Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook
By Anna Maria Horner
Gifted by Wiley Publishing
www.wiley.com
Reviewed by Melissa Conner

It's no big secret that the art of needlepoint is a slow and meticulious process.  One project can often take weeks to complete and can involve any number of thread colors.  However, as most crafters and needlepoint designers will tell you, the reward is often well deserved and more than worth the effort it took to create the project.

For those who love needlepoint crafts and are looking for fun and creative patterns to make and give, Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook is a great place to start.

Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook features four categories of needlework; cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, and crewel.  Each category ofers advice on common tools used, Anna Maria's favorite techniques, and hold-your-own hand instructions on how to develop and create your own patterns.  In addition, each project journals her process right down to the precise fabrics and exact color number of every thread used in the beautifully photographed examples.

As a novice to needlecrafting, I loved that Anna Maria had detailed and easy to follow illustrated instructions on how to do several types of stitches.  After reading through the book once, I already feel like I have a better grasp on the art of needlecrafting and what it takes to create those lovely designs.

I was also surprised to discover how relaxing needlecrafting is.  The simple art of pulling thread with a needle took my mind off all my worries and, in a matter of seconds, I was calm and content...doing a craft that has been around for centuries.

If you have any interest in learning or playing around with needlecrafting, Anna Maria's Needleworks Notebook is a great guide for beginners and those who might feel a little rusty in embroidery!