Practical projects and tips for the backyard DIY fanatic
Lip Balm – The French Alternative If you have trouble with dry cracked lips in winter, why not try Jackie’s homemade lip balm? It soothes, protects and moisturises, and it tastes pretty good too. Ingredients 6 tablespoons almond oil 3 chamomile tea bags 3...
Aftershave – The French Alternative Jackie’s homemade aftershave is a great present for a bloke, and it smells good too! You’ll need 20 cloves 2 star anise 1 stick cinnamon dried rind of 4 limes 4 tbspns vodka mineral or distilled water Method Put...
Some of the most fashionable bathrooms these days feature wonderful bath mats made of wood. If your bath mat has passed its use-by date, just follow Rita Hill’s easy step by step instructions and make a new one. You will need 6 x 120cm lengths of pine dowel...
Are your nerves completely frazzled every time you go away on a family holiday? The trouble is that cars don’t have storage space for all the things kids need while travelling. Rita Hill came up with a perfect solution to this problem. She made bags to go over...
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...
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...