Customer Reviews

Donna Kooler's 555 Fabulous Cross-Stitch Patterns

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have both books by Donna Kooler and can not wait for book 3 and 4 to come out. I have made some beautiful items for myself and gifts from these books. Love them. Wish she didn't continue to the next page on the graph. I haven't been stiching long and I got lost once. Love these otherwise. Also the Sam Hawkins books, I have 5 of his books and can't even begin to say enough about his books. Love them.

The designs are too simple for any avid cross-stitcher,her 555 country crossstitch patterns are much more fabulous.

This is a wonderful book! Every chapter has hundreds of designs to choose from and something for every occasion you would ever need. It is truly a stitchers dream book.

I found the designs in this book very simple and uninteresting. I was very disappointed in this book and am incredibly surprised at the high ratings other reviewers have given this book. I would not recommended this book to anyone. Her 555 Country Cross Stitch Designs is superior to this book if you are looking for a small design book.

Yet again, Donna and her team have managed to put together distinctive charts, this time using six themes : Flora & Fauna, Friends & Family, Heart & Soul, Hearth & Home, Heaven & Earth and Happy Holidays. All the designs manage to be straightforward to stitch without being boring, and all are vibrant, colourful and effective. As usual, she excels with her Christmas designs - I'm on my third 'If you see Santa, tell him I've been good', its so good on blue. Add one or two different small designs (there's so many in this book) and you have another special picture for someone's Christmas (and it doesn't have to be a child!) This book is yet another goldmine. Like all of Donna's books, its a joy just to look at the pictures !

This was one of the first books that I bought when I began to cross stitch again, and it has been wonderful! The variety is excellent, and the patterns always delight me!

This book is divided into four sections:

Winter Wonders
Spring Fever
Summer Daze
Autumn Harvest

Each section begins with a seasonal sampler. The winter and summer samplers are geared toward children. Motif themes include animals, flowers, fruits, trees, buildings,seasonal sports activities and a few holiday-related designs. Illustrations of completed motifs suggest finishing possibilities such as greeting cards, towels, pincushions and table linens. Some motifs are complete enough to frame as small pictures.

The front of the book contains general instructions and they are, indeed, very basic. End material includes a DMC to Anchor conversion chart as well as one for inches to centimeters. The index is brief, vague, and therefore, in my view, disappointing. Still, this is a very useful book with oodles of designs that are fun to look at and that will provide a sense of accomplishment from a quick finish.

Oh, my! This is a fabulous, fabulous book. Every stitcher should have it in his/her library. Charts in color (not my fave) but easy to read. It is loaded with motifs. They are arranged by month. Substitute them for an expensive button. Group similar ones together for a large, original piece. (I used 4 of the "monthly mini band-samplers" for the 4 seasons - tho I did have to rechart spring; and I revised the others. I also took 4 of the quilts to make another 4 seasons piece. I'm squarely in my 4 seasons period. The ark became the anchor for a teeny band sampler.) The set of teapots is wonderful; so are the fairies with birth-month jewels. There are little houses for each month, a button, wreaths (these wreaths are outstanding - my next project! - I'm doing all 12), etc. All your favorite designers are here: Sandy Orton, Barbara Baatz, Linda Gillum, Donna Yuen, Nancy Rossi... One reviewer said they were too simplistic. I have to disagree. They're not ultra-sophisticated, certainly, but they aren't simplistic! You really must have this book! Yes, yes, yes! (I think the "flora and fauna" exerpt shown in the 'look inside' is from another book - a 4 seasons one - these are sophisticated ones and aren't really motifs, either. Naturally, I can't lay hands on my copy to check for sure..... The cover examples are accurate, however.) Martha Beth Lewis

My name is Sandy and I love doing cross-stitch! This book is wonderful for gift ideas. The only thing I wish it had is how much materail I need! If there is any way anyone could send me the information I am seeking please e- mail me at: ho73882@peakpeak.com