The whole family will have heaps of fun creating these wonderful handmade Christmas decorations. Rita Hill says they are really simple to put together, yet they add that special touch to a Christmas tree. Glitter Baubles corrugated cardboard roll, $4.95 from Lincraft...
Making and Mending
Confetti – The French Alternative
Confetti – The French Alternative Paper confetti can be really messy, and it’s not such a good idea to throw rice at a newly married couple either. Although rice is a fertility symbol, when it is left lying around it can attract vermin such as rats and...
Decorative Throw
Decorative Throw Decorative throws are very much in vogue and they add a cosy touch to your living room or bedroom. But you don’t have to go to the expense of buying one. Instead, use your sewing machine, leftover furnishing fabric and Rita Hill’s...
Easy Drawing
Easy Drawing Have you ever been asked by your children to draw a person or an animal, only to have your drawing skills let you down? Don’t worry, using Rita Hill’s step by step instructions even the most ordinary artist can produce a masterpiece, and save...
Family Tree
Family Tree A shoe box in the bottom of the cupboard is no place for your precious family photographs – why not use them to put together your own family tree? It’s fun, and it’s really easy if you use the special fold-out family tree chart in the...
Fashionable Fabric Bags
Fashionable Fabric Bags This trendy fabric bag won’t break the bank, but it will rival any designer creation for style and panache. Choose any two fabrics that look great together. One will make most of the bag, the other will be the lining and the decorative...
Finger Painting – The French Alternative
Finger Painting – The French Alternative Homemade finger paint can be a lifesaver when the kids are bored. The paint is simple to make and you’ll probably have most of the ingredients in the pantry. Ingredients 1 cup cornflour 1 litre...
Tree Lanterns
Tree Lanterns Rita Hill showed how to light up those summer nights and add a festive touch to your garden. You’ll need jam jars wire glass spray paint tea lights Making your lanterns Cut the wire into 50cm lengths. Twist and loop the wire to create detachable...
Updating a Lounge
Updating a Lounge Rita Hill has a good eye for a bargain, so she was very excited when she found a fantastic 1930s-era Club lounge suite by the side of the road in a recent council clean up. Although the suite had seen better days, Rita thought it would be a crime for...
Pool Room Makeover
Pool Room Makeover Several weeks ago on Burke’s Backyard we completed one of our best makeovers ever. A weed-infested site was cleared and then planted with fabulous tropical fruit trees and colourful foliage plants. An aviary resembling a Thai temple was built...
