Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2020 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

CHOCOLATY, CREAMY AND A LITTLE FRUITY IS THIS COFFEE-FLAVOURED BEAUTY CHICKEN, APPLE AND CIDER SKILLET POT ROAST Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 40 mins Serves 4 8 chicken thigh fillets, skin onSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season¼ cup plain flour125g unsalted butter, chopped2 brown onions, finely sliced2 sticks celery, finely sliced4 bay leaves12 cloves garlic, sliced4 apples, peeled, cored, thickly sliced750ml apple ciderSoft polenta and sautéed kale, to serve STEP 1 Season chicken generously, then toss in flour until evenly coated. Put half the butter in a large heavy-based skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken in batches until browned. Set aside. STEP 2 Sauté onion, celery, bay leaves and garlic in remaining butter for 7-8 minutes, until aromatic. Arrange chicken and apple on top and pour…

First impressions count, so turn heads and start conversations with these simple weekend tasks that will turn your dull front yard into something that will razzle dazzle your neighbours. Take out a lazy lawn and put in a lovely bed of flowering plants, replace a poor excuse for a hedge with one that grows lush under any conditions, plant a feature tree and then tidy up. All simple tasks that won’t cost the earth. PROJECT 1 REPLACE LAWN WITH A GARDEN BED Gather your supplies • Plants• Compost• Mulch You’ll also need Grass marking paint; square-edged spade; metal rake; garden fork; post-hole digger; buckets Here’s how STEP 1 Mark out where lawn is to be removed with grass marking spray paint. Remove turf and all roots by digging squares with…

Garden Editor SEASON SPECIALS Our natives are flowering, despite the chill GERALDTON WAX has lots of sweet nectar for hungry birds longing for a winter treat. CORREA is known as the native fuchsia because of its pretty, bell-shaped flowers. TAKE IN THE SWEET, citrusy smell of crowea flowers. Quality and quantity at the same time. KEY TO CLIMATE ZONES PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Carnation, marigold and nemesia. ZONES 1-3 Ageratum (top left), alyssum, aster, candytuft, celosia, cosmos, gerbera, impatiens, lupin, nasturtium, petunia, phlox, salvia and verbena. ZONES 4-6 Delphinium, dianthus, gypsophila and tuberous begonia (left). VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus crowns,…

Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed-producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs. Air signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini are in harmony with plants that produce flowers and perfumes. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are in harmony with above-ground crops, including trees, shrubs, lawns, and leafy, juicy and fleshy vegetables.…

1 LIGHT A FLAME You can easily achieve this peaceful palette with paint and the aid of wallpaper, such as this flowing riverlike design. Add to the atmosphere with candles and a flaming fire. Archipelago Leading Lights wallpaper in Blue/Charcoal, $263/roll, wallpaperdirect.com/au. Brave and confident soul that you are, you’ll soon be convinced to decorate with this dark side of the moon shade – midnight blue. You’ll find it alluring, cosy and restful as it envelops you in its warm embrace this winter. On the flip side, you will also find it cooling and relaxing in summer. 2 FIRE UP YOUR INTERIORS This winter, create a comforting and cocooning feel with deep midnight blues, using velvets, woollens and faux fur as your accents of choice. This same colour feels cool…

1 BEDROOM BEAUTY Create a dream dressing area that lets you pack in a whole lot of ‘stuff’, with a wall-to-wall run of chests and a ceiling-hung rail for clothing. Iron hanging rail in Black 100 x 100cm, designvintage.co.uk. Malm six-drawer chest in White 160 x 78cm, $249, ikea.com.au. 2 STEP UP AND STUDY Slot in a ‘built-in’ home office under the stairs. You’ll need a tall flat-pack kitchen unit and a matching base unit. And, to connect the two, you’ll need plywood cut to fit as a desktop. Metod/Haggeby high cabinet, Metod/Maximera base unit, Bodarp cover panels, all in Bodarp Grey/Green, ikea.com.au. 3 BENCH PRESS Money… and space tight? Redeploy a flat-pack TV unit as a bench seat between cabinets for a cosy dining nook. Muuto Cover chairs, top3.com.…

Let your liquid gold travel in style with this antique-look beer caddy. Made with timber from an old pallet, a few clever painting techniques are all you need to add charm. And so you’re not left high and dry, it even has a bottle opener. Gather your supplies • Recycled pallet material• Replica bottle opener You’ll also need 8mm dowel kit; PVA glue; clamps; pencil; jigsaw; trimmer fitted with rounding-over bit; sander; black paint; paintbrush; rich walnut stain and varnish; cloth; drill; 40mm screws; rust paint Here’s how STEP 1 Join 3 pieces of pallet material using dowels and PVA glue. Clamp together and leave glue to dry. Mark out shape of ends. The ends are 235mm wide and 365mm long. The curves start 150mm from the base and the…

DEEP DISH Fashion decorative bowls out of paper pulp to contain small objects or serve as artful display pieces. You won’t believe how easy it is to make your own paper. Give it a go! USE UP PAPER AROUND YOUR HOME TO CREATE AN ARRAY OF COLOURFUL AND FUN BUNTING PARTY STARTERS Decorate a favourite space or treat table with a colourful mini pendant garland. Trace and cut triangle pendant pieces, or any other shape you’d like. Sandwich string between two triangles using double-sided sticky tape to secure. TAG, YOU’RE IT! Dress up gifts with tags created from handmade papers. Trace the tag shape and enlarge to your desired size, then cut it out, punch a hole for string and hang from your present. You can’t get more one of…

have you ever walked into a room, smelled fragrant essential oils in the air and felt your mood shift? Aromatherapy’s ability to uplift or soothe is quite magical – and all it takes is a few drops. The power of essential oils is well known. You’ve probably noticed they’re often used in face, body and hair products, even at supermarkets, so enjoying and benefitting from these aromatic delights is not exclusive to spa visits. But why not take it to another level and become your own aromatherapist? Here are some easy ways to use the natural wonders of pure essential oils in your own home. THE REAL DEAL To have therapeutic benefits, essential oils must be pure plant extracts, not synthetic. Always purchase from a trusted source. Pure oils will…

first, let’s agree that so far, 2020 has been a bit of a bummer. We’ve had fires, floods, disease, a toilet-paper famine and the whole darn world feels like it’s off its axis. These are challenging times, and it’s normal to feel anxious when things are out of control. However, a state of high anxiety isn’t good for our physical, mental or spiritual health. Here are some feel-better-fast fixes you can put into action right now. 1 FEEL THE FEELINGS When things are uncertain, it’s OK to feel afraid, sad and/or mad as hell. It’s OK to cry and to not have all the answers. Give yourself permission to feel your feelings, then pick yourself up and move forward. Tell yourself: This time is teaching me to be still and…

BUY NOW When nature and art collide, magic happens! And this time, it’s in your garden, with these gorgeous Australian-made metal wonders you simply hammer into a tree or fence post, depending on your choice of garden art. Laser cut from 3mm corten steel, the designs develop a lovely rust patina over time. Buy them for yourself, or as a unique gift for a nature lover. SHOP TO BUY, SWOOP IN AND VISIT BHGSHOP.COM.AU Postage and handling additional. Delivery within Australia only. Offer available while stocks last.…

SAVE UPTO 54% From just $2.31 per issue* access Better Homes and Gardens magazine anytime, anywhere! EASY WAYS TO ORDER YOUR DIGITAL EDITION subscribetoday.com.au/bhgd I300 668 II8 and quote P817KZZA *Subscriptions renew automatically until you decide to cancel. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Visit subscribetoday.com.au for full terms and conditions. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc. Prices may vary from our direct to publisher rates.…

ACROSS 1 Lima’s nation (4) 4 Passenger ship (5) 8 Passport stamps (5) 11 Journey (6) 13 Scarlett –, Gone With the Wind character (5) 14 Swap (6) 16 Grate (4) 18 Liver, kidneys or tripe (5) 19 Containing fat (5) 20 People who dislike company (6) 21 Hindu dress (4) 22 Young cow (4) 23 Idler, layabout (6) 26 Complain (6) 29 Jealousy (4) 31 Champagne rating (4) 33 No one (6) 36 Ancient artefact (5) 38 – the hill, old (4) 39 Christmas (abbrev) (4) 40 Arm joint (5) 41 Mary-Kate and Ashley –, showbiz twins (5) 42 Beg (5) 43 Equal, balanced (4) 44 Fibber (4) 45 Animated film featuring Princess Fiona (5) 51 Of stars (6) 54 Plant secretion (5) 56 Feeble (5) 57 Diatribe (6)…

1 If Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are two of the five countries ending in the letters ‘stan’ that make up Central Asia, what are the remaining three? 2 What is the famous national park accessed from Mammoth Lakes on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in California? 3 Which are the three words beginning with F that Italians consider the most important aspects of life? 4 According to Guinness World Records, where was Hiltl, the first vegetarian restaurant, opened? 5 WHY IS NEW YORK CALLED THE BIG APPLE? 6 What does P&O stand for? 7 THE MAORI WORD FOR NEW ZEALAND IS AOTEAROA. WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN ENGLISH? 8 What is the largest art museum in the world? 9 IN VIETNAM, WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL NAME OF SAIGON? 10 Where…

PORCINI CHICKEN POLPETTI AND BROKEN PASTA IN BROTH Preparation time 20 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 4-6 10 shiitake mushroomsSea-salt flakes, for sprinkling, plus extra ½ tsp3 skinless chicken thigh fillets350g chicken mince2 Tbsp porcini powder2 cloves garlic, grated1 Tbsp maple syrup2 tsp chicken stock powder80g grated parmesan80g panko breadcrumbs½ tsp ground white pepper1 free-range egg2.5L chicken stock120g dried spaghetti, broken into 5cm lengths⅓ cup roughly chopped parsley, to serveCrusty baguette, sliced, to serve STEP 1 Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced (220°C conventional). STEP 2 Place shiitake mushrooms in a large frying pan, stem side up. Sprinkle with salt and gently toast mushroom tops over medium-low heat until golden. Finely slice and set aside. STEP 3 Dice chicken thighs and put in a food processor with chicken mince, porcini…

BHG SPECIAL ROSES OFFER BUY ENGLISH ROSES $21.50 each MUNSTEAD WOOD These beautiful, large, velvety crimson blooms have the distinctive David Austin style. They have a strong old rose fragrance with fruity notes of blackberry, blueberry and damson. Grows to 1.2m. OLIVIA ROSE AUSTIN This pretty in pink David Austin rose flowers from early in the season until autumn. Its large, fully cupped rosettes have a good fruity fragrance. The lush, dark-green foliage sets off the mass of repeat flowering. Grows to 1.5m. THE POET’S WIFE The lovely rich yellow of the large cupped blooms of this David Austin rose pale as they age. Produced in small clusters, the full double blooms have a gorgeous fruity fragrance with hints of lemon that become stronger and sweeter as they age. Grows…

You love your neighbour’s huge trees, that borrowed landscape you treasure as you would your own. But the downside is the trees’ shade often means nothing seems to grow on your side of the fence – except opportunistic weeds. But there are plenty of plants that love dry shade, and you can create a mini-garden that will have your neighbour green with envy. Gather your supplies • Liquid wetting agent• Organic matter• Shade-loving plants• Bush mulch You’ll also need Garden gloves; leaf rake; large garden fork; watering-can; soil rake; shovel; spade; buckets Here’s how STEP 1 Clear away garden litter and weeds. Turn soil with a fork to aerate it and improve soil structure. STEP 2 Dilute concentrated liquid wetting agent with water in a watering-can and spray on soil.…

PAINT YOUR PORCH The porch is your entrance and bare concrete is a dull grey. Brighten it up with a coat of paint in a deeper, richer grey. PRESSURE CLEAN YOUR DRIVEWAY A gleaming driveway vastly improves the look of your home and costs you nothing more than the hire of a pressure washer. REPLACE LETTERBOX A letterbox is essential for any home, but it need not be just a box. It can be architectural and smart too, but not cost a bomb.…

1 LET WHITE LIGHT A mixed palette of whites, greys, creams and taupe can either look bland or lack punch. To give your scheme added presence, mix in touches of black here and there, along with natural colour from fresh, dried or faux foliage. Furniture placement is important in winter – pull your seating in towards a heat source and surround yourself with creature comforts for a snug feel. IT’S EXTREMELY LIBERATING TO USE WHITE, AND YOU WILL START TO NOTICE THE DIFFERENCES IN MATERIAL TEXTURES 2 TIME TO TONE The road to success is to layer your accessories using a variety of materials, textures and shapes – with tone-on-tone white the common denominator. And, since contrast is important to this scheme, look for elements that juxtapose soft and hard,…

CLUTTER BEGONE! You know what they say – never mix business with pleasure! Invest in cupboards to ensure your office doesn’t encroach on your living space. Allow for a trolley you can wheel desk side as needed, and an abundance of jars, files and boxes for clutter control. Also fit doors with spice racks for quick grab ’n’ go items. Then, just shut the doors when your day’s work is done! POSITIVITY RULES Create positive vibes by painting your office walls in wide bands of uplifting pastel hues. They are gentle, easy on the eye and won’t feel oppressive in a small space. Alex drawer unit 36 x 70cm, $120, Alex storage unit 36 x 70cm, $100, Linnmon tabletop 150 x 75cm, $49, in White, ikea.com.au. NICE NICHE Design a…

The bedroom is often low down on the decorating wish list after the main areas of your home, but it can be easier and less expensive than you think to update. And you don’t need to spend big on a suite of furniture – with a little bit of paint and time you can turn ho-hum pieces into bespoke beauties. Start small with a bedside table and be amazed by what you can achieve EASY STEPS TO PAINTING YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE Gather your supplies • Timber bedside table• Matt black chalk paint• Clear finishing wax• Drawer knobs (optional)• Drawer-lining paper You’ll also need Screwdriver; chalk paint and wax brushes; paint roller and tray; lint-free cloths; scissors For you to note For this project, Jolie Paint Matte Finish was used. This…

A quick online search for agate or quartz coasters will bring up beautiful pieces at eye-watering prices. But you can get the look without the budget blowout by making your own. With little more than MDF discs, a few tubes of flow paints and a packet of party balloons, you can create your own gorgeous gold-edged coasters. EASY STEPS TO YOUR AGATE COASTERS Gather your supplies • MDF coasters• One-step primer• Artist’s acrylics matte flow in three blues and gold• Water-based clear varnish You’ll also need Paintbrushes; wire rack; plastic cups; balloons Here’s how STEP 1 Apply primer to MDF coasters and leave to dry on wire rack. STEP 2 Squeeze paint into plastic cups and add water in a ratio of 4:1. Mix well. STEP 3 Pour darkest colour…

5 EASY WAYS TO USE OILS 1 A diffuser will safely circulate essential oils into a room for hours. Always read the instructions for water and oil ratios. 2 Adding essential oils to a pack of Epsom salts before using them in a bath will increase the mental and physical relaxation benefits. 3 Mix 20 drops of one or more essential oils with 30ml carrier oil, such as sweet almond or grapeseed, and use for body massage. 4 Place a few drops of an oil on a tissue or cotton ball and inhale. Or, for a quick result, inhale directly from the bottle. 5 Make a room spray by adding 10-15 drops of one or more essential oils to 100ml water in a spray bottle. Shake before use. WEBSITES WORTH…

Multi-use products have been around for decades, but are you reaping all their benefits? These super-efficient goodies not only work hard, they also save you time, space and, best of all, money. As a bonus, by lessening the number of items used, you also reduce the chemicals you’re exposed to. Yeah! TINTED MOISTURISER with SPF covers all your skin’s daily needs at once – hydration, a natural, even skin tone and protection from UV damage and premature ageing. TRY Tinted Moisturiser SPF 50+, $19.95, Natio. GRADUAL TANNER hydrates skin and gives a subtle, sun-kissed glow, while this one is also firming and reduces the appearance of cellulite. TRY Natural Glow + Firming Daily Moisturiser – Fair to Medium, $14.99, Jergens. DRY SHAMPOO refreshes dirty hair, lets you skip a wash and blowdry…

Kitty cats sleep for up to 16 hours a day. Nice work if you can get it! Giving your cat a bed is a good way to keep them – and their fur – off your furniture. You’ll need to make sure the mattress is washable or has a removable cover. And if you upcycle a vintage suitcase, it can double as a decorative piece in your home. Gather your supplies • Vintage suitcase• 9mm plywood sheet• Lid support stays• Office chair base on castors• Pillow or cushion• Fabric cover You’ll also need Pencil; tape measure; jigsaw; safety gear; sandpaper; PVA glue; drill; washers; screws; spanner; nuts; bolts Here’s how STEP 1 Position suitcase on plywood. Trace around suitcase in pencil, then draw an inner line to mark interior suitcase…

ACROSS 1 Journey around (6) 5 Documents that get stamped with visas (9) 10 Smart tourist bag (6) 13 – Doolittle, My Fair Lady heroine (5) 15 Mrs Irwin (5) 17 – Bullock, actress (6) 18 Imaginary paradise on earth, utopia (7-2) 19 Linear extent (6) 20 Lingered on (5) 21 Nursery –, Mother Goose’s specialty (5) 22 Cereal grain (5) 25 Reject, rebuff (5) 26 Take as one’s own (5) 28 Snake or lizard, eg (7) 29 Disordered (7) 32 Pessimistic, glum (6) 35 Dinosaur relic (6) 37 Fetid (6) 39 Celestial cloud (6) 42 Sweat profusely (7) 43 Test of knowledge (4) 44 Huge cinema screen (4) 45 Atrocious (7) 47 Electronic message (5) 49 Capital of Iraq (7) 50 Rocky peak (3) 51 – and outs, details…

WHAT A GREAT IDEA! MEALS THAT COOK WHILE YOU ARE AT WORK OR PLAY ITALIAN ANTIPASTO PORK Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 3 hours 50 mins Serves 6 1.4kg pork shoulder or scotch roast, cut into 5cm piecesFreshly ground black pepper, to season2 Tbsp plain flour2 tsp fennel seeds2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra100g thinly sliced prosciutto, roughly chopped2 brown onions, finely diced2 carrots, cut into 2cm-thick pieces500ml white wine250ml water¼ cup tomato paste2 cloves garlic, crushed½ cup mixed marinated olives½ cup sundried tomato halves1 Tbsp baby capers4 sprigs oreganoCreamy polenta, to serveFinely grated parmesan and basil leaves, to garnish STEP 1 Preheat oven to 140°C fan-forced (160°C conventional). STEP 2 Put pork in a large bowl, season with pepper and toss with flour and fennel seeds.…

PERUVIAN CHICKEN WINGS WITH AJI VERDE Preparation time 20 mins plus 2 hours chilling Cook time 40 mins Serves 4 1.5kg chicken wingsSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to seasonCoriander leaves, to serve1 lime, halved AJI VERDE 2 large handfuls coriander leaves1 serrano chilli, deseeded and chopped100g aioli1 Tbsp olive oil1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar SPICY MARINADE 2 Tbsp coconut oil or good-quality animal fat, melted4 cloves garlic, finely chopped3 Tbsp tamari or coconut aminos3 Tbsp lime juice3 Tbsp honey2 Tbsp chipotle chillies in adobo sauce, finely chopped2 tsp ground cumin2 tsp smoked paprika1 tsp finely chopped thyme leaves1 tsp sea-salt flakes STEP 1 To make aji verde, put all ingredients in a blender with a pinch of salt and blend until smooth. Season. Transfer to a bowl, cover…

1 THERE’S GOLD IN THESE TREES With more than 1000 types of wattles – and Australia has two-thirds of the world’s species – there’s bound to be one, or two, that will be perfect for your garden. You know winter has really arrived when those first wattle flowers quietly emerge with a little pop! pop! pop! Then explode to give our bush, parks and gardens a glorious golden glow against a dull-grey sky. Winter sunshine From now until mid-spring, and often through summer, these tiny balls or rods of fluff lift the gloom with the promise of warmer days ahead, as well as providing a protein-rich feast of pollen for birds and insects. One of the first to flower is also one of the most glorious – the golden wattle…

Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can make a simple and sturdy bench using treated pine sleepers. The secret of its simplicity is in the angular design, which is also part of its appeal. Cut the timbers on an angle, screw them together, add a lick of paint and you’re done. EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR BENCH Gather your supplies • 200 x 50 x 1.8m (2) and 2.4m (1) H4 Sienna treated pine sleepers You’ll also need Quick square; pencil; tape measure; mitre or circular saw; trimmer fitted with a 6mm rounding-over bit; sander; drill; countersinking drill bit; 85mm galvanised batten screws; exterior semi-gloss paint in Dulux Lagoon Teal and Green Buoy; painting equipment STEP 1 Set up to mark sleepers for angled cuts…

JULY 2020 Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add 1 hour. How to use the calendar Best days Second-best days On these days, thin out seed boxes, sow all types of seeds and plant seedlings that produce their crop above the ground. These include all varieties of peas, beans, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprout, eggplant, lettuce, celery, silverbeet, spinach, endive, Chinese cabbage, tomato, cucumber, asparagus crowns, artichoke, marrow, pumpkin, capsicum, melon, zucchini, chicory, sprouts, rhubarb, all herbs (except garlic) and all agricultural crops, such as sunflower, grains, cereals, canola and cotton. During these days, you can also plant flowering shrubs,…

1 TOTALLY ELECTRIC Set up this electric fireplace in minutes, without costly installation. And this ‘fire’, with its simulated flames, can be moved around. Huxley Mantel 2kW electric fireplace, $2799.95, dimplex.com.au. 2 IN THE FRAME Vent this smart gas fire through a wall or an existing chimney. Its whisper-quiet, high-volume fan offers a range of heat outputs for max comfort. Heat & Glo i30-X fireplace insert, from $4645, jetmastervic.com.au. 3 FLAMING GOOD In one fell swoop, create a convivial mood and meet your heating needs with an energy-efficient closed gas fire. Contemporary Kalfire G80/48F 3D gas burner with ceramic logs/black glass, POA, schots.com.au. 4 REGENCY RULES Impress with this fuss-free electric heater, featuring a detailed cast-iron black fascia, housed within a grand mantelpiece. Montreux Mantel in White, $349, Regent electric…

1 DESKS As long as they meet your needs, eschew traditional office or computer desks for their contemporaries: floating or writing desks. Consider a foot rest, an ergonomic mouse and, for a comfortable viewing height, a laptop lift. 2 CHAIRS Your health and safety is paramount, so invest in an ergonomic chair you can adjust for comfort. Your ultimate aim is a chair that is kind to your back and spine as you work. 3 LIGHTING Set up your desk near a window to let in natural light. Include a combo of task and general lighting for overcast days or if you tend to burn the midnight oil working. 4 ORGANISATION Carefully consider your options to prevent chaos. You will need everything from pretty and practical stationery organisers to bookcases…

“Hang your hat on this simple but stylish stand” Give your hallway a hatstand that looks like a giant game of pick-up sticks! You can make it in an afternoon and no power tools are needed. Budget-friendly wooden paint poles plus sample paint pots keep this project under $40, and the Scandi style of this coat rack is ideal for modern interiors. EASY STEPS TO YOUR COAT RACK Gather your supplies • Wooden paint poles or broom handles 25mm dia. (4)• Primer• Low-sheen acrylic paint in pink and grey• Cotton sash cord You’ll also need Painter’s tape; scissors; paintbrushes; hot-glue gun and glue sticks; felt feet; rubber bands For you to note • Look for paint poles with a metal screw thread, as they can double as the feet for…

A screen is a quick and easy way to divide a space or simply add a decorative touch to your home. If you don’t want to completely cut off the view, you’ll love this project. The little gaps between the slats in the screen give a hint of what lies beyond and by giving them a twist, you create a pattern that plays tricks on the eye, making the view just that bit more interesting. EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR TWISTED SCREEN Gather your supplies • 2400 x 1200 x 25mm plywood (2)• 75 x 40mm brass butt hinges (6)• 1220 x 2440 x 3mm plywood (1)• 12 x 12mm x 1.2m pine beading (3) You’ll also need Track saw; combination square; jigsaw; utility knife; chisel; hammer; trimmer fitted with…

Make believe and dressing up are big parts of kids’ play, and you can combine this with a craft project to teach them new skills while creating new playthings. Have look in your sewing or craft box and see what scraps you might have that can be turned into crowns or tiaras for royal tea parties and acting out fairy tales. EASY STEPS TO YOUR CROWN Gather your supplies • Cotton lace• Stiffy fabric stiffener• Ribbons• Stick-on gems or jewels You’ll also need Sewing measuring tape; scissors; plastic wrap; paintbrush; hot-glue gun and glue sticks For you to note • Lace and doilies can also be dipped into a container of fabric stiffener. • A hair dryer can be used to set the fabric stiffener. Here’s how STEP 1 Measure…

There has never been a more perfect time to make your own set of touch-and-feel alphabet letters. Get the kids’ fine-motor and phonetic skills charged and going! Little people from early childhood all the way to primary will love these bright, gorgeous fabric letters. EASY STEPS TO DRAWSTRING BAG Gather your supplies • 38cm square of linen (2)• Fusible web 20.5 x 61cm• 3 x 10.5cm square print fabric scraps• Sewing machine• General sewing supplies• Cord, 102cm long ADDING THE APPLIQUÉ LETTERS Finished size 34.5cm square For you to note All seam allowances are a scant 6mm. Here’s how STEP 1 With the 2 linen pieces right-sides together, sew down 1 edge, creating 1 long piece of linen. This will be the left-side seam of your finished bag. STEP 2…

REDUCE ANXIETY A study has found practising self-compassion may help overcome anxiety. When people were simply asked to write a letter to themselves each day, expressing kindness and validation, their symptoms of social anxiety were reduced. Sounds helpful during challenging times. ZERO WASTE Did you know hundreds of millions of shampoo bottles end up in landfill each year and 91 per cent of plastic waste isn’t recycled? As part of the waste-free movement, Bar None has a range of solid shampoo and conditioner bars, $16 each, and liquids in recyclable aluminium bottles, $20 for 400ml, available at Woolworths. So these products are good for your hair and the planet. Visit bar-none.co. GREAT READ MIND TRAINING In The Simple Shift, author Chris Helder shows how small changes in your thinking can…

1 TREATED TIMBER Using treated timber outside? Be sure to pick the right grade. H4 timber is for in-ground uses such as garden sleepers or deck posts. H3 timber is used above ground. When it’s being painted, use primed H3 timber, sealing cut ends to preserve the treatment. 2 NO-PAINT FINISHES Reduce maintenance by choosing products that come prefinished, so they won’t need painting. Colorbond steel is a tried and tested material that will look good for years with virtually no maintenance. All it might need is the odd wash with a hose. 3 PAINT TO PERFECTION As well as picking a good-quality exterior paint, make sure you don’t skip the preparation. Wash down all surfaces and remove any flaking paint. Even though exterior paints are self-priming, it’s a good…

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To kill a mockingbird Harper Lee, $19.99 (Available on E-Books and Audio CD) The bestselling, Pulitzer prize-winning classic is a truly inspiring book about the human spirit and the importance of justice. In this coming-of-age story set in the 1930s, a lawyer in America’s Deep South defends a black man falsely charged with the rape of a white woman. Through the young eyes of the lawyer’s children, Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of Southern attitudes to race and class at the time. The conscience of a small town is pricked by the stamina of one man’s struggle for justice. First published in 1960, it’s a sublime example of the Southern writing tradition, and one of the greatest novels ever written. “I didn’t expect…