Elian McCready has been one of the best-selling designers for tapestry company Ehrman for many years with her rich, colourful and innovative designs of the natural world. Freely admitting to a hording tendency at home, this overflows into her designs, rarely leaving space for background, so full of fruit or flowers is the picture. Wallhangings, cushions, stools and even slippers and waistcoats are included in this collection of her designs. Peonies and hollyhocks, cockerels and cats, pansies and irises, roses and Flemish florals, pineapples and pears - all appear in the vibrant hues so synonymous with McCready's name. Gloriously presented in full colour throughout, the patterns are clearly illustrated and explained together with photographs of the finished result. An introduction to each project by McCready herself gives her thoughts on the subjects and the inspiration behind them. A short synopsis of techniques is included at the rear, again clearly illustrated and succinctly pertinent.. More aimed at experienced needlepersons, this would make a wonderful gift for lovers of McCready's designs and Ehrman tapestries. But for novices it would provide the inspiration to learn the centuries-old technique of tapestry and try the designs out for themselves. - Lucy Watson
