Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
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At last - a translation from the Dutch for all English-speaking people to enjoy! This is surely the book if you want to join in with one of the latest Dutch paper crafts: the revival of the 19th century art of paper piercing. All you need to do it like the Victorians is a pricking tool, a mat and some imagination, but so as not to be late with those all-important greetings cards you can now buy metal templates which cover most occasions and this book will help you to use them to their capacity. There are some beautiful cards in here that make use also of the 3D cutting papers, Victorian scraps and any nice pictures that are going spare (just the thing to recycle old greetings cards and wrapping papers).

If, however, you are hoping for a book packed with usable pricking designs you might be a bit disappointed, as this book exists in conjunction with the Ornare templates and cutting papers but to get you started right away until the mail order catalog comes, there are quite a few motifs taken from the templates so you can choose from shells, flowers, scallop borders, curlicues, leaves and a dove. There are no Christmas designs, but instructions and lovely photography for Easter cards, birth announcements, weddings, Valentines and general featuring flora and fauna. Instructions are given for each card as well as a description of the materials needed (not many of these) and truly there is not a lot to say, as this is a very simple way of making cards. This is a delightful little book - just a bit bigger than one of the square cards featured within - that is sure to whet the appetite for this absorbing and inexpensive craft.