RELEASED TODAY – Creative Crochet Projects – 12 Playful Projects for Beginners and Beyond by the uber-talented Stephanie Pokorny CROCHET AT IT’S MOST CREATIVE

Title: CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS

Subtitle: 12 PLAYFUL PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND

Author: STEPHANIE POKORNY 

Genre: NON-FICTION, CROCHETING, CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

Length: 96 PAGES

Size: 8.5″ X 10.8″

Publisher: LANDAUER PUBLISHING – A DIVISION OF FOX CHAPEL PUBLISHING 

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: MAY 1, 2021

ISBN: 9781947163638

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

You’ve never seen a crochet book like this before!

Whether you want to learn how to crochet or you’re looking for new projects to try, Creative Play with Crochet is for you! Featuring 12 projects that start easy and introduce a new technique one design at a time, this exciting guide contains crochet patterns you won’t find anywhere else!

Filled with personality and color, follow step-by-step instructions and skill-building tutorials to create a collection of charming crochet projects, from a beehive mobile and a kitchen play mat to toys, beanies, scarves, and more!

Crochet with creativity!

– 12 fun crochet projects with a charming, offbeat sense of style
– Create kids’ toys, beanies, buntings, scarves, a beehive mobile, and more
– Step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and skill-building tutorials
– Beginner-friendly introduction to common stitches and crochet basics.

Author Stephanie Pokorny has a one-of-a-kind style that has both wide appeal and originality.

MY REVIEW:

Ever wished you could learn to crochet? Or, are you already an accomplished crocheter? Either way, this is a must-have book.

With 96 pages, of the highest quality photography with detailed instructions for each project, this is a craft book of the highest quality.

To ensure CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS will appeal to crocheters of every skill level, author Stephanie Pokorny has included instructions with full colour photographs for each crochet stitch.

It is obvious to me that a exceptional amount of thought went into the creation of this book.

The author even includes information as to how to read other crochet patterns and what each abbreviation that crocheters might run across stands for.

I have seen (and own) dozens of crochet pattern books, but have never seen one (until now) that appeals equally to crafters of all ages and degrees of proficiency.

From a kitchen placemat that looks like a stovetop to a fully stacked hamburger for kid’s play kitchens, each project is unique and beautiful.

The projects include:

– Finger Crochet Scarves

– It’s a Chinch One-Hour Cowl

– Squiggles McGee Hat

– Bubble Hue Shift Hat

– Asymmetric Owl Wrap

– Happy Heart Bunting

– Foldable Burger

– Foldable Hot Dog

– Sliceable Watermelon

– Bee-Unified Mobile and a

– Roll-Away Kitchen Placemat

I rate CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS – 12 PLAYFUL PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND as 5+ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephanie Pokorny is the designer and owner of Crochetverse.com that offers a one-of-a-kind original style to the crochet world.

Her elaborate children’s crochet costumes were even acknowledged in the 2019 edition of Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE  

GOODREADS 

ETSY

FACEBOOK – AUTHOR

FACEBOOK – PUBLISHER

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER – AUTHOR

TWITTER – PUBLISHER

RAVELRY

AMAZON  

YOUTUBE

CHAPTERS

***************************

“Stephanie Pokorny is one of the most creative crochet designers working today and her clever ideas shine through in this book. Every design is innovative, joyous, and most of all, FUN!”
– Heather Mann

Download the Free Pattern “Walt The Worry Bear”

Creative Crochet Projects – 12 Playful Projects for Beginners and Beyond by World Famous Crochet Queen Stephanie Pokorny is a feast for the eyes

Title: CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS

Subtitle: 12 PLAYFUL PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND

Author: STEPHANIE POKORNY 

Genre: NON-FICTION, CROCHETING, CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

Length: 96 PAGES

Size: 8.5″ X 10.8″

Publisher: LANDAUER PUBLISHING – A DIVISION OF FOX CHAPEL PUBLISHING 

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: MAY 1, 2021

ISBN: 9781947163638

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

You’ve never seen a crochet book like this before!

Whether you want to learn how to crochet or you’re looking for new projects to try, Creative Play with Crochet is for you! Featuring 12 projects that start easy and introduce a new technique one design at a time, this exciting guide contains crochet patterns you won’t find anywhere else!

Filled with personality and color, follow step-by-step instructions and skill-building tutorials to create a collection of charming crochet projects, from a beehive mobile and a kitchen play mat to toys, beanies, scarves, and more!

Crochet with creativity!

– 12 fun crochet projects with a charming, offbeat sense of style
– Create kids’ toys, beanies, buntings, scarves, a beehive mobile, and more
– Step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and skill-building tutorials
– Beginner-friendly introduction to common stitches and crochet basics.

Author Stephanie Pokorny has a one-of-a-kind style that has both wide appeal and originality.

MY REVIEW:

Ever wished you could learn to crochet? Or, are you already an accomplished crocheter? Either way, this is a must-have book.

With 96 pages, of the highest quality photography with detailed instructions for each project, this is a craft book of the highest quality.

To ensure CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS will appeal to crocheters of every skill level, author Stephanie Pokorny has included instructions with full colour photographs for each crochet stitch.

It is obvious to me that a exceptional amount of thought went into the creation of this book.

The author even includes information as to how to read other crochet patterns and what each abbreviation that crocheters might run across stands for.

I have seen (and own) dozens of crochet pattern books, but have never seen one (until now) that appeals equally to crafters of all ages and degrees of proficiency.

From a kitchen placemat that looks like a stovetop to a fully stacked hamburger for kid’s play kitchens, each project is unique and beautiful.

The projects include:

– Finger Crochet Scarves

– It’s a Chinch One-Hour Cowl

– Squiggles McGee Hat

– Bubble Hue Shift Hat

– Asymmetric Owl Wrap

– Happy Heart Bunting

– Foldable Burger

– Foldable Hot Dog

– Sliceable Watermelon

– Bee-Unified Mobile and a

– Roll-Away Kitchen Placemat

I rate CREATIVE CROCHET PROJECTS – 12 PLAYFUL PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND as 5+ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephanie Pokorny is the designer and owner of Crochetverse.com that offers a one-of-a-kind original style to the crochet world.

Her elaborate children’s crochet costumes were even acknowledged in the 2019 edition of Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE  

GOODREADS 

ETSY

FACEBOOK – AUTHOR

FACEBOOK – PUBLISHER

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER – AUTHOR

TWITTER – PUBLISHER

RAVELRY

AMAZON  

YOUTUBE

CHAPTERS

***************************

“Stephanie Pokorny is one of the most creative crochet designers working today and her clever ideas shine through in this book. Every design is innovative, joyous, and most of all, FUN!”
– Heather Mann

Download the Free Pattern “Walt The Worry Bear”

HOME OFFICE SOLUTIONS – How To Set Up An Efficient Workspace Anywhere In Your House by DIY Guru CHRIS PETERSON is the perfect book for anyone and everyone who either works from home or just wants a dedicated office space of their own. FIVE STARS ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH!!!

Title: HOME OFFICE SOLUTIONS

Subtitle: HOW TO SET UP AN EFFICIENT WORKSPACE ANYWHERE IN YOUR HOUSE

Author: CHRIS PETERSON 

Genre: NON-FICTION, HOME AND GARDEN, CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

Length: 128 PAGES

Publisher: CREATIVE HOMEOWNER – A DIVISION OF FOX CHAPEL PUBLISHING 

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: NOVEMBER 3, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-58011-859-0

Price: $19.99 USD / $24.99 CDN

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

From a cozy corner to converting a shed or garage, create an efficient and attractive workspace where you can earn your living comfortably!

Whether you’ve been working from home for years, or you’re brand new to telecommuting and have questions, Home Office Solutions holds all the answers and inspiration for making a workspace you’ll love. Providing tips on home office ideas, space-efficient furniture, lighting, WIFI, organization, and so much more, also included is detailed advice on how to successfully work from home, plus the pros and cons of setting up a home office in different areas.

Create an efficient and attractive workspace where you can earn your living comfortably!

A WORKSPACE YOU’LL LOVE: How to make your home office comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable to maximize the benefits.

ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS: The pros and cons of spare rooms, basements, kitchens, and other spaces, design tips, helpful advice, inspirational photos, and more.

SPACE-EFFICIENT IDEAS: Furniture, lighting, organization, reducing clutter, and other ideas to make the most of the space you have.

Expert insight on home office design, working from home successfully, staying productive with kids and pets in the house, and more.

EMBRACE THE FUTURE OF WORK

According to Forbes:

“Work is forever changed.”

Join the work-from-home shift with an efficient, comfortable home workspace.

MY REVIEW:

With the way the world has changed thanks to the emergence of the Covid19 pandemic, the way people work and live has also changed.

This book could not be more timely. Working from home has become a reality for so many people worldwide that the “old way” of doing things is just that … OLD.

With the necessity of working from home, a great need has emerged. People need a home office that fits into their existing space and meets both their work and home needs.

Gone are the days of office workers braving traffic and inclement weather. However, emerging is the need for a guide exactly like this book.

Chris Peterson is a veteran of home renovation and of creating, not only functional, but also visually appealing workspaces.

HOME OFFICE SOLUTIONS: HOW TO SET UP AN EFFICIENT WORKSPACE ANYWHERE IN YOUR HOUSE is a must own book for everyone, whether they need a home office to work from every day, or for general household use.

The photographs included will have you drooling. The biggest dilemma readers will face is how to choose which of the stunning home office spaces they want.

Both of the above images of these gorgeous home offices had me drooling over them.

Whether you have an entire room to dedicate solely to office use, or only have a tiny area under your stairs, there are solutions for you in this book.

I rate this fabulous and visually stunning home office solutions book as a solid 5 OUT OF 5 STARS. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the second book by this author I have had the pleasure of reviewing. To read my other review and to see more amazing projects by Chris Peterson, visit my blog by clicking HERE.

*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chris Peterson is a veteran home improvement and design author.

Among the many books he has written are 5-Gallon Bucket Book, Building with Secondhand Stuff, Manskills, four books in the Ideas You Can Use series, and many books in Cool Springs Press’s BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series.

He has also co-authored numerous home design books with noted media celebrities. He lives in Ashland, Oregon.

To learn more about this Publisher visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

YOUTUBE

PINTEREST

SOME OF THE MANY BOOKS WRITTEN BY CHRIS PETERSON:

Black & Decker READYMADE HOME FURNITURE DIY BOOK by Chris Peterson is now available and it is terrific. Great Projects will save you money and look super stylish.

Title: BLACK & DECKER READYMADE HOME FURNITURE

Subtitle: EASY BUILDING PROJECTS MADE FROM OFF-THE-SHELF ITEMS
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Author: CHRIS PETERSON
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Genre: NON-FICTION, CRAFTS & HOBBIES, HOME & GARDEN

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Length: 146 PAGES

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Publisher: QUARTO PUBLISHING GROUP – COOL SPRING PRESS

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Received From: NETGALLEY
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Release Date: DECEMBER 25, 2018

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ISBN: 978-0-7603-6162-7

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Price: $21.99 USD / $28.99 CDN (worth every penny)

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Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*

DESCRIPTION:

You might not think it, but home stores carry all the furniture you’d find in a show room; it’s just not assembled yet. Black & Decker Readymade Home Furniture shows you how.

You can find just about any furnishing imaginable in the aisles of the home goods store—coffee tables, wine racks, chandeliers—with just a little assembly (and creativity) required. In Black & Decker Readymade Home Furniture, you will learn how to re-imagine the big-box building center as a source for stylish, customized home furnishings that are i nexpensive and easy to make yourself.

Metal connectors, pipes and ductwork, rope, sheet goods, glass, and all varieties of hardware are just a few of the ingredients you can shop for to turn yourself into a furniture maker— without the need to buy a lot of woodworking tools and learn complicated joinery.

Inside this book, you will find a wealth of insightful information on how to convert everyday building materials into fine furnishings, along with 24 projects, complete with instructions to get you started. Unique and custom styles and colors, durability (select the quality materials you want), low cost, and a sense of satisfaction are just a few of the benefits you will experience by doing your furniture shopping at your home center or hardware store.

MY REVIEW:

“Why are home craftsmen and craftswomen, and even the least experienced DIYer among us, drawn to the local hardware store as if in a trance? … What is that allure? Just what is it about hardware stores? The answer can be summed up into one word: possibilities.”

“…This book is about all the bits and pieces that can be put together in new and ingenious ways to create home furnishings and accents that are at once useful, fun, unique and economical.”

The book begins with a “Hardware Primer” which I found particularly helpful. There are photographs of the various types of screws and even a chart for adhesives – providing a quick go-to guide for which type of adhesion should be used in any given scenario and what the drawbacks are for each. There is even a shopping guide for what to look for when purchasing a studfinder (which, I believe every household should own.) In addition to those points I have listed, the guide provides much more necessary information and is good for beginners to learn and are good reminders even for the most skilled home craftsman.

The book is divided into sections. After the Hardware Primer is “Creative Reinventions” which contains fifteen projects, all with brilliant full color photographs of the finished product as well as several photos of each project taken as it is being built. These photographic illustrations are a wonderful addition to the book. They allow the reader to gauge how their work measures up to the book at multiple steps during the build process.

I will not list all the projects in the book, but I will name a few that I want to try to build. There is the rustic-chic Trim-and-Rope Mat that can be used anywhere in the home, including the front door, or the bathroom, or even in the bedroom or on the back deck.

The “Copper Pipe Pot Rack” is next on my husband’s ‘Honey-Do-List’ and I am excited to have it installed in my kitchen. This item could cost upwards of $1500 to buy already built, but will cost less than $100 to do-it-yourself.

The “Chunky Club Chair” is a project I would love to have multiples of. My ‘Honey-Do-List’ seems to be getting longer as I go through this book and discover more amazing projects.

The “Aluminum Sheet Lamp” reminds me of lamps seen in high-end lighting store. I found similar lamps selling online for $300 and up.

The “Living Wall” will turn your backyard, patio or deck into a work of art and depending on what you plant in it, it could also be a source of fresh herbs or vegetables all summer long. This is one project I plan to start in March and to keep it inside with each ‘pot’ planted with vegetable seeds and once summer comes I will move it outside to its rightful place.

Believe it or not, all the projects listed above are from only Section One of this amazing Do-it-yourself book.

The second section is titled: “Built-ins from Stock Cabinetry” and contains eight stunningly beautiful projects that can be completed in a single weekend.

The “Media Bar” from this section looks like something you would see in the “After” shot of a professional television renovation show. It is also being added to my ‘Honey-Do-List.” Wow! My husband is going to be a very busy guy, and my home will look phenomenal when these projects are completed.

I rate BLACK & DECKER READYMADE HOME FURNITURE: EASY BUILDING PROJECTS MADE FROM OFF-THE-SHELF ITEMS as 5+ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I will come back to this post and add photographs of each project we do, as they are completed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to save money by building projects themselves and who are interested in upping the resale value of their home. These small projects will make a big impact on your home decor and I am very excited about getting started.

**Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.**
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chris Peterson is a veteran home improvement and design author.

Among the many books he has written are 5-Gallon Bucket Book, Building with Secondhand Stuff, Manskills, four books in the Ideas You Can Use series, and many books in Cool Springs Press’s BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series.

He has also co-authored numerous home design books with noted media celebrities.

He lives in Ashland, Oregon.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

GOODREADS
.

AMAZON
.

CHAPTERS
.

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE
.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:

Cool Springs Press is the leading publisher of step-by-step how-to books for both DIY gardening and home improvement. Their state and local gardening books are tailored to specific regional environments across the United States, while the renowned series of foolproof home improvement books have long been trusted on both the bookshelf and the job site.

To find out more about this Publisher visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
.

INSTAGRAM
.

TWITTER
.

FACEBOOK
.

GOODREADS
.

PINTEREST
.

YOUTUBE
.

DUMPLING CATS by Sarah Sloyer – An Adorable & Unique Crochet Pattern Book – 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Title: DUMPLING CATS      

Series: CROCHET & COLLECT THEM ALL

Author: SARAH SLOYER    

Genre: CRAFTS & HOBBIES

Length: 96 PAGES

Publisher: DOVER PUBLICATIONS 

Type of Book: EBOOK

Received From: NETGALLEY  

Release Date: JUNE 14, 2017  

ISBN: 9780486813431 (PAPERBACK)

Price: $19.95 USD (PAPERBACK)

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟     

DESCRIPTION: 

“Waffles is a relaxed feline who loves to read, and Cheeks just can’t get enough to eat.”

“These fun-loving characters are just two of the 25 dumpling-shaped crochet cats in this whimsical collection.”

“The cuddly crochet critters were inspired by the Pokémon™-like craze Neko Atsume, a game that enables you to attract cats to your backyard and “collect” them.”

“Each little dumpling has a name and personality points that add up to big fun!”

MY REVIEW:

What a visually stunning crochet pattern book!

There are 96 pages to this book. Yes! 96! That is absolutely amazing. Kudos to author Sarah Sloyer and to Dover Publications for not cutting corners. I have to admit that I am extremely impressed at the gorgeous and very detailed photographs for each of the 25 patterns.

Including the extra touches such as a pet bed, food bowls and even a box since everyone knows cats love boxes. These extra patterns are the icing on top of an already decadent and delicious cake.

I was thrilled to realize that due to the step-by-step detailed instructions and photographs, these crochet patterns can be created by crocheters of any ability; from beginner to expert.

I rate this book as 5 out of 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and I will be recommending it to all my crafty friends and family.

* Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   

                     SARAH SLOYER studied animation at the School of Visual Arts. She is a former designer at Animation Domination High-Def.

She lives in Pennsylvania. 

To find out more about SARAH SLOYER visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE        

GOODREADS      

TWITTER    

FACEBOOK 

INSTAGRAM    

AMAZON        

TARGET            

NETGALLEY      

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE   

Get free patterns by Sarah or buy additional patterns in her RAVELRY STORE   

CREEPY CRAWLY CROCHET by Megan Kreiner is AWESOME and a must buy for every crocheter from beginner to expert. 5 STARS 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

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Title: CREEPY CRAWLY CROCHET 

Subtitle: 17 CREATURES THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Author: MEGAN KREINER   

Genre: NON-FICTION, CRAFTS, CROCHET

Length: 112 PAGES  

Publisher: DOVER PUBLICATIONS

Release Date: SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 

ISBN: 9780486810799 

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

This is a wonderful collection of crochet patterns with detailed instructions and high quality photos.

This is the perfect time of year to buy this book since Halloween is right around the corner. Some of the creatures that are included in this book are:

Boo Boo the Voodoo Doll  

Jack, the Headless Horseman, and his horse

 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  

Carl of the Dead and Daisy, his Zombie Dog and MORE.

This book is suitable for both beginner and intermediate crochet afficianos.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

I plan to make almost all of the 17 creatures. These creepy characters will make great gifts for science fiction and horror fans and for fans of old horror movies as well as those who love zombie fiction and television shows such as The Walking Dead.

I rate this amazingly fun crochet pattern book as 5 out of 5 stars. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  

Buy online at Dover Publications.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Kreiner is an experienced knit and crochet designer. She is the author of several books, and her designs have appeared in many other publications. 

The Long Island native currently lifes in Altadena, California, where she is an animator with DreamWorks. 

To learn more about this author visit the following links: 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

GOODREADS   

TWITTER    

FACEBOOK    

GOOGLE    

To receive a free “GUS GUS” pattern click on the photo below. 

RECYCLE, REUSE, RENEW: Bring Old Things New Life! by Nadene Blue – BOOK REVIEW

Cover image obtained from http://www.amazon.com

RECYCLE, REUSE, RENEW: Bring Old Things New Life!
35+ Gorgeous DIY Projects To Revive Your Old Stuff

Author: Nadene Blue

Type of Book: eBook

Length: 54 pages

Genre: Crafts, Non-Fiction, DIY

Release Date: May 28, 2015

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I downloaded this book for free from Amazon.

“Are you tired of throwing out things that you once loved because you can’t seem to find a purpose for them again? Well stop throwing them away!”

This book is chock-full of ideas for recycling, repurposing and reusing household items that you no longer use and turning them into something new.

The best part about these projects and ideas is that you do not need to spend much money to complete any of these projects.

Some of the included ideas are:
– Making your own tinted lip balm from old lipstick nubs
– Using an old rake to create a rack
– Make an iPod holder from a tie
– Turn sweaters that no longer fit into snuggly, warm, one- of-a-kind pillowcases. (Cable-knit sweaters look particularly gorgeous)
– Use old phone handsets as bookends
– Turn an old breadbox into a charging station
– And much, much more!

Recycling and up-cycling have become very popular. As our landfills fill up with items that could be reused, you will feel good about yourself and your contribution to saving the environment when you complete any of the projects detailed in this wonderful eBook.

I really like the fact that each project includes detailed instructions as well as photos of the completed project. These seemingly small details make a HUGE difference to the usability of this book. Too many project books lack pictures and this makes the projects much more difficult to create since the reader is unsure of what the item is supposed to look like in the end.

There are a few typos and grammatical errors which is why I am giving this a rating of 4 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐