Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist & non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women’s literature. She is regarded by her fans as a pioneer of the so-called ‘chick-lit’ genre; her stories usually revolve around a strong female character who overcomes numerous obstacles to achieve lasting happiness. Source: Wikipedia

This Charming Man RRP: RM87.50 Price: RM19.90
With This Charming Man, Marian Keyes hits her stride as a novelist with her best novel yet, telling the stories of four women who are shaped by one man. Narrated in turn by each woman; Lola, Grace, Marnie & Alicia, this story explores how their love for this one man, Paddy de Courcy Ireland’s debonair politician, the “John F. Kennedy Jr. of Dublin”  has shaped their lives. But in true Marian Keyes fashion, this is more than a story of four love affairs. It’s a testament to the strength women find in themselves through work, friendship, & family, no matter what demons may be haunting their lives. Depression, self-doubt, domestic abuse—each of these women has seen tough times in life, and it’s through Keyes’s wonderful storytelling ability that these subjects are approached with the appropriate tone & candor. Her deft touch provides a gripping story &, ultimately, a redemptive ending.

Anybody Out There? RRP: RM56.90 Price: RM17.90
Anna Walsh is officially a wreck. Physically broken & emotionally shattered, she lies on her parents’ Dublin sofa with only one thing on her mind: getting back to New York. New York means her best friends, The Most Fabulous Job In The World & above all, it means her husband, Aidan. But nothing in Anna’s life is that simple anymore! Not only is her return to Manhattan complicated by her physical & emotional scars – but Aidan seems to have vanished. Is it time for Anna to move on? Is it even possible for her to move on? A motley group of misfits, an earth-shattering revelation, two births & one very weird wedding might help Anna find some answers – & will change her life forever. Hilarious, heartbreaking & life-affirming, Marian’s unforgettable new novel is as epic as it is entertaining.

Rachel’s Holiday RRP: RM53.01 Price: RM17.90
Twenty-seven & the miserable owner of size eight feet, Rachel Walsh enjoys two naughty habits: a lover who likes his leather pants tight, & a fondness for recreational drugs. But as Rachel learns, what goes up must come down. First she loses her job, then her lover, & then finds herself being marched off to the Cloisters, Dublin’s answer to the Betty Ford Clinic.—it suddenly dawns on Rachel that it’s about time she had a vacation, & where better than a place crammed with jacuzzis, gyms, & rock stars going tepid turkey? What she gets instead, however, are middle-aged men in sweaters & enough group therapy to drive her to distraction, until she meets Chris. A man with a past, will he be her salvation—or more trouble than Rachel’s ever known? Engaging and wickedly funny, Rachel’s Holiday is a powerful story of love & discovery.

Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married RRP: RM49.90 Price: RM17.90
In this comic novel about a young woman on the make, Lucy Sullivan is told by a fortuneteller that she’ll be married very soon, & she begins to evaluate every man in her life as a possible Mr. Right. But then Lucy meets gorgeous, unreliable Gus. Could he be the future Mr. Lucy Sullivan? Or could it be handsome Chuck? Or Daniel, the world’s biggest flirt? Or even cute Jed, the new guy at work? –much to the dismay of her roommates, Karen & Charlotte. Maybe her friends have something to worry about after all….

Last Chance Saloon RRP: RM55.90 Price: RM17.90
Ever since legwarmers were cool, best friends Tara, Katherine, & Fintan have survived small-town ennui, big-city heartbreak, & endless giddy nights out on the town. But now that they’ve graduated to their slightly more serious thirties, the trio leave their small Irish town for London & encounter some of the predictable difficulties & adventures of big-city life. Then Fintan gets cancer, & all characters involved find themselves sorely tested in new ways. But it’s always when you are least ready for change that fate insists on one. And when catastrophe inevitably follows crisis, the lives of three best friends are sure to change in unexpected ways … and not necessarily for the worse. Now, raise your glass to Tara, Katherine, and Fintan in Last Chance Saloon.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARIAN KEYES!!!***

Paper Creations, Cards and Gifts: Over 35 Paperfolded Designs Featuring Origami, Iris and Teabag Folding by Steve & Megumi Biddle
RRP: RM90.95 Price: RM24.90
This book takes paper to new dimensions by turning flat sheets of tissue, patterned, textured & metallic papers into lasting, three-dimensional creations. Even novice papercrafters can follow the clear, specially drawn step-by-step artworks, including styles such as iris folding & origami. More experienced crafters will also be inspired, as each project is packed with design variations & ideas. Projects range from fun-to-make Christmas & Halloween cards & gifts for christenings & Mother’s Day, to packaging for all kinds of occasions that demand an extra-special touch.

Simply Beautiful Ribboncraft by Heidi Boyd    RRP: RM59.90 Price: RM19.90
Even complete beginners can find success creating the pretty home accents, gifts, cards, baby items & holiday projects found in Simply Beautiful Ribboncraft.
-Features 45 step-by-step projects—and 15 variations—for every taste and skill level
-Capitalizes on the popularity of embellishments & the romantic style seen in Victoria & Martha Stewart Living
-Demonstrates how quickly and easily readers can make stylish ribbon crafts—everything from purses and holiday ornaments to barrettes and baby clothes

Gifted Wrapping by Christine Fritsch     RRP: RM81.90 Price: RM24.90
Creative Wraps and Ribbons for Every Occasion, Step-by-Step Instructions for Stylish and Elegant Gift Wraps for Perfect Presentations. Drawing from a creative palette of papers ranging from handmade to commercial gift wraps, the author will show how to wrap a gift that will be as memorable for its presentation as for the gift itself.

All Wrapped Up by Kevin Akers    RRP: RM80.90 Price: RM24.90
Through hundreds of eye-popping reproductions, All Wrapped Up! celebrates gift wrap that most ephemeral of paper products from the groovy 1960s. A thoughtfully wrapped present is a gift in itself, and All Wrapped Up! is the perfect package to celebrate the popular designs of the most visually exuberant decade of all.

Paper: Beautiful Ideas for Gifts and Home Decorations by Claire Richardson
RRP : RM68.35 Price: RM19.90
Inexpensive and easy to make, Claire Richardson’s adaptable ideas are beautifully photographed by Polly Wreford- Easy-to-follow instructions and inspiring photographs will help open the doors to your creativity.

Answers for Blog Bonanza 44:

1.) In which Japanese Anime is Neil Gaiman involved in? — Princess Mononoke

2.) In what year Schulz won his first Reuben Award? — 1955

The three entries with correct answers with outstanding comments picked as winners are…

• Tan Jae Han
• Che Alhafaizol bin Che Ismail
• Norsyafiqah Binti Othman

Congratulations to the 3 winners, who have just won themselves either a copy of Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography by David Michealis worth RM34.90 or Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman by  Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, Stephen R. Bissette worth RM24.90!

Close this box of memories…

Coz I doubt we’ll be sharing many more. It never occurred to me that I’d run out of thoughts, to put in this box.

But I guess one can never be sure about anything.

Is this box really so old? The colours have faded, its contents dusty and forgotten.

This very box that never failed to make me smile.

So it’s about time I close this box of memories, yet I can’t seem to place the lid,

But hey, who am I to decide anyway…
Coz you already did.
CONTRIBUTED BY : Avarice

I Stare

Its not always rude to stare. I stare at the child in the park deciding whether or not to go down the slide while the old man on the park bench stares at the kid with so much regret wishing he could relieve his life with so much change. I stare, at the dog on the leash who has so much more freedom than me; while he stares at the old man on the park bench wanting to change his life with love. We stare to escape, for just a moment, hardly rude if you ask me.
CONTRIBUTED BY : RebelWithoutASuit

Paper Dreams.

tired of lugging his shell, every fibre in schnell’s shapeless form craved adventure. adventure, by his definition, was to fly gracefully through the air.

“blasted cockroaches”, he grumbled. “foulest creatures ever, yet they get to fly!”, he continued—slithering over a piece of paper.

then it hit him.

“a piece of paper!”, he exclaimed.

“…if folded right, will fly!”, he exclaimed again.

3 days later, the craft was complete.

“tough work, this”, he moaned; looking over his paper cut-riddled body.

“perhaps rubbing some salt will ease the pain.”

and that was the last we heard from schnell the snail.
CONTRIBUTED BY : @TheFreshFreak

BookXcess is proud to announce our new embark on Receipt Stories project!

BookXcess is all about encouraging healthy reading habits among Malaysians. And now… we’d like to take a step further by encouraging creative writing & share YOUR original short stories with everyone. Receipt Stories is where you can express your writer’s side in you. The upside & most exciting part is your story can actually get published! (on our BookXcess receipts of course…)

Read. Write. Share. shouts our tagline for this very exciting project.

For more details about Receipt Stories project or to submit your own story, visit http://www.receiptstories.my/

To add on your excitement for these upcoming festive celebrations, BookXcess will be giving out RM10 worth of BookXcess voucher to three lucky winners!

Let’s get back to basics & classics, shall we? This time around, all you have to do is submit a Pantun (a 4 line Malay poem that rhymes) with the theme “Celebrating Hari Raya & Malaysia Day with BookXcess”. You may compose your Pantun (poetry) in Malay or English language. (maximum 5 stanzas)

Submit your entry along with name, IC number, contact number and e-mail address to sales[at]bookxcess[dot]com. Contest deadline is Friday midnight 10 September 2010. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Three of the most creative and entertaining entries will be chosen and the winners will be notified via e-mail.

Our tradition of goodies remains; 20% discount on 100 selected titles!

The highlight of this season’s promotion would be BookXcess’ first ever Lucky Draw fiesta~!! Purchase RM100 & above in a single receipt, and you’ll definitely walk away with a prize in our Lucky Draw! Superb prizes includes Book Voucher, S Bookmark, Book Thong & of course… BOOKS! Feelin’ the spirit of the upcoming festive seasons already??

And…

Let’s welcome our Autumn Edition of BookXcess bookmark! You’ll receive a complimentary bookmark with any purchase from BookXcess! (distribution starts together with our promo, on the 6th of September & while stock lasts only)

For the list of selected 100 titles entitled to 20% discount, click here:

Fiction:

2666 by Robert Bolano   RM19.90 RM15.92
2666 (Hardcover) by Robert Bolano   RM24.90 RM19.92
A Darker Domain by Val McDermid   RM17.90 RM14.32
Death Angel by Linda Howard   RM17.90 RM14.32
Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson   RM17.90 RM14.32
For My Daughters by Barbara Delinsky  RM17.90 RM14.32
Goodnight, Beautiful by Dorothy Koomson   RM17.90 RM14.32
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger   RM19.90 RM15.92
I Hear New York by Linsey Kelk    RM17.90 RM14.32
Lucky by Jackie Collins   RM17.90 RM14.32
Moonlight Becomes You by Mary Higgins Clark   RM17.90 RM14.32
My Favourite Wife by Tony Parsons   RM19.90 RM15.92
News From Thrush Green/Gossip From Thrush Green by Miss Read   RM17.90 RM14.32
Next by Micheal Crichton    RM24.90 RM19.92
Past  Secrets by Cathy Kelly   RM17.90 RM14.32
Ready or Not? by Chris Manby  RM17.90 RM14.32
Sanctuary by Nora Roberts   RM17.90 RM14.32
Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh   RM24.90 RM19.92
The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Good Divorce Guide by Christina Odone   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Illustrated Wee Free Man (Hardcover) by Terry Pratchett   RM29.90 RM23.92
The Legend of Sidgurd & Gudrun by J. R. R. Tolkien    RM24.90 RM19.92
The Love of Her Life by Harriet Evans   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Marriage Proposal by Celestine Hitiura Vaite  RM17.90 RM14.32
The Miracle at Speedy Motors (Hardcover) by Alexander McCall  Smith   RM19.90 RM15.92
The Rise & Fall of the Wonder Girls by Sarah May   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Thing About Jane Spring by Sharon Krum    RM17.90 RM14.32
The Thing Around Your Neck Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens    RM19.90 RM15.92
The Winner Stands Alone by Paul Coelho    RM19.90 RM15.92
The Wit & Wisdom of Discworld (Hardcover) by Terry Pratchett   RM24.90 RM19.92
Thirteen Steps Down by Ruth Rendell   RM17.90 RM14.32
This Charming Man by Marian Keyes   RM19.90 RM15.92
Thursday Next  – First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde   RM19.90 RM15.92
Under the Knife by Tess Gerritsen    RM17.90 RM14.92

Non-Fiction:

500 Greatest Ever Chicken Recipes   RM29.90 RM23.92
75 Puddings, Pies & Desserts     RM12.90 RM10.32
Air Babylon    RM17.90 RM14.32
Anne Frank The Book, The Life, The Afterlife   RM24.90 RM19.92
Band of Brothers   RM17.90 RM14.32
Big Beefy Book  of Bart Simpson   RM17.90 RM14.32
Big Brilliant Book of Bart Simpson   RM17.90 RM14.32
Celebrate with Cards    RM19.90 RM15.92
Chocolate    RM17.90 RM14.32
Citizen Soldiers   RM17.90 RM14.32
Decorative Painting For Home & Garden    RM29.90 RM23.92
Double Vision   RM29.90 RM23.92
Family Guy: Brian Griffin’s Guide to Booze, Broads…   RM17.90 RM14.32
Fashion Babylon    RM17.90 RM14.32
Fast Boat To China    RM19.90 RM15.92
Golden Bones   RM24.90 RM19.92
Ikat   RM24.90 RM19.92
Mirrormask: The Illustrated Film Script   RM29.90 RM23.92
Painting Mood and Atmosphere in Oils   RM24.90 RM19.92
Pegasus Bridge   RM17.90 RM14.32
Professional Landscape & Environmental Photography   RM29.90 RM23.92
Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography    RM34.90 RM27.92
South-East Asian Curry Cookbook    RM17.90 RM14.32
The Cross Stitcher’s Bible Project Book       RM24.90 RM19.92
The Shoes of Salvation   RM14.90 RM11.92
The Victors    RM17.90 RM14.32
Trinny and Susannah: What You Wear Can Change You   RM24.90 RM19.92
Trust   RM19.90 RM15.92
Undaunted Courage   RM17.90 RM14.32
Trinny and Susannah:  What Your Clothes Say About You  RM24.90 RM19.92
Wild Blue      RM17.90 RM14.32
You’re Leaving Tomorrow   RM19.90 RM15.92

Children & Young Adults:

Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?   RM17.90 RM14.32
Baby Looney Tunes Bathtime Book – Colors!   RM9.90 RM7.92
Bath Time    RM14.90 RM11.92
Brisingr   RM17.90 RM14.32
Clifford’s Bedtime Pop-up   RM12.90 RM10.32
Dark Calling (Hardcover)   RM17.90 RM14.32
Emily and the Big Bad Bunyip    RM17.90 RM14.32
Gatty’s Tale   RM9.90 RM7.92
I’m Sorry       RM9.90 RM7.92
Lpost & Found: Drawing and Colouring Book   RM12.90 RM10.32
Love at the Zoo   RM14.90 RM11.92
Love is For Ever   RM9.90 RM7.92
Melrose and Croc – Go To Town   RM12.90 RM10.32
Mog the Forgetful Cat   RM14.90 RM11.92
My Favourite Words Library    RM17.90 RM14.32
My Mom   RM12.90 RM10.32
Odd and the Frost Giants   RM17.90 RM14.32
Paddington, My Book of Marmalade   RM9.90 RM7.92
Party Princess (Princess Diaries, Volume VII)   RM19.90 RM15.92
Percy Jackson & Olympians: The Lightning Thief  RM14.90 RM11.92
Pumpkin Soup   RM12.90 RM10.32
Pupnik: Story of Two Space Dogs  RM14.90 RM11.92
Shiraz the Fame Diaries   RM9.90 RM7.92
Skulduggery Pleasant – The Faceless Ones   RM14.90 RM11.92
Spellbound   RM12.90 RM10.32
Ssssh! Don’t Wake the Baby (Hardcover)   RM17.90 RM14.32
Stay in Bed, Davy   RM17.90 RM14.32
The Day Leo Said I Hate You   RM14.90 RM11.92
The Friendly Monster (Pop-up)   RM19.90 RM15.92
The Pursuit of Liberty Belle   RM9.90 RM7.92
The Tide Turner    RM9.90 RM7.92
Tiger in the Snow!   RM12.90 RM10.32
Tryannosaurus Drip       RM14.90 RM11.92
Wild at Heart   RM12.90 RM10.32
Winnie-the-Pooh   RM12.90 RM10.32

The Cocktail Dress by Laird Borrelli-Persson    RRP: RM96.90 Price: RM24.90
The Cocktail Dress is the first volume to pay homage to this fashion classic with an entertaining history of the dress and its evolution, this book features a dazzling presentation of cocktail frocks throughout fashion history. Extended captions at the back of the book provide details on each dress and its place in fashion history. Immerse yourself into the world of fashion history, where you can see which piece becomes a legendary and how its story began to unfold.

Trinny and Susannah: What You Wear Can Change You RRP: RM69.50 Price: RM24.90
Trinny & Susannah have advised and dressed more than 3,000 women. They know instinctively the finer points & secrets of looking good. All their advice is presented in this book, whether it is something simple like knowing when to add a touch of blusher to your face or something more dramatic like changing the colour of your hair. They show how to choose the colours that suit you best, what underwear to buy, how to store clothes & how to revamp your wardrobe at no cost. They recommend beauty & makeup products & cover dressing for pregnancy. They give valuable hints on choosing accessories (handbags, shoes, belts, hats, jewellery) & travelling, including how to pose to best advantage in those holiday photographs.

Trinny & Susannah: What Your Clothes Say About You RRP: RM109.90 Price: RM24.90
Susannah & Trinny can tell how you feel about yourself by how you dress. This book shows how to project yourself in a positive way through your clothes. It shows how to re-tune your appearance so that you can tell the world you are who you want to be. When you look different you will act different, when you act different you will feel different. Susannah & Trinny’s last television series attracted 5 million viewers and sold more than 400,000 copies.

Coleen’s Real Style by Coleen Rooney    RRP: RM99.90 Price: RM29.90
What Coleen Rooney doesn’t know about style and shopping isn’t worth knowing, and she is a fashion inspiration to girls everywhere. Now she’s put together a glossy, gorgeous style guide that contains everything you could EVER want to know about high-street fashion, beauty, hair and makeup, body care and style without spending a fortune or stepping out of the high street. Glossy and gorgeous, accessible and fun, Coleen’s Real Style is your ideal high-street shopping partner: chatty, friendly, honest and open, and highly knowledgeable about fashion. A must for all real women out there!

My First Word Play Magnets RRP: RM39.90 Price: RM17.90
Whether it’s playing with baby animals in a farmyard or matching objects & words, My First Play Magnets are the perfect way for preschoolers to learn & have hours of magnetic fun!

Colors and Shapes Discover by Thea Feldman, Disney Storybook
RRP: RM42.90 Price: RM17.90
Join Super Sleuthers Pooh, Tigger, Darby & Buster for a fun filled introduction to the alphabet! This unique lenticular format allows children to observe written letters & objects from the natural world. Young readers will begin to associate items from their every day world like cats & trees with letters of the alphabet, with this Tiggerific learning tool.

Remy’s Adventure in Paris (Magnetic Book) Price: RM17.90
Remy is the ultimate chef-even though he’s also a rat. His adventures take him from the sewers of Paris to a five-star restaurant kitchen. Kids will get to relive their favorite moments from the film by placing characters on magnetized pages illustrated with colorful backgrounds.

Cinderella by Phillida Gili (Pop-up Book)  RRP: RM79.70 Price: RM24.90
Featuring pull tabs, pop-ups & flaps throughout, the classic fairytale of Cinderella will comes to life for the youngest of readers. Adapted & beautifully illustrated in watercolor & ink by Phillida Gilli, this is a sumptuous, interactive treatment of everyone’s favorite princess story.

Pharoah Box Set Price: RM24.90
Discover the land of the pharoahs & the amazing civilization of ancient Egypt. Inside this kit is a fun stick-on scene plus more than 30 stickers to help you recreate the land of the Nile, a cartoon fact book, all about life in ancient Agypt, a pharoah mask, & a giant mummy poster!

Disney Princess Dazzling Jewels Book & Magnetic Play Set RRP: RM59.90 Price: RM19.90
Princess Aurora & Ariel dazzle in this fashionable play set. Three sheets of magnets, plus two play scenes, a delightful storybook, a colouring & activity book, four crayons, & a sheet of stickers are neatly packed into a carrying case with plastic handle. It’s fit for any little princess on the go!

Kitty Club Books & Toy Kittens RRP: RM89.90 Price: RM24.90
No home is complete without the company of this frisky foursome. Always ready for a good time, these kittens are the purr-fect playmates! Read all about the adventures of Paws, Jinx, Leon, and Fifi-and then discover how much more fun they’ll bring your way!

The Mother-Daughter Book Club Box Set (Age 9+)   Price: RM49.90
Five books–Ella Enchanted, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Little Women: Book One, Ida B & Bridge to Terabithia–for Mothers & Daughters to come together to talk, laugh & learn through their love of reading. Plus a bonus 80-page guidebook.

The Mother-Daughter Book Club Box Set (Age 10+)  Price: RM49.90
Five books–So B. It, The Luckiest Girl, Sister of the Bride, The Great Gilly Hopkins & The Secret Garden–for Mothers & Daughters to come together to talk, laugh & learn through their love of reading. Plus a bonus 80-page guidebook.

Cross Stitch Angels: Over 30 Inspirational New Designs by David & Charles Publishing (Creator)    RRP: RM96.10 Price: RM24.90
This collection of more than 30 stunning designs is the first project book entirely devoted to one of cross stitching’s most popular subjects. Angels are symbols of many virtues & aspirations. They can personify kindness & innocence, hope & love, the joy of seasons & celebrations and, of course, the magic of Christmas. This collection of more than 30 angelic projects large & small offers something for everyone. ‘Angels of the World’ brings together heavenly creatures from many countries, while ‘Angel’s Rules’ is full of cute cherubs enouraging all the family to help around the house. ‘May you always have angels by your side’ is the wish on the charming birth sampler, while the angelic alphabet will inspire you to stitch angelic messages of your own.

Picture It In Cross Stitch Today by Jo Verso    RRP: RM90.95 Price: RM24.90
This is a celebration of the work of the late Jo Verso, bringing her first & most successful title back into print.  “Picture It in Cross Stitch” was a ground-breaking book enabling cross stitchers to celebrate their own lives – their families, their homes & their personal stories – in stitches. The original text has been completely updated and is illustrated with the very best examples of Jo’s work taken from all six of her published books. Computer generated colour charts & new colour photography, specially commissioned for this edition bring this cross stitch classic up to date.

Cross Stitch by the Sea by Ursula Michael    RRP: RM110.00 Price: RM24.90
You will almost be able to feel the sand between your toes with the evocative designs presented in Cross Stitch by the Sea. Over 35 inspirational pieces for cross stich capture a wide assortment of seaside memories, including sea life, sand castles, tropical island getaways & more. Project ideas for using the designs range from framed pictures, beach bags & pillows to smaller quick-to-stitch coasters and cards. Simple stitching advice and clear instructions accompany each project along with clear, full-color charts & stunning photography for each cross stitch design.

The Cross Stitcher’s Bible Project Book by Jane Greenoff     RRP: RM90.95 Price: RM24.90
This book begins with a useful section called Back to Basics, which includes information on materials & equipment you will need, how to use the charts & how to begin stitching. The book is then divided into four sections – Fabulous Fabrics, Exciting Embellishments, Perfect Stitches & Beautiful Bands. Each of these focuses on a theme, with projects that allow you to explore different fabrics, threads, stitches & types of embroidery. Useful technique panels in each chapter explain in words & diagrams the key techniques used in the projects.

Quick to Stitch Cross Stitch Cards by David and Charles    RRP: RM109.90 Price: RM24.90
This is a bumper store of 120 cards & tags to stitch for any occasion, from welcoming a new baby to celebrating a silver wedding anniversary. An inspirational mix of styles ensures designs to suit everyone, from traditional & cute to humorous & quirky. Each of the 40 occasions offers a choice of three designs – choose from quick, quicker or quickest, depending on the time you have available. Every design features concise, easy-to-follow instructions, & a quick-start section at the front of the book will make your cards even speedier.

Cross Stitch Garden Projects by Joanne Sanderson    RRP: RM94.10 Price: RM24.90
Every one of these delightful cross-stitch patterns capture the love of gardening & nature, & offer a fresh approach to a popular technique. From cushions to samplers, these projects showcase attractive designs featuring flowers, fruit, & vegetables, while more than 60 color charts have motifs large & small. Beginners will enjoy stitching the simple Butterfly Kitchen Set, which includes a dish towel border & patches for an oven-mitt patch & tea-cozy. The Lavender Sachet not only looks pretty, but the scented pot-pourri smells wonderful. Everything’s coming up roses, in a selection of bookmarks, beaded handbag mirrors, & other gifts. Cards, journal covers, wall hangings, & more: they’re here, with information on mounting the finished items, & additional hints for using the patterns.