Ideas

Ideas is all about MAKING your world more beautiful. Packed with creative inspiration, fresh ideas, easy projects and step-by-step instructions, this magazine is the go-to guide for crafters, stitchcrafters, makers, cooks and DIY home decorators.

FROM THE EDITOR

Ideas

AUTUMN HOME • The changing of the seasons is a good time to start preparing for the colder, ‘lazier’ months ahead. Warm up your house by bringing in touches of wood everywhere, not just for the fire.

LET'S EAT! • One of the most sociable places people can gather is around a table. So make sure your dining areas are as inviting as possible.

PICTURE PERFECT • THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES, YOU CAN NOW HAVE ANY PICTURE OR PHOTO PRINTED ON FABRIC TO USE AS A DÉCOR ELEMENT.

BOTTLE YOUR HARVEST • FILL YOUR FRIDGE AND PANTRY WITH SEASONAL PRESERVES AND USE THEM TO ADD A FLAVOUR BOOST TO YOUR WINTER MEALS.

HOME-MADE RICOTTA • It’s incredibly easy to make your own delicious ricotta cheese. Here’s how.

DRIED & TESTED • Craft these easy-to-make racks to dry your own herbs. All you need is a bit of extra space in your kitchen – and a dry, dark, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

PRETTY PANTRY • We scoured the shops, our pantries and sewing cupboards for these labels and lid-cover ideas, to make your bottling easy and pretty.

PANTRY FEVER • We scurry around like squirrels and carry supplies to our pantries. Like ants, we hoard food for times of scarcity … because it makes us feel in control and safe, writes Martie Swanepoel.

HOPPITY HOP • Put together the loveliest Easter picnic table for the little bunnies in your life.

EASTER COMFORTS • Few foods make you think of Easter as much as hot cross buns. Enjoy this different version with sweet, fruity flavours and a warm orange fragrance.

STITCH BY STITCH • Whether you want to make a duvet cover, quilt or casual throw, this project is a fantastic way to repurpose fabric scraps and add a personal touch to your home décor. Let your creativity guide you, and enjoy the process of crafting something truly unique!

BLOCK BY BLOCK • This is just the blanket to warm your knees on a cool autumn evening and ideal to keep next to your couch. Or crochet some more of these blocks for an exquisite addition to your bed.

FROST FLOWER SCARF • This stranded colourwork scarf is knitted in the round. The back of the work is hidden within the tube and the double layer of fabric is cosy to wear.

QUILT STORIES • Quilts, patchworks and crocheted blankets talk to you. But you have to hold your ear close to the cosiness to hear the whispered stories. Some are about love and happiness, others are filled with intrigue and plans for revenge, but most have a nostalgia, a ‘reminder of origin’, in the embroidery, patterns, blocks, colours and textures, writes Martie Swanepoel.

DIP AND DYE • Discover the art of dyeing natural materials such as cotton, linen, wood and twine.

LIVE LIGHTER • In this overloaded, overwhelming 21st century, people are increasingly trying to tread more lightly on Mother Earth, and to live with less. However, this doesn’t have to mean a sterile life.

BOOKS TO READ

YOU SAID IT • We love hearing from you. Tell us more about yourself, what inspires you and what you’re busy with. Emails are welcome.