Traditional Weavers of Guatemala ~ Book Review

Traditional Weavers of Guatemala

by Deborah Chandler

& Teresa Cordon

Photography by Joe Coca

ISBN:  9780983886075

Publisher: Thrums Books

Publication Date: 25 August 2015

RRP: £23.99

Available direct from Search Press.

  

As more and more people in the west

are finding the beauty in handmade

people are looking to elsewhere in the world

to find inspiration.

The book follows the stories of twenty artisans.

It's a story of tradition, innovation, 

and survival, embellished with the colors 

of a profound cultural heritage.

The book spans generations and brings

together men and women to show

what they create as well as why.

You find out the artisans stories , personal histories, 

hopes, and dreams along with the 

products of their hands and looms.

You will be amazed at how their history

brings together and amazing mix of colour and texture.

This book is interesting, brilliant to read

and a real inspiration.

If you've ever wanted to weave or you already

weave and want some new inspiration

then you will love this book.

There is so much being lost as we spend less

time making things.

This book redresses the issue and makes

sure the the designs are recorded for history.

The stories of the artisans are just as much of

the story as the designs.

Their lives have molded the way they weave

and what beautiful pieces of fabric they

create for generations to come.

I feel honoured that the people have opened

up their homes and lives to show us and

share with us the beauty of what they create.

Available direct from Search Press.

  

I received this book to review.

However all opinions expressed are my own.

Affiliate links are included on the post.

No monies were exchanged.

Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu ~ Book Review

Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu

By Elizabeth Conrad VanBuskirk

Paintings By: Angel L Callanaupa Alvarez

ISBN: 9780983886051

Publisher: Thrums Books

Publication Date: 01 December 2013

RRP: £13.99

Available direct from Search Press.

There is something so special about passing along a tale.

Stories teach us so many things.

As life changes and we don't talk as much

we are losing these beautiful tales.

This book changes some of that and puts

pen to paper to record the tales for eternity.

The legends take you through the folklore

that takes you through the year

and festivities.

The stories are beautiful and have so many

hidden meanings.

The book not only brings the stories to you,

it brings the beautiful traditions of

Machu Picchu.

I am reading the stories to my son.

I love the fact that he can be taken into

a world that is far from his own.

He is enjoying them so much and has already

asked if he could visit the region.

The beautiful paintings in this book

bring the stories and tales to life.

It takes the vivid story lines and puts

them into wonderful multicoloured

pictures.

This is the sort of book that you buy

as an heirloom.

It can be passed down the generations

and shared as they have been shared in the past.

It's important that these stories are

put down on paper.

The thought of all the things that have already

been lost is a sad one.

This book is a celebrating of Inca life

and all the messages the elders wanted passed

down from generation to generation.

I feel privileged to have read this book.

I also feel privileged that I have been able

to read it to my son and 

pass on the stories.

This book is extremely special.

I would highly recommend it for everyone.

It's one that will become part of your life

and make it more beautiful.

Available direct from Search Press.

I received this book to review.

However all opinions expressed are my own.

Affiliate links are included on the post.

No monies were exchanged.

Pride & Preju-Knits ~ Book Review

Pride & Preju-Knits

by Trixie Von Purl

ISBN: 9781782213130

Publisher: Search Press

Publication Date: 28 September 2015

RRP: £9.99

Available direct from Search Press.

Squuueeee!!!!!!!!!

I love Jane Austen and this book

has brought her story to life.

The book has twelve knitting projects

for you to recreate the story in your house.

It's an adult toy to knit.

They are truly inspirational

and they bring a smile to your face.

Each of the knits brings the story to you

and is very easy to see which part of the

story is recreated.

Each of the basic techniques are used

to make the basic items and these

are then added to so that you can create

each of the characters and the scenes.

Not only do you get patterns for the

characters you also get items to set the scene.

You even get a pattern for the cat!

The patterns are all in written format

and are easy to follow.

At the front of the book the techniques

are explained to make the process

easier for you.

A beautiful collection of patterns

that bring something special to life.

Available direct from Search Press.

I received this book to review.

However all opinions expressed are my own.

Affiliate links are included on the post.

No monies were exchanged.

I've Made Friday Week 173

Good Morning everyone!

I hope your week is going well.

I hope you are looking forward to the weekend.

I've had a super exciting week this week.

Hubby has been off work on holiday

and he agreed that I could get a dryer.

I haven't had one since I lived with my mum & dad.

I know it sounds very sad but I didn't want one.

I was happy not to use the energy and help

do my bit.

The only problem with this is my health.

It put a spanner in the works.

So after spending most winters ill with chest

and lung infections I decided that we had

to bite the bullet and buy one.

We got an A+ machine so it doesn't make

too much of a difference.

I managed to wash a load of clothes and dry them

the same day.

I know it's not very exciting but it really has made my

year!!!

I only have one make for you this week.

Having hubby off work has meant not a lot has been done.

Isn't it weird how someone being there can knock everything off kilter.

This is my Penguin Christmas Card.

It was a free gift with a magazine.

He was fun to make.

I made quite a few mistakes but I don't think they are noticeable.

I'm enjoying my cross stitch at the moment.

This is very handy as I have a number of

presents I want to make for Christmas.

Today I'm at my sons school.

He has a school project that he has finished

and we get to see it and the others.

It's an Anglo Saxon village.

He had to design it and say why he had made

the village where it was and what the village had.

Wouldn't you know it, we were trying to get

everything finished and ready and forgot to

take a picture!

I'll hopefully be able to take one at school

and post it next week.

Now it's time for linky love.

Please feel free to share anything you've made.

• Please visit other people to see what they have made.
• Add the link to here on your blog so we can share the linky love.
• I will try and visit as many people as possible.
• I will reply to all comments as soon as I can

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.

A Journey with Sibbel ~ Book Review

A Journey with Sibbel

by Susan Greening Davis

& Sally Criswell

ISBN: 9781611691573

Publisher: Kansas City Star Quilts

Publication Date: 02 February 2015

RRP: £17.99

Available direct from Search Press.

   

I can honestly say I have never

has such an emotional connection with

a craft book before like I have

with this book!

Even if you aren't a crafter but you love a good

story I would still highly recommend this book.

Susan & Sally went into a vintage sampler dealer's shop.

They found this sampler and the dealer

gave them as much history as he could about it.

They took this information and did a bit

more research.

From what they found they have created

the story of Sibbel.

The story of Sibbel is a beautiful and painful one.

It's the story of an orphan who wants thee

sampler to be perfect so someone who will choose her.

It takes you through the problems she has with her stitches.

You are provided with everything you need

to create your own sampler and a number

of other beautiful projects as well.

It takes a piece of history and makes it into

something personal.

As you create your own you feel you are

joining Sibbel in your stitching journey.

There are pictures to help you with

your projects as well as charts and patterns.

The projects bring a wonderful addition

to the sampler.

They are useful and have the same beautiful

vintage look as the sampler.

I love the things you learn as you work your

way through the book.

As soon as my fabric arrives I'll be starting on my journey.

I really love this book.

Available direct from Search Press.

   

I received this book to review.

However all opinions expressed are my own.

Affiliate links are included on the post.

No monies were exchanged.