There are many publishers and manufacturers who produce resources to help you learn a new skill or improve your abilities. I had the opportunity to review quite a few and hope you will find at least one to stir your interest! Again, I do not work for any of these companies and am not paid for my reviews.
Crocheting is simple, satisfying and relaxing. I enjoy crocheting because it gives me something productive to work on as the items I make have purpose and often bring enjoyment to others. Check out these resources -
Sterling Publications
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Candy Babies Author - Candi Jensen |
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- Favorite
Features -
- 23 complete step by step directions
- includes photo of completed project
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The New Granny Square Authors - Susan Cottrell & Cindy Weloth |
- Favorite
Features -
- 82 granny square block patterns
- 25 embellishment patterns
- 12 creations patterns
Blue Ribbon Afghans
from America's
State Fairs
Author - Valerie VanArsdale-Shrader
- Favorite Features -
Love the patterns in this book - some are easy while others take more skill, but all are excellent! Tremendously well done, Valerie and Sterling!
- 45 afghans complete with patterns
- includes drawings, photos and charts
- includes information on state fairs and photos throughout book
100 Purses
to Knit
and Crochet
100 Afghans
to Knit
and Crochet
Authors - Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss
Very nicely done Jean, Rita and Sterling!
- Favorite Features -
- 100 patterns in each book
- complete with directions
- easy to follow and quick to make
Potter Craft
Just Bags
Authors - Stephanie Klose
& Cathy Maguire
This book is filled with amazing and easy to make purses! Something for everyone you know! Tremendously well done, Stephanie, Cathy and Potter Craft!
- Favorite Features -
- 30 patterns for crochet and knit
- includes photos and simple to follow directions
- love the extended cover flaps to mark pattern being worked on
Amazing
Crochet
Lace
Author - Doris Chan
Best described by the author - "New fashions inspired by old-fashioned lace." The designs will be loved by young and old alike! Tremendously well done, Doris and Potter Craft!
- Favorite Features -
- unique designs with a vintage look
- 19 complete patterns
- simple instructions
Annie's Attic
Crochet
on the Edge
Author - Belinda Carter
Everything about this book is perfect - perfectly easy and perfect for encouraging creativity! Tremendously well done, Belinda and Annie's Attic!
- Favorite Features -
- 140 amazing edgings
- photos and patterns included
Log Cabin Throws
Author - Cindy Adams
Log Cabin pattern is so comfortable and "homey"! The patterns in this book are sure to fit with someone you know! Tremendously well done, Cindy and Annie's Attic!
- Favorite Features -
- 6 complete patterns with photos
- easy to follow directions
Martingale & Company
Silk Knits
Author - Elaine Eskesen
Incredible designs invite you to create! Tremendously well done, Elaine and Martingale and Company!
- Favorite Features -
- 20 complete patterns
- includes photos, charts and diagrams
- tips are an added bonus
- each pattern includes skill level, materials, pattern and season
Creative Crochet
Author - Darla Sims
Great ideas for using up that leftover yarn! Extremely well done, Darla and Martingale & Company!
- Favorite Features -
- 20 complete patterns
- clever patterns use scraps of yarn and leftover skeins
- each pattern includes skill level, materials and pattern
Leisure Arts
As I said, I personally find crocheting relaxing and enjoyable, as well as productive, but of course there are many other crafting options as well. Consider some of the following resources!
I Can't Believe
I'm Free-form Crocheting
Author - Pamela Pease
Unique, creative and fun! Extremely well done, Pamela and Leisure Arts!
- Favorite Features -
- explains how to create with unique free-form style
- shows 14 basic shapes, steps
- includes directions for 8 projects
Crochet Tops for
Every Wardrobe
Author - Kathryn Clark
- Favorite Features -
- four complete patterns
- difficulty scale
Felted Crochet Purses
Designer - Stitch 'n Frame
- Favorite Features -
- six complete designs and patterns
- difficulty scale
- info on how to "felt"
Stylish Plus Fashions
- Favorite Features -
- five complete patterns
- includes sizes L - 4X
- difficulty scale
- definitely stylish designs
Completely Cozy Wraps to Crochet
Author - Shelle Hendrix Lain
- Favorite Features -
- four complete patterns
- difficulty scale
10-20-30 minutes to learn crochet
- Favorite Features -
- step by step directions with illustrated drawings
- helpful hints throughout
- 10 projects to start you on crocheting
Crocheted Hats
for the Beginner
Crochet
Hip Hats
Author - Mary Estok Nolfi
- Favorite Features -
- total of 13 complete patterns
- drawings for stitches
- difficulty scale
- tips are helpful
48-hour Afghans
Author - Rita Weiss
Leisure Arts patterns are well designed and include complete information, directions and tips to help you with whichever project you select. Extremely well done, Leisure Arts!
- Favorite Features -
- 12 complete patterns
- easy and quick
Sterling Publications
Pine Needle Basketry
Author - Judy Mallow
- Favorite Features -
- 44 complete projects
- 22 photos of baskets
- complete how-to and history of basketry
Super Simple Origami
Irmgard Kneissler
- Favorite Features -
- diagrams, techniques, and completly explains folding
- 17 patterns included
- photos and diagrams throughout
Amazing Origami
Author - Kunihiko Kasahara
- Favorite Features -
- includes 30 complete patterns for projects
- diagrams and photos throughout
The Complete Book of
Glass Beadmaking
Author - Kimberly Adams
- Favorite Features -
This book gives you everything you need to know to begin making your own beads and guides you through advanced techniques as well.
- photos and step by step directions for each technique and style of bead
- encourages creativity and imagination
Making Metal Beads
Author - Pauline Wang
- Favorite Features -
- 36 step by step techniques and beads
- photos and complete directions
- amazing photos throughout
- helpful tips
The Stained Glass Home
Authors - George Shannon and Pat Tarlen
- Favorite Features -
- 27 projects with directions
- tips throughout
- photos throughout
Wheel-thrown Pottery
Authors - Bill VanGilder
& Cara Biasucci
- Favorite Features -
- basics, techniques and tips throughout
- 11 projects with photos and step by step dierctions
The Art & Craft of Ceramics
Author - Maria Dolors Rosi Frigola
- Favorite Features -
- six projects with photos and step by step directions
- interesting book with the history and explanation of ceramics through time
The Fine Art of the Tin Can
Author - Bobby Hansson
- Favorite Features -
- information of the history of tin can art
- photos of objects - jewelry, toys, musical instruments, sculpture and more
- encourages imagination and creativity
Wiley Publications
Jewelry Making
&
Beading for Dummies
Authors - Heather Dinsmore & Tammy Powley
- Favorite Features -
- "Cheat Sheets" and eTips
- introduction to why and how you can make your own jewelry
- how-to techniques and step by step directions
- types of jewelry as well as jewelry for special occassions
- how to's for kids
- fun ideas for a jewelry making party
- how to start your own jewelry business
- photos, diagrams, charts throughout are very helpful
Life of the Party/Soap Place
Spa Indulgence
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Make Your Own
Decorative Flower Soaps Kit
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Make Your Own
Bath Salts & Fizzies kit
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Make Your Own Embossed Soap Bars kit
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These "Make Your Own" kits are excellent gift ideas for anyone ages 12 and up! The kits provide everything a beginner needs to learn how to make their own soap as well as soap they can give as gifts! Easy and fun, these kits encourage creativity, imagination and giving - they could even be the start of your own soap business! Tremendously well done, Life of the Party/Soap Place!
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Moisturizing
White Glycerin Soap |
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Natural Avocado |
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Favorite Features -
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available in 2lb bricks - scored for easy cutting
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includes directions for melting in your microwave
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enriched with coconut oil
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natural ingredients
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Soap Curls |
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Favorite Features -
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makes six to ten bars of soap
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available in a variety of colors
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allows you to have a unique, soap in a soap creation
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Herbal Soap Additives |
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Favorite Features -
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variety of herbs available, chamomile, lemongrass, lavender and more
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allows you to have a "natural" touch to your soap creations
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provides aroma therapy
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includes directions
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Essentials
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Favorite Features -
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available in a variety of colors and fragrances
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allows you to add a special "touch"
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Molds |
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Favorite Features -
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massage bars
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rose/flower bars
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botanical bars
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snowman bars
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wide variety of molds available
Individual supplies from Life of the Party/Soap Place allow you to continue to grow in your creativity with making soap! Pick and choose the supplies you want for the creations your imagination dreams up! All supplies are of the highest quality and easy to order on-line! Extremely well done, Life of the Party/Soap Place!
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Arnold Grummer
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Complete Guide to Easy Papermaking Easy Paper Making Instructional Video Series |
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- Favorite Features -
- book covers the same topics as the video
- step by step directions with photo illustrations throughout the book
- video set includes three videos and covers -
- basic sheet making
- adding color
- using inclusions and botanicals
- painting with pulp
- making shapes
- creating texture and more
The book is easy to understand and the video is like having your own personal teacher to walk you through each step! Extremely well done!
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Papermill
Complete Paper Making Kit |
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- Favorite Features -
- kit includes -
- guidebook with illustrated direction sheet
- handmold with closures
- drain rack
- professional papermaking screen
- couch sheets
- cover screen
- press bar and sponge
- guide book tells how to make paper, cards, stationery, ornaments, gift tags, bookmarks
- guide book provides valuable hints, tips and how-to's
- easy to use
This kit provides everything you need to begin making your own paper! I love how this kit encourages creativity and imagination and allows you to make your own unique paper items! This makes a unique and excellent gift for the "crafty" person on your gift list! Tremendously well done, Arnold Grummer!
- kit includes -
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Casting Mold Set
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- Favorite Features -
- includes six molds in the set - sunflower, dragonfly, butterfly, bird, maple leaf and gingko
- includes tips and info to help you know how to use these molds
Quality, detailed molds can be used for papermaking and other crafting mediums as well! Tremendously well done, Arnold Grummer!
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Complete Guide to |
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- Favorite Features -
- covers everything you need to know about paper casting
- photo illustrations throughout
- 22 projects in book allow you to actually try techniques being taught
This is clearly a must-have book for anyone who wants to create with paper! Tremendously well done, Arnold Grummer!
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Let's Make
Paper! Kit |
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- Favorite Features -
- kit includes -
- paper making screen
- support screen
- cover screen
- sponge
- press bar
- couch sheets
- patterns and instructions
This is a great choice for the beginner and kids - anyone curious about making their own paper! Easy to use, great gift idea encourages creativity, imagination and learning something new! Tremendously well done, Arnold Grummer!
- kit includes -
Casting Keepsakes
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Plaster kits |
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Wax kits |
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- Favorite Features -
- each kit includes everything you need to make a cast of a hand or foot
- easy to follow directions are complete and take you step-by-step through the process
- final projects are incredible - you can even see fingerprints/toeprints!
- encourages creativity, imagination and memories
These products are a must-have for anyone on your list with young children or for newlyweds! Give the kits so those who receive them can make casts or make casts of your children's hands/feet and give to grandparents. Either way, anything from Casting Keepsakes is absolutely going to be loved for years and years to come! Tremendously well done, Casting Keepsakes!
Many of us have taken up scrapbooking and a flare is a great time to organize photos and even work on some of your scrapbooking projects. There are many sources for scrapbooking supplies, but I have found some of the most creative, affordable and varied supplies to be as close as my computer - Oriental Trading Company! Look at the fun items I found on their site!
Scrapbooking Supplies -Don't forget cooking! Sometimes looking through a new cookbook reveals amazing surprises! Like when you find a recipe you never tried before and it actually is something you are physically able to do! Cooking allows you the opportunity to not only complete a needed "task", but also allows you to feel a sense of satisfaction - food to eat and the extra benefit of amazing aromas in your home from cooking! Check out some of the following cookbooks - you may find the perfect new resource for you!
Manufacturer - Oriental Trading Company
www.orientaltrading.com
Pet buttons
36 pieces - dogs, bones, hydrants, fish and cats
Girlfriend Gel Slides
six slides and ribbons
Valentine heart snaps
24 hearts in six colors and designs
Spring Zipper Pulls
nine pulls with varied colors, sizes, shapes and designs
Celebration Expressions
18 tile pieces with varied colors, sizes, shapes and sayings
Classic Designer Brads
48 pieces with variety of colors, sizes, shapes and patterns
Mini Baby Button Brads
72 pieces with several colors and shapes
Primary Mini Patterned Brads
48 bright colors with fun patterns
Star, heart, flower flat clips
70 clips in six colors
Mini baby paper clips
48 clips with flowers, circles, hearts, stars in five colors
Assorted bull-nose clips
72 clips in 12 colors
Celebrate embellishment kit
338 pieces with storage case, including, brads, clips, rivets, corners, buttons in a variety of colors and shapes
Fish paper clips
36 pieces in six metallic colors
Dog bone paper clips
36 pieces in six metallic colors
Metallic lock and key brads
60 brads in six metallic colors
Binder clips
72 clips in 12 colors
10 piece medium lever punches
includes a case and leaf, snowflake, heart, cake, sun, flower, square, star, circle and swirl punches
Fun Expressions 16 month calendar
As I said, Oriental Trading has a wide selection of fun "embellishments" for your scrapbooking needs and these are only a sampling of the fun items they carry! The brads and clips can be used for things other than scrapbooking - brighten up a letter or card to a friend or family member - use your imagination - and the punches can be used to both make designs or take the shape "punched" out of paper and add to your scrapbooks or cards! I'm very pleased with the quality of these items from Oriental Trading and love that I can order them on-line for delivery to my home! The calendar would make a fun gift - fill with photos and embellishments for your own unique calendar! Tremendously well done, Oriental Trading!
Wiley Publications -
Slow Cookers for Dummies
Authors - Tom Lacalamita & Glenna Vance
- Favorite Features -
- "cheat sheet" - great info
- recipes for casseroles, desserts, hot drinks, chicken, meat sauce, turkey, meat/poultry, snacks, soups/chowders/chili, stew and salad
- information on slow cookers and how to use most effectively
- recipes include description of dish, prep time, cooking time, yield, ingredients, directions, tips and nutrition information
Gifts from the Kitchen for Dummies
Author - Andrea Swenson
- Favorite Features -
- "cheat sheet" - great info
- recipes for sweets/chocolate, sauces/spreads, cakes/pies/bread/mixes and packaging ideas
- recipes include description of dish, equipment needed, prep time, cook time, yield, ingredients, directions, tips and nutrition information
- how-to's and helps throughout
Cooking Around the World All-in-one for Dummies
Authors - Jack Bishop, Cesare Casella, Heather Dinsmore, Kristin Eddy, Susan Feniger, Tom Lacalamita, Mary Sue Milliken, Joan Moravek, Helene Siegel, dede Wilson and Martin Yan
- Favorite Features -
- eight cookbooks in one - Mexican, Italian, French , Greek & Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Thai
- "cheat" sheet
- recipe index in front of book - helpful
- introduction to each style of cooking and their unique ingredients, where to find and how to prepare
- recipes include, description, prep time, yield, ingredients, directions, tips
Sterling Publications
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Cookbook
Author - Carol Heding Munson
- Favorite Features -
- recipes for stews, soups, veggies/side dishes, poultry, meat entrees and desserts/breads
- includes helpful, basic information on slow cookers, pictures, nutrition information and tips
The
Good Housekeeping
Cookbook
- Favorite Features -
This cookbook is a must-have primary cookbook. The expert tips throughout are unique and helpful! Tremendously well done, Sterling!
- recipes include nutrition information
- recipes for appetizers, soups, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, pasta, beans & rice, veggies, fruits, salads, sauces, breads, sandwiches, desserts, cakes, pies, cookies, frozen desserts, beverages and caning
- more than 1500 recipes in this book
Meredith Books
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Better Homes
& Gardens New Cook Book |
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- Favorite Features -
- includes cooking basics, equivalents and emergency substitutions
- recipes for appetizers & snacks, beans, rice & grains, beverages, breads, cakes & frostings, candies, canning & freezing, cheese & eggs, cookies & bars, desserts, fish & shellfish, grilling, meat, pasta, pies & tarts, poultry, salads & dressings, sauces & relishes, slow-cooker recipes, soups & stews, vegetables & fruits, 20-minutes meals
- recipes include start to finish time, yeild, ingredient list, step by step directions, nutritional information
- each section includes tips, index
- three ring design lies flat
- color photos throughout
- 1400 recipes
This is a must-have cookbook - perfect for someone with a hope chest, new bride, the person on your list who loves to cook and yourself! Twenty five years ago as a new bride I bough a Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and it has been a staple for my cooking throughout the years as it has been the cookbook I always turn to! This new edition has all the features of my old book with new recipes, new features and is certain to be a staple cookbook for cooks for years to come! Tremendously well done, Meredith Books!
Reader's
Digest/Krupp
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The Taste of Home Cookbook |
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- Favorite Features -
- ingredient substitution and food equivalent charts
- 1125 recipes
- nutrition facts for each recipe
- full color photos throughout
- each section starts with tips and how-to's and continue throughout book - many with step by step photos to show how to do specific things
- give ring binder lays flat
- includes free subscription to Taste of Home magazine
- tabbed sections - Appetizer/Beverages, Soup/Sandwiches, Beef/Veal, Pork, Lamb, Poultry, Seafood, Grilling, Eggs/cheese, beans/grains, pasta/pasta sauces, veggitables, fruit, salad, sauces, quick bread, yeast bread, pies/tarts, cakes, desserts, cookies/bars, candies, light and tasty
This cookbook is like sitting down with your family and friends and exchanging your best and favorite recipes! Taste of Home has outdone themselves with this cookbook! You will want to add it to your own collection as well as give them to the people on your gift giving list! This cookbook has everything you could want in a cookbook and then some! Tremendously well done, Reader's Digest & Taste of Home!
Well, of course there are many more books, crafts and supplies available for you, but these are some I had the opportunity to review and found to be well written, designed and enjoyable! Books and resources like these allow us to relax, learn new things and find ways to do things that are constructive - this is especially important to me because so often when I think about what MS and Lupus have done to me, I feel like I'm not "me" anymore. So much has been "lost" and has "changed", but there are still things I can do, so maybe I just need to learn about the "new" me and what this person can do and who she "is".
I hope you find these reviews helpful and encourage you to pick something new to learn!
Copyright © Lynda Freeman Last Updated April 29, 2007 Web Page by Lynda Freeman Send an e-mail to Lynda at LyndaFreeman@thereviewsource.net
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