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 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 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 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 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 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...
Indian Curtains Rita Hill showed how to create your own colourful, soft, shimmery curtains using beautiful sari fabrics from India. Sari fabrics make fantastic flowing curtains for any bare window. They’re also perfect if you’re renting because you can...
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 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...
Tile and Bathroom Cleanser – The French Alternative Jackie French recommends this tile and bathroom cleanser. It is simple to make, works a treat and smells divine. Ingredients 6 tablespoons crushed white chalk 1/2 cup Lux soap flakes 6 tablespoons bicarbonate...