City Walks Architecture Paris by Michael Herrman, boxed set of cards published by Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-0-8118-6862-4, price 18.95 US dollars from www.chroniclebooks.com

There are many interesting architectural buildings in Paris. This useful set of cards provides easy to follow directions for walks in Paris. In all there are 25 walking tours, the tours are arranged by theme. Each card has a map and directions as well as information on the buildings. Just take the card you need for that tour. My only gripe is that there is no guide as to how long the tour might reasonably take and no guide to how far you are walking.

French General Handmade Soirees by Kaari Meng, hardback published by Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-0-8118-6833, price 29.95 US dollars from www.chroniclebooks.com

This beautifully made book has a quality feel with a cloth-bound spine. It’s all about how to entertain from making the perfect cup of coffee to embroidered jam covers and napkins. However, it is padded out with a lot of photographs, lovely photos nevertheless, but I would have liked to have seen more content. A few templates are given at the back of the book, to enable you to make the projects. Overall I thought this was a let down. Looks good but does not quite deliver.

A Bloom A Day photos by Ron Van Dongen, softback published by Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-0-8118-6827-1, price 24.95 US dollars from www.chroniclebooks.com

365 for the most part breathtaking photos are chosen for their corresponding days of the year. It is subtitled ‘a fortune-telling book’ – the fortune derived from the symbolism of flowers and their meanings. It’s a pretty book to get lost in amongst beautiful flowers.

The Pillow Book by Shannon Okey, hardback, spiral-bound, published by Chronicle Books. ISBN 978-0-8118-6085-7 from www.chroniclebooks.com

This is one of those gorgeous books from Chronicle, that not only give you myriads of ideas but also provide you with the patterns in a neat pocket. How do you quickly change the look of a room without splashing out pounds and pounds? The answer is some new look cushions. More than 25 fashionable cushions, shams, pillowcases and more will help you create a new look for your rooms. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and are accompanied by good photography. It is beautifully produced with a touch of embroidery around the text on each page. 

Chic and stylish, decorative or functional, these pillows are simply lovely. The basic techniques looks at shapes -square, rectangle, circle as well as unusual shapes such as a glorious heart. Some of the pillows are very simple and others use techniques such as cutwork and applique. Every taste is catered for from a sweet embroidery to velvet luxury and those wonderful little prism-shaped pillows that support the back as well as ideas for kids who love to loll on big floor cushions or need to hug a tooth fairy pillow. The book is filled with great ideas for cushions. Fabric resources are for USA only. If you love sewing and pillows, this is your buddy.

Now, here is a heart warming book. Subtitled ‘A Universal Idea’ this book tells the story of one woman who wanted to make a real difference. Alice Waters took her local schoolyard from waste ground to an edible paradise. Along the way, she did so much more than that – she created a sense of community spirit, she showed people that caring enough to do something really works. 

Alice writes in an easy to read style and her story is well-worth telling and well-worth reading. Read the principles of edible education. Find out just what kids can learn from working in a garden. See how she managed to get the head teacher and volunteers on her side and how the kids were won over too. The book is fabulously illustrated with award-winning, National Geographic photography by David Liittschwager. This visionary model, unheard of in its time has become a call to action. Alice Waters has influenced a generation of children to grow their own. This book is a garden of inspiration that I would thoroughly recommend.

Kyuuto Wooly Embroidery is part of the Japanese Crafts Kyuuto series. This book includes crewelwork, stump work, canvas work and more by different artists. Modern elegant embroidery projects are beautifully photographed. The instructions are easy to follow. The projects are varied and I am sure you will find many that you like. 

There is also a guide to embroidery included in this 80-page book.

Kyuuto Lacy Crochet by Shufu-To-Seikatsu Sha, softback published by Chronicle Books in the USA. ISBN 978–0-8118-6058-1, price 14.95 US dollars from www.chroniclebooks.com

Another in the Kyuuto series with beautiful crochet projects for the home. Quick and easy to make, these projects are elegant. The book includes full instructions for learning to crochet with clear photographs. The projects are beautifully photographed and the whole book is a delight.

Kyuuto Fuzzy Felted Friends by Saori Yamazaki, softback published by Chronicle Books in the USA, ISBN 978-0-8118-6066-6, price 14.95 US dollars

Part of the Kyuuto Japanese Crafts series, this is another book full of felted friends that could become an addiction. The same great photography and step-by step instructions make this a great handicrafts book. There are also instructions for making sheet, and 3-D felt. This book has great appeal for all ages.

Kyuuto Japanese Crafts Amigurumi, softback published by Chronicle Books price 14.95 US dollars, ISBN 978-0-8118-6082-6 from www.chroniclebooks.com

Amigurumi means adorable crochet animals. Easy to make, Fun for everyone. No matter what your age, these are desirable. From fluffy teddies to kittens, you’ll fall in love with these adorable creatures. You’ll have more than one favourite- guaranteed. Once you start crocheting these, you might not stop. 

The ‘toys’, mascots, friends are beautifully photographed and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The book is part of a series.

Amy Butler’s Sew-It Kit, boxed set published by Chronicle Books in the USA. Price 24.95 US dollars, ISBN 978-0-8118-5899-5, available from www.chroniclebooks.com

Fifteen stylish sewing projects for the home are included in this fabulous kit. Amy Butler’s unique style is here in force. This kit includes fifteen project cards, a fully illustrated booklet containing easy-to-follow instructions for the projects plus a full-sized pattern sheet, thread and fabric to make a tissue-box cover or pot holder. 

The projects included are a floor cushion, kitty tunnel, placemats, napkins, apron, sleeping mask, laundry bag, hanging towels, document cover, bags, pincushion, flower vase cover and a pillow cover.

Amy Butler is famous for her fabrics, sold here in the UK. This is a neat set that highlights several ways to make your house feel like a home. The double cards include photos of the finished projects, instructions and patterns that need to be re-drawn or enlarged on a photocopier.