• Boro and Sashiko - Harmonious Imperfection
    Craft book review - Crafts for adults - What I'm reading

    Boro and Sashiko – Harmonious Imperfection {book review}

    July 29, 2021 - By 

    I love to discover and try new sewing techniques. I have come across sashiko before but only recently heard about boro. A few months ago I attended an online Boro stitch mending workshop as part of Hey Craft! an event to raise awareness for mental health during Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s a fun craft and I was excited to discover more about it. Boro and Sashiko – Harmonious Imperfection Search Press kindly sent me a copy of Boro and Sashiko Harmonious Imperfection: The art of Japanese mending & stitching by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby to review. Authors Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, a.k.a The…

  • Organza Hoop Art: Embroidery Techniques and Projects for Sheer Stitching
    Crafts for adults - What I'm reading

    Organza Hoop Art {book review}

    June 8, 2021 - By 

    I am really enjoying embroidery at the moment. It’s the perfect hobby to pick up when you have spare 5 minutes and I love having all my colourful hoops on display. I’ve been Pinning all kinds of embroidery for inspiration and recently came across Organza Hoop Art on NetGalley – thanks for the review copy! What is organza? According to Wikipedia organza is a thin, plain weave, sheer fabric traditionally made from silk. Many modern organzas are woven with synthetic filament fibres such as polyester or nylon. Organza Hoop Art Organza Hoop Art: Embroidery Techniques and Projects for Sheer Stitching by Sarah Godfrey. Add a wow factor to your embroidery…

  • Shadows over the Spanish Sun
    What I'm reading

    Shadows over the Spanish Sun (review)

    May 25, 2021 - By 

    Today I’m taking part in a book tour for Shadows over the Spanish Sun by Caroline Montague. I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and loved reading this book. Shadows over the Spanish Sun Spain, 1936. Leonardo’s only connection to his past is the half medallion he wears around his neck – a painful reminder of his origins, and of the man he must fight to become. As the shadow of war falls over his beloved country, Leonardo is drawn into a desperate, forbidden love affair. But risking everything for love is a dangerous gamble, where one mistake could destroy everything… 2019. When…

  • Perfect on Paper by Gillian Harvey
    What I'm reading

    Perfect on Paper {review}

    May 23, 2021 - By 

    I’ve really been enjoying reading over the last year. To me, reading is perfect escapism and I love having a couple of books on the go. I was recently gifted a copy of Perfect on Paper by Gillian Harvey and today I am taking part in the Perfect on Paper blog tour. Perfect on Paper Clare’s life might look ‘perfect on paper’, but she’s ready to shake things up and put herself first for once… A fun and uplifting novel from Gillian Harvey, author of Everything is Fine. It’s time to shake things up a little… Clare Bailey’s life is perfect. Successful…

  • The Dream Weaver book cover
    What I'm reading

    The Dream Weavers {book review}

    May 18, 2021 - By 

    Sometimes I read a book that stays with me for a long time. I was recently gifted a copy of The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine to read. I love historical novels and this was a great story, set in Anglo Saxon Mercia and the modern day. The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine Mercia, 788 AD In the grand Saxon halls of Mercia, King Offa rules with cold ambition. His youngest daughter Eadburh is destined for an arranged marriage, but with reckless spirit her heart is taken by a Welsh prince, a man she can never be matched with and…

  • Win a copy of Boost Your Watercolours
    competition - Craft book review - What I'm reading

    Win a copy of Boost Your Watercolour Confidence

    March 28, 2021 - By 

    My son has been enjoying his online art classes for a year now. He misses the face to face contact but I’m glad he has been able top carry on with something he enjoys so much. I am always on the lookout for books to help him improve his skills so was excited to see Boost Your Watercolour Confidence: Over 60 exercises to build skills and ignite creativity by Katie Putt, recently published by Search Press. Boost Your Watercolour Confidence With Boost Your Watercolour Confidence you can learn to use watercolours with confidence with this gorgeous and easy-to-use book of…

  • The Littlest Library
    book review - What I'm reading

    The Littlest Library {book review}

    March 23, 2021 - By 

    Today I am delighted to be taking part in a little blog tour for the latest book from Poppy Alexander, The Littlest Library. I love to read and this year challenged my children to read as many books as me. We record all the books we read on Goodreads and I’m pleased to say that a little healthy competition keeps us reading all year round! Last month I finished reading the epic The Book of Dust Vol. 2 The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman, so was delighted to curl up with a copy of The Littlest Library. The Littlest Library…

  • The Book of Lost Names { book review}
    What I'm reading

    The Book of Lost Names { book review}

    November 14, 2020 - By 

    Disclosure – thanks to Welbeck for the chance to read this book. The end of 2020 is fast approaching which means my Goodreads challenge is nearly over for another year. I’ve read some amazing books this year and I really enjoyed my most recent read, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. I love books about the Second World War and when I read the blurb about The Book of Lost Names I absolutely had to read it. The Book of Lost Names The book opens when Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one…

  • The SS Officer's Armchair by Daniel Lee
    What I'm reading

    The SS Officer’s Armchair by Daniel Lee

    September 10, 2020 - By 

    I feel like I’m progressing well with my Goodreads reading challenge. I really enjoyed my latest book – The SS Officer’s Armchair: In Search of a Hidden Life by Daniel Lee. The SS Officer’s Armchair by Daniel Lee It began with an armchair. It began with the surprise discovery of a stash of personal documents covered in swastikas sewn into its cushion. The SS Officer’s Armchair is the story of what happened next, as Daniel Lee follows the trail of cold calls, documents, coincidences and family secrets, to uncover the life of one Dr Robert Griesinger from Stuttgart. Who was he? What…