Ideas

I think you will agree with me that the year we’ve been experiencing has not been the easiest. Food is expensive, fuel is rapidly becoming unaffordable and this winter was not only cold but also dark. I usually botox my jaws twice a year to ensure th

When seen from a distance, the white walls of Fynbos Cottage, one of six similar cottages built to resemble the historical farm dwellings of the Western Cape region, seem to disappear into the surrounding landscape. The cottage is cleverly integrated

? apples? apricots? avocados? bananas? berries? cherries? coconuts? dates? guavas? kiwifruit? nectarines? pawpaws? pears? pineapples? peaches? sweet melon? watermelon ? artichokes? asparagus? brinjals? courgettes? broccoli? beans? beetroot? Brussels

Powerful and bold are two words that come to mind as we crush over this blooming beautiful colab range. We knew Adene would be a perfect fit for our Women’s Day range - she’s an incredibly inspiring business woman who started her own flower farm six

DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: a day We gave the drawers a makeover and hung them on the wall to use as shelves. They were sanded down, painted with a primer and then the two shades of green and the stencil. We added a yellow bungee cord (available from ha

This room looks as if it could be a still-life painting. All three primary colours are used, with related colours in between. The focus wall is painted a strong, vibrant blue, with the yellow cabinet providing a beautiful contrast. The drama continue

Intense and bright. It hits you between the eyes. You feel almost as if you need sunglasses! Neon pink, electric blue, lemon yellow, bubblegum pink, pumpkin orange and lime green. Fabrics with large patterns, contrasting textures and colours, and wal

Over the years Adene has grown her business locally in a very male-dominated farming industry. but time and again has proven that her thriving business is a story of success. Adene plans to continue to build her flower empire beyond local shores, sha

Rooted in the strength, beauty and resilience of all the women who have impacted her life, Nkhensani’s range is a stunning blend between nature and the female form. We loved working with Nkhensani for our Women’s Day range because of her Inspiring se

We got lost in a mystical, magical world with Keneilwe for our Women’s Day colab. Keneilwe’s unique perspective on creativity was inspiring, and resulted in a range that sparks the imagination. Keneilwe is a lover of lifelong learning and evolving, w

A very pretty tart to serve as a teatime treat or as a light and delicious dessert. Serves: 6-8 Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus setting time ♥ 200g digestive biscuits, crushed♥ 100g butter, melted ♥ 15ml gelatine♥ 15ml lemon juice♥ 250ml fresh ras

Serves: 6 Preparation time: 40 minutes Cooking time: 20-30 minutes Oven temperature: 190o C ♥ 1 roll phyllo pastry♥ 60ml melted butter♥ ½ packet tennis or shortbread biscuits, crushed♥ 15ml cake flour♥ 100g (120ml) sugar♥ 2ml ground cardamom♥ 500ml s

Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 30 minutes Baking time: 25 minutes Oven temperature: 200o C ♥ 1 roll of ready-made puff pastry♥ 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 10ml water♥ 1 tub cream cheese♥ 4 spring onions, sliced♥ 1 clove garlic, crushed♥ 30ml chop

These were dip-dyed with diluted watercolours to create ombré and striped effects – simply dip them briefly into the paint. Label them with adhesive letters (it is best to apply some extra glue as the surface is very rough). Punch a hole at one end,

DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: 30-60 minutes ♥ 90–100 gsm paper in a variety of colours, cut into exact squares in the sizes of your choice ♥ bone folder (a plastic ruler will work just as well) ♥ scissors ♥ 30cm lengths of wire Cut the square of paper in

This sweet butterfly is knitted in three flat pieces and then sewn together. When cuddle and playtime is over, the butterfly can hang on the wall as a lovely addition to the room décor. Play with a selection of colourful yarns or use a hand-painted y

DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: five hours ♥ dress or clothing item♥ embroidery design (above)♥ embroidery thread♥ embroidery needle♥ embroidery hoop♥ tracing method of choice 1 We traced our design onto the dress using a light box, but you can use any method

DIFFICULTY: intermediate TIME: one week To fit size 34, but the pattern can be adjusted to fit any size. Completed length: 46cm Sleeves: 25cm ♥ Vinnis Colours Nikkim (119m/50g)– 5 x Natural– 1 x Pale Blue-Green– 1 x Blue Canard– 1 x Red Violet– 1 x R

DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: about two days To fit a 45cm square cushion ♥ butterfly design on page 95♥ 3 x 100g balls of chunky knit yarn (we used Kismet Lollipop Teal)♥ 5,5mm knitting needles♥ tapestry needle♥ scissors♥ pins♥ 6 x 2cm buttons♥ graph pap

DIFFICULTY: easy, beginner TIME: one day ♥ 1m fabric of your choice, 150cm wide, for the two strips ♥ 2 printed pictures for the pockets, each 26cm high x 25cm wide (use ours on page 105 or a design of your choice) ♥ matching machine thread ♥ dressma

DIFFICULTY: easy, beginner friendly TIME: a day or two ♥ Vinnis Nikkim in colours Sunshine (535), Lavender (551), Raspberry (559) and Apple Green (553)♥ 4mm crochet hook♥ stitch marker (optional)♥ tapestry needle♥ scissors beg – begin(ning) ch – chai

DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: 1,5 hours EMBROIDERY TIME: 5,5 hours ♥ 3 x (40cm x 7cm) pieces of fabric ♥ 1 x (2cm x 13cm) piece of fabric ♥ embroidery design ♥ embroidery thread♥ embroidery needle ♥ embroidery hoop ♥ sharp scissors ♥ sewing machine ♥ fabric

DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: half an hour k – knit p – purl rep – repeat RS – right side st(s) – stitch(es) WS – wrong side 6 x 2cm buttonholes for the butterfly cushion cover on page 90. We are showing you how to make 2cm buttonholes for the cushion cover

It was a first for me when I recently meandered through a ‘living’ labyrinth. With spekbooms on both sides of the winding path as I walked towards the centre. Human and nature breathing together, as it were. Towards the end of last year I attended a

I have not yet come across a facial treatment that I haven’t liked. It was the thing I missed the most during the pandemic. Do you treat yourself to a regular facial? Whether it’s at a salon at the hands of a skilled beauty therapist (they’re called