Julie Hasler has captured the heart of the cat lover. When I look at needlepoint books the first thing I look for is a design of a cat, and to think here is a book with no cutesy cats. Each design reminds one of some cat one has known. The only problem is deciding which to make first. Keep doing more books, Julie Hasler!

A range of cat designs with a difference. Each cat has character and the backgrounds are superb. If you are a cat lover you will love it although you may be like me and find it hard to decide which one to create first.

This is the best book of Silhouettes that I have found. There are many easy projects plus there are some full scale difficult works for those who want to test the limits of this cross stich form. Buy it you will not be disappointed.

If you like old fashioned silhouettes for Victorian decor, this book is for you. The silhouettes are truly lovely like the typical profile of a woman and others are vibrant and in action which makes them suitable for a modern decor also. Quick, easy and beautiful.

The cute patterns in this book could be used for many different projects. Charts are large enough to use easily.

These really hold up, and needleworkers will be rewarded, especially as redwork embroidery (for which these designs are perfect) is enjoying a renewed popularity these days. Interestingly, the Greenaway designs, although certainly sweet, aren't nearly as sugary as later ones that were based on her widespread & influential designs.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to decorate a nursery. These patterns are loving renditions of the illustrations found in the classic Peter Rabbit tales. Patterns also include Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, and several other of Beatrix Potter's lovable characters. High detail makes it easy to woodburn and paint these patterns, and some of the patterns include full scenes from the books.

This book is a little old faction by the current standards. The charts, while colorful, are hard to read. However for those willing to take the time, there is gold in this book. The author makes generous use of half and quarter stiches to make her subject come alive. This book is not for a beginner or someone who preferes weekend projects. How ever, all her subjects are beautifully rendered (especially the cheetah) and well worth the time and work.

I really liked this book - I did find the large designs rather "busy" but very striking never the less. A nice varity of design complexities and sizes. Well worth owning.

I live in Cape Town, South Africa and my husband and I travelled to london for a holiday in July, 1999. I saw this book at Harrods while I was there and promptly bought two copies, one for my youngest sister, and one for a very good friend. It is amazing that an English designer of the stature of Julie Hasler, who has published many other fine cross stitch books, has been able to, so perfectly, portray the wonders of the Native Americans and their culture, both ancient and modern through this medium. The two people I have bought this book for have been stitching non stop from the more than 40 patterns featured in this high quality book. The picture of the Nes Pearce woman featured on the cover is but a small taste of the wonders to be found under it. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves the art of Cross Stitching and who loves the culture of the Native Americans. For cross stitchers who hate back-stitching, this book is ideal as Julie has managed to portray her subjects poignantly, using mainly whole cross stitches and using little or no back stitch. A fabulous buy. Stunningly easy patterns to follow, and the colours are amazing. I have found myself totally inspired by the contents of this book and have, as a result, started to read up as much as I can on the Native American culture. If you have the money and you like this type of work....buy it...you won't regret it! :)

The designs in "Julie Hasler's Fantasy Cross Stitch" are rich and textured looking, without using difficult stitches, blended threads, or backstitch. Indeed, Hasler keeps backstitch to a minimum, using darker stitches for outlines and detail. The zodiac signs are particularly appealing. The Pegasus and Unicorn designs are also lovely. The use of darker stitches instead of backstitching gives the feeling of painting to these designs (rather than pen and ink!) I would highly recommend this book, both for the ease of stitching and for the unusual designs.

This book seems to have been created by two people.
The first half is dedicated to charts depicting the signs of the zodiac and the results are stunning. I have rarely seen such powerful cross-stitch designs.
The second half of the book is disappointing, substandard figures of wizards, unicorns and viking gods. The sun/moon design is ok, but not better than other such designs out there.

Overall, I would recommend the book highly because you'll never find anything like the first half - it's worth the wasted back pages.

this is a brilliant book if you are fed up with stitching teddies and other "cute" images. the designs are charted using symbols and colour together which make them easy to follow whichever method you prefer. The designs range from huge fantasy figures such as mermaids and vikings to tiny symbols from various religions and cultures both ancient and modern.

Julie is a bit of a maverick in the world of cross stitch. She started stitching while laid up from a serious motorcycle accident. she must be the only cross stitch designer with a shaved head and tatoos.

so if you are looking for something different this one is a must.

Although the color pictures in this book gave me a lot of inspiration, the charts were done in an unusual way which might not appeal to everyone. The author simply gives colored in charts, more like a photograph of the finished product. Color is more appealing than black and white, but I am new to embroidery and the idea of not having a detailed chart kind of overwhelmed me.

Also, there are a few large designs, but most of the material in this book is in small motifs or border designs. The title doesn't really give this impression, so I think it is important to let the reader know this ahead of time.

To its credit, the book gives lots of ideas on how to use the designs, and various projects you can make for gifts. Overall I think it is a fine book to have in a general needlework library.

Alphabets are very popular and combined with cats are an enjoyaboe project for those of us who appreciate both in our homes. Each letter is charted with an individual cat. The alphabet is large and attractive. Keys for the charts recommend letter colors, but can be changed. Charts are of black and white symbols, and the letters are about the same height, 101 squares high. Ten projects are highlighted - lavender bag, a foot stool, pin cushion, tea towel and a cot quilt. There is a page of British needlecraft suppliers, and a cotton conversion chart (for the colors used) for DMC, Anchor, Coats and Madeira floss.