New book review + journal class

For Christmas I was given a gift certificate to order myself something I wanted from Amazon - oh the decisions (only because my wish list is so long!!).  I finally decided to get these....

From the strength of the title alone I probably wouldn't have picked this book had I not been able to drool over a copy I borrowed from the library.  To say I love this book is probably a vast understatement!  The author has created modern-day interpretations of the old embroideries and the details are extraordinary.  There is a limited amount of actual instruction in this book, but the eye candy alone is worth every penny.  I know this book will be read and re-read many times over if only for the inspiration it gives.  (Specs:  "Celtic, Viking & Anglo-Saxon Eembroidery" by Jan Messent.  c 2010.  Published by Search Press.  ISBN : 978-84448-409-6).

(I did crop these pictures but for some reason they didn't save).  Anyway, my second choice was this one.  With the current interest in bird making I thought this book would be fun and besides, there's a small blurb in there about one of my favourite bird artists (Ann Wood) who makes the most incredible owls.  There is an owl pattern in this book and I'm eyeing my denim stash wondering what I can use from there to create one to live in my studio.  There are 16 projects in the book (including wrens, a gull, crows, a flamingo and many more).  (Specs:  "The Artful Bird" by Abigail Patner Glassenberg.  c 2010, published by Interweave Press.  ISBN: 978-1-59668-238-2).

I'm thrilled with the new additions to my library and must extend a huge thank you to my SIS who certainly didn't need to treat me so royally (but, truthfully?  I'm so glad she did!!).

Updated to add:

Nanook of the North

just in from blowing the
driveway - twice.

And the snow continues to fall...