them. I received my pillowcase at a special price to use and give my honest opinion on its quality.
2651708
I love Dana's fresh, unique designs in this book!  Fabulous variety and fun layouts.  Great patterns, as well as inspiration for designing your own "imagine quilts".
2813200
This book was my selfish gift to me. I used it as design inspiration for authentic Italian interiors. I still refer to it for ideas. The photos of country villas, rural retreats and urban apartments, took my inspiration in several directions. Keep that in mind because it's not all rustic villas. I especially enjoyed the wall plaster colors and textures as well as the variety in flooring tiles. How simply some of the rooms are furnished! The cover photo is so gorgeous in composition, color, structure....it doesn't get any better.
721808
What a great book.  I bought it bargain priced but after having looked through it I'd have paid full price for it!  It is chock full of great photography and tasteful decorating ideas, many of which I never would've dreamed of.  (Not goofy stuff or out of place junk you sometimes see hung up on walls).  The shelving designs run the gamut from country decor(small toy wagon built into wall shelves) to entrance shelving, to sleek contemporary and simplistic Asian looks for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.  Really so many different options and a great variety of ideas.  If you a looking for inventive ways to decorate your walls, I definitely recommend this book.
315910
My mom and I saw several quilts made from this book at the 2017 Sisters Oregon Quilt Show, and knew we had to get the book! I'm in love with the variety of ways to arrange the blocks and so many options, each more darling than the last! The photography is beautiful also. I'm collecting fabric now to begin my own Farm Girl Vintage quilt in 2018!
600854
These beautiful ideas inspired me to try to dress up my house to look like the examples in the book. Best of all, the author makes it not too hard for someone who is not a professional decorator to achieve the look. The pages are fun to look through, because all the rooms are gorgeous, and the text is conversational, which makes it feel as if you are chatting with a good friend.
2838865
Having followed Maryam's blog and seeing her home in magazines, I knew it (and she) are gorgeous. I pulled out some pillows I had bought in Rabat that needed new backs, and got them stitched up and on the couch. Voila! Pair this book with Mourad Lahlou's New Moroccan&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mourad-New-Moroccan/dp/1579654290/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mourad: New Moroccan</a>cookbook to really infuse your life with the grace, elegance and mystery that is Morocco.  Now if I could only get myself to a stenciling class at Peacock Pavillions! I intend to add some of those wonderful stencil designs to my own home on Cape Cod.
3236868
The design sensibility of Lynette Anderson is reflected throughout her books and `Country Cottage Quilting-15 Quilt Projects Combining Stitchery with Patchwork' is no exception.  I so admire her artistic creativity.  I certainly get an insight into what makes her heart sing.  For anyone like-minded as Anderson; this book should resonate.  It's clear that her heart is in the country.

All 15 of the projects combine and/or feature embroidery, applique, and stitchery.  There are frisky kitties, darling birds and their homes, pretty posies blooming, thatched-roof cottages, honey bees buzzing around their skeps, and sheltering tree canopies, which adorn: three wall hanging quilts, twin-sized quilt, two pillows, two bags, two needle keepers, scissor holder, sewing case, coin purse (my favorite!), and three framed stitcheries.

The projects are easy enough for beginners, with the exception, perhaps, of putting in a zipper.  Lynette gives clear and easy to understand instructions for all the techniques, including installation of the zipper, for her projects.  The fabrics featured throughout are soft, dusty blues, grays, browns, and pink for the hollyhocks.  (The cover pillow and the matching twin bed quilt is the exception.) However, as with any project, all colors can be changed to suit individual tastes!

I have embroidered since I was twelve (40 years) and continued to do so even when it had lost its popularity.  Now that needlework of all kinds have had a resurgence in popularity the number of designs have become plentiful.  Yes!  I love having a project in my hands while I'm idly watching the television, listening to audio-books or music.  I love this book primarily for the embroidery designs.  The stitches used are very basic (blanket stitch, chain, cross-stitch, fly stitch, detached chain, French knot, herringbone, long stitch, lazy daisy, long and short stitch, running, and satin stitch.)  A beginner could easily learn these using Lynnette's instructions.  I can envision all of the projects [as shown] being useful for a wide range of people.  I know that I will be adapting and expanding upon what Anderson has provided into embellishments for: aprons, sweatshirts (turn a reasonably priced, good quality, sweatshirt into a pricey designer one!), multiple pillow covers, sweet sachets, multiple framed projects, totes, tea towels, table toppers, journal/notebook covers, computer/tablet bags, and cell phone carriers, (I like to make phone carriers I can attach to my belt loop with a snap-hook.  This is very handy when walking my dog.  I use my smart phone for my camera.)  Truly this list is only limited by my imagination!

I recommend this book for those similarly like-minded as Lynette.  For further whimsy from Lynette Anderson, I loved&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/It-s-Quilting-Cats-Dogs/dp/0715337572/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">It's Quilting Cats & Dogs</a>.

Enjoy!
129493
This is a really beautiful book, well bound and sharply printed. The content is gorgeous and will inflame your wanderlust as well as a desire to throw everything you own into your backyard and start over.

Joking aside, this book has some great decor ideas that you can add to your house to make it look amazing and more tranquil. I got the book to see how hotels make their spaces feel inviting so I could try to emulate the layout and styles I liked. It was nice to have so many examples in one spot to pour through. One thing that popped out is color pallet; no matter the style, a consistent color pallet created a calming effect -- even in an eclectic room.

I moved around a few things, spray painted all my frames the same color and a few other cheap tricks and was surprised at how little effort it took to really take a room up to a new level. Clutter is always the enemy of calm, so just ridding rooms of visual clutter was an amazing lift in itself.

If you are looking for inspiration and want to see how top designers make spaces inviting, this book is s great resource. It is also nice to just have on the coffee table.
466858
This book is absolutely gorgeous. I can spend hours gushing over the beautifully styled homes and get inspired by the words and images in the pages. I have book marked quite a few pages and crafts which I can't wait to try and emulate. This book gives so many neat ideas and I am so glad to have it!
3232748
I just went through this book and saw a number of beautiful designs that I look forward to creating.  I can see making a number of these and crocheting them together into unique tops for me, table runners and some looked like they will make beautiful potholders if two are joined with insulating material between them.  I love the versatility that immediately popped into my mind!  Not only will I have fun creating, but ultimately they can be put together to make great presents.
3944778
This book is full of fun ideas that look wonderful (the photography is great--images of the ENTIRE projects, nothing cut out) without being too fussy. I like instant-gratification beading, and "Hip to Bead" is filled with this type of projects. It isn't limited to simple projects, though. I'd call most of the projects "one-cup-of-tea" projects, but there are some "two-to-three-cup" projects. The last section in the book, Woven Wonders, includes beading techniques I've been wanting to try: beaded beads and a right-angle weave.

The beads used are just beautiful, and the Katie includes a suppliers list at the end so that you can get the same unique materials that she uses, complete with URLs for every one. Thank goodness for online shopping!

Another thing I love about this book is that it introduces the reader to TONS of beading techniques from wire wrapping to weaving to stitching to stringing. It would be a smart start to any beginning beader's library, and the information on variations and combinations of colors and materials make it useful for an established beader to spice up his or her beading experience. Now, out to the bead store for MORE BEADS!
3899079
Betz has such an impeccable way with her patterns.  They are so well written, illustrated and she pays careful attention to the details.  I love the creative applications of new and re-used materials she consistently incorporates into her projects and patterns.  She is always on trend, incorporating fun new techniques in her creations, which in this book translates to several fun fabric manipulation projects as well as quilting/piecing and applique/reverse applique.  This book is a great value and so far I've made the Sweet Life Pillow and Infinity scarf and get tons of complements on both.  I have my eye on a few more patterns to make for the holidays as well!  Thank you Betz for once again delivering a stellar collection of patterns in Present Perfect!