January 18, 2009 at 8:57 pm · Filed under authors, book review, non-fiction and tagged: felted knitting, knitting, knitting as art, knitting how to, shibori, shibori knits
Author: Gina W. Wilde
Publisher: Potter Craft 2008
ISBN: 978-0-307-39354-8
Reviewer: P. Shannon Evans
Shibori Knits – The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits is an artistic exploration of the art and craft of incorporating shibori weaving techniques with knitting. Author Gina Wilde takes the reader on a transformational exploration where old myths about texture and finishing are abandoned and results in the reader reinterpreting their own creative responsibilities. Old stereotypes for color and content are abandoned as author and reader embark on parallel journeys of discovery of “new” techniques and combinations of wool, color, and creative uniqueness.
A clear-cut, easy to follow resource guide for the serious as well as the more casual knitter this work guides the reader through the maze of felting and non-felting fibers. The techniques and directions covered help readers to develop an awareness of their own knitting preferences as well as to enable them to navigate their own interpretations of patterns and fibers with confidence and grace. This inspiring book gives unparalleled insight into the intricate challenges of fusing fabrics through felting and expands the possibility to create new combinations of felting and non-felting fibers.
Influenced by her physical environment as well as by her own professional experiences weaving and sculpting, Wilde has applied her artistic skills in new ways to create sophisticated, intricate knitted designs. Facing the monumental task of fusing her love of color, texture, and nature Wilde wanted to create designs that were transformational and innovative. She slogged through the process without the benefit of any guidebooks or resources learning through trial and error and even accident to mix colors and fibers. As she went through the process she began creating combinations and permutations that resulted in innovative designs that resembled works of art rather than embellished knitwear. As she went through the methods over and over Wilde refined her processes and began to create more checklists to help her and others with the herculean task of designing manageable patterns for others to follow. Soon she had a straightforward, well developed plan for each shibori knit design. Based on her more than 200 previous designs and her vast experience at fusing textures and color, Wilde methodically approached each design included in this book.
Shibori Knits provides a sensation laden introduction to this ancient Japanese artistic philosophy of color and texture. Wilde’s own flirtatiously sophisticated personality shines through in each interpretive design making this book sparkle and stand out from the many other knitting books on the market today. Versatile, sophisticated, and unique, each pattern will provide the knitter with an unforgettable garment and a truly personal creative experience. This book sets a new standard for process and design books in knitting resulting in a positive transformation for future audiences. Wilde’s Shibori Knits – The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits is more than a knitters ‘how to’ book; it is a deeply satisfying experience of color, texture, and technique that brings a new depth of dimension to knitting design books.
January 2, 2009 at 9:22 pm · Filed under Dennis Kelley, Entrepreneur, book review, motivational, non-fiction, personal growth and development, self help and tagged: aspirations, business professionals, dreams, Entrepreneur, entrepreneurial, entrepreneurship, self help, self-empowerment, self-limiting behaviors, self-limiting beliefs
Title: Achieving Unlimited Success
Author: Dennis A. Kelley
Publisher: Aviva Publishing
Date: 2008
Price: 19.95
Why isn’t your business everything you thought it would be? Why does something always seems to be in the way of you achieving your dreams? Are you self-sabotaging and getting in the way of your own success? Dennis Kelly’s first book, Achieving Unlimited Success, explores how people who fail to understand their own self-limiting mindset and self-limiting beliefs are holding themselves back. Achieving Unlimited Success helps uncover what is holding each of us back personally and professionally. It then guides the reader through the steps for making a deliberate plan to achieve their dreams.
Part story collection, part instruction, and part personal discovery, Kelly’s book is a well written book that actually demonstrates how to live your life without limits. Using positive thoughts to achieve success this book instructs even the most casual reader on the power of learning to identify what one truly wants in life. This book can be that guide book the entrepreneur has been seeking to help establish the practices and habits needed to keep moving toward that vision of success.
Achieving Unlimited Success prompts the reader to really assess where they are currently in their life and their relationship with others and then to make a specific plan to get where you want to be. Living the life of your dreams is not just a possibility if you dare to dream, according to Kelley. He goes further to address that if you don’t “go big” with your dreams you might as well “go home.” Self-limiting dreams and aspirations often get in the way of personal and professional success.
Creating the vision of the outcomes you expect is a key element presented by author Dennis Kelley. His own work as a professional business coach has illustrated that lifelong learning is the key to success along with commitment to change. This innovative book encourages focused perseverance and commanding the life choices that promote growth and change. Entrepreneurs and business professionals will find this book a no-nonsense approach for Achieving Unlimited Success.
