An English orphan unwittingly holds the key to a powerful source of magic The graduation ceremony of the Grand and Ancient College of Siberian Witches takes place in the winter darkness of the Far North. But despite the celebration, the night is full of warnings and worry. The Wanderer is abroad in search of the coveted Jewel Seed that has been lost for centuries. Whoever finds it can unlock all knowledge and will have unlimited power. . . . Meanwhile, orphan Nonnie Smith is leaving the home she shares with her grandmother and grown siblings in Sesame Green to go live in London with her cousins and eldest sister, Una. Nonnie’s problems begin when her old neighbor Mrs. Wednesday returns from the Siberian witch conference and discovers that someone has taken a mysterious shirt off her clothesline. Nonnie is sure the linen blouse was Una’s, but why is Mrs. Wednesday so desperate to get her hands on it? Then Una is kidnapped—along with famous historical characters Julius Caesar, Mozart, and Jane Austen—and it’s up to Nonnie and her cousin John to outsmart both the Winter People and Mrs. Wednesday in order to save her.. The Jewel Seed is Joan Aiken’s retelling of a story her father, the poet Conrad Aiken, used to tell her and her siblings when they were young. This ebook features illustrations by Peter Bailey and a personal history of Joan Aiken including rare images from the author’s estate.

This is not your grandmother's gardening book. You Grow Girl is a hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discovering a passion for gardening but lack the know-how to turn their dreams of homegrown tomatoes and fresh-cut flowers into a reality. Gayla Trail, creator of YouGrowGirl.com, provides guidance for both beginning and intermediate gardeners with engaging tips, projects, and recipes -- whether you have access to a small backyard or merely to a fire escape. You Grow Girl eliminates the intimidation factor and reveals how easy and enjoyable it can be to cultivate plants and flowers even when resources and space are limited. Divided into accessible sections like Plan, Plant, and Grow, You Grow Girl takes readers through the entire gardening experience: Preparing soil Nurturing seedlings Fending off critters Reaping the bounty Readying plants for winter Preparing for the seasons ahead Gayla also includes a wealth of ingenious and creative projects, such as: Transforming your garden's harvest into lush bath and beauty products Converting household junk into canny containers Growing and bagging herbal tea Concocting homemade pest repellents ...and much, much more. Witty, wise, and as practical as it is stylish, You Grow Girl is guaranteed to show you how to get your garden on. All you need is a windowsill and a dream!

The Earth in Her Hands celebrates the important contributions women make to the wide world of plants—in the fields of horticulture, environmental science, botany, floral design, farming, landscape architecture, herbalism, food justice, and more.

A new journey begins An invisible force pushed me back to the solid forest ground. The portal sealed off with one last burst of light, and then I was left alone with the eerily tall trees. I lay on the forest floor for a moment, shuddering from the encounter with the woman. I pushed myself off the ground and crossed the dirty forest path to the twins house, still jittering. It didnt take long for me to register the familiarity of the woman: her black hair, charcoal eyes, venomous tone. The headmistress was back. AFTER AN UNTHINKABLE BATTLE, Arica Miller is bursting with questions. The last thing she expected was to go to the source of all magicthe Sorcerers Underworld. She soon realizes the magical world is facing an immense threat: The kings crown, also known as the Jewel, has been stolen by an unknown thief. And whats worse, the gemstones have been taken by a magical flood that has a suspicious link to the headmistress. Now Arica and her cousins are summoned to go on a dangerous search that leads them to the waters of the Bermuda Triangle. If Arica wishes to return home, she must find the gemstones and unlock the mystery of the Jewels thief; but what she doesnt realize is that the culprit could be closer to her than shed ever imagined....

“Atkinson and Jewell invite each of us to reimagine one’s connection to the land while cultivating nature close to home. A must-read for anyone searching for inspired solutions for designing or refining a garden.” —Emily Murphy, founder of Pass the Pistil From windswept deserts to misty seaside hills and verdant valleys, the natural landscapes of the American West offer an astounding variety of climates for gardens. Under Western Skies reveals thirty-six of the most innovative designs—all embracing and celebrating the very soul of the land on which they grow. For the gardeners featured here, nature is the ultimate inspiration rather than something to be dominated, and Under Western Skies shows the strong connection each garden has with its place. Packed with Atkinson’s stunning photographs and illuminated by Jewell’s deep interest in the relationships between people and the spaces they inhabit, Under Western Skies offers page after page of encouraging ingenuity and inventive design for passionate gardeners who call the West home.

How will the Jewel Loom inspire you? Create fun, easy beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more with the versatile Jewel Loom! Jewel Loom creator Julianna Avelar fills you in on the basics of beading on a loom, then shares fifteen of her favorite Jewel Loom projects in easy-to-follow tutorials. Get creative with silk ribbon, fringe and leather cording then experiment with beads of varying colors and shapes--the jewelry projects in this book push the boundaries of traditional beading loom designs. Make something that fits your unique style! An inspiration gallery, featuring a beaded denim jacket, a fringed lampshade and more, offers ideas on how to use the Jewel Loom for more than just jewelry. So grab your loom and start beading!