Innholdsfortegnelse for JANUARY 2016 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

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We know you’re at it again, ramping up your celebrations like the true party lovers you are. And with this issue, we’re giving you terrific ideas to feed your people. Please do make our cover star, the trifle cake – your guests will close their eyes just to savour the amazing flavour. (It’s our new fave here, too.) Then we go outside to turn your garden into a speccy place for outdoor thrills. We have ideas to keep the kids entertained and we’re adding a bit of bling with a view to make you sparkle right through the season. We will be thinking of you from here to the next issue and we hope we’ve made your celebrations just a little better. It’s our mission. Warmest wishes, Our ‘family’ wishes…

steps to toffee TO MAKE TOFFEE WEB STEP 1 Put 1 cup caster sugar and 2 Tbsp water in a small saucepan over a high heat. Stir until sugar is wet. Cook for 5 minutes or until amber. STEP 2 Plunge into a bowl of iced water. STEPS 3–4 Dip a wooden spoon into toffee; when it runs off the spoon and doesn’t drip, drizzle toffee on a sheet of baking paper in parallel lines, crisscross, circles, or your own shape. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow toffee to set, then remove from paper. Tipsy trifle cake with grilled peaches and gingerbread Preparation time: 20 mins plus 1 hour chilling (or overnight if possible) Cooking time: 10 mins Serves 8–10 Cooking oil spray, to grease 2 x 250g blocks…

Make the most of your outdoor living space during the long days of summer – you don’t have to spend heaps to get it into shape for entertaining and relaxing. Just add touches of colour, luxury and decorating flair with these 20 smart fixes. 1 Party trick Cast a gentle glow on the garden or bathe a path in soft light with these party-themed garden lights. Attach small terracotta pots to bamboo stakes with a wad of silicon sealant or landscape adhesive. Pretty them up with colourful ribbon tails, then put sand in each pot to create a level base for a tea light. 2 Just add water All you need is a bowl-shaped planter, a galvanised baby bath or wide enamel bowl. If there’s a drain hole, plug it…

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, annuals, flowers (not bulbs), cactus, flax, tree ferns, passionfruit vines and kiwifruit. Plant all fruit trees and trees that produce edible nuts, such as almond, pecan, macadamia and walnut. Grapes and banana can also be planted during these times. Take cuttings from established trees and…

With their bright colours, chillies could be ornamentals if they didn’t also have so much flavour. Native to Central and South America, they have green or purple-tinged leaves, white or purple flowers, and bear oodles of fruit in colours ranging from shiny red to purple, orange, yellow, green, black and white. They range in size from a compact 30cm to 1.5m shrubs, so select low growers for pots or borders and put the taller types at the back of your vegie patch. A single plant will yield plenty of chillies for the average family.…

Delectable tropical fruits from Asia and Central America are now available for us to grow and enjoy. Eat fresh, throw into smoothies or add to salads for extra flair. While they thrive in hot, humid environments, a few of these plants also grow well in subtropical and temperate climates. Lychee With sweet, juicy and tangy flavours, the lychee (Litchi chinensis) is very popular in Asia. Behind the brittle skin is plump, translucent flesh you can eat fresh or add to smoothies (we love it with watermelon). Try ‘Bengal’ or ‘Kwai Mai’, which are both evergreen and reach 4–6m. Grow it In subtropical areas planted in a sheltered, sunny spot. Water well. Wax jambu Wax jambu (Syzygium samarangense) grows on evergreen trees that can reach 4–8m high. Its crunchy texture and…

Don’t have the room to grow your own herbs and vegetables? The solution is a no-dig garden, or ‘lasagna gardening’. This compact, layered system can be quickly constructed to any size, so long as it receives plenty of sunlight. Lasagna gardening To create a raised bed with different layers of organic matter, use store-bought garden beds or build your own. Start with a layer of newspaper, then add alternating layers of straw, compost, lucerne and manure – just like lasagna – until the height of the bed is almost reached. Add the final layer of garden soil and compost, then plant with seedlings. It should reach about 25–30cm high, and you should water each layer lightly as you build it. Let nature do the work No-dig gardens need both high-carbon…

Ever wondered what your kitchen would look like drenched in high-gloss red cabinetry? Or crisp white? Or wood grain? Check this out: one kitchen redesigned three ways for you to indulge your senses and DIY skills. Start with basics like splashbacks, benchtops and appliances. Then all you have to do is pick your favourite finish and build it!…

Regular use takes its toll on sliding doors. It’s not uncommon for parts to work loose, sending the door out of alignment. Apart from having a dodgy door, you’re also faced with scratches to the areas around it, like the floor. To solve this, you’ll need to examine the rollers at the top of the door. SLIDING DOOR FIX Here’s how STEP 1 To remove the pelmet that hides the door rollers, first run a sharp knife along the join between pelmet and door frame to cut the paint. Locate the screws and unscrew pelmet. STEP 2 To adjust the door, you’ll need the thin offset spanner supplied with the door. (It’s sometimes found in a clip on the top of the door.) If there is no spanner, you’ll need…

What if you had the best of the indoors available to you outside? A pergola provides the all-important shelter to help beat the elements when entertaining. The addition of garden screens – be they slatted or sleepers – serve as the walls that define the space, add a bit of privacy and give the ensemble its own sense of personality. Ease the transition from indoors to out with a timber-clad porch, then link all zones with a paved patio. With these jobs ticked off your list, you’ll gain an altogether new room – a place you’ll never want to leave! Steel shade When it came to adding a roof to our entertaining area, we specified a pergola made of Colorbond steel, installed by pros. We chose Classic Cream on the…

Preparation time: 40 minsplus 6 hours freezingCooking time: 10 minsServes 6 100g palm sugar, grated 80g caster sugar50ml water 6 kaffir lime leaves, veinsremoved, finely shredded 450g unsweetenedpineapple juice 120ml lime juice 1 (500g) ripe pineapple,trimmed, diced 200g desiccated coconut 1L vanilla ice-cream 1 To make granita, put sugars and water in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to the boil. Add ½ of the shredded lime leaves, stirring to combine, then remove pan from heat to cool slightly. Add pineapple juice and lime juice, then pour into a wide shallow container. Cover and freeze for 6 hours or until set. 2 Meanwhile, put pineapple pieces in a food processor and process into a fine puree. Transfer to a bowl, cover with…

Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 40 mins Serves 6 80g hazelnuts, lightlytoasted, skinned, finelychopped 55g plain flour 55g brown sugar 55g butter, chopped, atroom temperature 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 150g caster sugar ½ bunch thyme, leavespicked Finely grated zest of ½ lemon 9 ripe plums, halved, stonesremoved 1 cup verjuice or apple juiceVanilla ice-cream, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Put hazelnuts, flour, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and cloves in a large bowl. Using your fingertips, rub mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over 1 of the prepared trays, then bake for 10 minutes or until cooked and slightly crunchy. Set aside to cool completely. 2 Meanwhile, put caster sugar, thyme leaves and lemon zest in the bowl of…

Preparation time: 20 minsplus 2 hours coolingCooking time: 25 minsServes 12 Cooking oil spray, to grease 1 large whole watermelon250g almond meal 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp fine salt3 eggs¾ cup honey75g unsalted butter, melted2 x 125g punnets freshraspberries 1 cup pistachios, roughlychopped 1 cup caster sugar 450ml thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease two 22cm round cake tins and line bases and sides with baking paper. Cut a 1.5cm-thick disc from centre of watermelon and remove skin. 2 Put one 22cm round cake tin on top of watermelon disc and cut around tin edge to trim watermelon slice into a 22cm round. Pat watermelon slice dry with paper towel, then set aside. Roughly…

Preparation time: 10 minsplus overnight soaking Cooking time: 2½ hours Serves 6 6 cups cold water 1 cup dried lima beans 1.2kg pork belly, scored 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 2 Tbsp sea-salt flakes 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 brown onion, finely diced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 6 fresh bay leaves 1 tsp fennel seeds2 tsp mustard powder1 tsp dried sage2 Tbsp tomato paste ½ cup molasses ¼ cup cider vinegar 2 Tbsp raw sugar Sea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper, toseason1 cup flat-leaf parsley, leavesroughly choppedCrusty bread, to serve 1 Put water and lima beans in a large bowl and leave to soak overnight. 2 Preheat oven to 220°C. Rub pork belly with oil and salt. Arrange in a shallow roasting tray, then bake for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature…

Preparation time: 10 minsCooking time: 10 minsServes 4 ½ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp tomato sauce 2 tsp minced horseradish 1 tsp Tabasco ¼ white onion,finely diced4 long crusty rolls, halvedhorizontally 300g cooked cold cornedbeef, shredded 200g cold roast pork,sliced 150g Swiss cheese,thinly sliced 1 cup sliced pickledgherkins 100g unsalted butter,melted Extra pickled gherkins,to serve 1 Put mayonnaise, mustard, tomato ketchup, horseradish, Tabasco and onion in a bowl, mixing to combine. Spread mixture on cut sides of bread rolls. 2 Preheat a barbecue flat plate to medium heat. Stack corned beef, pork, cheese and gherkin slices on roll bases, then sandwich with roll tops. 3 Brush rolls all over with butter, put on flat plate and weigh down with a heavy tray. Once rolls are squashed, cook…

M mm, burgers! Top them off with crisp pancetta for sensational flavour. Each week, the food editors at BHG and New Idea team with Pepper Leaf to dream up tasty twists like this. Make it from scratch or, for greater ease and convenience, sign up at pepperleaf.com.au to have the recipes and a box of ingredients delivered to your door! Beef and crispy pancetta burgers with tomato chutney Preparation time: 15 minsCooking time: 20 minsServes 4 600g beef mince1 medium onion, finely diced 1 egg ¼ cup fresh breadcrumbs 1 tsp ground oregano Sea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper,to season 8 thin slices pancetta 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 400g frozen potato wedges 4 medium crusty bread rolls,split, lightly toasted50g mixed salad leaves½ cup tomato chutney 1 Preheat oven to 220°C.…

Whether it’s a beautiful fragrance that wafts through the breeze, or an unexpected hug from a loved one, it’s often the little things in life that take us by surprise and fill us with so much joy. KILLS 99.9% OF GERMS Make sure you enjoy little moments of bliss every day with new Palmolive Sweet Pea Foaming Hand Wash. The luxurious formula kills 99.9 per cent of germs and will leave your hands with the beautifully uplifting scent of sweet pea. TIP: Keep a Palmolive Sweet Pea Hand Sanitiser in your bag for delightful scents and germ protection anywhere, anytime.…

FLOWER BAG Gather your supplies 3m linen fabric 104 x 60cm piece iron-on interfacing Thread to match linen fabric 1 x 32mm covered button kit You will also need Paper and pencil; tailor’s chalk; general sewing supplies Here’s how  STEP 1 From linen fabric, cut two 104 x 60cm rectangles (bag and lining), two 64 x 10cm rectangles (handles), two 162 x 25cm rectangles (outer petals), one 135 x 20cm (middle petal), two 113 x 18cm (inner petals) and one 73 x 15cm rectangle (centre petal). STEP 2 LINING: Fold rectangle in half, right sides facing, to measure 52 x 60cm. Press fold. Pin, then stitch down one short side 1cm from edge. Leaving a 30cm opening midway for turning through later, stitch down other short side 1cm from edge.…

The fastest, cheapest and easiest way to transport yourself to a land far, far away is to dig into a good book. It’s a way to travel even if you’re not going on holiday this year! Whether you’re an old-school paperback fan or love having dozens on your ereader, have a browse of these 10 fascinating titles. Take your pick We’ve loved these novels here in the BHG office this year. A few are recent releases, others have been around a while, but there’s something for everyone – love, suspense, murder, mystery, mayhem… the works! our TOP TEN 1 Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts (Pan Macmillan, $25). Based on Roberts’ real-life story, this is the gorgeously poetic, sprawling tale of an escaped Australian criminal who makes a new life for…

Dairy you to do it Yep, you know you need calcium for strong healthy bones, with low intake being linked to osteoporosis and poor bone density. Dairy foods (like milk, cheese and yoghurt) are the richest dietary sources of calcium, and combining them with weight-bearing exercise and vitamin D is vital for keeping your bones up to scratch. Dairy Australia has launched a series of seasonal meal planners to help you stay on top of your calcium consumption in a balanced diet. Sign up at legendairy.com.au/mealplanner for your free Dairy Kitchen Meal Planner. TOP HATS One of the hottest summer accessories you can buy for yourself or a friend is a protective topper that keeps neck, face and ears sun-safe. So ditch the visor or open-weave straw number and check…

Ready to give your festive prep final flair? These no-sew Santa sacks, salt dough decos and handmade wrapping are just the thing. There’s also fun projects for the DIYer, crafter and decorator, and ways to keep the kids busy with activities inspired by this summer’s movies. Turn the page and get excited… CARRYALL SACK Gather your supplies Printed cotton remnants in assorted patterns Paper-backed fusible web Standard pillowcase in colour and design of choice 25mm grosgrain ribbon (we used red with white stitching) You’ll also need Fabric snips; scissors; iron; pencil; ruler; rickrack braid (we used silver); fabric glue; large safety pin Here’s how STEP 1 Use fabric snips to trim remnants into neat squares and rectangles, a little larger than shapes and words that you’ll cut out. Use scissors…

Celebrating Christmas doesn’t need a whopping tree that crowds your living space. You can still get in the spirit by applying a graphic interpretation to your wall using clear sticky clips and then hanging a display of meaningful decorations. It’s easy to put up and even easier to pack away! WALL TREE Gather your supplies 3M Command clear decorating clips (or similar quality) String or twine Hanging ornaments in various shapes and sizes Scissors Here’s how STEP 1 Apply 3 clear decorating clips to wall in a triangular tree shape: put 1 at the top and 2 evenly spaced at the bottom. Wrap a length of string or twine around hooks to make triangle clearly visible, knotting ends to 1 clip to secure. STEP 2 Starting at bottom, test-hang ornaments…

Whether you like to boogie, jive, moonwalk or mosh, you can turn your lounge room into a nightclub! Start with a portable speaker that comes with disco lights, then build a set of adjustable spotlights, a backup dance crew and a gold star. Let’s get this party started! Backup dancers 1. Make your background silhouettes in any dance style. Transfer a printout as a gridded template onto a sheet of 6mm MDF. Cut out with a jigsaw and paint. Super sound system 2. The MiGear Party Rocker connects wirelessly via bluetooth with your music storage device. The dome on top projects a light show onto walls and the ceiling, and the karaoke microphone ups the fun level. Portable adjustable spotlights 3. Build a rectangular box out of 12mm MDF and…

Talon Ant Killer Gel Are ants raining on your parade by helping themselves to your sugar bowl and BBQ feast? Stay protected with Talon Ant Killer Gel, a unique clear, nonstaining and odourless ge that quickly attracts ants and works within 48 hours to eradicate the Queen and the nest. Use indoors or outdoors to ensure you have a happy festive season. Talon Cockroach Killer Gel Where there’s one, you can be sure there are plenty more cockroaches hiding nearby. Talon Cockroach Killer Gel gives you peace of mind by quickly eliminating the entire cockroach colony and protecting your home from these lurking pests. DIY pest control How to apply Talon Ant Killer Gel and Talon Cockroach Killer Gel at home Talon Ant Killer Gel STEP 1 Remove cap from…

How cute is this letterbox? It features the much-loved beagle from the Peanuts comic strip in his favourite pose atop his doghouse. Make your own from durable marine ply in honour of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie, in cinemas New Year’s Day. The peanuts of your neighbourhood will love it. DOGGONE LETTERBOX Gather your supplies Front 250 x 170 x 12mm marine plywood Back 250 x 170 x 12mm marine plywood Base 350 x 226 x 12mm marine plywood Side (2) 350 x 170 x 12mm marine plywood Roof base 385 x 255 x 12mm marine plywood Roof side (2) 460 x 250 x 12mm marine plywood Snoopy 290 x 200 x 12mm marine plywood Post 100 x 90 x 90mm treated pine You’ll also need Power saw;…

You don’t have to be Mark Wahlberg to win the jump ball in this swish build. Inspired by Daddy’s Home, in cinemas Boxing Day, this champion hoop sits over the door. Go the three-pointer from down the hallway! BASKETBALL HOOP Gather your supplies Backboard 500 x 500 x 15mm plywood Hoop 290 x 270 x 15mm plywood Bracket (2) 150 x 80 x 15mm plywood You’ll also need Tape measure; pencil; jigsaw; bucket; 15mm screws; wood filler; sandpaper; undercoat; Dulux Low Sheen Acrylic in Bright Delight and Black; 38mm painter’s tape; 15mm brass cup hooks; basketball net; hacksaw; over drawer hooks (2) Here’s how STEP 1 To make lower section of backboard, measure and mark 100mm along each side at 1 bottom corner of sheet. Draw a square line from…

IS YOUR DECK ON ITS LAST LEGS? DON’T REPLACE IT, RENEW IT! Renew It! is the ultimate rescue for weathered wood. It locks down splinters and fills cracks up to 5mm deep to give new life to time worn decks. Visit whiteknightpaints.com.au for more details. MAKE ALL THEIR CHRISTMAS WISHES COME TRUE WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL GIFT Spoil your loved ones this Christmas with this stunning PANDORA bangle with Disney charms. PANDORA Moments two-tone bangle AUS $399/NZ $459; Disney Mickey & Minnie’s Kiss Heart Charm AUS $59/NZ $69; and charms, clips and spacers from AUS $45/NZ $55 each. CARPET THAT CLEANS WITH JUST COLD WATER Godfrey irst eco+ is pet friendly carpet that is exceptionally soft and durable and cleans with just cold water. Put this quality Australian made carpet to…

gardening This season’s favourites 99 Build a mosaic tile water feature; great guide to growing chillies; best fruit, veg and herbs to suit small spaces; visit the formal gardens of Merribee in NSW; recycle old items into funky planting ideas; explore SA’s Umpherston Sinkhole; protect your plants from chilly weather; plant these five for a fuss-free garden food Fast Ed 120 Twice-cooked king prawns with ginger, sesame and soy; spiced apricot, almond and sherry-baked ham; triple-choc extra-fudge brownies; upside-down pavlova trifle This season’s favourites 125 Lime and pine granita; peanut butter and banana ice-cream; vanilla, ginger and lime jelly with tropical fruit; roasted plums with spiced streusel crunch; layered passionfruit sponge; espresso chocolate bundt cake; almond pistachio and watermelon cake; the ultimate sausage sizzle; camp oven pork with peanuts and…

Take a tour through the supermarket and you’ll find amazing premades and packaged goodies loaded with innovations, fabulous flavours and all the hard work done for you. Then you can put your best efforts into setting out your table with total flair. We show you how to cheat a little here (with a storyline to go with it), and twist a little there, so you get to take all the credit for your top performance. Bravo you! Now read on… celebrations with Coles It’s the most celebrated time of the year, so say cheers to a traditional red, green and white scheme – and to these ready-to-go stars from the stores! Feel free to claim the dips as your own creations – just toss away the packets first Drinks and…

Kick off your next long evening barbecue with something more celebratory than just a beer. These fruit-infused cocktails keep the mood light and luscious, and they’re just as appealing when made without liquor. Gingerbread-man mule Your Moscow mule just had a zesty makeover with fresh lemon, vanilla and cinnamon. Using spiced rum adds rich notes of allspice, clove and ginger. Serves 4 120ml spiced dark rum 250ml ginger beer, chilled 1 lemon, cut into slices 1 vanilla bean, cut into thin sticks 4 cinnamon sticks 1 Put all ingredients into a large jug and stir with a spoon until combined. 2 Pour into serving glasses, distributing a cinnamon stick, piece of vanilla and lemon slice into each glass. Serve with additional lemon. Make these mocktails: omit the rum and add…

Not for succulents the wilting business of cut flowers! These guys don’t even need to be sitting in water to stay perky and keep their stylish looks. So, for long-lived table settings, combine shapely, colourful succulents with a mix of other foliage and cut flowers and arrange in upcycled glassware pieces. Succulent cuttings form a ‘callus’ over the wound, which means they stay in fine form for many weeks (or even months) until you replant them in fertile ground. Sweet greens 1. Retro parfait glasses make charming homes for individual echeveria rosettes. Just sprinkle in a few polished pebbles (you’ll find them in bags at hardware stores), then push the plant stem in firmly. If you want to keep them beyond the party season, an occasional splash of water in…

Flowers All zones: Alyssum, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia, snapdragon, verbena and zinnia. Zones 2–5: Ageratum, amaranthus, aquilegia, aster, coleus, gerbera, impatiens, linaria, nasturtium, pansy, phlox, poppy, stock, and wallflower. Zones 7–8: Begonia, cosmos, gomphrena, sunflower, torenia and vinca. Vegetables All zones: Beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, leek, lettuce, radish, rhubarb silverbeet and spring onion. Zones 2–5: Beetroot, brussels sprout, carrot, endive, herbs, kohlrabi, parsnip, swede and turnip. Zones 7–8: Artichoke suckers, capsicum, celery, cucumber, eggplant, kohlrabi, marrow, melon, okra, potato tubers, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato tubers, tomatoes and zucchini.…

Whether you have a small balcony, a courtyard or a suburban block, you can grow your own produce – and it’s easy! If your space is tiny, raise herbs – you are always buying them in expensive bunches (and half often goes to waste in the fridge), yet they are a snap to grow. With more space, add your favourite vegies. If you have a good-sized garden, you could grow every vegetable and herb you currently buy – and fruit, too. Tips for small gardens Share with a friend so there’s no waste. For an ongoing supply of your favourites, plant a few seedlings every couple of weeks.…

Many jobs are easier with a pair of sawhorses. This space-saving design gives you heavy-duty support for DIY projects, and then folds away when you’re done. SAWHORSES Gather your supplies Legs (8) 782 x 90 x 45mm pine Leg stays (4) 335 x 25 x 3mm galvanised steel bar Cross rails (4) 850 x 89 x 19mm pine Tops (2) 900 x 90 x 45mm pine You’ll also need Saw; cordless drill; 200mm T-hinges (4); angle grinder; 6 and 9mm drill bits; file; 8mm washer (4); 75mm galvanised batten screws; 8 x 50mm coach bolts (4) Here’s how  STEP 1 Cut 1 end face of 1 leg at a 20° angle. Measure 765mm from long point of this cut to find short point of a second cut at the same…

REPLACE WATER-DAMAGED MOULDINGS If water from a leaky roof has found its way into your mouldings and caused them to swell, replacing them is the only option. Luckily, it’s an easy fix to do yourself. Gather your supplies Skirting and architraves, to match existing; utility knife; wide scraper; chisel; pincers; mitre box; handsaw; construction adhesive; nails; hammer; coping saw; wood filler; sandpaper; undercoat; indoor enamel paint, to match; brush Tip Take old skirting to your hardware store to colour-match the paint. Here’s how STEP 1 Using utility knife, cut paint where mouldings meet the wall and door jamb. STEP 2 To avoid damaging the wall, slip the wide scraper behind the chisel when you pry off old mouldings. Use pincers to remove any nails. STEP 3 Install architraves first. Use…

Preparation time: 10 minsplus overnight freezing and1 hour extra freezingCooking time: nilMakes about 800ml 4 large, very overripebananas with black skins,peeled, cut into thirds ¼ cup smooth peanut butterJuice of ½ lemon 250ml vanilla ice-cream,softened 2 Tbsp maple syrup ²/ ³ cup salted roastedpeanuts, finely chopped 1 Put bananas in a large zip-lock bag and freeze overnight. 2 Put frozen bananas, peanut butter and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor and process for 30 seconds. Add ice-cream, processing until mixture is smooth. 3 Put ½ of the ice-cream mixture in a 1L freezer-safe container or five 200ml freezer-safe containers. Top with ½ of the maple syrup and scatter over ½ of the peanuts. Add remaining ice-cream and top with remaining maple syrup and peanuts. Freeze for 1…

Preparation time: 10 minsplus 20 mins standingCooking time: 10 minsServes 4 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks 1 Tbsp white vinegar 2 tsp caster sugar 4 beef sausages 1 Tbsp fish sauce 4 long crunchy bread rolls,split lengthways 2 Tbsp mayonnaise 1 Lebanese cucumber, peeled, sliced lengthwaysinto ribbons 2 green shallots, thinlysliced diagonally ½ cup coriander leaves 1 long red chilli, thinlysliced (optional) 2 tsp soy sauce 1 Put carrot, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl, mixing to combine. Set aside for 20 minutes for flavours to infuse. Drain, then set aside. 2 Heat a barbecue hotplate to high, then cook sausages, turning often, for 8 minutes or until almost cooked through. Drizzle with ½ of the fish sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from heat and…

Preparation time: 15 minsCooking time: 15 minsServes 4 4 lemons½ cup extra virgin olive oil1 red onion, thinly sliced6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced3 tsp baby capers, rinsed2 tsp rosemary leaves28 large green kingprawns, peeled,deveined, tails intact1 cup cherry tomatoes,choppedSea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper,to season1 tsp brown sugar¼ bunch basil leaves, torn1 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted1 Turkish bread loaf 1 Finely grate zest of lemons. Peel and remove pith to segment, then finely chop flesh. Heat 2 Tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add lemon zest, onion, garlic, capers and rosemary, and cook for 5 minutes or until onion is tender and mixture is aromatic. Add prawns, stirring to combine, then cook for 5 minutes or until pink and cooked through. Add tomato,…

Preparation time: 15 minsplus 10 mins cooling Cooking time: 15 mins Serves 4 2 red capsicums 1 cup mint leaves 1 cup flat-leaf parsleyleaves ¹/ ³ cup thyme leaves 3 tsp capers 4 cloves garlicJuice of 1 lemon ½ cup extra virgin olive oil ½ cup pine nuts, toastedSea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper,to season ½ cup finely gratedparmesan 400g dried penne ½ cup feta, crumbled,to serve Extra flat-leaf parsleyleaves, to garnish 1 Put capsicums directly over a medium flame, turning occasionally, until skin is blackened and beginning to blister. Transfer to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Set aside for 10 minutes. Remove stalks, skins and seeds, then slice flesh into strips and put in another large bowl. 2 Put mint, parsley, thyme, capers, garlic, lemon…

Crunchy chicken tortillas Preheat oven to 200°C. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper. Put 16 chicken tenderloins in a large bowl and add 1 Tbsp taco seasoning, tossing well to coat. Put 150g Waterthins Natural Fine Wafer Crackers in a large zip-lock bag and crush with a rolling pin. Transfer crumbs to a bowl. Put ¼ cup plain flour in a second bowl and 2 beaten eggs in a third bowl. Toss chicken, one piece at a time, in flour, then beaten egg and finally cracker crumbs. Arrange crumbed chicken on prepared trays. Spray with cooking oil, then bake for 15 minutes. Serve chicken with warm tortillas, thinly sliced red onion, rocket, sour cream, sliced avocado and tomato salsa. Serves 4–6. Coffee-spiked chocolate mousse Put 200g finely chopped dark…

Whether you’re prepping for a big occasion or simply want to give yourself a lift, you can achieve beautiful bronzed skin without the sun damage, thanks to high-tech formulas. Just choose the product that suits the look you want, follow the easy application steps and you’ll be good to glow! full faux With a body glowing from top to toe, you’ll have no probs daring to bare! 1. Enjoy visibly smoother skin and disguise cellulite with a formula that bronzes without streaking, 7-Day Tanner, $39.99/150ml, Skinny Tan. 2. Avoid telltale streaks with a spray-on bronzer (comes with mitt), Flawless Self-Tan Liquid & Professional Mitt, $39/170ml, Fake Bake. 3. Smell the coconuts, and not the typical faux tan aroma, with this fast-drying option, Self Tanning Lotion, $19.95/200ml, Bondi Sands. 4. See…

What can a fabulous pair of sunglasses do you for? You mean apart from protecting your precious baby blues from harmful UV damage while also shielding them from uncomfortable brightness and glare? Well, let’s see. They can disguise the after-effects of a late night or a sad movie, make you look like a million bucks even if you’re wearing jeans and a tee, turn a bad hair day good and potentially allow you to travel incognito (paired with a wide-brimmed hat pulled down low). The smart sunnies In all seriousness, while fashion is fun, eye health is the number one reason you should always pack your shades, even when it’s cloudy out. It’s especially important to protect your vision at the beach or in the snow, where the risk from…

‘Books are a uniquely portable magic.’ Stephen King, author ‘The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.’ Jane Austen, author ‘Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.’ Groucho Marx, comedian ‘Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.’ Joyce Carol Oates, author ‘What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean;…

Time spent in the kitchen around Christmas usually means yummo treats for all the gang. While you’re at it, you can knock out a tray of traditional salt dough decorations to paint up and hang on your tree this year. They’re made from ingredients you probably already have in the pantry – handy! SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS Gather your supplies ½ cup salt ½ cup plain flour Cinnamon, to lightly colour dough ¼ cup water Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (optional) You’ll also need Rolling pin; cookie cutters in various shapes; oven tray; baking paper; scrap paper; acrylic paint in white and gold; medium and fine paintbrushes; painter’s tape; leather thonging; coloured thread Here’s how STEP 1 Preheat oven to 100°C. Line oven tray with baking paper. Put all ingredients…

Tossing up between enjoying the outdoors and catching your favourite sports? This TV cabinet is just for you! It’s on castors so when the action’s heating up and you want to head for the deck, you can simply roll it out with you. It’s made from sturdy hardwood panels and, as all the pieces are joined using dowels, there’s not a screw in sight. WHEELY CABINET Gather your supplies Side (2) 245 x 245mm acacia panel Back 1400 x 245mm acacia panel Divider 245 x 219mm acacia panel Top 1550 x 360mm acacia panel Bottom 1650 x 410mm acacia panel 75mm clear castors (4) 25mm button head screws You’ll also need Clamp; straightedge; power saw; tape measure; drill; 8mm dowel drill; PVA glue; 8mm dowels; hammer; paintbrush; cloths; walnut stain…

Adairs 1300 783 005, adairs.com.au Aldi 13 25 34, aldi.com.au Allen & Unwin allenandunwin.com Amalfi, amalfihomewares.com.au Bambury bambury.com.au Bed Bath N’ Table bedbathntable.com.au Better Homes and Gardens Shop 1300 745 898, bhgshop.com.au Big W 1300 244 999, bigw.com.au Bondi Sands bondisands.com.au Bosch Australia 1300 307 044, bosch.com.au Bunnings Warehouse (03) 8831 9777, bunnings.com.au Cabot’s cabots.com.au Clarins (02) 9663 4277, clarins.com Coles 1800 061 562, coles.com.au Colorescience, 1800 648 851 Country Road 1800 801 911, countryroad.com.au Dickson Avenue Outdoor Furniture (02) 9439 9399, dicksonavenue.com.au Dove 1800 061 027, mydove.com.au Dr LeWinn’s 1800 651 146, drlewinns.com.au Domayne 1800 366 296, domayne.com.au Dulux 13 25 25, dulux.com.au Dylon dylon.com.au Eco Tan ecotan.com.au Emporium emporiumhome.com.au Endota Spa endotadayspa.com.au Fake Bake fakebake.net.au Freedom 1300…

Dips • Leftover dips are a great way to add loads of flavour to sangers and burgers. • Pesto dips can be tossed in pastas, used to dress salads or dolloped onto poached eggs for brekkie. • Spread onion dip onto sliced baguette rounds, wrap in foil and bake for brilliant ‘garlic’ bread. Ham • Slice ham thinly and pile it into a fresh bread roll. Fill with coleslaw and a dollop of chutney and you have a sensational slider. • For a quick dinner, chargrill thick slices of ham and serve with a salsa of chopped fresh mango, lime, chilli and red onion alongside a fresh green salad. • Add a handful of diced ham to your favourite corn fritter recipe. • Quiche Lorraine tastes topnotch with finely diced…

Want to throw a fabulous garden party and inspire your people to kick off their shoes and relax? Channel the atmosphere of far-flung places – think the utter opulence of the Indian Raj, a tropical island resort or Arabian nights – and the luxury and colour will flow naturally. 1 Entertaining outside is all about comfort. Stay true to an Arabian theme with an abundance of bolsters and cushions, even if the designs are reinterpreted with a modern flair. 2 Richly coloured swathes of sheer chiffon swaying in the breeze will soon have you dreaming of a good time. So instead of your usual outdoor furniture, invest in a relaxing day bed. Suspend lanterns around your garden or from pergolas and parasols and everyone will linger well into the night.…

ROSE AND SUCCULENT CENTREPIECE Gather your supplies Footed cake stand Florist’s moss 10cm cube florist’s foam Selection of roses and succulents Heavy-gauge wire Here’s how STEP 1 Line surface of footed cake stand with moistened florist’s moss. STEP 2 Soak florist’s foam in water, then place in centre of cake stand, on top of moss. The saturated foam will anchor the arrangement while keeping the flowers hydrated. STEP 3 Trim rose stems to 5cm and insert into top of foam cube, creating a tight cluster that overlaps edges. Tuck small succulent rosettes around foam. STEP 4 Continue tucking succulents until foam cube is entirely concealed. STEP 5 Clip off a few larger succulents and anchor around flower stems. If necessary, insert heavy-gauge wire up through centre to secure, so rosettes…

WHAT’S ON Check out a selection of the world’s most striking ornamental gingers and heliconias at the 20th Ginger Flower & Food Festival on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Running from 22–24 January, the event will feature garden experts, celebrity chefs, talks and demos, entertainment and tips on growing both edible and ornamental ginger at home. A highlight is a three-metre high central floral display. Located in the park and gardens of The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina, entry is free. For details visit gingerfactory.com.au or phone 1800 067 686.…

To make this planter, you’ll need forty 120mm terracotta pots, a hot glue gun, Landscape Liquid Nails and a caulking gun, plus potting mix and plants. Start by laying 11 pots side-by-side in a circle. Tack with hot glue then run a bead of Liquid Nails into joins. Lay a second layer of eight pots. Tack and caulk again. Finish with two pots for the top only. Make, plant, love! Smooth the Landscape Liquid Nails between the pots with a wet finger. Build the 2 halves of the ball separately and allow to set before combining, or keep as a half sphere and place in another big terracotta pot. Plant up with a mix of succulents and grasses. Water moderately so that little or none drains through. Keep potting mix…

Have you noticed certain plants have a penchant for the dramatic? Take succulents; their intriguing forms, foliage colour and texture, vivid blooms and easy-care nature make them ideal feature plants for gardens and planters. But how to make the most of them? The trick is to choose the right plants and arrange with flair and care. You don’t need a lot of space, just the desire and imagination to be daring with your planting. Like this garden, mix forms and texture for a bold display.…

Growing herbs and leafy greens is an easy way to provide home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients and zingy flavour. The plants are easy to maintain and will help lower your grocery bill. You can also cut costs by growing them in this recycled planter, made from treated pine posts and a set of old drawers – their shape and depth make them ideal planter boxes. You don’t need a lot of room, so it’s ideal for a balcony or courtyard. Simply prop it against a sunny wall and pick what you need throughout the week.…

Bust out your ultimate renovation moves and create an innovative and sleek bathroom. An in-bath shower frees up floor space and allows for a secret storage unit in a tiled hob wall. Look to other parts of your home for palette inspiration – here timber-look ceramic floor tiles contrast with glossy white on the wall. 1. Whether you like to nip in for a quick shower or indulge in a long lazy soak, wash away your woes in a generously proportioned in-bath shower. Along with a built-in wall niche for toiletries, allow extra width along the length of the tub and wall at planning stage so you can perch your products (or rubber duck) out of the way during bath time. As far as hardware goes, specify an above-head shower…

Adding a focal point to a room can go either of two ways – a painted feature wall in a vibrant colour or a set of shelves to display all the treasures and trinkets you’ve collected over the years. Well, now you can use your DIY skills to get both! Start out with a lick of paint in a bold hue, then follow up with an array of open timber shelves. You get the splash of colour plus enough display space to make any museum green with envy. The modular design makes it easy to build and install but still looks like a built-in unit that’s been done by the pros.…

CEMENT CAST CLOCK Gather your supplies Premixed white cement Small piece 3mm balsa wood Compact quartz clock movement kit (approximately 56 x 56 x 15mm) Battery, to suit You’ll also need Round plastic takeaway container (approximately 102 x 118mm dia.); water jug; wooden stirrer; round cardboard ice-cream cup (approximately 40 x 90mm dia.); old towel; fine-grit sandpaper; sanding block; pencil; utility knife; scrap paper; scissors; drill and bits Notes 1. Due to the drying time of cement, you may need to allow two days to complete this project. 2. If using slightly different containers to those specified above, ensure motor of clock mechanism fits inside smaller cup, and smaller cup fits inside large container, with an approximate 15mm-wide ring between them at the mouths. 3. Our clock kit came with…

Twice-cooked king prawns with ginger, sesame and soy Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 15 mins Serves 4 24 whole extra-largegreen king prawns ¾ cup peanut oil 2 eschalots, finely sliced 6cm-piece ginger, cutinto matchsticks 4 star anise 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp dark soy sauce 1 Tbsp Chinese cookingwine (from majorsupermarkets or Asianfood stores) Juice of 2 limes 2 tsp sesame oil 2 tsp caster sugar½ tsp ground cardamom6 green shallots,finely sliced, to serve 1 Working with one prawn at a time, with shell facing upward, grip tail firmly with one hand. With other hand, twist head and pull away to remove digestive tube. Leave tails attached. 2 Pour ½ cup of the peanut oil into a large wok and heat over a high heat. When oil is…

Preparation time: 30 minsplus 6 hours setting Cooking time: 10 mins Serves 6 700ml clear apple juice ¹/ ³ cup caster sugar 10cm-piece galangal,thinly sliced (from largesupermarkets) 2 vanilla beans, splitlengthways, seeds scraped Finely grated zest and juiceof 4 limes (or 100ml) 12 sheets gold-strengthgelatine 200ml coconut cream Tropical fruit, sliced intoshards, to serve 3 kaffir lime leaves, finelyshredded, to serve 1 Put apple juice, caster sugar, galangal, vanilla beans and zest in a medium saucepan over a medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved and mixture comes to the boil. Set pan aside for 5 minutes. 2 Meanwhile, put gelatine sheets in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Stand for 5 minutes or until softened. Remove gelatine sheets and squeeze out water. Add to hot apple juice…

Preparation time: 15 minsCooking time: 50 minsServes 10 Melted butter, to grease 90g plain flour 70g brown sugar 70g unsalted butter,frozen, coarsely grated Extra 175g unsaltedbutter, chopped,softened 175g caster sugar 3 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract ¼ cup black coffee,chilled 75g sour cream 125g hazelnut meal 130g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 1½ cups mini darkchocolate chipsDouble cream,to serve 1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease a 24cm-angel food cake tin and line base, side and middle with baking paper. Put flour, sugar and grated butter in a bowl. Rub with fingertips to form a crumble. 2 Put extra butter and caster sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at time, beating after each…

Preparation time: 15 minsplus 40 mins standing and30 mins chillingCooking time: 10 minsServes 6 100g fine burghul (alsoknown as cracked wheat,from the health foodsection of supermarkets) Pinch of salt, to season 600g lamb mince ½ brown onion, finelydiced 2 cloves garlic, finelygrated 1½ tsp ground allspice 1½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp dried mint Extra 2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp cold water 1 cup thick plain yoghurt,to serve 1 lemon, cut into wedges,to serve CARROT & CABBAGE SALAD 2 medium carrots, thinlysliced Sea-salt flakes, to season 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar 1 jalapeño chilli, deseeded,finely chopped ¼ white cabbage, finelyshredded 1 tsp ground cumin Extra virgin olive oilSeeds of ½ pomegranate ¹/ ³ cup finely shreddedmint leaves 1 Rinse burghul under cold running…

Preparation time: 10 minsCooking time: 25 minsServes 4 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 leek, white part only,finely diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 sprigs thyme, leavespicked, finely chopped 500g chicken thigh fillets,chopped into largepieces 1 cup chicken stock 1 cup apricot nectarSea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper,to season 8 tinned apricot halves,drained 2 sprigs flat-leaf parsley,roughly chopped Micro parsley leaves,to garnish Steamed long grain rice,to serve 1 Melt ½ of the butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add leek and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, then add garlic and thyme and cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. 2 In same saucepan, melt remaining butter and cook chicken for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Return leek mixture to pan, then add…

Preparation time: 15 minsCooking time: 25 minsServes 8 2 tomatoes 150ml extra virgin olive oil 2½ Tbsp champagne vinegaror white wine vinegar 100ml tomato sauce 1½ Tbsp Worcestershiresauce 3 eschalots, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, finelygrated ½ bunch chervil, finelychopped ½ bunch chives, finelychopped 10 tarragon sprigs, leavespicked, choppedTabasco sauce, to taste 8 chicken thighs on thebone, skin on 8 chicken drumsticks Sea-salt flakes and freshlyground black pepper,to season Extra 3 Tbsp extra virginolive oil Micro herbs, to serve (optional) 1 To make dressing, using a sharp knife, score a cross on the base of each tomato and put in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and stand for 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of iced water. Peel skins from tomatoes, discarding, then dice…

Wonderfully coloured reflective foil is having a moment thanks to new products that make DIY application fabulously easy. No special skills needed, just a foil applicator machine or double-sided tape, and a love of all things bling! Boxing clever 1. Versatile and inexpensive, paper noodle boxes are perfect for take-home treats. Pick them up from party supply, larger craft and variety stores, then dress up to match your table theme. Choose a patterned paper with foiled accents or make your own. To foil a sheet of patterned paper see How to apply metallic foil, page 145. (It’s as easy as laminating.) Then cut foiled paper into strips to wrap around boxes and secure overlap with double-sided tape. Finish with a matching grosgrain ribbon bow and a gold-foiled sticker. Make the…

sun safe Talk to your pharmacist for help finding the best choice of sunscreen for your skin. 1. Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen, SPF 50+, $16.99/88ml, Neutrogena. 2. Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid, SPF 50+, $27.95/50ml, La Roche-Posay. 3. Regenerist Revitalising Hydration Cream Moisturiser, SPF 15, $34.99/ 50g, Olay. 4. Light Feel Daily Face Veil, SPF 30, $10.99/ 50ml, Nivea. 5. Daily Face SPF 50+ Invisible Tint Finish, $14.99/75g, SunSense. 6. Tinted Moisturiser SPF 50+, $18.95/ 50ml, Natio. 7. Finishing Mineral Powder, SPF 50, $79.20/6g, Colorescience. 8. Endota Ceuticals SPF 50+ Daily Moisturiser, $65/50ml, Endota Spa.…

Ah yes, the New Year’s reso. So noble and yet, somehow, so fatally flawed. With champagne-fuelled conviction, you promise yourself you’ll lose weight, exercise every day, save money, get a fabulous new job, stress less, stop smoking forever or be kinder and more generous of spirit. And then the corks stop popping and reality sets in. You might start strong but find it all falls apart. What’s up with that? Here’s the deal: making a resolution is inherently good! It means you’re aware of an area in your life that could use a little (or a lot) of fine-tuning. So the resolution isn’t the problem, it’s the execution. If yours fall in a heap come February then you need to take note of these foolproof tips. 5 resolution solutions 1…

Anyone can throw paper around a pressie, but making the wrapping an integral part of the gift makes it personal. Decorate a terracotta pot with colourful paint and silver leaf to enclose a bottle of perfume, or turn a store-bought shelf unit into a giftbox tailored to the bloke it’s for. Once it’s opened, the packaging becomes a second present. PRETTY POT Gather your supplies Terracotta pot, size to suit gift Water-based undercoat Water-based topcoat paint, colour of choice You’ll also need Medium and small paintbrush; gold size (solvent-based clear varnish); silver leaf; tissue paper Note For interior or undercover use only. Here’s how STEP 1 Using medium paintbrush, paint the pot with undercoat. Let dry. STEP 2 Using medium paintbrush, paint the pot with 2 coats of topcoat paint,…

Settling down with a gorgeous illustration to colour in… isn’t it just heaven? This project is the next step in putting your creations on display! Using the designs from a colouring-in book for inspiration, transfer your skills from paper to a plain white lampshade. First, mark your chosen designs with a fine tip artist’s pen, then get busy with a stack of pencils in your favourite colours to fill in and brighten up your design. COLOURED LAMPSHADE Gather your supplies Fine tip artist’s pen in colour of choice (we used a Faber-Castell Pitt artist’s pen) Artist’s quality colouring pencils Fabric lampshade in white Lamp base, to suit Here’s how STEP 1 Choose your favourite illustrations from colouring books. Carefully draw the designs onto your lampshade with artist’s pen. You can…

The holiday season is the worst time of year for break-ins, as thieves get to work while you take a break. If you’re going away for any length of time, here are five simple ways to keep your home safe and sound. 1 DIY security system The Panasonic Home Alert Kit contains an indoor and outdoor camera, window and door sensors, a motion sensor and a smart plug that turns lights on and off. You can install it yourself and it’s all controlled via an app on your smartphone. 2 Install window locks Keyed window locks are easy to install and very effective. They come in a range of styles to suit different types of windows If you buy multiple locks, ensure they’re keyed alike so one key will fit…

To celebrate the release of the new Disney/ Pixar animated film The Good Dinosaur, in cinemas Boxing Day, check out this roarsome night-light for the kids. Use oven-bake clay to create Arlo the Apatosaurus, then give him a world to explore inside a clear vase. You won’t need a dino-saw to make this cool project! DINOSAUR NIGHT-LIGHT Gather your supplies Sculpey oven-bake clay in Granny Smith (green) and White Flexible wire Large glass or plastic vase Decorative pebbles Fake succulents You’ll also need Wire snips; baking paper; black marker pen; green marker pen; battery-powered string lights Here’s how STEP 1 Using wire snips, cut a length of wire to desired length of dinosaur from head to tail. STEP 2 For the body, roll a ball of green oven-bake clay in…

The kids will love sharing their bedroom with a giant green monster. This easy, inexpensive furniture makeover, inspired by the Goosebumps books and movie (in cinemas 14 January 2016), is a rad school holiday project they can help design and paint, then decorate with creepy-crawlies! FREAKY BOOKCASE Gather your supplies Old bookcase that’s ready for a change 1830 x 915 x 6mm MDF sheet You’ll also need Dust masks; power sander; sandpaper; stain-blocking undercoat; topcoat paint (we used Dulux Aquanamel Semi Gloss in Leap Frog and Dulux Wash & Wear Low Sheen Acrylic in Black, Hot Lips, Mission Brown, Vivid White, Yellow Varnish and Molly Robins); antique brass cabinet handles and hinges; jigsaw; heavy-duty double-sided tape Notes 1. Always wear a dust mask when sanding or working with MDF. 2.…