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Rating: 
Summary: Thank you, Martha!
Review: Another excellent effort by Martha! The photos are pristine in their color and clarity. Her ideas are excellent and, as usual, serve to inspire those of us who enjoy our homes as our "castles"!!!
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Summary: Projects are elegant and simple, yet make a statement.
Review: For any Martha Stewart fan, a must. This is a collection of her easiest projects, yet they really pack a punch. Try giving someone a gift wrapped in a paper bag tied with raffia and a fall leaf gift tag with their name written in gold ink. Faster than all that tape and expensive paper, and just see how impressed they will be with such a simple statement. The book is full of ideas like this. And they can be translated from one use to another. (You never entertain and use place cards? Try those ideas for gift tags.) The book is slightly overpriced for a softbound volume, but it it worth it not having to wade through three years of Marth Stewart Living trying to remember what issue that pilow project you are thinking of was in.
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Summary: This book is essential for any self-respecting person!
Review: I must admit that this is the best craft book I have ever read! And I should know, I have been reading them for 60 years! Martha includes so many wonderful ideas. She really is a creative and smart woman and should be commended for her genius. She ranks up there with Herbert Hoover and Regis Philbin. She is quite a role model for the ages and this work of literary merit makes it quite apparant. I warn you, the reader, that life will be very difficult without this book. Buy it and you are buying yourself genuine happiness for years to come.
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Summary: Cut & Paste Job. Avoid
Review: If you don't subscribe to Martha's expensive magazine (I don't), then this book is the only thing you need to own. It is the best of all the good ideas without weeding through ads.
Rating:
Summary: The Essential Martha
Review: In the introduction to this book, Martha Stewart defines what she and her staff consider a "good thing". It must be uncomplicated, useful, aesthetically pleasing, interesting, pertinent, unusual, and done with materials that are easily found. I would say that about 75% of the projects in this book meet those criteria as I would apply them.The book is well organized into seven sections: entertaining, cooking, celebrating, giving, gardening, decorating, and homekeeping. I found useful ideas in each section - some sections were better than others for me - but even the ones of lesser interest to me were still lovely to look at. At the end of the book, Stewart includes a source guide for most of the materials used in this book. I especially liked the kitchen tips (in the cooking section); the easy instruction for handmade soaps; tole painting on tin buckets; and the organizing hints which included record-keeping. Some of the ideas did not appeal to me at all (like gluing live ivy leaves along the edges of a tablecloth, making a linen table-sized mat, making linen basket liners, and constructing wraps for bottles) but then again, they were fun to look at! The beautiful arrangement of this book and its photos made it worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: The Essential Martha
Review: In the introduction to this book, Martha Stewart defines what she and her staff consider a "good thing". It must be uncomplicated, useful, aesthetically pleasing, interesting, pertinent, unusual, and done with materials that are easily found. I would say that about 75% of the projects in this book meet those criteria as I would apply them. The book is well organized into seven sections: entertaining, cooking, celebrating, giving, gardening, decorating, and homekeeping. I found useful ideas in each section - some sections were better than others for me - but even the ones of lesser interest to me were still lovely to look at. At the end of the book, Stewart includes a source guide for most of the materials used in this book. I especially liked the kitchen tips (in the cooking section); the easy instruction for handmade soaps; tole painting on tin buckets; and the organizing hints which included record-keeping. Some of the ideas did not appeal to me at all (like gluing live ivy leaves along the edges of a tablecloth, making a linen table-sized mat, making linen basket liners, and constructing wraps for bottles) but then again, they were fun to look at! The beautiful arrangement of this book and its photos made it worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: Cut & Paste Job. Avoid
Review: Rehash of articles in her magazine. Avoid.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, A Bundle of Good Things!
Review: The "Good Things" segment of Martha Stewart Living magazine and television show has always been my favorite. The book is brimming with concise ways to make life more pleasant. In all, very delightful and beautifully done. From cover to cover, it's full of fresh ideas that can be accomplished in a short amount of time. For the busy woman who wants to take pride in her home, these ideas are just right. The best part is....all my favorite "good things" are now in one place. Thank you Martha, for a very good thing
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Summary: The literary bon-bon from Martha
Review: This book puts the best of the best right where you need them. I have used this book so many times I can't even count. My apartment is a testament to Martha Stewart, and when I buy a house, it will be even worse. I can't tell you how the dishwashing soap bottle just improves the look of the kitchen, not to mention using the concentrated stuff and diluting it with water saves money and the environment. Just so many things, I can't count. . .little things, that make it go a long way. See also Good Things For Organizing, which gave me four things to use the night I got it.
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Summary: SPRING CLEANING PROJECTS
Review: This is my top pick for the coming season. Tackle the spring cleaning and then take Martha's advice and partake in a bit of crafty invention...Just enough to spruce up an otherwise monotonous winter cave - your HOME! From fancy plate hangings to hanging eucalyptus in your shower, this book of quick do-it-yourself-ers is just the think for a springtime facelift and spiritual revitalizer. Any of Martha's books are top-notch. This one just happens to be my particular favorite. Go to her website, marthastewart.com, and get tons more advice on weddings, showers/parties, babies, gardening, cooking (an awesome recipe archive), etc.
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