MARCH 2015

MAKE YOUR WORLD BEAUTIFUL

ISSUE NO. 417

03417

March 2015 • No. 417 • R42,00 (R5,16 VAT INCL.)

Other countries R36,84 (TAX EXCL.)

9 771819 264006
 MARCH 2015

Craft & décor

17 We show you how to bring international style elements
into your home décor
36 Quick and easy ways to transform a plain door
40 Crochet a wrap, inspired by designs characteristic of Qatar
46 Pretty crochet patterns all the way from Poland
52 Sew vintage-style bed linen using embroidered cloths
56 Embroider a delicate frame around a favourite picture
58 Good ideas: lifestyle
78 Make travel-themed decorative plates for your wall
82 Décor ideas using old-fashioned map paper
84 Use our specially designed stamps for all sorts of craft projects

Your life

53
90 We find out more about the snail-mail revolution
ON THE COVER: STYLING: CARIN SMITH • PHOTO: ED O'RILEY 95 An Italian photographer’s unique family portraits
• MODEL: DIANA FROM D&A MODEL MANAGEMENT
• MAKE-UP AND HAIR: LYNDALL FROM SUPERNOVA 100 Cut out for it: growing a laser-cutting business
• TOP FROM AUGUST AT MR & MRS • TROUSERS
FROM HABITS • NECKLACE FROM ACCESSORIZE 102 We answer your questions
• SHOES FROM ALDO • BUYER'S GUIDE ON PAGE 6
104 Your letters

On the cover
40

17 On tour: 20 projects for you to make

PAGES OF INSPIRATION
FROM AROUND THE WORLD
49 Crochet a purse for your coins (plus six more patterns)
56 Embroider a frame
72 Make dainty pansies to decorate your cupcakes
78
84
Craft travel-themed plates for your wall
Use our stamps for gorgeous napkins
39
How to
Add a decorative trim to a door
90 Learn all about ‘snail mail’ – it’s fun and creative
44 Crochet a wrap

Food & entertaining

72 Decorate cupcakes with perfect fondant pansies
88 Make little house-shaped pendants
14 We went shopping for ice-cream scoops, bowls,

26
cones, and more
Entertainment series: Turn up the mambo music and Regulars
muddle the mojitos – it’s time for a taste of Cuba! 4 From the editor
60 Good ideas: food 6 Buyer’s guide and competition winners
62 Indulge with one of our fabulous ice-cream treats 7 Quote of the month
8 Things to do and read this month

Fashion & beauty 16

89
Follow us on social media
Specially designed paper printables
65 Ice-cream colours will have you feeling as cool as you look 106 Subscribe and save
74 New, exotic and ground-breaking beauty products 107 In your next Ideas

SAVE!
Subscribe
and be inspired every month 106 Follow our pinboards
Visit us on pinterest.com/ideasmagazine
32 43 To make
this
84
month

54 83 67

79 36 47
Stay in touch Tweet with us
Follow @ideas_magazine on Twitter
Visit us at facebook.com/ideasmag
 ust recently I was telling someone how, years ago when I lived abroad for
almost a year, I used to wait longingly for letters from home. I didn’t have a
phone at home, no-one had cellphones, and email, Skype and Facebook were
still unheard of. Every letter was like a gift and more than once I was reduced
to tears just by seeing my mother’s handwriting on an envelope.
These days the world is a different place and a lot smaller. Almost everyone
who uses social media follows and is followed by people from other countries
and continents. We communicate regularly with friends, colleagues
and contacts worldwide and as a result our cultures are no longer so
strange and unfamiliar to each other. We follow people on Instagram
because we find the same types of things pretty, and on Twitter
because we have similar interests.
It’s also not quite so much fun to go shopping overseas now
that we have so many of the British, Spanish and Australian brands
opening stores at our local shopping malls. And don’t be surprised
to come across some of our gorgeous South African products in

PHOTO: JOHAN WILKE • HAIR AND MAKE-UP: MELISSA FROM SUPERNOVA

Berlin or Amsterdam.
It’s wonderful that Ideas is no longer only to be found here
and that people can read us digitally wherever they are, with the
result that from time to time we collaborate with inspiring contributors
from interesting parts of the world. An email from Agnieszka in Poland
with photos of her charming crochet work immediately had us excited.
Negotiations began in a mangled mixture of Polish English and Dala’s Free
State English – you can see the results on page 46 and start crocheting. We
discovered Magda with her Middle Eastern influences through her Pigtails blog.
And then Lizel and Carin brought in their memories of their recent trips to Russia
and Japan to inspire us.
Whether you have a ticket in your drawer or simply an interest in what
is going on in the rest of the world, this issue is for you. Travel with us
– with or without a passport.

• Follow me on instagram.com/terenaleroux.
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 EDITOR Terena le Roux WOMEN’S INTEREST DIVISION
Email ideased@media24.com Publisher Marina Smith
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dala Watts
MANAGING EDITOR Marweya Smal ADVERTISING SALES
Cape Town Office Manager Natalie Herman HEAD: Advertising Sales (CPT) Sarah Curtis-Bowles 084 444 8880
18th Floor Absa Centre, Key Account Manager (CPT) Charlene Meyer 082 928 5970
4 Adderley Street, Sales Manager (JHB) Susan Pienaar 083 281 7300
Cape Town 8001 Sales Manager (KZN) Gina van de Wall 083 500 5325
Box 1802, Cape Town 8000
Reception and General Queries 021 408 3042 DIGITAL DIVISION
Johannesburg Office 2nd floor, 5A Protea Place, Business Manager: Digital Terance Winson 021 443 9418
Sandown 2146
Website dailyfix.co.za HEAD OF CIRCULATION Gadija Gamieldien
Syndication manager Lucille van der Berg Circulation Manager Adele Minnaar 011 217 3263
021 408 3038 Product Manager Wikus Esterhuysen
Subscriptions and Queries 087 740 1027 | 021 405 1019
ART DIRECTOR Enid de Beer ideassubs@media24.com
Freelance Designer Karmen van Rensburg
CHIEF COPY EDITOR Diana Procter CEO: Media24 Esmaré Weideman
GM: Media24 Lifestyle Charlene Beukes
DEPARTMENT EDITORS CFO: Media 24 Lifestyle Raj Lalbahadur
STITCHCRAFT Dala Watts
FASHION AND DÉCOR Carin Smith

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
FOOD Louisa Holst
CRAFT AND DIY Lizel Cloete
STYLING Hannes Koegelenberg
DIGITAL Lizette Stulting Published by Media24, a division of Naspers. 40 Heerengracht, Foreshore, Cape Town 8001.

PHOTOGRAPHER Ed O’Riley
Office Assistant and Driver Fuad Fritz Copyright Media24. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
Retoucher Katherine Clulow transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior permission in writing from the
publisher. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to
readers, the editor, proprietors and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that
may arise therefrom. The editorial staff have the right to make alterations to any material submitted, and cannot be
held responsible for the loss of or damage to any material submitted for publication. All prices quoted were correct at
the time of going to press, and may vary from shop to shop.

Imagenius 021 423 7870 Saks Corner 074 101 7552

In Good Company 021 671 4852, Simondium’s Country Lodge
@home 0860 576 576 011 447 1628, 071 217 1240 021 874 1046
Accessorize 021 447 7718 Lulu Belle 012 346 6424, 021 671 5728 Skinny laMinx 021 424 6290
Aldo 011 884 4141, 021 671 2333 Marigold 021 422 5451 Spree 0861 999 501
Bronx 021 590 7000 Melissa’s 021 888 2999 St Leger & Viney 011 444 6722,
Builders Warehouse 0861 335 2739 Moroccan Warehouse 021 461 8318 021 683 5233
Ceramic Factory 011 057 4314, Mr & Mrs 021 424 4387 The Deckle Edge 021 180 4442
021 839 2103, 076 782 6965 Mr Price Home 0800 21 25 35 The Space 011 783 1935, 021 674 6643
Chair Crazy 011 791 6512, Nerf-af 084 946 6326 Typo 021 552 2635
021 465 9991 NMC Bizco 011 466 0003 Vintage Bazaar 072 8484457
Chandler House 083 423 2001 Onsite Gallery 021 462 1357 Weylandts 011 467 8001,
Checkers 0800 01 07 09 ORMS Print Room 021 465 3573 021 425 5282
Country Road 0860 022 002 Peter Osborn Furniture Woolworths 0860 022 002
Exclusive Books 011 798 0000 021 534 2904
Habits 021 671 7330 Pick n Pay 0800 11 22 88 COMPETITION WINNER
Hertex 011 262 4108, 041 373 2887, Pylones 021 418 1388 Milestone kitchen units
031 312 0632, 021 914 3390 Queue Shoes 021 531 5450 V. Fourie, Kuilsriver
– Audrey Hepburn
THINGS TO DO IN
compiled by L ARA FOREMAN HAVE YOU HEARD
OF A MUST-ATTEND
EVENT OR MARKET
s@gmail.com
creativecalendaridea
THAT WE SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT? IF
SO, EMAIL US AND
WE WILL CONSIDER
FEATURING IT ON
THESE PAGES.

FREE STATE 27-28 February Sample a wide variety

of beers, enjoy German food, chat to the brewers and learn
about different brewing techniques at the Clarens Craft
Beer Festival. For information and tickets, go to
www.clarensbeerfestival.co.za or www.webtickets.co.za.

MPUMALANGA 20-21 March Don’t miss the FNB

Mpumalanga Wine Show at the Emnotweni Arena in
Nelspruit. There will be more than 60 wine producers and over
350 wines on show. Tickets are available at Computicket or
at Shoprite/Checkers stores. For more information, go to
www.mpumalangawineshow.co.za.

WESTERN CAPE 17-20 March Call in at Markgoed

Markgoed
at Forest 44, on the R44 between Somerset West and
Stellenbosch. You’ll find many new and interesting stallholders.
For more information, call 072 376 4935 or 082 774 1077.
25 February – 1 March The Cape Town Art Fair takes place in
The Avenue at the V&A Waterfront. Visitors can meander along a specially
created Art Walk. For more information, go to www.artfaircapetown.co.za.
• 1 March Head to Eikendal wine estate for the Weintaufe Harvest
Celebration and enjoy superb wines, good food and alfresco family fun.
Open from 10am to 5pm. For more information, call 021 855 1422 or email
info@eikendal.co.za.

Eastern Cape GAUTENG

6-8 March
e 25-31 March Browse to your heart’s content at the
Attend Taste of PE at th Tierlantynkies market in Zwavelpoort, Pretoria East.
ent
Boardwalk Entertainm You’ll find unique products, delicious food and lots of entertainment.
es
Complex and enjoy dish • Adults pay R30 to enter. • For more information, go to www.tierlantynkies.co.za.

p
from Port Elizabeth’s to
ods,
restaurants, gourmet fo
craft brews and wines.
• Tickets are available at
www.itickets.co.za.
, go to
• For more information
www.tasteofpe.com.
 Shop
LOCAL & SEASONAL • The BLAAUWKLIPPEN FAMILY
MARKET takes place every
Sunday from 10am to 3pm at
Blaauwklippen Vineyards
IN SEASON IN MARCH wine estate near Stellenbosch.
Go to www.blaauwklippen.com.
Vegetables: avocado, beetroot,
• The BROOKLYN DESIGN FAIR
brinjal, cabbage, carrots, celery,
takes place on the first Friday
courgettes, cucumber, garlic,
of the month from 4pm to 9pm
green beans, leeks, lettuce, mielies,
at Brooklyn Square, corner
mushrooms, onion, potatoes, pumpkin,
of Middel and Veale Streets,
radishes, spinach, sweet peppers,
Pretoria. For details, go to
sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips.
www.brooklyndesignfair.co.za.
Fruit: apples, bananas, figs, grapes,
• The first of the twice-yearly
lemons, mangoes, peaches, pears,
RONDEBOSCH POTTER’S MARKET,
pineapples, plums, pomegranates,
featuring professional and
quinces, spanspek, watermelon.
hobbyist potters, takes place
Herbs: basil, bay leaves, dill, mint,
on 21 March from 8am to 4pm
marjoram, origanum, rosemary,
at Rondebosch Park, corner of
sage, thyme.
Sandown and Campground
Roads. Call 072 145 8433.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5-8 March
Hobby-X at The
Dome, Northgate,

10
Johannesburg

8 9 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 19-22 March

26
April IDEAS Decorex at
on street the Durban Human Rights
Exhibition Centre Day

22 23 24 25 27 28
PHOTO OF BEETROOT: THINKSTOCK

25 March
End of school term
(inland provinces)

29 30 31
March 2015 IDEAS 9
 THINGS TO READ IN
compiled by Diana Procter
ALL BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT EXCLUSIVE BOOKS OR WWW.KALAHARI.COM • PHOTOS: ED O’RILEY OR SUPPLIED • BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6
CRAFT & LIFESTYLE
The Exquisite Book of Paper
Flowers by Livia Cetti (ST&C,
R306) Livia shows you how to
make 27 popular flowers with
tissue or crepe paper. Use
the flowers for projects like
garlands, table arrangements,
cake toppers, bouquets,
wreaths and hair clips. The
projects are perfect for home
décor, gifts, accessorising
and entertaining.
Artfully Embroidered by Naoko
Shimoda (Interweave, R336)
Vintage embroidery designs
with a twist. Traditional
Japanese and western motifs
are made new with colour
and embellishment, and
25 embroidered patterns
demonstrate the beauty of
traditional designs while
keeping the projects fresh
and modern. Templates are
given for handbags, totes and
so on, or use the motifs on
your own designs.
10 IDEAS March 2015
Dia na.P roc ter@ med ia24 .com
FOOD
Perfect Parties by Janet
Kohler (RHS, R325) Find an
array of inspirational party
ideas, complemented by
delicious recipes. Be guided
through every aspect of a
party, whether it’s a birthday,
engagement, picnic, baby
shower, or wedding. From
choosing a theme, through
décor and preparation
countdowns, to step-by-step
recipes – it’s all there.
Konditor & Cook by Gerhard
Jenne (Ebury, R387)
Konditor & Cook is a London
patisserie famous for its
contemporary and witty
cakes and now the bakery’s
founder shares the recipes –
from the classic curly whirly
cake to black velvet cupcakes
and raspberry cheesecake.
The step-by-step instructions
and stunning photos will
help make your baking a little
sweeter and cheekier.
FICTION
To Rise Again at a Decent
Hour by Joshua Ferris
(Penguin, R190) Paul
O’Rourke is a dentist, a
die-hard Red Sox fan, and
an atheist. He’s also a bit
of a jerk. Then someone
begins to impersonate him
online. As he investigates
the identity theft, he has to
confront his past and his
future in a life split between
the real and the virtual.
Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng (Little, Brown,
R209) A moving story of
family and the meaning of
home, this book is both a
page-turner and a sensitive
family portrait. It explores
the divisions between
cultures and the rifts within
a family, and uncovers
the ways in which parents
and children, and husbands
and wives struggle to
understand one another.
thefoodieat.org
Rachel Walker is a food
writer and cook who lives in
London with her husband,
who doesn’t mind her
smoking salmon on the
balcony, or fermenting
batches of stinky kimchi in
their little kitchen. Her blog
started as a record of her
recipes, but it’s now also
a record of events, a place
of well-written ramblings,
rather than a purely recipe-
driven, instructional site.
The photos are good too.
littlegreennotebook.
blogspot.com
Jenny Komenda is a design
blogger and decorator in
New York City. She likes
flea markets and power
tools, parties and pillows.
She’s a mother and a
decorator, and a die-hard
DIYer. Join her and her
family as they renovate
their new (old) home with
lots of love and plenty of
elbow grease. As well as
general blog posts there
are lots of DIY projects and
an inspirational gallery of
décor photographs.
 /E
10016532JB/
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For more information, refer to your healthcare professional. ZA.14.WLB.110 12/2014
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 THE BIG
2
SCOOP car in.s mit h@ me dia 24. com

Whether we’re talking

colours, flavours or
décor items inspired by
it, ice cream is
always a hit.
1 3

PHOTOS ED O’RILEY • BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6

1 Long-handled plastic
spoons (R59,99 for six)
from Woolworths.
2 and 3 Large enamel
spoon (R48) and small
enamel spoon (R39) from
Melissa’s. 4 Ice-cream
scoop (R34,99) from Pick
n Pay. 5 Ice-cream scoop 5
(R399,95) from Pylones.

14 IDEAS March 2015

1 Ceramic coke bottles (R230) from Imagenius. 2 Bamboo bowls (R215 for four) from
a selection available on Spree. 3 Ice-cream printed cup (R34,99) from Pick n Pay.
4 Decorate your own ice cream (R149,95) from Typo. 5 Plastic ice-cream-coloured cups
(R49,95 for four) from Mr Price Home. 6 Blue bowl (R45) from Woolworths. 7 Postcard
(R20 per card) from A Love Supreme at Marigold. 8 Small cones (R24,99 per pack) from
Checkers. 9 Ice-cream sundae glass (R39,99) from Pick n Pay. 10 Pink glass bowl (R180
for two) from In Good Company. 11 ‘Cupcake’ (R100) from Chandler House. 12 Ceramic
cups (R90 each) from Marigold. 13 ‘There’s a dinosaur in my ice cream’ (R199) from
Ceramic Factory. 14 Sweet dispenser (R299,95) from Typo. 15 Yellow bowl (R130) from
Ceramic Factory. 16 Sauce jug (R130) from Ceramic Factory. 17 Melamine bowl (R135)
from In Good Company. 18 Waffle cones (R43,95) from Woolworths. 19 Glass bowl
(R19,99) from Mr Price Home. 20 Cupcake containers (R24,99 per box) from Checkers.
21 Paper cups (R65 for 20) from In Good Company. 22 Smaller polka-dot cups (R50
for 20) from In Good Company.
1

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4 9
3
6
11

10

14

15
19
16 21
12
22
17
13
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 ONLINE

Visit our

•WEBSITE
•FACEBOOK •TEMPLATES

•PINTEREST • IDEAS

•MYSUBS PRODUCTS
•LOCALFAIR.CO.ZA

•IDEES MOBI SITE

•INSTAGRAM •TWITTER

/ / /
 décor

We looked to the East and the West to find ways for

you to incorporate international style aesthetics into your
home. Simply introduce one or two of these elements per
room, combining them with items you already have.

by CARIN SMITH photos ED O’RILEY and JAN RAS

March 2015 IDEAS 17

décor

Is your style minimalist, sophisticated,

timeless and elegant? Do you believe
in spending more on one special piece
rather than buying a collection of smaller
items? Then the Parisian chic style will
suit you well. Here is how to recreate that
sense of elegance in your own home.

18 IDEAS March 2015

Look for furniture
with curves, gilding
or inlays like this
writing desk. The
concave-to-convex
curved legs, known
as cabriole legs,
make it a classic
French piece
inspired by the
rococo style of the
early 18th century.

– Peter York

Desk (R2 500) from Vintage Bazaar. Bust (R1 200)

from Onsite Gallery. Glass dome with candle
(R129) from @home. Chair (price on request) from
Chair Crazy. Selection of frames from @home and
Mr Price Home, and vintage flea market finds.
Wall paint colour: Quartz Flint 8 from Dulux.
décor

Always have a chandelier As long as you

in your home, even if it’s have one or two
in the bathroom! gilded items,
you’ll be on track.

Every time the chandelier is cleaned, check the Give your room a uniform look
safety of the fittings and electrical wiring. Also, inspect by finding frames in the same colour or spray paint
glass elements and metal pins for damage or weakness. them all one colour.

DOVE GREY –
DULUX 50RB83/005

PALE PINK –
A few other items you can use to give your home a touch PLASCON TIARA PINK P7-A2-2
of French elegance are:
• Armoire: large wardrobe or movable closet. PALE BLUE –
• Bergère: upholstered armchair with wooden PLASCON BIRDS EGG B3-B2-2
frame and closed arms.
• Chaise longue: a reclining chair with a seat that
extends for leg support.
• Fauteuil: armchair with open arms.
• Sconce: light that is fixed to the wall. Keep to a muted
• Toile: Toiles de Jouy is a term for fabric with colour scheme with hints of gold and copper. Colours to
monochromatic prints of pastoral scenes. keep in mind are pale blue, dusty pastel pink and grey.
• Trompe l’oeil: ‘to fool the eye’, a two-dimensional If all else fails, keep your canvas white and introduce these
painting of real objects having a three-dimensional effect. colours through the furniture and accessories.

20 IDEAS March 2015

 Paint furniture in a colour that
appears faded and use sandpaper
to give the edges a distressed look.
Replace the handles on a chest of
drawers or wardrobe with ornate,
mismatched ones.

This style is defined as an eclectic mix of

patterns and furniture – a cosy space for you to
curl up, put your feet up and read a romantic
novel set in the rolling green hills of rural England.
March 2015 IDEAS 21
 Bring the English countryside indoors.
Mix vintage photos of family members with
paintings of country scenes alongside
an array of vases filled with oversized roses.
Mix personal heirlooms with natural items
like shells, a bird’s nest or pine cones.
More is more with this look.

Cushions: A (R119,99) from Mr Price Home. B (R850) from Chandler House. C and D (R245 each) from Peter Osborn Furniture.
E (R159,99) from Mr Price Home. Floral fabric on chair (R300 for the piece) from Chandler House. Ornate frame (R199) from Spree.
Vintage soda bottle (R90) from Imagenius. Tea cup and saucer (R265) from In Good Company. Painting: ‘Still Life with Cattleya
Orchid’, oil on canvas (R15 000) from Chandler House. Remaining props from Simondium’s Country Lodge.
 décor

B
E

C D

Other items to use in your home for that English look
are: upholstered furniture, slip-covered couches and
chairs, painted cupboards, bookcases filled with old
books, an oak dresser or sideboard, heirloom China
dinnerware, Wedgwood and Royal Worcester porcelain
on display, collected heirlooms, repurposed vintage
finds, embroidery and lace, lived-in vintage pieces,
ornate wallpaper, floral patterns and wicker baskets.
Choose floral patterns in crisp cottons, use ethnic
textiles like silk and natural fabrics such as linen or
hessian to decorate your room.
Choose paint colours that look as if they were once
stronger but have faded over time.

1 2

Fabrics and the layering of different

patterns are important for this look.

If you’re travelling to the UK, Cabbage &

Roses is a textile firm in England that
specialises in historic and printed fabrics.
BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6

Also try Laura Ashley for wallpapers and

fabrics. Alternatively, look closer to home
for these: 1 Solstice Coral (R1 048,80 per
metre) and 2 Genevieve Old Rose (R513
per metre), both from Hertex.
• SHOT ON LOCATION AT SIMONDIUM’S COUNTRY LODGE (WWW.SIMONDIUMS.CO.ZA)

March 2015 IDEAS 23

décor

Create a serene, peaceful

home that uses a clean,
uncluttered way of life as
its main influence, where
balance, order, a slower pace
of life and natural beauty are
integral to the look.

Find similar couches Use natural

at Saks Corner. Rug fabrics and
(R299,99) and batik elements of
cushion (R79,99) from Japanese
Mr Price Home. Basket craft like this
(R295), charcoal cushion Shibori-style
(R395), ceramic mug
cushion.
(R99), platter (R299) and
ceramic vase (R170) from
Weylandts. Large black
frame (R199,99) and
wooden frame (R79,99)
from Mr Price Home.
Small black frame (R249)
from Country Road.

LIGHT: A very important element in Japanese décor is to bring natural

light into your home with the help of large windows, sliding doors or screens (shoji). The beauty with screens or sliding doors is that
they use minimal space. Avoid heavy curtains; instead use bamboo screens. WOOD: Make sure there is always an unpainted wooden
element in your home. It could be bamboo flooring, wood trimmings on your doors, or wooden cladding on your wall. Alternatively,
add a few smaller bamboo decorative items to your interior. PLANTS: Keep the plants simple and go for bonsai, bamboo and orchids.

24 IDEAS March 2015

 A tatami mat is used as floor covering in traditional
Japanese homes. It’s made from various natural
materials and usually covered in woven straw with a
cloth edging. Find similar locally or substitute it with
a jute rug that will give you the same look and feel.

The tea ceremony (called chanoyu, sado or ocha) is very

important for harmony in Japanese life. It not only helps to
connect the hostess with the guest as she serves the tea but 1
also provides the guest with a calm space in which to drink tea
(matcha) and contemplate.

Use simple, neutral colours

inspired by nature, like faded greens, browns, opaque tones
and grey stone.

Keep all fabrics natural; cotton, linen and

bamboo are ideal to recreate this look. If you want to introduce
patterns, look for simple organic prints that represent nature.
Hand-dyed items in the Shibori style will also work perfectly.
2
Brancusi Stripe Abacus

Above: Fabrics 1 Sanderson Heather colour Ebony

(R965,58 per metre) and 2 Chika colour Ecru (R877,80 per
metre) from St Leger & Viney. Left: Cushion in Brancusi
Stripe in Inkspot (R495 per metre) and soft bucket in
Abacus in Inky Blue (R320 per pair) from Skinny laMinx.

March 2015 IDEAS 25

food & entertaining

Set the scene

Keep the feeling rustic and informal and play with colourful accents.
Use a mixture of weathered cutlery and old silver and pewter plates
and bowls to fit in with the theme. Decorate the table simply with
ornamental cigar boxes, pictures of Che Guevara and vintage rose
elements. A set of dominoes and some old-fashioned board games
add to the Cuban feel and will also provide lots of fun.

by LOUISA HOLST photos ED O’RILEY st yling and craf ts HANNES KOEGELENBERG

26 IDEAS March 2015

 Cigar boxes,
chocolate cigars
and flowers for the
table (instructions
on page 30)

March 2015 IDEAS 27

food & entertaining

Ham croquettes • 60ml butter Coating

• 1 medium-sized onion, finely • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Serves: 8 chopped • 250ml dried breadcrumbs
Preparation time: 45 minutes, • 125ml cake flour • 65ml cake flour
plus chilling time • 375ml milk
Cooking time: about 20 minutes • 450g ham, finely chopped 1 Heat the butter in a saucepan.
• 250ml fresh white breadcrumbs Add the onion and sauté until
• 30ml finely chopped fresh parsley soft. Stir in the flour.
• 1ml ground nutmeg 2 Add the milk gradually, stirring
• oil, for deep-frying well to make a smooth paste. Stir
• creole sauce, to serve over the heat until thick. Remove
(recipe below) from the heat.
3 Stir in the ham, fresh bread-
crumbs, parsley and nutmeg,
Ham
croquettes and season to taste with salt and
freshly ground black pepper. Cool
and then refrigerate for about two
hours until firm.
4 Once the mixture is firm enough,
break it into small balls and roll
them into small cylinder shapes.
5 Coating Whisk 15ml water into the
eggs. Mix the dried breadcrumbs
and flour together and put into
a flat bowl. Dip the croquettes
into the egg mixture, then into
the breadcrumb mixture. Dust
Che Guevara cones off the excess crumbs then dip
(instructions on into the egg and breadcrumbs
page 30) again. Set aside and repeat with
the remaining mixture. Refrigerate
again until firm.
6 Heat the oil for deep-frying. When
it is hot, fry the croquettes, a few
at a time. Once they are golden,
remove from the oil and drain on
absorbent paper. Serve warm with
creole sauce for dipping.

Creole sauce
Heat 30ml olive oil in a saucepan.
Add one chopped onion and
sauté for two minutes. Add a clove
of crushed garlic, a seeded and
chopped red pepper and a chopped
tomato. Sauté for two minutes,
then add a can of tomato purée,
1-5ml Tabasco sauce, 30ml water,
2ml sugar and salt to taste. Simmer
gently for 10 minutes. Remove
from the heat and add 30ml finely
chopped parsley and 30ml cream.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Creole sauce
 Fried fish with mojo sauce
and savoury rice with black beans
(recipes on page 30)

March 2015 IDEAS 29

food & entertaining
Fried fish with mojo sauce
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time: about 40 minutes
• canola oil, for frying
• 2 fresh line fish, gutted and
cleaned
• limes and salad, to serve
Mojo sauce
• 125ml olive oil
• 125ml freshly squeezed lime or
lemon juice
• juice of one small orange
• 5ml grated orange rind
• 6 finely sliced spring onions
• 65ml chopped fresh coriander
• 10ml dried origanum
• 5ml ground cumin
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3ml freshly ground black pepper
1 Heat a thin layer of oil in a large
non-stick frying pan. Fry the fish
whole for about 10 minutes on
each side, depending on the
thickness. The flesh should be
white and flake apart easily once
it is cooked. (You can also cook it
under the grill, if you prefer.)
2 Sauce Whisk all the ingredients
together.
3 Once the first fish is cooked,
remove it from the pan, cover
and set aside while you cook the
other fish. Put both fish onto a
platter and pour the sauce over
them. Alternatively, serve the
sauce separately so guests can
add their own. Garnish with lime
wedges and salad.
Savoury rice
with black beans
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
• 500ml basmati rice
• 40ml olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
• 5ml ground cumin
• 3ml ground turmeric
• 3 bay leaves
• 250ml black beans, cooked and
drained
1 Rinse the rice and then cover
with water. Bring to the boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes, then turn
off the heat and leave the lid on.
2 Heat the oil in a saucepan and
sauté the onion until soft. Add
the garlic and red pepper. Sauté
for a few minutes, then add the
cumin, turmeric and bay leaves.
Stir well, then stir in the cooked
rice to combine well. Lastly add
the beans. Cover and set aside
until ready to serve.
Summer salad
Serve your fish and rice with a fresh
and crunchy salad alongside. Mix
a bag of curly lettuce leaves with a
punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bunch
of steamed asparagus, an orange or
yellow pepper, seeded and sliced,
125ml cooked peas, two sliced
avocados and one sliced onion.
Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.
Che Guevara cones
Serve a starter or something sweet in
these cones – we used ours for our ham
croquettes. Copy the Che Guevara picture
on page 34 onto an A4 sheet of white
paper. Fold the paper into a cone and
seal it along the side edge with double-
sided tape.
Cigar boxes
Buy cigars in decorative boxes or
embellish them yourself with scrap-
booking paper that complements the
theme. We also made a few of our own
and put all sorts of things, from limes to
cold drinks and dice in them.
You will need
• template for the cigar box on
page 34
• sturdy white cardboard
• double-sided adhesive tape
• craft knife, cutting mat and
metal ruler
To make
1 Copy the template on page 34 onto
the cardboard in the desired size and
cut it out with your craft knife and
metal ruler.
2 Make small pencil marks on the
back of the cardboard to indicate the
fold lines.
3 Use the metal ruler and trace lightly
over the fold lines with the blunt side
of the craft knife. Fold the box into
shape and stick the flaps down with
double-sided tape.
Chocolate cigars
We made our ‘cigars’ from rolls of
Rolo chocolates. Cut strips of cigar-
coloured paper to fit around the
chocolate rolls and seal them along the
side edge with double-sided tape. Make
copies of the cigar label on page 34,
cut them out and stick one onto each
chocolate cigar.
Flowers for the table
Place a few loose rose heads on the table
and in the cigar boxes, and finish off with
rose pictures – that’s all you need for
flamboyant flowers on the table.
 Summer
salad

March 2015 IDEAS 31

 Banana cake
with rum syrup
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Oven temperature: 180oC
• 250g butter
• 250g brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 ripe bananas, peeled and
mashed
• 5ml vanilla essence
• 250g self-raising flour
• whipped cream or vanilla ice
cream, to serve
Syrup
• 30ml butter
• 100ml brown sugar
• 100ml light rum
• flaked coconut, to decorate
32 IDEAS March 2015
1 Beat the butter and sugar
together until light. Add the eggs
and beat well. Add the banana,
vanilla and a pinch of salt. Beat for
a few seconds to combine.
2 Fold in the self-raising flour and
then spoon the mixture into a
greased ring tin.
3 Bake in a preheated oven for
approximately 35 minutes. You
may need to cover the cake with
a piece of aluminium foil if you
see it is browning too quickly.
The cake is done once a skewer
inserted comes out clean.
4 Remove from the oven and set
aside to cool, then invert onto
a serving plate.
5 Syrup Heat the butter, sugar and
rum together. Stir until the sugar
has dissolved, then simmer for
five minutes. Remove from the
heat and spoon over the top of
the cake. Scatter with coconut to
decorate and serve warm or at
room temperature with a dollop
of whipped cream or scoop of
vanilla ice cream.
 food & entertaining

Cocktails

Cuba libre
Squeeze a little fresh lime juice
into a tall glass. Add a few ice
cubes and 25-35ml light rum.
Top up with cola.

Mojito
Mix 180ml light rum, 60ml sugar,
90ml lime juice and a few fresh
mint sprigs together in a cocktail
shaker. Fill short glasses with
ice, lime wedges and more fresh
mint. Pour the cocktail over the
ingredients in the glass.

March 2015 IDEAS 33

food & entertaining
Che Guevara cones
Cigar label (page 30)
(page 30)

Cigar box Cut line

(page 30) Fold line

34 IDEAS March 2015

craft
This is the ideal solution
if you like antique doors but you have a modern
one and don’t want to try a paint technique
on it. We bought a high-resolution photo from
Shutterstock – there are thousands to choose
from – and had it printed on wallpaper (or vinyl).
Make sure the format and orientation of the
photo will work for the size of your door – the
large-format printers should be able to help you
with this. Use wallpaper paste to glue the photo
to the door, ensuring that no air gets trapped.
You could have it done professionally, if you
prefer and your budget allows.

Printing by ORMS Print Room. Rug (R720) from

Moroccan Warehouse. Shelf (price on request) from
Nerf-af. Jug (R189,99) from Mr Price Home. Red and blue
plates (R19 each) from Pick n Pay. White dragonfly plate
(R170) from Homebakes at Imagenius.

by LIZEL CLOE TE
photos ED O’RILEY
st yling CARIN SMITH

36 IDEAS March 2015

MAIN PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK • BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6

Imagine walking along a picturesque street, choosing a door for your

home. You could get the same result with a few simple techniques.
 Decorate a standard hollow-
core interior door by using a
striking trim. There are many
different types available in a
number of materials ranging
from polyurethane to wood,
and more.

Door (R175) from Builders Warehouse. Decorative panelling and corners from NMC Bizco.
Door painted with Plascon Velvaglo in Paradise City B4-D1-2. Hand-painted ‘Florabundah!’
chair (R4 500) from Chandler House. Wallpaper from a variety at St Leger & Viney.

38 IDEAS March 2015

 craft

You will need • decorative panelling • decorative corners (optional) • mitre box and hand saw
• enamel paint of your choice • paint rollers and paintbrushes • wood glue (or use a strong adhesive
like Pattex No More Nails) • wood filler • sandpaper • tape measure • long ruler

1 2

Decide how far you’d like to place the panelling from
the outer edges of your door, then measure and
mark accordingly – ours is 100mm wide right round.
Now measure the distance between the marks at the
top and bottom, and those on the left and right, to
determine the measurements of your panelling.
Mark where you must saw the panelling and use
a mitre box and hand saw to cut each piece to size,
with neat 45-degree angles.
NOTE Ours has special decorative corners that
needed to be glued in place first. Once that was
done, we measured, marked and cut accordingly.

3 4

Paint wood glue over the back of the individual pieces
and press into place on your door. Apply firm pressure
while making sure that each piece is lined up neatly
and flush with the edges of your door. Leave to dry.
TIP If necessary, hold the pieces in place with masking
tape until the wood glue has dried completely.
Use wood filler to fill in any gaps. Leave to dry before
sanding lightly for a smooth finish. If you are working
with an unpainted door, apply a universal undercoat
before painting the door, otherwise simply apply
enamel paint in a colour of your choice.

March 2015 IDEAS 39

craft & décor

40 IDEAS March 2015

projec t and photos by MAGDA DE L ANGE ex tra copy KEVIN SWARTS

March 2015 IDEAS 41

craft & décor
W
e found Magda de Lange
through her blog, www.
pigstails.blogspot.com, and
fell in love with her photography
and crochet work. She is an
ethnographer, humanist and global
learning specialist who, with her
family, has lived in South Africa,
Dubai, Penang, Hanoi, Bangkok and
Mumbai. She is currently based in
Doha, Qatar.
My crocheted wrap, which I call
the Alek Hexagon, was designed
to reflect the handmade plaster-
cast patterns characteristic of Qatari
buildings found throughout Doha.
I find the multi-layered cultural
and rural landscape of Qatar’s earliest
suburb, the Msheireb, intriguing.
This dilapidated area is known for its
historic value and I fell in love with
its gritty soul. The area is earmarked
for extensive regeneration with a
nod to both Qatar’s glorious past
and soaring ambitions for the future.
This landmark destination will be
reinterpreting the Msheireb’s old
forms to create a contemporary city.
I already feel the loss. . .
An artist-led initiative, the
‘Sadaa Al Thikrayat’, or the Echo
Memory Project, was established
to record and collect a wide range
of artefacts, stories and memories
from Msheireb. This collection will be
42 IDEAS March 2015
used as resources by local artists, the living in Dubai and we immediately
community and international artists became firm friends. After Dubai and
so the new development retains the collective experiences that included
memory and identity of Msheireb. travel to Southeast Asia and Central
As a woman it is challenging to Africa, we met again in South Africa
photograph an area that is home two years ago. When I needed some
to mainly blue-collar migrant yarn for a Doha-inspired project,
workmen from countries such as I turned to Hester and Martine, who
India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the are now based in Cape Town and
Philippines. A woman is a curiosity have established Moya Yarns, to
and being stared at is part of the hand-dye me a few skeins.
experience of living in the Middle Their high-quality yarns are
East. My husband accompanied lovingly hand-dyed in small batches
me as I went about my business using rich, colourfast pigments to get
of documenting the buildings a subtle depth of colour for people
and street life. Doha is one of the ‘as crazy about juicy, glowing colour
safest cities in the world and while as we are’, says Hester.
the staring is harmless it is still an
uncomfortable experience. • Email moya@theculinaryemporium.
I decided to make a wrap since co.za or go to www.facebook.com/
it is such a versatile and must-have moyayarns
item for expats living in Qatar. The
country has a modest dress code
that requires knees and shoulders
to be covered. It also gets very
hot here during the summer with Abbreviations
temperatures hitting 50oC! Air- beg beg
conditioned malls, hotels, restaurants ch chain
and office buildings in contrast are dc double crochet
often uncomfortably cool and a wrap dtr double treble
is a handy item to have, either to fol following
cover shoulders or for warmth. htr half treble
prev prev
rep repeat
rnd round
I met creative and entrepreneurial sl slip
mother and daughter duo Hester st(s) stitch(es)
Bester and Martine Ryder while tr treble
Alek Hexagon wrap
how to

1 2 3

Work 5 ch and close to form a ring. 1st rnd: 7 ch, dtr, 2 ch, * dtr, 3 ch, Beginning of 2nd rnd: dc into
dtr, 2 ch *, rep from * to * four space between dtr of prev rnd,
times, sl st to 4th ch from beg 2 ch, htr, 3 ch, 2 htr.
of rnd.

4 5 6

To complete 2nd rnd: * dc into fol Beginning of 3rd rnd: sl st into To complete 3rd rnd: dc into top
space, (2 htr, 3 ch, 2 htr) into fol top of fol st of prev rnd, * (dc, htr, of fol 4 sts of prev rnd *, rep from *
space *, rep from * to * end of rnd, tr, 3 ch, tr, htr, dc) into 3 ch loop. to * to end, sl st to dc at beg of rnd.
sl st to 2nd ch at beg of rnd.

7 8
4th rnd: sl st into top of each st of
prev rnd up to and including 1st ch
of 3 ch loop, * (3 ch, dc, 4 ch, dc, 3
ch, dc) into loop, sl st into 3rd ch of
loop, sl st to fol loop *, rep from *
to * to end, sl st to beg of rnd.
NOTE Moya yarn is a super
soft double knit with a high
twist. Suggested crochet
hook size is 3.5-4mm.
You will need to make 78 motifs.
To join the second motif to the
first, crochet up to the 1st 3 ch
picot in the 4th round, 2 ch, dc
through the corresponding 4 ch
picot on the first motif, 2 ch,
continue pattern and join the
second corner in the same manner
as the first. Continue joining motifs
to first row until there are a total
of 12. Starting from the left-hand
side, join the motifs of the second
row to those of the first row.
Each row will have one fewer motif
than the previous row, forming
a triangular wrap.

44 IDEAS March 2015

ELLE YARNS
IT’S A

{
Lifestyle
for timeless GArmeNts WitH style
try oUr sAxoNy yArN.

WWW.elleyArNs.com
pAtterN No 7483
craft & décor

PHOTOS, STYLING AND PROJECTS FROM AGNIESZKA STRYCHARSKA

When Agnieszka emailed us some of her work, we were so inspired
we immediately got the instructions for you – all the way from Poland.

Agnieszka Strycharska is a blogger and crochet designer
who lives with her husband, two children and a bunch of
cats and dogs in an old house in the countryside near the
Polish city of Lodz. She also loves painting. After working
in management for 11 years at a large international
company, she realised she had no time for herself, her
family and her passions and so she made some changes
and is now happy doing what she really wants to do. She
collaborates with Simply Crochet magazine and does
projects and photos for Polish internet magazines. She
taught herself to crochet and is planning to open an
online shop for her crocheted items and vintage finds.

46 IDEAS March 2015

Agnieszka Strycharska
craft & décor

To crochet work dc all around and make a long

Base rnd: using pink, work 4 ch, ss st down into rnd 2 between each
Abbreviations into first ch to make a ring. flower petal, ending with ss in first
beg begin(ning) Rnd 1: work 3 ch and 17 tr in ring, ch, fo. Weave in loose ends of yarn
ch chain ss into 3rd ch at beg of rnd, fo. on wrong side of work.
dc double crochet Rnd 2: join turquoise to first tr, work
dtr double treble 3 ch, 1 tr in same tr, * 2 ch, skip 1 tr, FLOWER BLANKET
fo fasten off 2 tr in next tr, rep from * until you
gp(s) group(s) have nine 2 tr-gps and 9 sps, 2 ch,
lp(s) loop(s) ss into 3rd ch at beg of rnd, fo.
rep repeat Rnd 3: join light mint to first 2 ch-
rnd round sp, work 3 ch, 1 tr, 3 ch, 2 tr in sp, 1
sp(s) space(s) ch, * (2 tr, 3 ch, 2 tr, 1 ch) in next 2
ss slip stitch ch-sp, rep from *, ending rnd with
st(s) stitch(es) ss into 3rd ch at beg of rnd, fo.
tr treble Rnd 4: join light green to first 3 ch-
sp, work 3 ch and 7 tr in same sp,
1 dc in next 1 ch-sp, * 8 tr in next
3 ch-sp, 1 dc in 1 ch-sp, rep from
*, ending rnd with ss into 3rd ch at
beg of rnd, fo. Weave in loose ends
SCALLOP-EDGED DOILY of yarn on wrong side of work.

AFRICAN
FLOWER DOILY

You will need

• 4-ply cotton yarn in pink,
light mint and violet or colours
of your choice
• 3mm crochet hook
• tapestry needle

You will need
• DK cotton yarn in light pink,
turquoise, light mint, light green or
other colours of your choice
• 4mm crochet hook
• tapestry needle
To crochet
Base rnd: using pink, work 4 ch, ss
into first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1: in ring work 3 ch, 1 tr, 1 ch, *
2 tr, 1 ch, rep from * until you have
six sps and six 2 tr-gps, ss into 3rd
ch at beg of rnd, fo.
Rnd 2: join mint to first 1 ch-sp,
work 3 ch and 1 tr, 2ch and 2 tr in
same sp, then work 1 ch, in next
sp work * (2 tr, 2 ch, 2 tr), 1 ch, rep You will need
from * in each sp until you have six • thick knitting yarn: 400g off-white,
st-gps, ss into 3rd ch at beg of rnd. 200g turquoise
Rnd 3: 3 ch, 8 tr in the 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, • 6mm crochet hook
* 9 tr in next 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, rep from • tapestry needle
* 5 times in all, ss into 3rd ch at beg NOTE You can also use a thinner yarn
of rnd, fo. and crochet hook if you want
Rnd 4: join in violet yarn, 1 ch, a different look for your blanket.

48 IDEAS March 2015

To crochet
Flower square (make 12)
Base rnd: work 4 ch, ss in first ch to
make a ring.
Rnd 1: 1 ch, 8 dc in ring, ss in first dc.
Rnd 2: work 6 ch (= 1 tr + 3 ch), * 1
tr in next dc, 3 ch *, rep from * to * 7
times in all, ss in 3rd ch at beg of rnd
[= 8 tr with 3 ch in between].
Rnd 3: start in 3 ch-sp, work 1 ch,
then work as follows: * 1 dc, 3 tr,
1 dc, rep from * in each sp, ending
rnd with ss in ch at beg of rnd
[= 8 leaves].
Rnd 4: starting between leaves, work
9 ch, then * 1 tr between next 2
leaves, 6 ch *, rep from * to * 7 times
in all, ending rnd with ss in 3rd ch at
beg of rnd [= 8 ch-lps].
Rnd 5: 1 ch, then work as follows in
every ch-lp: 1 dc, 5 tr and 1 dc, end-
ing rnd with ss in ch at beg of rnd
[= 8 leaves].
Rnd 6: work 12 ch, * 1 tr between
next 2 leaves, 9 ch *, rep from * to * 7
times in all, ending rnd with ss in 3rd
ch at beg of rnd [= 8 ch-lps].
Rnd 7: 1 ch, then work as follows in
every ch-lp: 1 dc, 7 tr and 1 dc, end-
ing rnd with ss in ch at beg of rnd
[= 8 leaves].
Rnd 8: ss to second tr on first leaf, 3
ch [= 1 tr], work * 9 ch [= corner], skip
3 tr and work 1 tr in 6th tr on same
leaf, 5 ch, 1 tr in second tr of next leaf,
5 ch, 1 tr in 6th tr on same leaf, 5 ch,
1 tr in second tr of next leaf, rep from
* 3 times more, ending rnd with ss in
3rd ch at beg of rnd omitting last 1 tr
in second tr of next leaf.
Rnd 9: 1 ss in 9 ch-lp, * 4 tr + 4 ch +
4 tr in ch-lp in corner, then work
(4 ch, 1 tr in next ch-lp) 3 times, 4 ch,
rep from *, ending with ss in first tr at
beg of rnd.
Rnd 10: ss to ch-lp in corner and
work 3 ch, 2 tr + 2 ch + 3 tr in ch-
lp, * 1 ch, 1 tr in each of next 3 tr, (1
ch, 4 tr in next ch-lp) 4 times, 1 ch,
1 tr in each of next 3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr +
2 ch + 3 tr in corner ch-lp, rep from
*, ending with ss in 3rd ch at beg of
rnd omitting last 3 tr + 2 ch + 3 tr in
corner ch-lp, fo.
When you are working rnd 10, you
can join the squares together in each
ch-sp and in 2 ch-sp in corner.
Finishing
Change to turquoise yarn.
Rnd 11: in corner of first square work
3 ch [= 1 tr], 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, then * 3
ch and 1 tr in each ch-sp and (3 tr, 3
ch, 3 tr) in corners *, rep from * to *,
working in between two squares 1 tr,
2 ch, 1 tr in ch-sp, ending rnd with ss
in 3rd ch at beg of rnd.
Rnd 12: in corner work 3 ch [= 1 tr],
2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, then * 3 ch and 1tr
in each ch-sp and (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) in
corners *, rep from * to *, ending rnd
with ss in 3rd ch at beg of rnd.
Rnd 13: in corner work 3 ch [= 1 tr],
2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, then * 3 ch and 3 tr
in each ch-sp and (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) in
corners *, rep from * to *, ending rnd
with ss in 3rd ch at beg of rnd.
Rnd 14: in corner work 3 ch [= 1 tr],
2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, then * 3 ch and 3 tr in
each 3 ch-sp and (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) in
corners *, rep from * to *, ending rnd
with ss in 3rd ch at beg of rnd. Weave
in loose ends of yarn on wrong side
of work.
Flower
You will need
• 4-ply knitting yarn in off-white,
light pink, light orange and light
green
• 3mm crochet hook
• tapestry needle
To crochet
Base rnd: using off-white, work 4 ch,
ss in first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1: work 5 dc in the ring, ending
with ss in first dc.
Rnd 2a: in each dc work 5 ch, ss in
same dc, rep until you have five
5 ch-lps.
Rnd 3a: In each dc work 7 ch, ss in
same dc, rep until you have five 7 ch-
lps [= 5 ch- and 7 ch-lps in each of
the 5 dc].
Rnd 4a: in each dc work 9 ch, ss in
same dc, rep until you have five 9
ch-lps [= 5 ch-, 7 ch- and 9 ch-lps in
each of the 5 dc].
Rnd 2b: (still in off-white ) in 5 ch-lp
work (1 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc), rep in each leaf,
ending with ss in first dc, fo.
Rnd 3b: join in light orange or light
pink and in 7 ch-lp work (1 dc, 5 tr,
1 dc), rep in each leaf, ending with ss
in first dc, fo.
Rnd 4b: join in light green and in 9
ch-lp work (1 dc, 7 tr, 1 dc), rep in
each leaf, ending with ss in first dc,
fasten off.
Weave in loose ends of yarn on
wrong side of work. Crochet a length
of ch sts and attach the flower to the
blanket with the chain.
AFRICAN FLOWER PURSE
You will need
• 4-ply cotton yarn in mint, yellow,
green and pink
• 3mm crochet hook
• purse clasp
• tapestry needle
March 2015 IDEAS 49
craft & décor
To crochet (make two)
Base rnd: using mint or yellow, work
4 ch, ss into first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1: in ring work 3 ch, 1 tr, 1 ch, * 2
tr, 1 ch, rep from * until you have six
sps and six 2 tr-gps, ss into 3rd ch at
beg of rnd, fo.
Rnd 2: join mint or green to first 1 ch-
sp, work 3 ch and 1 tr, 2 ch and 2 tr
in same space, 1 ch, * (2 tr, 2 ch, 2 tr)
in next sp, 1 ch, rep from * in each sp
until you have six gps, ss into 3rd ch
at beg of rnd.
Rnd 3: 3 ch, 8 tr in 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, * 9
tr in next 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, rep from * 5
times in all, ss into 3rd ch at beg of
rnd, fo.
Rnd 4: join in green or yellow, 1 ch,
work dc all around and make a long
stitch down into rnd 2 in between
each flower petal, ending with ss in
first ch, fo.
Rnd 5: join pink to centre of flower
petal – it will be the corner of the
hexagon: 3 ch, 1 tr in each of next 8
dc (skipping long st), 1 ch, then 1 tr
into same dc as last tr, * then 1 tr in
each of next 9 dc (skipping long st),
1 ch and 1 tr in same dc as last tr, rep
from * 4 times more, ss into 3rd ch at
beg of rnd, fo. Weave in loose ends
of yarn on wrong side of work.
To make up
Place two pieces together, join in
pink yarn in between two flower
petals, work dc around four petals
catching both pieces in seam and
fasten off. Sew a clasp in open upper
part of the purse as in the picture.
FLOWER CUSHION
You will need
• DK cotton yarn in pastel colours:
yellow, off-white, pink, light blue,
light green, dark pink, mustard,
turquoise
• 4mm crochet hook
• tassel braid to go around cushion
cover
• 2 buttons
50 IDEAS March 2015
• tapestry needle
• inner cushion
To crochet
Base rnd: using yellow, work 4 ch, ss
into first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1: in ring make 4 ch, 1 tr and 1
ch, then rep with 6 more tr and 1 ch
in between tr, ss into 3rd ch at beg
of rnd, fo [= 8 sts].
Rnd 2: join pink or light blue to any
ch-sp, work 3 ch, then 4 tr into the
same ch-sp [you should have 5 sts],
drop lp from hook, insert hook from
front to back under the top 2 lps
of first tr of gp, pick up dropped lp
with hook and pull through st, * 3
ch, 5 tr in next ch-sp, drop lp from
hook, insert hook from front to
back under the top 2 lps of first tr of
gp, pick up dropped lp with hook
and pull through st [= 1 popcorn],
rep from * to end of rnd, working
3 ch after the last popcorn worked,
ending rnd with ss into top st of first
popcorn, fo [= 8 popcorns].
Rnd 3: join light green in between
two popcorns and work 3 ch, in the
same 3 ch-sp work an incomplete
tr, yarn over, make another
incomplete tr so that you have 3 lps
on hook, yarn over and draw the
yarn through 2 lps on hook, make
another incomplete tr to have 3 lps
on hook, then draw yarn through
3 lps, then 2 ch. In the same 3 ch-
sp work 2 incomplete tr so that
you have 3 lps on hook, yarn over
and draw the yarn through 2 lps on
hook, make another 2 incomplete
tr to have 4 lps on hook, then draw
yarn through 4 lps [= 1 cluster], 2 ch,
rep, making 1 cluster, 2 ch, 1 cluster,
2 ch in each 3 ch-sp, ending rnd
with ss into top st of first cluster, fo
[= 16 clusters].
Rnd 4: join off-white in any 2 ch-sp,
work 2 ch and 2 dc, in next 2 ch-sp
work 3 tr, * in next 2 ch-sp work 2 tr,
1 dtr, 3 ch, 1 dtr, 2 tr for corner, then
3 tr in next 2 ch-sp, 3 dc in next 2
ch-sp, 3 tr in next 2 ch-sp, rep from *
all round, ss in top of 2 ch at beg of
rnd, fo.
Crochet 9 flowers in two colourways.
Place in three rows of three motifs
each and using dark pink and dc,
start with joining three motifs at
a time and then joining the three
rows together as in picture, fasten
off. Weave in loose ends of yarn on
wrong side of work.
Finishing
Using dark pink, start in corner of
first motif, work 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc in
ch-sp of corner (rep in each corner)
and dc all around joined motifs, ss in
first dc, fo.
Change to mustard and rep
previous rnd.
Granny squares tassel braid all around flower side of
side of cushion
Combine colours in different
colourways, as in the picture.
Base rnd: work 4 ch, ss into first ch to
make a ring.
Rnd 1: work 3 ch and 2 tr in ring,
then *2 ch, 3 tr, rep from * until you
have four 3 tr-gps and four 2 ch-sps
between each 3 tr-gp, ss in top of 3
ch at beg of rnd, fo.
Rnd 2: join new colour in a 2 ch-sp
work 3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, then * 3
ch, 3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 2 ch-sp, rep
from * twice more, 3 ch, ss in top of 3
ch at beg of rnd, fo.
Rnd 3: join new colour in a 3 ch-sp
in corner and work 3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3
tr, then * 3 tr in next 3 ch-sp, in next
corner work 3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, rep from *
all around, ss in top of 3 ch at beg of
rnd, fo.
Crochet 36 granny squares. Place
them together in 6 rows of 6 squares
each and join with dc in between
every 3 tr as in the picture, fo. Weave
in loose ends of yarn on wrong side
of work.
Finishing
Using light pink, start in corner of first
square and work 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc in 3
ch-sp (rep in each corner) and dc all
around joined squares.
Change to light violet and work in
corner of first square 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc
in 2 ch-sp (rep in each corner) and
dc all around joined squares. Weave
in loose ends of yarn on wrong side
of work.
To make up
Place granny squares side of
pillowcase together with flower side,
and using turquoise, work in corner
of first flower 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc in ch-sp
(rep in each corner) and dc along the
top and side edges of pillowcase,
leaving bottom edge open. Sew on
buttons to open edge of granny
squares side, in line with dark pink
joining lines of flower side. Sew on
cushion cover. Insert inner cushion
and button up.
PASTEL FLOWER PURSE
You will need
• 4-ply cotton yarn in pastel
colours: violet, off-white,
turquoise, pink, mint, and
light pink.
• 3mm crochet hook
• purse clasp
• tapestry needle
To crochet (make two)
Base rnd: using violet, work 4 ch, ss
into first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1: in ring make 4 ch, 1 tr and 1
ch, then rep with 6 more tr and 1 ch
in between tr, ss into 3rd ch at beg of
rnd, fo [= 8 sts].
Rnd 2: join off-white to any ch-sp,
work 3 ch, then 4 tr into the same
ch-sp [you should have 5 sts], drop
lp from hook, insert hook from front
to back under the top 2 lps of first
tr of gp, pick up dropped lp with
hook and pull through st, * 3 ch, 5
tr in next ch-sp, drop lp from hook,
insert hook from front to back under
the top 2 lps of first tr of gp, pick
up dropped lp with hook and pull
through st [= 1 popcorn], rep from
* to end of rnd, working 3 ch after
the last popcorn worked, ending rnd
with ss into top st of first popcorn, fo
[= 8 popcorns].
Rnd 3: join turquoise in between two
popcorns and work 3 ch, in the same
3 ch-sp work an incomplete tr, yarn
over, make another incomplete tr
so that you have 3 lps on hook, yarn
over and draw the yarn through 2 lps
on hook, make another incomplete
tr to have 3 lps on hook, then draw
yarn through 3 lps, then 2 ch. In the
same 3 ch-sp work 2 incomplete tr
so that you have 3 lps on hook, yarn
over and draw the yarn through 2 lps
on hook, make another 2 incomplete
tr to have 4 lps on hook, then draw
yarn through 4 lps [= 1 cluster], 2 ch,
rep, making 1 cluster, 2 ch, 1 cluster,
2 ch in each 3 ch-sp, ending rnd with
ss into top st of first cluster, fo [= 16
clusters].
Rnd 4: join pink to a 2 ch-sp and work
2 ch, 1 dc in same sp, then 2 dc in
each 2 ch-sp to end of rnd, join with
ss in top of 2 ch at beg of rnd, fo.
Rnd 5: join in violet, 2 ch, dc in each
dc to end of rnd.
Rnds 6, 7, 8 and 9: As rnd 5, but
changing colours in each rnd as in
picture.
Weave in loose ends of yarn on
wrong side of work.
To make up
Place two pieces together, join in
yarn and work dc in each dc halfway
around to close lower part of purse,
fasten off. Sew a clasp in upper part
of purse as in picture.
CROCHET KITS TO ORDER
Wool Junction is selling yarn kits
for the scallop-edged doily and the
flower cushion. To order, go to
www.wooljunction.co.za or call
076 394 7138.
• http://niebieskachata.blogspot.com/
• https://www.facebook.
com/pages/Niebieska-
chata/306793779417841?ref=hl
March 2015 IDEAS 51
craft & décor

Spend some time in second-hand

shops and vintage markets to find
a selection of embroidered cloths to
make this nostalgic bed linen.

projec t KEVIN SWARTS st yling CARIN SMITH photos ED O’RILEY

March 2015 IDEAS 53
craft & décor
Size
Double bed.
You will need
• 205 x 202cm printed sheeting
• 205 x 202cm white sheeting (see note)
• various embroidered traycloths and
tablecloths
• matching sewing thread
• 9 press studs
To make
NOTE If broadcloth sheeting is
unavailable, join two 205 x 102cm
lengths down the middle.
All seam allowances are 1cm.
54 IDEAS March 2015
1 Hem one 202cm edge on each of
the two duvet panels with a 2cm-
wide double-fold hem.
2 Pin and sew the embroidered
cloths to the right side of the white
panel. Make sure that all the edges
of the cloths are inside the seam
allowances and hem of the panel.
3 Pin the two duvet panels, right
sides together, matching the two
hemmed edges. Mark the centre of
the hemmed edges. Next, measure
and mark a point 50cm on both
sides of the centre point. Start
sewing the outer edge of the duvet
cover from one of these points. First,
sew across the hems, 90 degrees
to the edge, to just over the hem
fold on the inside. Continue sewing
parallel and right next to the inner
hem fold, towards the first corner.
Sew the remaining edges of the
duvet cover, ending at the second
50cm mark in the same manner as
the first. Overlock the three raw
seam allowances of the cover.
4 Turn the cover through to the right
side. At 10cm intervals, mark nine
pairs of matching points along the
hems of the opening. Attach the
press studs to the hem at these
points, making sure that the two
sides of the press studs correspond.
TIP Sew pretty cloths onto plain
BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6
pillowcases, to match the duvet.
Carpet from Mr Price Home. Table from
Peter Osborn. Bunting and clock from
In Good Company. Frame from Loads
of Living. Mug from Ceramic Factory.
 craft & décor

You will need

We were inspired by our Ideas stationery range (search on kalahari.com • template and stitch guide
under ‘ideas magazine’ or email Marweya.Smal@media24.com to order) for embroidered frame
and copied one of the frames that Terry Angelos designed for us to use • picture of your choice
in this embroidery project. For the picture, use a high-resolution digital • transfer paper
photograph, or scan the picture of your choice onto your computer. • white fabric
• DMC stranded embroidery
cotton in Dark Grey
(colour number 3799)
Back stitch
Stem stitch • embroidery needle
• embroidery hoop
Stem stitch • iron-on interfacing
(optional, see step 2)

Back stitch 1 Decide how large your

picture should be and
Back stitch cut the white fabric
accordingly. Copy the frame
Back stitch template alongside in the
Stem stitch Stem desired size. Trace the frame
stitch onto your fabric.
2 Print your picture onto
the transfer paper using
Stem stitch
an inkjet printer and leave
for five minutes so the
Back stitch Back
stitch
ink can dry. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
Stem stitch and iron the image onto
Stem stitch the fabric. Make sure your
picture is in the correct
Back stitch Stem stitch position inside the frame
before you start ironing.
Iron interfacing onto the
Stem stitch wrong side of the fabric to
strengthen it, if you prefer.
3 Working with an
Back stitch
embroidery hoop and
Stem stitch three strands of cotton, and
Back stitch following the stitch guide
alongside, embroider the
frame around your picture.
We used a combination of
back stitch and stem stitch.
Stem stitch 4 Once the embroidery is
complete, overlock or hem
the edges of the fabric and
then iron it face down on
a towel. Now it is ready to
frame and hang on the wall.
Back stitch
Stem stitch

56 IDEAS March 2015

 Embroider a delicate frame around your
favourite picture and turn it into a work of art.

projec t ELIZABE TH FESTER st yling CARIN SMITH photo ED O’RILEY

 Lifestyle
Dala Watts looks at what’s new BEADS FOR BABY
and interesting in the shops. BABE-Eeze silicone beads
DO YOU KNOW OF A LOVELY NEW SHOP OR are ideal for babies who are
BEAUTIFUL DÉCOR OR CRAFT RANGE THAT WE
SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? IF SO, EMAIL US AND WE
teething. The beads are strong
WILL CONSIDER FEATURING IT ON THIS PAGE. and non-toxic, and babies
Design your own Galago can chew them or simply
sandals. Go to www. play with them to keep their
little fingers busy. They’re
galagoonline.co.za
also pretty enough for Mom
DESIGNER and choose your
to wear around her neck, so
shoe size and the
SANDALS colour for the ankle
they’re always on hand. They
come in a variety of colours
and T-straps. You
and styles and cost from R100
can select more
per string at Clicks.
than one set of straps
to mix and match so
you have a pair of sandals
for each outfit in your wardrobe.
Having one pair of soles with multiple
uppers makes holiday packing simple.

This lovely ceramic bowl is part

of a new Woolworths range of
imported Portuguese serving
plates and jugs. The items cost
from R170 to R399.

NEW CONCEPT
Bags of style
These beach bags are a new addition
to the popular Lou Harvey range of
handbags. They’re a good size and
can be zipped closed. If you’re not
going to the beach, they are just as
handy as an overnight bag.

Créma’s new showroom in Albert

Road, Woodstock, Cape Town looks
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED AND ED O’RILEY

like a gallery with the furniture,

Available accessories and lighting displayed
from www. against a white background. As you
louharvey. enter you receive an iPad to scan the
co.za, or call product codes for prices and other
031 208 0930. details. Look out for the Danish range
Hay. Call Créma on 021 448 7775.

58 IDEAS March 2015

 FOOD
Entertaining
Louisa Holst looks at a
few fabulous food ideas.

Italian flavours
Try the Waitrose range of Italian products
available at Food Lover’s Market stores
nationwide. The pastas (R26,99) are made in the
Campania region of Italy from organic durum
wheat. There’s also a range of tasty ready-made
sauces (R44,99-R59,99) from which to choose.

WINE AND DINE
Visit La Bella Deli & Restaurant and Baleia Bay wine cellar just
outside Riversdale on the Cape South Coast. La Bella offers
delicious homemade meals and freshly baked products in a
child-friendly environment. Enjoy a lazy lunch if you live in the
area or pop in when you’re visiting the Garden Route. Taste
and stock up on Baleia Bay wines and olive products. Go to
www.baleiabay.co.za for more information.
COOL SCOOPS
You’ll need an ice-cream scoop when you try
our delicious ice-cream recipes on page 62.
We loved these Pylones scoops with their
funky designs. Available for R399,99 from the
Pylones store at the V&A Waterfront in Cape
Town or online at www.happygifts.co.za.

If you are watching your carbohydrate intake but can’t always find the time to cook from scratch,
help is at hand. Woolworths offers a carb-clever range of ready-made meals and accompaniments
that exclude carbohydrates, but include plenty of seasonal vegetables, delicious creamy
sauces and spicy accompaniments for full-on flavour.
• Meals range from R47,95 to R59,95 per portion.

COCKTAIL HOUR
Looking for a mixer for your
artisanal vodka, fine brandy
or single malt? Fitch & Leedes
has launched a range of
mixers for discerning tastes.
They come in five classic
flavours and are sold in glass
bottles. From selected stores
for around R10 per bottle.
food & entertaining

Indulge with one of

these fabulous frozen treats.
by LOUISA HOLST photos ED O’RILEY
st yling HANNES KOEGELENBERG

Raspberry, pecan and

caramel ripple (left) and fresh
mint and vanilla chocolate
wafer (recipes on page 68)

62 IDEAS March 2015

 Fruit and yoghurt lollies, and
kiwi slice lollies (recipes on page 64)
food & entertaining
Makes: about 6 depending
on the lolly moulds
Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus
freezing time
• fresh fruit of your choice (mango,
pineapple, strawberries, and so on)
• 60ml fruit juice
• 25ml sugar
• 125ml Greek-style yoghurt
1 Choose a fruit and peel (if
necessary) then cut into cubes.
Blend in a liquidiser until smooth.
You need to make 125ml fruit
purée. Stir in the fruit juice. Pour
a layer of the mixture into plastic
lolly moulds.
2 Freeze for two hours or until firm.
Stir the sugar into the yoghurt
Easy lemon and ginger
cheesecake ice cream
and then add a layer of yoghurt
to each lolly mould. Freeze until
firm. Continue with layers as you
prefer. Alternatively, you can
make solid fruit or yoghurt lollies.
Once you have put the final layer
in, press a lolly stick into the
middle of each lolly.
3 When ready to serve, hold the
lollies under warm water for a
few seconds to loosen them
from the mould, then pull out of
the mould and enjoy.
Press 2-3 kiwi slices onto the sides
of the lolly mould and then freeze
for an hour or two. Pour the fruit
purée and fruit juice mixture into
the lolly mould and then freeze
until almost set. Add the lolly stick
and freeze until firm.
Serves: 8-10
Preparation time: 30 minutes
• 250ml cream
• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 tub smooth low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 fresh lemon (juice and zest)
• ½ packet of ginger biscuits, crushed in
a food processor
• 50ml honey, plus extra to serve
• fresh fruit, to serve (optional)
1 Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
2 Beat the condensed milk and cottage
cheese together until smooth. Stir in
the lemon juice and zest.
3 Fold a little of the cream into the
condensed milk mixture. Then fold
the condensed milk mixture into the
remaining whipped cream.
4 Pour half of the mixture into a loaf
tin or other container. Put it into the
freezer and freeze for an hour or until
beginning to set.
5 Sprinkle the crushed biscuits over the
mixture in the container and then
drizzle with the honey. Spoon the
remaining cream mixture over the
top and return to the freezer. Freeze
until hard. Remove from the freezer
10 minutes before serving, to make
slicing or scooping easier. Serve on
its own or with some fresh or grilled
summer fruit and honey.
If you don’t have time to make ice
cream from scratch, buy a good quality
vanilla ice cream and try one of these
scrumptious sundaes.
Bar One and peanut sundae
Cut up 100g Bar One chocolate. Pour
100ml cream into a bowl and add the
chocolate. Heat over a saucepan of
simmering water. Once the chocolate
starts to melt, stir until smooth. Remove
Nothing says comfort
more than a draped
dress in a T-shirt fabric.
Dress (R520) from
The Space. Shoes
(R479) from Bronx.
Heart necklace (R130)
from Imagenius.
Celebrate the
last weeks of
summer with soft
ice-cream colours
that will make you
feel as cool and
fresh as you look.
by CARIN SMITH
photos ED O’RILEY

Model: Diana from D&A Model

Management. Make-up and hair:
Lyndall from Supernova.

BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6

March 2015 IDEAS 65

fashion & entertaining

Inject a bit of playfulness

into your wardrobe with
stripes. Opt for a thinner
stripe that is flattering for
most body types.
Dress (R355) from Style
Republic at Spree.
Bracelets (R150 for a set)
from Lulu Belle.

66 IDEAS March 2015

Bar One and
peanut sundae
(recipe on page 64)

Tropical
delight
sundae

Cookies and
from the heat and cool. Chop a handful cream sundae
of salted, toasted peanuts and a handful
of chocolate-coated peanuts. Put two to
three scoops of vanilla ice cream into a
sundae glass. Add a spoonful of Bar One
sauce, sprinkle with chopped nuts and
garnish with a maraschino cherry and a
vanilla wafer biscuit.

Cookies and cream sundae

Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream into
a sundae glass. Add a few chopped
strawberries and drizzle with strawberry
coulis or sauce. Repeat with another
layer or two. Top with whipped cream
and chopped strawberry wafer biscuits.
Sprinkle with hundreds and thousands
and finish off with a Belgian wafer biscuit.

Tropical delight sundae

Peel and cube a mango and blend in
a food processor until smooth. Add
50ml Malibu coconut liqueur (optional).
Layer vanilla ice cream with cubed
fresh mango, the mango purée and
fresh granadilla pulp. Top with toasted
coconut flakes and a fresh mint leaf.
food & entertaining
1 Heat the cream, milk, sugar and 1ml
Makes: 1 litre salt together in a saucepan until
Preparation time: 45 minutes, just before the mixture begins to
plus freezing time simmer. Remove from the heat.
Cooking time: about 15 minutes 2 Whisk the egg yolks. Add a little of
the hot cream mixture to the egg
• 500ml cream yolks and whisk. Add about a third
• 250ml milk of the cream mixture, a little at a
• 160ml sugar time, while whisking. Stir into the
• 6 large egg yolks remaining cream mixture.
• 1ml vanilla seed extract or other 3 Return to the heat and cook over
flavouring of your choice a low heat, stirring to prevent
(see below) lumps. Once the mixture thickens
slightly and coats the back of
a spoon, it is ready. Make sure
the temperature is not too high
because the mixture will curdle.
4 Remove from the heat and strain.
Stir in the vanilla extract if using
and set aside to cool. Pour the
custard mixture into a plastic
container and refrigerate overnight.
5 Switch the ice-cream machine on
and pour in the custard mixture.
Churn until the mixture is thick
and frozen. Stir in the flavouring of
your choice if using and transfer
the ice cream to a container with
a lid. Freeze overnight or until
ready to serve. If you don’t have
an ice-cream machine, pour the
cold custard mixture into a shallow
container and freeze. Once crystals
start to form, remove from the
freezer and whisk with a fork.
Return to the freezer and repeat
2-3 times, then freeze until firm.
FLAVOUR OPTIONS
Fresh mint and vanilla
chocolate wafer
Once the custard has been removed
from the heat, add 2-3 sprigs of
roughly chopped fresh mint. Cover
and refrigerate overnight. Just before
putting it into the ice-cream machine,
strain it and discard the mint. Add a
few drops of green food colouring, if
you prefer. Chop up a white chocolate
Kit Kat. Once the ice cream is ready,
fold the chocolate through. Freeze
until ready to serve.
Raspberry, pecan and
caramel ripple
Place 125ml fresh or frozen
raspberries into a bowl. Add 25ml
castor sugar and leave to stand
for 30 minutes. Once you have
prepared the ice cream, transfer
it to a container. Put spoonfuls
of raspberry and 50ml toasted
chopped pecan nuts and 50ml
Caramel Treat onto the ice cream
and then use a blunt knife to ripple
the ingredients through the ice
cream. Freeze until ready to serve.
Makes: about a litre
Preparation time: 30 minutes,
plus freezing time
Cooking time: 5 minutes
• 500ml apple cider
• 150ml sugar
• 350g strawberries
• 350g blueberries or
blackberries
• 30ml lemon juice
1 Heat the cider and sugar
together in a saucepan. Bring
to the boil and simmer for three
minutes, then remove from the
heat and set aside to cool.
2 Blend the berries in a food
processor until smooth. Strain
and mix the strained liquid with
the cider. Add the lemon juice.
Chill overnight.
3 Pour into an ice-cream machine
and churn until frozen. Transfer
to another container and freeze
overnight or until ready to serve.
If you don’t have an ice-cream
machine, pour the cold mixture
into a shallow container and
freeze. Once crystals start to
form, remove from the freezer
and whisk with a fork. Return to
the freezer and repeat 2-3 times,
then freeze until firm.
 Berry and
apple cider sorbet

March 2015 IDEAS 69

fashion & entertaining

Look for breezy wardrobe

items with lace inserts and in
lightweight linen.
Top (R600) from August at
Mr & Mrs. Necklace (R119)
and handbag (R500) from
Accessorize. Linen trousers
(R1 599) from Habits. Shoes
(R899) from Aldo.

70 IDEAS March 2015

how to
You will need • Fondant • CMC or Dyocell (available from baking shops) • powder food colouring in the
colour of your choice • yellow powder food colouring • small round cutter • cornflour • rolling pin • balling tool
• foam mat (optional) • petal glue (optional) • small paintbrushes • bulbous cone tool • egg or painting tray
• paper towel • black edible marker

1 2 3

Work the CMC or Dyocell into
the fondant. Colour some of the
fondant in your chosen colour. Dust
the work surface with cornflour and
roll the fondant out to about 2mm
thick. Use the round cutter to cut
five circles for each flower. Use the
rolling pin to roll the circles into
slightly oblong shapes. Press gently
so that they form even shapes.
Place the petals on a foam mat or
on the palm of your hand (dust
your palm with cornflour first).
Use the balling tool to thin the
sides by gently working the edge
of the petal.
Use a little petal glue or water
to stick the petals together. Start
with the two at the top back, then
the two side petals and lastly the
centre front petal.

4 5 6

Put a little powdered food

Press the bulbous cone tool into
the point in the centre where the
petals all come together. Press
the tool in just deep enough to
make a hollow, but don’t press
it right through. Press the sides
together gently so that the hollow
is slightly elongated.
Place the flowers in a paint tray or
egg tray to dry overnight.
colouring onto a piece of paper
towel. Lightly dust a dry paintbrush
with some colouring, then dust
onto the flowers to shade and
intensify the coloured petals. Add a
little to the tips of the petals, if you
prefer. Dust yellow into the centre.
Use the edible marker to draw
lines from the centre of the flower
outwards. Make the lines slightly
thicker around the centre and thin
them towards the ends.

72 IDEAS March 2015

by TANI KIRSTEN photos ED O’RILEY

Decorate your bakes with pansies that you can make in any colour.

March 2015 IDEAS 73

beauty

The search for eternal youth is never-ending.

We’ve put together a few of the latest and greatest, most exotic
and ground-breaking products in the beauty world right now.
by ELSA KRÜGER st yling CARIN SMITH photos ED O’RILEY

F
rom the depths of the ocean to
the far reaches of outer space,
the search for the next anti-
ageing wonder product is a ceaseless
race to try to find the ultimate
elixir of youth. Caviar, crystals, stem
cells, roses, apples, roots and bulbs,
precious stones and metals, minerals,
mud and even magic molecules
that mimic bee or snake venom
– here are a few of the best and
brightest breakthroughs in beauty
and skincare.
How it works: Meteorites consist
mainly of silicone. The silicone
reserves in our bodies decrease with
age, especially in our skin, veins and
cartilage. The silicone in Filorga’s
new Skin-Absolute is necessary for
the synthesis of collagen, elastin and
hyaluronic acid. The meteorite dust
is responsible for the black colour of
this product, but it disappears when
applied to the skin.
Find it in: Filorga Skin-Absolute
Ultimate Anti-Ageing Night
Cream (R1 700).
How it works: The cellular DNA of
caviar has anti-ageing properties
because it stimulates fibroblast
cells in the dermis layer of the
skin to produce collagen and
elastin. More collagen and elastin
means the skin appears firmer.
Find it in: Matis Reponse Premier
Eye Gel (R1 200). It’s a fine gel
that is black in colour, but
becomes completely clear when
it is gently dabbed around the
eye area.
How it works: A flavonoid-rich
floral extract that strengthens
cell membranes to provide
improved protection.
Find it in: Noreva Trio White
Corrector Pen Targeted Action
(R279,95 at Clicks). It contains a
floral extract as well as patented
Reductol and Vita C2G that block
the formation of melanin. Great
for addressing brown patches
and hyperpigmentation.
How it works: Growth factors are
proteins that occur naturally in the
skin. They act as cellular messengers,
kick-starting the formation of
collagen and elastin as well as the
skin’s natural repair programmes.
Growth factors basically ‘instruct’ the
skin to restore its own youthfulness.
EGF (epidermal growth factors):
Scientists at BioEffect in Iceland
grow barley in pumice stones by
using strictly controlled amounts of
nutrients, hydroponics and specific
wavelengths of light. The DNA code
of human EGF is loaded into the little
plants before they’re left to grow
for 90 days, after which the newly
formed EGF is harvested for use in
BioEffect products.
FGF (fibroblast growth factors):
The Ericson Laboratoire cosmetic
laboratory in France formulated
FGF technology and patented it as
Linefactor. Within 42 days it makes
the skin thicker, firmer and denser.
It also repairs the loss of elasticity,

74 IDEAS March 2015

reduces wrinkles and improves skin
texture, especially in older skin.
Find it in: BioEffect EGF Serum
(R1 585); and Ericson Laboratoire
Energy Lift Super Lifting Cream with
FGF (R870).
How it works: Stem cells are toti-
potent, meaning they can divide and
produce new organisms. All plant
stem cells can form differentiated cell
types and renew themselves. Stem
cells (whether from human, animal
or plant sources) stimulate regular
cells to renew themselves. New plant
stem cells are constantly identified
and incorporated into skincare, the
latest ones being from roses, the
argan plant, apples and sea fennel.
Find it in: Rodial Stemcell Super-
Food Cleanser (R750); and NeoStrata
Skin Active Intensive Eye Therapy
(R880).
blood), comes from different species
of trees in Mexico, the Amazonian
rainforests, Central America and
South America. Rich in vitamins,
minerals, phyto albumin and phenols
(carbolic acid), it has wound-healing
properties, stimulates collagen and
improves firmness. It also soothes
sensitive and stressed skin.
Find it in: Rodial Dragon’s Blood
Cleansing Water (R650); and Clarins
Super Restorative Day Cream
for Very Dry Skin (R1 220), which
contains extract of the harungana
plant, also known as the healing tree
or dragon’s blood tree.
How it works: Bee venom stimulates
cell renewal by causing the skin to
react as if it’s experiencing a light
bee sting. Anti-ageing effects include
fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Find it in: Nip + Fab Bee Sting Fix
Cream Deluxe (R425).
venom of the temple viper, native to
Southeast Asia. Its effective wrinkle-
smoothing compound acts rapidly.
Find it in: Nip + Fab Viper Venom
Wrinkle Fix (R364).
How it works: Snail-slime extract is
a beauty secret from the heart of
Mother Nature. Years ago, workers
on snail farms started noticing that
their hands were looking softer,
younger and smoother when they
were harvesting snails. From there
it was a small step to formulating
a skincare range that utilises the
extract as its active ingredient.
Find it in: Celltone Snail Extract
Gel (R149,90).
How it works: Lancôme developed
a breakthrough complex from
their specially grown Lancôme

How it works: Hexapeptide-10 is a

polypeptide or chain of six amino
acids. It stimulates the production
of a protein in the body that boosts
collagen formation and acts as
a messenger for cell growth and
multiplication. The result is firmer
skin, improved elasticity and
plumpness, smaller pores and fewer
fine lines and wrinkles.
Find it in: Dr. Gobac Cosmeceuticals
Day Balance Cream (R445).
How it works: The active ingredient
Syn-ake is based on a synthetic
tripeptide that works like Botox. It
relaxes facial features and expression
lines, and works like certain types
of viper venom that paralyse the
muscles. It mimics the effect of
Waglerin-1, a peptide found in the

How it works: This red

resin, known as Sangre
de Drago (dragon’s
beauty
Native Rose, for use in a few of their
exclusive and expensive skincare
products. Then they figured out
that it also softens and strengthens
eyelashes, making them appear
thicker and fuller.
Find it in: Lancôme Grandiôse
Mascara (R399).
How it works: Silk has an anti-ageing
effect on the skin and acts as a very
gentle exfoliant that brings younger,
fresher skin to the surface. It is widely
used in Japanese skincare.
Find it in: Sensai Silky Purifying Silk
Peeling Mask (R945). Apart from silk,
Sensai Silky Purifying Silk Peeling
Powder (R945) also contains an
extract of the soapbark tree from
Chile, which produces a silky foam.
How it works: Developed to
improve and prolong the results of
procedures such as Botox, this serum
inhibits muscle activity that causes
expression lines and helps prevent
new wrinkles from forming.
Find it in: Optiphi Post-Tox Serum
Post-Treatment Enhancer (R100).
How it works: The fruit of the baobab
tree contains as much calcium as
a litre of milk, more vitamin C than
six oranges and more iron than a
piece of red meat. Women all over
Africa have been utilising the healing
powers of its fruit oil for centuries
to protect hair and skin against the
elements. It promotes skin elasticity
and cell renewal.
Find it in: Eco Products Baobab Oil
(R219,31 for 100ml).
How it works: The healing, anti-age-
ing effects of macadamia oil include
76 IDEAS March 2015
keeping skin supple and elastic, and
softening dry, damaged skin.
Find it in: Marc Anthony Healing
Macadamia Oil Deep Moisture Body
Butter (R144,95).
How it works: Golden chamomile
is found in Africa. It’s a plant rich in
flavonoids that helps to calm the skin
and also soothes puffy eyelids.
Find it in: Dermalogica
Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum (R760).
How it works: Black pearls consist of
amino acids, zinc, selenium, titanium
and proteins. The powder is used as
a nutrient for skin, which renews and
rejuvenates. It helps rid the skin of
toxins and lightens dark marks.
Find it in: Black Pearl Age-Control
Pearl Peeling Mask (R760). A mask
that gently removes dead skin cells
to bring younger, fresher, brighter
skin to the surface.
How it works: A botanical sugar
extract that helps thicken the
epidermis, especially in the area
around the eyes, which becomes
thinner with age. It also strengthens
the skin structure by improving
firmness and reducing sagging.
Find it in: Kiehl’s Super Multi-
Corrective Eye-Opening Serum (R495).
How it works: An extract of an
Asian mint species that prevents
the breakdown of hyaluronic acid
that occurs naturally in the skin by
inhibiting the activity of the enzyme
that causes it, and anchoring moisture
where the skin needs it most.
Find it in: Kiehl’s Dermatologist
Solutions Hydro-Plumping
Retexturizing Concentrate (R625).
How it works: A red extract rich in
calcium with an astonishing effect –
preventing the fat cells, which drag
down the contours of the lower half
of the face causing a double chin and
folds in the neck, from forming and
maturing. It stimulates the formation
of collagen that strengthens and
refines the contours of the face.
Find it in: Ericson Laboratoire Energy
Lift Morpho-Slim Serum (R940).
• Aloe: Esse Refining Cleanser (R190).
• Mongongo seeds from the Kalahari:
Africa Organics Mongongo Shampoo
(R45) and Conditioner (R45).
• Chia-seed oil: Latinoil Hair
Treatment (R295).
• Marula oil: A powerful antioxidant.
Esse Repair Oil (R260).
DID YOU KNOW?
The difference between fine lines
and wrinkles: wrinkles are formed by
facial expressions. Unlike fine lines,
wrinkles don’t disappear when the
face ‘rests’. Wrinkles usually appear
on the forehead, between the eye-
brows, as laugh lines and in the neck.
1 Filorga Skin-Absolute Ultimate Anti-
Ageing Night Cream (R1 700). 2 Clarins
Super Restorative Day Cream for Very
Dry Skin (R1 220). 3 Kiehl’s Super Multi-
Corrective Eye-Opening Serum (R495).
4 Celltone Snail Extract Gel (R149,90).
5 Black Pearl Age-Control Pearl Peeling
Mask (R760). 6 Rodial Dragon’s Blood
Cleansing Water (R650). 7 Sensai
Silky Purifying Silk Peeling Mask
(R945). 8 Lancôme Grandiôse Mascara
(R399). 9 Esse Refining Cleanser
(R190). 10 Africa Organics Mongongo
Conditioner (R45). 11 Marc Anthony
Healing Macadamia Oil Deep Moisture
Body Butter (R144,95). 12 Nip + Fab
Viper Venom Wrinkle Fix (R364).
13 Eco Products Baobab Oil (R219,31).
14 Matis Reponse Premier Eye Gel
(R1 200). 15 Nip + Fab Bee Sting Fix
Cream Deluxe (R425).
 1

2 3

6 7 8

10
11

12

13

14 15

March 2015 IDEAS 77

craft & décor

We made our own little plate using

white air-dry clay and a glass plate to
press a pattern into it in relief. Using
a rolling pin, flatten your air-dry clay
to a thickness of about 5mm, then
use a craft knife to cut out a circular
shape slightly larger than your
plate. Place this clay disc over
the back of your plate and cut
away the excess. Press the clay
onto the plate to transfer the
pattern and roll lightly with
the rolling pin to smooth out.
Leave the clay on the plate to
dry overnight before peeling
it away carefully the next day.
Set aside again to allow the
inside to dry. Now you can paint
your plate, or decorate it with
goldleaf, if you prefer. Remember
that a clay plate like this can be
used for decorative purposes only.
TIP Spray the back of the plate with
a light coating of nonstick cooking
spray before pressing the clay onto it.
This will make it easier to peel off the
clay the next day, without damaging
your design.

78 IDEAS March 2015

 by LIZEL CLOE TE
photos ED O’RILEY
st yling CARIN SMITH
craft & décor

This plate with its floral pattern stole my heart on a recent
trip to Russia, but it was carefully preserved in a museum
in St Petersburg. At least I could take a photo of it with my
cellphone camera and I could transform an ordinary white
plate into an attractive décor item that would remind me
of my trip. Use a laser printer to make a colour print of a
plate of your choice on waterslide transfer paper. Cut out
the plate and soak the paper in lukewarm water to loosen
the paper backing, then slide the picture onto your plate
while still damp. Use your fingertips to smooth it out
gently before blotting with paper towels, then leave to dry
completely. Seal your plate with varnish, if you prefer, but
If you stroll around the streets of Amsterdam, you’re
bound to encounter this simple cross-pattern design
– it’s incorporated into the city’s funky official flag. Create
a unique memento of your travels by transferring the
pattern to a plate. You can choose any suitable paint,
depending on whether you want to use the plate for
eating or simply as a décor item. If you’d like to draw it
yourself, you could use a ceramic pen that is suitable for
writing on glazed ceramics. We chose a plate with gilded
edging and painted a gold cross in the centre using broad
brush strokes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to
bake it in the oven to set the paint, if you’d like to use
BUYER’S GUIDE ON PAGE 6

remember that this plate is for decorative purposes only. it afterwards.

Waterslide transfer paper (R35 for an A4 sheet, R70 for an A3 sheet) from CREATEstudio (createstudio.co.za). White plate
with scalloped edge (R59,95, undecorated) and grey plate with gilded edging (R160, undecorated) from Woolworths.
Moroccan plate (R250) from Moroccan Warehouse. Blue and white plate (R350) from Chandler House. Graphic plate
(R120) from Mr & Mrs. Dragonfly plate (R170) from Homebakes at Imagenius.

80 IDEAS March 2015

craft

Old-fashioned
maps have a certain
charm about them
and the subdued
earthy colours
make them the
perfect craft paper.
Here are a few
décor ideas to try.

by LIZEL CLOE TE
photos ED O’RILEY
st yling CARIN SMITH

Brighten up a wall or your dinner table with a string of

map-paper hearts. Draw a heart shape onto cardboard and cut it out to use as a
template. You can also fold a piece of paper double and cut out one half of the heart
to make sure you have a complete, symmetrical shape. Use the template to cut out
identical hearts from map paper. Cut enough to make a really long string. Arrange
the hearts in rows so that you can stitch them together to make a string – we placed
the hearts together two by two so the string is more three-dimensional, but you
could even use three if you prefer. Set your sewing machine on a large running stitch
and start sewing the hearts together across the centre. Keep placing the hearts under
the machine’s foot leaving a small space between them, if you prefer. Finish with
a long piece of loose thread and hang the string up or drape it over your table.
Cut and roll these roses in a flash and
arrange them together for effect. Use our
template below as an example and cut
a wavy spiral from map paper – ours
is 10 x 10cm in size. Cut the paper
in a spiral of equal width towards
the inside until you finish in the
middle with a circle. Cut the
outermost end straight and start
rolling up your paper rose from
there – this will form the inside of
the rose. You can roll the rose around
a kebab stick if it is easier for you. Hold
it in place with one finger as you roll so it
doesn’t slip, and roll it up tightly. Fold the
circle end around the base of the rose when
you have finished rolling it up. Let go of the
rose a little, so the flower ‘opens’. Use a glue
gun to insert a drop of glue under the circle
at the base and then press the spiral section
down with your finger onto the circle. Use
the sharp end of a kebab stick to make a
small hole in the base of the rose and glue
the rose onto the stick with your glue gun.

March 2015 IDEAS 83

craft

With handwritten post becoming a trend again,

we designed a page full of stamps specially for this
issue so you can use them for all sorts of projects.

by LIZEL CLOE TE photos ED O’RILEY st yling CARIN SMITH

photos ED O’RILEY stamp designs HANNES KOEGELENBERG
 Brighten up your table with napkins that look like ‘letters’. It’s quick and easy to make them
using iron-on transfer paper. Print out the stamp template on page 87 onto the transfer paper in colour and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions to iron the stamps onto the napkins. For the postmarks we used craft stamps and fabric ink.
These napkins would also make a lovely gift for someone special.

These strings of flags are a fun way to decorate a cake. Copy our stamp template on page
87 in the desired size, cut out the stamps and stick them onto long pieces of string or embroidery thread in rows using
double-sided adhesive tape or a glue gun. Tie the ends around two kebab sticks and press the sticks into the cake.

March 2015 IDEAS 85

craft

These postage-stamp houses make

interesting pendants, or make bigger
ones to display as part of your décor.
Go to page 88 for the instructions.

Use this idea to make original birthday

cards, invitations or thank-you letters.
Cut out the postcards from firm card-
board – the standard size is 148 x
105mm – and round the corners with
a corner punch before you stick your
cut-out stamp designs in position.

86 IDEAS March 2015

how to
You will need
• stamp template on page 87
• balsawood plank of about
20 x 20mm
• eyelet pins and rings
• ribbon, cord or chain
• modge podge
Copy the stamp template on page 87
to fit on your balsawood – we made
ours a little smaller – and cut the
stamps apart.
Balsawood from The Deckle Edge. Iron-on transfer paper (R35 per A4 sheet)
from CREATEstudio (createstudio.co.za).
2 3
Mark the size of your stamps on Rub the sides of the wooden
the balsawood and cut the wood blocks on sandpaper to smooth
into blocks with a craft knife or them. The wood is quite soft, so
saw it if it’s a thicker piece. don’t sand it too vigorously or for
too long.
5 6
Spread a little wood glue over the Press an eyelet pin into the ridge
top of the block and stick the roof of the roof – the wood is soft
in position. enough – and add a ring to the
eyelet if you are using a chain.
88 IDEAS March 2015
• craft brush
• wood glue (or use ordinary
craft glue)
• medium-grit sandpaper
• small wood saw
• craft knife and cutting mat
• metal ruler
• Take a look at our shop
on localfair.co.za for more
stamp designs that you
can download.
4
Cut or saw some of the blocks in
half so they form triangles to use
as the roofs of the houses. Also cut
a few stamps into pieces that will
fit on the front and top of the roof.
7
Paint modge podge over the
BUYERS’ GUIDE ON PAGE 6
house and press on the stamps.
Paint on a second coat of modge
podge and leave it to dry before
painting on another coat. Seal with
a coat of varnish, if you prefer.
 BUY MARCH NOW WITH: • March calendar • Postcard designs • Yarn holder
templates • Notepaper • Stamp designs If you don’t have them yet, buy January’s
and February’s parcels too Each monthly parcel costs R15, but if you subscribe in
advance for 12 months, you will pay just R120 for a year’s worth of printable surprises.

Go to www.localfair.co.za/stores/ideas
March 2015 IDEAS 89
your life

by NADIA VAN DER MESCHT

T
hese days our letter boxes
seem to be filled only with
junk mail or bills, and our email
inboxes are even worse. As a source
of unexpected pleasure, though,
nothing compares to a handwritten
note penned with kindness, or a
postcard from afar.
As we are faced with more and
more technology, our need grows for
real human connection. Traditional
methods of communication have
made a huge comeback.

90 IDEAS March 2015

Snail mail, as the name suggests,
is the traditional, slower
method of connecting and
communicating via the postal
service – as in days of old. It
might be slow and sometimes
unreliable, but renewed interest
in sharing news by post is being
fuelled by social media, the most
unlikely of sources. The snail-
mail revolution has slowly gained
momentum and is set to banish
our postal woes for good.
The aim of snail mail is to share
letters, postcards and gifts with
pen pals. It is, however, far more
interesting than the pen pals of
the past. The movement is as
much about creativity as it is about
writing. Now pen pals exchange
trinkets, stationery and items that
show their heritage, almost always
accompanied by a handwritten
letter. Everything is packaged
beautifully and decorated with the
utmost care and creative flair.
There are several words associated
with snail mail, for example pen pal,
swap, exchange, trade, letters, happy
mail, incoming and outgoing. These
assist people to connect with snail-
mail enthusiasts around the world.
Instagram, the social media photo
sharing app, is a hive of activity and
the ideal digital space to connect
with pen pals.
Hashtags are often misused, but
with some understanding they
are actually a very useful tool for
grouping ideas. If you search for a
hashtag like #snailmail on Instagram,
it will automatically bring up all the
photos pertaining to this theme, as
shared by the international Instagram
community. There are several other
hashtags that connect pen pals
too, for example #penpalwanted.
As you follow more people, you
are able to communicate with like-
minded enthusiasts who might be
interested in exchanging snail mail
with you. To start the conversation,
you comment on the other user’s
photos and find out if they are
keen to become your pen pal.
If you want to take a
look at what it’s all
about, view these hash
tags on Instagram:
#snailmail, #showandmail,
#snailmailrevolution, #penpal,
#penpalswanted, #incoming
and #outgoing.
Try to find people with similar
interests and tastes to you.
Approach prospective snail mailers
without expectations. Some will
reply but others may already
have enough pen pals. Try a few
different people and hang in there
until you find the right type of
person to exchange with. You can
either exchange internationally
or find someone local, to keep
postage costs down. Take a look at
their biography and other photos
or their blog (if listed) to see who
they are and what they are about.
your life
• Don’t feel nervous or worried to
chat to your new pen pal about
what you would like to send. You
can swap email addresses first in
order to share your address details,
likes and interests.
• Some pen pals focus on letter art,
which is decorating and writing
beautiful letters. They often send a
few small paper-related items too,
like stickers and postcards. Other
pen pals send packages with items
like lip gloss, sweets, handmade
crafts and stationery.
• If you find the right pen pal, she
shouldn’t be focused on how
much you are sending to her, but
rather on the love and care you put
into the snail-mail package.
Decide on a budget that will work for
you. Postage can be expensive, but
sending flat items in paper envelopes
rather than padded ones is much
cheaper. In South Africa padded
envelopes and flat paper envelopes
are placed in different pricing tiers.
Seek out flat items like stickers,
postcards, pretty envelopes and
writing paper or twine. Some snail
mailers also create washi samplers
that are easy to post. This involves
measuring out some of your own
washi tape and wrapping it around
a piece of cardboard or a thin plastic
sheet. This way your pen pal can
enjoy some pretty washi tape that
she might not have in her own
collection. It’s also a good idea to
stay away from breakables; you never
92 IDEAS March 2015
know what rigours your package
may be subjected to.
It’s worth paying extra for a
tracking number, as it’s great for
peace of mind. Ensure you ask for
this option at your local post office.
Seal your envelopes well and
ensure the address is neatly written
and easy to read. Be sure to ask your
pen pal for clear address details,
including her full name. Remember
to add your return address. Decorate
items first and then place them in
an envelope for postage. A lot of the
overseas snail mailers decorate their
postage envelope, but it’s better to
decorate your envelope and then
to put it in another plain envelope
to post off. This ensures that your
pretty snail mail stays intact and
undamaged.
Get creative and have fun to
your heart’s content. There are
loads of free printables online as
well as templates for making your
own envelopes. Pretty magazine
pages make great wrapping or DIY
envelopes and offer a unique option
for making your own stationery.
You are communicating with a
stranger, but most pen pals are only
interested in making new friends
who share their love for crafting and
snail-mail joy. It is best not to share
your address online, but rather to
communicate it via email with your
pen pal. The same applies when
photographing or Instagramming
your incoming or outgoing post. It
is good practice to cover all address-
related details to keep them private.
Let’s chat about the basics
of becoming part of the
snail-mail revolution.
• Do take part in sending snail
mail because you love giving
and sharing.
• Don’t take part if your only goal
is to receive free things with little
regard for your pen pal.
• Do take part if you can commit
to sending something, even if
it’s small.
• Don’t take part if you are prone
to flaking out on commitments.
You will bitterly disappoint a new
friend who deserves respect and
quality communication.
• Do take part if you love attention
to detail and enjoy spending
time decorating and wrapping
small gifts. A penchant for letter
writing also comes in handy.
• Don’t take part if you can’t stand
wrapping gifts or putting pen to
paper. You will soon get bored
and disappoint your pen pal.
• Do take part if you have the
budget to spend on postage.
• Don’t take on too many pen pals
and realise you can’t afford the
postage. Start slowly and build
up from there.
For lovely examples of snail mail
in action take a look at these
Instagrammers: paperedthoughts,
seaweedkisses, yssmail, bellajstyle,
xoylee, nadiavdmescht, pyro_mail
and cloudydaysandletters.
Sites to visit to find
out more about snail mail:
• www.snailmail-ideas.com
• oldfashionsnailmailpenpals.webs.com
• www.pinterest.com/breebafford-
mua/pen-pal-swap-snail-mail
• lettersandgifts.tumblr.com
• www.swap-bot.com
• sweetteapaperie.com
your life

Stylist Carin Smith could not resist

gathering some paper goodies and
making up snail-mail parcels of her own.

PHOTO: ED O’RILEY

94 IDEAS March 2015

 your life

Italian photographer Camilla Catrambone is working on a series

of intimate family portraits – but her relatives are not in the photos.

MOTHER

March 2015 IDEAS 95

your life
W hen art director and photo-
grapher Camilla Catrambone
(29) talks about her childhood, she
paints an almost idyllic picture: a
sweet Italian family in a picturesque
town in Tuscany, where Grandpa and
Granny shared the house and Mama
was always devoted to putting the
tastiest of dishes on the table every
day. It wasn’t exactly like that, she
admits, but that’s how she likes to
remember it.
The photographer has found a
very special way of capturing, saving
and sharing these memories through
unique family portraits. She doesn’t
portray the people themselves,
but instead creates assemblages of
objects that tell something about
each person in her family and her
relationship with them.
‘I was born on top of a mountain
in the vicinity of Florence,’ she says.
‘Our old farmhouse was surrounded
by fields and consisted of three parts.
Along with my own family, my Uncle
Stefano’s family lived there, as well
as Granny Ilva and Grandpa Mario.
We had no neighbours; the house
was very isolated. But I had the good
fortune to grow up with my brother
Jacopo and our two cousins, Marco
and Lorenzo. There was only a four-
year age difference between us all,
so when we came home from school
we always had playmates. It was
always the four of us, me the one girl
among three boys.’
At 16, Camilla was invited to take
part in an exchange programme
with an American school. ‘I was wild
about it, and my parents let me go.
So, I first stepped onto a plane to
go and do my fourth year of high
school in Florida. Later on, I studied
graphic design in Milan. I didn’t like
that city, so I tried my luck in Spain
– Barcelona. I worked there for two
years, switching between graphic
design and photography. In those
years abroad, I always kept in close
96 IDEAS March 2015
MOTHER
‘I have the closest relationship with my mother that a daughter could
ever have. Both my parents and my brother are the heart of my life.
We talk every day; we always know what’s going on in each other’s lives.
Precisely because my mother is so close to me, I found it very hard to do
a portrait of her. Her portrait shows one of the many things that I find
amazing about her, that she’s made our family so close. Looking after
the family was for her far more than just a daily task.
‘I only understood how much work she put into it once I was
grown up and realised that my childhood was about as perfect as you
can get. The key moment of every day was undoubtedly dinnertime.
Then we’d all be together, discussing the day and resolving any
problems that came up. The smells of the past tell stories about
tradition, love and authenticity. If you weren’t hungry, your appetite
would come anyway, and if you weren’t feeling well, a delicious meal
always helped. So when I started to think about how my mother was
in the past, I concluded that she is absolutely the greatest chef of my
family’s recipes.
‘Now my brother and I are grown up, she’s charging ahead
rediscovering her own life. In a few years’ time, I think I’ll be able to do a
whole new portrait of her that will show the new life she’s just begun.’
GRANNY ILVA
‘Granny Ilva was very beautiful. In their early years, she and her sister
turned the heads of all the boys. She was born some time in 1917. She
was never sure of the exact date, because it was different on various
documents. She met Grandpa Mario right near where I now live in
the heart of Florence. They fell in love, got married, and Granny Ilva
became pregnant with Uncle Sandro. Ilva gave birth to Sandro during
TEXT: CHRIS MUYRES • ARTICLE FROM FLOW MAGAZINE
the war, while my grandpa was away fighting in the army.
‘Sandro was one when my grandpa saw him for the first time. In
the meantime, “Captain Mario”, as they called Grandpa, and Ilva wrote
letters to one another, like the one in the portrait. I’m very attached to
that beautiful little photo of my grandmother. She wanted me to have
it after her death, as well as her favourite collection of small boxes.
My portrait of her shows how gracious she was. She always wore a
pearl necklace and pearl earrings. Clips, because her ears weren’t
pierced. Granny Ilva had a natural elegance, or at least a refinement
that I associate with women of that time – women who wore fur in
winter, who had handkerchiefs embroidered with their initials, and
kept their change in a small coins purse. These are all the things that
she had in common with her two sisters.’
GRANNY ILVA
your life

touch with my family, and really

missed them. I began to realise how
lucky I am to belong to such a close-
knit family. So I decided to move from
Barcelona back to Florence.’

FAMILY TREE
OF BELONGINGS
Objects have always fascinated
Camilla. ‘In one way or another,
everyone can be recognised by his or
her personal belongings. The things a
person chooses, the objects to which
a person becomes attached, the way
they use them, all of that tells a story
about someone. It’s like a fingerprint.
‘When I started this project,
I had the feeling that my family’s
belongings, starting with my beloved
grandparents, were still full of their
energy. They could retrieve shared
moments and bring them right
back to the forefront of my memory.
I started to feel a real need to use
those beautiful old belongings.
Rearranging and organising the
objects they’d used, I tried to create
a particular image I’d had of that
GRANDPA MARIO
person. For example, when I look at
the picture of my Grandpa Mario, it
brings me back to the days when
we sat at his desk and I can feel the
atmosphere of that time again. The
objects don’t tell the whole story of ‘Grandpa Mario is my grandfather on my mother’s side. He and
my grandpa, but stand for specific, Granny Ilva lived next door to us. After school, I often went to play
precious moments that I shared in his office. He worked at a large desk, cluttered with papers,
with him. pens, a stapler, a calculator and a phone. . . The desk had all sorts
‘The ultimate intention is to make of secret drawers, in which he kept such things as correction strips,
an entire family tree out of the carbon paper, rubber stamps and a letter opener. Beside his desk
personal belongings of the people stood a smaller table for his typewriter.
I grew up with. That makes each ‘Of course, it was great playing with all this stuff, and it’s
portrait something very profound and amazing how lively my memories of this have stayed. I can still
intimate for me. Now I’m working on smell the ink and paper; I can still hear the rumble of the typewriter
a couple of new portraits: two of my and the special sound it made at the end of a line when he hit the
dad, who’s a bit envious and angry carriage return to start a new line. And the sound the telephone
that he hasn’t been done yet (don’t made when you dialled the chosen prefix: 055, one long and two
worry, Dad!), and one of my great- shorter turns. Or the taste of Pastiglie Valda throat pastilles that
aunt Derna, Granny Ilva’s sister, a I stole from his desk, and sugar that stuck to the bottom of the tin
fantastic woman.’ that I licked off with a wet finger.
This article includes a number of ‘I also have lots of memories of my grandfather that have
family portraits from the series. nothing to do with his office. For example, as a toddler I used to fall
• More can be seen on Camilla’s asleep in his lap, like a baby koala bear, while he sat in his armchair
website: Lacatra.com. watching the news or reading.’

98 IDEAS March 2015

 GRANDPA ANTONIO

‘Grandpa Antonio is my grandfather on my father’s side. I never got to know him well. Not because he died young
or anything, but simply because we didn’t see each other that often. My grandmother wasn’t close to him either.
The two of them were not used to showing love, but luckily they found a way of living together. It meant that my
grandfather spent most of the day in his workshop, down in the basement of their apartment building. I was scared
of those cellars under the building. You could only get there by a steep staircase, it was always pitch black, and I was
scared of getting lost in the maze of identical corridors and doors. Most residents of the complex used their basement
space for storage; my grandfather was the only one who spent his days there. He made wooden toys, like cars, but
also kitchen items such as cutting boards and spoons. My mom still has a whole bunch of them in her kitchen. When
it was time to eat, my grandmother never went downstairs to call him. Instead, she’d switch the light on and off until
he came up. During the war, Grandpa Antonio was half-deafened by a bomb explosion. He wore a hearing aid that
would start making a strange noise if you got too close to him. I’ll never forget that sound.’

March 2015 IDEAS 99

your
your
lifelife

Louise Spamer’s maternity leave included the

birth of Cut, her own laser-cutting business.
by TERENA LE ROUX photos ELSKE KRITZINGER st yling DAL A WAT TS

100 IDEAS March 2015

Who and where
Louise lives with her quantity
surveyor husband Jaco and their four
children, Sebastian (12), Isabella (10),
Liam (7) and Noah (2) and two dogs,
Griffin and Coco, on the smallholding
at Kameeldrift outside Pretoria where
she grew up. Out of sheer boredom,
this erstwhile interior designer
started playing around with her
father’s laser cutter while she was on
maternity leave for six months. She
enjoyed it so much that she soon
bought her own machine, quit her
job and founded Cut.

Product range
‘I started with laser-cut flags –
I was pretty much the bunting
queen! Nowadays I make a range
of beautiful things for the home, as
well as lots of special orders. I get
my colour inspiration from the many
different beads I see at markets – the
ones that women wear around their
necks and which reflect the mood of
a moment.’

Personnel
‘I’m the sole “employee”! But
there is an auditor who takes care
of the finances for me. Having a
background in illustration and design
helps me a great deal when it comes
to product development. I had to
teach myself to do woodwork. And
for marketing I’ve had to rely heavily
on word of mouth, as well as being
seen at the markets and expos where
I sell. My kids are used to me being
covered in wood dust and too dirty
in the afternoons to go into the
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
school to fetch them; by now they HARD WORKING: there is no such thing as working nine-to-five
know they must come out to the car.’ Monday to Friday, especially if you work from home like I do.

Where to find Louise CREATIVE: you absolutely cannot stagnate creatively; you have to keep
and her products your eyes open and stay in touch with everything that’s going on around
• Tierlantynkies in Pretoria twice a year you.
• Home markets
• facebook.com/cutHandmadeDecor INDEPENDENT: you must be able to do what needs to be done
• Personal orders: email Louise at when it suits you.
louise1spamer@gmail.com

March 2015 IDEAS 101

 Q Why do some recipes specify
a wooden spoon?

A  ven though a silicone spoon

E
basically does the same job, these
are the reasons for the wooden spoon
remaining a preferred tool:
• It’s strong, so it can stir thick things
without breaking, and it can scrape
things off the bottom of a pan.
• It’s soft. With the possible exception of
nonstick pans, it’s not going to scratch
the finish of your cookware.
• It’s insulated; if you’re making sweets
or something else sensitive to sudden
temperature changes, you’re not going
to cause crystallization by putting in a
tool that absorbs heat from your dish.
• It has a high heat tolerance, so it won’t
melt if it rests on the side of a pan or
stirs something really hot.
• It looks nice and feels nice in the hand.
• For some of the above, plastic works
fine. It’s soft and insulated, but it
doesn’t have a high heat tolerance.
Also, it’s not very strong, so it won’t
hold up stirring something particularly
thick. Some plastics release chemicals
when heated, and so if it’s not BPA free,
there may be some health risks from
using plastic utensils in hot liquids.
• Silicone is a good alternative to wood;
by and large, it will handle everything
without a problem if it’s well made.
• Metal utensils are strong and heat
tolerant, but not as good as wood on
the soft and insulated aspects.

compiled by TERENA LE ROUX

st yling TARA SLOGGE T T
photos TOBY MURPHY

From looking fresh

after travelling to the
best spoon to use, we
have the answers.

102 IDEAS March 2015

 your life

Beauty tip
If you love a particular dress style and The best trick to
your favourite one is falling to pieces,
take it to a dressmaker and ask her to
looking fresh after
copy the pattern for you. You will be long-distance travel
able to have your dress made again
is to use corrector
and again for many years to come.
and concealer. Start
with a corrector to
brighten and neutralise
discolouration under
Remind yourself of what you’ve
the eyes – pink tones
completed and what still needs for pinky-blue darkness
to be done by getting a rolling
and peach tones
rubber stamp made stating ‘paid’,
‘returned’, ‘replied’, ‘gift bought’ for purple-brown
and ‘done’. Working through your darkness. Apply with
to-do list will be a lot more fun.
a concealer brush
and blend with your
Q: My cut flowers never fingers. Follow with
seem to last long in the
vase. What can I do? your normal shade of
SOURCES: BOBBIE BROWN’S PRETTY POWERFUL AND 1001 QUICK FIXES & KITCHEN TIPS (PARRAGON); FINECOOKING.COM

A: Keep your flowers in a cool spot concealer for a fresh,

and away from any direct sunshine, rested look.
and they will last longer. If you’re
having visitors and you want to display
the flowers in the centre of a room
under the lights, only place them there
just before your guests arrive.
 YOU said it
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Go to www.jenam.co.za for
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www.surpriseme.co.za
104 IDEAS March 2015
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myself to an overseas subscription. That would be the ideal solution!
Thanks to the whole Ideas team for keeping me sane and creative for
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MADE WITH LOVE made my own gift tags. They were
I am a visiting swallow to your my Christmas gifts to friends and
country. Recently, with a group of neighbours, and to my gardener as
friends, we decided to take a long well. Using an alternative sweetener
trip from Knysna, along the Wild to sugar, I also made one for my
Coast, and eventually ending up in friend’s daughter, who is diabetic.
the Kruger National Park. Everyone was delighted with their
We stopped at Port St Johns along home-made gifts – all the more
the way and stayed at Umngazi. special as they were made with
While there I decided to treat myself love. I even managed to save some
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and pedicure. While waiting to go I have now bought my first
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I was fascinated by the diversity of to make the filigree letter for my
ideas and came across the perfect granddaughter, who is just about to
one for Christmas: recipes for a move home. It would make a lovely
lime cordial and a strawberry and homecoming gift to her for her
pomegranate cordial. bedroom wall. The papier-mâché
On my return from my eye- bowls and the gift boxes are also on
opening but exhausting two-week my to-do list. I wonder who will be
trip, I started to make the cordials. the recipient of those!
I sought out appropriate bottles and Shirley Gardiner, by email
New best friend
There I was, sitting in hospital
after an operation, paging through
the Ideas magazine of September
2014 that someone left behind.
Seriously, I can’t believe I have not
found you before now! I think your
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how an old piece of furniture can be
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I picked up on my walks. I love being Delicious lavender
creative, be it painting a picture, Your ‘In love with lavender’ article in the November issue of Ideas was
making a chilli sauce, or designing perfectly timed. My parents went on a walking tour through France in
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me. Thank you to all who work so in the gift were the macarons, madeleines and lavender syrup from the
hard to bring us new inspiration and article. Thanks for the fantastic inspiration!
ideas every month. Leanne Harris, Hyde Park
Anna Ivanisevic, Cape Town

CREATIVE HOME ART

I look forward to my monthly Ideas subscription as you have such
interesting articles that inspire me to try my hand at learning some of the
finer points of home art.
Articles that have inspired me of late have been those about decorating
with roses and decorating glass jars (August 2014) and the fruit cake
decorations and flavouring of sugar with lavender (November 2014).
The fondant doily article in the January 2015 issue was very inspiring
but I found the doilies broke too easily so I made some hearts instead.
There is still hope for those over the age of 60! Ivy Volker, Port Elizabeth

March 2015 IDEAS 105

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st yling CARIN SMITH

If you love beautiful crockery and enjoy

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collecting such items on your travels, this is the ideal project
for you. Complete the collection yourself if the perfect
plate (or destination) has eluded you.

2
Clay and lace

Register your account.

We made our own little plate using
white air-dry clay and a glass plate to
press a pattern into it in relief. Using
a rolling pin, flatten your air-dry clay
to a thickness of about 5mm, then
use a craft knife to cut out a circular
shape slightly larger than your
plate. Place this clay disc over
the back of your plate and cut
away the excess. Press the clay
onto the plate to transfer the
pattern and roll lightly with
the rolling pin to smooth out.
Leave the clay on the plate to
dry overnight before peeling
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inside to dry. Now you can paint

3
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Choose your Ideas or

used for decorative purposes only.
TIP Spray the back of the plate with
a light coating of nonstick cooking
spray before pressing the clay onto it.
This will make it easier to peel off the
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Idees magazine –
1 IDEAS March 2015

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106 IDEAS March 2015

 Find heaps of Easter
inspiration and lots of
‘bright’ plans in your next
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• Make everything special with a touch of lace • Freshen up your home with
our clever, budget-friendly projects • Entertain with a creative Easter breakfast
• Glue and paint your own golden hanger (plus plenty more ideas to bring
a shine to your life) • Surprise your friends with cute decorated eggs
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