Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New books!

Are you a little book worm, like me?

I love, love, love books!  In all shapes and sizes… and recently… I love electronic books!  I get a little thrill of rebellion as I sneak under the covers in bed at night to read my latest adventure on the IPod!  And all without disturbing Mr SUDs while he sleeps! 

While I love to read Science Fiction and Fantasy novels every night, during the day it’s a different story.  It’s craft and sewing literature all the way!  Over the past few months I’ve scored three new books that I’d like to share with you.

The first is Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching by Charlotte Liddle:

Xmas books 1

If you like the cover project then you’ll like this book!  There’s a plethora of shabby little projects adorned with beads and pretty buttons, with a ‘wonky’ kind of look that is perfectly quaint.  I particularly like the patchwork dog coat, accessorised with a flower brooch.  There’s also a gorgeous coffee pot cozy, and for the smaller projects there are the sweetest bird brooches and babushka maiden dolls.  The design style is consistent, but the projects are eclectic - and I therefore think that for variety and value - this book is a really good purchase.

Next up is Everything Alice by Hannah Read-Baldrey and Christine Leech:

Xmas books 2

This book is a work of art in itself!  Co-written by two very talented UK artisans who met at work and discovered that they were both avid Alice in Wonderland fans.  The duo both work for Hobbycraft in the UK and have an abundance of experience between them including having worked in television (setting up scenes and making props) and art-directing magazines.  These girls are true artists with a love of craft and the book really reflects their quirky natures, experience and raw talent.  Can you tell I’m a little bit in love with this one?  The photographic styling is awesome, and the projects are compelling.  There are sewing projects and baking ideas & recipes among the 50 projects published; but I’m most taken with the intricate paper cut-outs – you get an idea from the front cover of the book – they’re just stunning!  And of course all the projects are based on Alice in Wonderland.  Even if you never make a project, this book is inspiring and great for leaving out on the coffee table to share with like-minded friends.

Third and finally we have Christmas Crafting in No Time by Clare Youngs:

Xmas books 3

This gorgeous book is by the same author of Scandinavian Needlecraft (2010), so if you enjoyed that book then you’re sure to love this.  It’s in true Scandinavian style – which I know so many of you love as much as I do!  There are sewing projects together with recipes for such delicacies as crystallised ginger and Quince jelly.  Fur-lined baby boots and hot-water bottle covers are included as patterns in the gift ideas section together with embroidered dala horses and woollen Christmas stockings.  Again, there are useful paper cut-out patterns in this book, for decorating the outside of festive cakes and for creating indoor decor for the home.  My favourite project is the sewn advent calendar which is a very simplified house-shape with 24 pockets for treats.  A lovely book. 

These are just my personal opinions!  If you have any of these books – what do you think of them?  Do you have any others to recommend?  I’d love for you to share your opinions with us if you do!!! 

If you’re wondering what I’m currently reading while I’m hiding under the sheets at night, it’s this:

Rama

The Rendezvous with Rama (trilogy) by Arthur C Clarke.  Written in 1972, it absolutely blows me away at not only how this story hasn’t dated, but how absolutely mind-blowing it is.  It’s a futuristic story set in space.  I’ve read the trilogy already and it was so good that I’m already half way through the series for a second time.  If you’d like to learn more about it, click here.  I used to watch “Arthur C Clarke’s mysterious world” on TV when I was a little girl and was fascinated by all the unexplained phenomena he debated.  Thirty years later I’m rediscovering this narrator/author’s marvellous mind through novels that were published during the year of my birth!  I love that!

Talking of bedtime reading… it’s 1am here in Melbourne and I’d best sneak off up to bed!  My mind has been really active today and being the night owl that I am… I just kept going!

Till next time – Happy reading!

Vikki xo

9 comments:

barb's creations said...

Thanks for sharing these lovely books,have written them down as ideas for birthday/christmas gifts for me for this year,I especially love the Norwegian look :) Barb.

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Yes I love a good book too Vikki and truth be told... I probably spend way too much on books. My family surprised me with an e-reader this Christmas, perhaps to curtail some of that spending I mentioned - lol. I really enjoy the e-reader but nothing inspires quite like turning the pages of a book.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Jo in TAS said...

Everything Alice is on my wishlist. I'm currently reading a series called "Ranger's Apprentice". They're my son's books but I'm loving them. I'm upto book 4 and he's just finished Book 11 and now onto a new series called "Brotherband" by the same author. I love to flick pages, I have enough of reading from monitors while I'm at work.
Hugs
Jo
xxx

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Hi Vikki, those books do look good. I think The Alice one has me most intrigued though.
Hugs, Sharon

Allie said...

Those books look wonderful, hon - I don't think I've ever read that Clarke one, and I used to own almost all of his books! I also owned all of Asimov's and Heinlien's. Now my favorite is mysteries, lol! Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

I think I like the last book the best. I love the books of Jennifer Chiaverini. Enjoy reading under your sheets (lol)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I love the look of all those books, Vik, but especially the Alice one!
I do not think I can be an e-book reader...I love to read non-fiction and I underline A LOT. ;-)
Hugs
Jen
xx

Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies said...

Hey Vikki! Happy New Year! I know January is almost over, but I think this is the first time I've had a chance to pop in to say g'day! :0) Oh yeah ... I am such a bookworm but am currently trying to make the transistion to e-books after being spoilt with an iPad this Christmas. Finding it pretty good for novels, still need to be convinced for craft mags etc with lots of pretty pictures, but can see that the tradeoff will be that I can have MORE books/mags since storage will no longer be an issue! :0) Love the look of your Christmas craft book. Happy reading at your place! Bear Hugs!KRIS

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

Fabulous books Vikki, thanks for sharing... off to Amazon right about now!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails