Zero Down is a set collection game where you try and collect 5 of a color or 5 of the same number. If you manage to do both, with 1 of your 9 cards being part of both sets, you get a Zero Down or no points. Lowest score wins.
Kanoodle is a fun game that challenges you to use your brain! Critical thinkers and those that love puzzles are sure to enjoy it quite a bit. Age recommendations are for children ages seven and up but even those younger will benefit. I say this because my nearly four year old son that is somewhat of a puzzle genius has enjoyed it for hours! Patience is key and a child that easily gets frustrated might not enjoy it so much.
This game challenges you to solve missing piece puzzles of both the 2D and 3D persuasion. You basically decide what puzzle you’d like to solve in the book, set up the pieces as instructed, then figure out where to place the remaining pieces. The combinations are many but only one can solve the puzzle. There are skill levels in which you can work your way up or randomly pick any puzzle to start with. There are 101 puzzles to solve offering a lot to do.
The 12 game pieces are colorful balls in which no shape is exactly like the other. These pieces as well as the 48-page illustrated puzzle book fits inside the case easily! The case isn’t very big and since it snaps shut tightly, makes for a good choice to bring along when traveling. Major props for easy clean up and storage too.
My children age 6 & 3 really liked Kanoodle. My son enjoyed putting the Pyramid puzzles together and has said that this is fun! I like it a lot because it provides for brain boosting and building activities during those much needed quiet moments of the day. I would highly recommend it and am eager to check out the other Kanoodle games out there once the playability of this one wears off (which i don’t think will be for awhile).
Interested in Purchasing? Educational Insights Kanoodle is available for $10.51 as of this posting on Amazon.com. You can also find this product on the Educational Insights site.
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Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience with the product.
Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein is a must have for needle knitters of any skill level. If you enjoy learning new techniques and creating your own original designs from them, you’ll adore this book. It’s really an extremely well laid out block stitch dictionary that gives you the freedom to mix and match to your hearts desire. I believe one could grow in their knitting needle skills by whipping up one block at a time and in turn the end results could be a beautifully unique afghan of all those blocks!
This book features 150 block patterns that can be used to create a plethora of projects. Aside from the instructions for the numerous blocks there are also over ten patterns which include a bag, scarves, pullover, vest, afghan, shrug, sweater, a few toys, a tote bag, and several hats. There are many pages worth of different types of edgings and joining techniques which are essential in completing all sorts of projects.
The Chapters in this book are as follows;
Chapter 1. Basic Building Blocks
Chapter 2. Ornate Appliqué, Embroidery, and Cords
Chapter 3. Creative Colorwork
Chapter 4. Special Techniques
Chapter 5. Cables and Counterpanes
Chapter 6. Eclectic Styles
Do note aside from the chapters that are several other areas in this book that explains to readers the important of gauge, how to mix-and match blocks, abbreviations to know, handy techniques, & resources. I feel that the book is laid out quite well. In each of the chapters, the first few pages are filled with full color photos as well as the name of each block to be knit in that section. The block instructions and charts are easy to understand and follow.
If you are not a fan of seaming knitted projects this book may not appeal to you. Though I would say that it opens the door for many interesting pieces. In the back of the book there’s copy the pages, cut out the blocks, and try them out on the assembly diagrams in the instructions. It makes for some fun combinations! I really like all the texture and raised designs quite a bit. It’s shown me you can make truly amazing looking things when knitting! I’m looking forward to growing my skills starting with the more simple textures and moving up to dabbling in cables, exploring color work, and much more! I would highly recommend this book for any knitters collection!
About the Author: Beloved knitwear designer NICKY EPSTEIN is the bestselling author of numerous books, including Knitting on Top of the World, Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. Her designs have also been featured in Vogue Knitting magazine and many other knitting publications, on television, and at art exhibitions. She currently resides in New York City and travels extensively, teaching and lecturing.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. The opinions are my own or my immediate family members, based on our personal experience of the title.
Felting by Elvira López Del Prado Rivas is an exciting book that teaches everything one would want to know about the craft. I with very little knowledge about felting before feel much more educated! I have not only been educated but inspired greatly to make my own interesting, creative, and unique things out of felt! Who knew such an age old technique from around 3500 B.C could be so be so exciting to learn about as well as take part in!
The book is put together very well being thoroughly detailed in the imagery of over 550-step-by-step photographs as well as in instructions and explanations. There are a total of five chapters which are: 1. Felt, 2. Material & Tools, 3. Processes, 4. Techniques, 5. Projects. Each of the chapters have several categories. At the end of the book there’s an Artist Gallery by International felt artist which features all sorts of interesting, inspiring, exciting, and amazing creations.
The twenty-eight original projects presented use both industrial felt and felted wool. You can learn whether using wet or dry felt to make flowers, balls, hats, purses, slippers, refrigerator magnets, dolls, finger puppets, jewelry, and more! There are so many projects I adore!
I took the opportunity to introduce my 3 and 6 year old to felt starting out with the felt sheets commonly found in craft stores and a few of the patterns in this book. These specific projects for younger kids include mostly cutting & gluing. Though note there are many more projects that have you creating felt yourself from wool!
As a knitter, I am quiet drawn to the patterns in this book that feature blocking and a few other techniques I’ve been eager to try but just hadn’t done so yet. This book is taking me out of my comfort zone and for that I am glad! It has taken my love for fiber crafting to yet another level! I highly recommend picking up a copy for home, school, or crafting group use!
Interested in Purchasing? Felting by Elvira Lopez Del Prado Rivas
Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book for review purposes from Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
