Ms. Gouverneur is a well-known European designer who grew up in the bulb-growing region of the Netherlands. [The yellow trumper daffodil `Burgemeester Gouverneur' was named after her grandfather.] For those who know and cherish her work this book will not be a disappointment. For those not familiar with her this will be a wonderful introduction to a superb natural history artist.The charted designs are beautifully executed in color and keyed to both DMC and Anchor floss. They are generous in size and very easy to read. Most importantly, the associated instructions are detailed, clear and precise. There is a section devoted to a discussion of the materials used, the execution of the stitches including clear instructional diagrams, and an in-depth discussion of techniques including embellishment with beads. A well-structured chapter describing the finishing of the projects includes mounting the embroidery, making a cushion cover and edging table linens. The listing of suppliers for the materials needed to complete the embroidery covers the USA, the UK, Australia and Japan.While this book is an exquisite collection of charts for embroiderers it is also more: it includes lovely color photographs of the bulb, flower, herb and fruit specimens that inspire her designs. The text associated with each major section (Spring flowers, herbal gardens, wild flowers, and orchard harvest) gives a brief account that includes some historical information and lore associated with each specimen. It would be a lovely addition to any coffee table collection of art books.A book of flowers. It's a nice book. Clear instructions. I took pictures of only a small portion of what this book contains. I gave it 4☆ because there were no pictures when I bought it; I might not have. I prefer a little more modern designs. Not so much in this book. This book contains frameable, pillow front type art.I received this yesterday, it is a beautiful book!The patterns are wonderful. Now to just get started!The designs by Thea Gouvenour are gorgeous and I have plans for many of them.One thing I noticed that I did not like was then stench coming from the book. It smells mildewed and moldy s if it has been stored in a perpetually wet basement. It will take some time to get the rid of the stench, but the book is worth it. I would hesitate to buy another book from this seller as it would likely have been kept in that wet basement with the mildew and mold.I love this book. I was particularly interested in the poppies design on the book jacket because i was looking for some bright art on my hallway wall since it is dark there! I thought poppies would be particularly appropriate since the "hallway" is actually a sort of entredieu between my bedrooms and bathroom and poppies are the flower of sleep and also of healing. The price of the book was much cheaper than 1 chart pattern would be and much cheaper than the kit of this pattern would be. I also found several other patterns in the book that I want to stitch, which was a really great bonus.great seller great book great priceI ordered this book when I was searching for a pattern for poppies. When I recieved it I was amazed at how beautiful the pictures, illistrations, and patterns were. I am now using it as a coffee table book when I am not using a pattern. Everyone who has picked it up has been entranced! Beautiful, beautiful book!