We’ve independently chosen our favourite titles to sell in our bookshops and online. And remember – we offer Free Postage in ROI on orders over €30 – just choose the Free Postage option at checkout.
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Cleanliness is next to enlightenment. In this Japanese bestseller a Buddhist monk explains the traditional meditative techniques that will help cleanse not only your house - but your soul. Live clean. Feel calm. Be happy. We remove dust to sweep away our worldly cares. ISBN 9781846149696 -
Knit 20 adorable hats to keep your little one cozy. This cute and colourful book contains a range of hats, with design styles that will appeal to every knitter. The 20 designs fall into four categories: basic beanies; animal hats; food hats and quirky hats. So whether you fancy making a simple beanie, a cute panda, fox or bee, a colourful watermelon or strawberry, or a quirky Christmas pudding, this book has it all. Choose from hats with ears, stripes, pompoms, tassels, topknots and more - all the techniques are included. Clear instructions and simple patterns. As babies vary so much in size, each design can be made in three sizes: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-24 months. The yarns recommended are all hypoallergenic, washable and with some elasticity, to help the hats keep their shape. The hats use relatively small amounts of yarn so are ideal for quick, portable projects. Perfect for thoughtful gifts. Hats are a timeless must-have baby item, especially if you have knitted them yourself! This is a fantastic little project book in a handy pocket-size format, so you can even knit on the go. -
This mini pocket guide is packed with information curated for quilting novices! Once you've found your perfect pattern, use this guide to lead you through the piecing and quilting process and answer all of your questions along the way. The small size means you can take it with you everywhere and is a great gift for all sewists. ISBN 9781644031476 -
How to Cross Stitch is the perfect starting point for all those wanting to learn this rewarding and accessible craft. This simple-to-follow project-based book takes you through the basic techniques of how to cross stitch. Each technique is clearly explained and accompanied by a stylish project to make, with clear step-by-step instructions. The straightforward explanations combined with desirable projects means that no matter how little cross- stitch experience you have to start with, you'll soon be impressing friends and family with your new-found practical skills. ISBN 9781784945688 -
Create beautiful dolls and accessories for winter using the latest fabrics. From pretty skating angels in warm fur coats to chalet girls with cosy knitted jumpers, these new Tilda designs celebrate the winter season in style. Transform pentagons and hexagons into mini patchwork balls and tablemats, or make a quilt or cushion with beautiful fabrics. Hanging santas, paper angels and Christmas stockings are perfect festive decorations for your home, and there are adorable polar bears to delight the little ones! ISBN 9781446304006 -
Enough plastic is thrown away every year to circle the world 4 times More than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year 300 million tonnes of new plastic is produced every year An estimated 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic now litter the world's oceans 38.5 million plastic bottles are used every day in the UK A million plastic bottles are used per minute around the world 500 million plastic straws are used per year Without big action, at the current rate, pieces of plastic will outnumber fish in the ocean by 2050. That is the legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Plastic flows into our lives from every direction and most of it is not recycled. Instead it is incinerated or ends up in landfill, where it will sit for hundreds of years, or enters the world's seas where it fragments into tiny pieces to become microplastics - the environmental scourge of our times. Many of us had assumed that governments, brands and waste authorities were dealing with plastic on our behalf. But the impact of shows such as Blue Planet along with national beach cleans and high-profile campaigns have resulted in a collective wake-up call. If there were plans and strategies, they have not worked as we imagined. It would be easy to feel despondent but instead we need to turn our anger and emotion into action, starting by making a big dent in our own enormous consumption. Turning the tide on Plastic is here just in time. Journalist, broadcaster and eco lifestyle expert Lucy Siegle provides a powerful call to arms to end the plastic pandemic along with the tools we need to make decisive change. It is a clear-eyed, authoritative and accessible guide to help us to take decisive and effective personal action. Because this matters. When it comes to single-use plastics, we are habitual users, reaching out for plastic water bottles, disposable coffee cups, plastic straws and carrier bags multiple times a day. If only 12 of us adopt Lucy's 'reduce, rethink, refill, refuse' approach, we could potentially ditch 3K-15K single items of plastic in a year. When we consider our power as influencers - whether at school, the hairdressers, at work or on the bus - we suddenly become part of something significant. So now is the time to speak up, take action and demand the change you want to see in the ocean, in the supermarket aisles and on the streets. It's time to turn the tide on plastic, and this book will show you how. ISBN 9781409182993 -
'One of the most thrilling moments occurred ten years ago when I found a single wild flower growing on a grassy bank. It was not particularly rare - a common spotted orchid - but it was like discovering a pot of gold - or perhaps, more accurately, the promise of gold. It was a sign that recovery was possible from even the most inauspicious situation.' Spend a year in the garden with Monty Don - the UK's favourite gardener, writer and broadcaster - accompanied by his beloved dogs, Nigel and Nellie. A breath of fresh country air. Each season has something different to delight in - from the primroses and bluebells of spring, to butterflies that colour summer skies and the crowds of migrating swallows that herald the coming of autumn - all have a place alongside the yearly cycle of growth and renewal. My Garden World is an ode to the ever-surprising and comforting presence of nature. In exquisitely written prose, reflecting the best of nature writing, this book offers an opportunity to walk alongside Monty, month by month, and experience the commonplace miracles and rhythms of nature through his eyes. ISBN 9781473666580 -
Approaching organic gardening can sometimes feel overwhelming. It can be hard enough to keep on top of the weeding without having to worry about using less plastic, avoiding pesticides and using too much water. Grow Green is a practical guide and tackles a topic close to Jen Chillingsworth's heart - growing sustainably. Packed with easy tips and advice, this little book reveals how to adjust your outdoor space and create a wildlife haven, while reducing your impact on the environment as you grow your own cut flowers, fruit and veg. Drawing on her wealth of knowledge, Jen will hold your hand as she takes you through all the gardening essentials, teaching you how to get started - no matter how small or big your space might be. From making your own fertiliser with leftovers, planting in pots, reducing energy consumption and conserving water, to dealing with pests and diseases, Jen removes the stress and simply shows you how to garden green. Whether you are a first-time gardener or have seasoned green fingers - discover how to get the most out of your space with Grow Green by gardening with intention. Live simply. Grow Green. ISBN 9781787135727 -
Not everything has built-in obsolescence - as this fantastically handy guide to fixing everyday objects proves! Whether you need to repair the strap of a favourite handbag or mend a leak in a washing machine, How to Repair Everything is packed full of tips and tricks of the trade for the person who likes to do-it-yourself. From quick fixes that will get you out of a jam to permanent solutions that make the item good as new, this is perfect for anyone who hates the throwaway society and would much rather refurb and recycle. Whether it's a sweater that's shrunk in the wash, a broken umbrella spoke or fixing a microwave oven, you'll be amazed just how many things can be mended with a few tools and a bit of patience. ISBN 9781789292312 -
'Outside my work the thing I care most about is gardening - George Orwell' Inspired by her encounter with the surviving roses that Orwell is said to have planted in his cottage in Hertfordshire, Rebecca Solnit explores how his involvement with plants, particularly flowers, illuminates his other commitments as a writer and antifascist, and the intertwined politics of nature and power. Following his journey from the coal mines of England to taking up arms in the Spanish Civil War; from his prescient critique of Stalin to his analysis of the relationship between lies and authoritarianism, Solnit finds a more hopeful Orwell, whose love of nature pulses through his work and actions. And in her dialogue with the author, she makes fascinating forays into colonial legacies in the flower garden, discovers photographer Tina Modotti's roses, reveals Stalin's obsession with growing lemons in impossibly cold conditions, and exposes the brutal rose industry in Colombia. A fresh reading of a towering figure of the 20th century which finds solace and solutions for the political and environmental challenges we face today, Orwell's Roses is a remarkable reflection on pleasure, beauty, and joy as acts of resistance. 'A genuinely extraordinary mind, whose curiosity, intelligence and willingness to learn seem unbounded' Irish Times. ISBN 9781783785520 -
This gorgeous book brings together 100 of the top crochet projects from the best-selling Twenty to Make series. With contributions from five top crochet designers and best-selling authors, these fabulous designs are quick and easy to make, and include stylish purses and hats, cute teddy bears, flowers, hearts and festive decorations. Whether you are on a budget and want to make a quick and quirky gift for a friend, or wish to indulge in a special treat for yourself, you will discover a treasure trove of ideas within this book that you simply won't be able to resist. Projects have been taken from the following titles in the Twenty to Make series : Mini Christmas Crochet by Val Pierce, Crocheted Bears by Val Pierce, Crocheted Flowers by Jan Ollis, Crocheted Granny Squares by Val Pierce, Crocheted Beanies by Frauke Kiedaisch, Crocheted Purses by Anna Nikipirowicz, Crocheted Hearts by May Corfield, Granny Square Flowers by May Corfield. ISBN 9781800920927 -
This guide to how to look after and enjoy your garden month by month is the ideal thoughtful gift for any gardener. It's packed with inspiring writing and National Trust know-how that will help beginners and old hands alike. For each month, you'll find: Something to prune / Something to savour / A task to start; a task to finish / A thrifty project / Head gardener's job of the month - advice from an NT expert / Plant focus - spotlight on plants in season / Wildlife - what to look for, how to helpWeather charts - sunrise and sunset, average temperatures / Trivia - Facts too good to keep to yourself / Quotations - Wit and wisdom from famous gardeners, past and present There's information on enjoying other gardens too. -
Isabella Tree tells the story of the 'Knepp experiment', a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex, using free-roaming grazing animals to create new habitats for wildlife. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of the ecology of our countryside, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope. Forced to accept that intensive farming on the heavy clay of their land at Knepp was economically unsustainable, Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell made a spectacular leap of faith: they decided to step back and let nature take over. Thanks to the introduction of free-roaming cattle, ponies, pigs and deer - proxies of the large animals that once roamed Britain - the 3,500 acre project has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife numbers and diversity in little over a decade. Extremely rare species, including turtle doves, nightingales, peregrine falcons, lesser spotted woodpeckers and purple emperor butterflies, are now breeding at Knepp, and populations of other species are rocketing. The Burrells' degraded agricultural land has become a functioning ecosystem again, heaving with life - all by itself. Personal and inspirational, Wilding is an astonishing account of the beauty and strength of nature, when it is given as much freedom as possible. ISBN 9781509805105 -
Packed with 60 gorgeous projects selected from the best-selling Love to Sew series, this bumper book will give you all the inspiration you need to get creative, bust that stash and make wonderful items for your home or for friends and family. Authored by best-selling, sewing superstars such as Debbie Shore, Alistair Macdonald and Debbie von Grabler-Crozier to name a few, Love to Sew offers all the expert guidance you'll need to make useful and unique items for your home or loved ones. Choose from practical items such as coasters, a wall tidy, a door stop and a tablet case, to beautiful, decorative pillows, cosy, warm quilts and practical, stylish bags. Each project is clearly explained step by step, with supporting photographs and illustrations. The book contains all the templates needed, along with a handy techniques section at the start to make sure you have all the information you need to get going. ISBN 9781782217923 -
In today's climate of increasingly hot summers and dry winters, gardeners need guidance on plants that will thrive in dry conditions. In Beth Chatto's classic book, she uses plants that need very little attention and are naturally adapted to flourish in dry conditions to provide a year-round display of beautiful foliage and flowers. Drawing from her own immense experience, she provides valuable guidance on types of soil and on basic principles of design. She discusses the plants and plantings suited to dry conditions and includes a detailed list of plants, with notes and advice on their characteristics. ISBN 9781474610964 -
How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world? In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling, The Well Gardened Mind investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years - working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence. ISBN 9780008100735 -
Use the power of houseplants to combat the pollution and stresses of modern life. Everyday products pollute the air in our homes, and our mental wellbeing is threatened like never before - but help is at hand from the humble houseplant! ISBN 9780241458518 -
Any garden belongs to everyone who sees it - it is like a book and everybody who visits it will find different things. Marc Hamer has designed and nurtured 12 acres of garden for over two decades. It is rarely visited so he is the only person who fully knows its secrets; but it is not his own. His relationship with the garden's owner is both distant and curiously intimate, steeped in the mysterious connection which exists between two people who inhabit the same space in very different ways. In this life-enhancing book Marc takes us month-by-month through his experiences both working in the garden and outside it, as the seasons' changes bring new plants and wildlife to the fore and lead him to reflect on his past and future. Through his peaceful and meditative prose we learn about gardening folklore and wisdom, the joys of manual labour, his path from solitary homelessness to family contentment and the cycle of growth and decay that runs through both the garden's life and our own. Beautifully illustrated, Seed to Dust is a moving and restorative account of a life lived in harmony with nature. You've seen gates like that at the side of the road, you've wondered what's behind them. They really are the entrance to the wonders you imagined. ISBN 9781529112498