Tuesday, March 24, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Buttercream Dreams by Jeff Martin



"Buttercream Dreams"

Small Cakes, Big Scoops, and Sweet Treats




Chock full of such delicious recipes I really didn't know where to start.
As a total bonus there was a section on Ice Cream and another with some cookies and other baked treats.
I was very impressed with the range of different cupcake recipes and also the way they had their own matching icing recipes.
They are all very simple to make with their wonderful differences in flavour and looks.
I have now made 3 of the different varieties and they have all been very easy and so delicious once cooked.
I have also had a go at one of the ice-creams and it worked out very well even though it was my first time making ice-cream.
This book has made my family very happy and increased my dessert inventory substantially.

I received no payment in any form for this review.....

It was an Advance Reader Copy book for review.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Book Review: Herbal Goddess by Amy Jirsa

Feedback for "Herbal Goddess"

Discover the Amazing Spirit of 12 Healing Herbs with Teas, Potions, Salves, Food, Yoga, and More


5 Stars

So much goodness from only 12 herbs.


I loved this book and here are my reasons.
1. The look, it's just beautiful to look at, from the second you open it you are presented with gorgeous photo's, that fill the page and also create the background. The different font styles used, the colours, the setting out of chapters and sections. It's all just a gorgeous book to look at.
2. The information. Now if you are just not interested in herbs at all, you may be one of those that think it's all hippy mumbo-jumbo, then this book is not for you.  BUT...
If you have even just a teeny bit of interest in herbs and what they can do then I recommend this book highly.
She has taken just 12 herbs, many of which you could find in the yard, the park, the side of the road or a nearby farm.  You could grow them all yourself if you wish, most would grow easily.
These 12 herbs can do so much, I thought I knew a little about herbs but I hardly knew anything.
The amount of information packed into this book on those 12 herbs is amazing.
There is a variety of sections for each herb with all the ways you can use them in cooking, beauty, for the mind, even yoga poses chosen to compliment the individual herb.
There is even more but then this review would get too long.

Have I mentioned how much I loved it, well I do and I will be using it a lot.

I received no payment in any form for this review.....

It was an Advance Reader Copy book for review.

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Hand Stitched Home by Susan Beal

"Hand-Stitched Home"

Projects to Sew with Pendleton® & Other Wools  by Susan Beal

 

I rate it 4 Stars

Review

This is a beautiful book, to look at.
When I requested to read this book I didn't realise that it was all about using wool and fabric from Pendleton Wool Mill for the projects.
The Author obviously has a deep love and respect for the fabrics and products produced by Pendleton, just reading her words makes me want to own a few pieces and get myself some fabric to use for myself too..
There is a wonderful piece on the history of the company, their production methods and designs that is very interesting, she then goes onto give information about wool, weights and uses.
There are some basics on sewing implements, stitching and piecing then you get right into the projects of which there are 25, they range from quite simple to more difficult applique and piecing.  None of them are extremely difficult but all are very well outlined, explained with some great diagrams and photos.
They all give you the type and weight of pendleton wool that is used which is helpful if you need to substitute, and some give you substitution ideas too..

This book made me want to get some wool and make a cushion or a blanket or a scarf and I am looking forward to the cooler weather when I will do just that.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Stitch it Simple by Beth Sheard


"Stitch It Simple" by Beth Sheard

I rate it 4 stars

A gorgeous book.
A lovely book to look through and many lovely projects.
The projects are exactly as the title suggests, simple but I found them very effective. and not to be thought bland.
A simple introduction to a few hand stitches, a couple of basic sewing tips and you get straight into the projects.
Lots of cute designs, applique, stuffed items, hanging items, bags, bunting, cushions and so much more..
this book would suit a beginner and intermediate, or just someone looking for a cute whimsical project.
I don't think any of the projects would take weeks to complete either which is appealing., there are 25 projects included and you could quite easily chop and change them using one template or another for the different finished products.
Overall a lovely book, I may even do some hand stitching for a change this year.

I received no payment in any form for this review.....
It was an Advance Reader Copy book for review

Thursday, January 15, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Lucky Spools Essential Guide to Modern Quiltmaking

BOOK REVIEW

"Lucky Spool's Essential Guide to Modern Quilt Making"

I rate it 5 Stars

A gorgeous quilting book.
Yes there are lots of quilting books out there and these days there are lots of books on Modern Quilting but this one just made sense to me.
It has a wonderful section on colour, all the hues, variations, saturations and so on, this is not my strong point but I read this section thoroughly and it was written really well with some excellent photo's and diagrams to help along.
Sections on working with solids, prints, structure, improvisation and just about anything you could want to try in a quilt can be found in this book.
As I said there are many books on quilting on the market and some will suit, some won't. This one is thorough, well written, diagramed and photographed..
There are troubleshooting guides all the way through so you don't have to find them in the back of the book, other little tidbits and "Geek" tips.
Patterns galore in many styles and then to my absolute pleasure there is 
"A Study of 50 Modern Quilts" right towards the end, full of pictures and descripitions of 50 different "Modern" quilts.  It's heaven in a book for quilters, I just loved it and now I can't wait for the kids to go back to school so I can get the fabric and the sewing machine out....
I received no payment in any form for this review.....
It was an Advance Reader Copy book for review.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: The Crochet Answer book 2nd ed. by Edie Eckman

The Crochet Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Edie Eckman

I rate it 5 Stars

A very comprehensive Crochet book.....
As the title says it really is The Crochet Answer book, I was so excited to be able to review this book as I have been crocheting for a few years now but still consider myself a bit of a beginner/not quite intermediate.
It is set out in a very clever way with a Question and then the Answer directly after.
It's very comprehensive with chapters on the usual, hooks, yarns and stitches.
But I found it to be much more than your regular how to crochet book and the author says in the introduction that is not what this book is supposed to be.
She is right.
It's got to be every question I could ever think to ask answered all in one book, and then some that I never would have thought to ask.
There is even an explanation as to why some hooks have the dip below the head, I had not even noticed this on my hooks.....
I sat down and went through this book in a few hours and it’s just amazing how much information is packed in, and how well it is written.  Very easy to understand with lots of diagrams on hooks, yarn, reading charts and so on.
There is a section on the unusual varieties of crochet, pattern language and on fitting garments to yourself.
I could go on and on but I really think anyone interested in being able to have all the answers at your fingertips should read it for themselves.
I would recommend this to my crochet friends......

Monday, January 05, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: The Hunger Type Diet by Lowri Turner

Hunger Type Diet by Lowri Turner
I rate it 4 Stars

A new way to look at weight loss.....
I was curious as to how this book would be different from the huge range of diet books already on the market.
I was pleasantly surprised to see it's approach was quite different to anything that I have ever read.
There was quite a bit of information in the first few chapters that is very detailed descriptions on how our bodies and hormones work which then lead into describing how this affects our eating and how the different types of people relate to the different types of hunger.
I admit, the information was almost overwhelming at times, I thought I would just skip some of it and read on but I was glad I didn't, it was all groundwork to better understand my hunger type and how to manage it.
I took the quiz, a very simple yes or no to 33 questions and it was spot on.
I was then given a choice to do a 48 hour rehab before going on my 14 day weight loss food plan, a very detailed menu that is quite realistic.
I am even going to give it a go, it's all food that I can access easily and fit into my regular lifestyle.
I now think I have a better understanding of my eating habits too, it has really opened my eyes and made me look a little closer at what and how I am eating and how I can address any deficiencies in my habits and my diet.

I recommend this to anyone who wants to take a different view of their eating and weight management.



I received no payment in any form for this review.....
It was a NetGalley book for review.

Sunday, January 04, 2015

Blogging & Books

I have recently discovered a wonderful website where I joined up and can request books to read and review for publishers all over the place.

How amazing I hear you say, so where can I find such a wonderful website (because if you know me and my love of books you know I am in heaven)....

Well here is my secret......

NetGalley

I am not a very good blogger, I tried very hard to blog about our life on the farm but I keep forgetting and so much happens, but I have noticed that when I decide to review a book or a sewing pattern, I actually manage to post.

So as a result, you can expect to see a few more posts coming up here in the way of book reviews.

These will be books I am reading for Netgalley as well as books I am reading or have read just for me.

They will be both Fiction & Non-Fiction and I really hope that whomever is out there reading enjoys it.

Most of all they will be honest from my heard and with no-compensation given to me at all....

Catch you in a bit with a new book review.......