Instant Gratification: Ornaments: Fast and Fabulous Projects (Instant Gratification) [Paperback]

Carol Endler Sterbenz (Author), Genevieve A. Sterbenz (Author), Julie Toy (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Instant Gratification | Publication Date: July 1, 2001

Spread the joy and magic of the Christmas season with beautiful ornaments you make yourself. The projects in Instant Gratification: Ornaments range from elegant beaded affairs to adorable miniature toys. Readily available materials, inspiring photographs, and clear and thorough instructions make it simple to assemble and complete each sparkling piece in the space of an afternoon. With unique gifts for sharing or for hanging right on the family tree, Instant Gratification: Ornaments takes the stress out of the holidays.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Holiday ornaments make pretty and memorable gifts, and this slim volume provides some creative ideas for making your own. The allure is magnified by the color photographs by Julie Toy. Citris slice ornaments look yummy. A music-paper bell appeals. Among the charming possibilities are a frosted ball ornament and a gilded apple.

The book is designed so that directions face the photographs, a big help once you're in the middle of a project. A glossary of materials and tools, a source list and patterns round out the book. These are elegant ideas for an adult crafter. -Chicago Tribune

You've got to know your audience, and Ms. Sterbenz certainly does in the "Instant Gratification" craft-book series. The books offer projects that are easy and fast for people who have little time for such endeavors. Children can help with some projects.

In Instant Gratification Ornaments, Ms. Sterbenz teaches you how to make 40 lights, ornaments, and garlands.

An ornament you might want to try for the musician in your life is the bell made with old sheet music. Ms. Sterbenz also demonstrates a gingerbread house from mat board and beads. A project sure to have your mantel aglow calls for running a string of miniature lights through a sleeve of organdy.

The book includes patterns, sources, and a glossary of materials and tools. Each project includes a list of materials and equipment. The author issues safty warnings; for example, use spray adhesives in a well-ventilated room. -The Dallas Morning News

About the Author

Carol Endler Sterbenz is a syndicated columnist, founder of Handcraft Illustrated, and author of more than 25 books. She lives in New York.

Genevieve A. Sterbenz is a Manhattan-based stylist and writer whose books include Holiday Decorations and The Home Spa.

Julie Toy is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle photographer whose work has appeared in numerous magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811830233
• ISBN-13: 978-0811830232
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I expected more ideas and less complicated ones!, October 14, 2002

By 

"napraforgo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Instant Gratification: Ornaments: Fast and Fabulous Projects (Instant Gratification) (Paperback)

I bought this book last year when it was published so there were no customer reviews thenm, and i wish there were.

I bought the book based on the title, i expected easy and fast projects which give creative and lovely results. While the book is wonderful to browse because of its excellent photography, the projects are FAR from being easy and "instant gratification".

Most of the projects have a long list of needed supplies, and the ideas weren't the "ah, why didn't I think of that" kind either. I was particularly annoyed by the large number of projects that do not CREATE anything, but rather decorate a glass ornament. I can think of ways to spice up a glass ball, thank you very much.

I do NOT recommend this book only as a viewbook for getting in christmas mood, but there are better books out there for that. I give it two stars for the photography and design, but for contents it doesn't deserve it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars At least the photography is beautiful, February 3, 2002

By 

J. B. Morgan "LV Momma" (Waterbury, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Instant Gratification: Ornaments: Fast and Fabulous Projects (Instant Gratification) (Paperback)

I was a little disappointed with this book but that was because I was expecting a little more sophisticated ornaments. My fault, actually, because the title is 'Instant Gratification'. The projects aren't very complicated, and many can be done by children.

My biggest complaint is that the print is so small, it is very difficult for me to read the supply list and instructions.

However, the photography is fabulous! It really shows off how elegent these simple projects can be.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not really instant, November 28, 2001

By 

J. Brown "aislyn" (Brookline, NH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Instant Gratification: Ornaments: Fast and Fabulous Projects (Instant Gratification) (Paperback)

There were some good ideas in this nook, but the majority are a bit more involved than the title implies. Plus there were several projects that were for light strand bulb covers, not really ornaments. There were about 5 that were quite simple, the rest were of varying degrees of difficulty. Some due to the supplies needed.