Tribal Designs for Needlepoint: 30 Original Designs Adapted from Eskimo, Polynesian, and Indian Art

I have just purchased this book recently. The designs are based upon the author's collection of Native American and tribal art, primarily from tribes of the northamerican northwest, and islands in the south Pacific. The designs are facinating. The Chilkat and Tlingit designs with abstract animal faces jump right out at you. There are also some beautiful Navaho patterns, for rugs and bell pulls. I wish this book had many more of them. Imagine what their original objects must look like compared to the stunning examples of needlework in this book. If you know anyone who is facinated with Native American culture and tribal crafts, the projects from this book would make fine gifts. There is one picture of a hopi doll, I cannot recall what the dolls are called, however, a lot of people collect them. There are several purse projects which require beading, and quite a few pillow projects which are straightforward cross stitch. One of them is a coconut face based on a design carved on a coconut, from Papua New Guinea. It has a picture of an abstract human face, sticking it's tounge out, which is a sign of aggression. Another interesting pillow design is an "x-ray fish," by the Autstralian aborigines. It is an abstract design of a fish skeleton with an alimentary tract. My favorite pillow is an Eskimo owl pillow. Although it's an abstract picture of an owl, it's the piercing eyes that really get your attention. Designs included are based on crafts from the following tribes: Tlingit, Chilkat (my favorites), Navaho, Innuit, Hopi, Papua-New Guinea, Australian Aborigine, Solomon Islands, etc.