Ideas

• terena@ideasfactory.co.za • instagram.com/terenaleroux I do my best thinking at night. Or sometimes when I am lying awake in the early hours of the morning. And it was while I was lying there wondering what we could do with our March/April issue th

‘It was when I saw this view,’ says homeowner Francois Irvine, ‘that I knew I wanted to be in this space.’ He is opening a pair of white-painted industrial doors, dealing with old-fashioned full-length bolts – but these slide back with ease and in a

TIP: If you want clean straight lines when using masking tape as a guide while you paint, remember to remove the tape while the paint is still wet. If you remove it when the paint is dry it will take some of the paint with it and leave a ragged edge.

This cake ticks all the boxes – rich buttery flavour, sweet icing, tangy fruit, creamy and crunchy textures, plus it is beautifully suited for any occasion. ♥ 150g butter♥ 150g castor sugar♥ 1 large egg♥ 5ml almond or vanilla extract (or 10ml vanilla

There’s a surprise filling inside the patties of these burgers that makes them extra decadent and delicious. We recommend using a blend of beef and pork mince to make the best patties, but you can use 100% beef if you prefer. Provide a selection of t

? Green salad with nasturtiums and calendula served in purple cabbage cups ? Asparagus and farm eggs on a nest of chickweed with anchovy butter and flower petal salt ? Crystal rice paper spring rolls with sweet chilli dipping sauce ? Rainbow carrot c

Flowers make everything better, even the inside of a plain envelope. DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: one hour per set Use the floral-print pages in this section and cut a flower picture so it is the same shape as your bought envelope but 0,5cm smaller. Use gl

DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: half an hour Use this template to make two photocopies in colour in the desired size on 120gsm cardboard. Cut them out and stick the flaps together with double-sided adhesive tape. TIP: To protect the cardboard, cover the flowe

DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: about half an hour per flower ♥ 1 x A4-size coloured cardboard (90gsm) for petals♥ 1 x A4-size coloured cardboard (90gsm) for stamen♥ 1 x A4-size green cardboard (90 gsm) for the back of the flower♥ scissors♥ kebab skewers (w

♥ 12 cupcakes (recipe below)♥ butter icing (recipe below)♥ green and yellow gel food colouring♥ 2 piping bags♥ size 14 or 16mm large round nozzle♥ number 103 petal nozzle♥ small round nozzle Beat 125g butter and 170g castor sugar together. Add 2 larg

We came across this idea on Pinterest and simply had to share it. Artists and other creatives use this technique in the loveliest ways, and it’s an excellent project to keep you busy when you have an empty hour to fill. Copy the template alongside in

With floral paper, a combination of papier-mâché and decoupage, and a bit of a patience, you can make a unique lampshade that is perfect for your décor. (Instructions on page 92.)

This traditional Japanese knot bag is the easiest thing to make – no zips or buttons, just twist it. (Instructions on page 92.)

Take inspiration from our beautiful picture and embroider a dahlia on to a special outfit or bed linen. (Instructions on page 93.) ■

Difficulty: medium Time: 23 hours Our design is approximately 10 x 10cm. ♥ garment or bed linen ♥ embroidery design below ♥ tracing method of choice ♥ embroidery thread in the colours of your choice ♥ embroidery needle ♥ embroidery hoop ♥ sharp sciss

DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: four days, or more if you have never done tapestry crochet To plan your size, measure around your bust. Choose the size that is closest to your measurement. XS – 80cm S – 84cm M – 88cm L – 92cm ♥ design chart on page alongsid

Autumn. A season of change. Of movement, of journeying between summer and winter, and within the journey finding the joy of transformation, of foliage changing from green to burnt orange before drifting down, to become part of the earth. Autumn prese

‘Saturday afternoons’ developed from my growing passion for timeless clothing and textile design, and going out with my mother on weekends to search for fabrics and patterns. My mom is an exceptional dressmaker; I think this had a definite influence

Spiritual guru Deepak Chopra says: ‘Our DNA is only a blueprint. It’s not our destiny.’ You can blame your genes for just five percent of what happens to your body, and research is now increasingly showing how genes can be switched on and off for you

As a self-confessed sentimental Clutter Queen, I would struggle to get rid of some of the things on my coffee table. So many of the ornaments in my house are gifts friends have made for me. Very precious to me – but they certainly aren’t going to fet

Transform a plain cake into a floral wonderland with these easy-to-make paper-flower cake toppers. (Instructions on page 79.)