Practical projects and tips for the backyard DIY fanatic
Recently Burke’s Backyard visited the town of Puebla in Mexico which has kept its Spanish heritage alive through its decorative ceramic industry. History Mexican ceramic ware or pottery has existed since ancient times, long before the arrival of the Spanish....
Wooden Model Builder Jim Pike visited the home of Kevin Sculthorpe a clever woodworker, who creates wooden model planes, trains and automobiles as well as boats, spinning wheels and merry-go-rounds. Kevin started woodworking as a hobby about 20 years ago. The models...
Installing a spray irrigation system in your garden makes watering a breeze, which is exactly how Sydney radio personality Ray Hadley from 2UE found the installation when he called Don in to lend a hand. There were several areas which Ray wanted to cover such as the...
With its links to the ancient villages of the Pueblo Indians and the buildings of Spain, Santa Fe style has evolved today in the desert states of America into a style of building that is recognised around the world. On a recent visit to Santa Fe in New Mexico...
Magic Tap Phillip Bloom is an inventor who saw the idea of a ‘Frozen Moment’ tap while holidaying in the United States. In a shop window he saw taps gushing with water while apparently suspended in mid-air and not attached to any source of water. The taps...
Although water features are wonderful things to have in a garden, they are very high maintenance. In fact, most ornamental ponds in most gardens leak. Don looked at a classic example. The water level had dropped and the water plants were dying back. The owners were...
On cold winter days or nights outdoor entertaining can be difficult. A good way to warm up outside, is sitting beside a Mexican fireplace. It is a round, ceramic fireplace, with a chimney which radiates heat in an area of about 20 square metres. Simply build...
An extra dimension can be added both to your garden and home by the introduction of interesting artefacts. However in the past the traditional garden gnomes, columns and Greek statues have not always suited the Australian garden. Now there is a range of newer...
Fridge magnets are a cheap, cheerful gift idea even children can make them with a little help. We showed two different types: a timber shape with photos glued on and sealed with gloss, and a stamped, embossed photo frame. Heart fridge magnet Materials Small wooden...
Our hands are our tools and often become ingrained with dirt and grime, sometimes impregnated with stubborn stains which are hard to remove. As an avid gardener, Jackie French knows all too well that dirty hands need a fresh and effective hand cleanser, so she...