The Best of Vanessa-Ann's Cross-Stitch Collection (Joys of Cross Stitch)

Rating:
Summary: Must have
Review: Another reviewer had a very detailed description of this book which all who are interested in this title should read. I generally like more sohisticated designs and I absolutely loved all the Father Christmases that make up a nice portion of the book. This book really caters to all tastes.

Rating:
Summary: If you could only have one book for the long winter nights
Review: I have long been a fan of the Vanessa-Anne house style, but this book is a perfect culmination of all their previous work. The collection covers a wide range from simple Amish samplers to complex needle-art pictures. There are five headings covering birth, special events such as weddings keep-sakes for friends and family, decorations for the home,lovely alphabet samplers, and my particular, favourite, the Chirstmas collection. This is a group of seven different Father Chismas pictures, which cover all ethnic origins but could be worked as a harmonious whole if you were skilled enough. Even if like me, you felt a lot of the work was beyond your skills the sheer beauty of this book would lure you on to greater artistic endevour. The art work is of a very high standard being both clear and easy to read. So often needle-work books are let down by poor rendition and mean use of colour.This is most assuredly not the case with this book. Another nice touch is the way the finished projects are diplayed in various settings to further whet the appitite. I first came across this book in a review featured in a American needle-work magazine and was so taken by the look of it that I ordered it through a book-seller who was who was going to the states. ( I live in England) Even though I was agast at the price, this being pre-online ordering, I have used and browsed this book almost more than any other in my vast collection. In fact my significant other says if he has to share his space with much more of my collection he is moving out to the garden shed. But if I didn't already have this I would feel it a risk well worth the taking. Truly a book to help pass the balmy summer evenings, and get you through the long winter nights