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Jeanne W. (JeanneW) - Reviews

1 to 14 of 14
The Bear Book: How to Make Teddy Bears and a Few Close Friends
The Bear Book: How to Make Teddy Bears and a Few Close Friends
Author: Diana Deakin
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 5/4/2013


The major part of this book is dedicated to making stuffed bears. There are teddy bears, polar bears, pandas, a bear with a secret compartment for treasures and many others. All of the bears have full sized patterns printed in the book.

There are also patterns and instructions for a bear purse, cushion, hanger, scarves, rug, backpack and other bear items. All bears and items are illustrated with outstanding photographs and have good instructions.

The listing says the book has 3 pages. It has 112.


Country Crafts (Family Circle)
Country Crafts (Family Circle)
Author: Family Circle
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 7/24/2008
Helpful Score: 1


This is a well illustrated book with patterns and detailed instructions. It has woodworking - trunk, box, bookends, chairs, cradle, toys, garden arbor with bench and more. There are instructions for crocheting a tablecloth, afghans, bedspread and teddy bear. Knitting instructions include afghans, pillows, rugs and a baby sweater. Fabric flowers, cloth dolls, pumpkin carving, needle point, cross stitch, hooked rug, stenciling, embroidered pillows, a woven ribbon pillow, a pierced paper lamp shade, a quilt, decoupage and quilted Christmas ornaments are all included.


Easy to Make Cloth Dolls and All the Trimmings (Easy-To-Make)
Easy to Make Cloth Dolls and All the Trimmings (Easy-To-Make)
Author: Jodie Davis
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 3/4/2010
Helpful Score: 2


This book has easy to make doll patterns for the beginner. Some are very simple pancake type dolls, while others are a little more complicated. There are boy and girl dolls, a clown, elf, santa, scarecrow, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Fancy "dress-up" Lady, baby and wardrobe, 25 inch boy and girl dolls with wardrobe, traditional African doll, Amish children, Japanese Kimono doll, Chinese Doll, Scandinavian doll, Pilgrims, Native American and Victorian lady. All patterns are full sized and there are instructions for sewing and stuffing the dolls, making the hair and clothes and making faces.

The instructions are thorough and very well illustrated with line drawings. No previous doll making experience is necessary.


Easy to Make Dolls (Easy to Make Series)
Easy to Make Dolls (Easy to Make Series)
Author: Audrey Vincente Dean
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 4/10/2011


Easy to Make Dolls contains patterns and instructions for making several cloth dolls and animals. The dolls are simple, unsophisticated and easy to make. Full size patterns are supplied.

There are play dolls, decorative dolls, a cat doorstop, a bear pajama bag, a house shaped bag filled with a family of tiny dolls, among others.

This book would probably not appeal to the experienced doll maker, but it is a good place for a beginner to start.

The link to the paperback version takes you to a different book by the author that deals with the history of dolls. It is not the same book.


Family Circle Country Crafts
Family Circle Country Crafts
Author: Family Circle
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/24/2008


This is a well illustrated book with patterns and detailed instructions. It has woodworking - trunk, box, bookends, chairs, cradle, toys, garden arbor with bench and more. There are instructions for crocheting a tablecloth, afghans, bedspread and teddy bear. Knitting instructions include afghans, pillows, rugs and a baby sweater. Fabric flowers, cloth dolls, pumpkin carving, needle point, cross stitch, hooked rug, stenciling, embroidered pillows, a woven ribbon pillow, a pierced paper lamp shade, a quilt, decoupage and quilted Christmas ornaments are all included.


Fools, Clowns and Jesters (A Star & elephant book)
Fools, Clowns and Jesters (A Star & elephant book)
Author: Paul Cline
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 6/29/2010


I am completely baffled by the categorization of this book. It is categorized under Photography, but there is no mention of photography in it. It is also listed as a book for teens. Although some teens might enjoy reading it, the books is certainly not a teen book. It is an in depth look at the psychology and sociology of clowns.

* Arts & Photography >> Photography
* Arts & Photography >> Performing Arts >> Theater >> Circus
* Children's Books >> Reference & Nonfiction >> Language Arts
* Teens
* Nonfiction >> Social Sciences

Chapters:
1. Origin and Appearance
2. Wisdom and Folly
3. Fools and the World of Matter
4. Laughter in the Face of Chaos and Tragedy
5. Duality: From the Harmony of Opposites comes Creation.
6. Linkage: Ourselves and the Fool
7. The Present and Future Clown

For anyone interested in the sociology and psychology of clowns, or the fool, this is a very good reference.


Handmade for Kids
Handmade for Kids
Author: Berri Inoue
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 5/25/2013


This book has a variety of sewing projects to make for kids. There are stuffed animals and dolls, as well as knapsacks, totes and smocks. There are several quilts and coverlets. A Christmas section has ornaments,potholders, stockings, photograph frames, boxes and a wreath.

The toy section features bean bags, bird mobile, puppets, cloth balls and a doll costume.

The instructions are well written and illustrated. The only actual photographs of the projects are all together on a few pages in the middle of the book. It is a nice book, but the projects are pretty standard. Nothing is really outstanding, but none are substandard, either.


HOME HANDICRAFTS
HOME HANDICRAFTS
Author: MARY HARDING (EDITOR)
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/27/2008


Table of Contents

To Decorate Your Home:
Cushions
Bedspreads
Table Linen
Curtains and Blinds
Pictures to Sew
Rugmaking
The Finishing Touch
Especially for Children:
Toys and Games
Clothes and Accessories
Yarn list for knitting and crochet

Fly leaf: A refreshingly modern approach to the simpler handicrafts, illustrated in over 70 extremely attractive and practical designs.

The range of crafts includes rugmaking, patchwork, applique, needlepoint, embroidery, crochet, knitting and toy making, plus new ideas for curtains, cushions, bedspreads and lampshades.

Step-by-step color illustrations are provided for each item and the beautiful color photographs throughout make this a delightful book to read as well as to use.


Making Dolls
Making Dolls
Author: H. Witzig, G. E. Kuhn
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 7/24/2008
Helpful Score: 1


This book provides an overview of methods for making dolls from various materials. Often, complete directions are not given for making a doll. For instance, for a knit doll, the directions are very general, with no knitting instructions at all.

There are general directions for making dolls from wooden dowels, stockings, handkerchiefs, foam rubber, and twigs. There are short chapters on heads, wigs, body proportions, jointing, etc.


Making Teddy Bears (Creative Crafts)
Making Teddy Bears (Creative Crafts)
Author: Harald Nadolny, Yvonne Thalheim
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 4/2/2010


This book has over a dozen patterns for making bears. Most are teddy bears, but there is also a realistic polar bear (stands on 4 legs) and a panda bear. They range in difficulty from a very simple bear to make for a baby to fully jointed mohair bear

The first part of the book covers history and collecting of teddy bears with many color pictures of collectible bears. There is also a section on restoring teddy bears.

From the back cover:

The teddy bear us the most cherished of all cuddly toys: children adore him, while adults cherish him among their fondest memories.

Today teddy bears are much-sought-after collectors' items and prices have rocketed.

However, the book's special appeal lies in the opportunity it gives you to make teddies yourself. Step-by-step photographs and diagrams provide clear guidance on making an extended bear family. Naturally, full-size patterns for both bears and their outfits are included.


More Scrap Saver's Stitchery
More Scrap Saver's Stitchery
Author: Sandra Lounsbury Foose
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 11/11/2011
Helpful Score: 2


This book has a wide range of sewing crafts, mostly with full sized patterns. There are things for the kitchen - potholders, place mats, appliance covers. There are pincushions, a rabbit family, a road rug, piggy laundry bag, a bear rug for baby, a quilt, simple dolls with clothes, the lion shown on the cover, Christmas themed crafts and more.

The patterns are are mostly easy and could easily be made by a beginner. Some, like the lion, are a little more complicated, but none are really difficult. The instructions are clear and complete.


Pastel School: A Practical Guide to Drawing With Pastels (Reader's Digest Learn-As-You-Go Guide)
Review Date: 7/17/2010


From back cover:

More than 40 step by step sequences show how to master pastel painting and develop your own individual style.

Eight projects hsow the whole process of picturemaking from planning to completion.

Covers the full range of techniques and skills.

For both the beginner and the accomplished painter.

Reviewer: This book is lavishly illustrated. Materials and techniques are discussed in detail. A thorough and easily understood book.


Toys and Designs from the World of Beatrix Potter
Toys and Designs from the World of Beatrix Potter
Author: Beatrix Potter
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/24/2008


I love this book. You need some experience in most of the crafts, but they are not too difficult for the average crafter.

I particularly like the stuffed animals. I have made Jemima Puddleduck twice, and she comes out very nice.

Besides the stuffed toys, there are hand and finger puppets, hand painted fabric toys, toys with bags, knitting and needlepoint, a sampler, tufted rug, shawl, bibs, stencilling, decoupage and wooden cutouts.


The Transparency of Others
The Transparency of Others
Author: John Henry Morel
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 0.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 10/18/2009


This book is supposedly 124 pages. There are actually 109 pages in the essay. It is written in a huge font, larger than large print books use. If an ordinary font were used, it would probably be about 28 pages long, hardly eligible to be called a book. It is a booklet with delusions of grandeur.

The brevity could be forgiven if the author had actually imparted anything useful in his essay.

The author spends the first 70 pages telling us we don't know jack about spiritual stuff. And, furthermore, he is not going to enlighten us. He would, but it is outside the scope of this essay, we wouldn't understand, the explanation is too long for this brief essay, he can't or he just doesn't feel like it.

We are not aware of our spiritual deficiencies because of a conspiracy to keep us in the dark. The ascended masters wish to keep us in the dark because they don't want to share the goodies of ascended mastery.

After telling us over and over how deluded we are, the author launches into an description of the ascended masters. My favorite: The body temperature of an ascended master is 87.5°. I can't tell you how many times I have wondered what the body temperature of an ascended master is.

In the last few pages of the book, the author announces that he has killed all the ascended masters, except Jesus and Buddha. What this means for the rest of us is not mentioned.

The last line of the book, in a complete departure from what has been said before, is: "Ascended mastery is nothing more than realizing that you are more than your animal life form and becoming what you most are inside of you; God." It is probably the only sensible sentence in the entire book.

Oh, one more thing. The author has no "clue" about the "proper" use of "quotation marks".


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