Painting Vibrant Watercolours by Soon Y. Warren, hardback published by FW Media in the USA. ISBN 978-1-60061-112-4, price 18.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This book is full of wonderful work that will be a true inspiration to any watercolour artist. If you are losing the vibrancy of the paints, read this book. Through a series of 16 demonstrations, Soon teaches you how to retain vibrancy and how to think about colour, focal points and much more. Includes a wide variety of painting subjects. Recommended.

Mural Magic by Corie Kline, softback published by FW Media in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN978-1-60061-166-7, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

If you have ever wanted to paint furniture – here’s the book for you. Corie uses her imagination to develop creative ideas for mural painting to include painting on furniture and also trompe l’oeil. Most of the designs are suitable for the nursery and templates are included. The ten projects are painted in acrylic, but the paints used are American.

Outstanding Mini Albums by Jessica Acs, softback published by FW Media in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-5996-3032-8, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

If you are looking for something different to do – this might fit the bill. Memories can fade and finding new ways to keep memories is an exciting project. This book is full of mini scrapbooks, records of days gone by, events, people, places and interesting ways to record them. 50 illustrated projects with step by step instructions and clear photography, will have you using all manner of unusual objects to store your memories in new ways. I like the CD-scrapbooks – great idea.

Scrapbook Secrets by Kimber McGray, softback published by FW Media in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-5996-3034-2, price 15.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Discover how to really scrapbook with the secrets laid bare in this book. Fifty secrets are revealed to help you make your scrapbook pages look professional. Learn all about layout, quick and easy ideas and new techniques. &5 projects are included to show you how to scrapbook like Kimber.

Crumble, Crackle, Burn by Von Glitschka, hardback published by How books, part of FW Media in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1–5818-0958-9, price 25.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

I was so looking forward to this book, with its sumptuous front cover. I had dreams of interesting textures to use in so many many ways. The book has 60 designs in all, but I found very few of any interest. I much prefer the other book in this series. This one I found a big let down. It does have a bonus DVD with more designs.

Drip. Dot. Swirl. 94 Incredible Patterns for design and Illustration by Von Glitschka, hardback, published by How Books (FW Media) in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-134-6, price 24.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This is a fantastic book for all those looking for a ready-made resource of patterns. 94 original vector patterns are included in a multitude of styles to suit all needs. As a bonus, the DVD also includes an additional 12 patterns. 10 artists have contributed to the book, offering a good mix. Mainly contemporary style with a few retro designs. It’s ideal for beginners and advanced users too, the vector designs are easy to use and manipulate. The uses are endless for creative websites, blogs, altered art and much more.

Creative Awakenings by Sheri Gaynor, softback published by FW in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-115-6, price 14.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

I’m all for getting in touch with your inner self and being creative. I also know that some suffer from ‘creative block’. However, I found the ideas in this book were approaching another planet, off the wall and unrealistic or perhaps just essentially American. 

The book is crammed with blog-type pages and says it will unleash your creative spirit. It says it is about realizing your dreams, but this book appears not to be in touch with reality. I found the advice hard to put into practice and some good old brainstorming is better than trying to create a ‘dream circle’ of friends who then have to follow some very tight and style-cramping rules. I’m giving this the big heave-ho.

Free-Style Handmade Bags & Skirts, softback published by FW. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-196-4, price 14.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

With its trendy, modern style, this book should prove popular with 20 and 30 something’s. Find 50 bags and skirts with a fresh look. Follow the clear instructions and you can make tailor-made, fitted garments. Inside you’ll find professional tips and techniques.

A contemporary collection of clothes from young designers. This book also includes information on getting started and patterns too. I liked the zig-zag pocket wallet, the pocket-sized shoulder bag, the fitted skirt with back slit.

Complete Color Index by Jim Krause, softback boxed, published by FW. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-16006-133-30, price 29.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

A designer’s colour tool consisting of two handy, pocket-sized books full of useful charts for designers. Book one is an instant print and web designers colour reference. Quick and easy charts show how to use colour effectively. So many designers get stuck on which colours to use together – this book has the answers – 1100 of them to be precise. To help you further- the colours are grouped into broad bands of quiet, progressive, rich, natural and more besides. If you find, however, that you are still short of a few specific colour combination – turn to book two for an additional 1500 new combinations for print and web media. This time the sections are by colour such as blue.

These books are incredible and should find uses far beyond their specified field – try them in textile design for example. I think these are fantastic – I am so impressed. Simple to use yet highly useful – should be on every designer’s shelf.

Popular Woodworking’s Arts & Crafts Furniture Projects, softback published by FW publications in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-55870-846-4, price 18.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This is a tremendous book on the classic arts and crafts furniture that has retained its popularity to this day. The simple style is so elegant, it can grace a room effortlessly. It allows the woodworker to show off his skills.

The book offers a selection of twenty-five projects that evoke the style of the period. Some are accurate reproductions of the original pieces, others are adaptations. The book includes instructions for side tables, seats, chairs, bookshelves and more. There is also a bonus CD with ten furniture projects and articles. An inspiring book for all lovers of beautifully made furniture.