Book covers

More book covers – picked based on visual appeal, not content unless otherwise stated. Please don’t hold me responsible for a terrible reading experience 🙂

* Octopus Alone by Divya Srinivasan

* Reclaiming Style by Maria Speake – Especially relevant in post-quake Christchurch.

* The Penguin Macquarie dictionary of Australian politics by Richard Tardif

* Urban Farms by Sarah Rich – Some great ideas for those aiming for self sufficiency in the city.

* The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland

* The Time Team Dig Book by Tim Taylor – R.I.P Mick Aston, the world is a far less interesting place without you.

* Wolves in the Land of Salmon by David Moskowitz

* The Art of Epic by Tara Bennett

* Our Songbirds by Matt Sewell

* Flower by Andrew Zuckerman

* A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life by Mary Randolph Carter – I like this book, it makes me feel better about the state of my house.

* Illustrated Country Year by Celia Lewis

Book Covers

 

Standard rules apply: I cannot guarantee a good read, only that I liked the cover artwork.

* The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

*Africa from Above by White Star

* The Village: 400 Years of Beats and Bohemians, Radicals and Rogues, A History of Greenwich Village by John Strausbaugh

* Snow White’s Coffin by Kate Camp

* Apocalypse for Beginners by Nicholas Dickner

* Kiwiana Cupcakes, Cake Pops and Whoopie Pies by Kirsten Day

* A 1950s Mother: Bringing up Baby in the 1950s by Sheila Hardy

* Earthflight by John Downer

* Faces in the Crowd by Valeria Luiselli

Book Covers

* Ghostheart by Ananda Braxton-Smith

* Horses by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

* An Awfully Big Adventure by Jane Tolerton

* Cooking with Beer by Paul Mercurio

* In One Pot by Blanche Vaughan

* ANZAC Biscuits by Phil Cummings

* Girl Defective by Simmone Howell

* Black Angus by Geoff Bryant

* Time on My Hands by Giorgio Vasta

 

Book covers

Apologies for the delay, my mind has been elsewhere.

Anyway, here is an eclectic batch of book covers from the new lot I downloaded today. I have actually read so of these so I can recommend them. As for the rest, the standard rules apply: I cannot guarantee a good read, only that I liked the cover artwork.

Top to bottom, left to right:

* London for Lovers by Sam Hodges

* Magic In Manhattan by Sarah Mlynowski

* A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke

* Organic Gardening: The Whole Story by Alan & Jackie Gear

* Valiant by Holly Black

* Wallace by Jim Gorant

* I Heart Stationery by Charlotte Rivers

* Aroha by Anaru Bickford

* Free-Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom

* Woolgathering by Patti Smith

* Happy by Mies van Hout

* Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson

Weekly book covers

* Circus: The Australian Story by Mark St Leon

* The Gourmet Farmer Deli Book by Matthew Evans

* My Grandpa by Marta Altes

* Holy Shit: Managing Manure to save Mankind by Gene Logsdon

* Families by Alison Jay

* Vintage Cakes by Julie Richardson

* ReCraft: How to Turn Second-hand Stuff into Beautiful Things for your Home, Family and Friends by Buttonbag

* Being Maori-Chinese by Manying Ip

* The DIY Bride, An Affair to Remember by Khris Cochran

* The Rapture of the Nerds by Cory Doctorow

* Struggle for Freedom by Jesper Bengtsson

* The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland

Colourful Customs

A slightly eclectic post today – the common theme seems to be bright colours…

* Absolutely fantastic macaroons from J’aime les Macaroons in Christchurch

* New Girl cushions by Jules at Click for Art

* Louis XV Upholstered  Ribbon Chair by Dransfield & Ross

* Recovered egg chair by Squint

* Paper craft, UK Johnny & Tentaclopse, by Jules

A Craft Affair

Ok, I so let the side down by not going to this (sorry Lucy!) but in my defense I was sick, snotty & generally not pleasant to be around.

So, instead of writing my own review, I have to defer to someone who was actually there and a much better writer than I… Maddie of lil’ magoolie.

If you want to know more about what A Craft Affair is, how to join in, browse the wares etc, head on over to the official website A Craft Affair or Facebook page.

Stash Float

What is a Stash Float? Well, some of you may of heard/been to the Stash Re-Hash hosted by Felt and Crafty Business. Basically anyone can have a stall there and sell all that lovely fabric they have been hanging on to and not doing anything with. The Stash Float is the same idea except there is no money changing hands and its just for Library Staff. Staff bring their un-wanted fabric along and take away someone else’s fabric that catches their eye. Anything left is donated to refugee and migrant sewing groups. So everybody wins.

I have already done an audit of my stash and it was scary.  Seriously, who needs 10 antique table clothes when they don’t even have a dinner table? I bit the bullet and sorted out the fabric I really might do something with and put the rest in a big box even though I am a pack rat who hates to part with anything. I ended up with a big shoe box of unwanted sewing patterns as well so hopefully they will find new loving homes. I will post photos of the event (hopefully) next weekend.

New Zealand Music Month – what a sham!

Let me start this off with an apology. You know I wouldn’t say the following if I didn’t truly believe in it and hadn’t just drunk 2 large glasses of sav on an empty stomach (curses!): Is there any possible way anyone could pass on this story in general direction of everywhere? It is getting some press but not enough to force change or even make many awear of it.

SO… It is NZ Music Month. I have to say, it is a sham. Talented, hard working, brilliant musicians can’t get funding from NZMM or NZ On Air because they “don’t fit the marketing strategy.” Friends of mine formed a band called Blood Money several years ago and despite having a great sound and adoring fans, they have been turned down again & again for funding and grants. Now I’m not saying that in it’s self is a travesty, after all it is a matter of personal taste. However, did you know only 2 south island musicians got funding this year from NZMM? And one of those was Salmonella Dub who, while great, surely make enough of their own money not to need government handouts? So Blood Money have decided to “stick it” to NZMM by funding their own video, handing out “Take a shot at NZ Music Month” stickers & posters and selling t-shirts with the same logo. Lead man Rush got Vicki Anderson of Stuff to write an article on how the money pot has been distributed which is great, but it seems the same questions have been asked of NZ On Air for a few years now without any real answer. Some one with clout and public backing needs to ask them the hard questions and get real answers to why NZ OnAir insist on only supporting main stream commercial sounding artists that main stream commercial radio stations say they will play…

Flash Back by Dub dot dash
Changing Times by Public Address
New Zealand Music Month & NZ On Air by Fraserhead on The Joint Radio Show
The worst NZ albums I have ever reviewed by Simon on Stuff

So, that’s my hobby horse for this year and more than my 5 cents worth. Sorry 🙂 xxxxx

Blood Money (NZ)

Damned good music…

Blood Money on MySpace
Blood Money on Facebook