Customer Reviews

Aranzi Cute Stuff

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Between "The Cute Book", "Cute Dolls" and "Fun Dolls", Aranzi Aronzo pretty much exhausted all of the possibilities in the way of character dolls. So, in this, the final book in the "Let's Make Cute Stuff Series", Aronzo turns it's focus to cute accessories, and in my opinion, this is the best book in the entire series.

"Cute Stuff" provides patterns and instructions for making 16 different Aronzo character-themed projects (if you aren't familiar with the Aranzi Aronzo characters, check out the Aronzo website, [...] - they're sort of like the Sanrio/Hello Kitty characters, only with more personality). These include: hair bands, book covers, draw-string bags, assorted pencil cases/purses/zippered pouches, felt keyrings, tote bags, tissue cases, napkins, felt envelopes, water-bottle covers, and scarves. Because of the practical nature of these projects, I have found this book to be far more useful that its predecessors. I love making cute dolls, but I don't have the space to keep them and I feel guilty whenever I make one. However, I can use a water-bottle cover, for example, so have a much easier time justifying making it to myself.

The patterns and projects are slightly more difficult than those in the previous books. Whereas most of the projects in the previous Aronzo craft books could be made by hand-sewing, many of these projects require a sewing machine. Furthermore, some also require techniques, such as quilting and fitting zips, which, although not extremely difficult, may cause problems for absolute beginners. Nevertheless, as with the other books, the instructions are fully illustrated and easy to follow, and colour photographs are provided throughout.

In "Cute Stuff", crafts expert Aranzi Aronzo presents patterns and step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of colorful, interesting, and, well, 'cute' do-it-yourself crafts projects ranging from matching purses, tissue holders, and key rings, to hair bands, eco-friendly bags, and card holders. "Cute Stuff" is comprised of some 79-pages of crafts project in a 'how to' collection offering diversity of specific, fun, projects complete with a list of necessary materials, methodical construction instructions, and a full page color photograph of how they will look when completed. Of special note is are the little introductory commentaries that preface each project. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Cute Stuff" is highly recommended for the novelty of its individual crafts projects, and the many, many hours of personal pleasure and sense of accomplishment they will afford.

79 Pages of the most amazingly adorable stuff that you can make at home for very little money will entertain you for hours on end and make your home-made gifts the sensation of your neighborhood! As the author says, "Just carrying cute stuff around can make you feel happy."

Using simple things easily found at any crafts store, the book will teach you to go from gathering your supplies together to making your patterns and finishing your projects.

Oh! And the projects are so original. The long doll scarves, the book covers, the key rings, hair ornaments and more will send you over the moon with delight!

This is a goldmine of stuff to make that you will treasure and have fun using!

This book is ideal for a beginner! The patterns are easy to use and the directions are very simple to follow!

I love this book!

I love every Aranzi Aronzo book I have, but this one is just great for my daughter and I both. Lots of Japanese style mascots and crafts, and many of them are made with felt and can be done by hand. Tissue covers, easy running stitch embroidery (that's just impossibly cute), water bottle holders, and lots of bags. There are some simply adorable keyring patterns I can't wait to try. It's fun and inspiring. I think I'm going to have my daughter decide on a project, then draw her own character up we can make a pattern for.
The instructions are well written and very cute, and there is a conversational feel to the project descriptions that made me laugh out loud at times. I'm glad I got it.

I can't praise this book highly enough. The basic projects are simple to make, but also highly functional. The emphasis on "making things the way you like" gives this book a welcoming feel.

There are few projects in this book that you can't add a felt appliqué to, making it easy to personalize your projects.

In addition to the great projects and patterns in this book, the book itself is a joy to read-- if you're anything like me, the writing will have you in stitches (pun intended)!

Seriously, this is one of the better books out there with "cute" projects. The simple construction of the projects is what initially sparked my interest in this book. Even if you don't own a sewing machine (I do) you could still make most if not all of these projects. The sewing machine just might make it less time-consuming.

Mini tote bags, hair accessories, pencil pouches, etc... All things you could actually use, and would make great gifts for someone!

My 6 year old daughters actually like me to "read" them this book and show them the instruction diagrams, patterns, etc. Really! It's obviously translated into English from Japanese, in a fun, happy way! Going thru the how-to's of a project makes my kids smile.

If you are looking for detailed, exact patterns this probably isn't the book for you. But there are templates and cutting/sewing directions with measurements, so it's easy to do yourself! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to do simple crafts, not just for kids!

I love this book! It is so cute and easy to manage. I'm working on my first project now - although I don't have too much time to work on it, the book clearly takes you on a step by step process to be able to stop and pick it up whenever you can. So far, I am very satisfied with the book especially without a sewing machine!

I love this book. I have made approx 6 projects from it and all have earned rave reviews. I don't have kids and I love this stuff. My friends kids love it too but they can't have it. Get a job and get your own book kid! This book cheers me up when I'm down just by looking through it. It's better than a boyfriend. Maybe I should aim higher when it comes to boyfriends. But this book is great! I highly recommend it to any cute-deficient crafter. Life is hard but it can be cute too(mmm, just like boyfriends)!

My daughter loves this series and we recommend it for all the wonderful ideas. Suggestion would be that patterns be separate from bound book to make it simpler to copy.