Terrarium Craft by Amy Bryant Aiello and Katie Bryant

My love for terrariums goes back to the 1970s when those large, spaceship-style plastic orbs were so popular.  Terrarium Craft by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant is a wonderful book that has inspired me to bring some updated terrariums back into my home.

What I liked most about the book is that that the authors’ creations are from found materials. Instead of expensive Wardian cases, this book shows how to create beautiful scenes from a variety of glass objects you may have around the house or something you will be able to pick up at a thrift store. 

The authors provide good instructions for choosing containers and the proper planting materials to provide for a healthy environment for added plants.  There are many pages of inspiration for natural and unique materials to add beauty and charm to the desired scene.  Plants and mosses are also explained.  There are full-page sized photographs of most of the designs.

I especially appreciate the photographs that show step-by-step how to assemble the terrarium.  There are 50 terrarium projects with a list of contents and instructions for assembly.  They are divided into four groups based on inspiration – Forest, Beach, Desert, and Fantasy.  If you are not a plant person, some of these are so pretty that you don’t need to add plants!  Just in case you don’t have time to hunt and gather supplies, there is a list of resources to purchase a variety of plants, mosses, and décor.

This is a wonderful book for inspiration and instructions for creating terrariums.  It would also make a nice gift book.

Link to purchase Terrarium Craft

Thank you to Timber Press for this copy of Terrarium Craft for review.  It is provided with the understanding that I give my honest opinion of the book. 

 I receive no compensation if the book is purchased through my link.

Make Your Bed by Leslee Evans

What a great idea to add color and style to the bed!  Instead of a full quilt, the patterns in this book are for pillows and reversible bed runners that drape across the bed. 

There are good basic instructions to make the runners, but also instructions to embellish sheets and pillowcases.  There is a how-to for making “The Easiest Pillow Ever” and pillow shams. The instructions are clear, with diagrams, color pictures, and full-sized templates.   

The beautiful Rose Irish chain Runner is an easy four-patch with a scalloped edge design. Perfect for the reverse side is the “Scattered Leaves” runner.  There are also instructions for matching pillowcases and sheets.  What a pretty set!

There is a “Houndstooth/Suits Me” set and a youthful Pizzazz/Starry Night set with appliqués and loose stitch-on decorations.  For your Batiks there is the serene Waves and for your brights there is the Playful squares set.  There is an elegant Floral Silk runner, the natural Forest Runner, and the cheerful Friendship Star. My favorite is the earthy Leaves-and-Trees with maple leaves and a tree scene. The flip side for this one is a bold Rail Fence.

This is one of my favorite quilt books this year.  There is something for all quilt skill levels, including beginners to quilting.

Link to purchase Make Your Bed by Leslee Evans. - Also available in E-book form.

I received a copy of this book for review from Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork Place.  I accept books for review with the understanding that I will give my honest opinion of the book. I receive no compensation if the book is purchased through my link. 

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

The first chapter or so was a little over-the-top because of the overly descriptive and flowery writing, but once I got past the beginning, the story fell into place.  The dialog helped to even out the writing.  This is an interesting story of a pastor falsely accused of a sinful act to protect a family member. The family’s life spirals out of control when an accident victim can’t be found.

This is a Christian book, and there are a lot of faith issues covered.  Some of the things interlaced into the story are the difference in the type of prayers the wife and the husband (former pastor) offered, sin, repentance, evil, and forgiveness.  

The characters are interesting and I did like the story, but there is one thing that I just couldn’t accept in a Christian fiction book. The preacher's wife participates in the occult.  I think it is an unfortunate addition to the story and completely unnecessary.   The author took the easy way out by portraying the main protagonist as a medium using articles of clothing to see and feel what a missing person was going through. It would have been much more interesting to have an interesting police/detective method of solving the crime, but instead the author took the occult route.

I received this book as part of the Booksneeze program from Thomas Nelson accepted only with the understanding that I give an honest review. I receive no compensation if you purchase through my links.

Link to purchase The Baker's Wife

Fast Fusible Flower Quilts by Nancy Mahoney

For those who like to make a bold statement in their quilts Nancy Mahoney has created a book with big beautiful flower quilts.  These patterns are great for beginners.  There are patterns for both easy appliqué and for a combination of appliqué and piecing.

There are instructions for making and placing templates, no trace cutting, starch appliqué, fusible appliqué, and finishing techniques.  The instructions and diagrams are clear and concise.

All of the patterns in this book would be appropriate for a beginner quilter, and there are even a few patterns for a person wanting to try appliqué for the first time. My favorite pattern in the book is Daisy Vines on p. 66.  It has a very easy pieced background for the three columns of large flowered vines, and the vines are divided by with easy pieced sashes. A desktop wallpaper photo of the Daisy Vines quilt is available at Martingale & Company website free of charge (see link below).

I recommend this book for beginners or any quilter wanting a quick easy project.

I received my copy of Fast Fusible Flower Quilts from the publisher for review with no expectation of anything other than an honest review. I post a link for purchase, but I receive no compensation if a book is sold.

Link to Martingale and Company, home of That Patchwork Place to purchase Fast Fusible Flower Quilts 

The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman

The most beautiful knit fabric will make an awful sweater if the finishing techniques are not right.  There is so much information in this small book to help me make that perfect project.  Only 144 pages, but they are packed with information.  The books starts with Nancie’s Finishing Secrets, 7 tips that only experience can teach. 

There are variety of cast-on methods, seven in all, and five bind-off methods.  Also, increases, decreases and selvages.  There are even eleven seam stitches explained!   There are nice diagrams, photographs, or both for each of the techniques.

Also covered is picking up stitches, borders, bands, finishes, which includes crochet edges, and so much more.

This is a hard cover book with a heavy spiral binding.  It has a lay-flat design for easy use so you will never lose your place.

Two worksheets finish the book for planning the next project.  This is a very nice reference book for hand knitters.

Link to purchase The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques

 Thank you to Martingale & Company for the review copy of this book. I post only my honest opinion and I receive no compensation if you purchase the book through my link.

Flip Your Way to Fabulous Quilts by Donna Lynn Thomas

Flip Your Way to Fabulous Quilts by Donna Lynn Thomas

The technique of the flip method starts by using a smalls square on the corner of a larger square that is sewn on the diagonal. There are some basic quiltmaking techniques and a short section on improving your accuracy, along with other tips and tricks.  The section on Applying the Concept was a little confusing for me at first, but a slow read and a little practice could master it.

There are three sections of patterns:

1. Try Me Quilts to learn the folded corner process and is recommended by the author for beginners.
2. Grow With Me Quilts for intermediate or confident beginners.
3. Master Me Quilts uses the same skills but the blocks have more pieces.

Shimmering Leaves is my favorite pattern with the beautiful color using dark, medium and light leaf color fabrics.

There is quite a bit of waste using this method, but the last pattern has a quilt to use up all of those scraps.

While working on another quilt I had to make a pieced border that turned out pretty badly, but one look at the book and I realized that the flip method would work perfectly and I was very happy with the results.

Link if you would like purchase Flip Your Way to Fabulous Quilts

(Also available in e-book form)

Thank you to Martingale & Company, Home of That Patchwork Place for a review copy of this book.  I post only my honest opinion and I receive no compensation for any purchase of the the book.

That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2012

My beautiful 2011 That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar is on my wall and now it is time look ahead to 2012.  I was so pleased with last year’s that I wanted the new one..  Again this year it is a large 12”X12”, folding out to 12”X 24” with enough room for notes each day. It has a strong hanging grommet.  The top half of the hanging calendar contains a quilt picture and the bottom half is the month decorated to match. 

It is more than just a calendar though, because there is an accompanying soft-cover booklet with instructions, diagrams and templates for all of the quilts.  I have tried some of the other calendars, but this one by That Patchwork Place is definitely my favorite. 

The quilts included are varied in style and method.  Some of the quilts are pieced and some appliqué.  There are also quilts for all skill levels.  My favorites were Bittersweet Briar, a combination of appliqué with a piece border, and For the Birds, another mixed method quilt. Another great product from That Patchwork Place. 

Thank you to Martingale and Company for the review copy, received only with the understanding of an honest review.   Link to Purchase 2012 That Patchwork Place Calendar 

Quilting those Flirty ‘30s by Cynthia Tomaszewski

This is not your ordinary quilt pattern book.  Most of my quilt books have an introduction to quilting, instructions, and patterns.  Cynthia added a little extra by creating a book that explains the very heart of quilting and its connection to home, friends and family.  Her book begins with a little family history and what life was like back in the 1930s.  As a genealogist, I was particularly interested, but you don’t have to study your own family tree to enjoy her stories. 

Next in the book she has her favorite childhood cookie recipe and tips for making great cookies.  Not only is this a nice addition to the book, but it also showcases a tea cozy and potholders made from patterns in the book.  There are also other cookie recipes throughout the book, eleven in all.

Quiltmaking basics follow, including something that I don’t see in a lot quilt books, a primer on layering and basting.  There is a nice introduction to different methods of appliqué so that even a beginner could quickly learn to create something beautiful with these patterns.  There are patterns for table runners, a tea cozy, potholders, an apron, and quilts of all sizes. 

My favorite was Angel Kisses, small flower wall hangings with yo-yo tassels – cute, easy, and unique!

There is something for every skill level, depending on the method of appliqué chosen.  There are larger flowers that would be easy enough for a beginner and also more intricate and delicate flower appliqués that would require a more experienced quilter.  

See some of the finished patterns on the Martingale and Company site

Thank you to Martingale and Company for the review copy of this book, received only with the understanding that my review will be my honest opinion.

Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow

As Tom Crane's life spirals out of control, he is called home to close out his recently deceased father's legal office. When he arrives in small town Bethel, GA, he finds his father's death and good character is in question.

Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow is a well-written Christian mystery that is heavy on Christian and light on mystery. I enjoyed reading about the type of legal practice Tom's father had and how he tried to work out the problems of Christians scripturally, without bringing it to court. I also liked his uncle's testimony and the effect it had on Tom's spiritual awakening. Potential readers should know that there is quite a bit of focus on the character's spiritual awakening, scripture, and his uncle's ritualistic Christian practices. The mystery of who killed Tom's father and another man is more of a back story.

Unfortunately, I liked everyone but the character of Tom. Even though he seemed to be trying to be as upright as his father, he continually did things that I though was unprofessional and dishonest. It was the one part of his life he did not seem to even acknowledge. For example, I would have no respect for anyone who would have a video conference, claim it to be a confidential conversation, but have someone hiding off camera listening in to what was going on. In spite of this, I did enjoy the book and I plan on reading more by this author. 


Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a review copy of this book.


Link to purchase Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow

Inspired by Tradition 50 Appliqué Blocks in 5 sizes

I love Kay Mackenzie’s 50 Block books.  I previously reviewed Easy Appliqué Blocks and now I have Inspired by Tradition with 50 blocks.  These blocks are inspired by the more traditional styles, but not at all old fashioned or stuffy.   Visually the book is beautiful.  It is very colorful and the pictures really pop off the page.  The patterns are flowers, vines, berries, birds, hearts, and wreaths.

A CD is included with the book and you can print the patterns out as 6”, 8” 9”10” or 12” blocks.  You can also print them reversed for back-basting hand appliqué or fusible web machine appliqué.  

Kay includes very detailed instructions on back-basting, hand stitching, raw-edge machine appliqué, fusible web, and everything you need for the fine details of your blocks.  The book ends with a nice gallery of quilt and wall-hanging ideas.  Skill levels will depend on what method of appliqué is used, but I would say there is something here for every skill level.

Link to purchase Inspired by Tradition 50 Appliqué Blocks in 5 sizes  

Modern Basics by Amy Ellis

Modern Basics by Amy Ellis

Most of the quilts in Modern Basics are easy squares and triangles. Although the fabrics in the book would not be my choice of fabrics, her choice of colors really shows off the designs so that a new quilter will be able to understand the importance of the light, medium, dark choices.  For example, the Wind Power quilt that has three fabrics. The pink fabric just pops out of the quilt.  I like the Tumbling Cubes quilt the best.  It is a plain quilt with small bright colorful accent squares. I also like the 123! Its three off center strips sewn into a square would be perfect for a brand new quilter. 

There are no skill levels listed, but I would say that most of the quilts are fairly easy and the skill levels would be absolute beginner, easy, and advanced beginner.  Honestly, I would recommend them to any quilter that would like a fast, easy quilt to make. 

I like the basic quilting information in this book.  It contains more detailed instructions than I usually see.  There is good information on rotary cutting, squaring up, piecing and even using your sewing machine walking foot. 

Even as an experienced quilter, I will keep this one on my permanent shelf.

Shelter by Harlan Coben

Link to pre-order Shelter by Harlan Coben 

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors and has now branched out into the YA genre. 

The character of Mickey is a likeable 15 year old with a unique blend of friends. Mickey has an unusual upbringing and never seems like a high school age student, but I can picture his friends, Spoon and Ema in any high school setting. Most of the book is a traditional mystery/thriller that takes Mickey and his friends in search of his missing girlfriend, Ashley.  There are strange happenings around an old house and rumors that a mysterious “bat lady” lives there.   Later in the book I thought the story got a little choppy and a holocaust connection seemed too contrived, but the story is engaging and entertaining. 

I have read several Coben books, but none with these characters.  The character of Mickey’s uncle, Myron, is in other Coben adult thrillers, but unfortunately in Shelter he was just a name with little character development which made him seem cold and indifferent.  The characters Spoon and Ema were both interesting and likeable, especially Ema as the outcast in high school.

I would recommend the book for young adults, but not for children.  The plot contains quite a bit of violence and takes Mickey to strip clubs.

In a good book series, each book should also be a standalone with a plot that can expand into the next book. Each book should also have a satisfying ending, and that is where I think Shelter fell a little short.  I liked that at the end of Shelter there were new questions about Mickey’s father that will be picked up in the next book, but I was disappointed that there were questions about Ema and other characters that were asked – but never answered in this book.

Red, White, and Sometimes Blue Classics from McCall’s Quilting

Link to purchase Red, White, and Sometimes Blue

Classics from McCall’s Quilting (Also in Ebook form)

Red, White, and Sometimes Blue  is a unique look at red, white and blue quilts. For example, the Garnet Glaze a quilt with several red fabrics and one white fabric made with a combination of appliqué and piecing. Writer’s Block is made with squares of one solid red.  They are mixed with white blocks and borders which showcases the quilting designs in the white spaces. My favorite is Bits of Sunshine which is several blue fabrics and a white fabric and is made of rectangles.  This one cheats a little because the “sunshine” is spots of yellow and a narrow yellow band.  There are also scrap quilts using red, white and blue.

There are clear diagrams for cutting and piecing.  I like that each quilt has a short section on planning that discusses important steps for success dedicated to that particular quilt.  These are traditional patterns and although there are no skill ratings, there are patterns for all skill sets.

The Civil War Sewing Circle By Kathleen Tracy

Link to purchase The Civil War Sewing Circle  

The Civil War Sewing Circle has a nice variety of information, photos and quilts.  There is a nice mix of patterns and history of Civil war era life.  There are excerpts from letters written to their loved ones, soldiers and to other quilters. Included is the well known letter from Sullivan Ballou to his wife a week before he died. 

The quilts are inspired by the patterns and fabric from Civil War times.  Because of the popularity of the Dear Jane Quilt, we are fortunate to have many reproductions of Civil War fabric to choose from.  You won’t have any trouble finding just the right fabrics for these projects.

Most of the quilts are small in size, doll, wall hanging, to cot size, but not full sized quilts.  There is also a pattern for a letter pocket with a needle case and a felted topper for a wood keepsake box.  I prefer larger quilts, but an experienced quilter could take the patterns and enlarge the size to suit their needs.

These are basic traditional patterns such as the Shoo-Fly, Ohio Star, One-Patch, and hexagons.  There are large color photos of the quilts and good diagrams for cutting and piecing.  This is the perfect book for those who like to add history to craft.

A Quirky Christmas by William G. Bentrim

Amazon.com link for A Quirky Christmas

A Quirky Christmas is a sweet story about what it means to be a true friend.  The story revolves around Quirkey and his friends and their relationship with Reggie.  Reggie is one of those squirrels that is selfish and difficult.  The story shows the proper attitude toward those who are difficult and how important it is to show a good attitude when someone is in need. This is an important message for children to learn and one that is a good reminder for their parents.

I am not sure what the age range is, but it is a fine read-to book for small children and older children can read it for themselves.  You will enjoy meeting quirky and all of his friends