600 Watercolour Mixes by Sharon Finmark, hardback published by Anova. ISBN 978-1-906388-82-9, price 9.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

This handy reference would be easier to use if it was spiral bound. It de-mystifies the effects of watercolour glazing and mixing. There are many examples of how paints work together. In addition, I liked the examples of how this works in a painting. This is a good resource for painters, it also has handy tips on finding your subject, shade and more.

Garden Design at Home by Noel Kingsbury, hardback published by Anova Books. ISBN 978-1-8620-5843-2, price 25.00 GBP available from www.anovabooks.com

We often see the work of garden designers at gardens open to the public or at flower shows, but what is their private space like? This book gets to the heart of garden designers and takes a look at the private refuge of many of the most successful garden designers. Subtitled ‘The Private Spaces of the World’s Leading Designers’ this is the ultimate behind the scenes. As such it should have a wide appeal to all those who love looking at well-designed gardens.

Noel Kingsbury lets us into the secret of what those garden designers do at home. You may be surprised to learn that not all garden designers actually have a garden, but obviously Noel has chosen those who do and moreover who do so with great skill in using plants. The designers themselves give frank thoughts on their private spaces and choose their favourite plants. There is a biography and timeline for each designer and a list of the gardens they have designed that are open to the public. This is an interesting read with a wide selection of designers with discussion on how they developed as a designer or how their garden developed. The photography is a feast for the eyes.

Print by Joy Jolliffe, hardback published by C&B. ISBN 978-1-84340-565-8, price 16.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

This is the perfect book for beginners but there is little here for the experienced printer. The instructions are very easy to follow. Find out how to print your own wrapping paper, wall art and print on material. Simple projects build your confidence. This book includes simple block, stencil, transfer and screen printing and some combined techniques.

Natural Knits by Jane Ellison, hardback published y Collins & Brown. ISBN 978-1-84340-566-5, price 17.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

Some covers show a different title ‘Mirasol Eco Knits’ but this is the same book published as ‘Natural Knits’ showing the same pattern on the front cover. This book promotes the yarns of the Mirasol Project, and the patterns are knitted in luxurious yarns such as alpaca, llama, merino and silk. A variety of patterns for younger women from tunics (which I found rather shapeless) to cardigans and accessories. I did not particularly like the designs and would not be knitting any of them. I showed them to a 20 year old, who said she would not wear any of them either. I didn’t think any of them showed off the qualities of the yarns. There are much better collections of knitting patterns out there at the moment.

Nourish by Jane Clarke, hardback published by Collins & Brown. ISBN 978-1-84340-577-1, price 20.00 available from www.anovabooks.com

This is not your usual cookbook/nutrition guide – it is a way of life. Jane explains clearly, in a very readable way everything you need to know about nutrition. It is hard to explain how absolutely necessary this is to know. The huge burden on the NHS is in part owing to the lifestyle some people insist on living – a never-ending round of high fat junk food swallowed down in a hurry with pints or shots of alcohol. Learn exactly what your body needs. With this book you will nourish your soul, well-being and body. There is information for every stage of your life, for counter-acting stress and tiredness. The recipes are hearty and wholesome. Although there are a few photos dotted through the book, the recipes are not photographed.

Drawn to Stitch by Gwen Hedley, hardback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-906388-80-5, price 19.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

Discover the uses of line and stitch in textiles and embroidery. This book covers all you need to know and gives an excellent basis on which to develop your own work. There is excellent content in this book, produced in an easy to use format and beautifully illustrated throughout. This book looks at drawing tools, creating backgrounds, printing, interpretation and so much more. There are exercises to help you to familiarise yourself with the processes. The showcase of work is inspiring. This is a book you will use thoroughly and turn to time and time again. Highly recommended.

The Found Object by Cas Holmes, hardback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-906388-46-1, price 19.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

I think the beauty of this book lies in the fact that you don’t look at the objects and think – that’s recycled, they look new as if made from expensive materials. As with all Batsford craft books, what you get is an awful lot of useful content, beautifully presented and photographed. Cas describes herself as a magpie, but instead of collecting expensive materials to create her textile art, she uses what is at hand and found objects. For printing, she might use a rubber handle or plastic doily. Found objects are the main criteria of her work. This book has an excellent section on dyeing and printing. Discover momigami amongst other things. Find out how to embellish your work with stitch. Includes useful tips on found objects including how to alter and transform them. I love the simple paper journals, how to keep a sketchbook and develop your drawing. This is a superb reference for any textile artist. It has so much to give, so many professional tips and techniques. Cas’ work is superb and is handsomely illustrated throughout the book. Highly recommended.

Classic Fashion Patterns of the 20th Century by Anne Tyrrell, softback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-9063-8851-5, price 20.00 available from www.anovabooks.com

If like me you love the style of the 40’s and 50’s and earlier, not to mention the classic 60’s, you will find this book of interest, not only for the patterns but as a record of the history of fashion. Vintage is hip and this book is an excellent resource. Follow the hemlines, whether waists were in or not and all the other intrigues of the fashion world. Excellent and informative text accompanies photographs from each period when fashion really meant style.

Design and Colour in Watercolour by Michelle Scragg with Robin Capon, hardback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-906388-04-1, price 18.99 from www.anovabooks.com

Enter the very colourful world of watercolour with this book. There are no real step by step paintings here, just a couple of paintings shown in three stages. However, if you wish to develop as an artist you need to break free of that type of paintings.  You will be inspired by Michelle’s work and fortified by the text. The book covers all manner of watercolours – landscapes, animals, portraits and more including designing for fashion and furnishings. The book also goes into some depth about observation, interpretation, imagination and emotion; the qualities you need to become an artist. Recommended.

Collage, Colour and Texture in Painting by Mike Bernard and Robin Capon, hardback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-906388-57-7, price 18.99 from www.anovabooks.com

I was drawn to the colourful cover of this book and the inside is no disappointment. It is full of interesting, quite complex-looking work that has much detail. Many of the collages are painted in one of my favourite parts of the world – Cornwall and others have one of my favourite subjects – boats. There is much to learn from this book – colour, collage, abstraction, visual impact. I would recommend this to budding artists interested in collage.