Customer Reviews

Sassy Cats: Purr-Fect Craft Projects

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

 

 

I'm more of a dog person, but my daughter dotes on all things cat. I bought this book for the instructions and cat designs which are both fresh and humorous! Cat accessories have been popular for so long that many designs out there are cliches, but these are new and wonderful. The "Bowl Me Over" wall hanging displayed on the cover is worth the price of the book all on its own, but my favorite design is the cat and mouse table runner. Well, maybe not--the painted mailbox and the appliqued wool-felt purse are adorable too. That is one thing I really like about this book. Shelia Haynes Rauen focuses on cat motif design and gives directions for a multitude of crafts to display them. There are quilts, pillows, painted flower pots and dishes. If there is anyone on your gift list who is crazy about cats--this is the book for you. :)the accidental quilter

Anyone who crafts and loves cats will love this book! I first saw the author on Carol Duvall and knew that I had to try what she was demonstrating that day - a painted cat looking in a fishbowl. And when I found out she had written this book, I immediately went looking for it. You will NOT be disappointed. All of her projects have easy to follow instructions and they can also be used for any medium you want to try, be it painting, quilting, applique, etc. Her cat pictures are darling and my two (Mad Max and Maisie) already have their requests in to me! The only problem you'll have is trying to decide which one to do first!

"Sassy Cats" was not intended to be just a quilt book. The title is "Sassy Cats - Purrfect Crafts Projects". It has 15 projects for everything from silk painting, painting on wood, canvas, glass, and ceramics to applique, quilting, and free motion embroidery. As the author, I have been very pleased with the response and the feedback. In the book, I recommend that people play around with the designs, enlarging and reducing them for their specific project ideas. One fan even hooked one of the designs as a wool purse. Most of the designs lend themselves very well to be used as applique projects for quilting. Many of the painted projects were created in applique for HGTV's "Simply Quilts" television show with Alex Anderson. I'm sorry that the reviewer Lamkay thought it was just a quilt book. I do feel that based on her misunderstanding, her review is unfair and damaging to me. Thank you. Sheila Rauen

I have both this book and "Cats in Hats" book and they are both invaluable resources for painting on wood, fabric, umbrellas, tile, as well as quilting, free-motion machine embroidery...well, you get the picture! A variety of approaches to fundamentally adorable designs add to the value of this book.

Clear and helpful directions and a sense of relaxed playfulness make this book a welcome addition to my art room library.

Kathleen

Ms. Rauen's deeply felt ideas about creativity are inspiring. Her warmth and romance with art and life are evident. I especially enjoyed her thoughts on getting rid of negativity, and "filling up". The well organized projects are a lot of fun. I look forward to more of her titles.

I feel that the reader who purchased this book thinking it was a "quilting" book
should blame only herself for the mistake. Nowhere, not in the reviews, nor in the title does it say that this is a quilting specific book. In fact the very title states --- Sassy Cats: Purr-fect cat PROJECTS!
The book demonstrates various crafts projects as well as some that can be used in the making of a quilt. Simply reading all the information given for a book, will help to avoid errors such as this. That being said, let me add that this is a very interesting and inspirational book. Inspirational in that it INSPIRES the crafter to come up with her/his own ways to use all of the ideas presented.
If you're looking for ideas to assist you in making lots of crafts involving cute cats, including a quilt or two, you've selected the right book.

I expected a quilt book and received a paint on silk book. If you like to paint on silk, buy it. If you expect patterns for quilting, forget it!