Practical projects and tips for the backyard DIY fanatic
Scented Rose Beads: The French Alternative If your budget doesn’t stretch to diamonds and pearls or if you have children who would like some jewellery, scented rose beads may be the way to go. Beeswax and roses can be combined to make scented rose beads....
Funky Fish Tanks Qantas Amazing Australia While fish are attractive and engrossing pets, the tanks in which they live can be somewhat unattractive. There is now an alternative in the form of a fish tank with a very unconventional design. In Melbourne, Jean-Paul George...
Thingummies: The French Alternative ‘Thingummies’ is Jackie French’s name for candles with a difference. They are squat flower pots filled with a pool of wax and several wicks. They are a beautiful and safe alternative to a tall, single candle, as...
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...
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...
Jackie French has a recipe for a rose aftershave for men that doesn’t smell like roses but which should make their presence more acceptable on a hot summer’s day. What you will need 1 cup of white wine vinegar (not malt vinegar) 12 bay leaves (fresh or...
Mosaics have long been admired for their intricate patterns and fantastic colours. Throughout the ages they have been used in many ways, including in Moorish architecture and in the buildings and sculptures of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. While not everyone can...
Give new life to your decor with colourful and imaginative tassels, trims and braids. Make a ribbon tassel to dress a window or door. Ribbon tassel Quick and easy to make, this delicate ribbon tassel gives a stunning result. Choose a colour combination that...
Elaine Mitchell is a textile artist who loves scarecrows. She first began to create these quirky characters nearly ten years ago as props for a theatrical performance. After the play Elaine displayed the scarecrows around her home. When people started to drive by for...