We have a soft spot for sheep. For many, sheep are symbolic to New Zealand culture with the rearing of sheep being the backbone to the economy for many years. Sheep farming was established in New Zealand by the 1850s and has played an important role...
When researching or reading about different fabrics, you are likely to see the word yarn mentioned a lot. ‘Made from spun yarns’ or ‘with synthetic yarns’ are a couple of examples. But what is yarn? What is spun yarn? Are there other types? What does it all mean, and...
If you enjoy growing your own potted plants and would like a stylish way of displaying them inside the home, then this month’s project could be just what you need. I’ve been admiring living walls and hanging gardens for some time now, and decided to create...
Knowing how to make rope was once a critical skill for survival and self-sufficiency on the frontier. Early settlers were able to make rope from a variety of materials, but the main thing they used was hemp. A rapid growing plant, hemp is perfect for making rope. Hemp...
If your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays. Think outside the box (excuse the pun!), and create some real movie magic in your own home. Here are a few indoor ideas to get you started. At...
When it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss...
Brace yourself. Severe weather is on its way for parts of the country and experts predict at least two days of icy temperatures, howling gales and torrential rain. Get the temperature up while keeping your power use down. Our energy-saving tips will help reduce your...
Rainy days are the one thing parents do not need during the holidays, but they happen. We have great ideas for free or low cost rainy day activities when the kids must play indoors. In a perfect world, every school holiday would be filled with blue skies and...
What is an Eco-brick?An eco-brick is a plastic bottle packed with shredded, single-use, non-recyclable plastics, compressed to a required density to create a reusable building block. They are a sustainable way to reusenon-biodegradable plastic waste as they are...
Take on the terracotta trend and sculpt a unique floral feature. You will need Modelling clay (air-drying or baking)Rolling pinKnifeStrawFine sandpaperTest pot brushPaint test pots (we like Resene Sakura & Resene Apple Blossom)Resene FX Paint Effects MediumSmall...
