Reviews
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Wardrobe Embroidery by Warunee Bolstad
This book is all about using embroidery on clothes to make them unique and beautiful. We’re not talking garish 1970s kitsch, but rather lovely, tasteful gorgeousness!
Beautiful Botanical Embroidery by Alice Makabe
Alice’s book features her botanical embroideries – flowers, plants often stylized in design – which she uses to enhance bags, cushions, buttons and more.
The Embroidered Art of Chloe Giordano by Chloe Giordano
Wow this book is a real treat! Chloe Giordano’s stunning work is more fine art than craft. Chloe discovered embroidery while studying illustration at University, and her embroideries, which feature small animals, bear testimony to her fine arts training.
Stronger by Poorna Bell
Challenging the stereotypes that women are meant to be weaker and less physically able than men, Poorna Bell started her journey to become a powerlifter at age 34 after struggling to lift a mattress following the loss of her husband.
World of Wonders: In praise of fireflies, whale sharks, and other astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
After a year of pandemic restrictions and uncertainty, World of Wonders is the perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy what exists around us.
The Exiles of Asbestos Cottage by Jim Henderson
Imagine living in isolation for about 40 years – not because of a pandemic – but for the cause of love and freedom.
When Annie and Chaffey met and fell in love in Timaru in 1908, Annie was in an abusive marriage and had two sons and Chaffey was divorced from his first wife. In 1913, they chose to hide away in Asbestos cottage, a very basic, small hut, isolated in the remote backcountry of Northwest Nelson where they would be living for about 40 years.
Cross Stitch for the Soul by Emma Congdon
I love this new offering from Emma Congdon – Cross Stitch for the Soul.
20 different sayings / reminders to inspire and encourage. Even if you never get around to lifting a needle the book is an interesting browse for the sayings alone.
Always the sound of the sea : the daily lives of New Zealand's lighthouse keepers by Helen Beaglehole
I love lighthouses and the wild places where they are located. I have visited quite a few of these iconic spots in New Zealand and elsewhere in the world.
Tableland by Ray Salisbury
Being a keen tramper myself with Kahurangi National Park on my doorstep, Ray Salisbury’s book ‘Tableland’ is a real treasure for me. Ray is the great-great grandson of John Park Salisbury whose brother Thomas discovered the Tableland in 1863. I love the fact that the author is connected to the land through family and is a keen tramper himself.