Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0896600785, Hardcover)

Handmade Gifts from a Country Garden is a classic example of what a crafts book should be. The text is charming without being cloying, the photography is exquisite, the crafts are lovely and unique, the directions are clear and simple, and the various appendixes and indexes are truly helpful. Moreover, Laura C. Martin has a pleasant and encouraging voice, like a cross between a sincere homeroom mother and Martha Stewart.

The 60 projects are arranged seasonally, and time, cost, materials, difficulty, and shelf life are given for each one. The projects run the gamut of complexity, from small pots of herbs (rated one pair of scissors--the easiest) to a lacy bridal-flower album (rated four pairs of scissors). It's not necessary to actually grow the ingredients--all can be purchased. Several pages at the beginning of the book detail what is needed to start out, and a section at the back gives relevant information for growing the various plants used. Handmade Gifts from a Country Garden would be a marvelous gift for anyone who has a bountiful garden or simply loves plants and crafts.