IdeasJuly 2016的目錄

I still have crystal-clear memories of the kitchens of my youth. My granny Lena’s farm kitchen with its wooden tub filled with cold water and the aroma of sourdough that lingered all morning. Granny Hester’s kitchen table that we sat around until late in the evening, listening to ghost stories until we were too afraid to go to sleep. And our childhood kitchen where we stood in a production line to help my mother roll out coffee biscuits. A kitchen needs to work properly. In my life it’s always been a social place, so seating is important. Then sufficient space is needed for chopping and rolling out dough, and a safe place for the cook’s wine glass. And, naturally, it must look lovely so everyone will want to be there.…

Even before we can ring the bell next to the sky-high rose bushes in the front garden, our arrival is announced loudly from inside the house. The door opens and two greyhounds shoot out past us – Bono, the whippet, and Luna, the Italian greyhound with the fur collar, first run a few wild laps around Trix’s gorgeous garden before storming back into the house with us. ‘Where would you like to start?’ she asks. It’s a difficult question to answer, because we are surrounded by so many beautiful old mirrors, candleholders and vases filled with garden roses that we don’t know where to begin. This lover of classic European décor and the Renaissance era has also made her passion her work, and when she’s not among her favourite…

YOU WILL NEED • photos or art prints of your choice • modge podge • craft brush • craft knife and cutting mat • metal ruler TO MAKE 1 Place all the books together and roughly measure the height and width of the collection. This will help you to work out the size of the picture you will need. Print out the picture on paper according to these measurements. 2 Measure the height and width of each book’s spine and cut the printed picture into strips accordingly so there is one strip for each book. 3 Paint a coat of modge podge over the spine of the book and the back of the strip of paper and stick the strip onto the book’s spine. Gently rub out any bubbles with…

Set the scene What greater indulgence could there be for a bride-to-be and her friends than a sugar-filled feast? We chose a carnival theme and used a colour palette of pink, turquoise and touches of black and gold. Decorate the party area with pictures that match your theme, pour the bubbly and enjoy the bridal shower of the year! Cupcake decoration bar Bake the cupcakes in a variety of different coloured cupcake wrappers or cups. Pipe icing onto them and present them with a selection of sweets so your guests can decorate them as they please. Makes: about 14 Preparation time: 15 minutes Baking time: 12-15 minutes Oven temperature: 200o C • 125g (135ml) soft butter • 170g (195ml) castor sugar • 2 large eggs • 5ml vanilla essence •…

YOU WILL NEED DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: 20 minutes • 750g fondant (to cover a three-tier 20cm cake) • gel food colouring (at least one part of the fondant must be coloured) • cornflour • rolling pin 1 Soften the fondant and divide it into at least two parts, depending on how many colours you want to use. They don’t have to be equal parts. Colour the pieces as desired. The bigger the piece of fondant, the more of that colour will be visible at the end. We left the biggest piece of fondant white and coloured the smaller piece dark blue. 2 Roll all the pieces into equally long logs. You can divide the pieces into two, if you prefer. Press them all together to form a large log.…

What is a sampler? The Victoria and Albert Museum, in an article entitled A History of Samplers, says the word ‘sampler’ is derived from the French essamplaire, meaning any kind of work to be copied or imitated. ‘In their earliest form, samplers were put together as personal reference works for embroiderers: trials of patterns and stitches which had been copied from others, records of particular effects achieved which could be recreated again. They would have been the work of experienced embroiderers.’ Royal tutor John Palsgrave in his Anglo-French dictionary of 1530 defined a sampler is an ‘exampler for a woman to work by; exemple’. ‘It was a source for her to refer to, of patterns and stitches, before the availability of printed designs.’ Sew up to date Sew your own…

More and more people are discovering – or rediscovering – the therapeutic qualities of origami. Paper planes, ducks, boats that float, cranes . . . many of us remember and love these little folded objects from our childhood. Nowadays children and adults can enjoy the art and craft of paper folding, or origami, in new ways thanks to the many apps and instructions that are now freely available online. But all you really need is paper, so anyone can do it – wherever and whenever you like. The word origami is a combination of the Japanese words ‘ori’ (to fold) and ‘gami’ (paper). The art of paper folding spread from China to Japan about a thousand years ago, where it became a popular form of relaxation. Similar to the storytelling…

STRETCH YOUR RANDS V How can I make my household budget go further? A Here are a few ideas for saving money in and around the house: 1 Buy groceries in bulk and share them with a friend or relative. This will allow you to take advantage of 3-for-2 offers and to buy products that are cheaper in larger quantities. 2 Freeze the cut-off ends of vegetables like carrots, celery and onions as well as herbs and use them later to make vegetable stock. Freeze them in a sealable bag or the smaller pieces in an ice tray. Save meat and chicken bones for stock in the same way. 3 Use a solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water to clean everything from bathrooms and windows to floors.…

MARKETS • Franschhoek Village Market Browse the market under the historic oak trees on Franschhoek Main Road on 16-17 July (Bastille weekend). Shop for home-made pickles and jams, pies and quiches, bacon and egg breakfast buns, smoothies, olives and olive oil, wine and craft beer, as well as plants, curios and art, leather products, and many other handcrafted items. There is also live music and entertainment for the children. • For more information, search for Franschhoek Village Market on Facebook, or call 082 786 7927, or go to franschhoek.co.za. • Mingle at Menlo Market Relax with friends and family in the shade of the acacia trees at the Mingle at Menlo Market at Umgazi Street, Menlo Park, in Pretoria every Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Entrance is free. Sip a…

confessionsofaserialdiyer.com Christy James loves a project, from sewing to painting, reinventing to ripping down and rebuilding, with a little bit of crafting sprinkled in between. If you’re visiting her blog for the first time, start with her DIY project gallery, found by clicking on the tab next to ‘Home’. She says she is excited to be able to share with her readers all the good deals she finds and what becomes of those treasures. ‘I like to think I can tackle just about anything and I love sharing it all!’ thespicespoon.com Food writer and cookery teacher Shayma Saadat shares recipes from the countries of her heritage – Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, which she calls Silk Route cuisine. She lives in Toronto. Spice Spoon is rooted in the cooking traditions of…

FRIDGE WITH DECORATIONS Give your old fridge a French-style makeover with paint, an ornamental scroll or two, and patience. DIFFICULTY: average TIME: 2-3 days, with drying time YOU WILL NEED • plastic scroll decorations • suitable undercoat • water-based enamel paint in the colour of your choice • antique glaze paint (optional) • sealant • paintbrush and sponge roller • epoxy glue • masking tape TO MAKE 1 Wash the outside of the fridge so it’s very clean and leave it to dry. Stick masking tape over all the areas that you don’t want to paint. Do this carefully to ensure a neat paint finish. 2 Decide where you want to place your scroll decorations and mark the positions with masking tape. Mix a little epoxy glue and apply it…

Cowboy-style beef stew Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours • sunflower oil for frying • 800g boneless stewing beef, cubed • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 sticks celery, sliced • 1 green pepper, seeded and cubed • 15ml flour • 1 can chopped tomatoes • 20ml meat extract (Bovril) • 15ml Worcestershire sauce • 2 bay leaves • 300ml prepared beef stock • 1 turnip, peeled and cubed • 2 carrots, cubed • 1 can red kidney beans • 50ml freshly chopped coriander • 1 red chilli, seeded and chopped (optional) • crusty bread, to serve 1 Heat the oil and brown the meat in batches over a high heat. Remove from the casserole and set aside. 2 Add more…

Makes: 10 ring doughnuts Preparation time: 1½ hours, plus rising time Cooking time: about 20 minutes • 125ml milk • 60g (65ml) butter • 385g (710ml) cake flour • 45g (55ml) sugar • 7g instant dried yeast • 1 large egg, beaten • sunflower oil, for deep-frying Icing • 130g (250ml) icing sugar, sifted • pink food colouring • rose essence • almond essence • mini dried rosebuds and toasted almonds, to decorate Heat the milk, butter and 60ml water together in a saucepan. Once melted, remove from the heat and cool until lukewarm. Sift the flour into a bowl and add the sugar, 2ml salt and the yeast. Make a well in the centre and pour in the lukewarm liquid and the egg. Stir in the flour until the…

WHITE CAKE WITH BLUEBERRY MARBLE Makes: 3 x 20cm cakes Baking time: 40-45 minutes Preparation time: 25 minutes Oven temperature: 170o C • 375ml milk • 9 large egg whites, at room temperature • 22ml vanilla essence • 840ml cake flour • 465ml Huletts White Sugar • 22ml baking powder • 150g unsalted butter, softened • 90ml sunflower oil • 500g frozen blueberries, defrosted • 2 packets Huletts Chocolate Flavoured Icing Sugar 1 Mix the milk, egg whites and vanilla essence together with a fork or wire whisk. 2 Dry the whisk and mix the flour, Huletts White Sugar and baking powder together in a separate bowl. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on low speed to beat in the butter a little bit at a time. Add…

CHECK YOUR COAT AT THE DOOR Invest in a statement coat to guard against the winter chill. PETER PAN Add a touch of whimsy to your wardrobe with a dress that features a Peter Pan collar. ADD ACCESSORIES Use heirloom-inspired accessories to add cachet to your winter outfit. tip When choosing a double-breasted coat, look for one with a belt that will suit most body types. Woolly warmth (Left) Keep the cold away with a snug shearlinglined coat.…

What exactly is a ‘mompreneur’ – the buzzword that has been popping up all over the internet? Forget about Tupperware parties. This is a dynamic new generation – these moms, who are also entrepreneurs, are expressing their creativity in their own businesses and working with other moms, together forming formidable teams. ‘Increasing numbers of South African women are starting their own businesses in the comfort of their own homes,’ says Gugu Mjadu, marketing manager of Business Partners Limited. ‘Although the circumstances of some of these women have forced them to create work for themselves, many of them are consciously choosing this option because of the freedom and flexibility it gives them, especially to spend more time with their kids. They find ways of expressing their creativity and interests while earning…

One of my favourite TV programmes is Dragon’s Den where start-ups looking for investment pitch their businesses to a panel of successful entrepreneurs. It’s fascinating to see who makes the grade, and it’s informative about what makes for a winning proposal. It is extremely difficult to get funding for a new small business, be it a bank loan or overdraft, government or agency grant, and most start-ups use a combination of savings, family money and pre-orders. But a well-written proposal will get you a long way if an opportunity, such as a potential partner or a small business grant, presents itself. We have learnt the hard way in our bakery that such opportunities are rare and that you usually have only one crack at them. So when an opportunity does…

STITCHING TOGETHER, VIRTUALLY I often see cross-stitch projects in your magazine and I thought you may like to know that there is a huge upsurge in interest in this amazing craft. I own a cross-stitch supplies business and I’m a cross-stitch fanatic. I also run a big Facebook group called South African Stitchers with over 500 members who encourage each other in our joint obsession. My goal, when I started my business two years ago, was to import the latest inventions to make cross-stitch easy, as well as the latest designs. I also wanted to bring stitchers together as a community. Through Facebook we can now do this virtually. So many crafters sit at home, feeling isolated and lonely, not knowing that there may be a like-minded individual just down…

Herbs: bay leaves, fennel, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, origanum, parsley, rocket, rosemary, sage, thyme. Vegetables: beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, gem squash, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, Swiss chard, spring onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peas. Fruit: apples, avocados, bananas, Cape gooseberries, granadillas, grapefruit, guavas, kiwi, kumquats, lemons, naartjies, oranges, pawpaws, pineapples. FLOWERS available in July: alstroemeria, anemone, Asiatic lilies, calendula, carnations, chinks, chrysanthemum, daffodils, delphinium, freesia, gerbera, iris, larkspur, orchids, ranunculus, snapdragons, statice, stocks, sweetpeas, tulips.…

Oriental layers Pandora Jewelry visited the opulent Orient for the inspiration for its latest collection. The jewellery is layered with icons from Asia and rich colours, and shows interpretations of exotic blooms, fans and ancient motifs. The collection speaks of joy and a sense of serenity. • Go to pandora.net for more information, or look for pandorajewelry on Facebook. Sitting pretty   With its delicate pastel tones, sleek oak legs and high button detail this Henley 3-seater couch in Dina Lemon Curry (R11 999) will be a feature in any lounge. Mix and match it with a few armchairs to get an eclectic look. • For more information, go to za.sofacompany.com. Botanical BEAUTY Established in 1997, and located in Pepper Street in Cape Town, Wild Olive African Artisan Apothecary and…

DIFFICULTY: average TIME: two hours YOU WILL NEED • stencil of your choice • thin strip of wood (5cm wide) • Polyfilla • tongue depressors • 120 grit sandpaper • scissors and metal ruler • paint in the colour of your choice • paintbrush Cut out the section of the stencil that you want to use for your design. It’s a good idea to leave a long piece on one side to make it easier for you to hold. Gradually mix water into the Polyfilla little by little until you have a thickish paste. Measure and mark on the wood the intervals at which you want your design. Place the stencil at the first mark and use a tongue depressor to apply a thin layer of Polyfilla paste over the…

PORK LEG AND MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE ROAST Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes, plus marinating time Cooking time: approximately 2 hours Oven temperature: 240o C • 1,2kg piece of pork leg • 10ml coriander seeds • 5ml fennel seeds • 10ml mustard seeds • 5ml freshly ground black pepper • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • olive oil • 500g baby potatoes • 1 red and 1 yellow sweet pepper, seeded and cut into wedges • 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges • 1 large brinjal, cubed • 3 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary 1 Score the skin of the pork and then pat the pork leg dry with kitchen paper. 2 Roast the whole seeds in a dry frying pan until they are golden. Remove from the heat and…

• transparent plastic bucket • cylindrical plastic container that fits inside the bucket and into which a champagne bottle will fit • acetate • parcel tape or other strong adhesive tape • waterproof decorations like luminous tape, plastic confetti and glitter Copy the word ‘drink’ in an attractive typeface onto acetate and cut it out roughly. You can also add a special message for the bride, if you prefer. Fill the bucket with water to the quarter level and arrange the decorations in the water. Freeze the bucket. Stand the cylindrical plastic container on the ice in the middle of the bucket. Secure it in position with parcel tape. Place a weight on the container to give it some more support and fill the bucket almost to the top with…

YOU WILL NEED • white crockery (glazed or unglazed) • stamp and ink pad (with permanent ink) • home-bake ceramic glaze such as CPG Podge (for ceramic, porcelain and glass) and a paintbrush Ink the image on the stamp and carefully position it on the crockery. HANDY HINT Dab the stamp on the ink pad and test the print on paper first. Practise until you are happy with the effect. Take special care to keep the stamp still while applying pressure – easier said than done on glazed surfaces, but simple enough if you’re careful. Allow the stamp to dry thoroughly. Use a brush to apply four coats of the glaze over the stamped area, allowing the glaze to dry completely between each coat. Bake the piece in an…

DIFFICULTY: challenging TIME: one week SIZE The scarf measures approximately 150 x 15cm. YOU WILL NEED • rose charts on page 78 • Elle Family Knit Chunky in the following colours: –100g turquoise (059) – 50g pale rose (053) – 50g claret (040) – 50g olive green (062) • 4,5mm knitting needles • two 79 x 20cm pieces of turquoise cotton fabric (add length for a longer scarf) • matching thread TO MAKE 1 Using the turquoise yarn (background colour), cast on 26 stitches. Knit three rows of garter stitch. From row four (wrong side) knit nine rows in stocking stitch, except for the first and last three stitches of each row, which are worked in garter stitch. Continue knitting the rest of the scarf in this manner. Starting in…

Recruit My Mom (recruitmymom.co.za) This is a website where mothers with graduate degrees can register to be considered for part-time work or projects. It originated from a ‘passion to give qualified, experienced moms a chance to use their skills and expertise without having to compromise on their need for flexible working hours’. Moms can join for free and work online, from home or go into an office but work flexitime or enjoy flexible working hours. Mommy Mall (mommymallsa.co.za) This forum is for moms who have their own businesses. It started on Facebook, originating from a need for women to support each other’s businesses. Founder Naomi Butow says, ‘I wanted to establish a commercial platform specifically for mothers. The philosophy is that “mommy mallers”, which is what members of the forum…

As a child I loved art. And by ‘art’ I mean creating what I considered to be master-pieces with whatever was at my disposal. I would melt crayons and make them drip for days. Or flick paint all over my paper canvas (and my mom’s kitchen table) with an old toothbrush. My set of beautiful pastels was always tempting me to draw something. No matter the ‘medium’, it was a wonderful way to escape – and for many adults it still is. We lead busy lives and it’s not always easy to find an effective way to unwind in our jam-packed schedules, or to find some stillness in the noisy, rushed everyday grind. We’re on the go far longer than just our 9-5, so a mini hiatus is vital, even…

Love & creativity Being semi-retired I am busier than ever before. I have at last set up a container garden for growing herbs and vegetables and it is flourishing. It was all a matter of learning to be patient. A garden does not grow overnight and I have gone from being over-enthusiastic to calm and peaceful, and loving every minute spent on it. I have also seen through new eyes old, dated furniture pieces and have given them a facelift with pastel whitewashes - it was much easier to do than I thought it would be. My house is looking fresh and it all feels so much lighter now. I’ve taken down dull curtains and replaced them with flower designs. I’m making potpourri from my homegrown lavender and scented candles…

We’re back at JanHarmsgat se Agterplaas from Friday afternoon 26 August to Sunday afternoon 28 August for a weekend packed with creative inspiration and good company. And of course at least two completed crochet projects to take home with you. To be able to fully appreciate this fun weekend of crocheting and creativity, you must be able to do the basic crochet stitches, or come with someone who can help you learn as we go along. Your getaway, with accommodation, all meals and materials included (although you’re welcome to bring your own yarn too), will cost you R2 850 for a single room and R2 650 per person sharing. Invite your friend, sister or daughter to join you and book your place. We only have space for 30 people –…