I couldn't get into this. I thought many of the finished ornaments were kind of clunky and not well defined. It would have been immensely helpful if tI couldn't get into this. I thought many of the finished ornaments were kind of clunky and not well defined. It would have been immensely helpful if the pieces were also shown to scale and in relation to each other. I'm sure this book will be great for others, but not my thing....more
This is a Halloween decorating book that one can really use! Many of the projects are very simple but effective. Some are a little pricier and requireThis is a Halloween decorating book that one can really use! Many of the projects are very simple but effective. Some are a little pricier and require a bit more investment but all the finished projects look very professional and well done, but still accessible for the home crafter. I particularly appreciated several resources that the author mentioned (LeeValley.com, VictorTradingCo.com). Photographs are plentiful and the DIY directions are short and sweet....more
I love author David A. Carter's pop-up Bug series, this one included. The pop-ups are engaging and the illustrations are whimsical fun. There very lasI love author David A. Carter's pop-up Bug series, this one included. The pop-ups are engaging and the illustrations are whimsical fun. There very last pop-up is an exuberant finale!...more
I love author David A. Carter's pop-up Bug series, this one included. The pop-ups are engaging, increasing in complexity as the numbers increase. The I love author David A. Carter's pop-up Bug series, this one included. The pop-ups are engaging, increasing in complexity as the numbers increase. The illustrations are whimsical fun. Borrowing the "12 Days of Christmas" carol is a great framework and besides counting, kiddos are exposed to shape and color examples as well. ...more
Although I'm not that into the weird-whimsical style that is the author's vocabulary, the projects in this book are very well done and explained (althAlthough I'm not that into the weird-whimsical style that is the author's vocabulary, the projects in this book are very well done and explained (although I doubt the average crafter will get these superior results...). Lots of beautifully styled photos of delicate-looking ornaments and decor. Great inspiration here. Poetry is meh. My curiosity for Paperclay is piqued!...more
I've been reading lots of Halloween decorating books to get ready for the holiday and this one is just kinda meh. There are many more recipes here andI've been reading lots of Halloween decorating books to get ready for the holiday and this one is just kinda meh. There are many more recipes here and lots of them aren't even really dudded up for Halloween. I did get a chuckle over a fish bowl full of "Bleeding Hearts" which were beets cut into heart shapes. The decorating ideas include a focus on different ways to highlight the pumpkin plus a smattering of other ideas. This book will get you started on your Halloween festivities, but there are lots of books out there that feature more and better things to do....more
Although this book is over a decade old, its Halloween ideas are still fresh and modern. The author tries to make the projects something that anyone cAlthough this book is over a decade old, its Halloween ideas are still fresh and modern. The author tries to make the projects something that anyone could afford and make themselves and he clearly succeeds. I think the super-professional photo styling helps loads. Nothing looks janky or home-made, but more home-crafted. There are tons of projects that require just cutting out and gluing stuff on and the finished pieces still look great! I was intrigued by the simple cake donuts with candy eyes—right on the cover. So simple! Supermarket shortcuts are regularly employed. Templates and resources are listed in the back of the book. Lots of fantastic ideas are to be had here!...more
I've been reading a ton of books on Halloween these last two weeks and this book falls squarely in the middle of them, not the best but not the worst I've been reading a ton of books on Halloween these last two weeks and this book falls squarely in the middle of them, not the best but not the worst (?). This book is organized into 10 different themes, each taking up a chapter and exploring possible activities, costumes, decor, and even color palette. It's an interesting idea but the projects themselves often fall short. The photography is also, at times, amateurish. This is a good book to get ideas for your Halloween decorating, but there are other books out there....more
This book is filled with simple and creative Halloween projects. Some are so simple as to be only glitter glued to a surface and yet the step-by-step This book is filled with simple and creative Halloween projects. Some are so simple as to be only glitter glued to a surface and yet the step-by-step directions fill a whole page! So, if you're new or unsure of your creative skills, this is a good book with which to start. There are directions for costumes and a few recipes for you Halloween party. Photos are plentiful. This is an easy read to get some ideas....more
Fun and more whimsical ideas for Halloween decorations and party ideas. Most projects are very simple and the directions are clear and somewhat obviouFun and more whimsical ideas for Halloween decorations and party ideas. Most projects are very simple and the directions are clear and somewhat obvious. If you are a newbie or unsure of your creative skills, this is a good book to get started....more
This is likely the best DIY Halloween decorating book I've read! Despite the finished projects looking fairly professional, the authors break down theThis is likely the best DIY Halloween decorating book I've read! Despite the finished projects looking fairly professional, the authors break down the step into doable, creative bites, and then, suddenly... you have a gateway made of floating skeletons! This is more scary and sinister than cute and whimsical Halloween, so be warned. A lot of the building blocks needed here are readily obtained. There are numerous photos and plenty of instructive text. Wish the photos were more clear, but this is a great reference if you're game to spook up your Halloween....more
Many more recipes than decorating ideas and many of the recipes had ready-made foods included in the ingredient list. (The Ginger Streusel-Topped CheeMany more recipes than decorating ideas and many of the recipes had ready-made foods included in the ingredient list. (The Ginger Streusel-Topped Cheesecake lists a 30-oz. NY-style cheesecake as an ingredient...) That's not the usual way I bake, but I guess there's something for everyone in here. The decor skews more cute than sinister but I did pick up a new tip to decorate your pumpkins, using thumbtacks!...more
This is a fun and very creative DIY book for those with steady hands. There's lots of fiddly painting here and unless you've got a pretty developed crThis is a fun and very creative DIY book for those with steady hands. There's lots of fiddly painting here and unless you've got a pretty developed creative hand, don't expect your finished pieces to look like these. Sorry, just saying... I don't know the author or Glitterville but the projects here are both whimsical and Halloween-y enough. The poetry, meh, skip that. Lots of good tips but I wonder about the durability of some things. Those paper-wrapped wire arms and legs are just begging to be re-bent and I'm thinking that paint just cracks right off. Obviously, I haven't completed anything from this book but I am thinking that PaperClay is in my future....more
Some fun graphic cross-stitch designs in here. Most of them include typography but I found some of the letterforms illegible. Some projects directly rSome fun graphic cross-stitch designs in here. Most of them include typography but I found some of the letterforms illegible. Some projects directly reference Halloween but they can but displayed anytime. There's a brief materials and techniques section before one gets into the projects. The DMC color legend is nice and large though some of the actual stitch charts are teeny....more
This book being a Better Homes and Gardens publication, I knew that the projects inside would be solid, well presented, and well executed. Not anythinThis book being a Better Homes and Gardens publication, I knew that the projects inside would be solid, well presented, and well executed. Not anything that is macabre, very G-rated and kind of kid-centric here! Good, professional photographs and complete instructions plus tons of tips, sidebars, and other related factoids. Projects include food and drink, costumes, indoor and outdoor decor....more
This book includes not just directions for Halloween decor but also costumes for kids and adults and festive recipes! The step-by-step directions arenThis book includes not just directions for Halloween decor but also costumes for kids and adults and festive recipes! The step-by-step directions aren't ever longer than one page, so things aren't too complicated but the finished products still look good. There are lots of inspirational photos. Nothing is too ghoulish or macabre nor is anything cutesy. Things are suitable for all family members....more
This is MY kind of decorating book—short on text, but way long on photography. One can pretty much figure out how to do things anyway, right? This booThis is MY kind of decorating book—short on text, but way long on photography. One can pretty much figure out how to do things anyway, right? This book reads more like a magazine whose theme is "Halloween decoration!" Lots of imaginative ideas and things that you'd say, "Why didn't I think of that?" Great photo styling and mega-props for the PROPS! Lots of vintage decor but also many things that are cheap and easy to make and/or bake. Such fun!...more
Fun and modern book on DIY Halloween decor. Most of these I'd ACTUALLY do, if I had the time... The decorations that involve paper, particularly the PFun and modern book on DIY Halloween decor. Most of these I'd ACTUALLY do, if I had the time... The decorations that involve paper, particularly the Paper Candlesticks, are especially nice looking. The authors make imaginative pieces using crepe paper (garlands!), cheesecloth, and black foamcore (detailed picture frames), among other ordinary raw materials. The step-by-step instructions are detailed and there is an abundance of photographs. The book is designed beginning to end with an appropriate scary feel, as well!...more
I put a hold on this at the library purely on the title alone. If I had known it was a publication from House of White Birches, I wouldn't have botherI put a hold on this at the library purely on the title alone. If I had known it was a publication from House of White Birches, I wouldn't have bothered... As expected, the patterns were pedestrian or worse, the photography was lifeless, the styling was poor, and the models were stiff. The cutest thing in the entire book is the bottle cosy on the cover. This was a quick read and my recommendation is a hard pass....more
There was lots of good stuff here on different ways to decorate your pumpkin for fall, not just Halloween, as well as historical information on how HaThere was lots of good stuff here on different ways to decorate your pumpkin for fall, not just Halloween, as well as historical information on how Halloween came to be. Carving, painting, glittering ideas are nicely photographed. Tons of little fact boxes and tips to help you along and the book, on the whole, is well organized. But, there's nothing that you haven't seen elsewhere....more
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