It’s always said not to judge a book by its cover, but I’m won’t lie: when there is a pretty cover involved, I’m like a moth to a flame. I can’t deny pretty things! Evidence: the entire blog. If you’ve been with me for a long time, you’ve seen me swoon like a school girl over countless beautiful book cover designs. Because if a book is pretty, I’m definitely more inclined to pick it up over a book I no nothing about. These beautifully hand-embroidered designs by Jillian Tamaki have been making the blog rounds over the weekend, and they’re too mind-blowing not to make repeat performance.

A little in progress work. I always love a little peek “behind the scenes”. In this case, it really puts the amount of time and effort into perspective. I can’t even imagine the skill and dedication that would be required of this sort of work. I could barely handle cross-stitch when I was younger! I’ve always really loved embroidery though. It’s such a lost art these days, it seems. But it can yield such incredible results. Evidence: the completed book covers. Yes, finally, onto the good stuff! There are three designs total…

Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, …

Jane Austen’s Emma, …

… and, my personal favourite of the trio, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. I adore the warm, saturated pinks, yellows and greens on this cover, and the mish-mash of botanical designs. Stunning!

According to her website, the books will be available in October of this year. Can’t wait! I’ve been waiting for the perfect copy of The Secret Garden for ages, so I’ll definitely be holding out just a little bit longer so my edition can have her lovely cover!

Images via Jillian Tamaki’s website. The two “in progress” shots are from her blog.